Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

What is Small Group Adventure Travel?

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

What exactly is Small Group Adventure Travel?

Lucky means many things to many people. I have never won a large sum of money in fact I never won anything really. I have a nice place to stay and enough to eat but I work for that so I’m not sure how much it has to do with luck. I find more red lights than green and I never get away with anything that is even slightly naughty. But I am a lucky man.

I have worked in small group adventure travel for 10 years now I have experienced many countries andsights, made real friends and learnt a great deal. Travel makes me happy and a happy man is a lucky man.

Small group adventures is a fast growing sector of the travel industry, some say the fastest, but it’s a style of travel that has many misconceptions. Unlike other styles of travel such as cruising, or a beach resort the words small group adventure is quite cloudy for travellers and travel agents alike. So what I want to do, as simply as I can, is clarify what small group adventure is all about.

Adventure-
Adventure is the word that starts to confuse us because adventure means different things to different travellers. Think of this type of adventure as a genuine experience of a country and it’s people. So if we are having an adventure in Tuscany, for example, we would stay in a beautiful Tuscan farmhouse, meet Tuscans in a local restaurant eating great Tuscan food. Now if we were having a genuine experience in say Papua we will be trekking through thick jungle, staying in a remote village house and the food, well, it will be local.

Escorted tours in small groups-
The words group or escorted tour can conjure up visions of name badges, flag waving guides and one hour toilet stops. Small groups average 12 people of many nationalities from different backgrounds and all ages. Small groups mean more attention from guides and leaders and a lot more freedom. For most it is a relaxed way to travel that gives you freedom and expert local knowledge but takes the hassles of day to day travelling away.

Age-
The average age of one of our travellers is 18 to 70. Travellers are attracted to different destinations, level of budget and comfort. This determines what type of person travels on which trip. Generally the group you are travelling with will have chosen that trip for the same reasons as you. Will they be the same age as you? Maybe but you will find you will have a lot in common.

Accommodation-
Small groups do not need to book big hotels. Your budget determines the facilities of your place to stay but not the comfort. People travelling on a budget will be staying in basic but clean, comfortable and central accommodation. You can afford something a little more then stay with a Maharajah in his palace or in a family run 4 star boutique hotel. You can afford the best then we will find you the best hotels hand picked for their uniqness.

Responsible Travel-
The only time you can have more fun being responsible than not being responsible is travelling. Giving back to people who welcome you to their country is a responsible thing to do. How can we do this? We can use operators that take us to eat in a good local restaurants, that use family run hotels, that use local businesses to help run their trips, we could buy some souvenirs from the markets or visit some sight that is away from the crowds. We could also use operators that have different community projects help those that need help the most. We can even get involved in those projects by donations or spending a couple of days helping out on a volunteer holiday.

This, I hope, clears some of the haze surrounding small group adventures. There are many other questions to be answered I’m sure so you can contact me on the address below.

Spencer Neal has worked in adventure travel since 1997. His many adventures and passion for travel has led him to part own an online adventure travel agency Travel Light http://www.travellight.co.za specialising in world wide adventures for South Africans. You can contact him at spencer@travellight.co.za

Author: Spencer Neal
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Backpacking Adventure Travel

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

If you are looking to take an adventure travel lasting a day or two, or over a long holiday weekend, a backpacking adventure travel may be a perfect solution. This type of adventure travel is usually easier to plan and will give you a nice break away from your everyday routine. Before you begin, you first have to decide how long you plan on being away.

If you plan on being gone for one single day, a daypack would satiate, but if you plan on going on a multi-day adventure travel, you would need to go for backpacking. With both these types, you would have to keep in mind a few more things. For example, the backpack for your backpacking adventure travel should come with sturdy shoulder straps. In addition to that, your backpack should also have enough padding and curves. This helps to keep your collarbone safe otherwise it would chaff it.

Another thing that must be understood with backpacking is having good zips. The zips should be strong and durable. And to make things easier for you, always try to opt for zips of the larger size. These types are always more reliable. Your backpack should also come with a good waist strap. And why is that essential for you? For the simple reason that it takes much of the weight off your shoulders and as such your shoulder would not get tired easily.

And the last thing that should be kept in mind before choosing your backpacking adventure travel is that the material of the backpack must be of the highest quality. You should not compromise on quality just because of cost. The consequences could be very problematic. Just imagine what could happen if the backpack gave out in the middle of your adventure travel.

So, you have got yourself a decent backpack for your backpacking adventure travel. Now the next thing would surely be getting an idea of the things that you ought to be keeping in your backpack. The very first thing that you should always keep in mind is that never in any case forget to take the maximum possible amount of water with you. You should also not forget to maintain sufficient amount of iodine tablets with you to treat the water you get while on your adventure. It is not possible to carry all the water that you would need during your travel and you are bound to use water from outside, and as such, iodine tablets are a must.

You will also need to transport food with you. If you pack each of your meals separately, you can save a great deal of space and you would be taking just enough food that you will need. In addition, you will also need to take some clothes. If you are planning a multi-day backpacking adventure travel, you have to take enough clothes with you to regular changes. You should also bring a good pair of shoes and do not forget a sleeping back and/or a tent.

Keep in mind that your preparation will greatly depend on the location you choose for your adventure travel, the type of terrain and the weather conditions for that area. Be sure to perform as much research as possible before you leave for your backpacking adventure travel to ensure you will an exciting and memorable experience.

J. Purdy operates Overseas Adventure Travel [http://www.overseas-adventure-travel.net], Backpacking Trips [http://www.backpacking-trips.net] and Hiking Vacations [http://www.hiking-vacations.net]. For information and resources on hiking and adventure, be sure to visit his sites today: hiking-vacations.net

Author: John Purdy
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Adventure Travel – an Exciting and New Experience

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

I think it’s safe to say that everyone of us has been on a trip to someplace or another during our lives. But if you haven’t traveled lately, you might not have notice a new segment of traveling that has recently gained popularity. Yup, that’s right; I’m talking about adventure travel. This new way of enjoying a trip is not only for young people. Oh no, not at all. It’s really for that that is young at heart and loves the feeling of an adrenaline rush. Hey, and who wouldn’t love that?!?

If you think back and reflect for a bit, it’s really no wonder that standard travel has lost some of its appeal. Yup, it could even be considered predictable and boring. With the prices of airfare coming down and the common “vacation package” being all too common, conventional travel has become, boring, overcrowded and nearly stifling. The sense of going somewhere, or the sense of adventure is sorely missing in today’s world of standard travel. Until adventure travel busted onto the scene few years back that is. With adventure travel, traveling can once more attain that high that we seek to leave our everyday lives behind.

What exactly is adventure travel, you ask? An adventure travel trip for example can offer you a very different way to experience an otherwise popular or mundane destination. If you think about it, a lot of people have been on a Caribbean travel trip. They would visit the same beaches, relax in the same hotels, the same boat drinks and drive along the same old roads and check out the same tourist attractions. But check out what the same trip but adventure travel style could offer you. You could take an eco-trek hike through the lush rain forests; you can see the bugs up close, the wonderful variety of birds and wildlife. Maybe camp out with local tribes and learn about their lifestyles, their culture, their food and costumes. At the same time, maybe visit unspoiled beaches not frequented by standard travelers. All this while within close distance of popular tourist attractions and destinations, yet far far way from anything remotely considered standard.

What about the land Down Under, Australia. Many travelers normally settle for the same old, staid, boring city hop across the country, while you could, as part of an adventure travel team, hot air balloon your way across the continent, snorkel in the great barrier reef or waltz with the mathilda or two in the wild wild bush country. How does that sound as opposed to sitting in a hotel room just like any other?

There’s reason adventure travel is so popular. We need to experience something different, something more than what our lives has to offer. This unique and exciting type of travel may not be for everyone, but it certainly not restricted to the teens and tweens only. More and more, older folds are trying it out and having a blast. You too could be the one to head out on an adventure travel trip. There’s nothing stopping you. Do it now!

Dave Poon is a writer who specialized in travel and entertainment. His articles are widely available and has helped many. Be sure to check out his other writings regarding adventure travel [http://www.simplytraveler.com] at [http://www.simplytraveler.com]

Author: Dave Poon
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Adventure Travel Sites – Get the Top Destinations Now!

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Adventure travel sites are the websites which are intended to present helpful planning ideas and illustrate actual experiences regarding different adventure destinations in the world. If you are planning to go on an adventure trip in a matter of days or weeks and you are in dire need to get yourself a travel reservation! Surely, you do not want to cram your trip. Thus, you will want to make the proper and necessary planning to prevent yourself from getting those reservations at the last minute.

These days, you will notice that a severe competition is penetrating the travel industry and there is a strong rivalry between adventure travel sites in order to get the attention of the travel aficionados and even the first time adventure travelers. This battle between websites is as a matter of fact beneficial to travelers, since they are offered with more choices than before when it comes to locating reliable services such as discounted fees for traveling at the last minute. Through a little bit of Internet research, you can now pack your things easily and indulge in economical fares and service.

There are different adventure travel websites. They have their own information content. Among them are the Adventure’s World which emphasizes South American places such as Costa Rica, Venezuela and Peru and the Caribbean. There is also the directory of adventure travel writings posted by the Washington Post. Aside from that, Walkabouts informs readers about travel as well as interactive journeys. Meanwhile, The Traveler’s Club is not a commercial site, but also provides information for independent adventure travelers. This is similar to the 1000 Travel Tips website intended for independent travelers. Furthermore, Rec. Travel Library provides tourism and travel information along with a highlight on personal travels and adventures.

With the different travel sites mentioned above as well as the many others which you can search on the Web, you have a great chance of getting the best results whether you want to travel within your state or out of the country. Adventure travel sites, along with their vivid illustrations of breath-taking adventure locations will not fail you when it comes to perfect travel destinations.

Traveling can be a big hassle to get planned and how do you get started anyway? Well, you need to go to adventure travel sites to find all the information you’ll need! You can find more information on adventure travel and how to get started on my website at http://www.adventuretravelpost.com. Start planning you own great adventure TODAY!

Author: Allison Marie
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Adventure Travel Agents Provide Great Benefits For Your Adventure Travel

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010

Adventure travel agents make any travel possible and help you to enjoy your travel even more. Traveling is a way of exploring and experiencing what a particular place can offer, and all the things that can be really adventurous. However, travel will not be successful without adventure travel agents.

Planning to have an adventure travel can be confusing and time consuming. That’s why it is important to hire a travel agent. Looking for an expert agent that specializes in adventure travel is important for the success of your travel. They are the ones who will help you in making your plan for your adventure. The agent will not only arrange the various means of transportation but they may be able also to let you save money with special fares, early bookings, accommodation deals, and travel advisories. Not only that, there are also great benefits that you can get when you use a travel agent such as:

* Save Money- agents will really get great savings. With the strong relationships of the travel suppliers and the advancement in technology for computer reservations allow travel agents to access the most up-to-date details on how to get you the best deals and value.

* Travelers Advocate- your best interests are their priority. There are societies of travel agents in America that have a long-standing record on fighting for their clients’ rights, and every travel agent is required to stick to the strict Code of Ethics.

* Convenience- adventure travel agents really provide convenience for their customers. They are the ones that will provide all the things that you need for your travel. They mostly offer one-stop shopping travel arrangements.

* Great Service- agents are knowledgeable and active in their service. The travel agents are well educated and trained in order for them to offer the highest quality of service to the costumer.

With these benefits, your adventure will definitely be exciting and successful. Your personal agent will really work for you and will do everything just to provide you with your travel needs. An adventure travel agent is absolutely the best travel partner that you can have.

Traveling can be a big hassle to get planned. Why tackle the big task all by yourself? By booking your trip with an a adventure travel agent, you can just focus on how much fun your trip will be! You can find more information on adventure travel and how to get started on my website at http://www.adventuretravelpost.com. You focus on what you want… let an adventure travel agent do the rest!

Author: Derek Hales
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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