Learn how to wakeboard in the warm waters of Canada’s hottest destination.
Attention husbands, children, brothers and fathers! What do “cycling mammas” want most for Mother’s Day? Sure, cards or flowers are appreciated, but what she covets most of all might be time to bicycle with her family.
Sign up the Mamma in your life on a Ciclismo Tour by May 13th and receive a $250 discount on her trip! (They’ll give you the discount too. Valid on all trips except More Miles for Less, cannot be combined with any other discounts.)
Suggested Mom escapes from the ultimate cycling mama, Ciclismo Classico director, Lauren Hefferon:
La Bella Puglia Enjoy laid-back cycling, delicious cuisine and mystical cities of stone
Swept Away in Sardegna (Lauren’s personal favorite) Explore dramatic coastlines, mesmerizing scenery and a rich, vibrant culture
The Grand Tour D’Italia Experience the Best of Italy on this stunning 15 day North to South, six-region, cycling portrait of Italy - a Ciclismo exclusive
Lovely Lofoten For peaceful pedaling on a Norwegian Paradise that ventures over the Arctic circle and pedals along soaring mountains and the crystal sea
Vietnam For sensory cycling overload of lush scenery, intense cultural experiences and smiling, super friendly natives
Provence For a glorious spin in France’s most famous and magical cycling region.
Myths & Mountains first caught my eye for their uncommon trips that reach beneath the surface and allow adventurous travelers to truly experience the people and culture of the places they visit. Since then, I’ve become a huge fan.
Fueled by the belief that there’s an adventure in each of us, they’ve launched a new Motorcycle Safari through Cambodia trip that allows you to experience the country the way locals do – from the seat of a 250cc dirt bike.
I’m tempted. Who’s with me?
The adventure begins and ends in Phnom Penh before departing for temples such as Preah Khan and Preah Vihear, where you’ll spend the night in luxury safari tents and be the only tourists to experience the temples at sunrise. The trip continues to Angkor Wat, then onto Kampi to see fresh water dolphins and elephants in Mondulkiri, and concludes with three days at the beach in Sihanoukville to relax and unwind.
What a GREAT idea for fans of man’s best friend and other orphaned animals…
Green Earth Travel has announced “trips that make a difference” vacations that enable animal lovers to care for orphaned animals, then kick back camping at the Grand Canyon August 9-14, or at a spa in Zion National Park October 5-10.
“We are proud to once again offer these unusual trips for animal lovers around the country,” comments Donna Zeigfinger, Green Earth Travel President. “Guests will enjoy high quality time at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary caring for their residents and learning about Best Friends’ tradition of service. Following a couple of days of dedicated to the animals, they will have an opportunity to enjoy the dramatic beauty of our desert southwest.” In June and August, Grand Canyon trip guests will venture to the North Rim of the canyon itself to camp out after witnessing the spectacular view, hiking and enjoying an evening around a toasty campfire.
The October 5- 10, 2010 trip will offer a well-deserved indulgence after the caretaking at Best Friends, when travelers head to Zion National Park and Flanigan’s Inn. There they will have a chance to hike the dramatic canyon landscape, participate in a yoga refresher, or find a uniquely silent space to meditate at this desert hideaway.
Recession or not, experiential travel continues to thrive because the true rewards of travel are intangible: discovering a new destination at its most intimate and authentic, expanding your view of the world, and returning with memories that last a lifetime.
If time is your ultimate luxury, I recommend you check out these four new itineraries for fall 2010 from Abercrombie & Kent.
1. Thailand in Depth (November 17-29, 2010)
An introduction to the rich history and culture of Thailand with value-pricing at some of the world’s finest hotels. Participate in the celebration of the Loy Krathong Festival in Sukhothai where the festival originated. Venture off the beaten path to Lampang in a traditional horse carriage. Be blessed by monks in remote Mae Hong Son. Visit the hill tribes in the Golden Triangle and learn about their distinct cultures. Paint with elephants in Chiang Mai and relax at the Four Seasons Resort Chiang Mai, one of Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best.” Thirteen days from $4,885.
2. Magnificent Asia (November 6-18, 2010)
Illuminate your understanding of the cultures of Southeast Asia, from Thailand and Laos to Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. Participate in an alms offering in Bangkok. Enjoy a private baci (welcome) ceremony in Luang Prabang. Learn about Vietnamese art from Suzanne Lecht at her private gallery in Hanoi. Bike along peaceful roads, passing small villages en route to Preah Khan. Learn about Khmer history from an expert before visiting Angkor Wat. Explore the pagodas, temples and stupas that dot the plains surrounding Bagan. See how sustainable tourism is making a difference by supporting Sam’s Brothers Clean Water Project. Thirteen days from $7,995.
3. Discover Australia (September 4-14, 2010)
A carefully-planned introduction to this diverse continent at an exceptional price. Explore Melbourne’s hidden corners on a walking tour led by a local historian. Enjoy lunch at the renowned TarraWarra Winery. Get a close-up view of some of Australia’s indigenous wildlife at Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. Cruise along the Great Barrier Reef to Agincourt Reef, which offers some of the best snorkelling in the world. Privately tour the Sydney Opera House. Eleven days from $4,995.
4. Australia: Land of Contrasts (October 16-30, 2010)
Combine cosmopolitan Melbourne and Sydney with the remote Australian Outback, Ayer’s Rock (Uluru) and the Great Barrier Reef. Learn the workings of a private sheep station established nearly 100 years ago. Observe the extraordinary wildlife on Kangaroo Island. Dine and sleep under the stars at a desert camp with views of Uluru. Cruise on a high-speed catamaran to the ribbon reefs on the outer edge of the Great Barrier Reef, some of the most pristine eco-systems in the world. Go behind the scenes for a private tour of Sydney Opera House. Accommodations include Longitude 131°, a Conde Nast Traveler Gold List and Travel + Leisure World’s Best winner, and Southern Ocean Lodge, with spectacular ocean, beach and wilderness views. Fifteen days from $11,295.
Celebrate National Park Week, April 17-25, 2010!
If you’re planning a trip to the nation’s capital, you may be able to name a number of stops on your itinerary without even cracking a guidebook. Memorials to presidents; museums devoted to natural history, air travel and space exploration, and the visual arts; the White House; the U.S. Capitol—these sites or some combination of them draw many visitors. But you might look at your schedule and wonder if several days of marble monuments, glass display cases, rooms of paintings, and iconic buildings will have you hankering for a break.
Slate a day or two to get away from the Mall and explore a much different national park—a pocket of America’s great outdoors within the boundaries of the District of Columbia. Rock Creek Park, located in northwest D.C., offers a mixture of scenery, tranquility, adventure, and activity.
Among Rock Creek’s slopes, trees, and slabs of rock, and near its eponymous body of water, you can ride on horseback, take a run, bicycle, or rollerblade. This week’s Getaway destination also beckons to hikers and kayakers, although, equipped with multi-use paths, it more than accommodates those seeking the proverbial stroll in the park.