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GREECE: Sea-Kayaking Crete's South Shore
The Route: A seven-day village-to-village paddle through the calm aquamarine seas off Crete, with shore breaks for snorkeling, beachcombing, hiking, and eating in tavernas.
When To Go: April, October
Difficulty: Easy
Travel Advisory: Beginners will appreciate the warm, sheltered waters of the Mediterranean, the not-too-taxing four- to 12-mile daily routes, and the safety course given on the first day.
High/Low Points: Climbing into caves above Matala, a former leper colony turned hippie haven turned low-key beach resort.
Stomaching the turpentine-tasting local retsina.
Luxe Factor: Rustic lodging; Tourist hotels
Outfitters / Departures / Price
The Northwest Passage / 2 / $1,990
IRELAND: Horseback Riding In Donegal
The Route: An eight-day canter along the rugged Atlantic coast across long stretches of beach, dunes, forests, and green valleys, with overnights in country inns and guest houses.
When To Go: April-October
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel Advisory: English riding clothes are customary, high rubber boots and helmets are recommended, and a warm sweater and raingear are musts.
High/Low Points: Exiting the Kneader Forest via the Tunnel of Love, a
canopy of rhododendrons in full bloom.
Dismounting onto your derriere in the chilly Atlantic surf.
Luxe Factor: Tourist hotels
Outfitters / Departures / Price
Destination Ireland / 14 / $1,395
Equitour / 13 / $1,200
FITS Equestrian / 13 / $1,350
ITALY/SWITZERLAND: Walking The Italian Lake District
The Route: An eight-day ramble along mountain-ringed Lakes Lugano and Como, through centuries-old villages, woodlands, and high pastureland.
When To Go: May-July, September
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Travel Advisory: There's no need to compete with the sartorial excess of the Pucci-and-Gucci-clad Italians you'll meet on the trail, but you will need evening clothes for a couple of gala dinners.
High/Low Points: Sipping a Bellini at sundown on the terrace of the five-star Villa d'Este hotel, overlooking Lake Como. Suffering from Italian villa envy.
Luxe Factor: Tourist hotels
Outfitters / Departures / Price
Butterfield & Robinson / 6 / $3,195
Euro-Bike Tours / 3 / $1,995
Global Fitness Adventures / 2 / $2,600
InnerAsia Expeditions / 4 / $2,700
Overseas Adventure Travel / 5 / $3,590
Wilderness Travel / 2 / $1,555-$2,195
RUSSIA: Rafting In Siberia
The Route: A 15- to 19-day float through the Class III-IV rapids and forested canyons of the Katun River in southern Siberia, with visits to Bronze Age and Paleolithic archaeological sites.
When To Go: June-August
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel Advisory: Take along crisp American bills in small denominations; though merchants do accept U.S. currency, they won't take anything that's ripped, stained, or even wrinkled.
High/Low Points: Paddling through the spongy taiga, part of the largest forest in the world. Seeing the wilderness
ravaged by gold, silver, and diamond mines.
Luxe Factor: Camping; Rustic lodging; Tourist hotels
Outfitters / Departures / Price
East-West Discovery / 3 / $2,400
Mountain Travel-Sobek / 1 / $3,150
Wild Rivers Expeditions / 2 / $5,900
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SPAIN: Mountain-Biking La Ruta De La Plata
The Route: A weeklong, 300-mile pedal from Seville to Salamanca along a 2,000-year-old dirt path used by Roman traders and medieval pilgrims, with visits to castles and ruins.
When To Go: April
Difficulty: Moderate
Travel Advisory: The trip departs just after Semana Santa--Easter week, Spain's busiest travel time--so book hotels well in advance if you plan to sightsee before the ride.
High/Low Points: Taking a water break in the ruins of the Roman
amphitheater at Mérida. Being snarled at by camereros (waiters) when
you order café americano.
Outfitters / Departures / Price
Camino Tours / 1 / $2,065
Classic
SWITZERLAND: Hiking The Bernese Alps
The Route: A six- to 15-day walk through the high passes and lush valleys of the Jungfrau region, dropping down each night into alpine villages, including Kandersteg and Grindelwald.
When To Go: July, August
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
Travel Advisory: When you pass other hikers on the trail, say Grüss Gott, the appropriate greeting; otherwise you'll appear rude.
High/Low Points: Focusing your binoculars on climbers edging up the North Face of the Eiger. Feeling like a wimp for opting to take the tram to your trailhead for the day.
Outfitters / Departures / Price
Backroads / 4 / $1,995
Europeds / 1 / $2,695
Guides for All Seasons / 4 / $2,450
Himalayan Travel / 15 / $1,050
Mountain Travel-Sobek / 5 / $1,990
Wilderness Travel / 2 / $1,195-$1,995
Classic
TURKEY: Sailing The Turquoise Coast
The Route: A seven- to 19-day Mediterranean cruise aboard a traditional 65-foot sailing gulet, with time for swimming and snorkeling and day hikes to Lycian and Byzantine ruins.
When To Go: April-October
Difficulty: Easy to moderate
Travel Advisory: You'll spend several nights at anchorages in bustling port towns; bring earplugs to battle the loud waterfront discos, not to mention the inevitable snorer in the next cabin.
High/Low Points: Snorkeling above sunken ruins of Roman and Byzantine cities off Aperlae. Coping with the boat's balky plumbing after a
week of eating eggplant.
Outfitters / Departures / Price
InnerAsia Expeditions / 4 / $2,650
Journeys International / 2 / $2,825
Mountain Travel-Sobek / 11 / $2,300
Overseas Adventure Travel / 9 / $3,790
ROW, Inc. / 5 / $2,250
Wildland Adventures / 3 / $2,525
See also:
Trip Finder Directory
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