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People-Powered Adventures

With spring upon us, the urge to get out and about is heating up. After a winter inside it’s time for active travelers to get back outside, in touch with nature, and start stretching those muscles again. 

What, you may wonder, does active adventure have in common with cultural travels? Well, what better way than walking through the countryside is there to meet local people? How about exploring Burma from a bike seat? Or getting up close and personal with a fly-eating trout? These are just a few of the adventures that await the physically active cultural traveler. 

This month’s hosts all offer a great selection of “people-powered trips.” Whether you desire a slow ramble along Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or the challenge of hiking Africa’s majestic Kilimanjaro or even a leisurely skate through the Swiss countryside, read on for these and many other great active adventures.

Name: Guerba World Travel Ltd.
Location: Africa and the world
Specialty: Rugged overland treks and softer “adventure and discovery” tours
Why We Like Them: Providing trips, which are socially conscious and dedicated to the environment, make this a fantastic company to travel with (for more about that, read our Pick of the Month). A great reason for including Guerba in this issue is that all its trips are graded 1-6 (1 being easy; 6 being very hard) so wimps like me know which of the fabulous holidays are beyond my physical abilities. Adventures include trekking tours in Africa and the Himalayas, African overland journeys where everybody pitches in for a real people-powered event, and a wide variety of hotel-based cultural adventures.
Article: Kilimanjaro Peaks

Name: Andean Treks Inc.
Location: So. America
Specialty: Trekking, hiking and camping
Why We Like Them: Offering dozens of itineraries and departures, throughout the Andes and beyond, Andean Treks allows adventurers and nature lovers to experience the region up-close. From llama treks to salt licks, their journeys range from hotel stays in the major spots to rigorous trekking and camping in the highlands. Each destination offers it's own activities with the moderate trips including easy day hikes, horseback rides and whitewater rafting.

Name: Piccolo Tours
Location: Italy
Specialty: Customized walking tours
Why We Like Them: Offering personally designed walking tours throughout Italy, Gillian Arthur leads you to places that you would not find on your own. From small off-the-beaten-path inns and trattorias to fabulous landscapes, each trip is dedicated to creating a memorable experience. Whether you are “Exploring Medieval Hilltowns & Palladian Villas,” discovering the “Lakes and Mountains of Northern Italy” or exploring Sicily’s “Land of the Volcanoes,” each trip is a unique adventure.
Article: A Ramble Along the Amalfi Coast

Name: Zephyr Adventures
Location: Europe, Asia and the US
Specialty: Inline Skating, walking, biking and multisport adventures
Why We Like Them: Being the first company to offer inline skating tours is certainly a differentiation, and this company’s dedication to creating a great group adventure while offering a uniquely independent travel experience is perhaps its greatest success. In addition to organized tours, Zephyr Adventures has instructional camps where you can learn to skate, ski, mountain bike or rock climb.
Article: Exploring the Swiss Alps … on Inline Skates

Name: Timberline Adventures
Location: No. America
Specialty: Hiking and Cycling
Why We Like Them: Timberline Adventures focuses solely on the area and the sports it knows best, hiking and cycling in the western US and Canada. Most of its trips involve our great national parks and this year’s adventures feature no less than 26 different parks. Most trips are inn-to inn, so after a long day’s activity travelers can relax and enjoy great food and company in the comforts of select local lodges. In celebration of the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark’s epic journey, Timberland will offer a 48-day, 3,300-mile bicycle adventure following in the footsteps of the Corps of Discovery.

Name: Active Journeys!
Location: Europe, South America and North America
Specialty: Hiking, biking, rafting and kayaking
Why We Like Them: Active Journeys offers a great selection of single activity and combo trips throughout the world, including a 16-day hike across England. All its small group journeys allow you the time to enjoy your trip and experience the places you visit up close. All are paced to suit the traveler’s mood, with many trips offering the option of various routes on those days when you desire a bit more of a challenge.

Name: Ciclismo Classico
Location: Italy, Europe, USA
Specialty: Biking and walking trips 
Why We Like Them: Offering trips geared for your skill level whether beginner, intermediate or advanced, Ciclismo Classico trips include other activities to complement the journey, such as walking, culinary experiences and arts. Special trips geared towards families, island hopping off the Italian coast, multisport adventures and even a few trips in New England complete this company’s offerings.