Tour d’Afrique ride participants recently completed the 4th Orient Express expedition from Paris to Istanbul and their 2nd Silk Route expedition from Istanbul to Beijing was currently in progress at press time. Now, participants are preparing for the 7th Tour d’Afrique expedition - a 12 000 km, 4 month journey from Cairo to Cape Town in January 2009. A new section from Budapest in Hungary to Bucharest in Romania, which Gold calls ‘Cycling with Vlad’ will cut through the Carpathian Mountains in Romania and into the region of Transylvania – the land of the Vlad the Impaler – the 15th century ruler who spawned the myths and realities of the Dracula legend. Transylvanian landscapes rival the Alps and Pyrenees for challenge and views and includes an ascent into the Tranfagaras range and the territory ruled by Vlad Dracul. Upon reaching the summit cyclists can explore the ruins of Poienari Castle – one of Vlad’s fortresses – and from there, enjoy the descent to Bucharest, through tunnels and past man-made lakes.
The Orient Express Bicycle Expedition organized by Tour d’Afrique goes from Paris on May 31st 2009 alongside the famous "Gare de l'Est", from where the legendary Orient Express trains departed on their eastward-bound journey and continues on through France, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and finishes two months later on July 18th in Istanbul, Turkey. French vineyards to spas of Romania, Bulgarian beaches to Turkish bazaars, the Orient Express Bicycle Tour is according to Gold a sensory and cultural adventure of a lifetime. The tour moves eastward through ancient gothic and medieval cathedral towns to remote and traditional farming villages.
"Travelling Europe by bike is a spectacular way to experience the landscapes, festivals, architecture, food, music and history of the Old World." said Gold. The next continent Tour d’Afrique riders will explore is South America via the Vuelta Sudamericana, a 14 000 km expedition leaving Rio de Janiero in July 2009 and arriving in Quito in December, five months later. “The goal of this expedition is not to travel the most efficient line between opposite ends of a continent, but to explore South America by bike.” said Randy Pielsticker, who will be leading the expedition. “South America is a magnificent continent for a cycling expedition and offers enormous cultural and geophysical diversity.”
Since finding two to five months to do an expedition is problematic for most of the planet, participants the expedition has been divided into sections for riders with limited time, but who still want to participate. Those sections range in duration from between 10 to 21 days, with points of entry and exit being at major international airports along the routes to facilitate easy access for sectional riders. The Silk Route 2010, as well as the company’s other epic events - Orient Express 2009, Tour d’Afrique 2009 and Vuelta Sudamericana 2009 - are open for registration to anyone over the age 18 who has undertaken a medical examination to ensure that they are physically capable of participating in this journey. Individuals under 18 must provide release from their legal guardian in order to partake and no one under the age of 16 years is eligible. More information and ride registration can be obtained online at TourdAfrique.com
Adventure travel with a western flair has become one of the most popular forms of travel in America for active lifestyle travelers. Western Hidden Meadow Ranch is one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets: mountain lakes, cool streams, forests, blue skies and superb climate. Arizona’s White Mountains are three hours by car from Phoenix. The ranch offers log cabins, amenities, cuisine and a whole host of activities for the active traveler. The central lodge is plush and each of the twelve individual guest cabins sleep up to five guests, and the furniture and accessories are hand-crafted by local artisans – a plus if you like your adventure travel on the authentic side. There are no televisions (although there is WiFi). All-inclusive pricing for overnight guests at the Lodge at Hidden Meadow Ranch can range from $565 to $625 per night for the first two adults and includes three gourmet meals daily and Ranch-sponsored activities. They can include horseback riding, fly-fishing, leather working, arts and crafts, archery, rock climbing and canyoneering trips to Halls Canyon. Cold weather months provide for guests to take a ride on “Miss Piggy,” the largest Tucker Sno-Cat® in the world, for snowy cross-country expeditions. Here, even the horses get thank-you notes from grateful guests. Find your cowboy center at HiddenMeadow.com.
If you’re in the neighborhood of Shangri-la, feel free to choose from six different treks in the Yunnan Province. Banyan Tree Ringha, ranging in difficulty from easy to challenging, lasts from three to six hours. The Shu Du Gang Acclimatization Trek is three hours and traces the meandering course of Ringha's holy river away from the vast plain of the valley into the mountains. For first time hikers who really want to sample the trekking experience in Shangri-la, this is the suggested trek. The trail, which winds through a mixture of pine forest and cherry trees that are much loved for their blossoms in spring, is flanked by the edge of the mountain high above the river.
The Tsalong Village Trek is moderate and offers a glimpse of Tibetan traditions and customs. The trek meanders through villages and pasture, and includes crossing the valley of Ringha to the village of Zo Mu Gu. Summer brings horses, yaks, pigs and sheep grazing on the surrounding grasslands and panoramic views of Ringha Valley followed by scenic meadows near Tsalong village. Hungry and thirsty trekkers can partake of a picnic lunch and Tibetan hospitality which includes fragrant yak butter tea and homemade cheese. The return trek continues down another mountain pass through a quiet snow covered pine forest. Visit BanyanTree.com for details.
Fans of Discover Channel’s most dangerous jobs can now get a hands-on understanding of what being a commercial fisherman is really like. The Bering Sea Crab Fishermen’s Tour SM is a commercial fishing themed passenger excursion in breathtaking Ketchikan, Alaska. After concluding its first full season, the tour rose to the number one spot on Trip Advisor. This is a unique experience where passengers can get up close and personal with "AB"’s colorful history as a working boat. A history lesson of Alaska`s fisheries and fishing vessels in general are part of the Alaskan water cruise. This tour is a perfect way to combine seeing the glory of Alaska, and encounter amazing gratitude for the fruit of the ocean. Visit 56DegreesNorth.com for more information.
Tennis anyone? A stay at nearly every Orient-Express Hotel will ensure that your tennis clothes won’t go to waste on vacation. Orient-Express Chairman Simon Sherwood, an avid tennis player, has equipped most of his properties with tennis courts. Guests of the La Residencia Mallorca property, Rio’s Copacabana Palace, Hotel Splendido in Portofino, Italy, and the Hotel Cipriani in Venice among others can learn from tennis pros right on site. Pros can provide one-on-one lessons or even a full-on match. Need a little extra motivation to go from poolside to courtside? Many of the courts at Orient-Express properties overlook some of the most world’s most breathtaking real estate. Schedule a court time at Orient-Express.com
Sailing, long an American pastime is an extra special treat in the Caribbean islands. At the Bitter End Yacht Club located 12 miles from Tortola, 30 miles from St Thomas and 75 miles from Puerto Rico, guests can learn to sail against the backdrop of some of the most spectacular scenery in the islands. The club can boast a U.S. Sailing-accredited Sailing and Windsurfing School Known super-secluded guest accommodations and tons of activities for the whole family which include sailing, snorkeling and diving through the renowned Kilbrides Sunchaser Scuba. There is a full service spa and a club fleet of more than 100 boats. There are more than 15 weekly excursions to the many British Virgin Islands' islands and reefs which have timelessly offered once in a lifetime views. Caribbean sailing adventures are rewarding: themed dinner parties with live music under the stars are a regular occurrence here. There is a reason Bitter End has been called the “Sailor's Shangri La” by cruising yachtsmen, perhaps in part because the slice of paradise is accessible only by sea. Visit BEYC.com to see what time you set sail.
The mood music at Chaa Creek in bountiful Belize, Central America is the buzz and singing of hundreds of species of birds and animals. And in one Chaa Creek’s treetop suites, it’s in stereo. Nestled in a nutrient rich tropical forest among 365 acres of ancient Mayan history, Chaa Creek is located within a nature reserve. There are 273 identified species of birds in here which wait to be discovered on horseback, by bicycle or on foot. Paddling and exploring the area with or without guides on the Macal River is utterly adventurous, and utterly peaceful. Less adventurous adventure travelers can relax in Chaa Creek’s spa or simply in a hammock, but they’ll be missing all the fun. Check out ChaaCreek.com to reserve a treetop suite.
Ah, wine… just the thought of it makes travelers sigh a breath of relief. Somehow a crisp white or rich red signals the end of the day or the beginning of an evening of culinary bliss. But wineries have earned their place in the halls of adventure travel. At Hall Wines, a 21st Century winery, all the vintner fun happens ‘round the clock. Hall employs precision winemaking and organic small-vine viticulture in the Napa Valley, California. Founders Craig and Kathryn Hall’s more than five hundred acres of classic Bordeaux varietals create Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc. These environmentally friendly winemakers welcome visitors to witness vineyard technology and tromp through acres of lush landscapes unique to the Napa Valley. Adventure travelers interested in upping the romance ante should schedule a private tour and tasting for just the two of you. Schedule a wine tasting at HallWines.com. |
