Discover France Selected Best Trip for 2009

Our Provence Multisport has been awarded by National Geographic Adventure as one of the Best Trips for 2009 ! See link on NGA site Not only is this a very important reward and great honor, it says something about the state of travelers currently:

Self Guided is Gaining in Popularity!
Value Matters!

We launched this tour in 2008 but really did not promote it much as we worked to perfect it. We have made a few changes to get the cost down and we have what we think is an even better trip. Included in this 2009 version are:

road biking - hybrid cycling routes in the provence countryside
canoing on the Gardon river at the Pont du Gard
Hiking around the Alpilles and Baux de Provence
Adventure Park activities including zip-lines in the Luberon
Mountain biking in the Luberon area of Provence

In option: an afternoon of Via Ferrata. Not sure what is via Ferrata? Check out the tour description for details: Provence Multisport

To clarify, this isn't a trip for hardcore athletes, nor is it a trip for beginners or persons who aren't getting at least 4-6 hours of exercise per week. It takes a little bit of skill in several areas. But, the mountain biking isn't technical, and the canoing is mostly on flat water, so these are manageable by fit and active people - something we have a lot of in our customer base!

This recognition by NGA will appear again in upcoming press releases and company promotions throughout the coming year. The magazine is on the news stands this week. It is only 1 of 25 trips, so if you are curious - go pickup a copy and check out all the great adventures out there!!

Full trip details: http://www.discoverfrance.com/regions/provence_cycling_tour_sgp2.html

NGA website: http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/2008/11/25-best-new-adventure-travel-trips-text



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Free Book From Lonely Planet

Hey, its low season for travel to Europe - aka - the planning season! SO, to help you with pretty pictures and great inside info, check out this offer from Lonely Planet guide books. Buy 3, Pay for 2.
http://shop.lonelyplanet.com/content.jsp?CONTENT%3C%3Ecnt_id=10134198673252186&bmUID=1224018954107

Whether you are a 'budget' traveler or not, the info about sites, visits and such is useful.

New Romania Hiking Tours in 2009!

Yes, Romania! The demand is low, but for real adventure seekers, Romania is a great destination! Not because its dangerous or something like that - Dracula isn't real - but because the nature is really phenominal and well preserved!

We can offer a 11 day hiking trip through the Faragas Mountains in Transylvania that would also include incredible cultural cities such as Sibiu and Sighisoara, Brasov, Predeal, Sinaia and more. The hiking is on trails between trees and above tree line. Beautiful mountain lakes, green pastures, and charming rural life accent the experience. Lodging on this trip goes from 4 star hotels in the cultural cities to mountain huts and even tents.

This is a real hiking trip, actually a Treking Tour. It is guided by local Romanian guides who are perfectly bilingual and the nicest and most welcoming hosts. For full itinerary and details, send an email to info@pure-adventures.com

Prices start from 700 euros when the group is full at 10 persons, and goes up slightly as the number of participants goes down, but the trip can go with as few as 2 persons! Therefore NO chance of CANCELLATION ! Dates are from June through October 2009!

Cycling Tuscany in Winter?

Uhh, yes, you can do it. It is a rather unusual request but several have come up in the last few days requesting cycling in December and January. It is cold, wet, and sometimes snowing in Tuscany. I've been in November and the fog was as thick as soup. But, the afternoons get warm when the sun shines and it can be nice cycling if it is sunny.

So, if you have a wild urge, give us a shout. There is also Catalonia, but in Catalonia where we use a lot of B&B's, availability can be harder as they often close around the holidays and into January.

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