2021 marks the 25th anniversary of my first book, Outside Magazine’s Adventure Guide to New England. Since that time, I’ve written or contributed chapters to 9 other books, including New England Seacoast Adventures, and penned more than 500 stories on the region for the Boston Globe, Yankee, Men’s Journal, and a slew of other magazines. I’ve also designed over 200 itineraries to New England for clients since our travel agency, ActiveTravels, made its debut eight years ago. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of my first book, I’ve been wanting to distill all my knowledge of the region this past quarter century into a new book, tentatively titled New England in a Nutshell. Now thanks to the current state of the travel industry, I have nothing but time. This is not going to be the typical comprehensive guidebook on the entire region. More like my column for Yankee Magazine, listing my top beach towns, fall foliage drives, adventures, lobster shacks, art history outings, etc…In other words, get straight to the point and divulge my favorite gems. 

If you want to circumnavigate Newfoundland, like Amy did on one of her most memorable trips in 2018, this expedition cruise is one of many Arctic and Atlantic Canada itineraries Adventure Canada is now rolling out for 2021. The Newfoundland cruise is happening October 1-11, 2021, and if you book before October 31, 2020, you’ll receive a 15% discount. Other 2021 trips include Iceland to Greenland in the Wake of the Vikings July 13-24; High Arctic Explorer August 5-16; Into the Northwest Passage August 16-September 1; Out of the Northwest Passage September 1-17; and Greenland and Wild Labrador September 17-October 1. If you want to learn more about the Adventure Canada experience and to perhaps cruise with Amy in 2021, please contact her at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

I'm off to Austin and San Antonio this week for a wedding, back next Wednesday, March 11th. 

We’ve had a lot of clients concerned about the rising number of people affected with the Coronavirus this week, especially in Italy. Here’s what we learned:

With Leap Day about to approach, hotels are coming up with fun deals. At Burlington’s Hotel Vermont, leap year babies can book a one-night stay on leap day for only $129. In addition, enjoy a complimentary dinner at Juniper with sparkling wine and cake. Leap Year babies can also celebrate with a FREE vacation at the new Kixby hotel in Manhattan. On February 29, anyone born on Leap Day can enjoy one free night at Kixby. From now through the end of February 2021, guests who stay two nights at The James New York - NoMad will enjoy the third night FREE. Or book a multiple-night stay at one of the participating Meritage Collection hotels by March 31, 2020 and you’ll get a 3rd, 4th, or 5th night free. The Collection includes several of our favorite properties like Koa Kea in Kauai and The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa. Please contact ActiveTravels and we’ll be happy to make the booking for you! 

Lisa and I spent time at the Boston Travel Show talking to Scott and Thistle Cone, owners of Discovery Bicycle Tours. My brother, Jim, and I biked with them in central Vermont when the outfitter was known as Bike Vermont. Still based in Woodstock, Vermont, but under new ownership, the company has expanded to Europe, South America, and Southeast Asia at a price point less than Backroads, more comparable with VBT. Groups are small, on average between 8 to 15 guests. We like their 8-day bike and barge tour on the Moselle River in July, where you bike 16 to 35 miles a day on relatively easy terrain, then return to your river cruise to relax and dine. Best part is that you don’t have to pack and unpack every day. Cost is $3695 per person, all-inclusive.  

Just a friendly reminder to please remember to get your REAL ID as soon as you can. Americans will not be able to fly without a passport or REAL ID after 10/1/20, even on domestic flights. Lines will get longer and longer to acquire the REAL ID as we get closer to that 10/1 date. AAA members can head to their local office instead of heading to the RMV. Please remember to bring along the proper documents as you’ll see in this list. 

Head to Chile on December 14, 2020, and you’ll get to witness a total solar eclipse. Backroads is taking advantage of this opportunity to offer a special Chile Multi-Adventure trip. The 6-night itinerary takes place in the Chilean Lakes District, where you’ll get the chance to hike, bike, kayak and raft with stunning vistas of Villarrica, Mocho and Osorno Volcanoes. You’ll also venture into the remote sanctuaries of Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve and Parque Futangu, teeming with diverse flora and fauna. Backroads is also debuting an 8-night Chile Patagonia and Fjords Cruise Walking and Hiking Tour. Slated to visit the Chilean Patagonia Fjords and Torres del Paine National Park, the trip offers unique wildlife and glacier viewing, epic hikes and tours of historical sites in Wulaia Bay, once visited by Charles Darwin. Guests can experience three trips in one while living aboard the Australis, a state-of-the-art expedition ship (4 nights) and staying at Hotel Las Torres (2 nights) and The Singular Patagonia (2 nights). Scheduled departures are from December 2020 through March 2021.