The soft sounds of water dripping from our paddles back into the lake and the gentle splash as they re-enter the water were nearly all we could hear. Around us, icebergs floated and slowly sank, shifting through their frozen lives. The stillness that enveloped our small group of eight kayakers—novices and experienced paddlers alike—and our two guides was extraordinary. We navigated a glacier-fed lake near the fishing village of Cordova, Alaska, experiencing a quiet that feels rare in today’s connected world.
Adventure travel takes many forms because every traveler’s sense of adventure is unique. For one person, adventure may mean a relaxed bicycle tour through a new city; for another, snorkeling with whale sharks in Mexico; for a third, paragliding above the French Alps. Fortunately, there are outfitters that design experiences to match almost any appetite for adventure.
The iceberg-kayaking outing was one highlight of the 11-day Untamed Alaska land tour offered by John Hall’s Alaska. This year the company celebrates 35 years of guiding travelers through the wildlife, native cultures and vast landscapes of The Last Frontier. Their itineraries explore Alaska, the Yukon and the Canadian Rockies in all seasons, and can be customized to match guests’ interests and fitness levels.
“The beauty of our tours is they can be tailored to each traveler’s desires,” said John Hall, Sr., CEO and president, John Hall’s Alaska. “Whether guests seek adventure, relaxation or a mix of both, our travel experts craft custom tours that fulfil those wishes.”
Guests who travel with John Hall’s Alaska often return and are invited to exclusive Alumni Adventures to destinations around the world. This year, alumni trips include Australia and New Zealand, Ireland, the Panama Canal and the Rhine River—each custom-built with the same attention to detail used on their Alaska departures.
Butterfield & Robinson’s Berlin to Prague Biking tour © BUTTERFIELD & ROBINSON
Butterfield & Robinson has spent more than 50 years encouraging travelers to slow down and truly see the world. New this year is a six-day Berlin to Prague Biking tour designed for occasional cyclists, with mostly flat routes on bike paths and quieter roads; more avid riders can choose longer daily distances. Accommodations range from a former royal wellness center to an urban retreat in a converted monastery near Prague Castle, offering contemporary décor and spa facilities.
“Along with Prague to Vienna and Vienna to Budapest, this new trip completes the trilogy linking four grand capitals of Central Europe,” said Chris Mark, director of Central and Eastern Europe, Butterfield & Robinson. “Berlin to Prague offers city and countryside, high culture and pristine nature, wine country and beer halls, German hospitality and Bohemian charm.”
Butterfield & Robinson offers a wide range of active journeys—90 itineraries in 60 destinations worldwide—catering to travelers who want to combine exploration with fitness and culture.
Marine life enthusiasts will find much to enjoy on seven-night small-ship sailings with UnCruise Adventures in Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. These voyages explore a UNESCO World Heritage marine zone teeming with life. Guests can watch for whales, mobula rays, dolphins and seabirds, and take part in hiking, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and skiff excursions. Snorkeling with sea lion pups and bright reef fish is a highlight, and in season, passengers may search for whale sharks off Bahía de La Paz.
UnCruise operates sailings in Alaska, Costa Rica, the Galápagos and the Pacific Northwest, among other regions. Each ship carries gear for on-shore adventures and a team of experienced expedition guides focused on getting guests into nature safely and responsibly.
Guests on a Zodiac during an Intrepid Travel tour in Antarctica © INTREPID TRAVEL
If you dream of visiting Antarctica, Intrepid Travel offers multiple sailing itineraries—ranging from seven to 23 days—that take guests across the Drake Passage to the Antarctic Peninsula. These journeys explore ice-strewn bays by Zodiac, bring travelers close to gentoo penguins and migrating blue whales, and provide the comfort of modern polar vessels for rest between excursions.
“Antarctica remains a destination few people have seen,” said Leigh Barnes, North American director, Intrepid Travel. “Our itineraries give travelers the chance to explore pristine frozen landscapes, sail across icy seas and witness wildlife such as penguins and blue whales in the wild.”
On land, Eleven Experience focuses on crafting deeply memorable, personalized adventures. Their stated purpose is to custom-create powerful experiences that leave a lasting impact, and their international guide team specializes in outdoor and adventure activities that push guests slightly beyond their comfort zones so they can engage with nature and one another more fully.
A picnic in France, Eleven Experience-style © ELEVEN EXPERIENCE
Eleven Experience’s Hideouts—located in The Bahamas, Colorado, Florida, France and Iceland—offer a mix of activities such as cycling, fishing and skiing. Each itinerary is all-inclusive and tailored by Experience Managers so guests spend their time enjoying memorable days rather than managing logistics. The company’s goal is simple: create experiences that visitors remember as some of the best days of their lives.