Hotels Offering Adventure Packages For Summer Travelers

by Jessica Festa on

Want to spend your summer looking for zebras, swimming with whale sharks and scuba diving ancient shipwrecks? Take advantage of these adventure hotel packages to make the season’s travels a little more exciting.

Picosa Ranch Resort
San Antonio, Texas

The Picosa Ranch Resort, located 30 minutes from downtown San Antonio, is an authentic Texas ranch that was once home to former Texas governor John Connally. Adventure activities include:

  • Taking a photo safari in a Polaris Ranger to see zebra, addax, common waterbuck, black buck, elk, oryx, barasingha, eland, Texas dall rams, roadrunners, Texas longhorn cattle and hundreds more local animals
  • Hiking through the Texas wilderness
  • Skeet shooting
  • Horseback riding
  • Shooting
  • Archery
  • Rodeos
  • Hay rides and climbs

Rates start at $7,500 per night, for a group of up to 18 people. All food, beverages and activities are included. Click here to book. The Little Nell
Aspen, Colorado

For those looking to do something a little different this summer, The Little Nell features an Adventure Concierge team to put together personally designed packages, as well as offer pre-set itineraries. Some of these include:

  • Geocaching- This adventure combines hiking with treasure hunting, and participants will use a GPS system to find and hide items called “geocaches.” Treasures are yours to keep once found.
  • Cowboy Camp 101- With this package, you’ll learn the art of backcountry living, like how to start a fire and catch your own dinner.
  • Fly Fishing Adventures- Anyone can take part in this activity, whether you’re a novice or an expert. To make the trip more interesting, helicopter excursions, women’s clinics and float trips in handcrafted wooden boats can be added into the journey.

Rates start at $565 per night, based on double occupancy. Adventure activities range from free and up. Click here to book.

Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles, California

The Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport is offering a “Surfboard and Brew” package, for guests who enjoy a mixture of thrills and relaxation. The offer includes:

  • Accommodations in a newly renovated guesthouse
  • Surf lessons for two people at El Porto Beach
  • Two pints of beer nightly at the onsite Brewster’s Bar & Grill

Package rates start at $199 per night, based on double occupancy. Click here to book using promo code “SURFBREW.”

Curtain Bluff
Antigua, Caribbean

Until July 28, Curtain Bluff is featuring their “Active Package” for thrill-seeking guests. The offer includes:

  • Four nights of accommodation
  • 2-hour guided rainforest hike
  • Antigua Rainforest canopy tour, with 10 zip lines and round-trip transfers
  • Antigua Clay Pigeon Shooting School with round-trip transfers
  • South Coast Horizons kayaking trip through mangroves with round-trip transfers
  • Swimming with stingrays excursion with round-trip transfers
  • All motorized and non-motorized water sports
  • Two 60-minute massages
  • All meals
  • Bar drinks
  • Use of gym, tennis courts and squash courts
  • Round-trip airport transfers

Package rates start at $4,045 for a deluxe room, based on double occupancy. Click here to book.

Rosewood Tucker’s Point
Hamilton Parish, Bermuda

To help introduce guests to a truly unique adventure, Rosewood Tucker’s Point is featuring the opportunity to explore The Warwick shipwreck. Through July 24, the hotel is inviting guests to dive alongside researchers as they investigate the wreck, which is believed to date back to the Armada of 1588. It is part of the “Warwick Adventure” package, which includes luxury accommodations, and a Tuesday or Thursday dive for two people.

Package rates begin at $875 for the first night for two people. Additional nights begin at $730. Click here to book.

Hotel Solmar
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

For those looking for adventure on a budget, Hotel Solmar is offering a great deal. Guests will be able to book three adrenaline-pumping activities for $189 per person. Excursion options include snorkeling, riding wave runners, underwater helmet diving, scuba, zip lining, ATV riding, whale watching, La Paz day trips, Todos Santos tours, horseback riding and sunset cruises.

Rates start at $161 per night. Click here to book.

JW and CasaMagna Marriott Cancun Resorts
Cancun, Mexico

Have you ever wanted to swim with the world’s largest fish? This summer, JW Marriott Cancun and CasaMagna Cancun are offering guests the chance to swim with whale sharks in the wild, as they migrate through the coastal waters of Cancun. The enormous fish can reach up to 50 feet long, as you can see in the side photo by Jeronimo Prieto. The area is home to one of the largest barrier reefs in the world, so it’s truly a memorable adventure.

Excursions are $165 per person including lunch. Room rates begin at $149 in July, and $119 in August and September. Click here to book for JW Marriott, and click here to book CasaMagna Marriott.

Tambo Blanquillo Lodge
Manu, Peru

A stay at the Tambo Blanquillo Lodge will allow you to explore the many facets of the Amazon Jungle. The property operates four and five-day packages, which include night hikes through the forest, piranha fishing, boating through lagoons and lakes, spotting pink dolphins, caimens, anacondas and other unique species and kayaking.

Prices start at $700 for a 4-day/3-night excursion. Click here to book.

Ellerman House
Cape Town, South Africa

The Ellerman House in Cape Town is located on the cliffs of Bantry Bay, and is a great home base for a wildlife safari. Through July, the hotel is offering an “Ellerman House/Grootbos Private Nature Reserve 2012” package, in conjunction with Grootbos Private Nature Reserve. With the deal, guests will receive:

  • Trips to Robben Island and Table Mountain
  • A full-day tour of the penguin colony at Stony Point
  • Shark cage diving at Grootbos
  • A social responsibility tree-planting excursion

Package rates begin at $350 per night. Click here to book.

Awasi Lodge
San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

For adventure travelers with a lot of stamina, Awasi Lodge is featuring a five day “Awasi Adventure” package, which concludes with climbing the summit of a 19,589-foot peak. The itinerary includes high trekking, downhill biking and steep hikes, as each day gets progressively more difficult to prepare you for the hardest challenge. Some activities include biking to Moon Valley, hiking Devil’s Gorge and trekking the Sairecabur Volcano.

Package rates start at $3,515 per person for five nights. Click here to book.

Banos: Ecuador’s Top Adventure Destination

by Jessica Festa on

If you’re the type of traveler who loves extreme adventure and being active, you’ll love Baños, Ecuador. Located about three hours south of Quito, Baños is a small but lively town surrounded by mountains and lush greenery. There are dozens of tour agencies lining the streets, although I’d recommend using a highly reputable company like Geotours or Rainforestur. Some of the adventures you’ll be able to partake in include:

Taking A Trip Into The Amazon Jungle

From Baños, you’ll be able to do one day or multiple day excursions into the Amazon Jungle. The tours usually begin with a trip to a monkey sanctuary. Next, you’ll visit an indigenous community to get your face painted with fruit, drink Chicha, shoot dart guns and learn about the culture. Jungle hikes, canoe rides, waterfall swims and night treks encompass the rest of the tour. You’ll see unique plants, like the Devil’s Penis, which squirts a clear liquid used to enlarge the manhood of indigenous men, as well as wildlife like anacondas, tree frogs, exotic birds and enormous spiders.Biking The “Waterfalls Route”

I recommend getting your bike from Caroline’s Tours on Martinez Street. You can get a basic bike all day for $5, or upgrade to the more comfortable one for $10. She’ll give you a map, and a fanny pack filled with pumps, locks and spare tubes. The “Waterfalls Route” takes about two hours, including stops at viewpoints and hikes to the falls. You’ll see:

  • Agoyan- At 200 feet, it’s the highest waterfall in the Ecuadorian Andes.
  • Manto de la Novia- Literally meaning “the bride’s veil,” this waterfall has a distinct white color, and is 131 feet high.
  • Pailon del Diablo (shown above)- This is the second biggest waterfall in Ecuador, and is thought to be the most interesting one on the route.
  • Machay- This beautiful waterfall includes a challenging hike to get to and from its viewpoint. It’s popular for swimming, so bring your bathing suit.

You can take the bus back to Baños for $1 from Machay.

Going Canyoning

If you enjoy jumping from rock to rock and repelling down gorges, Baños offers canyoning excursions each day. You’ll descend numerous waterfalls, some extremely steep, along the Rio Blanco, while immersing yourself in the lush cloud forest. Your adrenaline will be pumping, as at times you’ll be dropping yourself 148 feet.

Hiking To Various Viewpoints

In Baños, there are two main viewpoint hikes: Bellavista and The Virgin. They’re both very straightforward, so don’t worry about getting lost. Bellavista takes you to a giant cross overlooking the city, and you’ll be able to continue the hike on the Runtun trail to see small villages and the Tungurahua Volcano. Just be sure to carry rocks, as dogs from the villages can get nasty. The trek to The Virgin takes you up hundreds of steps to an enormous Virgin Mary statue, for an all-encompassing look of Baños.

Rafting On The Pastaza River

Baños is a great place to enjoy white-water rafting. Depending on water levels that day, rapids can vary from class two to five. The rivers in Ecuador are warm and tropical, and you’ll even get the chance to journey through the lush flora and fauna of the Amazon Jungle.

Zip Lining And Bungee Jumping

The city is well known for its aerial adventures, like zip lining/canopy and bungee jumping. For the zip line, you’ll be strapped to a high wire, and will fly above the cloud forest. Moreover, bungee jumping is $20 or less, and allows you to jump off a bridge and swing like a pendulum. No need to book in advance, as you’ll be able to get off your bike and jump along the “Waterfall Route.”

Hiking And Biking Tungurahua Volcano

A hiking and biking excursion on this 16,480-foot active volcano is my top pick for the adventurous in Baños. I only recommend doing this thrilling excursion if it’s a clear day out, as the views awarded from this volcano are priceless. The day begins at 9:00 a.m., when a van will take you to the starting point. Then, you’ll hike up three hours to the refugio for excellent views of surrounding mountains, valleys and rivers, before cycling downhill at rapid speed. Once you get to the bottom, you’ll also bike your way back to Baños.

Eating Guinea Pig For A Cheap Price

Called cuy, eating this delicacy is usually an expensive culinary adventure. However, if you walk around near the main square, you’ll be able to find street food vendors cooking it for an affordable price. For example, I was able to buy a single serving with potatoes and vegetables for $3.50. While eating guinea pig may sound scary, it tastes a lot like greasy, fatty chicken.

Paragliding

Paragliding, which involves soaring through the air via a parachute, is a popular activity in Baños. Additionally, it’s a great way to take in views of the entire region. Most paragliding tours take off from Niton Mountain, and you’ll see mountains, volcanoes and rivers as you soar through the air like a bird.

How to Choose the Best Travel Backpack

by Jessica Festa on

As someone who has backpacked numerous countries, I often have people ask me what to look for in a backpack. The pack you choose will have a big impact on the comfort and success of your trip. To help you make the right choice, use this guide on how to choose the perfect backpack for traveling.

Size Matters

For those who think they can just walk into the nearest sporting goods store and choose whichever pack looks the nicest, you will probably end up being very uncomfortable on your trip. The right pack should complement your torso length and sit snugly on your hips. Instead of measuring the length of your entire body, focus on the area from your shoulders to your hipbones. Likewise, you’ll need to choose the appropriate capacity of the bag. While REI suggests choosing a pack that’s 80 liters or more for an extended trip, I don’t think this is necessary unless you’ll be hiking and camping for two weeks or longer. Most of the backpackers I know, myself included, use packs that are about 55 liters for extended traveling, which is plenty of space unless you’re a heavy packer.

Don’t Be Cheap

I’m not saying the most expensive backpack is necessarily the best; however, having a good backpack can make or break your trip. If your backpack is uncomfortable, you’ll have a difficult time enjoying yourself. I’d recommend going to a passionate outfitter, like REI, where knowledgeable staff can help you choose the perfect pack. It’s a good idea before purchasing to walk around with rocks in the backpack to test it out. And, if the more expensive pack feels more comfortable, buy it.

Top Loading vs. Panel Loading

Top loading and panel loading refer to how you will pack and unpack your belongings. While top loading packs, not surprisingly, make use of the top of the backpack, panel loading makes use of the sides. Both have pros and cons, so it’s really about your preferences. Top loading can be a hassle. Every time you need to get something that’s not on the top of the bag, you’ll need to unload your belongings until you find it. However, the inside usually features a waterproof liner, which isn’t usually the case with panel loading bags. Likewise, panel loading tends to add weight to the pack, and the zippers are more likely to break off. If you can’t make a decision, one good backpack to consider is the REI Mars Pack, which offers top loading and a zippered front panel opening, giving you the best of both worlds.

Padded Straps

I would not recommend purchasing a backpack without a padded hip belt and shoulder straps. The padded hip belt helps to distribute the weight in your pack more evenly, while also giving you more support. Likewise, padded shoulder straps allow for less pressure on your shoulders and lower back.

Numerous Compartments

It can be difficult to stay organized when backpacking, especially for an extended period of time. Having a backpack with numerous compartments can help you keep related items together within easy reach. For example, I use a Gelert Wilderness 55, which allows me to separate my toiletries, tank tops, undergarments, socks, medications and thin shirts in the bag’s extra pouches. Because of this, I never have to unload my backpack to get to these items.

Contoured Back

Make sure the backpack you choose has a contoured back. Not only is this more comfortable, as it fits with your natural arch, it also creates a space to allow for air to flow through. One of the biggest obstacles with backpacking is, because the pack sits on your back with a lot of extra weight, you start to sweat more than usual. Some packs will even say on the back if they have a featured cooling design.

Internal vs. External Frame

There are two types of frames when it comes to backpacks, an internal frame and an external frame. Basically, an internal frame supports the backpack from the inside, while the external frame does so from the outside. In my opinion, internal frames are a lot more logical. Not only do they help to effectively place your weight on your hips, they tend to have a slimmer shape for easier maneuverability. They tend to be more comfortable, lighter, easier to carry and more aesthetically pleasing. External frame bags were the first type of backpack, and although internal frames are now an option, there are still those who enjoy using the old school, more rugged method.

Extra Features

This is the most fun part of choosing a backpack. Each backpack is unique in its own way due to the extra features you’ll be able to get. Some of these include secret compartments, camel backs, compression straps, adjustable torsos, sleeping bag storage, bite valve shut-off switches and much more. Think about what exactly you want your backpack to be capable of doing – for example, keeping you really organized or keeping your luggage dry – and then go from there.

Recommendations

There are myriad great backpacks out there, but some of my favorites include:

  • REI Mars Pack– This pack was built to handle heavy loads during extended trips. Some features include a hip belt webbing system, foam padded back panel, a “rip and stick” torso adjustment and dual-openings.
  • Gregory Z65 Pack– Good for lightweight multiday trips, and includes features like an adjustable hip belt, waterproof compartments and a hydration compatible design.
  • ALPS Mountaineering Denali 5500 Pack– This 90-liter backpack is good for those who will be doing rugged trekking, or have a lot they need to pack. A few of the features include an extendable lid and cinching collar, a removable top that doubles as a day pack and moisture-wicking fabric to help cool you down.

[images via Haolenate, Kurt Forstner, Matthew D. Lutze]

World’s Highest Roller Coaster Opens In Colorado

by Jessica Festa on

A new world record has been broken, as the world’s highest roller coaster is now open at Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. Called “Cliffhanger,” the adventure coaster sits on the edge of the 6,890-foot-high Iron Mountain.

Because of its elevation and location, the $1 million roller coaster also provides panoramic cliff views of the surrounding canyons and mountains. Likewise, “Cliffhanger” features steep uphill climbs, abrupt downhill falls and sharps twists and turns.

“We hope it’s going to be a game changer to our park,” says the park’s maintenance manager, Kelly Bates.

To see other heart-stopping roller coasters from around the U.S., click here.

Study Shows Travel Can Increase Your Sex Appeal

by Jessica Festa on

According to a study done by Intrepid Travel using the online dating site RSVP.com.au, people who travel a lot are seen as more attractive than their non-traveling counterparts. The study found that daring travelers are seen as the sexiest, while 23 percent say adrenaline seekers make their heart race. Moreover, off-the-beaten-path travelers were most attractive to 22 percent, while culture buffs got 16 percent of the votes.

Says Intrepid spokeswoman Jo Stewart, “The attitudes of singles show that a bi-product of travel is that it adds to your sex appeal.”

The study also looked at the behavior of single travelers. Data showed that 96 percent of singles who were passionate about traveling, were also looking for a partner with the same interests. Many single travelers – 72 percent – also dream of meeting someone special on their trips. Ever fantasized about a romantic picnic in Tuscany? Twenty-six percent responded this was their perfect first date, with a sentimental stroll in Paris being their second.

[image via permanently scatterbrained]