The U.S. National Park system is back open! Can you guess which one this is? Leave your guesses on our Facebook page. Check back on Monday for the answer.
Lyndsey Matthews is an assistant digital editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter @matthewslyndsey
Our most recent T+L Twitter Chat covered the best new destinations, gadgets, tour guides, and more for adventure travel.
We started out by asking our expert panelists where the up-and-coming adventure travel destinations were. Answers ranged from andBeyond visiting “Uganda for gorilla trekking or Sri Lanka for snorkeling with blue whales,” to Absolute Travel sharing how their “travelers want new takes on tried-and-true destinations, like a vintage sidecar ride through Shanghai.”
Dunton Hot Springs keeps it local by having unique adventures in the deserts or mountains, while Butterfield Robinson is excited about new overseas trips ranging from Chile to Newfoundland. ROW Adventures suggested Manila or Bangkok “for urban adventures. [There’s] nothing like risking your life on a moto-taxi weaving through 10 million people.”
For the scariest moments our adventure panelists have ever experienced, Visit Napa Valley shared a thrilling moment of a “hot air balloon landing on a teeny patch of grass in the middle of acres of #NapaValley vines.” Judah Schiller recounted how he once took a “12 hour ferry ride across [the] stormy Red Sea from Hurghada to Sharm el-Sheikh.” T+L’s Deputy Editor Laura Begley Bloom “had a 2 foot wide spider drop on [her] head while mountain biking in [the] Seychelles” (i.e.: my nightmare).
For a dream travel partner (real or fictional), answers ranged from a unicorn from Adventure Travel Trade Association's (ATTA) Shannon Stowell to Richard Branson or Anthony Bourdain from CMH Heli-Skiing. The Explora travel group put it well by saying “Salvadoor Dali. His irreverent theories and sheer brilliance would be the perfect match for the surreal South American landscapes.”
To conclude the chat, we asked our panelists to describe adventure travel in three words. T+L’s Executive Digital Editor Rich Beattie said: “Camping. Not glamping” which we couldn’t agree more with. T+L Digital Intern Maria Pedone suggested, “open your parachute” as her three words of choice—sounds like an born adventure traveler to us.
Gabrielle Blitz is the Associate Social Media Editor at Travel + Leisure.
Leave the hassles of air travel behind on these all-American vacations.
1. Road Trip: Music, Mountains, and Monuments Westbound
G Adventures’ 8-day itinerary covers notable American cities—New York, D.C., Memphis, Nashville, New Orleans—and scenic roads like the Blue Ridge Parkway. You’ll ride in a private van with a small group averaging about 10 people (typically 20- and 30-somethings). The trip includes entrance fees to all National Parks and National Monuments with hiking and walking excursions, plus orientation tours in D.C. and New York, and a visit to Arlington Cemetery. From $110/day per person, gadventures.com.
2. Bike: Vermont Champlain Valley Islands
VBT Bicycling Walking Vacations emphasizes environmental and social responsibility, encouraging bikers to tread lightly and respect local cultures. On this tour, you’ll pass through the Champlain Islands, Burlington, Shelburne, and Fort Ticonderoga. You’ll have a picnic lunch by the lake and the opportunity to kayak. Five nights accommodations at historic inns and use of a custom VBT bicycle and helmet are also included. From $258/day per person, vbt.com.
3. Cruise: 5-Day Pacific Coastal Cruise from L.A. to Vancouver
Both the Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl sail this itinerary.
Traveling up the coast, you’ll stop in San Francisco on the way to Vancouver; other stops may include Victoria, British Columbia or Astoria, Oregon. Onboard, there’s plenty to enjoy, including a climbing wall, tennis, bowling, comedy shows, an art gallery, multiple pools, and a kids’ club. From $63/day per person, ncl.com.
4. Train: Canyon Discovery Plus 3-Night Trip
Take the evening train journey from Williams, AZ, north to the Grand Canyon’s South Rim abroad the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, whose vintage stainless-steel cars will make you feel like you’ve gone back in time. During the 65-mile journey, look out for elk, mountain lions, pronghorn, and bald eagles. Kids will love the cowboys and outlaws shows prior to boarding in the morning; a second show takes place on the way back. Two nights at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel and a night at the Maswik Lodge are included. From $122/nigh per person, thetrain.com.
5. RV: GoRving Resource
The trip-planning website GoRving.com will help you find out where you can rent an RV and locate campgrounds and offers advice about which RV is right for you. Renting an RV is a great way to visit a bunch of destinations with your whole family and customize your own itinerary—you could let each person on your trip pick a spot they want to visit to help create your route.
6. Kayak: 3-Day Cumberland Island, GA, Adventure
Savannah’s largest paddle sports retailer offers rentals, lessons, guided excursions, and overnight camping trips. On this 3-day trip, you get to explore Cumberland Island, GA (known for pristine beaches and wildlife) and paddle to Christmas Creek island for hiking. All boats, gear, and meals are provided. From $126/day per person, savannahcanoeandkayak.com.
More From Travel + Leisure
Ever wish you could travel back in time? Well, now you can, thanks to Limite Zero, a new zipline that connects Sanlucar de Guadiana, in Andalucia, Spain, to Alcoutim, in Algarve, Portugal—which is one hour behind. A privately funded passion project of Englishman David Jarman, the 2,362-foot-long zipline (called “la tirolina” in Spain) crosses the Guadiana River at 50 feet above sea level. “It seemed like a great way to unite both places, since a bridge had been talked about for many years, but was never realized,” Jarman says. “Plus, I love a challenge!” Here’s how it works: A 4x4 takes you to the departing platform, set near Spain’s San Marco Castle, and in less than a minute, you arrive on the Portuguese side, no passport required. (Speeds can reach up to 45 miles per hour.) A short walk takes you to Alcoutim village, where a small passenger ferry awaits anyone who needs a ride back to Spain; fare is included in the 15 euro price.
Brooke Porter is an Associate Editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter at @brookeporter1.
Welcome to the latest installment of T+L's promotional partnership with luxury adventure operator Cox Kings, where booking a trip to a destination featured in T+L is easier than ever. Here's how it works:
• Every month, T+L editors work with Cox Kings to develop two trips inspired by destinations we love.
• Each itinerary is designed to offer insider access and unique experiences—whether it's a stay at an exclusive hotel, a behind-the-scenes tour, or dinner in a private residence.
• For a limited time, T+L readers can take advantage of exclusive savings on this month's featured trips.
December Specials
Morocco
The Highlights: Tour the historic sites of Fez's Old Town, from the 14th-century Al-Attarine Madrasa to the mosaics of Nejjarine Square; browse the stalls in Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakesh's main square, full of fire-eaters and snake-charmers, before exploring the late Yves Saint Laurent's Majorelle Garden by horse-drawn calèche; sunbathe by the pool or take a dip in the blue lagoon at La Sultana Oualidia, a seaside resort on Morocco's Atlantic Coast.
The Details: 9 days and 8 nights, from $6,195 per person.**
Optional Extensions: Agafay Desert or the Atlas Mountains
The Highlights: Bask beneath the sun at an Agafay desert camp or Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot resort in the Atlas Mountains. Available activities may include 4 x 4 excursions, village visits, camel rides, and more.
The Details: Agafay Desert, 3 days and 2 nights, from $850 per person.** Atlas Mountains, 3 days and 2 nights, from $1,095 per person.**
South Africa
The Highlights: Enjoy a private tour of South Africa's Cape Peninsula and Duiker Island's Cape Fur Seal colony, then get up close to the African penguins at Boulders Beach; ascend Table Mountain's 3,500-foot-high summit for panamoramic views of Cape Town; take a ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela spent 18 years; visit estates along the Cape's wine route, which includes the towns of Stellenbosch, Paarl, and Franschhoek.
The Details: 7 days and 6 nights, from $4,480 per person.**
Optional Extension: Sabi Sand Game Reservce
The Highlights: Game drives, walks, and sumptuous meals are all on offer at Londolozi, situated on the banks of the Sand River, where you have the chance to observe resident lions, leopards, and herds of elephant, buffalo, and white rhino.
The Details: 3 days and 2 nights, from $3,420 per person, including internal airfare.**
T+L Reader Special:
• A private cooking class with an English-speaking interpreter at the prestigious La Maison Arabe cooking school in Marrakesh, Morocco
• An exclusive wine tasting with the wine maker at De Toren, a boutique private cellar in Stellenbosch, in South Africa's Cape Winelands
T+L Readers Who Book by December 31, 2013 Receive:
• $500 off per person
Want more information? Click here.
T+L Trips are presented to our readers through a promotional partnership with Cox Kings.
**Advertised rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and two people booking and traveling together. Advertised rates are limited and based on bookings made between November 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013 for either Morocco or South Africa travel. Rates may be higher based on availability or if booked after December 31, 2013. This Promotion is not combinable with any other discounts. Save $500 per person offer is based on bookings for "Morocco" and/or "South Africa" made by December 31, 2013 (not applicable to optional extensions). For complete terms and restrictions, visit coxandkingsusa.com/tltrips. Air travel to/from Morocco or South Africa is not included. CST-2105853-50. Itineraries subject to change.
Can you guess where this glacier is? Leave your guesses on our Facebook page. Check back on Monday for the answer.
Lyndsey Matthews is an assistant digital editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter @matthewslyndsey
While this looks like Arizona's Grand Canyon, it's not. Can you guess where this is? Leave your guesses on our Facebook page. Check back on Monday for the answer.
Lyndsey Matthews is an assistant digital editor at Travel + Leisure. Follow her on Twitter @matthewslyndsey
The best job around the world has been filled. In September we shared how vacation matchmaker Jauntaroo was looking to hire a “Chief World Explorer,” tasked with spending 2014 traveling the globe, participating in voluntourism, and then sharing the experiences via social media, webisodes, and Janutaroo.com.
This dream job not only offered up a C-suite title, but also a salary of $100,000 to travel to 50 destinations ranging from Denver and Jacksonville to St. Lucia, Berlin, and the Maldives. There were 3,000 applicants from 99 countries who applied, and after careful deliberation, the candidates were narrowed down to five finalists, and then one hire.
Vying for the highly coveted position, the five remaining individuals got a head start on the exotic global adventure with a four-day trip to Abu Dhabi via Etihad Airways, where they would have in-person interviews and final-selection activities, while staying at the magnificent Emirates Palace.
Janutaroo’s Chief Commercial Officer, Tom Wilson, says of the meeting place: “Abu Dhabi is a magical place where east meets west, combining traditional Bedouin hospitality with state of the art travel experiences. I can’t wait to have our finalists together, immersed in another country and experiencing other cultures. Isn’t that what the love of real travel is all about?”
Say hello to the new Chief World Explorer, Tyson Mayr, from Queensland's Gold Coast. The 27-year-old, Australian-native, not only embodies the Janutaroo values, but is also a humanitarian who believes in the importance of “giving back to the communities that you travel through.” When asked about examples of this, he shared how for years he’s worked to replace water filters in underdeveloped areas with contaminated water. As if we weren’t already convinced of his altruism, he then pulled a water filter out of his bag and shared how easy it is to use.
Gabrielle Blitz is the Associate Social Media Editor at Travel + Leisure.
Welcome to the latest installment of T+L's promotional partnership with luxury adventure operator Cox Kings, where booking a trip to a destination featured in T+L is easier than ever. Here's how it works:
• Every month, T+L editors work with Cox Kings to develop two trips inspired by destinations we love.
• Each itinerary is designed to offer insider access and unique experiences—whether it's a stay at an exclusive hotel, a behind-the-scenes tour, or dinner in a private residence.
• For a limited time, T+L readers can take advantage of exclusive savings on this month's featured trips.
February Specials
Rome
The Highlights: Spend an afternoon strolling the fashionable Via Condotti and nearby Spanish Steps; browse Dolce Gabbana, Cavalli, and Ferragamo with a personal shopper during a private half-day shopping tour (a T+L reader exclusive) before enjoying lunch at a café housed in the former studio of renowned Neoclassical sculptors Antonio Canova and Adamo Tadolini; skip the lines to gaze upon Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica, in Vatican City; base your stay at Rome's stylish new J.K. Place Roma hotel.
The Details: 4 days and 3 nights, from $5,750 per person.**
Scandinavia (Denmark; Norway; Sweden)
The Highlights: Sail Roskilde Fjord aboard a traditional Nordix single square-sail rigged boat (a T+L reader exclusive), in Denmark, before checking out five 11th-century vessels at the Viking Ship Museum; explore Oslo's iconic Opera House, lush Vigeland Park, and the Astrup Fearnley Museum while in Norway; in Sweden, a night of relaxing in chamber-like pools under the stars at the Yasuragi Hasseludden spa is followed the next day by a cultural tour of Stockholm.
The Details: 7 days and 6 nights, from $8,065 per person, including internal air.**
T+L Reader Special:
• A half-day luxury shopping tour with a personal guide, in Rome, Italy
• A private sailing experience along Roskilde Fjord, in Roskilde, Denmark
T+L Readers Who Book by February 28, 2014 Receive:
• $500 off per person
Want more information? Click here.
T+L Trips are presented to our readers through a promotional partnership with Cox Kings.
**Advertised rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and two people booking and traveling together. Advertised rates are limited and based on bookings made between January 1, 2014 and February 28, 2014 for either Rome or Scandinavia travel. Rates may be higher based on availability or if booked after February 28, 2014. This Promotion is not combinable with any other discounts. Save $500 per person offer is based on bookings for "Rome" and/or "Scandinavia" made by February 28, 2014 (not applicable to optional extensions). For complete terms and restrictions, visit coxandkingsusa.com/tltrips. Air travel to/from Rome and/or Scandinavia is not included. CST-2105853-50. Itineraries subject to change.
What’s it like to stand above Mount Rushmore or fly through some of the biggest cities in the world? Aerial America is returning to the Smithsonian Channel with breathtaking views of the nation’s most diverse landmarks.
New York City’s Times Square is being transformed today until 5 p.m., and tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., thanks to Aerial America. Fans will have a chance to experience what it’s like to stand above the Grand Canyon with 3D pavement artist, Kurt Wenner. If you’re enjoying the sun on the West Coast, head to The Grove in Los Angeles on February 22 23 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for the same experience.
In addition to the canyon experience, there will be chances to win a $5,000 grand prize sweepstakes, play trivia games, and more.
If you can’t make it to the events, be sure to catch Season 6 of Aerial America on the Smithsonian Channel on February 23 at 8 p.m. For more information, check out Smithsonian Channel and Aerial America on Facebook or the Smithsonian Channel on Twitter.
Gabrielle Blitz is Associate Social Media Editor at Travel + Leisure.
