Is an Active Trip for You? February 26th, 2020 • by Matt Holmes If you’ve landed on this post, you’ve probably been browsing through our website a bit. We hope you’ve noticed that we’re not your run-of-the-mill tour company. Our specialty is adventure travel, which mostly means that we craft itineraries that are active – you’ll spend more time outside exploring than on a bus hopping from site to site. But adventure travel doesn’t mean cliff-jumping and diving with sharks…At least, that’s not what our idea of adventure travel is. Our trips attract guests who are curious about delving deeper into a destination by going beyond the main tourist sites and stepping out into the beautiful landscapes. But if you’ve never been on an active trip, you might have some concerns if this type of travel is right for you and if you’ll enjoy it. We really try hard to create a wide range of itineraries from easier walking trips to heartier treks, and everything in between. So, if you’d like to dip your toes with your first trip, we’ll find something that you’re comfortable with, knowing that already, deciding to take a trip like this may be a bit out of your comfort zone to begin with. The other thing to be aware of is that all of our trips, except for our inn-to-inn treks, do offer some flexibility most days. Hikes and walks can often be shortened or lengthened depending on how the group is feeling as a whole, and you can always sit one out, either staying behind to explore the town or village or sitting in a scenic spot with a book or sketchpad to wait the group’s return. A typical day starts with a delicious breakfast between 8 and 9 before you head out for the morning activity (maybe a hike, maybe a visit to a local artisan). Lunch could be a gourmet picnic trailside or at a family-owned café, and then you’ll head out for the afternoon excursion (perhaps another hike or a tour of a historical site). You’re usually back at the hotel by late afternoon with time to relax and freshen up before dinner around 7. Although we offer active trips, we travel at a leisurely pace – trying to cram too much into a short visit makes any the experience feel rushed. We don’t want our guests returning home feeling like they need a vacation after their vacation! The best thing to do if you have questions or concerns about joining an active trip for the first time (or a more challenging trip from your usual level) is to call us. We’ve personally scouted our trips and hiked the trails. We are here to help you make the decision for which trip is best for you. Plus, we love talking about travel and are really friendly! Give us a call at 1-800-941-8010. We look forward to hearing from you!