MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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cruises, expeditionary cruises, special interest travel

PONANT Introduces Themed Luxury Small-Ship Cruises as part of Quintessential Collection

February 11, 2018 MoralCompass

PONANT, a leader in luxury polar expeditions and the only cruise line carrying the French flag, has just introduced its “Quintessential Collection,” a series of themed cruises. Launching May 2019, the sailings include speakers and performances aboard the ship, and excursions ashore that embrace the local culture and theme.

Green and Gentle Lands: Exploring Gardens and Historic Sites, May 14-22, 2019: Guest speaker, Holly Shimizu, retired Executive Director of the United States Botanic Garden and internationally recognized horticulturist for more than four decades will lead discussions onboard while sailing to the British Isles, Belgium, and Norway. Guests will enjoy special access at Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage site home to more than 40,000 plants; Chelsea Physic Garden, London’s oldest botanical garden founded in 1621; and the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, for a gala luncheon hosted by the grounds’ director.

Sicilian Food and Wine Experience, June 28-July 6, 2019: Embark on a circumnavigation of Sicily joined by guest lecturer, Mary Taylor Simeti, travel and food writer for The New York Times and the Financial Times, who has lived in the region for more than five decades. Meander through the outdoor markets and enjoy the street food of Palmero, famous for its specialties including focaccia; and see ancient Greek Temples from 3600-2500 BC. Guests will enjoy dishes paired with wines carefully chosen by Wine Spectator – all under the guidance of local wine ambassador and educator, Marco Scapagnini.

Treasures of the Mediterranean World: A Family Learning Adventure, July 15-22, 2019: While traveling from Rome to Athens, Kathleen M. Lynch, Professor of Classics at the University of Cincinnati and Greek archaeology/mythology expert; and Jason Weiser, host of “Myths & Legends” podcast will lead discussions designed for all generations about the region’s history, literature and culture. Flexible cabins are available to accommodate families, and activities including photo workshops and a mock Olympics competition on the original grounds are also on offer as part of the Young Explorers children’s program.

History, Art, and Architecture Along the North Sea, August 23-September 1, 2019: The journey is accompanied by Till-Holger Borchert, General Director of the Municipal Museum of Bruges. Copenhagen is the first port of call with a visit to the Louisiana Museum, offering an extensive collection of art dating from World War II to present day; followed by six days on shore exploring exhibits in Holland and Belgium. See the modern and contemporary art of the Groninger Museum; discover the world’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh at his namesake museum, and learn about Michelangelo’s Madonna, a marble sculpture crafted in the early 1500s in Bruges.

A Musical Odyssey in the Mediterranean, September 18-27, 2019: Explore Greece’s landmark sites along the Aegean, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian Seas. Visit Delphi, an archaeological and UNESCO World Heritage Site; and see the third-century Ancient Theater in Taormina aboard the new Le Bougainville. Michael Parloff, former principal flutist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra for more than 30 years will lead a series of private recitals from world-class musicians, including flutist Jasmine Choi, cellist Nicholas Canellakis, and pianist and composer, Michael Brown.

World War II History – From Hong Kong to Japan’s Inland Sea, September 27-October 10, 2019: Follow in the footsteps of American General Douglas MacArthur, who sailed from China to Japan to accept the Japanese surrender at the conclusion of the war. Walk along Okinawa’s beaches; hike the snow-capped Mount Fuji; and see the “floating” torii gate as part of the Itsukushima Shrine in Hiroshima. James Bradley, expert World War II historian and son of John Bradley, who raised the flag on Iwo Jima, will lead discussions onboard.

World Affairs Cruise – Origins of Greek Civilizations, October 9-18. 2019: Travel into the heart of the ancient Greek world with ports of call in Athens, to roam the ruins of the Acropolis and Parthenon; and Crete, home to the earliest recorded civilization in Europe. The voyage will be accompanied by Fareed Zakaria, CNN host and Washington Post columnist; Michael V. Hayden, retired US Air Force general and former Director of the CIA; and Daniel Mendelsohn, internationally best-selling author and columnist for Harper’s.

PONANT was created in 1988 by Jean Emmanuel Sauvée and a dozen officers of the French Merchant Navy and is a fore-runner of a new style of luxury cruising, combining exceptional itineraries and luxury hotel services aboard luxurious smaller-scale ships. www.ponant.com

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bike trips, cycling trips, special interest travel, sports travel

Ventura to Host Stage 2 Start of Amgen Cycling Tour of California for First Time

October 31, 2017 MoralCompass

Ventura, Calif. — The City of Ventura is proud to be the host city for the Stage Two Start of the 13th annual Amgen Tour of California on May 14, 2018. The premier cycling race will take place May 13-19, 2018, during which the world’s best cyclists will compete for 600+ miles along roadways, highways, and coastlines making up the seven-stage race from Long Beach to Sacramento.

“Nestled along the Pacific Ocean with marvelous rolling hills as its backdrop, Ventura is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream and offers the most stunning landscape for the 2018 Amgen Tour of California. We are excited to host the tour and share our favorite sights in this beautiful city we call home,” said City of Ventura Mayor Erik Nasarenko.

The annual professional cycling events (men’s and women’s races) carry the distinction of being the only U.S. races on the UCI WorldTour calendar and attract some of the most renowned cyclists and teams in the world. With seven new courses between them, this is the 11th consecutive year the event has featured an international platform for both men’s and women’s racing.

The Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau (VVCB) first set its sights on increased engagement with the Amgen Tour of California in 2016 when it organized a memorable community event to welcome and cheer on race participants as they passed through Ventura.

“Visit Ventura only had 20 seconds to make an impact in 2016 and with the help of hundreds of students who lined up to spell the largest rendition of Ventura’s brandmark ever made, we made it count. To hear that Amgen Tour of California took notice of our small beach town and felt charmed by the way our community embraced the event is a compliment we celebrate and uphold as a challenge to plan something even more special for 2018,” said VVCB President & CEO Marlyss Auster. (Video of the event in 2016 for which VVCB has since won a Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International award is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWMdkEHrVNY.)

Though the Amgen Tour of California has passed through Ventura in the past, this is the first time the City of Ventura will host a Stage Start. Details on the route have not been revealed but Stage Two, also known as the Queen Stage from Ventura to the summit of Gibraltar Road in Santa Barbara County, is considered a highlight of the men’s race. This challenging mountain stage with an uphill finish at 6,500 feet elevation takes place on day two of the seven-day race.

“The Amgen Tour of California has always shone a spotlight on some of the state’s most picturesque and enjoyable destinations. We’re thrilled to bring one of the world’s most prestigious cycling races to Ventura for the first time – we remember the warm welcome from the community when the race passed through in 2016. We look forward to partnering with a city as progressive and cycling friendly as the City of Ventura and to creating a memorable experience for the teams and fans,” said Kristin Klein, president of the Amgen Tour of California and executive vice president of AEG Sports.

Ventura’s host city information is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/host-cities/ventura and a highlight video of all host cities is available at www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxfHJyTpjkY with a downloadable HD broadcast press version available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com/media-resources.

More information about the Amgen Tour of California and the full 2018 race schedule is available at www.amgentourofcalifornia.com. More information about Stage Two, Ventura’s commitments, the Local Organizing Committee, and how to get involved will be made available at a later date.

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bike trips, cycling trips, special interest travel, sports travel

L’Étape du Tour Gives Amateurs a Chance to Ride a Stage of the Tour de France

October 31, 2017 MoralCompass

*Sports Tours International is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L’Étape du Tour 2018, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.*

MANCHESTER, UK– Sports Tours International, the UK-based provider of vacations built around nail-biting, world-class cycling and running competitions, is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L’Étape du Tour 2018, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.

L’Étape du Tour 2018 is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, 2018, in Annecy, France. The finish is at Le Grand-Bornand, a resort in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. This finish was used in the 2009 Tour de France on Stage 17 when Alberto Contador famously went against team orders and left Lance Armstrong on both the Col du Romme and the Col de la Colombière.

Riders experience highs and lows while traversing a distance of 169km and climbing to heights of up to 4,000km, just like the pros when the 2018 Tour de France begins on July 7 and runs through July 29. For example, the Col de la Colombière will be the final climb for Stage 10 (Annecy to Le Grand Bornand, 159km) on July 17.

Riders and their guests will enjoy a festival of cycling over the weekend in Annecy. Lake Annecy is a focal point of Annecy, an alpine town known for canals and cobbled streets. Annecy is well known for the heritage of its buildings and natural landscape. It is situated beside one of the purest lakes in Europe, at the foot of the Alpine massifs of the Aravis and the Bauges, but close to Switzerland and Italy.

Sports Tours International’s L’Étape du Tour 2018 four-day/three-night tour package includes guaranteed entry when booked through Sports Tours International. With direct-to-the-public entries nearly sold out, Sports Tours will become one of only a handful of operators who can guarantee entry to the event. Also included in the package are accommodations at a range of hotels, roundtrip airport transfers from Geneva, overland bike transfer, bike rental and storage, complimentary coach accommodations for traveling companions to witness the excitement, three breakfasts, and, depending on the hotel, three dinners, staff support along the race course and more. Per person, double occupancy rates begin at £519 and go up to £699 for four-star accommodations. Self-drive packages are also available. While guaranteed, an additional cost is the actual entry fee to L’Étape du Tour 2018.

For non-riders, a free coach from Annecy to the finish in Le Grand Bornand is offered with return to Annecy later in the day.

For more information see https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/etape-du-tour/.
Sports Tours International (https://www.sportstoursinternational.com) suggests booking Tour de France event-viewing packages early to guarantee being in the heart of the action. For more information on available packages and to book visit: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/event-categories/tour-de-france/.

For more information on competitions worldwide visit online: www.sportstoursinternational.com, email: [email protected], or call: (+44) 161 703 8161.

Sports Tours International is one of Europe’s leading specialists in sports travel. Since the company’s launch in 1973, it has hosted thousands of participants and spectators at major sporting events worldwide. With the tagline, Fanatical about Sport, the company’s initial roots came from a devotion to running when founder Vince Regan began taking runners to the NYC Marathon. Since the early 2000s, the company has embraced international cycling events and triathlon competitions, sports training camps and corporate hospitality. Clients often can participate in events with the pros and are encouraged to “unleash your inner hero” or when it’s not possible to compete, there’s the ability to be active spectators along the routes and “watch your heroes.”

Follow Sports Tours International on Social Media
Twitter:         @sportstoursint
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/sportstoursinternational/
You Tube:      https://www.youtube.com/user/sportstoursint
Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/SPORTS_TOURS_INTERNATIONAL/

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festivals & events, special interest travel, sports travel

Sports Tours International Makes it Easy for American Fans to Watch, Join Major Cycling Events

May 8, 2017 MoralCompass

A Manchester, UK company is issuing invites across the pond to sports fans in the US and Canada to view or engage in some of the world’s most iconic yet demanding athletic events.

Sports Tours International takes care of all the vacation arrangements in a variety of inclusive packages while tracking the drama of international cycling and running events.

Guests may become event players themselves, as in a late June inaugural Haute Route for cyclists in the American Rockies. All may witness the agonies and joys at starting and ending stages of fierce competitions. They can ride the same courses the warriors master; they can be tourists in places new to them. And always they are viewing the world through the eyes of a passionate athlete.

Sports Tours International does the vacation packaging legwork for the following 2017 cycling events:

May 5-28, 2017 – 100th Giro d’Italia – As an official Tour Operator of this grand tour of cycling, Sports Tours International has exclusive VIP options on 6 sprint stages, 8 medium mountain stages, 5 high mountain stages and 2 Individual Time Trials. Sports Tours International offers five spectator tour packages to witness the 100th edition of this Grand Tour that begins in Sardinia, climbs up Mount Etna, weaves through the rest of Italy and Dolomites as riders conquer Stelvio and Mortirolo, and arrives in Milan for a spectacular time trial from the Monza Grand Prix motor racing circuit. See: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/event-categories/giro-ditalia/

Suggested Package: The Final 9 Days, May 20-29, 2017 is priced from US$2,760 per person based on sharing a double/twin room (both cyclists and spectators are welcome). This is a 10-day program that includes, among others, gifts and informational packets, a copy of the official 100th Giro d’Italia roadbook, accommodation for nine nights, multiple meals, all transfers and transportation, the grand finale in Milan, bike handling and storage. Rental bikes are available. Guests lodge on arrival in Milan, then transfer for three nights each in Bormio and Cortina d’Ampezzo to watch the final legs of the Giro before returning to Milan for two additional nights to attend the finish as a VIP at Piazza Duomo. Every day there will be cycling opportunities as well as options to watch the Giro d’Italia. On a Giro rest day in Bormio, guests may cycle, visit a local spa, hop on a train or cable car or do some leisurely shopping. See more at: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/giro-ditalia-finale

June 24-30, 2017 – Mavic Haute Route Rockies. Sports Tours International’s experience on European Haute Routes (the toughest cyclosportives in the world) benefits cyclists participating in this inaugural event, the first Haute Route on North American soil. Organized by OC Sports of Switzerland, this combines the established format of the European Haute Route events with the thrill of riding through some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the heartland of American road cycling. The event starts in Boulder before heading through the Colorado Rockies, stopping in Winter Park, Avon, Snowmass Village, Crested Butte and finishing in Colorado Springs. Interest is this exciting new event is high and entries are expected to sell quickly. Entry fees for riders in the competition: US$1,800 subject to availability. This is available with or without the rider support package.

Suggested Rider Support Package: June 24-30, 2017. This package priced at US$2,180 per person, based on sharing a double/twin room includes accommodation for nine nights, daily breakfasts, dinners, airport and daily transfers including transport of non-riding companions between stages and to viewing points, bike handling, gifts and informational packets, and midweek laundry. See: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/haute-route-rockies/

July 1-23, 2017 – Tour de France. Sports Tours International is an official tour operator for the world’s biggest annual sporting event. Guests have special VIP access to stage start villages, VIP hospitality at finish lines and the opportunity to ride some of the routes taken by the pro riders. In particular, Sports Tours International offers official grandstand seating and VIP hospitality available for the final stage in Paris where the new yellow jersey winner is crowned. For only the fourth time in this tour’s history, the event will begin in a German city, this year in Dusseldorf. See: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/event-categories/tour-de-france/

Suggested Package: Mountain Stages, July 11-24, 2017. On this official Tour de France 14-day tour itinerary guests start and finish in Paris and witness all the mountain stages in the Pyrenees, followed by the Alpine finale and the deciding Time Trial in Marseille. Guests have VIP access to some stage starts and also enjoy VIP Hospitality at one of the finish lines. Included are airport transfers in Paris, nightly accommodation and breakfasts, some dinners, bike transfers and storage, and train transfer from Marseille to Paris for the grand finale. The per person rate based on sharing a double/twin room is from US$3,450. See: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/2017-tour-de-france-pyrenees-alps-marseille-paris/

July 30, 2017 – Prudential Ride London-Surrey 100. This London Marathon for cyclists is an opportunity to ride 100 miles on the closed roads of London and out into the English countryside of Surrey before finishing on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. This is the route based on one made famous by the 2012 Olympics Road Race. Sports Tours International has guaranteed entry and hotel accommodation available for two, four and five nights for people wanting to join this race. Per person rates based on sharing a double/twin room include accommodation, guaranteed entry to the race, service and support of Sports Tours International staff and bike storage at the hotel. Note: entries to participate in this event close on 26th May, interested parties need to act quickly! See: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/ridelondon/

Sept. 1-11, 2017 – La Vuelta a España. This is the final Grand Tour of the season. The 2016 Vuelta a España was a nail-biting duel almost to the very end between Nairo Quintana and Chris Froome. Despite pulling back an enormous amount of time in the time trial, Quintana was able to hold off Froome in the final stage, becoming the first Colombian to win the race since 1987. Sports Tours International welcomes riders as well as spectators. Experience the battle for the red jersey up close and personal. Guides know the ideal locations and viewing points to experience the best of La Vuelta. See: https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/event-categories/vuelta-espana/

Suggested Package: The Final Week, Sept. 4-11, 2017. This 8-day tour from US$1,610 per person, based on sharing a double/twin room, experiences the stages of the second week of 2017 Vuelta including the final stages. This all takes place in northern Spain including the finale on the infamous Angliru. The rate includes hotels in the best places, many meals, transport to watch the stages, ride support and bike guides. Bike rental options available. See:
https://www.sportstoursinternational.co.uk/events/2017-vuelta-a-espana-final-week/

For more information, available packages, space availability and reservations please visit online: www.sportstoursinternational.com, email: [email protected], or call: (+44) 161 703 8161.

Sports Tours International is a leading European specialist in sports travel. Since inception in 1973 they have hosted thousands of participants and spectators at major sporting events worldwide. With the tagline, Fanatical about Sport, the company’s initial roots came from a devotion to running when founder Vince Regan began taking runners to the NYC Marathon. Since the early 2000s, the company now embraces international cycling events and triathlon competitions, sports training camps and corporate hospitality. Clients often can participate in events with the pros and are encouraged to “unleash your inner hero” or when it’s not possible to compete, there’s the ability to be active spectators along the routes and “watch your heroes.”

Follow Sports Tours International on Social Media
Twitter:       @sportstoursint
Facebook:     https://www.facebook.com/sportstoursinternational/
You Tube:      https://www.youtube.com/user/sportstoursint
Instagram:     https://www.instagram.com/SPORTS_TOURS_INTERNATIONAL/
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Active Travel, experiential travel, family-friendly adventures, food-and-wine travel, special interest travel

Wildland Adventures Celebrates 30 Years with New Trips Geared to Families, Women, Writers, Trekkers

January 6, 2017 MoralCompass

*“Patagonia: A Journey of Discovery” is one of Wildland’s first in a series of new Transformational Travel experiences.*

SEATTLE, WA – Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2017. Wildland Adventures is introducing 16 new or extensively revised itineraries geared for active women, epicureans, families, emerging writers and adventurous trekkers

“All our Wildland Adventures promise to cultivate connections and possibly transform yourself and your view of the world,” said Kurt Kutay, founder and owner of Wildland Adventures.

2017 New Trips for Families

In Africa: Botswana Family Safari – 8 days, from $5,195 for family of four. Families are whisked to a private safari camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Wildland’s Young Explorers program led by professional safari guides teaches the whole family the art of bush craft: spotting wildlife, learning animal behavior tracking game on foot. Guests visit local communities to experience daily life, and, among other activities, make jewelry, weave baskets, shoot with slingshots, fish and cook over an open fire. Every day kids “read the morning newspaper” which means looking over tracks in the sand for nighttime visitors.

In Europe: Croatia Active Family Adventure – 9 days, from $4,095 adult/$3,295 under 18. Croatia is accessible and offers great value for the travel dollar. This active itinerary traverses the Julian Alps through forests, following waterfalls and rivers flowing to ancient ports along the Adriatic coast. Families hike, cycle, raft and kayak in national parks, through rural villages and among Roman ruins and ancient fortifications. In local homes and restaurants guests experience traditionally prepared pastas, stews and Adriatic seafood. This adventure begins in the capital city of Zagreb and concludes in Dubrovnik.

In Latin America: Guatemala Family Adventure – 9 days, from $3,695 adults, $2,895 teens, $2,695 child. Wildland families discover everyday subsistence life of indigenous Mayans on small farms and marketplaces around Lake Atitlan. They hike in the Pacaya Volcano, explore the UNESCO World Heritage colonial city of Antigua, and the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in the remote jungles and wildlife reserve of Tikal National Park. An expert bilingual guide leads guests who bike, hike, kayak, explore ruins and connect with Mayans in their homes, villages and fields.

2017 New Trips for Women and Epicureans

In Cuba: Havana and Heartland of Cuba – 7-day women’s departure March 10-16, 2017, from $3,995. A Cuban professional female guide introduces travelers to the lives of Cuban women from their role in the Revolution to the formation of modern-day Cuba. Guests visit with extraordinary women as part of a people-to-people program. “Get ready to laugh, dance, learn and be deeply touched by the women of Cuba a la Wild Style!” Cuba is also among the safest countries in the world for female travelers.

In Latin America: Women’s Active Wine Adventure in Chile & Argentina – April 1-10, 2017, from $4,995. Adventurous women will explore vineyards and valleys of Chile and Argentina on horseback and bicycle, and walk through culturally vibrant back streets of Santiago, Valparaiso and Buenos Aires. Lively female guides introduce South America’s epicurean highlights while the group sips perfectly blended Malbecs, experiments with unique ingredients at a regional cooking class and meets vendors at local markets.

In Europe: Women’s Southern Italy Epicurean Adventure – May 22-31, 2017, from $6,695. This active exploration of Puglia blends sunshine, charming landscapes, delectable cuisine and wines with active women’s zest for the good life. Puglia’s rustic charm is reflected in the locals’ welcoming personalities and communal dining, simple and flavorful local fare that has stood the test of time and a rich cultural history reflecting, among others, Byzantium and the Normans. Menhirs (pre-history stones), cave churches and medieval castles keep it wild along with hiking, shopping, wine tasting, cycling and preparing classic dishes with master chefs. Antonello Losito, since 2007 one of Pugli’s premier guides, shares his passion for the food, landscape, and culture of Southern Italy with guests.

2017 New Trip for Writers

In Asia: Vietnam: Travel Writing with Dave Fox – Mar.6-17, 2017, from $3,775. Guests who want to delve deep into Vietnamese culture and advance their travel writing prowess are invited to explore Vietnam with best-selling author and award-winning travel writer Dave Fox. In a collaborative small group, budding travel writers practice mindfulness and how to see anew employing a heightened sense of awareness using all their senses traveling south to north by boat, bike and foot among the clamor of cities and the peaceful rice paddies and villages. The trip culminates with a two-night cruise through Halong Bay as participants develop new sources of self-expression and personal story-telling that chronicles a sense of place and people, grabbing the imaginations and capturing the hearts of their readers. Dave has been a Public Radio news anchor, a tour guide and an international cruise ship lecturer.

New for 2017 – Transformational Adventures

In Latin America: Patagonia: A Journey of Discovery – 7 days, from $3,100 is one of Wildland’s first in a series of new Transformational Travel experiences. Embark on a guided journey of personal exploration and discovery through one of the most spectacular and inspirational places in the world. Head deep into Torres del Paine National Park for three days of extensive hiking into the Paine Massif. Along the way, Michael Bennett, Ed.D. of Muddy Shoe Adventures, facilitates small group sharing using the power of nature and adventure to foster a deeper sense of discovery of the on this journey of personal exploration. Michael will use the trip’s many adventures as catalysts for casual yet inspirational discussions for participants to reflect, share and learn from what they are experiencing with the goal of integrating it into one’s day-to-day life.

In Asia: Thailand: Discovering the Land of Smiles – 9 Days from $2,450. Thailand is one of the most diverse, exotic, and exhilarating countries on earth. A trip there among chaotic cities, vibrant markets, temples steeped in spiritual richness, and verdant tropical nature full of wildlife, guarantee that you’ll be enlivened and enriched and an opportunity to see yourself anew. Along the way, Michael Bennett, Ed.D., of Muddy Shoe Adventures, facilitates sharing among travelers of each day’s adventures as inspiration in a collaborative and supportive small group recognizing each traveler’s present rite of passage, and for some to develop a personal action plan for kick-starting the next chapter of their lives.

For more information on these and all of Wildland Adventures’ worldwide offerings, availability and reservations call 1-800-345-4453 or email [email protected]. Visit http://www.wildland.com/.

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