Dear Don,
So far we have restricted our travels to North America. Now we’re ready for a European adventure. What European trips would you recommend. We’re first-timers, but we’re open to just about anything! Thanks!
— Morris and Marika
Dear M and M,
First of all, congratulations on broadening your horizons – and on your wonderful spirit of adventure! While I love traveling in North America and am always astounded by the riches and surprises of a continent I think I know so well, traveling in Europe will definitely enlarge and enrich your appreciation of the world.
Looking over the Adventure Collection’s European possibilities has sent my mind soaring – so many temptations! – but here are five trips I’d heartily recommend for you.
Backroads: Cinque Terre and Tuscany Walking
Backroads offers an astounding number of biking, hiking and multi-sport trips throughout Europe, so you could explore just about anywhere with them, but the trip I’ve chosen is one I’d really love to do myself.
Here’s how Backroads describes it:
Delve into two different captivating regions of Italy during this one-of-a-kind trip. Savor unsurpassed coastal views as you hike amid the gardens, cacti and lemon trees of the Cinque Terre, a collection of five diminutive villages clinging to terraced cliffs above the Mediterranean. Visit Portofino, one of Italy’s premiere seaside villages – a favorite of the rich and famous. Then head to the famed wine region of Chianti, a landscape adored for its archetypal hilltop villages, vineyards and cypress-flanked lanes. After tackling coastal climbs, indulge in fresh seafood, pesto and sweet Sciacchetrà wine. Farther inland, savor hearty ribollita, mild pecorino toscano and grilled meats accompanied by velvety Chianti Classico. At night, reminisce about your day’s activities in the comfort of warm Italian hospitality.
If, on the other hand, you’d like to start your explorations with a European sampler, here’s a super-savory alternative:
Lindblad Expeditions: Europe Odyssey
Designed to give experienced travelers a new insightful view of Europe, our journey through seven countries—Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain and Portugal—blends authentic experiences with dramatic coastal landscapes. Best accessed by sea rather than land, these coastal towns will be “portals” through which we’ll pass into history, art, architecture and cuisines accompanied by our Expedition Team.
“Far from the madding crowds, our noble expedition ship noses into quaint ports and calls at island communities that regular cruise ships simply cannot visit. We anchor in remote places like St.-Jean-de-Luz, Ile d’Aix and Islas Cies, which are the envy of large ships.” This fragment from Expedition Historian David Barnes’ report shows why you’ll see and share a very different Europe from the one you already know.
Our voyage along the coast of Western Europe is an ideal way to celebrate the unhurried culture of wine. Three vintners from France and Spain will enhance each evening’s dinner with (complimentary) wine, along with informative wine tastings. And New York Times best-selling writer, Laura Fraser, will conduct an onboard writing workshop — giving you a unique opportunity to hone your writing skills as the voyage provides you with unlimited subject matter.
For a different water-bound trip, an in-depth exploration of a spectacular landscape and fascinating culture, consider this gem:
Geographic Expeditions: Turkey – Sailing the Sapphire Seas
GeoEx describes this odyssey follows:
Perhaps no trip in the GeoEx roster inspires as much loyalty and enthusiasm as Sailing the Sapphire Seas. Our Turkish mavens Kristina Tuohey and Carey Graeff sum up its charms: “A revelation, a fantastic combination of history, culture, and sheer beauty, not to mention abundant rest and relaxation . . . and we can’t even begin to describe the food served on board!”
We could elaborate endlessly on why choosing GeoEx for a Turkish outing is a brilliant idea, but for now, let’s begin in Istanbul, “alone and tremendous,” Sacheverell Sitwell wrote, “a sensational revelation . . . no water city can compare to it.” From the capital of Byzantium we fly to the port of Antalya, where our gulet is waiting. We spend 10 days on board wending along the coast, making excursions to archaeological sites in mornings and evenings, when the light is best and the crowds are few, hiking to the fabled Chimaera and through pine forests to Termessos, delving into sublime Oludeniz’ hidden, forested lagoon, driving through fragrant forests and fertile valleys to the ruins of Xanthos, and visiting the lacy shoreline and partly submerged tombs at Kekova. The pace is careful and soothing, offering time to swim, snorkel, and spend velvety, secluded nights aboard the yacht. We end with visits to two of the Mediterranean’s finest ruins: Ephesus, the capital of preconsular Asia, and Aphrodisias, the latter gem not to be found, alas, on our worthy competitors’ similar itineraries.
If you want a more focused trip in a northern clime, here’s a trip that sounds tremendously tantalizing to me – an exploration of the wild riches of Scotland. One caveat: This is an exploratory trip, meaning that the company hasn’t run tours on this route before. As a result, a certain amount of uncertainty is built into the itinerary – the leaders will rewrite the route as necessary to take full advantage of the wonders they’re uncovering. So this may not be the best choice for first-timers. But I wanted to bring it up because if you’re hardy adventurers with a love for Scotland, this trip could be perfect for you.
Natural Habitat Adventures: Scotland’s Wild Highlands & Islands – Exploratory Trip!
A Journey into the Heart of one of Europe’s Last Great Wildernesses
Trip Overview
• Join expert guides to seek out wildlife on foot, by boat and on “Land Rover safari”
• Cruise to Scotland’s remote Outer Hebrides, where millions of seabirds nest
• Stay at a luxury lodge at Alladale Wilderness Reserve in the heart of the Highlands
During a far northern summer, as the days stretch toward almost perpetual light, the wild islands off Scotland’s far northwest coast are a flurry of life. Millions of seabirds nest in some of the largest rookeries in the world, while whales and seals feed in clear waters warmed by the Gulf Stream. As we explore the coves and cliffs of the Outer Hebrides, we also find remnants of ancient human culture, from Iron Age stone forts to embellished Celtic crosses. Inland, the rugged Highlands abound with wildlife in the boreal forest and heather moorlands. Come, discover wild, mystical Scotland.
For a trip of a very different kind, here’s one more offering to expand your range of choices: Scandinavia with the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS). You have to have 30 days free to take this trip, but if you do and if you love the outdoors, here’s a very special opportunity to explore the wild heart of one of Europe’s most spectacular regions – and refine your backcountry skills at the same time.
NOLS: Scandinavian Sea Kayaking and Backpacking
The Kingdom of Norway is the westernmost country of the Scandinavian Peninsula in Europe. Your trekking will start in Norway at fjord level and move to higher elevations that are remarkably unspoiled.
A mix of rolling hills and snow-covered peaks punctuated by glaciers, this area has been home to the Sami peoples for hundreds of years. Sea kayaking this impressive coastline offers a mix of remote paddling without any human encounters and days where you can purchase fresh food in the small fishing communities that dot the rugged shores.
The Norwegian Sea has a rich marine life, abundant with cod, herring, and halibut, and is home to the largest deepwater coral reef in the world.
Recent Questions
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Ever since seeing “The Lord of the Rings,” my family has wanted to visit New Zealand. But we don’t want to restrict ourselves to the “Ring Route” – we want to experience the country’s diverse beauty. Problem is, there’s so much variety, we feel a little overwhelmed. What do you suggest? Thanks!
I’m fascinated by Alaska. But the place is so big! I don’t know where to go or how to get the most out of a trip there. I’m interested in landscape, wildlife, culture, the works! What would you recommend?
After years exploring North America and Europe, my wife and I are ready for something more exotic. We’re looking towards Asia, but are overwhelmed by the variety of choices. What trips would you recommend for a well-traveled couple making their first venture into Asia?
My husband and I travel somewhere every year; it’s an important part of our lives and we don’t want to give it up this year. But with finances tighter, we’re thinking of staying closer to home. Can you recommend some great North American adventures we should consider?
Thanks!We’ve had enough of snow and cold and want to impulsively spread our winter-weary wings and fly south for our kids’ February ski week this year. We’re especially interested in Mexico, but welcome any ideas. What hot and sunny nest do you recommend? Thank you!
We have two children, ages 11 and 15. The years are whizzing by, and before our kids grow so old that they don’t want to travel with Mom and Dad anymore, we want to take one unforgettable family odyssey. Of all the places you’ve been with your kids, which one stands out the most?
Thanks!What’s the best time to take a safari in eastern Africa? Thanks!
We have spent most of our lives working and saving. Now we’re approaching the time when we’ll be able to enjoy the things we’ve been dreaming about doing. On the top of our list is a trip to Africa. We want to see wildlife and wild places but also learn about local cultures and people, too. What do you recommend? Asante sana!
My wife and I have visited many parts of Europe and Asia. Now we have our hearts set on getting way off the beaten track in South America! We’ve heard marvelous things about Patagonia. Can you recommend some tour options there? —Patrick Jul 28, 2008 Dear Don: Ever since seeing “The Lord of the Rings,” my family has wanted to visit New Zealand. But we don’t want to restrict ourselves to the “Ring Route” – we want to experience the country’s diverse beauty. Problem is, there’s so much variety, we feel a little overwhelmed. What do you suggest? Thanks!
There are now so many web sites for travel information and opinion, I don’t know where to go or who to trust. It’s a cyber-jungle out there! What are your favorite sites?
We’ve recently moved to Northern California, where every February the schools have a curious tradition they call Ski Week. School is let out so that the kids and parents can indulge in a little February mood-lifting on the slopes. We’d like to make this Sun and Sand Week instead and fly south for our winter break. Any suggestions for our sunny retreat? PS The dates are Feb. 18-22. Thanks!
I’m looking for a trip to Alaska that can offer some active adrenaline-rich experiences while at the same time introducing me to the serenity of the Alaskan vastness and nature. Am I looking for the impossible? What would you recommend? Thanks in advance.
I’ve always wondered how penguins avoid getting dehydrated in Antarctica as they are surrounded by snow and salty water. How do they quench their thirst, or are they never thirsty?
What’s the best time to take a safari in eastern Africa? Thanks!
Thanks for your article about the Galapagos. I want to go there to swim with the penguins. What islands should I visit? What’s the best time of year to go? And what boat should I take? Thanks.
Don's Replies
Ever since seeing “The Lord of the Rings,” my family has wanted to visit New Zealand. But we don’t want to restrict ourselves to the “Ring Route” – we want to experience the country’s diverse beauty. Problem is, there’s so much variety, we feel a little overwhelmed. What do you suggest? Thanks!
- Jack
Dear Jack: I couldn’t agree more! “Lord of the Rings” was such a great global advertisement for New Zealand that it should have been sponsored by Tourism New Zealand. But the film doesn’t cover all of the country’s rich scenic attractions, so you’re wise to look beyond the Cineplex version to see the real “Big Screen.” Here are some excellent tours to help your whole family grok the natural – and cultural — heart and soul of this spectacular place.
Backroads offers hiking and biking trips on both the South and North Islands. One that might be perfect for you is “Family Fun on the North Island,” a kid-friendly trip that utilizes paddles, pedals, feet and rafts to explore farmlands and forests, plus the Maori cultural riches of the island.
For a unique adventure, consider the “Semester in New Zealand" offered by NOLS (the National Outdoor Leadership School). For 75 days, participants backpack through the Southern Alps, learning about the region’s natural history and culture. One highlight is a two-day stay with local Maori, who teach about their history, culture, and connection to the land. Optional activities include canoeing, kayaking, mountaineering, and sailing.
Off the Beaten Path offers a “New Zealand’s South Island” trip that features hiking on the spectacular Abel Tasman and Hollyfeld Tracks, with a bonus overnight cruise on Milford Sound.
Natural Habitat Adventures also offers a South Island exploration — “New Zealand Explorer” — which visits six national parks as well as cruising the Milford Sound.
And if you want to sample the highlights of both North and South on one trip, consider Geographic Expeditions’ “A Taste of New Zealand.”
Jack, I hope these suggestions help. May you and your family enjoy the adventure of a lifetime — and if you come across any Hobbits, share a bottle of Dorwinion wine on me!
I’m fascinated by Alaska. But the place is so big! I don’t know where to go or how to get the most out of a trip there. I’m interested in landscape, wildlife, culture, the works! What would you recommend?
- Alexander
Dear Alexander: You’re not alone in falling under the spell of Alaska! It’s one of those precious, prodigious places that seems to have a magical effect on everyone it touches. Happily, there are numerous ways to venture into the heart of that vast state. Within the Adventure Collection, seven different members offer Alaskan experiences. Here are some super adventures to consider:
Backroads’ Alaska Multisport features biking, hiking, rafting and sea kayaking in Denali National Park and on the Kenai Peninsula.
Lindblad Expeditions’ Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness uses a small expedition ship for whale-watching, forest-walking, glacier-gazing, and island-hopping.
Off the Beaten Path’s Kenai Adventure offers the Big Five: biking, rafting, kayaking, cruising, and hiking — with some beachcombing thrown in for good measure.
NOLS has crafted a Brooks Range Backpacking trip that is designed especially for students ages 23 and older. This 14-day backpacking course packs in backcountry travel lessons in the steep shale mountains and expansive tundra of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the Philip Smith Mountains. (If you’re more into sea kayaking, take a look at their Prince William Sound Sea Kayaking course.)
Geographic Expeditions’ Alaska’s Inland Passage and Wrangell-St. Elias National Park cruises the wonder-rich Inland Passage and explores the little-trod mountain-and-meadow wonderland of Wrangell–St. Elias National Park, which boasts nine of the continent’s 16 highest peaks and offers trekking as magni?cent as any in the world.
OARS offers a journey through spectacular wilderness on its Tatshenshini-Alsek River Expedition.
On Natural Habitat Adventures’ Hidden Alaska, highlights include encountering grizzlies up close at Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park, cruising among icebergs and marine wildlife on a private yacht in Kenai Fjords, and overnighting at a deluxe backcountry lodge deep within Denali National Park.
Alexander, if by any chance this isn’t enough for you, there are even more options to be savored at the Adventure Collection’s Trip Finder:
However and wherever you end up pursuing your Alaskan odyssey, have a wonderful adventure in the Great North!
After years exploring North America and Europe, my wife and I are ready for something more exotic. We’re looking towards Asia, but are overwhelmed by the variety of choices. What trips would you recommend for a well-traveled couple making their first venture into Asia?
- Michael
Dear Michael: Bravo! I applaud your decision to open yourselves up to a new part of the world — and so to open up the world to a new part of you. Here are my suggestions for first-ever Asian odysseys:
Backroads: Bali Biking
Bushtracks Expeditions: Legendary Rajastan
Geographic Expeditions: Hidden Treasures of Bhutan
Micato Safaris: Passage to India and Nepal
Natural Habitat Adventures: Wild and Ancient China
NOLS: Himalaya Backpacking
Remember to pack your sense of humor along with yuor sunsceen — and to open yourself up to the gifts of serendipity. Enjoy your Asian adventure! And may it be the first of many.
Happy trails,
— Don
My husband and I travel somewhere every year; it’s an important part of our lives and we don’t want to give it up this year. But with finances tighter, we’re thinking of staying closer to home. Can you recommend some great North American adventures we should consider?
Thanks!
- Caroline
Dear Caroline: Your determination to keep travelling is inspiring, and I couldn’t agree with you more: Travel is an integrally important element of a healthy, balanced life, and it’s important not to give it up. But as with other life-factors, you have to adjust your travel plans to fit your realities.
The good news is that there is a tremendous spectrum of adventures available right here in North America. Following are my top suggestions:
I’ll start with a couple of trips I’ve already written about, which were exhilarating in all ways:
Whale-Watching in Baja California, Mexico, with Lindblad Expeditions: You can read my tale of this life-transforming experience here, and get more information about the trip here.
Rafting the Middle Fork of the Salmon River in Idaho with OARS: This classic trip offers one of the finest whitewater-rafting experiences in North America. Read my account here.
Here’s one more extraordinarily exciting and fulfilling trip I took last summer, which I will be writing about soon on Don’s Place: Heli-Hiking in Canada’s Bugaboo Mountains with Canadian Mountain Holidays: If the idea of hiking in pristine wilderness from a base in a remote yet very comfortable lodge appeals, this trip’s for you.
Here are five more North American adventures from my own Adventure Collection Wish List:
Vermont Biking with Backroads: Six days pedalling through the autumn-painted hills of New England, past whitewashed colonial homes, steepled churches and peaceful farmsteads, sounds like heaven to me.
Exploring Alaska with Geographic Expeditions: A far-ranging look at
Alaska from the famed Redoubt Bay Lodge, where brown bears fish for salmon, then on to a couple of stirring days in Denali National Park, dominated by North America’s highest peak, and ending with five days aboard the Discovery exploring Prince William Sound in privacy and intimacy.
Ultimate Churchill with Natural Habitat Adventures: This polar bear expedition offers a total immersion into the world of the polar bear and the Canadian Far North. Warm, self-contained tundra vehicles take travelers into the icy wild to view polar bears as they hunt, play and interact, just feet away from the vehicles. Participants also helicopter to the bears’ denning area and experience the northern boreal wilderness by dog sled. Sweet!
Light & Fast Backpacking in Wyoming with NOLS: Outfitted with 25- to 30-pound packs (10–15 pounds without food and fuel), travelers explore one of Wyoming’s most remote and wild ranges without the burden of a heavy load. Participants learn cutting edge lightweight techniques like cooking one-pot meals and staying warm and dry with minimal gear while honing traditional backpacking skills like navigation and Leave No Trace.
Wildlife Watching in Yellowstone with Off the Beaten Path: This journey gives travelers maximum field time in one of the greatest places to see the interactions between predator, prey, and scavenger. The biologist guides know the territory and its wild residents backwards and forwards, and have an uncanny knack for spotting wildlife. Spring and fall departure dates coincide with the best wildlife viewing of the season.
In addition to these, if you end up deciding to travel farther afield, you should also consider the African adventures offered by two more Adventure Collection members, Bushtracks Expeditions and Micato Safaris.
Caroline, wherever you choose to go, I hope you have a life-renewing adventure. Please send me a postcard to let me know!
Happy travels,
Don
We’ve had enough of snow and cold and want to impulsively spread our winter-weary wings and fly south for our kids’ February ski week this year. We’re especially interested in Mexico, but welcome any ideas. What hot and sunny nest do you recommend? Thank you!
- Sue and Sam
Dear sun-seeking Sue and Sam! I feel your winter weariness, and I think you have an excellent plan: Fly south and let the sun re-charge those solar batteries!
There are many inviting southern nests for you to consider, but of them all, I’d most highly recommend Baja, Mexico, and Costa Rica. For the experience of a lifetime, getting up close and personal with whales, take a look at Lindblad Expeditions’ Among the Great Whales and Natural Habitat Adventures’ Whales of Baja, both with February departures. Other Adventure Collection members that offer Baja journeys include Backroads, NOLS and O.A.R.S. In Costa Rica that month, Backroads’ Costa Rica Biking looks really enticing to me, as does Geographic Expeditions’ Costa Rica Rivers and Rain Forests. Other Costa rica itineraries are offered by Lindblad, Natural Habitat, and Off the Beaten Path.
Finally, if your wings can flap a little further — and if you can somehow take a few extra days off — consider winging your way to Patagonia. Off the Beaten Path’s Textures of Patagonia and NOLS’s Patagonia Backpacking and Fly Fishing would give you and your fledglings an unforgettable adventure. And if you want to explore Patagonia at a different time of year, check out the itineraries offered by Backroads, Bushtracks, Geo Ex, Lindblad, and Nat Hab.
I hope at least one of these these nests appeals to you — and I hope a sun-warmed postcard wings my way from you this February.
Happy travels!
We have two children, ages 11 and 15. The years are whizzing by, and before our kids grow so old that they don’t want to travel with Mom and Dad anymore, we want to take one unforgettable family odyssey. Of all the places you’ve been with your kids, which one stands out the most?
Thanks!
- Sue and Rick
Dear Sue and Rick: I completely understand you! My kids are now 22 and 17, and the years have absolutely flown by. While I hope we still have a family trip or two ahead of us, you should definitely take advantage of these years when you can explore and grow together. Over the years we’ve traveled together to many wonderful family-friendly places – Fiji, Mexico, and Greece leap to mind – so it’s hard to choose just one. But I’d have to say that the best family trip we’ve ever taken, a trip that truly brought us closer together and will remain a family landmark and touchpoint for the rest of our days, was our voyage to the islands of the Galapagos. I’ve written about this in depth in the Feature Destination area of Don’s Place; you can read my account here.
The following Adventure Collection members offer tours to the Galapagos:
Lindblad Expeditions
Geographic Expeditions
Natural Habitat Adventures
OARS
Backroads
Off the Beaten Path
Check out their offerings to see which one appeals most to you. But whichever you choose, go! The Galapagos are an enchanted laboratory where you and your kids can get a new perspective on our world. I recommend a family odyssey there most highly!
What’s the best time to take a safari in eastern Africa? Thanks!
- Patsy
Dear Patsy: I have had a spectacular safari experience in East Africa in the summer, but I am not nearly as much of a safari expert as the Adventure Collection’s Dennis Pinto, Managing Director of Micato Safaris. So I turned to him for an answer to this question. Here’s what he had to say:
There really is no “best” time to visit East Africa; it’s a year-round destination. Here’s why:
Wildlife: There is abundant wildlife in all areas throughout the year.
Temperatures: In the areas where most safaris occur the elevation is between 4,000 and 8,000 feet which, because of East Africa’s proximity on the Equator, means that temperatures are comfortably in the 70s during the day.
Rain: The “long” rains occur in April – so we don’t recommend safaris then. In April one gets cloudy skies and torrential rainfall for 2-3 weeks. The “short” rains normally occur in November – safaris are enhanced by these rains. Rainfall is in short bursts, often in the evenings, causing the terrain to be very green, with many flowering plants in bloom.
Bugs: Most visitors are astounded by the relative lack of bugs. I get more bug bites on a summer weekend in Kent, Connecticut, than I do on a 4-week safari!
Many travelers have heard of the wildebeest migration: This is generally best seen in June, July, and August in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, and in January, February, March in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro and Serengeti areas.
Like most spectacles, the wildebeest migration also attracts people. During the migration, one could see 500,000-1,000,000 wildebeest. In other times, one might see 100,000 wildebeest. (And the wildebeest attract flies — another reason not to be there at that time.)
I personally prefer the non-migration months, especially May right after the long rains. In May the landscape is magnificent. Lush green. Plants and trees in bloom. Animals with young. Clear skies. Great light for photography. And there is an absence of people because it is the lull between the winter travelers from Europe and the normal summer build-up of travelers. (The movie “Out of Africa” was filmed in May – which will give you a visual idea of the terrain at that time of the year). The grass is long — a drawback for easy game viewing, but not a detriment as one will see just about every animal on most people’s wish list anyway.
One last note: Travelers should be reminded that no shots are required for travel to Kenya and Tanzania, although we do recommend anti-malaria prophylactics and that one consults with a physician.
Hope this helps!
Thanks, Dennis!
Patsy: One last note: A number of the members of the Adventure Collection offer a wide range of safaris and other adventures in Africa. I encourage you to check out their offerings. Destinations include Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Uganda in East Africa, but also range throughout the continent, south, west and north. To explore all the Adventure Collection’s Africa offerings, visit the TripFinder site on AdventureCollection.com.
Also, here are some specific trips you might want to consider:
Backroads: South Africa Multisport
Bushtracks Expeditions: Remote Parks and People of Africa’s Rainforest: Central African Republic, Gabon and Principe
Geographic Expeditions: Wilds of Botswana
Lindblad Expeditions: Africa by Sea: An Epic Voyage to the Indian Ocean
Micato Safaris: The Micato Grand Safari: Kenya and Tanzania
Natural Habitat Adventures: The Great African Primate Expedition: Uganda
We have spent most of our lives working and saving. Now we’re approaching the time when we’ll be able to enjoy the things we’ve been dreaming about doing. On the top of our list is a trip to Africa. We want to see wildlife and wild places but also learn about local cultures and people, too. What do you recommend? Asante sana!
- Michelle and Bill
Jambo, Michelle and Bill! What an excellent question and an excellent choice! And congratulations on reaching the stage in life where you’re ready to start making your dreams come true!
Visiting Africa has been one of the most profoundly affecting adventures of my life. Africa is such a wide-open, primal place that it puts you in touch with the world in an entirely different way; it gives you a new respect for the diversity, fragility and resilience of our planet, and for our role in it and on it.
The Adventure Collection offers a number of trips that combine wildlife and tribal culture, and that explore all the corners of the continent. Here are a few to consider:
Backroads: South Africa Multisport
Bushtracks Expeditions: Remote Parks and People of Africa’s Rainforest: Central African Republic, Gabon and Principe
Geographic Expeditions: Wilds of Botswana
Lindblad Expeditions: Africa by Sea: An Epic Voyage to the Indian Ocean
Micato Safaris: The Micato Grand Safari: Kenya and Tanzania
Natural Habitat Adventures: The Great African Primate Expedition: Uganda
May one of these help you realize your dream. Happy travels!
My wife and I have visited many parts of Europe and Asia. Now we have our hearts set on getting way off the beaten track in South America! We’ve heard marvelous things about Patagonia. Can you recommend some tour options there? —Patrick Jul 28, 2008 Dear Don: Ever since seeing “The Lord of the Rings,” my family has wanted to visit New Zealand. But we don’t want to restrict ourselves to the “Ring Route” – we want to experience the country’s diverse beauty. Problem is, there’s so much variety, we feel a little overwhelmed. What do you suggest? Thanks!
- Jack
Dear Patagonia-prone Pat: You have made an excellent choice! Patagonia has some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world – and some of the most spectacular people too!
Happily, a number of Adventure Collection members offer trips to the region. These vary widely in length, activity, season and cost.
In terms of length, Off the Beaten Path offers the nine-day Patagonia’s Lakes Districts for $4,495, and Backroads offers a nine-day Patagonia Biking trip from $5,098.
At the longer end of the spectrum, consider Geographic Expeditions’ 16-day Into Patagonia with Janko Gorse (from $5,960) or NOLS’s 14-day in-the-field course Patagonia Backpacking and Fly Fishing; tuition is $3.300. (Or if you have a lot of free time – and disposable income — how about NOLS’s 135-day, $23,000 Year in Patagonia course?)
For a water-oriented itinerary that includes a visit to Patagonia, Lindblad Expeditions offers a 17-day tour called The Nazca Lines to Chilean Patagonia (from $9880).
Other tempting trips include Bushtracks Expeditions’ 13-day Patagonia Paradise ($8,465) and Natural Habitat Adventures’ 13-day Wild Patagonia ($6,795).
My advice is for you to check out all these tours and see which one best fits your window of time, your budget, and your activity interests. You can view more Patagonia packages – and other South America trips too – by using the Adventure Collection’s TripFinder tool. I’m sure you’ll find a tour that’s just right for you!
Happy travels – and send me a postcard from Patagonia!
There are now so many web sites for travel information and opinion, I don’t know where to go or who to trust. It’s a cyber-jungle out there! What are your favorite sites?
- Jim
Dear Be-Jungled Jim: I completely agree! When I started Salon’s Wanderlust travel site in 1997, you could count the number of travel content sites on one IPO-ringed hand. But in the past few years travel content has absolutely exploded on the Web. Planning an odyssey online now is overwhelming; the choices are so dizzying and daunting that you’re apt to end up more confused than enlightened, and more exhausted than inspired. In addition to the guidebook publishers’ web sites, the national tourism organization sites, and crowd-sourcing sites like Lonely Planet’s ThornTree and TripAdvisor, there are hundreds – well, probably thousands — of travelers’ blogs covering the spectrum from here’s-what-we-did-today postcards to sophisticated reportage. It’s truly mind-boggling!
Here are five sites I turn to regularly for information, stimulation and enlightenment:
WorldHum.com: For an ongoing offering of thoughtful, informed, provocative and well-written dispatches from around the globe, this is the place to go. WorldHum also offers high-quality opinion columns, interviews, book reviews and a terrific links page.
JoeSentMe.com: Edited by veteran business travel journalist Joe Brancatelli, this is the business traveler’s bible. Joe and his column-writing colleagues provide excellent up-to-date information and commentary on deals and debacles in the business travel world; the site also features extraordinarily comprehensive links.
The Perrin Report/The Perrin Post: Wendy Perrin has been an editor at Conde Nast Traveler since 1989; she’s currently the magazine’s Consumer News Editor. Perrin is a savvy, sensitive traveler and journalist and her report and blog invariably offer informed, timely, tested-on-the-ground advice and information.
Lonely Planet: Lonely Planet’s site is a great all-in-one place to roam the world without leaving your desk. With dispatches from correspondents, photo and video galleries, accommodation recommendations, quirky and compelling lists, and the mother of all travel-crowdsourcing sites, the Thorn Tree Forum, LP’s site serves up a worldly smorgasbord of advice, information and inspiration. Just be sure to set a timer – or you may spend the whole day there.
Kayak.com: Whenever I’m researching airfares, I visit this site first. Kayak is an information provider rather than a ticket-seller, which means that in contrast to the big online ticket-selling sites (such as Travelocity, Expedia, and Orbitz), Kayak doesn’t rely on commissions from airlines and other providers, so it’s free to offer a wider range of provider information. For example, its airline listings include Southwest and Jet Blue, low-cost carriers that most other engines simply ignore. Kayak also shows you what tickets are selling for on other sites such as airfares.com and cheaptickets.com, in addition to the airlines’ own sites. It’s a great start to getting the best deal.
Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention one more site: adventurecollection.com. If you want to find a trip to virtually anywhere in the world, adventurecollection.com (the adventurous sponsor of Don’s Place) is a cyber-wonderland of information and inspiration, with literally hundreds of trips on land and sea, from rugged to relaxed, in its database. Whether you’re in the dreaming or the booking stage, check ‘em out!
Jim, as you know, this is just the tip of the tip of the digital travel iceberg. I’ll be highlighting other web sites throughout the year, so be sure to come back. And in the meantime, happy travels!
We’ve recently moved to Northern California, where every February the schools have a curious tradition they call Ski Week. School is let out so that the kids and parents can indulge in a little February mood-lifting on the slopes. We’d like to make this Sun and Sand Week instead and fly south for our winter break. Any suggestions for our sunny retreat? PS The dates are Feb. 18-22. Thanks!
- Sylvia and Tom
Dear S & T: Sun and Sand Week? An exemplary idea! Nothing beats the winter blahs like charging into bathwater-warm ocean waves or squiggling the toes into a sun-baked beach.
I’d recommend two prime destinations for your consideration: Baja and Costa Rica. For a wonder-filled week of whale-watching in Baja, take a look at Lindblad Expeditions’ Among the Great Whales and Natural Habitat Adventures’ Whales of Baja, both scheduled for Sun and Sand Week. Other Adventure Collection members that offer Baja journeys include Backroads, NOLS and O.A.R.S. In Costa Rica that week, Backroads’ Costa Rica Biking looks really enticing to me, as does Geographic Expeditions’ Costa Rica Rivers and Rain Forests. Other Costa rica itineraries are offered by Lindblad, Natural Habitat, and Off the Beaten Path.
Finally, it’s not exactly Sun and Sand, and it would require taking some extra days off, but for the odyssey of a lifetime, Patagonia can’t be beat. Off the Beaten Path’s Exploring Patagonia and NOLS’s Patagonia Backpacking and Fly Fishing would give you and your kids an unforgettable blah-busting adventure. And if you want to explore Patagonia at a different time, check out the itineraries offered by Backroads, Bushtracks, Geo Ex, Lindblad, and Nat Hab.
I hope these ideas offer some helpful inspiration. Please send me a postcard from your Sun and Sand Week celebration!
I’m looking for a trip to Alaska that can offer some active adrenaline-rich experiences while at the same time introducing me to the serenity of the Alaskan vastness and nature. Am I looking for the impossible? What would you recommend? Thanks in advance.
- Stelios
Dear Stelios: You are definitely not looking for the impossible! In fact, Alaska is one of the best places on earth to combine activity and serenity. You can explore the north’s mind-cleansing vastnesses by small cruise ship, kayak, raft, bike and/or foot. Alaska’s size is enormous, and so is the range of travel experiences there, so it’s essential to prioritize your desires — are you looking for whitewater thrills, close encounters with glaciers or grizzlies, cultural immersions, backcountry hikes? And what’s your comfort threshold? Narrowing these options will help you focus on the area and kind of trip best suited to you.
In regard to specific trips, for the combination you’re seeking, here are three I’d recommend:Off the Beaten Path’s Kenai Adventure offers the Big Five: biking, rafting, kayaking, cruising, and hiking — with some beachcombing thrown in for good measure.
Lindblad Expeditions’ Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness uses a small expedition ship for whale-watching, forest-walking, glacier-gazing, and island-hopping.
OARS offers a journey through spectacular wilderness on its Tatshenshini-Alsek River Expedition.
Check these out — and send me a serenely adrenaline-soaked postcard when you go!
I’ve always wondered how penguins avoid getting dehydrated in Antarctica as they are surrounded by snow and salty water. How do they quench their thirst, or are they never thirsty?
- S. Michelle
Dear S. Michelle: I forwarded this wonderful question to our friends at Natural Habitat Adventures for their response. Here it is:
On land penguins can usually find fresh water in pools and streams, but when at sea, penguins must drink salt water to survive. Most animals cannot drink salty water, but penguins have the ability to drink salty water with special filter systems within their body. Their stomach can actually separate the salt from the water. Penguins have a gland located around the eye called the supraorbital gland, which helps clear out excess salt in the bloodstream. The excess salt is excreted through the nasal glands as a salty fluid. So penguins in fact can survive on salty water and avoid dehydration with their special filters!
All I can add to that is: Bottom’s up!
Natural Habitat Adventures is one of a number of Adventure Collection companies that offer trips to Antarctica. For more on these trips, visit AdventureCollection.com.
What’s the best time to take a safari in eastern Africa? Thanks!
- Patsy
Dear Patsy: I have had a spectacular safari experience in East Africa in the summer, but I am not nearly as much of a safari expert as the Adventure Collection’s Dennis Pinto, Managing Director of Micato Safaris. So I turned to him for an answer to this question. Here’s what he had to say:
There really is no “best” time to visit East Africa; it’s a year-round destination. Here’s why:
Wildlife: There is abundant wildlife in all areas throughout the year.
Temperatures: In the areas where most safaris occur the elevation is between 4,000 and 8,000 feet which, because of East Africa’s proximity on the Equator, means that temperatures are comfortably in the 70s during the day.
Rain: The “long” rains occur in April – so we don’t recommend safaris then. In April one gets cloudy skies and torrential rainfall for 2-3 weeks. The “short” rains normally occur in November – safaris are enhanced by these rains. Rainfall is in short bursts, often in the evenings, causing the terrain to be very green, with many flowering plants in bloom.
Bugs: Most visitors are astounded by the relative lack of bugs. I get more bug bites on a summer weekend in Kent, Connecticut, than I do on a 4-week safari!
Many travellers have heard of the wildebeest migration: This is generally best seen in June, July, and August in Kenya’s Maasai Mara, and in January, February, March in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro and Serengeti areas.
Like most spectacles, the wildebeest migration also attracts people. During the migration, one could see 500,000-1,000,000 wildebeest. In other times, one might see 100,000 wildebeest. (And the wildebeest attract flies — another reason not to be there at that time.)
I personally prefer the non-migration months, especially May right after the long rains. In May the landscape is magnificent. Lush green. Plants and trees in bloom. Animals with young. Clear skies. Great light for photography. And there is an absence of people because it is the lull between the winter travellers from Europe and the normal summer build-up of travellers. (The movie “Out of Africa” was filmed in May – which will give you a visual idea of the terrain at that time of the year). The grass is long — a drawback for easy game viewing, but not a detriment as one will see just about every animal on most people’s wish list anyway.
One last note: Travellers should be reminded that no shots are required for travel to Kenya and Tanzania, although we do recommend anti-malaria prophylactics and that one consults with a physician.
Hope this helps!
Thanks for your article about the Galapagos. I want to go there to swim with the penguins. What islands should I visit? What’s the best time of year to go? And what boat should I take? Thanks.
- Zeke
Dear Zeke: Thanks for your note. Swimming with the Galapagos penguins is definitely one of the unforgettable treats of a Galapagos trip. The best islands for seeing and swimming with penguins are Bartoleme (Pinnacle Rock is a favorite place for penguin-spotting), Fernandina, and Isabela. What’s the best time to view the penguins? You’re very likely to see penguins any time of year, but the cooler, dryer season from June through November probably offers the maximum possibilities. As for which boat you should take, there is a wide variety of boats that take visitors around the Galapagos. What you choose depends on how large a boat you want, and how much you want to spend. Within the Adventure Collection, Galapagos tours are offered by Lindblad Expeditions, Geographic Expeditions, Natural Habitat Adventures, O.A.R.S., and Off the Beaten Path. Check out their tour options at AdventureCollection.com.
