Category Archives: Adventure Travel

Adventure Travel, experiential travel

Austin Adventures Presents 2015’s Most Compelling ‘Maycations’

Austin Adventures has compiled its list of 2015's most compelling "Maycations"—timely vacations to take during the month of May. They range from domestic tours that allow travelers to hike the colorful canyons of Zion National Park to international adventures that include snorkeling along Spain’s beloved Costa Brava.
Austin Adventures’ list of 2015’s most compelling “Maycations” range from domestic tours that allow travelers to hike the colorful canyons of Zion National Park to international adventures that include snorkeling along Spain’s beloved Costa Brava.

BILLINGS, MT –According to the adventure travel consultants at Austin Adventures there is no bad time to travel between April and June; however the month of May is optimal for most spring-time travelers.

“We’ve been in the business of planning vacations for more than 40 years now, and May has always been a popular travel month for guests afflicted with ‘spring fever,’” says Dan Austin, founder and president of Austin Adventures. “The savviest of travelers know this shoulder season month offers favorable weather and the best value in terms of selection and pricing, but sometimes, they need help choosing their destination.”

For that reason, the award-winning adventure travel company, which offers trips to all seven continents, has compiled a list of Maycations—timely vacations to take during the month of May. They range from domestic tours that allow travelers to hike the colorful canyons of Zion National Park to international adventures that include snorkeling along Spain’s beloved Costa Brava.

2015’s Most Compelling “Maycations”

Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks – Seeing southern Utah’s red rock formations is a surreal experience, especially during May when the wildflowers are in full bloom. May tends to be drier than March and April, but water levels are still high (thanks to melting snow), so expect to see breathtaking waterfalls.

Havasupai – Spring is the perfect time to take a dip in Arizona’s most sacred spring-fed travertine pools. Hike to Havasu Falls before summer’s monsoon season, and enjoy low humidity and comfortable hiking temperatures—highs in the mid-80’s and lows in the mid-50’s.

Machu Picchu – May could not be a more convenient time to complete one of the world’s most famous mountain treks. Experience Machu Picchu in all its glory at the start of the country’s dry season and just before the summer visitors arrive in droves.

Dalmatian Coast – The Adriatic Coast is spectacular in the summer; however, flights to Europe cost more during July and August and rooms can be hard to come by. Consider exploring this 350-mile stretch of shore during May – when temperatures are perfect for outdoor adventures, prices are lower and you’ll enjoy more personalized service.

Catalonia – With its warm yet relatively mild temperatures, May is the perfect time for a multisport vacation in northeastern Spain. Bike the secluded Via Verde, snorkel along the Costa Brava and hike in the foothills of the Pyrenees without the hassle of high temperatures and humidity.

Provence – Fall in love with the most seductive region of France months before the locals go on holiday. The warm days lend themselves to al fresco dining which is perfect for admiring the lush, green countryside from the comfort of a roadside café.

Romantic Road – There’s no better time than May to ride along the Middle Ages’ most famous and scenic, trade routes. May marks the beginning of the region’s unofficial “festival season” so it’s not hard to come by cultural entertainment, authentic food and unforgettable German beer!

Holland – Head to Holland in mid-May, and you can walk among millions of blossoming flowers at Keukenhof—a.k.a. the “Garden of Europe.” The theme for this year’s eight-week-long event is Van Gogh, 125 Years of Inspiration.

For adults and families looking for award-winning itineraries matched with unbeatable customer service, Austin Adventures offers an array of scheduled group departures to each of the above destinations. Trips range in price from $1,648 per person for a 5-Day/4-Night Havasupai Hiking Tour to $4,798 for a 9-Day/8-Night Machu Picchu Vacation Package.

For adventurers looking to take Maycations that are a little more “off the beaten path,” the company offers custom vacations and exclusive departures. All of the 2015 trips can be found in the Austin Adventures adventure vacation catalogs and on the company’s new website, www.austinadventures.com. Vacations both pre-set and custom can be arranged by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailing [email protected].
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Adventure Travel, ecotourism

Natural Habitat Adventures’ Base Camp Greenland Wins OUTSIDE Best of Travel Award as ‘Best Splurge’

Natural Habitat Adventures won OUTSIDE's Best of Travel 2015 award for Best Splurge in travel for its Base Camp Greenland Adventure
Natural Habitat Adventures won OUTSIDE’s Best of Travel 2015 award for Best Splurge in travel for its Base Camp Greenland Adventure

BOULDER, CO — OUTSIDE has selected Natural Habitat Adventures, a premier nature travel company, to receive its Best of Travel 2015 award for the company’s Base Camp Greenland Adventure, the Best Splurge in travel.

OUTSIDE launched its travel awards series in 2012, and it has quickly become one of the most prestigious awards in the adventure travel industry. Nat Hab was honored as Best Outfitter worldwide in 2013, and the company is excited to make the list again in 2015.

“We’re thrilled that OUTSIDE recognizes the effort and meticulous planning that go into our trips. This has surely been the case with Base Camp Greenland,” said Ben Bressler, founder and president of Natural Habitat Adventures. “We think it is indeed worthy of a splurge!”

From newly revealed travel territories to the best deals, OUTSIDE’s Best of Travel 2015 celebrates the destinations and travel providers that inspire people to participate in an active lifestyle. The entire list of winners appears in OUTSIDE’s April issue (on newsstands March 17), and online at www.outsideonline.com/bestoftravel.

The Best Splurge, according to OUTSIDE, is to experience Greenland’s Arctic wilderness via an all-inclusive stay at Natural Habitat’s Base Camp Greenland (www.nathab.com/alaska-northern-adventures/greenland-nature-adventure). Base Camp Greenland is a new ecolodge near the edge of the Greenland Ice Sheet in East Greenland, one of the most isolated places on Earth.

Here, pods of whales feed in the bay in view of the camp. Icebergs, spawned from massive glaciers, glitter in the late-night sun. Beneath granite peaks that tower over deep fjords, Greenland’s east coast – known as the “Arctic Riviera” for its mild summer climate – offers some of the best kayaking and hiking conditions in the North.

Guests will experience the stunning Arctic landscape in supreme comfort, along the lines of a luxury safari camp. More expedition lodge than “camp,” Base Camp Greenland provides accommodations in deluxe double tent cabins with individual verandas that survey the panoramic view.

Each spacious cabin is warmed by an individual heater, though long summer days are typically mild, sunny and dry. Cabins have twin beds outfitted with warm duvets and comfortable pillows, writing desks with chairs, a carpet runner, and an en suite dry toilet and sink. Showers are taken in separate bathhouses segregated by gender. Excellent meals are prepared by the camp chef and served in the dining/lounge tent.

A hallmark of Base Camp Greenland is its eco-conscious construction and operation. In such a pristine environment, a minimal footprint is imperative. A true low-impact eco-camp, lodge facilities are set up for two months in the summer and taken down each year. Camp solid waste is removed and disposed of in a biodegradable manner– nothing is left on site. Only biodegradable soap is used in the kitchen and showers. Interior lighting is powered by small individual solar panels.

Base Camp Greenland trips are 9 days in duration and begin at Iceland’s Keflavik International Airport outside of Reykjavik.  The 2015 departures are Aug 1, 10, 18, 26, and Sep 2. Rates start at $8,995 per person based on double occupancy, plus internal air of $926 (subject to change).

To determine this year’s travel award recipients, OUTSIDE’s adventure travel veterans scoured the globe to identify the coolest mountains to climb, food to eat, rivers to float, guides to hire, beaches to lounge on, and lodges to luxuriate in. The result is 40 breathtaking options—from the guides to show you around, to the cameras to capture it all, to the places to stay, to the best place to grab a snack at a food truck along the way.

For information on Base Camp Greenland trip and all the tours offered by Nat Hab along with descriptive itineraries, date availability and reservations, call 800.543.8917 or visit www.nathab.com. Click HERE to order a copy of the 2015 catalog.

 

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

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