Create five-star memories with an epic adventure trip. Here are five ideas to consider.
Whale watching in Magdalena Bay, Mexico
Witness gray whale mamas and their calves in the nursery waters of Magdalena Bay during a Baja California adventure.
It’s among the best places in the world to get an up close view of a natural cetacean nursery. Led by expert Lindblad guides, you’ll also have the option to kayak and paddleboard in stunning mangrove forests, go hiking and fat-tire biking across diverse landscapes and scope for pelicans, osprey and frigate birds under sunny skies. By night, you’ll relax aboard your expedition ship, anchored in sheltered waters. It’s a perfect time to share stories and peruse the blanket of stars overhead.
For more: www.expeditions.com
Amazing Antarctica
Plan ahead for a voyage of a lifetime to introduce the budding scientists in your clan to a one-of-a-kind wilderness. In addition to seeing penguins waddle or whales breach amid blue-tinged icebergs, kids (and adults) will learn how climate change is affecting the ice and wildlife as part of an Antarctic expedition. During an Abercrombie & Kent journey to this wild southernmost destination, zip to remote islands via Zodiac boats where Crabeater and Weddell seals loll on the ice, view ever-changing ice formations, observe smile-inducing Adelie, Gentoo and Chinstrap penguin colonies and embrace the opportunity to step where few have ventured before. Your family will also learn nautical knot-tying with a former British Royal Marine commando, join kids-only scavenger hunts, and learn from deep-sea presentations by a marine biologist as well as a photo-coaching workshop for teens and kids-only Zodiac lessons with a naturalist guide. Ask about offers for family and multigenerational groups.
For more: www.AbercrombieKent.com
Bike the Baltics
This compact region, including Latvia and Lithuania, is rich in scenic beauty, history and heritage. Given the largely flat terrain and cycle-centric culture, it’s possible to explore the area’s ancient ruins and fairy-tale-like castles, as well as to sample the important cultural and folk traditions in one 10- or 12-day biking trip. You’ll also want to explore the medieval old towns of capital cities – Riga and Vilnius – during your two-wheeled adventure. Consider a visit to the Hill of Crosses, a fabled pilgrimage site covered with more than 100,000 metal and wooden crucifixes and other religious icons.
For more: https://visiteurope.com/en/destination/baltic-states/; www.VBT.com
Adventure in Alaska
Our sparsely populated and endlessly captivating 49th state lures those who yearn for epic scenery, spouting whales, glaciers the size of small countries and wandering wildlife. Experience family travel in rugged Alaska by road and rail, via boutique yachts and expedition ships or small group tours. Aboard smaller vessels you’ll have meaningful cultural experiences, find your way to natural nooks and crannies, opt for hiking and kayaking and discover rarely visited wilderness areas, increasing the chance for up-close wildlife viewing. Those who venture to America’s last frontier will be rewarded with Mother Nature in all her glory.
For more: www.uncruise.com; www.gondwanaecotours.com; www.travelalaska.com
Mountain biking in Canyonlands National Park, Utah
It’s a combination of solitude and pulse-pounding adventure. Utah’s 100-mile White Rim Trail in Canyonlands National Park loops in and out of multicolored spires, arches, buttes and mesas carved by the Green and Colorado Rivers. You’ll experience expansive views, blooming cactus, and snowcapped mountains as you loop around and below Island of the Sky mesa. During the four-day mountain biking and camping tour, guests will ride the famous route but also detour to admire secret passages, hidden slot canyons, natural rock arches and ancient Puebloan ruins.
For more: www.escapeadventures.com
