Photography Travel Club – Ireland in June!

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Adventures Within Reach is excited to join with the Photofly Travel Club to offer exciting photography tours around the world.

Come travel the world and share your love for photography at the same time! Photofly Travel Club is a great way to meet new people and take amazing pictures in exotic places. All of our destinations offer amazing opportunities to capture unforgettable photographs and each trip has at least one activity that is perfect for taking pictures.

Whether you’re an avid photography enthusiast or just enjoy taking pictures, Shutterfly Travel Club is the perfect way to vacation, take great pictures, and meet great people

Ireland: June 13th-June 23rd 2011

We’ve put together an AWESOME private tour for the travel club. We’ll have our own driver & guide taking us throughout this beautiful country making it a very personal experience with flexibility and priceless advice throughout.

Ireland Photography Tour >>

  • 10 night excursion exploring ruins, castles, beautiful landscapes, medieval towns, villages, & more…
  • Accommodations include quaint bed & breakfasts and hotels.
  • Private driver and guide throughout on luxury touring coach
  • Breakfast everyday
  • Entry to all attractions & Tours
  • Transfers to & from Dublin airport
  • Tolls, taxes, fees included

Dublin:

  • Museum tour of Guinness Storehouse
  • Trinity College & Book of Kells tour
  • Great shops, pubs & restaurants in Temple Bar
  • National Museum of Ireland

Wicklow & Kilenny

  • Wicklow driving tour through babbling brooks, villages, taverns, ancient Christian sites & period houses
  • Tour of Glendalough: Two dark and mysterious lakes tucked into a deep valley covered in forest make up the background of this monastic settlement.
  • Kilkenny Castle: Tour of this popular heritage site and explore the beautiful surrounding parkland

Tipperary & Cork:

  • Cork City is over 800 years old and is an artistic city home to the Cork Opera House and numerous galleries and theatres. Snug bars hosting impromptu traditional music sessions neighbour chic restaurants serving Atlantic catch and racks of Kerry lamb.
  • Rock of Cashel
  • Blarney Castle

Kerry:

  • The kingdom of Kerry is a land of chattering dolphins, beautiful women called Rose and oh by the way the King is a goat! Indeed this is a Kingdom with a difference! Windswept and wild, rugged and romantic – this is the mythical Ireland of dreams.
  • Killarney National Park
  • Muckross House & Gardens
  • Dingle Peninsula

Clare:

  • From her regal Cliffs of Moher defiantly challenging the awesome Atlantic to her exceptional Burren smothering the very Earth, Clare is a beguiling beauty. Discover the source of Irish traditional music and unearth the terrific essence of Clare.
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • The Burren
  • Doolin Village

Galway:

  • Amidst a pulsating knot of winding, cobbled streets a carnival atmosphere is created every day. Enchanting street performers spout poetry, juggle fire and beat bodhrans while the sound of fiddles, bagpipes and harps spill from the open doors of its medieval taverns.
  • Kylemore Abbey
  • Connemara National Park
  • Galway City

Mayo:

  • Mayo is pioneer country; it is like stepping back in time. Bare beaches, abandoned bogs and deserted dwellings scatter across this county of alluring beauty.
  • Clew Bay
  • Croagh Patrick
  • Westport Heritage Town

Westmeath:

  • Bashful in nature, Westmeath is Ireland’s best-kept secret. Legends abound in this beautiful county splattered with innumerable lakes, and one of Ireland most amazing sites at Newgrange.
  • Newgrange Passage Tombs
  • Midland Tour

Price: $2099/person land-only sharing

Ireland Photography Tour >>

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Buying clothing and gear for your trip

Posted on May 5, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Travel clothing and gear from MoosejawOne nice thing about travel is it gives you an excuse to buy lots of nice new things.  We have a new relationship with Moosejaw, a provider of outdoor clothing and gear.  Benefits include

  • Free shipping on orders over $49
  • Receive a 10% bonus in Moosejaw Rewards Points

Check out their great selection of travel clothing, warm jackets, and sleeping bags including The North Face, Patagonia, Marmot, and more!

Get $20 off any Icebreaker item over $59 with code ICE20 >>

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Bahia Bustamante: Argentina’s Wild Atlantic Coast

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Bahia Bustamante

Bahia Bustamante is a coastal region in northern Patagonia located south of the Valdés Peninsula. Often overlooked, this region offers opportunities for travelers to discover local culture on ranches and to see and photograph abundant marine mammals and birds.

Bahia Bustamante was recently written up in the New York Times as “Argentina’s Secret (and Private) Answer to the Galapagos.” Travelers staying in the region can partake in a variety of activities including boat trips to islands, visits to beaches, horseback riding, and hiking.

The region is ideal for wildlife photographers and it boasts a fascinating, 60 million year old petrified forest. Those interested in local culture can also witness the sheep farming activities and the harvesting of seaweed.

Besides sea lions and dolphins the area is best know for its variety of birds including Magellenic penguins, gulls, terns, cormorants, and steamer ducks.

Adventures Within Reach offers 4 and 6-day itineraries to Bahia Bustamante from September through April.

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Argentine Patagonia: Peninsula Valdés Sea Kayaking

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

The Peninsula Valdés is a pristine region situated on the Atlantic coast of northern Patagonia. This beautiful and wild region is home to an amazing variety of marine wildlife including southern right whales, sea lions, Magellanic penguins, elephant seals and orcas.

Kayaking among sea lions

Perhaps the best way to experience this UNESCO world heritage site is to explore the coast by kayak. Adventures Within Reach is delighted to offer one of the region’s best kayaking trips with experienced guides who will take you on daily kayaking outing and hikes along the shore. The trip includes two nights in a local “eco-lodge” and four nights camping underneath the southern cross.

Consider joining an October 17-23 7-day itinerary that will allow you to discover the region near the peak of the annual whale season – a chance to get up close to some of the world’s largest mammals!

Kayaking among whales

This trip will accommodate a maximum of 8 to 10 participants – sign up soon to book a spot on an unforgettable trip!

Costs are $1720 per person based upon double occupancy.

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Passports and Visas in a Hurry!

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

Need a visa application form? Not sure about the entry requirements?  Need a U.S. passport in a hurry?  Getting multiple visas?  Going to Tibet?  Changing your name?

U.S. and Canadian citizens can use Travisa, a fast and easy way to help speed up the process of obtaining your passport and visa.

Visas and passport service

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Aconcagua: 2011-2012 Climbing Season

Posted on May 4, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach
Aconcagua

Aconcagua (6,962 m / 22,841 ft)

We are pleased to announce dates for the 2011-2012 climbing season for Aconcagua. The mountain is one of the “7 summits” and an exciting adventure if you have climbed Kilimanjaro and are looking for a slightly more challenging experience.

Consider joining Adventures Within Reach clients on a December 20, 2011 to January 5, 2012 open expedition.

All expeditions follow the 17-day itinerary of the Aconcagua Normal Route. Please contact us for information and dates for other routes to the roof of the Americas!

Book by May 31st, 2011 to receive 2010-2011 pricing of $3300 per person!

Other possible dates include: November 29 to December 15, 2011 / December 27, 2011 to January 12, 2012 / January 3-19, 2012 / January 10-26, 2012 / January 17 – February 2, 2012 / January 24 – February 9, 2012 / January 31 – February 16, 2012 / February 7-23, 2012 / February 20 – March 5, 2012

 

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Antarctica on the Polar Star

Posted on May 3, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

The M/V Polar Star

We are extremely pleased to introduce a new vessel to our Antarctica trips, the M/V Polar Star.

A comfortable 100-passenger expedition vessel, with a Class 1A rating for ice, and a polished interior perfect for discerning international adventurers, the Polar Star makes an ideal base to explore the otherworldly nature of the Antarctic region. The expedition guides are among the finest leading trips in the region, while the open bridge policy allows you to see the ship staff in action. The cuisine is abundant, with an international flavor, and the ship features a small gym, a library, an alluring Observation Lounge, and more.

Expeditions range from 10 nights/ 11 days to 18 nights/ 19 days, from November into March.

Antarctica on the Polar Star >>

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Earth Day Reignites Quest for Sustainable Travel

Posted on April 22, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

As I reflect on Earth Day and what it means to me, I am reminded of all the ways we can help the earth even if we are traveling.

  • Using ethically trained, local guides that adhere to environmental guidelines such as staying on designated trails and using pack-in/pack-out practices
  • Creating volunteer trips to clean the environment and help the local people
  • Encouraging carbon offsetting

All of us can also help locally:

  • Working towards becoming a “Zero Waste” office (conserving energy, recycling, etc.)
  • Volunteering for environmental improvement projects

Sustainable Travel International (STI) has some great information and tools:

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Extensions from Geneva for Independent Travelers

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

If you’re interested in trekking in the Alps, you might want to consider extending your trip to one of Europe’s other destinations. You could even head down to Morocco for a trek in the High Atlas Mountains and a few days in Marrakesh.

Affordable extensions are possible with the bargain airfares offered by the low cost carrier EasyJet. There are flights to numerous destinations including Madrid, Barcelona, Berlin, Amsterdam, Paris, London, Rome, and Lisbon. For my trip I decided to visit Majorca, only 80 minutes from Geneva by air.  A round trip flight in April cost me only $70! It is an extremely affordable way to add a visit to a Mediterranean paradise after spending some time in the snow covered Alps.

Majorca's Northern Coast

Majorca is the largest of Spain’s Balearic islands located approximately 200 kilometers southeast of Barcelona in the Mediterranean. Besides relaxing on the beach or exploring beautiful coves, visitors can hike in the mountains and explore the island’s towns and cities.

The largest city is Palma de Mallorca and boasts attractive pedestrian streets, a beautiful waterfront, and an impressive gothic cathedral. While in Palma you can do as the locals and enjoy Spanish wine with tapas.

Palma's Cathedral

While in Palma you should also venture out to the Pilar and Joan Miro Foundation where the Spanish painter and his wife spent several years of their lives living and working. You can explore Miro’s two studios, enjoy looking at many of his paintings, sculptures and prints, and take in the contemporary art exhibited in the galleries.

The island also offers excellent hiking. You can follow trails from the charming village of Lluc (pronounced “Youc”) up toward the highest peak on the island at an elevation of 1400 meters. The views from the mountains of the coast and sea are spectacular.

Hiking above Valldemossa

Another larger town with a trailhead is Valldemossa, located much closer to Palma. Hikes above Valldemossa can take you on top of breathtaking cliffs that drop down to the villages along the coast. Along the way you’ll appreciate the oder of pines and rosemary bushes and maybe even see some wild goats scampering about on the limestone summits. Back in Valldemossa you can enjoy a well earned lunch, relax in a cafe, and visit the carthusian monastery where the French writer Georges Sand and the composer Frederic Chopin spent a winter together in 1838-1839.

If you are more interested in biking you can join the thousands of tourists who come here to go road biking between the mountain towns. It is easy to find good bikes to rent due the popularity of the activity. As with hiking, biking is an excellent activity for the cooler temperatures in the spring and fall.

Running on the beach near Can Picafort

Of course you can also take advantage of the island’s beautiful beaches. For long, sandy beaches try the area near Can Picafort on the eastern side of the island.

After my time in Majorca I am heading to Morocco, but that is the subject for some future blog posts. Stay tuned for updates on trekking in the High Atlas Mountains and other travel options in Morocco!

 

Resources:

Easyjet.com

Majorca Tourism

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Robin’s Advice for the Bolder Boulder

Posted on April 19, 2011 by Adventures Within Reach

The AWR BolderBoulder team is ready for another year!  It’s a great way to train for your next big adventure trip.  Here is Robin’s advice to anyone running the BolderBoulder:

  1. Do not partake in any of the slip-and-slides along the route.  They are often unfortunately positioned over sharp objects. Oh, and did I mention wet socks?!  I recommend skipping the beer and bacon too….
  2. Take advantage of the mobile locker ($2). It can be rainy and/or cold after the race, so it is nice to have a layer of clothes in the stadium. Also throw in a sandwich because the after-race snack is not very filling.
  3. Hang around for all the Memorial Day festivities in the stadium from 11am to 12pm.  It is worth it to see the elite runners, the parachutists, and the fighter jets.  If you finish early, there is an expo across the street to kill time.
  4. Wear a costume, but make it loose-fitting, not hot, and easy to breathe.
  5. Training does not start one week before the race — make it your New Year’s resolution.
  6. Bring a camera or cell phone camera so that you can get your photo taken with Elvis.
  7. Get to the race early and forget about driving.  The energy before the race is incredible, you can meet up with friends, and you can get in the mobile locker or portable toilet lines.  Besides everything takes longer than you think it will.
  8. If you are a man, get the Crocs package.  This year they are very cool and very comfortable.  (I don’t like the women’s or kids’ shoes this year.)
  9. Invite friends to run or walk with you.  It’s just more fun that way!
  10. Join the AWR team for a free t-shirt!

More on AWR races:

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