Backroads: European Biking Trip

In mid-October, 115 employees embarked on a dry run of Backroads' new Hungary, Slovakia & Poland biking trip, premiering in June 2007. The sentiment was unanimous--what better way to discover a lesser-traveled corner of Eastern Europe with very few Western tourists, soak up incredible scenery (think beautiful rolling hills, forested valleys, alpine lakes and quaint villages) and relish great biking (imagine quiet winding roads with little or no traffic!), not to mention the opportunity to hike over the glorious High Tatras. If biking isn't quite your thing, an all-hiking version with premiere hotels will also be offered.

Geographic Expeditions: Best of Brazil

Rio de Janeiro is surely the most mellifluously situated city in the world, but there’s more to Rio than eye-grabbing scenery; it’s one of the world’s most energized cities, sexy beyond measure. Start with a thorough look through Rio. Then, in a grand study in contrasts, head out to two of the world’s most beautiful places. First, west to Pantanal, the world’s largest wetland, a vast region of fabulous lushness, the best place in South America to see large animals. Then across Brazil to the Atlantic Coast and Salvador de Bahia. Often called the most African city in the Western Hemisphere, Salvador is a vibrant mélange of cultures. Daily departures.

For more information, visit http://www.geoex.com/trip.asp?tripID=4647

Lindblad Expeditions: Contemporary Explorers Host Landmark Antilles Expedition aboard Sea Cloud II

We are proud to announce that Micato has been honoured for the fourth consecutive year with the most prestigious award in the travel business, hailed winner of “The World’s Best Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter” survey by readers of Travel+Leisure magazine.

Micato’s World’s Best Safari includes stays at number one ranked hotels, plus exciting game drives to see a dazzling array of wildlife, the phenomenon of Victoria Falls, the sophistication of Cape Town, bountiful winelands, erudite guides and spectacular scenery at every turn.  Dine in top restaurants and vineyards, at the finest safari lodges and the striking home of Micato’s Cape Town hosts.

Our safari expedition takes us to the Kruger Park region for two nights each at two of the world’s best lodges:  Singita Private Game Reserve, so fantastically exotic that it is hard to equate such unadulterated indulgence with its bush setting, and Sabi Sabi, another award-winning lodge of extravagant design, incomparable luxury and service. Our journey ends at Victoria Falls, one of the seven natural wonders of the world.  Words cannot prepare the visitor for the thrill of this thundering mile-wide cascade. 

Micato’s World’s Best Safari is 13 days including travel to/from Africa and operates year round. Land and internal air rates begin at $11,360 per person, double occupancy. 

For more information contact Micato Safaris at 1-800-MICATO-1 or www.micato.com.

Perhaps the most impressive of all of North America’s natural events occurs with one of its most unlikely creatures, the delicate and beautiful monarch butterfly. Every year, nearly 300 million of these brilliantly hued monarchs spread their wings and set flight on a remarkable 2,500-mile journey, from Canada and the northeastern United States to their ancestral wintering grounds in the spectacular Transvolcanic Range in Mexico. Until recently, the location of their breeding grounds remained a mystery. Now, small groups

of our travelers, accompanied by Mexico’s premier naturalist guides, can experience this soul-stirring natural phenomenon. http://www.nathab.com/destinations/

NOLS: (A)broad Perspective: NOLS Celebrates Diversity While Providing a Unifying Experience

Perhaps more than any other itinerary in 2006, O.A.R.S island-to-island itinerary in the enchanted Galapagos Islands resonated well with loyal past guests and new travelers alike, making it one of the most popular trips of the year.

With the same high level of O.A.R.S. service and expertise offered in throughout western North America, the trip is carefully orchestrated around the natural habitat of the Galapagos and its bizarre animal species.  Creatively including a full menu of environmentally-friendly adventure, this unique multi-sport adventure includes snorkeling, sea kayaking, hiking, biking, horseback riding and even surfing.  A typical day (if you can call it that), on this ten-day trip might include swimming with sea lions and marine turtles, fraternizing with blue footed boobies, a beachside lunch, then paddling to Leon Dormido to snorkel with hammerhead and white tipped reef sharks and dozens of species of tropical fish. Before it’s all said and done, you’ll have hiked in the El Chato Reserve, mountain biked through the highlands, explored Isabela Island on horseback, and dined and sojourned at some of the finest, if not legendary, establishments in the archipelago.

For more information contact O.A.R.S. at 800-346-6277
http://www.oars.com/galapagos/galapagosmultisport.html

Off the Beaten Path: Winter Wolves and Wild Things in Yellowstone

A classic mainstay for Off the Beaten Path (OTBP) is the Wolves, Bears, and Wild Things journey of discovery though Yellowstone National Park. This wildlife-focused trip has been a popular departure for OTBP throughout their 21-year history and this year was no different:

“What an experience! Thank you so much for bringing Yellowstone National Park alive for me and my husband. Your guides were clearly local experts – giving us not only an abundance of wildlife viewing opportunities but also showing us those “off the beaten path” places that make this unique landscape so special. This was the best trip that we’ve taken in years and we look forward to many more with Off the Beaten Path.”

It’s critical in this business that even those trips that have been with OTBP since their inception remain interesting and invigorating. Comments like this from our travelers remind us that many of our destinations will remain timeless in their appeal to travelers of all ages.

Visit http://www.offthebeatenpath.com/trip-motif/wildlife-natural-history/wolves-bears-wild-things/?ggjid=110