THE SOFT SOUNDS OF WATER DROPS falling back to the lake from our paddles, and of our paddles dipping into the water, were nearly all we could hear. Around us, icebergs floated atop the lake and plummeted deeper below as they transitioned through their frozen existences. The stillness surrounding our small group of eight kayakers — novices and experienced paddlers alike — and our two guides on our kayaking adventure was unreal. Together, we navigated the icebergs on a glacier-fed lake near the small fishing village of Cordova, Alaska, enjoying a quiet on that summer day seldom found in the connected world in which we live.
A sense of adventure may be as individual as travelers themselves, so it’s nearly impossible to land on just one definition when it comes to adventure travel. One person’s idea of adventure travel may be taking a bicycling tour through a new city, while another may go snorkeling with whale sharks in Mexico, and a third, paragliding over the French Alps. Fortunately for us travelers, there are plenty of outfitters to suit everyone’s sense of adventure.
The aforementioned iceberg kayaking experience is but one of myriad offerings by John Hall’s Alaska and was part of the 11-day Untamed Alaska land tour. This year, John Hall’s Alaska celebrates 35 years of offering remarkable opportunities for travelers to discover the wildlife, native cultures and geographical wonders of The Last Frontier. Its one-of-a-kind itineraries guide guests through Alaska, the Yukon and the Canadian Rockies in the summer, fall and winter, customizing tours to suit guests’ wishes.
“The beauty of our tours is they can be tailored to each traveler’s desires,” said John Hall, Sr., CEO and president, John Hall’s Alaska. “Whether they seek adventure, relaxation or a combination of the two, guests just have to let their travel experts know how they dream of exploring Alaska, and John Hall’s Alaska can create the perfect custom tour.”
Travelers with John Hall’s Alaska become alumni after their first trip and are invited on exclusive Alumni Adventures to popular destinations around the world. This year alumni are traveling to Australia and New Zealand, Ireland, the Panama Canal and the Rhine River, all custom-built and with the same attention to detail found on The Last Frontier tours.
Butterfield & Robinson encourages travelers to “slow down to see the world,” and for more than 50 years the active travel company designed journeys to enable its guests to do just that. New this year is a six-day Berlin to Prague Biking tour, designed for those who occasionally bicycle, as the route is mostly flat, on bike paths and quieter roads; more enthusiastic riders can opt for longer daily rides, too. Accommodations along the way include a wellness center, once a royal property, and an urban retreat, once a monastery, complete with contemporary décor and spa, at the foot of Prague Castle.
“Along with Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest, this new trip completes the trilogy of journeys linking the four grand capitals of Middle Europe,” said Chris Mark, director of Central and Eastern Europe, Butterfield & Robinson. “And like its counterparts, Berlin to Prague Biking serves up remarkable variety over six days: city and countryside, high culture and pristine nature, wine country and beer halls, German hospitality and Bohemian chic.
“Travelers should seize on any opportunity to visit Berlin. Harnessing the edgy energy from its days as an encircled city on the front line of the Cold War, the German capital has become a nexus of art and sculpture, cool architecture and an even cooler urban ‘scene.’”
In addition to the Berlin to Prague Biking tour, Butterfield & Robinson offers 90 itineraries in 60 destinations worldwide.
Marine life enthusiasts delight in the seven-night, small-ship sailings with UnCruise Adventures in Mexico’s Sea of Cortes. The full week of adventure below and above the water’s surface includes visiting the UNESCO World Heritage site, often likened to a marine life-rich natural aquarium; watching for whales, mobula rays, dolphin and birds; hiking; kayaking; stand-up paddle boarding; and exploring by skiffs. Did we mention snorkeling with sea lion pups and vibrant reef fish? And if the season’s right, searching for whale sharks in Bahía de La Paz.
All of UnCruise’s sailings — also in Alaska, Costa Rica, the Galápagos and the Pacific Northwest, to name a few more destinations — focus on exploring nature and wildlife outside, and each ship carries its own adventure equipment and a team of knowledgeable expedition guides to off-ship adventures.
If your sense of adventure has you looking to Antarctica, Intrepid Travel and its 7-, 11-, 14-, 20- and 23-day sailing itineraries take its guests to the land as far down under as you can go. Intrepid’s once-in-a-lifetime journeys take travelers to the ends of the Earth — literally — and immerse guests in a frozen landscape that provides the setting for unforgettable experiences.
“At a time when it feels like every hidden vacation spot has been discovered and everyone seems to be traveling to the same places, Antarctica remains a destination few people have ever seen,” explained Leigh Barnes, North American director, Intrepid Travel.
The adventure tour operator invites guests to cross Drake Passage and set foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, explore ice-dotted bays by Zodiac and get up close to gentoo penguins and migrating blue whales. Back on board, they’ll settle in and warm up in the comfort of Intrepid Travel’s state-of-the-art polar vessels.
“We at Intrepid Travel are committed to helping people reach even the farthest corners of the world, which is why we’re thrilled to offer several different Antarctica departures,” Barnes added. “Our itineraries give travelers a unique opportunity to explore the continent, where they will embark on adventures through pristine frozen landscapes, sail across icy seas and even witness penguins and blue whales in the wild.”
Back on solid ground, Eleven Experience simply states, “Our purpose is to custom-make powerful experiences that impact the people who impact the world.” The experiential travel experts’ unofficial mission is to hear the words, “That was the best day of my life.” Fortunately for its guests, the Eleven Guide Team, an international group of highly trained outdoor and adventure specialists, does everything it can, every day, to make that happen.
“Our job is to show guests the best places in the world and, while doing so, push beyond their comfort zones where they begin to open up and engage with nature, themselves and each other in ways they never have before,” said Alan Bernholtz, director of experience and a guide with Eleven Experience.
Eleven Experience’s best places in the world, or Hideouts, are found in The Bahamas, Colorado, Florida, France and Iceland, and adventures in these Hideouts include cycling, fishing and skiing. Choose where you want to go and when, and Eleven’s team of Experience Managers will work with you to plan your dream all-inclusive itinerary, which means you spend more time having the best days of your life rather than hassling with details.
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Mar 18, 2024Noble House Hotels & Resorts Acquires Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux
Noble House Hotels & Resorts, the family-owned boutique hotel brand, welcomes Chatham Inn Relais & Châteaux to its portfolio of unique properties. The previous owner and now co-owner of this award-winning property, Jeff Ippoliti, selected Noble House to co-own and manage the property, bringing the total number of North American luxury hotels, resorts and experiences for the brand to 24.
Sponsored Content
Fill Your Heart with Ireland
Whether it's the people, the craic (fun) or the coasts, travelers always find something to love about the island of Ireland. What fills your heart?
Daily
Mar 18, 2024A New Six Senses Comes to the Caribbean This May
Designed to reflect the look and atmosphere of a Caribbean village, the new Six Senses La Sagesse on the Spice Island of Grenada will offer 56 pool suites with open-plan bedrooms, each with an outdoor terrace leading to a private plunge pool, when it opens this May. The property marks the first Six Senses resort in the Caribbean.
Daily
Mar 18, 2024Miami International Airport Reaches Unprecedented Heights in Passenger, Cargo Numbers
2023 marked a historic year for Miami International Airport. Recent reports show MIA achieved its highest-ever annual passenger total, seeing 52.3 million travelers in 2023, which marked a 3.2 percent increase over the previous year’s record. International travel surged 8.5 percent, with 23.2 million passengers. Domestic traffic was just slightly down, at 0.5 percent and 29.1 million.
Sponsored Content
Revel in a European Summer with AmaWaterways
Pedal through sun-drenched vineyards, hike amidst blooming wildflowers and take a refreshing dip in your ship's sun-deck whirlpool. Indulge in the flavors of the region with delectable dishes featuring luscious Wachau Valley apricots and succulent Serbian plums. As night falls, watch as the cities along the rivers come alive, pulsating with an irresistible electric energy. The sun-soaked days and vibrant nights offer a compelling reason to embark on an AmaWaterways river cruise during the upcoming summer months.
Slideshow
Mar 18, 20247 Reasons to Put Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Your Travel List
It’s time to start dreaming of your next trip. Here’s some destination inspiration for you. Take a visual journey through Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, with us.
Saint James Paris Welcomes New Chef
Daily
Mar 15, 2024Daily
Mar 14, 2024Coco Collection Introduces New Villa Designs and Features
Coco Collection debuts updated offerings at its two resorts in the Maldives, with remodeled villas at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu and a new infinity pool at Coco Bodu Hithi.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
Daily
Mar 14, 2024Tips for Women Planning First-Time Safari from Expert African Safari Goer
Don’t let the overwhelming preparations of your first-time safari in Africa detract from the many wonders awaiting you. While it’s important to embark on a safari trip in Africa well-prepared, it doesn’t have to be confusing.
ShareThis