Category Archives: hiking

Adventure Travel, hiking, women-only travel

Wild Women Expeditions Introduces Hiking Adventure to Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon

Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon: Wild Women Expeditions, a pioneer in women-only travel adventures, is introducing Spirit of Bhutan on three 2018 hiking departures.

CORNER BROOK, NL, CANADA – Imagine a country that places happiness above all else, where every policy must pass a Gross National Happiness filter to be enacted. Imagine trekking through lush green mountainous valleys of a remote Himalayan kingdom where yak herders greet you with smiles as the chanting of monks echoes from ancient cliff-side monasteries and colorful prayer flags ripple before snow-capped peaks.

Welcome to Bhutan, Land of the Thunder Dragon.

A company devoted to active travel adventures designed for women only presents for 2018 its brand-new itinerary in this distant land that time – almost – forgot.

Wild Women Expeditions, the pioneer in women-only travel adventures, introduces Spirit of Bhutan on three brand-new 2018 hiking departures: Sept. 20-Oct. 2, Oct. 11-23 and Nov. 12-24.

Only over the past 50 years have visitors been allowed to visit Bhutan, land locked in the Himalayas between Tibet and China to the north and India to the south. It is still also time locked, only early in the 21st century opening to Western influences. Bhutan, despite the encroachment of the internet and hand-held devices, remains steeped in ancient traditions with overlays of powerful Buddhist mythologies. How spirituality and myth translate into 21st century life in this 750,000 population is a focus of Wild Women Expeditions’ quest.

“Bhutan is a shining example of how spirited adventure tourism can be truly sustainable,” underscored Jennifer Haddow, visionary Owner/Director of Wild Women Expeditions. “Bhutan’s commitment to being a carbon neutral country comes to life in its approach to tourism, where travelers take great care to minimize their footprint on this wilderness Shangri-la.” She personally researched and helped craft this tour of west and central Bhutan — with the highest standards of ecotourism at heart.

The per person rate is $4,495 inclusive of ground transportation, including airport transfers; 12 nights accommodation (lodges, inns, a luxury resort and one night camping); meals throughout the trip; services of an experienced Bhutanese English-speaking female guide and of porters; camping equipment for a hiking expedition to Tiger’s Nest; entry fees and permits; and domestic air fare from the gateway, Paro, one way to Bumthang, the spiritual heartland of Bhutan.

Visits to monasteries or dzong perched on cliffs overlooking traditional rural life reveal that these fortress-like cloisters historically served as lighthouses, sending warning signals against potential marauders. An afternoon of river rafting coincides with a visit to the imposing Punakha Dzong (Palace of Great Happiness). Built in 1637, it is strategically placed at the confluence of two rafting rivers (Po Chu and Mo Chu). Guests also visit Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest) whose lore and location epitomize Bhutan’s spirituality and beauty. One day guests walk for several hours through a forest of rhododendron and hemlock to meet some 30 nuns in contemplation and seclusion at one of the oldest (early 9th century) of seven nunneries in Bhutan.

Guests can anticipate walking up to16km on mountain pathways through blue pine and juniper forests. One trek leads to Bumdra Monastery and a meadow laced with chortens (stupas) and prayer flags. Here women camp under the stars with a nearby 4,000m peak beckoning the hearty.

Each glimpse of a dzong brings high-altitude vistas of mountains gouged by deep river valleys and rice fields, together comprising the country’s 60 percent of land designated national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. Forests covering over 70 percent of the landscape are themselves resources. For example, guests visit a family-owned incense factory that utilizes juniper, rhododendron and cypress to make incense. They are served tea during another family visit; they experience the restorative properties of a hot stone bath followed by a lesson in Bhutan’s national sport, archery.

A day trip to Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital, features the weekly market and revered Memorial Chorten that underscores the importance of the country’s two-party constitutional monarchy. The Changangkha temple, since the 12th century overlooking Thimphu, is a study of devotees flocking here to circumambulate and turn the prayer wheels. The temple contains beautiful wall paintings and hundreds of religious scriptures written in gold. A huge golden statue of Buddha Dordenma commands a view of the valley. His three-story throne holds several chapels; the body itself is filled with 125,000 smaller statues of Buddha. On an earthly note is a visit to a nearby weaving center where local women create intricate fabric for the traditional Bhutanese garment of gho (for men) and kira (for women).

“Wild Women Expeditions gives women the opportunity to empower themselves amongst other women, connect with the natural world and make a positive impact in the communities we explore,” says Haddow. “When women adventure together in the wild, it is transformational.”

For trip details see https://wildwomenexpeditions.com/trips/spirit-of-bhutan/.

For details, availability and reservations for these and all Wild Women Expeditions’ programs call 1 (888) 993-1222, email [email protected] or visit online at https://wildwomenexpeditions.com/.

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family-friendly adventures, hiking, National Parks, US Travel

Austin Adventures Facilitates Vacations in America’s Over-Popular National Parks

Hiking up the Mist Trail alongside Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park. National parks are ideal for summer family vacations, so much so, they are overrun. Tour operator like Austin Adventures not only has hotel space, but can facilitate the visit to minimize crowds © 2017 Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Last year, a record setting 331 million people visited a national park in the U.S.  2015 had earlier set the record at 307 million visitors. Over the last two years there has been a 13 percent visitor increase overall. This is a trend that experts say is here to stay.

The good news is that more and more people are enjoying America’s “best idea.” The downside is that roads, pull-overs and entrance stations are more crowded than ever, parking is hard to find, campgrounds are booked full by noon, restaurant reservations are difficult to secure and for those waiting too long to book lodging, there’s no room left at the inn.

Because vacation time is too precious for such factors as frustration and anxiety, advance vacation planning that includes putting a professional tour operator in charge of the logistics can help buy peace of mind and a better overall experience.

“When a national park is in the equation, a good tour company can give you the kind of quality park vacation that just might not be possible on your own,” said Dan Austin, President of Austin Adventures, a leader in family-focused, multisport vacations here and abroad.

Austin’s company offers a good reason of why one should consider a tour operator for a national park vacation. “We have stayed ahead of the growth curve by adding capacity and trip departures. We also work hard to block the best rooms inside a park, a year or more in advance.” This is an investment (and risk) to the tour operator, having to secure everything so far into the future. But in Austin Adventures’ case, it has been a winning strategy.

Where an individual or family may find frustration going it on their own, booking through an operator can make the process pain-free. A tour operator has the rooms, the restaurant reservations and sightseeing logistics all worked out. They alleviate parking woes by dropping guests off at a trailhead and picking them up at a different spot later. They can also avoid the masses because they know where the crowds aren’t as well as the best times to be there (on Austin’s Yellowstone Park trips they often avoid the crowds at Old Faithful by visiting at sunrise – a short walk from their lodge).

“Guests benefit from our expertise, ‘insider’s knowledge and long-standing park connections,” Austin said.

Tour operators know the area, inside and outside the park, as well as the best places to stay, eat, view wildlife, etc. They have highly trained guides who are focused on customer service, safety and security, as well as having fun, said Rick Hoeninghausen, Director of Sales & Marketing for Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

Quality tour operators often build in special touches that enhance the experience for their guests. For example, Austin Adventures will surprise their guests with fresh made ice cream and fruit parfaits served along the hiking trail.

Some of Austin Adventures’ most popular National Park family itineraries include Yellowstone Family Adventure, Yosemite National Park Multisport, Grand Canyon Family Vacation & Tour, and the Bryce and Zion National Park Tour in Utah. For information on all of the company’s National Park adventures, see: http://www.austinadventures.com/national-park-vacations/

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, pre-set and custom-designed small group tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings that includes operations in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park; and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also owns and operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Ariz., the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Country Walkers and Austin Adventures.

For information on Austin Adventures, www.austinadventures.com, call 800-575-1540 or email [email protected].

 

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bike trips, cycling trips, hiking

Ciclismo Classico Introduces New Week-Long Cycling, Hiking Tour of Nova Scotia

(Arlington, MA) – Ciclismo Classico has unveiled a new week-long cycling and hiking tour of Nova Scotia. Guests will enjoy scenic rides and hikes amid pristine beaches, marshland, quaint villages, and beautiful vineyards.

Highlights include absorbing the region’s history at UNESCO World Heritage Sites; cycling a variety of picturesque paved roads and trails; wildlife viewing opportunities; exceptional local cuisine and fresh seafood; and four-star accommodations. This intermediate cycling tour averages 29 miles per day. Prices start at $2,795 and the departure date is set for September 19-25, 2016.

“Quiet coastal roads, delicious local food, colorful fishing villages and fertile farmland combine to make Nova Scotia a hidden gem for cyclists,” said Ciclismo Classico Founder Lauren Hefferon. “There’s no bonding experience like hitting the pavement or a well-maintained trail and digging into scallops, fresh lobster and other fresh seafood at the end of the day.”

For more information, visit http://ciclismoclassico.com/trips/nova-scotia-bike-tour/.

 

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Adventure Travel, camping trips, ecotourism, hiking, National Parks, Nature Travel, US Travel

Natural Habitat Adventures Launches New “Safari America” Series in Iconic National Parks

Natural Habitat’s newest trip seeks to replicate a traditional African safari experience with large canvas tents, fine dining and a telescope for stargazing.
Natural Habitat’s newest trip seeks to replicate a traditional African safari experience with large canvas tents, fine dining and a telescope for stargazing.

BOULDER, CO — The nature travel professionals at Natural Habitat Adventures have come up with a fresh way to explore America’s national parks and reserves. By choosing paths less traveled and incorporating deluxe catered camping, guests experience in solitude the wonder of the country’s most magnificent landscapes without compromising comfort.

NatHab-NatlParks2Natural Habitat’s newest trip seeks to replicate a traditional African safari experience with large canvas tents, fine dining and a telescope for stargazing. The first offering in the Safari America series, Safari America: Under the Desert Sky, is a 9-day, 8-night adventure that combines moderate hiking with catered camping and classic lodge stays at four premier parks: Grand Canyon (the quieter North Rim that hosts just 10 percent of all visitors to the park), Bryce, Zion and rarely visited Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument.

Departures begin and end in St. George, UT. 2016 dates are Aug.7-15 and Aug. 25- Sept. 2. The per-person double rate is $3,995; single supplement $1,095. Guests spend four nights in walk-in canvas tents with real beds (two twins or a queen) and down comforters, a private toilet for each tent, and hot showers. Home-cooked meals are served at a table set with linens and porcelain dinnerware, complemented with fine wines. Three nights are spent in classic western lodges.

Evoking the concept of a mobile African safari, camps are secluded on private lands adjacent to national parks. An open-sided lounge tent provides a gathering space, with comfortable chairs for relaxing. A high-powered telescope is situated for shared use after dark. Camps are set in areas known for near-perfect conditions for stargazing, with low humidity, isolation from ambient light and the darkest skies in the West. While accommodations are not luxurious, they offer full-service, classic tented camping at its finest.

Interspersed during the week between safari camp stays are three nights at exclusive western lodges. Guests enjoy two nights in rustic luxury at Zion Mountain Ranch, a private spread with its own bison herd, perched atop a plateau under wide-open skies. From individual cabins with private decks, guests watch buffalo and wild deer graze in meadows before retreating inside to the warmth of a wood-burning fireplace. The ranch restaurant prepares acclaimed farm-to-table meals featuring seasonal dishes sourced from local growers. Guests also spend a night at Bryce Canyon Lodge, the venerable 1920s hostelry recently restored to its original splendor and that remains the only lodging on the rim inside Bryce Canyon National Park.

NatHab-GrandCanyon NRimTwo naturalist Expedition Leaders share with a maximum of 14 guests per departure the highlights and hidden corners of the Colorado Plateau’s dramatic topography, a trip that includes the little-visited Grand Staircase-Escalante, a geological wonderland of broad mesas, narrow slot canyons, stacked sandstone and arid washes. While tenting in Escalante and on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, guests may gaze at the heavens with a high-powered telescope under a canopy of stars. While traveling throughout this region, each guest has a window seat in one of two comfort-designed vans.

The canyon country of the American West has long held a storied place in the annals of travel adventure. From John Wesley Powell’s Colorado River explorations to Mary Colter, who influenced Southwest architecture, to Teddy Roosevelt, who fell in love with the Wild West, intrepid pioneers and everyday explorers alike have pursued the allure of these rustic landscapes. This trip’s focus in tandem with Nat Hab partner World Wildlife Fund is a classic journey into America’s high deserts, forests and canyonlands, shunning crowds by staying in secluded areas where quiet and solitude reign, just as they did for the early explorers.

For details, see http://www.nathab.com/us-national-parks-tours/southwest-national-parks-camping-tour/.

For information on all of Nat Hab’s trips, descriptive itineraries, date availability and reservations call 800.543.8917 or visit http://www.nathab.com/. Click HERE to order a copy of the 2016 catalog.

Natural Habitat Adventures is a world leader in responsible adventure travel and nature-based ecotourism. Since its founding in 1985, the company has offered eco-conscious expeditions and wildlife-focused small-group tours to the planet’s most remarkable nature destinations. Inspired and created from years of scouring the planet for the singular and extraordinary, Nat Hab’s itineraries are artfully crafted experiences that are far from “typical.” Trips are guided by professional naturalist Expedition Leaders, and Nat Hab enjoys a longstanding reputation for hiring some of the world’s best guides. Conservation is at the forefront of everything NHA does, and its philosophy is simple: tourism must work with and benefit local communities, which will in turn find value in protecting natural resources and wildlife.

NHA is proud to be the travel partner of World Wildlife Fund, sharing a mutual commitment to travel as a means of helping to protect the world’s wondrous natural places.  Nat Hab has donated more than $2 million to WWF and will continue to donate 1% of gross sales plus $100,000 annual through 2018 in support of WWF’s mission.
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Adventure Travel, hiking, National Parks

Austin Adventures’ Offers Special National Park Adventure Combining Grand Canyon and Havasu Canyon

Havasu Canyon
Havasu Canyon

Austin Adventures, a trend-setter in luxury multisport and active family vacations worldwide, offers hiking programs into Arizona’s Havasu Canyon and its legendary travertine pools and waterfalls. This spring it is offering a special departure guided by its two most accomplished trip leaders that combines for the first time a South Rim of the Grand Canyon hike with in-depth exploration of the waterfalls and wonders of one of Arizona’s most iconic destinations, Havasu.

“We have taken our already popular Havasu Basecamp Adventure and enhanced it with more quality time in the Grand Canyon,” explains Dan Austin, company founder and president. “And the kicker is that two of our most beloved senior guides will be leading this very special departure.”

Guests on Austin Adventures’ five-day/four-night tour will enjoy the company and services of Outside Magazine’s top family guide, Kasey Austin, along with master guide Matty (K) Kirkland who has been with the company since its inception.

“We wanted to create a special Grand Canyon departure in tribute to the centennial of the founding of America’s National Park System,” Austin says. “Families with kids 10 and older will find this appealing as the March date dovetails nicely with many school spring break schedules.”

The Arizona South Rim & Havasupai Adventure on Mar. 19-23, 2016 begins and ends in Scottsdale, AZ. The first day is spent exploring the Grand Canyon’s South Rim starting at Desert Watchtower followed by a hike on the South Kaibab Trail. Tonight guests enjoy dinner perched along the rim at the historic El Tovar Lodge.

A three-hour drive the next morning brings the group to Hualapai Hilltop and the trailhead for the 10-mile descent into Havasu Canyon. Numerous switchbacks dive deep into the red sandstone labyrinth until a level streambed is reached. When the vegetation turns lush as the Canyon widens at mile eight, guests enter Supai, one of the most remote villages in the United States. Here, the mail still arrives by packhorse. It’s then a short hike past two spectacular waterfalls to the deluxe basecamp, home for the next three nights. Note: At trip’s end, those not wishing to hike back out may request (for an extra fee) conveyance by helicopter or horseback.

Basecamp is a serious affair with a well-stocked backcountry kitchen, oversized tents and plush sleeping bags and pads. Its centralized location is the key to full exploration and enjoyment of the Canyon.  The creek that carved Havasu spills over five major falls, the biggest of which, Mooney Falls, drops over 190 feet. The water temperature of about 70 degrees remains relatively constant throughout the year. Over millennia, the high mineral content and carbonate precipitate in the water has created countless pools, dams and drops. With new formations forming all the time, the flow of the creek is ever-changing.  Day hikes are certain to culminate with a swim in the turquoise waters.

“Teal blue waters, lush foliage, squash and wild grape vines growing like weeds, pomegranate and apricot trees lining the dusty path and waterfalls all around. So unexpected and so beautiful!” –wrote one recent guest.

The per person, double occupancy rate of $1,998 ($280 single supplement) includes lodging, all meals, trailside snacks, fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides, vehicle support and land transportation during the trip, Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle, luggage tags and luggage service, packing information, taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, and national park entrance and permit fees. Because this is a spur of the Grand Canyon, hiking permits, that can be hard to obtain, are included.

For more complete trip details see www.austinadventures.com/packages/arizona-south-rim-havasupai/.

For more information on all of the 2016 destinations, trips and itineraries offered by Austin Adventures visit www.austinadventures.com, call (800) 575-1540 or email [email protected].

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings that includes operations in Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Zion, Crater Lake, Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park; and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also owns and operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., the Grand Canyon Railway and Hotel in Williams, Ariz., the Grand Hotel in Tusayan, Ariz., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, Country Walkers and Austin Adventures.

 

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hiking

Self-Guided James Joyce Walking Tour Dovetails Bloomsday Festival in Dublin June 16

In conjunction with Bloomsday Festival held June 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland Walk Hike Bike offers total immersion via a week-long visitor excursion wrapped around this annual blow-out event commemorating writer James Joyce.
In conjunction with Bloomsday Festival held June 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland Walk Hike Bike offers total immersion via a week-long visitor excursion wrapped around this annual blow-out event commemorating writer James Joyce.

In conjunction with Bloomsday Festival held June 16, 2015 in Dublin, Ireland Walk Hike Bike offers total immersion via a week-long visitor excursion wrapped around this annual blow-out event commemorating writer James Joyce.

The self-guided tour immediately captivates guests on a suggested insider’s tour of the city. The events of Joyce’s novel Ulysses (which is set on 16 June 1904) are relived. The self-paced city tour allows trekkers to experience the historic festival before heading out into greater Ireland on a planned but self-guided six-day itinerary; City Trek Dublin & Wicklow 6-Day Self-Guided Hike.

The Bloomsday Festival involves a range of cultural activities including Ulysses readings, dramatizations and pub crawls. Guests often see festival goers dressing in Edwardian costume as they follow the trail of Molly Malone through Dublin’s fair city.

Later an adventure in Wicklow National Park brings guests through mountain passes and lush glacial valleys rich in archaeological treasures enroute to Glendalough, a 6th century monastic settlement nestled in the valley of two lakes. The walks are up to 21km daily, but guests are fortified by full Irish breakfasts each morning in their reserved lodgings. See: http://www.southwestwalksireland.com/tours/city-trek-dublin-wicklow-8-day-self-guided-hike-2/

Travelers may choose from two excursions, depending on the desired length of trip. The shortest version is six days and requires that the visitor be able to read a map and compass. The itinerary is also available as an 8 day tour which requires more stamina and is recommended for people who are physically fit and agile. Both tours are self-guided.

This is an independent tour with guests following a pre-ordained route with detailed route descriptions and maps and evenings enjoying accommodations (with full Irish breakfasts) reserved in advance by Ireland Walk Hike Bike. Guests have the convenience of 24-hour emergency support and telephone back up. Luggage is moved ahead of the walkers to their next destination.

Travelers who cannot make the June trip dedicated to the Bloomsday Festival may schedule this outing during other times of the year. Contact Ireland Walk Hike Bike for more information on both fully-guided and self-guided trips; Phone: USA/Canada 1 720 316 5973; email: [email protected], website: http://www.irelandwalkhikebike.com.

 

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experiential travel, hiking

Self-Guided Hikes on the ‘Ring of Kerry,’ Ireland, Travel Over Historic Carriage Route

A stage coach route, dubbed the "Ring of Kerry," created in 1815 through historic villages and sites in southwestern Ireland’s County Kerry is the destination 200 years later of 8- and 11-day self-guided hikes by adventure travel specialist Ireland Walk Bike Hike.
A stage coach route, dubbed the “Ring of Kerry,” created in 1815 through historic villages and sites in southwestern Ireland’s County Kerry is the destination 200 years later of 8- and 11-day self-guided hikes by adventure travel specialist Ireland Walk Bike Hike.

KERRY, Ireland– A stage coach route created in 1815 through historic villages and sites in southwestern Ireland’s County Kerry is the destination 200 years later of 8- and 11-day self-guided hikes by native adventure travel specialist Ireland Walk Bike Hike (http://www.irelandwalkhikebike.com/).

Dubbed the Ring of Kerry after the popular 179-km-long circular tourist route of the same name, this is a signature program designed and operated by Ireland Walk Hike Bike, (formerly known as South West Walks Ireland) that was started in 1994 by Linda Woods

This is a self-guided, independent walking tour with guests following a pre-ordained route equipped with detailed route descriptions, maps and pre-arranged accommodations (with full Irish breakfasts) booked in advance by Ireland Walk Hike Bike. Guests have the convenience of 24-hour emergency support and telephone back up. Luggage is moved ahead of the walkers to their next destination.

Depending on how many days they can devote to this hike, guests can enjoy Ring of Kerry 11-Day Self-Guided HIKE from €925 per person double or Ring of Kerry 8-Day Self-Guided HIKE from €749 per person double.

Kerry’s special character is drawn from its unequalled diversity of land and seascapes while its offshore islands add yet another dimension to the beauty of the coastline frequently dotted with castles, forts and watchtowers. Warm summers and mild winters produce many sub-tropical and alpine species of flora while the temperate ocean waters, heated by the Gulf Stream, produce magnificent underwater vistas with whales, dolphins, seals and even turtles being frequent visitors.

The Ring of Kerry traces the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula beginning in the Oak Woods of Killarney National Park, followed by the picture-postcard towns of Kenmare, Sneem and Glenbeigh before taking a step back in time at historic Derrynane House.

Guests walk an average of 20 km a day. Access for this holiday can be from Dublin, Cork or Shannon airports with bus and/or train connections available to Killarney year round.

On July 6, 1815, Charles Bianconi introduced his first horse-drawn carriage for passengers in Ireland, thus launching Ireland’s public transport system. He was able to establish regular horse-drawn carriage services from major towns and villages. Buses and coaches were commonly called “Bianconi’s” well into the 20th century.  This route, which precedes railways, is a unique way to travel Ireland seeing the sites that travelers saw 200 years ago.

Ireland’s fabled County Kerry consists of a series of spectacular mountainous peninsulas divided by deep sea inlets. MacGillycuddy’s Reeks form the centerpiece of the Ring of Kerry, a 179-kilometer circuit from Killarney, via Killorglin, Caherciveen, Waterville, Kenmare and back to Killarney across Moll’s Gap and past Ladies View – one of Ireland’s most famous viewpoints. Weaving between these points is a network of ancient paths that are nearly as old as the land itself, many of which form part of a long-distance track known as the Kerry Way.

The name ‘Kerry’ comes from the Old Irish word Ciarraige meaning the people of Ciar, an early Celtic tribe that settled in the area around 300 BC. In fact, Kerry has an outstanding collection of historical and archaeological sites that date back over 7,000 years, with several ancient forts and numerous early Christian churches. Impossibly green pastures stretch as far as the eye can see, completely empty save for small herds of sheep or goats, and at almost every turn there are spectacular views of mist-covered mountains and wild stretches of uninhabitable coastline where deep fissures have been carved, over the eons, by the pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean.

Here and there along the coast, pretty fishing villages, such as Caherdaniel and Portmagee, have successfully withstood the elements and offer a picturesque contrast to the verdant hills that surround them. The Skellig Islands lie 8 miles off the tip of the peninsula, two rocky peaks rising sheer out of the Atlantic Ocean. Skellig Michael is a world heritage site on account of its 6th century monastery, with beehive huts, oratories and inscribed crosses. Seabirds abound as well. Small Skellig is home to over 40,000 gannets, the second largest colony in the world.

Contact Ireland Walk Hike Bike, 720-316-5973; email: [email protected], website: http://www.irelandwalkhikebike.com.

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cruises, hiking

Explore Turkey’s Lycian Way on Foot and by Sea

Peter Sommer Travels' eight-day Walking & Cruising Western Lycia offers a chance to explore remote sites, ancient ruins and secluded bays along Turkey’s stunning south coast.
Peter Sommer Travels’ eight-day Walking & Cruising Western Lycia offers a chance to explore remote sites, ancient ruins and secluded bays along Turkey’s stunning south coast.

Monmouth, UK –Peter Sommer Travels is preparing to explore some of Turkey’s most spectacular coastline in an expedition that combines walking ancient trails along the Lycian Way with cruising aboard a traditional Turkish yacht.

Designed for travelers with a passion for history, scenery, archaeology and the outdoors, the eight-day itinerary Walking & Cruising Western Lycia offers a chance to explore remote sites, ancient ruins and secluded bays along Turkey’s stunning south coast.

An initial departure, from April 28 to May 5, 2015, will be hosted by archaeologist Dr Richard Bayliss, who has excavated and surveyed ancient sites across Turkey.  A second departure, from October 10 to 17, 2015, will be hosted by Toronto-born archaeologist and documentary producer Peter Sommer, who in 1994 walked more than 2000 miles across Turkey, retracing the route of Alexander the Great.

They will each lead groups of no more than 14 people along some of the best sections of the Lycian Way, an acclaimed walking trail that links coastal paths, Roman roads and hilltop goat tracks.

Walkers will take a leisurely pace averaging 8-10 km a day, in between swimming, relaxing and cruising aboard a traditional wooden gulet where they will sleep and dine.

Highlights include walking Roman roads and the route of a 2000-year-old Roman aquaduct, exploring remote archaeological sites like the ancient hill town of Sidyma, and discovering Kekova, one of the most romantic and picturesque areas on the Turkish coast.

The itinerary is one of 30 different tours and gulet cruises in the Peter Sommer Travels 2015 program, offering unforgettable journeys in Turkey, Greece and Italy.

Each tour is hosted by an expert guide from fields including archaeology, ancient history, the arts, the classics and cuisine. They provide a rich insight into the history of past empires and civilisations, while also offering a chance to enjoy the magnificent culture, scenery, food and wine of each region.

Walking & Cruising Western Lycia is priced from £1995* per person (approximately $US 3,030/$CA 3,660) for the April departure, or from £2175* (approximately $US 3,300/$CA 3,990) for the October departure.

Prices include transport, accommodation, most meals, crew and guide services, and all entrance fees and tips on excursions. Airfare is excluded.

For full details and bookings, contact Peter Sommer Travels at 1-855-443-3027 (in the US and Canada), email [email protected] or visit www.petersommer.com.
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ecotourism, hiking, Responsible Travel

‘Get Outdoors Responsibly’: Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers Offer Tips to Preserve Natural Landscape

'Get Muddy' say The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers: A giant mud puddle in the middle of your trail? Get muddy and walk right though it to avoid trampling and the loss of important plants and small trees living along our trails © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com
‘Get Muddy’ say The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers: A giant mud puddle in the middle of your trail? Get muddy and walk right though it to avoid trampling and the loss of important plants and small trees living along our trails © 2014 Karen Rubin/news-photos-features.com

Summer is winding down but there’s still time to celebrate summer’s final days in the outdoors with park picnics, road trips, camping, water sports, hiking and much more. Americans logged 1.6 billion visits to national and state park lands last year. The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers encourage people to get outside and enjoy America’s parks, forests, lakes and oceans responsibly during the last few weeks of summer.

The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers are teams educators that travel throughout the United States in their Subaru hybrids and reach millions of people each year. They conduct hands-on educational trainings and outreach, teaching the public about Leave No Trace principles while promoting stewardship of the outdoors, protection and preservation of our public lands and support of outdoor recreational activities.

“The best way to celebrate the end of summer is to get outside,” according to Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer, Dani Rowland. “With the growing number of visitors on our public lands, it’s easy for these natural areas to be negatively impacted. The teams travel the country teaching straight-forward skills to help people protect the outdoor places they cherish. Learning and practicing Leave No Trace goes hand-in-hand with your end of summer celebration.”

These five, new tips from the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers to help you Leave No Trace on your next picnic, camp outing or park visit are easy to implement and will help protect our nation’s favorite natural lands for years to come:

 

1. Keep Wildlife Wild

Human food is unhealthy for all wildlife and feeding them can have unfortunate consequences such as drawing them to people and roads and making them sick.

 

2. Get Muddy

A giant mud puddle in the middle of your trail? Get muddy and walk right though it to avoid trampling and the loss of important plants and small trees living along our trails.

 

3. Be Careful With Fire

Burn all wood to ash and be sure the fire is completely out and cold before you leave to avoid starting a wildfire.

 

4. Trash: A Burning Issue

Burning trash and leftover food in your campfire attracts animals and releasing harmful chemicals into the air. Put all leftover food and trash in a trashcan.

 

5. Water Wisdom

Keep soap, food and human and pet waste out of lakes and streams to keep them clean. We all depend on clean water.

 

To learn more tips on Leave No Trace and when the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will be in your area visit www.LNT.org.

Subaru has a long history of supporting active lifestyle enthusiasts and the organizations that are important to them. In 1999, Subaru of America and the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics joined forces to promote responsible recreation across the United States. The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainer program consists of four teams of two educators that travel across the country in their Subaru hybrids teaching people how to protect and enjoy the outdoors responsibly. The Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers work with the general public, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, friends groups and governmental agencies to reduce the impact of recreational activities in selected endangered areas.  In 2014, alone, the Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers will reach 15 million Americans.

Leave No Trace is a national, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to protecting the outdoors by teaching people how to enjoy it responsibly. Since 1994, Leave No Trace has been the most widely accepted outdoors program used on public lands in the United States. Through targeted education, research, outreach, volunteerism and partnerships, Leave No Trace ensures the long-term health of our natural world. Their Subaru/Leave No Trace Traveling Trainers are mobile teams educators that visit 48 states every year delivering Leave No Trace programs. Leave No Trace has mobilized more than 30,000 volunteers to provide outreach and training impacting more than 22 million people annually in the U.S. For more information visit www.lnt.org.

 

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