2011 promises to be a very exciting year for all Quivertree families! After recently adding Thailand, Morocco and Turkey to our growing list of terrific destinations, we will next focus on Europe. France, Spain and Italy should all be on offer in the next few months. But these will not be 'regular' or 'traditional' European vacations. Instead, we will create interesting, fun and adventurous family trips. Whether it be off the beaten path adventures in Corsica (France), hiking and cycling in Italy, or staying in castles or on farms in Spain, Europe for families is amazing!
 

Then, in the second half of the year, after some research trips, we will most likely be adding Peru and Ecuador. Add the mystery of Machu Picchu, the color and excitement of Cuzco and the fantastic markets of Ecuador, and you have a trip of a lifetime.

Watch this space...

This month we feature our friend Leigh McAdam, who is the author of the wonderful blog, www.hikebiketravel.com

Trips to Moab, Utah have stood the test of time as a family favourite. For years we lived in Boulder, Colorado which is only a six hour drive from Moab. So every year once the kids hit the age of 10 we would try and fit in at least a long weekend to this incredibly scenic section of the US.

What makes Moab special?

Moab is one of the premier mountain biking towns in the world. You don't have to be a hardcore biker to take advantage of the trails. And who says you can't get off your bike and walk a section if the going gets tough. Try one of these easy trails - Klondike Kliffs, Polar Mesa or the Colorado River Overlook in Canyonlands National Park. You can also ride a short practice section of the famous and difficult Slickrock Trail before committing to the whole 9.7 miles.

Hiking in Arches National Park is superlative. The Park offers a landscape of otherworldly red rock formations and over 2000 natural sandstone arches. There are lots of short hikes and kids can't but be impressed with the geology.

Canyonlands National Park is another gem. It is broken into four sections; the Needles, Maze, Island in the Sky and the Rivers. One summer our family paddled the Green River (about a 5 day trip) until it reached the confluence of the Colorado River. This is the heart of Butch Cassidy country, with colourful cliffs and big skies. The canoeing is easy but August is not the time to go. Temperatures soared to 100F and by mid morning our canoe was too hot to touch. We often swam instead of paddled.

Wonderful hiking in the rest of Canyonlands is possible. You could literally spend weeks checking out the canyons. The Needles district is a feast for the eyes and it wouldn't be hard to get lost in the Maze.

Leigh McAdam shares her hiking and biking guides online and blogs 4-5 times per week about travel at http://hikebiketravel.com/askleigh-blog-adventure-travel/.

In our line of work, it is always our own kids who are the guinea pigs when we explore possible new Quivertree destinations.

This past summer, as an extension of our trip to Turkey, I took my family to the Republic of Georgia. This small country was once the #1 tourist destination in the former Soviet Union, but independence brought with it conflict and the complete disintegration of the tourist industry. Things are now changing, and we discovered an incredible country, rich with fascinating cultural sights and some of the most amazing scenery we have ever seen. Georgia felt safer than most countries we have been to.

The highlight of Georgia is without doubt the incredible Caucasus Mountains. These are some of the highest mountains anywhere, and exploring the Caucasus is an adventure that is unparalleled almost anywhere in the world. Scattered amongst the isolated valleys are ancient villages, each dominated by tall watchtowers that have protected the inhabitants for centuries. We visited a house with furniture intact from the 12th century, and sat on chairs over 800 years old. Farmers still cut hay with scythes and use carts drawn by yoked oxen, while village streets are a veritable zoo, with pigs, cows and chickens scurrying about. For adventure seekers, this is an incredible place - the hiking is spectacular, and horses are a principal way of exploring the mountains.

Jeeps are indispensable - the poor roads are one of the main reasons why this region has always been a refuge from invaders and conquerors over the millennia.

Georgia is at least twenty years behind its neighbor Turkey in tourist development. In the mountains, time seems like it has stood still for the past 100 years. While this means that Georgia will remain well off the tourist map for the majority of travelers, it offers adventurers an unsurpassed opportunity to see one of the most beautiful countries in the world in a pristine state.

If this type of an adventure appeals to you, Quivertree is able to arrange an expedition for your family - summers only (July-August), and for families with kids aged 12 or older, this will include jeeping, hiking, horse riding and camping through incredible mountains and villages. Accompanied by your own English speaking guide and driver, you'll eat in village houses and see life almost unchanged over the past centuries. Georgia is easily reached via major European cities, as well as Tel Aviv and Istanbul. 

Contact Gideon at gideon@quivertreeworld.com for further details.

Guatemala color

 The New York Times has published it's 41 places to go in 2011. Makes interesting reading

 http://travel.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html?ref=travel

Lonely Planet has brought out its list of Top Places to go in 2011. Here it is

 http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/travel-tips-and-articles/76164

Finally, as we'll do every newsletter, a brief paragraph about our favorite family destinations. Today Guatemala.

This is another adventure destination, but here the adventure is the riotously colorful local Mayan culture that will embrace you virtually on arrival. The country is a spectacle of color - from the traditional clothing, to the unbelievable markets, textiles, music and overall atmosphere - that will enchant you and leave you feeling a love for this wonderful country. It is a great family destination - we studied Spanish together for a week in Antigua, a beautiful, charming once great colonial town which is an excellent base for exploring the surrounding countryside- which includes great jungle ruins (most famously Tikal), markets you have to see to really believe, spectacular scenery and volcanoes (any country with unforgettable Volan Pacaya deserves a visit just for that - see my report at http://travellingdad.wordpress.com/2009/11/06/antigua-volcan-pacaya/), and if you like Caribbean beaches (disclaimer : we did that part on the Honduran island of Roatan). It's a destination small enough to feel doable at a relaxed pace in a perfect climate (OK, Tikal was stinking hot) with friendly people all around, a safe feeling, and many distractions to keep the whole family occupied and engaged throughout. 

Incredible Volcan Pacaya