Family Vacations & Adventure Travel
The Mesas, Canyons & Crystal Caves of Chapada Diamantina
Eco-Adventure across the landscapes of Brazil
Take a landscape of mesas, weird and fantastic rock formations above ground, a system of quartzite caves with crystal clear lakes and underground rivers, and you have the setting for some of the wildest eco-adventures in Brazil.
Add in an historical diamond boom, prospectors, natural monuments and you have the 152,000 hectare Chapada Diamantina National Park in the northeast state of Bahia. At the beginning of the 19th century, two German prospectors discovered a huge vein of diamonds in a region of unusual rock formations, tablelands, subterranean rivers, waterfalls, valleys and mountains called morros. When word got out, the ensuing diamond rush brought a rush of prospectors, called garimpeiros who formed the town of Lencois as a base for explorations into what is now known as the Chapada Diamantina, or Brazil´s Lost World.
Now the park, created in 1985, is an unforgettable region of mixed terrain: verdant slopes and red-rock mesas fed by the underground water system, waterfalls and pools contrasting with the nearby drought-ridden semi-arid Sertão. This topography is the cake-like layers of sediment once collected on a primeval ocean floor and pushed up to be carved by wind and water into mesas, canyons and caverns. Your walking exploration of the Lost World will be one you will never forget!
Your trip ends in vibrant Rio de Janiero, second-largest city in the country - cosmopolitan nightlife, beaches, culture, and rhythmic music make it an exciting way to end your trip to Brazil.
- ACTIVITY: Walking & Hiking Vacations, Eco-Travel & Cultural Exploration
- WHERE: Brazil, SOUTH AMERICA
- AVAILABILITY: February, April, September, October
- FROM: $4,995 pp
- DURATION: 12 days
- AUDIENCE: Family Vacations & Adventure Travel
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: More Information...
Rafting the Rio Upano
Fly south to the Amazon Basin and raft the marvelous Rio Upano, a winning combination of exciting class III-IV whitewater, sensational scenery, superb hiking and comfortable beach camps. Further highlights include a stop to explore a cave with an underground river and the chance to interact with the legendary Shuar Indians.
- ACTIVITY: White Water Rafting - Rafting Vacations
- WHERE: Ecuador, SOUTH AMERICA
- AVAILABILITY: January, December
- FROM: From $2290
- DURATION: 7 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: The Rio Upano
Trekking Northern Patagonia: Refugios & Camping In The Cochamó Valley
The Chilean Yosemite!
This relatively unknown valley in Northern Patagonia, now being called the Chilean Yosemite, is a U-shaped valley located in the Los Lagos Region of Chile, just south of the Vicente Perez Rosales National Park. Like Yosemite, rock climbers from around the world come to climb the valley's incredible granite domes and walls.
On your 8-day trek, you will spend two nights in a refugio and five nights camping under the starry skies. By day, challenging hikes will take you past hanging bridges, glacial rivers, fjords and estuaries studded with boulders. Pack horses will carry our loads (all camping gear is provided) while trained guides lead the way.
Our paths will cross with settlers who live in homesteads tucked away in the forest and who cross the trails only by foot or by horse, and much of our fresh meals will come straight from the farmer's fields.
- ACTIVITY: Eco-Travel & Cultural Exploration
- WHERE: Chile, SOUTH AMERICA
- AVAILABILITY: January, March
- FROM: $4,350.00 pp
- DURATION: 10 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!, Vacations for Couples & Partners
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Find out more here...
Middle Fork of the Clearwater Float Trip
Formed when the Selway River joins the Lochsa, this is a mellow one day float with spectacular scenery along US Highway 12. This flows by the River Dance Lodge Idaho's Outdoor Adventure Resort. Canoe, raft and sit on top kayak trips are available.
- ACTIVITY: White Water Rafting - Rafting Vacations
- WHERE: Idaho, USA
- AVAILABILITY: July, August, September
- FROM: From $80
- DURATION: 1 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!, Vacations for Couples & Partners
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Middle Fork of the Clearwater Float Trip
Galapagos Vacation - Mary Anne
With almost 1000 square meters of canvas, the Mary Anne is a beautifully designed sailing ship which offers excellent accommodations and ample deck space. Explore
- ACTIVITY: Wildlife, Safaris and Photography Vacations, Yachting and Barging
- WHERE: Ecuador, SOUTH AMERICA
- AVAILABILITY: All year
- FROM: $3695
- DURATION: 11 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!, Vacations for Couples & Partners
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Galapagos Vacation - Mary Anne
Napo Wildlife Center
A wildlife extravaganza awaits you on a 3-5 day adventure in Ecuador's Amazon jungle at one of two excellent lodges that represent the best in eco-tourism.
- ACTIVITY: Eco-Travel & Cultural Exploration
- WHERE: Ecuador, SOUTH AMERICA
- AVAILABILITY: All year
- FROM: From $760
- DURATION: 4-5 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!, Vacations for Couples & Partners
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Napo Wildlife Center
Italy - Venice & The Veneto
The medieval town of Vicenza is our starting point for this varied Walk through the celebrated Veneto region of Italy.
The opulence of the Venetian empire is contrasted with the trenches and tunnels of the First World War as we journey across alpine meadows, and through mountain villages and woods. We take a private boat tour of Venice, visit two of Palladio's magnificent villas and explore old Marostica, still surrounded by its ancient walls.
In the mountain resort of Asiago we taste the famous cheese; in Bassano we sample grappa at the Nardini distillery and cross the wooden Palladian bridge, Ponte degli Alpini.
- ACTIVITY: Walking & Hiking Vacations, Eco-Travel & Cultural Exploration
- WHERE: Italy, EUROPE
- AVAILABILITY: June, September
- FROM: $3,995
- DURATION: 7 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!, Vacations for Couples & Partners
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Luxury Walking Vacations - Italy Venice & Veneto
Inca Magic: The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco
Machu Picchu and More - Visit vibrant and mythical Peru on this cultural holiday to the Sacred Valley, Cusco and Machu Picchu.
- ACTIVITY: Walking & Hiking Vacations, Eco-Travel & Cultural Exploration
- WHERE: Peru, SOUTH AMERICA
- AVAILABILITY: All year
- FROM: From $1200
- DURATION: From 5 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!, Vacations for Couples & Partners
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Inca Magic: The Sacred Valley, Machu Picchu and Cusco
Ireland - The Ring of Kerry
The mystical Ring of Kerry, with its emerald hills and clear blue waters, provides us with an insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland.
Meeting in the town of Killarney, we discover a land of forests and lakes, of Franciscan abbeys and Druidic stone circles. We visit the Torc waterfalls and examine Celtic writings on an ancient Ogham stone, before sampling the famous Irish craic in a traditional lakeside inn.
Highlights of our trip include traditional Irish music and folklore, and meeting a local farmer on the hills above Caragh Lake who explains the traditional methods for cutting turf.
- ACTIVITY: Walking & Hiking Vacations, Eco-Travel & Cultural Exploration
- WHERE: Ireland, EUROPE
- AVAILABILITY: June, September
- FROM: $3,995
- DURATION: 7 days
- AUDIENCE: Solo Adventure Travel and Singles Vacations, Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!, Vacations for Couples & Partners
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Walking Vacations in Ireland's Ring of Kerry
Germany Family | Mosel Valley
Explore imperial cities, majestic castles, whimsical gardens and ancient Roman artifacts on this seven-day family adventure along the gentle, meandering path of the Mosel River.
- Wander the streets of the 2,000-year-old imperial city of Trier
- Explore traditional half-timbered houses in the lively town of Bernkastel
- Explore the remains of a Roman villa in Longuich
- Laugh and learn alongside a local guide as you walk the streets of Neumagen, Germany’s oldest wine village
- Hike into the forest to the fairytale Berg Eltz Castle
- Explore the doll and oven museum in Neef
- Climb to the ruins of Metternich Castle, perched above the town of Beilstein
- Sip a glass of Kröver Nacktarsch, indulge in a plate of Germany’s famous apple strudel and relax in the comfort of the Kessler-Meyer as you take in the magic of the Mosel’s timeless charm
- ACTIVITY: Biking & Cycling Vacations, Eco-Travel & Cultural Exploration
- WHERE: Germany, EUROPE
- AVAILABILITY: July
- FROM: $2,078
- DURATION: 7 days
- AUDIENCE: Family Vacations & Adventure Travel, For Groups: Adventure Travel With the Experts!
- MEMBER'S WEBSITE: Germany Family Vacation
