Originally published in The Culture Newspaper January 26, 2024
The last Tuesday in January is known as National Plan for Vacation Day, a day to encourage Americans to make use of their time off from work and turn travel plans into a reality. With National Plan for Vacation Day falling on Jan. 30, here are 12 incredible adventures – from hiking to biking, skiing, rafting, RVing and cruising – to help you make the most of your time off in 2024.
Greenland by Small Ship: Sail eastern Greenland’s Scoresby Sund aboard a recently modernized, 12-passenger expedition ship with Adventure Life. Navigate the smaller branches of the fjord system and its towering icebergs, visit well-preserved Inuit archaeological sites and a remote Greenlandic settlement, and see glacier after glacier from the deck and on a hike. The ice-strengthened ship offers the comfort of en-suite cabins, an open-plan guest area with lounge and dining, and a sauna and hot tub. https://www.adventure-life.com/greenland/cruises/17439/east-greenland-explorer
Hut-to-Hut Utah MTB Excursion: The Aquarius Trail Hut System offers a backcountry mountain biking experience like no other. A system of five huts – each furnished with beds, a bathroom and a fully stocked kitchen – has been strategically placed along a 190-mile route through some of Utah’s most scenic backcountry. https://aquariustrail.com/
Florida Cycling Tour: In a region of Florida known for barrier islands, aromatic citrus groves, boating and sport-fishing, Escape Adventures is offering an uncharted and original six-day cycling excursion. Fall and winter days are consistently sunny, so guests can leave their coats and boots at home. On backroads and dedicated cycling infrastructure, this tour highlights the big cypress that defines the state’s wild interior watersheds, as well as the century-old live oaks fringed with Spanish moss that are synonymous with the region’s Southern heritage. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/florida-coast-gulf-road-bike-tour/
Galapagos + Amazon Adventure: Starting at Scalesia Galapagos Lodge in the highlands of Isabela, guests will explore some of the Galapagos Islands’ most fascinating areas, including the Giant Tortoise Reserve and Charles Darwin Research Station. They’ll also visit Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest and, from the comfort of Sacha Lodge, join expertly guided tours to discover colorful birds, fascinating reptiles, multiple monkey species and a variety of other wildlife. https://www.scalesialodge.com/programs/
Montana Whitewater Rafting: Looking for exciting Yellowstone whitewater rafting, breathtaking scenery and awesome Montana river rafting guides? Choose from a half-day whitewater trip, full-day whitewater trip, scenic float or overnight Montana whitewater trip for thrilling and exhilarating adventures. Flying Pig Adventures’ river experts ensure each trip is safe and enjoyable for all ages and experience levels. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/white-water-rafting-yellowstone
National Park RV Trip: Blackford’s brand-new, luxury RVs and campervans are low-mileage and impeccably maintained, ensuring a safe and worry-free trip. They offer flexible pickup and drop-off times, all the amenities you’ll need for a fantastic national park vacation and support to ensure a seamless rental experience. Blacksford also utilizes AdventureGenie, the easiest, fastest, most intuitive AI-powered RV trip planner on the market. https://www.blacksford.com/
Amalfi Coast Hiking Tour: Experience the pure magic of Italy’s Amalfi Coast and its enchanting satellite island, Capri, on this terrific hiking tour offered by Tourissimo. The fragrant lemon groves and vibrant flowers, the gentle breeze of the Mediterranean Sea, the verdant woods and the picturesque towns perched on cliffsides will captivate guests, much like the Sirens’ song that lured Ulysses’ sailors in Homer’s “Odyssey.” https://www.tourissimo.travel/amalfi-capri-positano-hiking
Turkish Odyssey: Uncover the story of the civilizations that made their mark on Turkey’s southwest coast during a new gulet cruise from Peter Sommer Travels that highlights the archaeology, culture and food of the region. On the Turkish Odyssey cruise, visit ancient cities, monumental tombs, a colorful market and a traditional carpet-maker, and savor wine, honey, olive oil and more produced in villages along the way. Traveling by handcrafted gulet, there will also be ample time to swim, snorkel, kayak or simply relax on deck. https://www.petersommer.com/tours/caria-turkey-food
Arizona Ranch Vacation: Play cowboy and relax in rich Southwestern color and culture at Rancho de la Osa in Arizona. Set amid the high grasslands of the Sonoran Desert south of Tucson, the ranch offers opportunities for horseback riding, hiking, shooting, archery and more. And at the end of the day, enjoy a cool drink in the cantina, hearty cuisine and accommodations that have hosted the likes of John Wayne, Joan Crawford, and President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. https://ranchodelaosa.com/
Alpine Adventure + Tradition: Explore all that Europe’s mythical mountain range has to offer while visiting the classic resorts of the Best of the Alps collection. From Megève and Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France to Crans-Montana and Davos Klosters in Switzerland, Courmayeur and Cortina d’Ampezzo in Italy, Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Germany, and Lech Zürs am Arlberg, St. Anton am Arlberg and Kitzbühel in Austria, find outdoor adventure, enduring traditions and culinary delights. https://www.bestofthealps.com/en/
Yellowstone Adventures: In Big Sky, Montana, The Wilson Hotel serves as a basecamp for a variety of adventures outside the northwest corner of Yellowstone National Park. Guests can hike through shaded forests and wildflower-filled meadows, raft or fly fish the clear waters of the Gallatin River, experience the adrenaline rush of lift-served mountain biking and ski Big Sky Resort’s 5,850 acres of terrain in winter. And the natural wonders and wildlife of Yellowstone are just a short drive away. https://thewilsonhotel.com/
Jackson Hole Tiny House Ski Retreat: Wyoming’s Fireside Resort offers 25 luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus just a short distance from Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole ski slopes, making it the perfect place to stay for a winter ski trip. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com
Since 1992, we at Escape Adventures have been blessed to shape and lead adventure travel vacations through some of the most awe-inspiring natural destinations in the world. Each successive season, our passion for adventure grows through memorable moments with our guests. Fresh air, faith, fitness and friends are the building blocks for our ventures, the treasured experiences that keep us moving forward. For those of you who have trekked and traveled with us over the past quarter century, Heather and I express our sincerest gratitude. The memories are priceless.
