9-day, 8-night kayaking tour off the coast of ITALY, June 2-10, 2016. Highlights: In Olbia, historic center/next to Supramonte Mountains, launch kayaks at Cala Conone on Gulf of Orosei to explore sea caves, grottoes/hike into Gorropu Gorge/Bronze Age Nuragic sites/coastal town of Alghero/Porto Ferro bay/kayaking, swimming at Caprera and La Maddalena islands. Land, $4,595 ppdo. Single supp., $750. Tofino Expeditions (Salem, OR; 800/677-0877, www.tofino.com).
9 days, 8 nights (min. age, 12). Highlights: Motor from San José to Pacuare River/class III-IV rafting on Pacuare/Tortuguero National Park, home to 300 bird species, sloths, otters, Sea Turtle Museum/in a village, children learn each other’s languages through word game/paddle board or kayak at Agujas Beach/dine in family home/zip-line over rainforest/see wild animals up close at Osa Animal Sanctuary/twilight wildlife walk at Hacienda Baru/day 7, choice of waterfall jumping, horseback riding or snorkeling. Land and internal air, $3,995 ppdo (for ages 12-16, $3,795).
I am a longtime subscriber to ITN, which I enjoy very much as I have been to 86 countries. I returned in April ’08 from a trip to Rome, San Marino, Malta, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.
I even slept on a pad on the Saharan sand dunes under the stars. I am 83 years old and am quite crippled with arthritis, but those Tuaregs sure know how to take care of the handicapped. Of course, they had to lift me back up every morning.
On selected departures of Quark Expeditions’ “Active Adventure” Antarctica itineraries, Nov. 22, 2008-Feb. 26, 2009, travelers can choose from these options: a day of mountaineering or cross-country skiing, kayaking trips through Antarctic Peninsula waters or a night of camping on the Antarctic snow.
No one planning a trip to Europe needs to be reminded to see Big Ben and the Leaning Tower. But it’s the unusual experiences that are often the most memorable part of a trip. Study up in advance and you can enjoy places and experiences like these.
Visitors to Montserrat can rent 2-person inflatable kayaks with clear panels in the bottom for observing life around deep-water reefs. The collapsible, Hanauma-brand kayaks store in a mesh bag for transport by car.
Rental costs start at $15 per hour at Scuba Montserrat (P.O. Box 289, Brades, Montserrat, West Indies; phone 1 664 496 7807, e-mail scubamontserrat@gmail.com or visit www.divedestinationmontserrat.com).
12 days/11 nights includes eight nights on M/S Fram. Highlights: From Buenos Aires, ARGENTINA, fly to Ushuaia to embark Fram/Drake Passage/penguins on Half Moon Island/elephant seals in Neko Harbour/whales in Wilhelmina Bay. With air from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia, $5,919 (outside cabin). Adventures for Singles (Atlanta, GA; 877/813-9421, www.adventuresforsingles.com).
Hestasport-Activity Tours (Vegamót, 560 Varmahlíð, Iceland; phone +[354] 453 8383, fax 8384, www.rafting.is) offers whitewater rafting trips in northern Iceland. From May until Mid-July, the region has sunlight 24 hours a day, which allows for rafting at midnight, not to mention a mid-ride stopover for pancakes and hot chocolate with rum.
A 4-hour trip on the West Glacial River includes 1½ to two hours on the river, costs ISK6,500 (near $68), with drysuits, booties, gloves and helmet, and must be arranged in advance.
Thames River Adventures (32 Whitmore Close, London N11 1PB, U.K.; phone 020 8361 3009 or mobile 07773 720 860, www.thamesriveradventures.co.uk) offers kayak and canoe trips along the Thames, April through October. 2009 prices run £50 (near $136) to £99 ($175), depending on duration (two to 4½ hours).
The company also runs 3-day guided kayak or canoe tours from Oxford to London in September and October.
10 days/nights in KENYA; departures Oct. 30, 2010, and Oct. 30, 2011. Highlights: Game drives for the Big Five in Amboseli National Park/balloon ride in Maasai Mara/visit Born Free Trust conservation project. Land, $5,891 (through Dec. 21, 2010). Single supp. on request.
Baobab Expeditions (Lake Success, NY; 516/622-2279).