Karen Rubin, Editor & Publisher, is a veteran travel writer and publisher, who is devoted to the mission of travel: to engender understanding – of self and others – and break down the barriers and borders dividing people, while creating the economic underpinnings to sustain environment, heritage and culture and a base for uplifting, fulfilling jobs.
Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures has just introduced ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, that lets guests enjoy the freedom of a self-guided/independent trip with the support of a guided tour.
Bicycle vacation specialist Pure Adventures has just introduced ‘Supported, Self-Directed’ adventures, a new concept in cycling vacations that lets guests enjoy the freedom of a self-guided/independent trip with the sag wagon service and trip leader support of a fully guided tour.
“This supported self-directed concept allows independent cyclists to ride and explore remote destinations where roadside assistance or local services may not exist, essentially creating their own ride complete with all the support needed,” says Loren Siekman, Pure Adventures founder/owner. “The support van and trip leader assigned to transfer guest luggage from one overnight stop to the next also assist with ‘sag’ stops along the route (every 20-25 miles), provide a lift for shorter ride options, help with mechanical matters, and handle any on-road emergencies or questions.
Supported self-directed itineraries require that a minimum of six people sign up for the same fixed departure date and program. However if six friends or family members sign up, then they can choose their own exclusive departure date.
“Even though six or more clients are traveling more or less on the same route, they are under no obligation to fraternize and for all intents and purposes may remain as independent of one another as they like. The only common denominators are that their luggage is in the same van and they’re most probably staying at the same inns,” Siekman said.
Pure Adventure manages all logistics, makes all reservations, and provides all vehicles, trip support leaders, as well as high end bike rentals.
“It’s a perfect middle ground between fully guided and independent/self-guided at a price point more closely resembling a self-guided trip.”
The advantages of supported self-directed travel include lower trip rates, no appointed meal and departure times and the freedom to sightsee at leisure. Riders can tap into the expertise of the company’s leader who knows bike mechanics, supplies fresh water and healthy snacks, advises on caution stops, suggests things to see and do and provides transport to guest-selected restaurants.
“In this format, we may suggest but are not organizing group activities such as museum visits or wine tastings often included in a fully guided trip. And though trip distances on these programs tend to be longer than most of the self-guided trips we offer, shorter ride options exist thanks to this Sag support. It is the perfect option for couples of different abilities,” said Siekman.
New for 2015, Pure Adventures’ Supported Self Directed itineraries include: Death Valley, Bryce & Zion National Parks, Epic Climbs of Arizona, Yosemite to San Francisco and several more County Kerry & Cork in Ireland. Coming later in 2015 will be new and challenging trans-Pyrenees and trans-Alps trips plus other long distance rides with less mountain climbing demands.
President Obama went home to Chicago to launch the “Every Kid in a Park” initiative that will provide all fourth grade students and their familieswith free admission to National Parks and other federal lands and waters for a full year.
At the same time, the President announced the creation of three new National Monuments across the country, including the Pullman National Monument in Illinois, a location iconic for its history of labor unrest and civil rights advances, which will be Chicago’s first National Park Service (NPS) unit; Honouliuli National Monument in Hawaii, the site of an internment camp where Japanese American citizens, resident immigrants, and prisoners of war were held captive during World War II, and Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado, an historic site of extraordinary beauty with world-class recreational opportunities that attract visitors from around the globe.
“Together, these monuments will help tell the story of significant events in American history and protect unique natural resources for the benefit of all Americans,” the White House said.
“No matter who you are, no matter where you live, our parks and our monuments, our lands, our waters — these places are the birthright of all Americans,” President Obama said.
But of the three, the Pullman National Monument has special significance for the President, not just for its importance to the labor movement and the civil rights movement. As he related the story:
“This place has been a milestone in our journey toward a more perfect union,” President Obama said.
“So this site is at the heart of what would become America’s Labor Movement — and as a consequence, at the heart of what would become America’s middle class. And bit by bit, we expanded this country’s promise to more Americans. But too many still lived on the margins of that dream.
“The white workers who built Pullman’s rail cars won new rights. But those rights were not extended to the black porters who worked on these cars — the former slaves, and sons and grandsons who made beds and carried luggage and folded sheets and shined shoes. And they worked as many as 20 hours a day on less than three hours’ sleep just for a couple dollars a day. Porters who asked for a living wage, porters who asked for better hours or better working conditions were told they were lucky to have a job at all. If they continued to demand better conditions, they were fired. It seemed hopeless to try and change the status quo.
“But a few brave men and women saw things differently. And one summer night in 1925, porters packed a hall in Harlem, and a young man there named A. Philip Randolph led the meeting. And what A. Philip Randolph said was, “What this is about,” he said, “is making you master of your economic fate.” Making you master of your economic fate. And so he and others organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters around the strategy that he would employ throughout his life: “If you stand firm and hold your ground, in the long run you’ll win.”
“That was easier said than done. Over the years, Brotherhood leaders and supporters were fired, they were harassed. But true to A. Philip Randolph’s call, they stood firm, they held their ground. And 12 years to the day after A. Philip Randolph spoke in that hall in Harlem, they won, and Pullman became the first large company in America to recognize a union of black workers.
“And this was one of the first great victories in what would become the Civil Rights Movement. It wouldn’t be the last victory. It was his union that allowed A. Philip Randolph to pressure President Roosevelt to desegregate the defense industry. It was those Pullman porters who gave the base by which A. Philip Randolph could convince President Truman to desegregate the Armed Forces. It was those porters who helped lead the Montgomery Bus Boycott, who were the central organizers of the March on Washington.
“And that’s not just the story of a movement, that’s the story of America. Because as Americans, we believe that workers’ rights are civil rights. That dignity and opportunity aren’t just gifts to be handed down by a generous government or by a generous employer; they are rights given by God, as undeniable and worth protecting as the Grand Canyon or the Great Smoky Mountains. …
“That’s the story of this place — that, together, we can do great things that we cannot accomplish alone. That’s why today I’m designating Chicago’s Pullman District as America’s newest national monument. I want this younger generation, I want future generations to come learn about their past. Because I guarantee you there are a lot of young people right here in Chicago, just a few blocks away, living in this neighborhood who may not know that history.
“I want future generations to know that while the Pullman porters helped push forward our rights to vote, and to work, and to live as equals, their legacy goes beyond even that. These men and women without rank, without wealth or title, became the bedrock of a new middle class. These men and women gave their children and grandchildren opportunities they never had.
“Here in Chicago, one of those porter’s great-granddaughter had the chance to go to a great college and a great law school, and had the chance to work for the mayor, and had the chance to climb the ladder of success and serve as a leader in some of our cities’ most important institutions. And I know that because today she’s the First Lady of the United States of America, Michelle Obama.
“So to the young people here today, that’s what I hope you take away from this place. It is right that we think of our national monuments as these amazing vistas, and mountains, and rivers. But part of what we’re preserving here is also history. It’s also understanding that places that look ordinary are nothing but extraordinary. The places you live are extraordinary, which means you can be extraordinary. You can make something happen, the same way these workers here at Pullman made something happen. (Applause.)
“Because for all the progress that we’ve made — and we have made a lot of progress — our moral revolution is unfinished. And it’s up to each of us to protect that promise of America, and expand that promise of opportunity for all people. That long march has never be easy. This place, historic Pullman, teaches us we have to keep standing firm and together. That’s the story of who we are. That’s the story of our past. And I have no doubt that we will pass the torch from generation to generation so that it is the story of our future as well.”
Pullman National Monument in Illinois:
This monument will preserve and highlight America’s first planned industrial town, and a site that tells important stories about the social dynamics of the industrial revolution, of American opportunity and discrimination, and of the rise of labor unions and the struggle for civil rights and economic opportunity for African Americans and other minorities. The 203-acre site includes factories and buildings associated with the Pullman Palace Car Company, which was founded in 1867 and employed thousands of workers to construct and provide service on railroad cars. While the Pullman Company employed a mostly white workforce to manufacture railroad passenger cars, it also recruited the first porters, waiters and maids from the population of former slaves to serve on its luxury cars. Though lower-paying, these service jobs held prestige in the African-American community and played a major role in the rise of the African-American middle class and, through an historic labor agreement, the development of the civil rights movement of the 20th Century. The historic labor movement organized by A. Philip Randolph in the 1930s to win rights for these porters, waiters and maids ultimately created the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first labor union led by African Americans to receive a charter in the American Federation.
The National Park Foundation announced that nearly $8 million dollars has already been raised to support the monument, which will be Chicago’s first National Park Service unit and will be managed by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service (http://pullmanil.org/nps.html).
Browns Canyon National Monument in Colorado:
This monument will protect a stunning section of Colorado’s upper Arkansas River Valley. Located in Chaffee County near the town of Salida, Colorado, the 21,586-acre monument features rugged granite cliffs, colorful rock outcroppings, and mountain vistas that are home to a diversity of plants and wildlife, including bighorn sheep and golden eagles. Members of Congress, local elected officials, conservation advocates, and community members have worked for more than a decade to protect the area, which hosts world-class recreational opportunities that attract visitors from around the globe for hiking, whitewater rafting, hunting and fishing. In addition to supporting this vibrant outdoor recreation economy, the designation will protect the critical watershed and honor existing water rights and uses, such as grazing and hunting. The monument will be cooperatively managed by the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management and USDA’s National Forest Service.
Honouliuli National Monument in Hawaii:
This monument permanently protects a site where Japanese American citizens, resident immigrants, and prisoners of war were held captive during World War II. Located on the island of Oahu, the monument will help tell the difficult story of the internment camp’s impact on the Japanese American community and the fragility of civil rights during times of conflict. Honouliuli Internment Camp, located in a steep canyon not far from Pearl Harbor, opened in March, 1943 and was the largest and longest-used confinement site for Japanese and European Americans and resident immigrants in Hawaii, eventually holding 400 civilian internees and 4,000 prisoners of war. The camp was largely forgotten until uncovered in 2002, and the President’s designation will ensure its stories are told for generations. The monument will be managed by the Department of the Interior’s National Park Service.
Every Kid in a Park
In the lead up to the 100th birthday of the National Park Service in 2016, the President’s Every Kid in a Park initiative is a call to action to get all children to visit and enjoy America’s unparalleled outdoors. \
“Today, more than 80 percent of American families live in urban areas, and many lack easy access to safe outdoor spaces. At the same time, kids are spending more time than ever in front of screens instead of outside. A 2010 Kaiser Family Foundation study found that young people now devote an average of more than seven hours a day to electronic media use, or about 53 hours a week – more than a full time job.
“America’s public lands and waters offer space to get outside and get active, and are living classrooms that provide opportunities to build critical skills through hands-on activities.”
To inspire the next generation to discover all that America’s public lands and waters have to offer, the Obama Administration will provide all 4th grade students and their families free admission to all National Parks and other federal lands and waters for a full year, starting with the 2015-2016 school year. The initiative will also:
Make it easy for schools and families to plan trips: The Administration will distribute information and resources to make it easy for teachers and families to identify nearby public lands and waters and to find programs that support youth outings.
Provide transportation support to schools with the most need: As an integral part of this effort, the National Park Foundation (NPF) – the congressionally chartered foundation of the National Park Service – is expanding and re-launching its Ticket to Ride program as Every Kid in a Park, which will award transportation grants for kids to visit parks, public lands and waters, focusing on schools that have the most need.
Provide educational materials: The initiative will build on a wide range of educational programs and tools that the federal land management agencies already use. For example, NPS has re-launched a website with over 1,000 materials developed for K-12 teachers, including science labs, lesson plans, and field trip guides. And a number of federal agencies, including the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Education, and NPS participate in Hands on the Land, a national network of field classrooms and agency resources that connects students, teachers, families, and volunteers with public lands and waterways.
To further support this effort, the President’s 2016 Budget includes a total increased investment of $45 million for youth engagement programs throughout the Department of the Interior, with $20 million specifically provided to the National Park Service for youth activities, including bringing 1 million fourth-grade children from low-income areas to national parks. This increase will also fund dedicated youth coordinators to help enrich children and family learning experiences at parks and online.
‘Conservation, a Truly American Idea’
The President, standing near the site of the historic Pullman town in Chicago, said, “For a century, rangers, and interpreters, and volunteers and visitors have kept alive what the writer Wallace Stegner once called ‘the best idea we ever had’ — our belief that the country’s most special places should belong not just to the rich, not just to the powerful, but belong to everybody — not just now, but for all time.
“Conservation is a truly American idea. The naturalists and industrialists and politicians who dreamt up our system of public lands and waters did so in the hope that, by keeping these places, these special places in trust — places of incomparable beauty, places where our history was written — then future generations would value those places the same way as we did. It would teach us about ourselves, and keep us grounded and keep us connected to what it means to be American. And it’s one of our responsibilities, as Americans, to protect this inheritance and to strengthen it for the future.
“And that’s why I’ve used my authority to set aside more public lands and waters than any President in history. (Applause.) And that’s why, starting next month, we’re going to encourage every American to “Find Your Park,” because chances are, there’s one closer than you think.”
Antiquities Act Under Threat of ‘No New National Parks’ Legislation
The Antiquities Act was first exercised by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. Since then, 16 presidents have used this authority to protect unique natural and historic features in America, such as the Grand Canyon, the Statue of Liberty, and Colorado’s Canyons of the Ancients.
With these new designations, President Obama will have used the Antiquities Act to establish or expand 16 national monuments. Altogether, he has protected more than 260 million acres of public lands and waters – more than any other President – as well as preserved sites that help tell the story of significant people or extraordinary events in American history, such as Cèsar E. Chàvez National Monument in California, Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument in Maryland, and Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio.
However, the Republican-led Congress has moved to undermine the President’s authority to designate national monuments.
“Since 1906, presidents of both parties have used this legislation to protect sites, objects, and landscapes of historic, cultural, or scientific interest on federally-owned or controlled property,” the National Trust for Historic Preservation stated. “Some of America’s most iconic places were first protected by presidential national monument designations, including the Statue of Liberty, Grand Canyon and Acadia. Recent designations such as Fort Monroe, the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad, the César E. Chávez National Monument — and now Pullman — demonstrate just how critical the Antiquities Act is to protecting America’s diverse historic and cultural sites.
“Now, only two months into 114th Congress, seven bills have already been introduced that would weaken, restrict or add burdensome requirements to the president’s use of the Antiquities Act. These bills pose a serious threat to the future preservation of America’s most important and beloved places.”
(See more at National Trust for Historic Preservation, 2600 Virginia Ave. NW Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20037, 202-588-6000, 800-315-6847, PreservationNation.org and SavingPlaces.org.
Newport, RI – As of Friday, February 13, three Newport Mansions are open daily for tours for the rest of the year. The Breakers (1895), The Elms (1901) and Marble House (1892).
On March 13, two additional houses–Chateau-sur-Mer (1852) and Rosecliff (1902)–will open for the season. Kingscote (1841), Green Animals Topiary Garden (c.1860), Hunter House (c.1748), Isaac Bell House (1883) and Chepstow (1861) will open on May 23.
New this year will be a revised guided tour of Rosecliff, combining information about the history of the house and its creators, with reminiscences by its last private owners who donated it to the Preservation Society.
Special Events
The following special events are currently scheduled at the Newport Mansions (visit www.NewportMansions.org for updated event listings and details):
March 7-8: Newport’s Island Moving Company performs Mother Goose at Rosecliff, an enchanting children’s ballet.
March 19: The lecture “Birdmen: The Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, and the Battle to Control the Skies” is presented at Rosecliff. Author Lawrence Goldstone tells the story of the feud between the nation’s great air pioneers.
April 4: The Easter Bunny visits Rosecliff for the annual Easter Egg Hunt & Brunch, now in its 26th year. Enjoy eggs, candy, prizes and a scrumptious seated brunch.
April 26-29: The 23rd annual Newport Symposium, “North and South: Crosscurrents in American Material Culture,” invites a fresh look at regional differences in American furnishings, silver, textiles, painting, architecture, and interiors to reveal the complex exchange of ideas and enduring influences.
May 16: Just in time for planting your garden and sprucing up the indoors, stop by our annual Plant Sale at Green Animals Topiary Garden for specialty plants and garden accessories.
June 11: Preservation Society members are invited to the Annual Meeting.
June 19-21:The Newport Flower Show will celebrate its 20th anniversary with the theme “American Beauty, Timeless Style” at Rosecliff. Long before it became home to the Newport Flower Show, Rosecliff was the birthplace of the American Beauty Rose. This iconic flower, which became a symbol of excellence, is the inspiration for our 20th anniversary. Join us to celebrate the classic and timeless style of the American Beauty. Enjoy floral designs, horticulture exhibits, garden displays and more. The exciting Opening Night Party on June 19 will feature a cocktail buffet, live music, a seaside supper and other entertaining surprises.
July 9: The Angela Moore Fashion Show & Brunch returns to Rosecliff.
July 14: The Green Animals Children’s Party invites children and adults alike to frolic in the whimsical and historic topiary garden overlooking Narragansett Bay in Portsmouth, with music, rides, food and fun.
August 10: The Preservation Society’s annual Golf Outing takes place at Newport National Golf Club. The event includes tee prizes for all golfers, lunch and refreshments on the course, cocktails and a light supper after golf, awards and live and silent auctions.
August 20-23: A Weekend of Coaching makes its triennial return to Newport. Authentic 19th century coaches drawn by matched and highly-trained teams of horses will be on display as they drive through the streets of Newport and the grounds of the Newport Mansions, celebrating and preserving a century-old sporting tradition. The weekend’s events include a free coaching exhibition on the lawn of The Elms on Saturday, August 22, and a black-tie dinner dance at The Breakers that night.
September 25-27:The Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festivalreturns for its 10th year to Marble House, Rosecliff and The Elms. Among the celebrity guests will be Jacques and Claudine Pépin. The weekend features a two-day Grand Tasting at Marble House with hundreds of wines, cooking demonstrations from national and regional chefs, a gala celebration at Rosecliff, a collectible wine dinner at The Elms, plus seminars, auctions, and more.
November 21-January 3, 2016: Christmas at the Newport Mansions is celebrated at The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House.
Visit www.NewportMansions.org or call 401-847-1000 for details about the operating schedule, event information and reservations, and ticket prices. Operating schedule and events calendar are subject to change.
The Preservation Society of Newport County, Rhode Island is a non-profit organization accredited by the American Alliance of Museums and dedicated to preserving and interpreting the area’s historic architecture, landscapes and decorative arts. Its 11 historic properties—seven of them National Historic Landmarks—span more than 250 years of American architectural and social development.
Lark Hotels, the innovative hospitality brand renowned for its “mischief-meets-modern” inspired properties, is adding another New England gem to their growing collection of boutique hotels, with the historic Whitehall Inn in Camden, Maine.
The reinvigorated Whitehall, which originally opened its doors to vacationers in 1901, will drop the “inn” from its name and welcome guests back onto its rambling front porches in May 2015. The award-winning design firm Rachel Reider Interiors, the talent behind many of Lark Hotels’ distinctive looks, designed the 36 guest rooms and suites with Camden’s unique location in mind.
In addition to the hotel’s signature oversized porches, an outdoor lounge with a fire pit, shuffleboard court, and extensive common areas and lounging spaces, the hotel will feature a revolving collection of art by local Maine artists. All will pay homage to the motto of Camden — “where the mountains meet the sea.”It was important to incorporate Maine artists and tradespeople into the design, such as Angela Adams, Sister Parish fabric and other New England craftsmen,” Reider said. “Texture plays a large role in the look. I’ve tried to bring in the natural environment with materials such as highly textured grasscloth, weathered woods, aged metals, rope and wood textured wall coverings.”
Anchoring the property will be Pig + Poet, a restaurant whose vibe and menu will be crafted by nationally acclaimed chef Sam Talbot. A collaborative venture, Pig + Poet embraces Chef Talbot’s focus on a simpler way of cooking and celebrates thoughtful modern American food.
Focusing on Maine’s farmland, fisheries and game, the restaurant will feature a raw bar, signature roast pork dishes, Sam’s fresh take on lobster rolls, chowder and blueberry-sweet corn cobbler just to name few items. A charcuterie bar will offer sausages and cheese selections. The “poet” in the name is a nod to the chef’s role in the creative process, as well as a subtle wink to Edna St. Vincent Millay, a Pulitzer-prize winning poet who was discovered at Whitehall Inn in 1912.
“I’ve always loved the great outdoors and having a real connection to the food that comes out of my kitchen,” Chef Talbot said. “It’s become a bit of a cliche to say that my food is farm-to-fork, but that’s truly what it will be. Being in Camden is an inspiring opportunity for me to work with new local vendors, flavors and experiences. I have always been drawn to the water and waterfront towns and I’m excited to join the amazing food movement going on in the MidCoast, Portland and throughout Maine.”
Chef Talbot has worked in top NYC restaurants, and is a cookbook author and television personality. He was featured as a semi-finalist on season two of Bravo’s acclaimed series Top Chef, which included him becoming the viewers-choice “Fan Favorite” on the show. He was also featured in People Magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” issue in 2012. Diagnosed with juvenile diabetes at a young age, Sam has a profound understanding and appreciation for the intimate relationship between life and food, which has served as a driving force for his cooking style and recipes, which were the main focus of his cookbook titled The Sweet Life: Diabetes Without Boundaries.
A Charlotte native, Chef Talbot began his culinary training at Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina, where he worked under acclaimed chef, owner and mentor James Burns of J.Bistro. At 24, he made the move to New York City to become Executive Chef at Black Duck Bistro in Manhattan. Two years later, he opened Williamsburg Café, which was then nominated for best brunch restaurant in Brooklyn by the New York Post. Sam is also the former Founding Executive Chef of the uber popular Surf Lodge in Montauk, NY and the Michelin-recommended Imperial No. Nine in New York City. While at the helm at the Surf Lodge, the restaurant garnered national acclaim as a premier dining destination in the Hamptons and was named one of the world’s 20 Sexiest Bars and Restaurants by The Travel Channel.
Together, Chef Talbot and Lark Hotels are thrilled to breathe new life into Whitehall by showcasing modern American cuisine at its finest and freshest.
This year, in addition to The Whitehall Inn, Lark Hotels is also opening
Gilded, where 1890s opulence meets modern amenities, will open in Newport, Rhode Island in May 2015.
The Break, opening in New England’s long board surf capital of Narragansett, RI in June, will be the area’s first designer hotel, complete with casual beach-style bistro.
And an as-of-yet unnamed properties in Mendocino, CA; Napa, CA; and Stowe, VT
Lark Hotels are located in seven coveted New England seaside locations: Camden, ME, Whitehall; Kennebunkport, ME, Captain Fairfield Inn; Nantucket, MA, 76 Main and 21 Broad; Newport, RI, The Attwater; Portland, ME, Pomegranate Inn; Portsmouth, NH, Ale House Inn; and Narragansett, RI, The Break.
“Lark Hotels embrace the locations they are in, but in playful, unexpected ways. Think “sense of place” with imagination and a touch of mischief. Each Lark Hotel invites guests to experience modern luxury in the heart of an iconic destination, to feel the pull of a nostalgic getaway while surrounded by today’s amenities and to find attentive service when they want it and privacy when they don’t.”
For information on Lark Hotels, “On a Lark Club,” and the hotel collection visit www.larkhotels.com.
Château de Varenne, France, is one of the new members of Historic Hotels of Europe.
France: February 2015
Historic Hotels of Europe, a niche consortium of luxury hotels with historical significance, announced an exceptional growth in new membership for 2015, with 20 hotels joining the group. This new hotels, who hail from France, Austria, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, Wales and Greece, from brings the total to 500 members.
Spread across the European continent from the UK to Norway, the new members have satisfied the stringent requirements of their respective national hotel groups. Ranging from historic boutique hotels in city locations to luxury estates in the country, the new members include hotels and restaurants in prime locations. Below is the list of the 20 new members per country:
● Festningen Restaurant – Norway
● Ghan House – Ireland
● Restaurant Forty-One – Ireland
● Campagne Restaurant – Ireland
● Sea View House – Ireland
● Thermenvilla Gutenbrunn – Austria
● Hotel Post – Austria
● Türmlihus B&B, Fideris – Switzerland
● Hôtel de l’Ours Bellelay – Switzerland
● Château de Noyelles – France
● Château de Varenne – France
● Domaine de Mombreux – France
● Castel Damandre – France
● Hostellerie de la Tour d’Auxois – France
● Hotel Edward 1er – France
● The Marpessa Smart Luxury Hotel – Greece
● Cotommatae – Greece
● The Corran Resort & Spa – Wales
● Penally Abbey – Wales
● Caemorgan Mansion – Wales
Established in 1997 with the objective to promote the unique cultural and historic heritage of Europe, the Historic Hotels of Europe is a gold-standard prestigious network of 500 exceptional hotels, offering guests outstanding accommodation, fine regional cuisine, and the opportunity to experience hospitality in its purest tradition. All Historic Hotels of Europe members have maintained their authenticity and sense of place creating a lasting memory of a Europe both past and present.
Trekking, climbing and adventure company Ace Holidays has just announced 50 percent savings to guests who book an epic trek, a 15-day Everest Base Camp Trek by Feb. 28, 2015.
KATHMANDU, Nepal,– Trekking, climbing and adventure company Ace Holidays has just announced 50 percent savings to guests who book an epic 15-day Everest Base Camp Trek by Feb. 28, 2015.
“Our rationale for offering this incredible price is to re-introduce people to Nepal after last year’s Everest issues,” said Prem K. Khatry, founder and director of Ace Holidays. He referred to the April 18, 2014, tragedy that killed 16 Nepali mountain workers. Since then the number of foreign trekkers to this part of the world has declined.
The program is, after the discount, $950 per person, double, when people book using a designated promo code: HIMALAYA. Scheduled guaranteed departures are offered weekly from February to June and September to December.
The trip begins and ends in Kathmandu. Accommodations in hotels and while on the trek in guesthouses are provided, as well as meals and guide (English speaking) services, airport transfers, porters to carry luggage on the trek and the expenses related to them, Everest National Park Permit and Tims Permit for trekking, domestic air tickets and domestic airport tax, Ace Holidays’ duffel/kit bag, sun hat, all government taxes, vat, tourist service charges.
Participants enjoy an ever-changing panorama of mountains that are beautiful, impressive and awesome, even more so as the destination comes closer. A highlight is a view of Ama Dablam, thought to be the most beautiful mountain in the world that dominates the skyline of the Chukkung Valley. Enroute guests trek through Sherpa villages enjoying the warm hospitality and service found at their guesthouses and learning about Sherpa culture, colorful “chortens” and prayer flags. When from a base camp Everest is framed, guests mark off yet another bucket list life experience.
As for the true reason for the unprecedented discount offer, Khatry explains, “The decline in visitors and engagements for mountain workers is really hurting local economies. Nepal is safe for travelers and Ace wants to bring them back to help the local economy. Generally a Sherpa (mountain worker) makes 10 times the average Nepalese income by working two months on Everest. This money is used to support his family. Without foreign climbers to support on the mountain, the alternative sources of income for these Sherpa who rely on expedition work are scarce.”
Nepalese-Owned Company
Prem K Khatry founded Ace the Himalaya in 2006 after working for many years as a freelance tour/trekking leader. Prem founded Ace to be a 100 percent locally owned, inbound ground operator in Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. As a Nepalese-owned company, Ace offers wholesale tour operators the twin benefits of affordable ground services and superior quality itineraries and travel planning services. Today, the company employs a staff of 40 and has the distinction of having served more than 2,000 trekking groups in Nepal, Tibet and Bhutan. The company will soon offer itineraries in northern India and Rajasthan.
Ace Holidays, a division of Ace the Himalaya, is a value-priced trek, tour, and expedition company in Nepal. Its main purpose is to reveal the highest mountains of the world, as well as, the awe-inspiring natural beauty of Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Ace Holidays also offers rafting, paragliding, mountain biking, bungee jumping, mountain and ultra mountain flights, jungle safaris, festival and cultural tours.
For more information and reservations contact Ace Holidays by phone (US and Canada) Toll Free: +1-877-306-0650; or by email at [email protected]. For a full list of programs, dates, prices and itineraries log onto: www.ace-holidays.com.
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.
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.
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.
Mountain Lodge Trek to Machu Picchu (Lares Trail) is one of the top five treks for 2015, according to Journeys International.
Trekking is one of the most exhilarating ways to travel, providing an opportunity to experience landscapes and cultures on a deeply intimate level. For those curious souls who don a pair of walking boots and set out on foot, the rewards can be far and above many other trips.
Out of more than 200 trips and 89 active adventures, Journeys International has selected these five as the most unique and rewarding treks for 2015:
Journeys President Robin Weber Pollak provided her expert advice about these five treks during the New York Times Travel Show’s‘Adventure Hiking, Bike and Walking Trips: Choosing the Best Itinerary for You’ presentation. This 5-minute presentation can be viewed online.
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. For more travel features, visit:
