Warm Up to a World of Winter Travel

Warm Up to a World of Winter Travel

 By Tauck 

If thoughts of winter leave you cold, traveling might be something you’ll warm up to. Sun-kissed islands from Cuba to Hawaii are the draw for snowbirds longing to migrate to a culturally rich tropical paradise during the winter months. Sailors will enjoy charting a course for Latin America’s waterways and the Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, always in season for seaworthy adventures. And travelers with a taste for someplace exotic may want to head to faraway shores where upside down climates invite outdoor enjoyment year round.

Of course, the definition of ideal weather is purely subjective and ultimately personal. A beach bum’s disdain of snow-covered surfaces is nirvana to winter sports enthusiasts. Rain dampens hikers’ spirits but lush landscapes like the soggy Pacific Northwest are a naturalist’s dream. Some like it hot. Some like it cold.

But no matter your preference or destination, wintertime travel promises red-hot advantages that summer trips don’t have.

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Fewer crowds. When cooler temperatures prevail and the kids are back at school, iconic sites in destinations around the world are enjoying their annual vacation from summer’s crowds. Consider visiting Rome, Florence and Venice, among the most visited cities in Europe, taking in landmark sights, without being rushed or wasting time on long lines. Check out the Colosseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel and Trevi Fountain, spontaneously stopping in a local trattoria in charming Trastevere, less busy in fall and winter. Admire Michelangelo’s David at the Galleria dell’Accademia, take in the views of Florence and its river from the Ponte Vecchio and climb to the top of the Duomo, lingering longer as you wish. And in Venice, stroll easily in St. Mark’s Square, savor the mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica and stop for a prized photograph at the Bridge of Sighs without groups of photo-bombing tourists.

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A new perspective. Wintertime enables you to rediscover places you’ve already been in a completely different way. If the national parks are a favorite summer vacation destination, consider seeing them in a new light. Take Yellowstone National Park for example, a geothermal wonderland with 10,000 hot springs, thundering waterfalls, two thirds of all the geysers in the world and evergreen trees by the thousands. Winter turns it otherworldly, transforming the wilderness into an ethereal playground sculpted by ice, steam clouds and snow and blanketing it in sounds of serenity and silence you have to see to believe. Those who have braved the weather can’t say enough about the experience or the cozy lodges that remain open for the privileged few. Highlights range from sharing stories and camaraderie in front of the fire; hearty home-cooked fare, served family style, that nurtures body and soul; and outdoor adventures on snowshoes, sleds and snowmobiles that warm hearts with sightings of elk, bison, bighorn sheep and the occasional wolf, seen more clearly and abundantly in a barren landscape.

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Seasonal switches. If it’s winter here, it’s summer someplace else. Depending on which hemisphere you’re in, summer may be in June or December. Southeast Asia, Africa, Antarctica, Australia and New Zealand in the southern hemisphere turn the calendar upside down, making our wintertime the best time to experience their summer-like climates. Outdoor adventures, from game drives on African safaris, boat, tuk tuk and cyclo rides in Thailand and Vietnam to cruises to the Great Barrier Reef and throughout New Zealand’s fiord-lined waterways and zodiac expeditions to Arctic islands cloaked in ice, await on bucket-list winter escapes.

Holiday fairs. ‘Tis the season to celebrate the holidays around the world. Hop aboard a riverboat in Europe in December when city squares, town centers and bucolic villages are decked out and dressed up with festive decorations that glitter and glow with twinkling lights and timeless traditions. Who can resist the smell of gingerbread warm from the oven, cinnamon spiced ciders and steaming mulled wines, and carolers voicing cheer and goodwill with their spirited songs? The fragrances alone are enough to make river cruisers smile no matter the temperature.

The Russian playwright Anton Chekhov famously said “People don’t notice whether it’s winter or summer when they’re happy.”

That’s especially true for travelers, which makes any time the best time to go someplace new.

 

With more than 140 journeys across 7 continents in over 100 destinations and 70+ countries, Tauck offers a choice of wintertime travel options around the world, from exotic journeys and small ship cruises to family vacations and river cruises during the holidays in Europe. Find all the details at tauck.com.

 

Named to Travel + Leisure’s “World’s Best” list for 22 consecutive years, Tauck has been a leader in enriching travel since 1925.

 

 

How Addiopizzo Has Changed Travel in Sicily

How Addiopizzo Has Changed Travel in Sicily

By Ashlea Sullivan, Brand Manager for VBT Bicycling Vacations

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When you arrive in Sicily as a traveler, you’re likely to be instantly charmed by welcoming locals, turquoise beaches, tantalizing cuisine, and ancient architectural gems. Sicily is breathtaking, and if it’s not on your bucket list yet it absolutely should be. What you might miss as a casual traveler, however, is a hidden problem that has long plagued the Italian island. Although greatly diminished in recent years, organized crime is still an ever-present threat to business owners throughout Sicily.

At VBT Bicycling Vacations, we believe strongly in traveling as sustainably as possible. We choose to stay in family-run accommodations and support small local restaurants whenever possible on our adventures, because we know that an important part of traveling sustainably is supporting the local economy. Where we spend our money, and consequently who we support, is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy tourism economy in any destination. In Sicily this is especially important—as travelers, it’s surprisingly easy to unwittingly support organized crime while simply enjoying all that Sicily has to offer.

VBT trip leader Edoardo is one of the founding members of Addiopizzo.

VBT trip leader Edoardo is one of the founding members of Addiopizzo.

Thankfully, there is an organization called Addiopizzo that is more than happy to help.  Addiopizzo (which roughly translates to “goodbye bribes”) is a grassroots social movement that began in 2004. In the summer of that year, a group of friends, one of whom is a longtime VBT trip leader named Edoardo, contemplated opening a bar in Palermo. They quickly realized that in addition to budgeting for things like rent and local taxes, they would need to set aside money every month to pay the “pizzo,” for protection. Instead of opening a bar, they ended up starting a movement that encourages businesses to band together and refuse to pay for “protection.”

What started as a small movement in Palermo today encompasses over 800 organizations, from local shops to national chains. Businesses display the Addiopizzo logo in their storefronts to signal to consumers that by shopping there, they’re supporting businesses that refuse to support organized crime.

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What does this mean for you as a traveler? It means you have the opportunity to discover Sicily while supporting these brave business owners who are taking a stand. You’ll find all kinds of businesses, from restaurants to souvenir shops and hotels proudly displaying the Addiopizzo logo. On VBT’s Sicily bike tour, Edoardo and our other trip leaders are more than happy to point you towards businesses that support the movement. Other travelers can use Addiopizzo’s website to find participating businesses.

 

Author/company bio:

For nearly 50 years, Country Walkers and VBT Bicycling Vacations have been providing active, experiential, and stunning travel experiences throughout the world. From their shared location in Williston, VT, the companies’ unique adventures and insider access bring the beating heart of a destination to life with well-crafted itineraries for walking and biking vacations. A range of guided and self-guided options highlight local cuisine, authentic accommodations, and immersive cultural experiences. Country Walkers and VBT are recognized as leading providers of active vacations worldwide. Ashlea Sullivan serves as Brand Manager for VBT and has been with the company for three years.

 

 

 

 

5 Reasons to Join a Walking Tour as a Solo Traveler

5 Reasons to Join a Walking Tour as a Solo Traveler

By Matt Thompson, Brand Manager for Country Walkers

1. Meet Like-Minded People

When you choose to experience the world on foot, you’re making a conscious decision to travel authentically. Your traveling companions will share your passion for experiencing a destination up close, at a slower pace that allows you to really connect with the local culture. Whether you’re spending time together on the trail, in a cooking class led by a local, or over a delicious meal at the end of the day, you’ll find many opportunities to create meaningful bonds. You may start out as a solo traveler, but you’ll end up with whole group of newfound friends. Many of our guests form lifelong friendships on tour, and choose to travel together again on subsequent adventures.

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2. Don’t Worry About Planning

Traveling on your own can mean not having anyone to share the burden of travel planning with. Rather than spend your time researching and booking hotels, transportation, and attractions, join a walking tour that handles all the details for you. You can simply show up at the airport and then relax in the knowledge that you have an expertly planned itinerary awaiting you. You’ll avoid the headaches that often come in the planning stages weeks and months before a trip, and return truly refreshed and invigorated.

3. Travel Your Own Way

Striking out on your own allows you to make spur-of-the-moment decisions independent of concern for a traveling partner’s desires. Do you want to skip the day’s walk and enjoy the spa instead? Go ahead! Feeling energetic and want to choose the extra walking option? You don’t have to check in with your companion to see how they’re feeling first! Linger at an art gallery, relax quietly on the beach with a good book, skip attractions that don’t interest you—you can travel according to your own wishes and whims. Walk at your own pace, and make your own unique discoveries along the way.

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4. Just Be Yourself

At home, we often fall into roles designated by others or by ourselves. Whether the role is “mother,” “boss,” “husband,” or one of countless others, travel allows you to shed your usual day-to-day and be whoever you want to be. Give yourself opportunities to enjoy your own company and rediscover your own personal joys—from a solitary moment on a peaceful stretch of the trail to an engaging conversation with a traveling companion over a glass of wine at the end of the day.

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5. Venture Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Traveling far from home in an unfamiliar culture where you don’t speak the language can be daunting. By joining a walking tour, you’ll have guides who are familiar with the lay of the land. You won’t need to worry about negotiating taxi rates in a foreign tongue or getting lost in an unknown city. Your guides will also provide insight and perspective that you wouldn’t have access to on your own, allowing you to connect with your destination on a deeper level. Walking tours make it easier to venture to destinations you might not be comfortable traveling to on your own.

 

Country Walkers began with a simple idea: explore the world actively, passionately, and with a commitment to authentically engaging with local cultures. With this guiding principle, the company launched in 1979 from an old barn in Vermont and soon expanded from local to international destinations. Today, Country Walkers is recognized as one of the leading providers of walking adventures worldwide. Matt Thompson serves as Brand Manager and has been with the company for five years.

5 Reasons Why Multi-Generational Travel is Good for Families

5 Reasons Why Multi-generational Travel is Good for Families

By Jaclyn Leibl-Cote, President of Collette 

Growing up, travel was always a significant part of my life. And that’s not just because it was the family business. I came to understand that travel was one of the ways that my family could be together to make memories, share stories and laughs, and to reflect. Being connected to this industry both as a professional and a traveler over the course of my life, here are the top reasons why I believe multi-generational travel is good for families.

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1. Traveling unites families

People’s lives are busy, and sometimes we unintentionally lose sight of what’s important. My parents also knew this, and I think that was why they made it a tradition to plan a family trip at least once a year. And every time we’ve come together for those vacations over the years – whether it was to Ireland or Scotland or the national parks – I’ve been reminded of my roots and what really matters in life. That’s why I’m such a big proponent of multigenerational travel. It gives you an opportunity to push pause and appreciate the world around you with the ones you love.

2. Traveling with family is more economical

Guided travel – whether it’s multigenerational ­or not– isn’t just cost effective, it’s time effective, too. Trying to coordinate everyone’s schedules for something as simple as a family dinner is often a feat in itself. Planning a trip takes a lot of time, and that’s a precious commodity when you have a bigger family like I do. That’s why guided travel makes so much sense. All the logistics are taken care of for you and your family. You have a tour manager by your side who can be that destination expert for you. Plus, when you go on a guided tour, you get special access to sites because you’re in a group. All of those factors add to the value of guided travel.

3. Travel forges lasting memories

My first international trip to Germany with my family is one of my fondest travel memories. We were on a guided tour, taking the bus with Collette guests. I remember we actually sang for the passengers, which I’m sure was a treat for them! On the trip, we spent a day exploring the salt mines in the Bavarian Alps, traveling deep underground through what seemed like never-ending tunnels. We also attended the Oberammergau Passion Play, a once-in-a-decade performance put on by all the villagers in this tiny Bavarian hamlet. That was my first memory of really getting out there and seeing the world, and I’ll never forget it.

4.Travel helps you bond with people you don’t get a chance to see on a daily basis

My kids are finally getting to an age where it’s easier to take them to places other than Disney. This year, we’ll be going to some of the Christmas markets in Europe and maybe the Canadian Rockies, too. It will be a great opportunity for my kids to see how people live in other parts of the world. If my parents decide to come along, they’ll get some extra special time with their grandchildren. In the end, it’s all about being with family and sharing those special travel moments – together.

5. Traveling with family allows you to see the world through the eyes of others

In each period of your life, you see the world through your own unique lens. Being fortunate enough to travel as a child, teen, and now an adult – I’m able to look back and reflect on how those travels shaped my view of the world. And now, as a parent, I’m given the opportunity to help my children experience traveling to new destinations for the first time.  The innocence that kids have is inspiring, and being able to introduce them to new parts of the world is an invaluable gift.

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Jaclyn Leibl-Cote is the President of Collette and has close to 15 years of experience in the travel industry. Jaclyn spent many years designing product and managing tours in regions including the United States and Australia. She loves taking trips with her husband and three children, combining her two greatest passions.