FABULOUS AT FIFTY!

Cruise West Celebrates Alaska’s 50th Anniversary with Itineraries That Salute Alaskan History, Culture and Cuisine Seattle, WA – What makes a legend? When it’s a truly legendary state like Alaska – now celebrating its 50th year of statehood – it’s a birthday celebration that includes special guests, delectable food, great wine and the kinds of trips down the state’s memory lane that only its oldest (and most famous) friends can offer! Cruise West (www.cruisewest.com), one of the world’s leading providers of small-ship specialty cruises to the most fascinating destinations on earth, is celebrating Alaska’s golden anniversary with 89 individual cruises to the nation’s largest state. And, to provide even better value, the company has partnered with Alaska Geographic (www.alaskageographic.org) to offer discounted memberships and numerous additional benefits. “The West family has deep roots in Alaska. My father, Chuck West, started operating land tours in Alaska 63 years... Read More →

Baja AirVentures Combines Whales with Wellness, Land with Sea and Air for One-of-a-Kind Baja Adventure Program

SAN DIEGO, CA, Nov. 11, 2008 – Baja AirVentures’ most popular package, Best of Baja, just got better. Along with close encounters with whales and other marine life from both sides of the peninsula, the ocean and the gulf, participants can now purchase a wellness add-on and receive multiple sessions of rejuvenating massage and yoga. The package features private roundtrip air carriage from San Diego with ample opportunity for aerial flightseeing, Pacific whale watching in Scammons Lagoon by motorized panga, two nights in the Mexican hamlet of Guerro Negro and three nights of total seclusion at Baja AirVenture’s Las Animas eco-retreat, an hour’s boat trip south of Bahia de Los Angeles on the shores of the Sea of Cortez. “The combination of air and sea viewing is something no other whale watching operator in Baja is able to offer,” says Kevin Warren, owner of Baja AirVentures. “In fact, the opportunity to view these creatures with a bird’s eye view is a rarity in itself.” The... Read More →

Country Walkers Celebrates 30 Years as an Adventure Travel Innovator

Special Anniversary Trips to Egypt and Vermont, Plus Win a Trip to Venice! Waterbury, VT (January 2009) – Human beings may have several million years of walking experience under our collective ancestral belt, but only in the last 30 years has walking become such an incredible adventure. In 2009, Country Walkers – the world’s leading small-group walking tour provider – celebrates its 30th anniversary with two charitable “Giving Back Tours,” new destinations and itineraries, an innovative, new “Walking à la Carte” program and, most importantly, an unfaltering passion for adventure travel. To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Country Walkers has launched several wide-reaching new adventures for 2009 – from Laos & Vietnam and Ecuador to Maine and Alaska. Several of these new tours offer the new “Walking à la Carte” program, allowing guests even more cultural options and a more relaxed pace. In addition, the company will donate 100% of its profits to community and environmental... Read More →

Pedalers Pub & Grille Offers Family-Friendly, Multi-Sport Adventures in Asia for 2009

GAINESVILLE, FL, Dec. 11, 2008 — The active travel company with the funny name, Pedalers Pub & Grille (PP&G), announces a line of culturally rich, family-friendly multi-sport adventures in Asia for 2009. Programs coincide with spring break, summer vacation and late year holidays. Traveling at the speed of a bike is a great way for kids to learn about other cultures outside the classroom while having fun at the same time, says Tom Sheehan, founder and general manager. “We get off the main tourist paths and invite more spontaneous interaction with the local people we meet.  We’re as curious a sight to them as they are to us,” he says. There’s paddling and hiking mixed in with the primary activity of cycling. The trips are: Discover Bhutan — Cycling is on small paved roads with very little traffic, complimented by Class 2 & 3 whitewater rafting and hikes to ancient monasteries.  July 1 and Aug. 5 departures, 8 days, $3,395 adults, $2,995 ages... Read More →

Austin-Lehman Adventures Targets School Holidays For Educational Family Safaris to South Africa

BILLINGS, MT, Dec. 17 – Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) believes some of the best learning is done outside of the classroom. For 2009 the company is offering three departures of an active and edifying family safari to South Africa targeting winter, spring and summer school holidays. Designed for families with children 7 years and older, emphasis is put on fun, culturally immersive, small group learning opportunities that benefit both kids and parents. Accompanied by veteran nature guides and rangers, participants will get up close with iconic wildlife on foot, by bike, on horseback and by 4-wheel drive in South Africa’s safe and secluded private wildlife reserves. A trip to a township school to watch local artists create trinkets from recycled products is also included. It is the nature of ALA to limit the size of its programs to increase access afforded only to small groups. “Our credo has always been smaller is better,” says Dan Austin, co-founder and operating director. “With... Read More →

Travel Ambassadors

There doesn’t seem to be any way to discourage people from traveling. The Wild Pair is delighted to discover that no matter how many annoyances and inconveniences travelers face, they don’t stop buying tickets. Even when the price of airline seats goes up and services go down, planes are flying at capacity and airports are jammed. The benefits of travel are obvious to all of you–expanding your mind, having thrilling adventures, meeting people, changing your habitual environment, taking time out from work and responsibility, challenging yourself, enjoying life–but have you ever thought of yourself as an ambassador without a portfolio? Here are some tips from the Wild Pair about how to step into that role. 1. Being Label Conscious None of us like to be typed, and certainly not stereotyped, but people do it all the time. They label you by your country of origin. “He is an American,” or “She is Brazilian.” It’s important to be aware of... Read More →

Tasty Adventures

The Wild Pair knows that the way to a great trip is often through your stomach. Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, carnivore or omnivore, what you eat on the road sometimes lasts as long or longer in your memory than other trip adventures. So here are some of our fave food tips for your culinary enjoyment. 1. THE PRICE IS ALWAYS RIGHT It doesn’t have to be expensive to be good. Your lip-smacking adventure can be at a rib joint in Kansas, a street food stall in Thailand, a picnic in the south of France or around a campfire after a safari in Africa. Once you decide to have a foodie experience, look for options and don’t let expense guide your choice. 2. A QUESTION OF MOOD Sometimes the key to great eats is to follow your mood and let it dictate your choice. Just because brochures and guidebooks recommend a dining experience, it may not be right for you on a particular day or at a specific time. Do you want a long, lingering culinary experience? An intimate, romantic treat?... Read More →

Staying Safe On The Road

The Wild Pair believes that if you are aware and prepared, travel is not only safe but good for body, mind and soul. Most destinations in the world are so dependent upon tourism for their economies that they go to great lengths to protect their visitors. So, if you feel that someone is watching out for you when you travel, you are probably right. There are, however, scams and lousy customer services that prey on the good nature and open-heartedness of travelers and are in the business of bait-and-switch. There are also crooks at home and abroad, and we are confident that the karma wagon will roll over their toes when it makes its rounds. Here are a few insider tips on how to protect yourselves, your belongings, your wallet and your sanity when you hit the road. 1 ) EYES IN BACK OF YOUR HEAD When you go through security at the airport, you are probably so busy taking off your shoes and tucking your lotions and liquids into zip-lock bags that you take your eyes off your personal belongings... Read More →

Luggage Lore

Here are a dozen suggestions on packing, luggage and what to do about the weight thing. 1 ) If the Shoe Fits, Wear It When you go shopping for shoes, do you ever fall in love with the softness of the leather and the cool trim and say to yourself, “I’ll break it in?” We can almost guarantee that the shoe will break you before you break it. It is a very bad idea to buy new hiking boots or walking shoes right before a trip. You haven’t had time to check them for the blister factor. You don’t know if they are really water proof, or if they’re too tight when your foot expands from hot weather. If you want to avoid shoes blues, use your oldies but goodies or buy a new pair well in advance of departure. 2 ) Two is Better Than One More folks than ever are traveling, and the airlines are misplacing or losing luggage at a startling rate. The groans of missing luggage are louder than ever before. You can almost assume, if you are a frequent traveler, that sooner... Read More →

How To Have A Memorable Trip

1 ) Thanks for the memories Are you one of those blessed people with perfect recall? You can remember what happened on September 14, 1986 and what you ate for dinner three days ago? If you are not, then you know how elusive memory can be. Sometimes your long term memory lets you down, and sometimes it’s the shorty that is just out of reach. While you are traveling, you think you will remember the moments forever. But, trust us, you won’t. So you can start by making a commitment to really imprinting your trip. 2 ) A picture is worth a thousand words If you are a photo hound, you already know this. If you are a technophobe, there is a three-word solution: Point and Shoot. There are digital cameras that are really digital servants–they do all the work for you. You decide what you want to capture, you point the camera, it makes adjustments and calculations for you, and all you have to do is click. When you get home, you load the photos into your computer. You can save them,... Read More →

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