Adventure Travel - With a Difference

I read hundreds of brochures each week and one I have just reviewed is something with a difference.

Is adventure travel for you? We all travel for our own reasons, but that doesn’t mean we don’t share a few things in common. If you’re:

• Looking for something more than a mere vacation
• Aware that there is more to traveling than what you find in a guidebook
• Eager to get off the tourist trail and do something different
• Interested in creating true, lifelong connections with people and places
• Excited by the prospect of staying in handpicked hotels and guesthouses
• Demand genuine adventure, but still appreciate a few extra frills.

Then you may want to talk to a travel professional for your next Adventure experience.

There is one travel company that lets you go your own way by picking your travel style out of six different group categories. Each category has small groups and individuals, average 12 people, and if you want to go do some shopping one day, instead of visiting a museum, there is no problem; you meet up with the group later. You don’t follow a leader carrying a flag, and use a chartered bus. You use local transportation, river boats, trains, and travel like the locals.

The six different categories are: MARINE, small ship adventures on the worlds’ great seas and rivers. LOCAL LIVING always dreamed of renting a villa but thought you couldn’t afford to, well you can now. FAMILY, trips built for adventurers of all ages, The Galapagos being one of the most popular destinations. CLASSIC, a little of everything, a balance of culture, insider access, and much more. ACTIVE, hiking, biking, and kayaking adventures across the world. YOLO, for the 18-39 year old, budget minded adventure seekers on a fast pace.

These six categories are all excellent value, and have a guaranteed departure which is unusual. This means that if only 1 person instead of the 12 people book for that particular date, then the trip still leaves on schedule. There is no single supplement, which is a very important plus, meaning that you don’t have to share a room to get the best price. A lifetime deposit which means if you have to cancel, your deposit can be carried over to another date in the future. With adventure in mind, everyone should book travel insurance no matter which company you book with.

South America is one of the most popular parts of the world for adventure trips. They have 43 different itineraries for you to choice from. Hiking the Inca Trail is a once in a lifetime experience for travelers. This company receives 35% of the permits available for this world famous hike.

Out of the 150 trips I reviewed, there is definitely something for everyone. Small groups led by local experts enable you to experience the culture, food, transportation, and highlights of a destination without it costing the earth.

Another possibility is COMFORT adventures with a softer landing. There are more inclusions and 4-5 star hotels where the adventure may take you shopping for food and wine in the local village and then creating your own fantastic local meal! Taglines for the COMFORT products are “True grandeur cannot be measured in gold, magnificence is what you make of it. Make tomorrow today. There is an amazing planet out there, and it can’t wait to meet you.”

I’ve been on some adventure trips where it took me a month to recover from what I went through. This itinerary gives you a “comfort” trip, small group travel experience with a little more polish. Comfort trips deliver the must-see travel highlights, spontaneous situations, insider access and under the radar encounters with local people and their culture you’d expect from an adventure only with a softer landing.

Why don’t you consider something unusual for your next holiday?

Maureen Jones

Maureen Jones is president of All Horizons Travel at 160 Main Street. Members of her staff are experts in business travel, cruises, and all types of leisure.

Picture courtesy of www.amble.com