July 2016

Fine, sustainable lodgings mixed with authentic experiences are in the DNA of Costa Rica, and Rico Tours president Leigh Ann Cloutier is excited about the country’s newest: Chayote Lodge.

Adventure travelers in general, and baby boomers in particular, have both ample appetites and ample budgets for vacations that mix up active adventure and involving cultural experiences, enhanced by expert guides and top-quality comfort, according to the Adventure Travel Trade Association. And that’s where the growth market seems to be in the wide and wonderful world called Asia, where clients will find a host of different paths to exploring far horizons on journeys beyond the ordinary.

Israel is known for its Holy Land treasures—and rightfully so—but tell your clients that this tiny country is much more than a mecca for religious-focused travels. This country is made for visitors seeking out active exploration and cultural interactions with the locals.

Sea turtles, blooming gardens & a dash of English china... It’s the scent that lures you in, and then it’s the lively ambiance and tasty fish that keep you hanging out for hours. For clients who want to immerse themselves in the local culture and experience a colorful hangout, with authentic Barbadian music and food, Oistins Fish Fry is a top experience in Barbados.

“The average couple staying for one week at a Sandals Resort will take three Island Routes tours.” That insider’s comment at JAPEX is Exhibit A for making the case that Caribbean beach holidays have changed. Sure, even the most active and inquisitive travelers still lounge around the pool, but they also want to do things, see things. Following are five experiential activities that are hot—and are best booked in advance.

Today’s modern traveler wants to connect with a destination’s past, and traveling via rail offers a peephole into those bygone times, a great complement to the castles, museums and cafes often visited when traveling through Europe.

Fifty years ago Lindblad Expeditions founder Lars-Eric Lindblad led the first citizen explorer expedition to Antarctica, marking the invention of the category of “expedition travel.”

Watching fellow passengers gracefully samba and cha-cha to a live band as white-gloved waiters served a formal high tea in the elegant Queen’s Lounge, stopping by the sidewalk bistro-style Grand Dutch Cafe for a sandwich and brew, watching movies under the stars, and savoring our artistically presented gourmet dinner in the new Sel de Mer French restaurant were just a few of the highlights for my husband and me during a recent sailing on the ms Koningsdam.

Never underestimate the power of a hotel to capture for guests the specialty adventures of its immediate neighborhood, and to unlock the essence and authenticity of its locale. By opening new hospitality horizons, Latin America hotels continue to change the landscape of vacation planning for the active and adventurous traveler, while also delivering memorable cultural experiences. Let’s consider some prime-time examples...

A wellness-focused getaway wrapped with a bit of local experiences make for an ideal vacation that everyone from adventurous millennials to well-traveled baby boomers can appreciate.