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WINTER ESCAPES, August 2010
Dear Traveler,
Here at the Backroads headquarters in Berkeley, two things have been on our minds lately. The first is fleece. Yep, it's August but it's one of the foggiest and coolest summers in years. As Carl Nolte of the San Francisco Chronicle so aptly put it, "...the summer fog has hung around day and night, like a houseguest that won't leave."
Which brings me to our second preoccupation: tropical travels. Blue skies and warm waves. Or maybe a steamy jungle and ancient ruins. And not a hint of fog for miles. Now, I realize that many of you are slogging through some of the hottest days on record, and a warm weather getaway is the last thing on your mind. But once the temps do start to drop, our Winter Escapes fill up quickly—and much earlier for holiday dates. So whether you're intrigued by Costa Rica's rain forests or you feel the pull of New Zealand's legendary Kiwi hospitality, now is the perfect time to lock in your reservations.
It's never too early to start thinking about that warm winter getaway. Here's a sampling of what's on tap this winter with Backroads!
Regards,
Tom Hale
Founder and President
P.S. Ready to explore? Our Trip Consultants are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pacific time at 800-462-2848.
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| WINTER ESCAPES |
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Costa Rica |
| Costa Rica is so rich with possibilities it merits three wintertime adventures. Our multisport trip includes mountain biking, river rafting and jungle hikes in a vast preserve, spotting blue morpho butterflies and white-faced monkeys. We then journey to a remote Pacific peninsula for more fun activities along the sandy shore—or simply lounging by the resort pool. Our biking trip winds through rain forest and green pastureland around Arenal Volcano and ends on the sunny sandy beaches of the Pacific coast. Along the way, you bike in rugged terrain through several ecological zones—and relax at a resort with volcano views and at our oceanfront retreat. You can explore the same magical world on our leisurely paced walking trip from the inland Central Valley, over volcanic slopes, through lush plantations, along rain forest paths (spotting wildlife with expert naturalists) and ending on the sun-drenched sands of Manuel Antonio.
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Ecuador & Galápagos |
| Unleash your sense of wonder and prepare for non-stop thrills on this exciting multisport trip. Bike amid volcano-studded highlands to traditional villages, where local crafts, folkloric music and ancient ruins are yours to discover. Meet the grandson of an Ecuadorian president, who welcomes us into his working farm rich in pre-Inca and colonial history. And bike to a rehabilitation center for the endangered condor. Then journey to the marine sanctuary of the Galápagos. We sail from island to island, explore pristine beaches and snorkel in the famous waters. Ever see a frigate bird strut his stuff? Or a seaweed-eating iguana? Alongside expert naturalists, we observe, inquire and react as fascinating wildlife behaviors occur right before our eyes in Darwin's natural laboratory.
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Argentina |
| On our biking trip in northern Patagonia's Lake District, delve into a world of pristine glacial lakes, national parks and waterfalls tucked into the snowcapped Andes. Discover these wild lands by mountain bike (riding paved roads, dirt paths and single-track trails). And have ample opportunities for other pursuits: visit charming old-world villages, savor acclaimed regional wines and sail to the shores of the Quetrihué Peninsula. On our Patagonia walking & hiking trip, explore the extreme wilderness at "the edge of the world," while enjoying the comforts and top amenities of one of South America's most epic destinations. With the jagged granite spires of legendary Mount Fitz Roy and the 200-foot-high, three-mile-wide river of ice known as the Perito Moreno Glacier, it's easy to understand why explorers and adventurers have been drawn here for centuries. Complementing the untrammeled beauty of the landscape, each night's hotel welcomes us with a dose of exquisite creature comforts.
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Thailand |
| You've heard about it, now experience it for yourself—time really does seem to stand still in Thailand's Golden Triangle. On this one-of-a-kind biking trip, discover a region of culture and tradition. Of jungle-carpeted valleys and sinuous rivers, where monks greet you from within richly ornamented temples and indigenous hill tribes still cling to their traditional ways of life. Cycle an uncharted oxcart path among lush rice paddies and garlic fields. Ride an elephant through the jungle. Float in long-tail boats down the Maekok River. Savor the best curry you've ever tasted and stare at the jagged limestone hills that have sat unchanged for thousands of years. Time may feel like it's standing still here—but you certainly won't!
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Vietnam & Cambodia |
| On our biking trip, experience vibrant Hanoi on foot and by bicycle rickshaw. Leave the tourists behind and pedal quiet country roads past pagodas, temples and terraced rice paddies. Discover the monuments of Hué, once the capital of imperial Vietnam, including the Royal Citadel, modeled after China's Forbidden City. Explore enchanting Hoi An, 2nd-century fishing village that now blends modern luxury with its history. Searching for a keepsake? There are plenty to pick from on Cam Kim, an island famous for ornate wood carvings. On our walking trip you also explore Hanoi, Hué and Hoi An—as well as time-worn paths between quiet rural villages—before setting sail aboard a traditional Vietnamese junk among the 3,000 towering limestone peaks and islands of Halong Bay. Then (on both trips) fly to Cambodia to explore the ancient temples of Angkor, a former metropolis built to glorify a succession of Khmer kings. A sunset from atop ruins: you've never seen anything like it!
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Morocco |
| Everything about our Morocco multisport adventure is intriguing, exotic and exciting. From Marrakech, journey into the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and to the windy Atlantic. Along the way you'll hike to a mountain village accessible only by foot, savor tagines and other mouthwatering delicacies, haggle with local merchants and be mesmerized by traditional music. There's snake charmers and soothsayers in the medina, fresh tea at a Berber family's home, a beautiful World Heritage site on the coast and an unforgettable twilight camel ride along the beach and through the dunes.
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