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Editor's Letter,
May 2013
Dear ActiveTravels Members,
Build it and they won't come. At least that was our fear last May, when after years of toying with the idea of creating a travel consulting company, Lisa and I launched ActiveTravels. Instead, we've been fortunate to have a steady flow of exciting work since that momentous day. After years of languishing in the stalled world of publishing, we found real opportunity and a niche for people genuinely needing help with their travel plans. We want to thank you for making our dreams a reality. It's a real treat to be able to work on all your exciting vacations!
Over the course of the first year, we've compiled top-notch contacts around the world. So if you want to go on a weeklong safari in Tanzania, a guided 4-day trek from Mumbai to Agra to Jaipur, a half-day walking tour of the Gaudi architecture in Barcelona, or jaguar viewing in the Brazilian Pantanal, we know who to call. The beauty of this business is that as soon as our clients give us the thumb's up on a certain outfitter, resort, or day guide, upon return from their trip, we pass this precious information along to all our clients.
We've also been busy this past year building our inventory of Dream Day Itineraries, highly detailed daily trip planners for independent travelers. They include recommended lodging, sights, restaurants, outdoor recreation, and, most importantly, how to get from Point A to Point B. Tried and true itineraries have already been created for Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Costa Rica, London and the UK, Paris, Italy, Barcelona and Madrid, the Canadian Rockies, the Atlantic Maritimes, Yellowstone and the Tetons, Utah's National Parks, Durango and Telluride, Grand Canyon and Joshua Tree National Parks, Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, the Florida Keys, and New England.
New this year is we hope to itemize all travel stories from our previous newsletters, so if you're headed to Kenya, you'll find our description of the country without having to peruse every issue. Talking about newsletters, in this issue we go on a driving trip through Canada's Atlantic Maritimes, review the hotels we love in the Sarapiqui region of Costa Rica, remember our quick escape to Block Island, announce Abercrombie & Kent's new Connections trips, and comment on how the sequester is going to effect the National Parks this summer. Thanks again for coming along for the ride!
We hope you enjoy our May newsletter, Eat. Play. Live!
Happy travels,
Lisa and Steve
ActiveTravels, LLC
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News From the Road:
The Atlantic Maritimes Road Trip
For me, Canada's Atlantic Maritimes are an extension of New England, a place I visit yearly, if not two or three times a year to pen stories on whale watching and sea kayaking New Brunswick's Bay of Fundy, walking the dunes and biking the island-long bike trail of verdant Prince Edward Island, and listening to the live Celtic music of Cape Breton. Far less congested than parts of New England, the region is a joy to drive, the reason why it's become a requisite road trip for many Northeasterners. I still remember my first trip to Nova Scotia with my brother, mom and dad. My brother was obsessed with a book called "The Best, The Worst, and the Most Unusual" and he insisted my father drive an hour out of the way to try the best clam chowder in the world at a seaside shack. My parents may disagree but I think it was worth it!
S tart your trip just over the Maine border at one of my favorite retreats, New Brunswick's St. Andrews by the Sea. Folks come to stop and smell the flowers at Kingsbrae Gardens and walk Water Street, where two and three-story clapboard buildings from the 19th-century are now home to shops, restaurants, and bars. Most of all, visitors venture to St. Andrews to experience the 52-foot tidal shift on the Bay of Fundy, the highest tide in the world. By all means, get out on the water via guided boat tour or sea kayak to witness the wealth of sea life, from the arched back of the minke whale to the equine-like noses of the gray seal to the harbor porpoises jumping in tandem to the eagles flying overhead.
Next stop is Fundy National Park, a 2 ½-hour jaunt from St. Andrews. Just outside the town of St. Martins, be sure to drive the 10-mile Fundy National Parkway, one of the most scenic drives in the whole province. Once you reach the park, try one of the coastal trails like Matthew's Head, a great walk that starts and ends in a meadow and dips into a red spruce forest. An other 50 minutes north of Fundy National Park is picturesque Hopewell Rocks, the seastack rocks often seen on travel posters promoting New Brunswick.
From Moncton, it's a 2-hour drive, including crossing the 8-mile long Confederation Bridge, to reach Charlottetown, PEI. Cost is $45 per car to cross. Once in town, throw your bags down at the modern Dundee Arms Inn and have dinner at one of the top restaurants in the Maritimes, Lot 30. The chef makes incredibly tasty dishes from the fresh mussels, lobster, clams, and halibut he receives daily. Also on PEI, grab a traditional lobster supper at New Glasgow. Serving lobster, mussels, chowder, pie, it's their version of the New England clambake.
 Prince Edward Island will always be synonymous with that pony-tailed 11-year-old girl Lucy Maud Montgomery made famous in her 1908 book, Anne of the Green Gables. Indeed, the Green Gables site and Lucy Maud Montgomery's home in Cavendish will continue to be the top two sites for visitors to see as they make their pilgrimage to this banana-shaped island. Ho wever, there's a smaller group of visitors like me who return to PEI as often as possible to bask in the bucolic countryside.
Bike on a section of the Confederation Trail, a 217 mile-long bike trail that snakes across the island. One of my favorite parts is along St. Peter's Bay, a large inlet inundated with mussel farms and lobster traps. Nearby is the Greenwich Dunes section of PEI National Park, all dunes and marsh, perfect for a stroll on the boardwalk.
From Charlottetown, it's about a 45-minute drive to Woods Island to catch the 75-minute ferry to Caribou, Nova Scotia. Then it's another 2-hour drive to reach Cape Breton Island. Ceilidh (pronounced "kaylee" in English), in Scottish Highland terms, means a rip-roaring house party where no one wants to leave. Gaelic Cape Breton in northern Nova Scotia has turned the idea into a cultural phenomenon, inspiring some of finest Celtic musicians of our time, like Natalie MacMaster and her uncle, the legendary fiddler, Buddy MacMaster. In the summer and fall, it's hard not to find a ceilidh where you dance and sing the night away, especially if you stay at Normaway Inn, where they feature live musicians nightly.
T he next day, drive the Cabot Trail. Hugging the Gulf of St. Lawrence shoreline, around every bend you want to pull over, spew expletives of joy at the stupendous vista, and take another snapshot. Indeed, it's as close to Big Sur as the East Coast gets. Add bald eagles, moose, coyotes, and pilot whales fluking in the nearby waters and you want to leave the car behind and soak it all up. A hike on the Skyline Trail offers exceptional views and frequent moose sightings.
From Cape Breton, make the 4 ½-hour drive south to Halifax. Check out the Halifax Public Market, a large farmer's market with food and souvenirs, and the Titanic memorabilia at the Maritime Museum. An hour west of Halifax is Wolfville, a great college town in the heart of the farming and wining community known as Annapolis Valley. Have lunch or dinner at the excellent Le Caveau, a restaurant at the Grand Pre Winery.
Nova Scotia used to operate a ferry that would leave from the southern town of Yarmouth and arrive in Bar Harbor or Portland, Maine. Unfortunately, they discontinued the service. There is rumor that the ferry will be up and running again by 2014, but for now you have to drive 90 minutes from Wolfville to Digby to take the 3-hour long ferry from Digby to Saint John, New Brunswick. Then make your way south through Maine, another fabulous road trip that we'll discuss some other time.
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Four Lodgings We Recommend:
Poas Volcano & Sarapiquí River, Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a fantastic destination for wildlife lovers of all ages and we are busy creating customized itineraries for several clients traveling there this summer and next winter. There are so many regions to explore and they all have their must-see sights and must-do activities. Manuel Antonio National Park is a must for all first time visitors as this is where the rainforest meets the sea and the chances of seeing wildlife is 100%. Arenal Volcano is another frequent locale for visitors to Costa Rica who want to see the majestic volcano and the lushness of the rainforest while experiencing a bit of adventure in this dramatic setting. Canopy tours, zip-lining, dipping in the thermo-mineral pools are just a taste of all this region has to offer.
However, I want to highlight some lodgings in another area that our family visited last summer that we adored: Poas Volcano and the Sarapiqui River Basin. These locales are slightly more remote and less touristy as a result. They are magnificently beautiful and the following accommodations will enhance any visit to see this region.
We have special relationships with the proprietors of these establishments, so email ActiveTravels if you are interested in staying at any of these properties.
El Silencio Lodge
 Our family enjoyed a much-needed retreat here in the midst of the Poas Volcano Valley. On a one-hour drive from San Jose, where you'll likely fly in to their International Airport, you'll pass through picturesque towns and beautiful mountain passes on your way to the lodge. Once there, you are able to take a naturalist-led hike to one of their three waterfalls on site, you can enjoy their hummingbird garden, you can take a horseback ride to a local dairy farm to milk the cows and ride through the incredibly lush valley. Don't forget to get a massage at their spa or take an open-air yoga class. Aaaah!
Peace Lodge
 This was our first stop upon our arrival in Costa Rica last summer. We only stayed one night but wanted more! Who wouldn't? The rooms had waterfalls in the bathrooms, mini Jacuzzis and hammocks on the terrace where you could watch the hummingbirds flit and fly to your personal feeder and the hotel had a great restaurant to enjoy. I haven't even mentioned that the lodge is placed amidst The La Paz Waterfall Gardens. This is a park where you can hike on boardwalks and staircases to several waterfalls on the grounds and see countless birds, butterflies, monkeys, sloths, snakes, frogs and jaguars (in cages, don't worry!). This will acclimate you to what you will see on the rest of your visit to Costa Rica.
Poas Volcano Lodge
Thi s newly renovated and beautiful boutique lodge has only 11 rooms. With breathtaking views of the Poas Volcano, the lodge is situated conveniently only about 45 minutes from San Jose. A really nice feature is that they offer five Junior Rooms, which can accommodate families up to four people. From the lodge, you can take a walk to a nearby dairy farm, you can arrange a river rafting trip, you can visit one of the nearby coffee plantations or just cuddle up near the fireplace in the lodge's living room.
La Selva Biological Station
Th is bio station is one of the most important labs in the world for research on tropical rainforests. Covering almost 4,000 acres, the old growth forest offers a comfy environment for an incredible array of birds and wildlife. Do you want to seek out the Bare-necked Umbrella Bird or is the Chestnut-backed Antbird on your list? This is the place! Each day birding tours are offered with experienced guides and you can even go on a night time tour to see the nocturnal wildlife. Do not expect luxury accommodations here. However they do have cabins with twin beds and balconies, family houses equipped with kitchens and separate rooms, and dorm-style rooms for those traveling on a shoestring budget.
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Tour Operators We Love:
Abercrombie & Kent Connections
You've probably heard of Abercrombie & Kent. They were the first to organize high-end luxury African safaris over 50 years ago. Since then, they have expanded their reach to offer trips from the National Parks out west to every continent around the globe. Their signature is excellent service, and their trips feature luxury hotels, private, unique cultural experiences as well as knowledgeable guides with expertise in the region. Their price point, however, often turned people away.
We're excited to tell you that just last year they began their Connections series of trips. They have 17 new trips spanning six continents that offer their same authentic, intimate connection to the locale combined with their excellent service, but at a much more accessible price point. How did they do this? The groups are slightly larger at 24-28 guests, yet still very manageable. And, they have a few less perks. Nevertheless, you get the same 5 star accommodations, amazing cultural opportunities, and attention to detail that A&K is known for.
Here are few of their new Connections trips to drool over!
North America: Canyons of the Southwest
 Stay inside some of America's great national parks, leaving more time to explore. Discover Monument Valley on a hike with a local Navajo guide. Explore Rainbow Bridge on foot, an adventure most visitors to the area never experience.
~10 days from $4,845 per person.
India: Spiritual Splendors
E xperience both sunrise and sunset at the Taj Mahal. Enjoy an elephant safari on a private Rajput farm. Witness the evening Aarti ceremony on the Ganges, complete with chanting prayers and mantras, drums and bells. Take an exciting rickshaw ride through the colorful shopping district of Chandni Chowk. Visit the Deepalaya School for local underprivileged children.
~11 days from $3,990 per person.
Australia: Adventure Down Under
Le arn how to live in the bush at a family-run sheep ranch. Marvel at the size and beauty of the Great Barrier Reef with insights from an expert marine biologist. Follow a local indigenous guide down tribal paths through the Daintree Rainforest. Enjoy a personally-guided tour of the Sydney Opera House.
~10 days from $5,350 per person.
Contact ActiveTravels if you want to get started planning your trip! These trips have been big sellers this year!
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Tried & True Travel Tips:
Will the Sequester Affect Travelers to the National Parks This Summer?
Did you know that every year more than 280 million visitors visit one the nation's national parks? These travelers stimulate $30 billion in economic activity and 252,000 jobs every year. Well, all that may change this year due to the sequester that went into effect on March 1st.
National parks across the country are facing over $153 million in cuts due to the sequestration. The National Park Service permanently employs approximately 15,000 people, with the total number of employees rising to about 22,000 during peak seasons. The cuts will result in the hiring of around 1,000 fewer seasonal employees than in years past. Many of these are the rangers who educate the public on the history and the natural environments of the park they serve and operate the Park System's visitor centers.
Due to lack of staff, the doors to some of these public educational facilities will remain shut this summer. The budget cuts will delay seasonal openings, close visitor centers, picnic areas, and campgrounds, and eliminate ranger positions that are critical to protecting endangered species and historic buildings, as well as greeting park visitors and school groups.
Here are some examples of the cuts you may see if you visit any of the following parks.
- Maine's Acadia National Park will open many of their most popular sites including their visitors' centers a month later than usual.
- Several campgrounds along the Blue Ridge Parkway-America's most-visitednational park - will close for the season. Other sites like some concession areas, picnic sites, and a few visitors' centers will also close.
- Theodore Roosevelt National Park in North
 Dakota has closed its famous Painted Canyon scenic overlook to save money on the costs of staff, utilities, and custodial services. Last year 300,000 vehicles stopped at the area to catch a glimpse of the badlands where Theodore Roosevelt once ranched. - Several iconic locations in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming,
 like Schwabacher's Landing, will close for the summer (pictured here). Thirty-five weddings that were to take place here were cancelled and moved elsewhere in the park due to the need to save on staffing. - At Glacier National Park in Montana, visitors will encounter a decrease in entrance station hours, trail openings later in the season, less maintenance work on park facilities, and some reduced access to campgrounds and visitor centers. T
 here will also be decreased educational programming and ranger-led activities throughout the park. - In Philadelphia, nighttime hours at places like the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, various historic sites and Park Ranger-led walking tours are all going away thanks to the federal government's sequester.
Keep this in mind if you are planning a trip to the National Parks this year!
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Quick Escapes:
Block Island, Rhode Island
 | | Old Harbor, Block Island |
Most people associate Rhode Island with the palatial estates that sit on the southern end of Aquidneck Island in a town called Newport. Well, Block Island is the antithesis of materialism, a wild sliver of land 12 miles south of the mainland that has taken advantage of its remote setting to preserve its natural beauty. The hour ferry ride from Galilee leaves you on a pork chop-shaped island where weathered houses brave the ocean's wrath atop hillsides, bordered by old stone walls and blue-green ponds. Add rugged coastline to the equation and you have a scene that feels more like the Scottish Highlands than New England.
You'll be disembarking and most likely staying in Old Harbor, the only town on the island. Like its name implies, Water Street is a waterfront street lined with vintage Victorian white clapboard buildings looking out to sea. Gabled hotels, terraced restaurants and a few shops and ice cream parlors are housed in these structures. Located in walking distance from the ferry, the nine-room 1661 Inn is perched on a hill overlooking the Atlantic with unbeatable sunset views.
The best way to explore the island is a 13-mile jaunt on two wheels. Almost immediately after leaving town, you'll reach the Southeast Lighthouse,  standing on the highest ground of any lighthouse in New England. Stroll around the lighthouse and then walk over to the Mohegan Bluffs parking lot. A trail lined with bayberry bushes and rose hips (when the rose hips turn red, people use it to make tea) leads to the majestic Mohegan cliffs. Another path leads down to a beach where you can feel inconsequential as you walk below massive sheets of rock. Make it to this special spot, especially in the shoulder season months of May, June, and September, when it's less crowded than summer, and take a photo so we can credit you on our ActiveTravels Facebook page!
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