Adventure Travel is my true forte, having worked as a columnist for National Geographic Adventure, contributing editor on adventure travel for Budget Travel Magazine, and author of books for Outside Magazine, Men's Journal, and Discovery Channel. Thus, the reason why we took the domain name, ActiveTravels.com, more than a decade ago.
All you have to do is tell me the sport you like—road biking, mountain biking, hiking, backpacking, sea kayaking, surfing, scuba diving, whitewater rafting, a multisport adventure, you name it, and I'll tell you the best countries in the world for your particular love.
How Much Adventure Can You Handle?
This is by far the most important question! Please see Steve's article on being prepared for Adventure Travel from The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine. I've seen travelers get seriously hurt on adventure trips because they simply didn't realize how strenuous the activity would be. We evaluate your conditioning and delve into the trips that are best suited for your level of competence. We also discuss whether you're like me, who likes an excellent restaurant and a bed to sleep in after a day of active travel, or like my friend, Jeff, who is happy to be away from civilization in the bush for as long as possible.
Self-Guided Versus Guided Options
A lot of active travelers are not into the group dynamic and prefer to go on their own or with a select group of friends and family. We discuss the independent and guided options.
Big Name Outfitter or Local Expert
Yes, we're affiliated with Virtuoso and their list of adventure companies like Backroads and Abercrombie & Kent, but we're just as happy to tell you about a Registered Maine Guide who learned how to carve canoes from a Native American almost 50 years ago and takes a select group of paddlers on the same rivers Thoreau paddled in northern Maine. Think I'm kidding. See my story in Sierra Magazine on Canoeing in Maine's North Woods.