12 Dec Travel Experts Choose One Trip to Give for the Holidays
“In a frenetic world tethered by chronic connectivity, Antarctica is the last, best wilderness antidote. I can think of no greater gift to give to my family than a chance to experience such an intense sense of the wild.” – Wendy Redal, Natural Habitat Adventures
The travel industry is one of the most romanticized fields in existence—and for good reason. People who work for adventure travel companies usually have a profound passion for what travel does for the heart and the soul, and for the changes in perspective it bestows.
However, these folks spend less time in the field and more time at their desks, dreaming up dozens of adventures for other people. So when we asked the members of the Adventure Collection to name one trip they’d give a family member for the holidays, it was no easy task. Believe it: They are just as eager to travel as you are.
Most thought of their children first, and which trip would produce the same eye-opening, life-altering moment that first got them hooked on adventure travel themselves.
Unadulterated Grandeur of Antarctica
© Ted Martens
Wendy Redal of Natural Habitat Adventures(Natural Habitat Adventures has been to over 50 countries, but when she was given this assignment, she found herself writing late into the night. Through her words, she revisited Sailing Antarctica, envisioning her adventurous family on the same trip.
“The sheer amount of ice is staggering. Antarctica is as pristine as it is austere, with a purity to the air and a clarity to the sea that feels primeval. The power of the elements is palpable, particularly the capricious winds that can froth up raucous waves in mere minutes. Yet a vibrant collection of wildlife thrives in this environment — great colonies of whimsical penguins and seabirds, lone leopard seals sprawled on blue bergs, sleek orcas, spouting humpbacks… It’s magical and moving and overwhelming in its raw beauty.
“Six nights of camping ashore via special permits from the National Science Foundation — just our tiny group, in tents, surrounded by wildlife and silence. Extended hiking opportunities, with time and space to survey the utter vastness of the landscape, where the stillness is so profound it rings in your ears.”
Fearless Rafting on Idaho’s Middle Fork
photo courtesy of O.A.R.S.
Steve Markle is counting the days until his son is old enough to take the same trip that was his first at O.A.R.S: Middle Fork of the Salmon River.
This adventure covers 100 miles of snake-curving river made up of more than 100 sets of rapids. Markle lists the highlights: “Epic hikes, beautifully diverse scenery, abundant wildlife, Native American sites, and natural hot springs combined for a relaxing and unparalleled wilderness experience.”
Next to the peerless outdoor environment, the best part about the trip is the accessibility for travelers of every age and ability. If ever you’ve had dreams of rafting but can’t get past your squeamish trepidation, there is a safe and happy boat for you among the many choices: oar rafts, dories, paddle rafts, and inflatable kayaks.
Cultural Adventures on the Coast
©Backroads/Ben Davidson
Massimo Prioreschi of Backroads thought hard about his family’s interests, finally determining that for his teens, the Dalmatian Coast Multisport Trip has “all the ingredients for a great family vacation.” What’s best? They’ve never been.
He talks about the value of spending time together. When you’re in a new place, and doing new activities like biking, hiking or kayaking – there’s bonding in adventure. He is enamored with the cultural aspect of it too. On the Dalmatian Coast, he’d love to expose his family to the mix of Roman, Greek, and Italian historical and modern cultures. During these chilly winter months, he is most jazzed at the idea of warm weather. “The Croatian island of Hvar, in the Adriatic Sea, receives an average of 2,718 hours of sunshine per year” plus, unlike the icy ocean, you can swim for hours in the sea.
Higher Learning in the Wilds of Wyoming
© Nan Pugh
John Gans of NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School) has watched his teen children go through NOLS courses, and is thrilled to see his youngest, Noah, already showing interest in the courses his siblings have done. For Noah, Gans has his eyes on the Absaroka Backpacking Course. He imagines the experience Noah would have on that course at age 16.
“He would travel through Wyoming’s broad river valleys surrounded by sheer glacier-carved cliffs, camp under towering conifers, and hike across alpine plateaus where the tallest plants are only a few inches high.
“Noah would hone his fly-fishing cast, ford high mountain rivers, practice GPS and compass navigation, and learn how to camp and travel in bear country. In the Absarokas, and upon his return, he would live the leadership lessons necessary to travel skillfully and safely in the mountains, navigate the classroom, and excel in his career long after his course ends.
“The benefits of a NOLS education to each of Noah’s older siblings were beyond measure. By unplugging and stepping into an experiential adventure, they reaped the full benefits of being in settings where natural forces predominate and provide immediate feedback on decision-making, where teamwork and communication are essential, where leadership is developed organically. Upon their return, I saw their competence in the outdoors had increased and their confidence in their leadership skills boosted.”
Animals in Africa
photo courtesy of Bushtracks Expeditions
Liza Donahey of Bushtracks picked South Africa and Botswana’s Best as a favorite choice to give, simply because guests are consistently thrilled about this particular itinerary.
She tells us, “The diversity of game-viewing habitats makes for a particularly inspiring safari. MalaMala Camp is one of our favorite places in all of Africa. The wildlife is abundant and the camp staff has a talent for creating the perfect atmosphere in which to experience nature in comfort. Victoria Falls is indescribable. It is a must-see stop on any trip to Southern Africa. The Okavango Delta has become one of the top safari destinations in Africa. This inland river delta is a huge wildlife draw, with wetlands, dry savanna and wild animals beyond belief.”
Life-Changing Lessons of the Galápagos
© Natalie Crow
Don George of GeoEx said that he was tempted by the pristine beauties of Bhutan and the liberating wilds of East Africa, but that in the end, he decided that the best gift he could give his family would be Galápagos Family Voyage.
“In fact,” George said, “we did give our two children this gift a decade ago when they were teenagers, and it was a journey that changed their lives. It gave them an enchanted vision of an alternative world, where species co-exist – for the most part peacefully – in the wild, and where animals are absolutely unafraid of humans. Our daughter claims that the afternoon she spent swimming with sea lions was one of the seeds that led to her becoming a marine biologist, and our son will never forget the wonder of watching a blue-footed booby lay an egg at his feet.
“A journey among the islands of the Galápagos is truly a gift that keeps on giving. Even now, when our family gets together, we revel in the adventures we shared – walking pristine beaches, staring at a brilliant canopy of so-close-you-could-touch-them stars from the middle of the sea, swimming with sharks and surgeonfish, communing with golden rays and giant tortoises, and learning the still-evolving lessons of finch and flycatcher, mangrove swamp and lava flow.”
The Bounties of Baja California
© Swen-Olaf Lindblad
Marc Cappelletti of Lindblad Expeditions told us that as a fan of surprises and big gifts in unassuming packages, his gift to a loved one would be an expedition to Baja California and the Sea of Cortez in April. “A short flight from Los Angeles but a world away,” Marc said, "the region we explore (well beyond Cabo San Lucas) is simply magical. In April, the waters warm up and whales—humpback, pilot, sperm, fin, Bryde’s and even the behemoth blue—can be seen regularly around the islands north of La Paz. Where dolphins feed by the thousands, leaping in pods so big you’re not sure where they begin and end. There’s nothing as exciting as looking at the open sea, unsure of what is beneath the surface, when the rifle burst from a blowhole breaks the surface. People of all ages can’t help but light up like children, pointing, yelling ‘Oh my GOSH!’ and marveling together at the unique experience. We go as far north as the Midriff Islands, and might not see another soul for days, besides the odd fishing boat.
“Beyond this excitement, hiking remote islands, kayaking, and walking beaches where the only footprints are your own brings on a contentment and relaxation unmatched by any manmade spa. You want your loved ones to feel this good. Days are capped off with magnificent sunsets and night skies fill with stars that twinkle like millions of lights. One doesn’t have to imagine constellations here. All things considered, you’ll be hard pressed to beat this year’s gift of an expedition to Baja California and the Sea of Cortez in April. But it’s well worth trying.”
The Adventure Collection members’ passion for exploration and discovery suffuses their travel gift list. If you could give someone special a trip anywhere in the world, what trip or destination would you choose?
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