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Editor's Letter: August 2016
Break It Down: Australia
Hotels We Love: Romantic American Getaways
Tour Operators We Recommend: DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.
Tried and True Travel Tips: Armchair Travel Apps
Quick Escapes: Cape Breton, Nova Scotia







August Birthdays 
for our 
ActiveTravels members!

Matt Bury
Ben Hellerstein
Melanie Jermanok
Steve Jermanok
Allison Friedman
Lyla Kelber
Ann Knocke
Barry Lewis
Bill Lundberg
Katrina Lundberg
Joseph Volman



August Anniversaries
for our 
ActiveTravels members!


Allison & Andrew Friedman

Allyson & Andrew Jaffe


Please tell us yours 
if we don't have it!



About ActiveTravels
 
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 Vacations are precious investments of time with your loved ones.  

Trust ActiveTravels to provide:

exceptional suggestions on all kinds of destinations

personally-tested travel itineraries customized just for you 

an experienced travel agent who can oversee every detail

someone to be 
there for you 
before and during your trip to ensure all goes smoothly

 to find out more!












































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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Editor's Letter,
August 2016

Transitions. There's nothing easy about them. Most people are reluctant to embrace the changes ahead and just roll with them. The status quo is usually much more comfortable than dealing with the unknown, no matter how exciting the transition may be. Somehow, you are forced to realign yourself to manage a new reality where you are a bit changed and your perspective different. We all go through this.

Steve and I have a monumental transition to conquer and accept. After twenty years of parenthood, both of our babies are flying out of the nest. This was our intention all along, of course. Raise them well so that one day they can be independent, make good choices, and live life to its fullest on their own. Just because we have reached that point and we are so incredibly thankful doesn't make it easier!

So, as a complete and utter distraction as well as a profound desire to explore the planet, Steve and I are taking flight ourselves! At the end of this month, after packing up the kids, transporting them to their respective colleges and hugging them goodbye (and uncontrollably weeping), we are heading to South Africa and Botswana. Call it our "Empty Nest" trip. We are so excited about this journey and we look forward to sharing our experiences with our ActiveTravels members upon our return.

In the meantime, we are presenting our August newsletter! The destinations we cover in this issue are far-reaching from Australia to Nova Scotia to romantic destinations in America and more. 
We'd also like to introduce you to one of our favorite outfitters, DuVine Cycling, celebrating their 20th anniversary and located in our backyard of Boston.

Enjoy reading and, as always,

Happy travels!

Lisa & Steve
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Break It Down: 
Australia

All you have to do is stand on the shores of Sydney Harbour and glance over at the waterfront's two iconic structures, the billowing white sails of the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge, both no doubt basking in the seemingly endless sunshine, to understand the allure of this city Down Under. Like those first British convicts who set ashore on this continent, you'll never want to leave. It's the reason why Australia is still a very popular destination for our clients. Yes, the flight over is long, so we always recommend a minimum of 16 days, which includes the 2-day forward time change on the trip over. This will give you at least two weeks in the country.
 
Sydney
Drop your bags off in the Rocks district, the storied waterfront locale where the city was first settled. Park Hyatt Sydney, with its jaw-dropping vistas of the Opera House, is a good choice. Then taxi over to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which opens at 7 am. Early morning before the sun gets too hot and the crowds start to descend on city center is the perfect time to wander through the thickets of palm trees, the rose garden, even sections devoted to rainforest and Australian cacti.

You'll eventually reach the harbor and the Sydney Opera House, whose roof or "Sails" create a majestic centerpiece, piercing the blue skies above. You can take a tour of the interior, but we would suggest returning at night for an opera, symphony, dance or play. The acoustics inside the 2,690-seat Concert Hall are exceptional.
            
An easy walk along the shores brings you to Circular Quay, where you can catch the 30-minute ferry to Manly Beach. There's no better way to see the city skyline than from the water. Along with Bondi, Manly is one of Sydney's two most popular beaches. Pack a "cozzie," Aussie slang for a swimsuit and get ready to hit the surf.
 
Melbourne
Melbourne's Royal Botanical Gardens is even more impressive than Sydney's. In fact, the 89-acre gardens on the Yarra River, established not long after Melbourne was founded, are among the world's finest. Wander past over 51,000 plants, representing 12,000 species, or join a guided tour. Take your time to savor the beauty.
            
The Old Melbourne Gaol (the Australian spelling for jail) was built in the 19th century out of volcanic rock and is so austere that it could have come out of a Charles Dickens novel. It closed as a jail in 1929 and is now a grimly fascinating museum depicting Australia's early history. The gallows in the main cellblock is where Ned Kelly, the free-spirited bushranger who became a folk hero in the nation's emerging identity, was hanged in 1880.
            
With its converted warehouses, scrappy galleries and cool shops, Flinders Lane is often compared with SoHo. Craft Victoria (No. 31) sells designer housewares and jewelry by local artisans. Anna Schwartz Gallery shows some of the best contemporary work and Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi (51 Victoria St) represents an array of talented Aboriginal artists. With an endless array of hole-in-the-wall cafes, bakeries, sushi, sandwich, and soup bars, you'll easily find a place to dine.

There's nothing quite as magical as watching over 1,000 wild and cute little penguins emerge from the water after a day of feeding as the sun sets over Phillip Island, just south of Melbourne. The children wait not-so-patiently on the shores, squawking their heads off and wanting to eat. Then, right around dusk, the mom and dad penguins can start to be seen atop the waves and soon are waddling on the shore. How they find their young in this nightly chaos is miraculous. But they do and they regurgitate their food into the mouths of the hungry children for a nightly meal to remember. You should also be able to find koalas in the wild on this organized day trip.
 
Tasmania
Tasmania is the Australia of yore, an island the size of Ireland that boasts a diverse landscape of lush forest, dramatic sea cliffs battered by Antarctic gales, craggy peaks, and alpine lakes. Combine it with Hobart, quickly becoming an international destination for art lovers thanks to the opening of MONA, the Museum of Old and New Art, in a stunning new building, and you have an island that's worthy of your time. 

If you're in the least bit active, you should book one of the 6-day Cycle, Kayak, and Walk Tasmania tours with Tasmanian Expeditions.  Another excellent way to appreciate the vast Tasmanian wilderness is on the legendary Overland Track, a 40-mile trek that links 5,069-foot Cradle Mountain with the waters of Lake St. Clair. If you want to head to Tasmania simply for the art and food, stay at the Henry Jones Art Hotel in Hobart, check out the Farm Gate farmer's market on Sunday morning, sample the whisky at the Lark distillery, and grab dinner on the waterfront at Frank. Just do yourself a favor and put Tasmania on your Aussie itinerary. 
 
Port Douglas
Port Douglas is a low-key version of Cairns, with less commercialism. The quaint resort town, 40 miles north of Cairns, boasts four miles of beachfront and great boutique hotels and restaurants.

Another highlight of any trip to Australia is a trip into the dense Daintree rainforest. Supposedly 16 times older than the Amazon and a UNESCO World Heritage site, Daintree is home to rare plants like giant strangler figs and dinosaur trees. Not only is the forest rich with bird life, but you might also spot pythons, lizards, frogs, the sky blue Ulysses butterfly, and, this being Oz, crocodiles.

If you're feeling ambitious, we can arrange a day trip to the Great Barrier Reef. Port Douglas is the closest town and departure point to the Great Barrier Reef, though realize it's still a good two hours by boat to reach the Great Barrier Reef. It is preferable to make plans upon arrival because you never know how the wind and weather will be.
 
Did we forget to mention Uluru (Ayer's Rock), Alice Springs, Darwin/Kakadu National Park, Adelaide, and Perth? We've designed independent itineraries to Australia for clients that range from two weeks to two months. We've also recommended numerous organized trips to the continent. ActiveTravels is here to help get you Down Under, so please ask! 
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Hotels We Love:
Romantic American Getaways

Are you hoping to get away with your honey but can't think of the perfect place? Do you need a break from work, family life, and everyday demands? Is your relationship feeling a bit stale? As a wise woman once told me, every relationship needs the 3 A's: Attention, Affection and Appreciation. Now, ActiveTravels is adding a fourth A: Adventure! Here's some spots to add adventure to your relationship!

Blackberry Farm, Walland, Tennesse

Situated in Tennessee, 20 miles from the Knoxville airport and right near the Smoky Mountains, this farm is actually a lavish country estate. It's owned by the proprietors of the Ruby Tuesday chain, but don't let this dissuade you! It's actually a Relais & Chateaux property with a fabulous dining room as well as a stupendous location on the northern boundary of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The property itself is spread amidst 4,200 acres of rolling hills, two small lakes, dense forest and miles of trails. Activities on site include fishing in their stocked ponds and streams, horseback riding, jogging paths and cycling as well as canoeing, tennis and fitness center. Meals are included in their rates. This is a charming spot to hide away and enjoy the beautiful and quiet surroundings.

 
Twin Farms, Barnard, Vermont
This 300-acre estate was once author Sinclair Lewis's wedding present to his wife and the setting for their outlandish house parties. The lodgings are all-inclusive so all meals and recreation are included in the rates. Stay in one of the ten cottages surrounding the farmhouse, barn and main inn. You are surrounded by glorious views of Vermont mountains, valleys with wildflowers or colorful leaves depending on the season, stone walls and covered bridges. Known for their excellent food and top notch wine cellar, Twin Farms will not disappoint. All kinds of activities are offered from hiking, biking, fishing, golf, horse-back riding in the warmer months, to ice-skating and skiing on their private ski hill in the winter.

 
Triple Creek Ranch, Darby, Montana
This is an exclusive adults-only ranch resort on the slopes of Trapper Peak in frontier country and surrounded by the Montana Rocky Mountains. Enjoy a private guest cabin each with a wood-burning fireplace, king bed and private hot tub nestled in the trees throughout the property. Activities include horseback riding,
sapphire panning, fishing, cattle drives, whitewater rafting or a scenic float down the river, dog sledding or snowmobiling. All inclusive rates include meals, alcoholic beverages and all on-ranch activities.

 
Post Ranch Inn, Big Sur, California

This has got to be one of the most panoramic inns in America. Clinging dramatically to a forested cliff above the Pacific Ocean, Post Ranch Inn features incredible views, excellent service and Californinan cuisine in their Sierra Mar restaurant and a spectacular setting for romance. Swim in their pool open from sunrise to sunset or just luxuriate in one of 
their oversize hot tubs offering ocean views. To fully unwind, meditate or try some yoga in their yurt, enjoy stargazing, wine tastings and nature hikes. Choose your lodgings from sod-covered Ocean Houses, cylindrical Coast Houses that face the ocean head-on to triangular Tree Houses, Mountain Houses, Butterfly Houses to their aptly named Cliff Houses, not for those with vertigo. Rates include their sumptuous breakfasts.

Call ActiveTravels if you're hoping to add some adventure to your relationship!
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Tour Operators We Recommend: 
DuVine Cycling + Adventure Co.
It feels like just yesterday that Andy Levine graduated from University of Colorado and explored Europe on two wheels, stopping to sample the wares at the finest wineries in the world. Levine's passion soon became his profession as Boston-based DuVine Cycling celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2016. If you like Backroads, then you'll love DuVine. His trips are smaller, more customized. Most importantly, ActiveTravels clients come back raving about their experience, like a father and son who just returned from DuVine's Tour de France trip this July. But you don't have to be an extreme athlete to savor one of his rides in Burgundy, Provence, Tuscany, Sonoma, and other glorious locales around the world. DuVine now caters to all, including tailor-made trips for families. 

We caught up with Andy over breakfast this week and he's excited about adding new multi-sport adventures to his trips. He's also expanding to other regions like Peru, and offers year-round biking in Napa and a popular New Year's Eve trip to Santa Barbara. You can talk to Andy about his adventures in person. 

We're thrilled to announce that Andy will be leading a ride in Concord, MA, on Saturday, October 15th, solely for ActiveTravels members. So bring your bike and come ride with one of the best in the business! 

Please contact ActiveTravels if you're interested in joining us on October 15th or curious about DuVine Cycling's offerings for avid cyclists to family journeys.
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Tried & True Travel Tips:
Armchair Travel Apps

Are you dying to get away but just can't leave the office? Are your kids so young that you'd rather travel to the local pool rather than traipse to a body of water in another state or yikes, another country? Here are some ideas for armchair travel. Check these apps out!


If you want a virtual travel experience, try exploring this app. It's a collection of panoramic photos of famous travel destinations taken from a birds' eye view. Curious to see the Taj Mahal, the Eiffel Tower, a volcano in Iceland or the beaches of the Dominican Republic? Each month, new 360 degree aerial photos of exquisite places are added to delight and inspire you for future travels. $2.99 on iTunes.


Virtual reality is all the rage right now and the travel industry is gearing up to use this technology to show potential travelers just what they could be experiencing if they book a certain hotel room or sightseeing tour or a destination to a specific locale. At certain Marriott hotels, one being Marriott Marquis in New York City, you can borrow a virtual reality headset for 24 hours and experience three VR postcards where tour guides take you to Beijing, the Andes Mountains in Chile and Rwanda to inspire travelers to see new places.

If you want to swim with sharks, ski downhill with Bode Miller, learn how to forage for food, or skateboard down San Francisco's famous Lombard Street, you've got to check out Discovery Channel's virtual reality site. For fans of their shows like Deadliest Catch, Survivorman, Puppy Bowl, andMythBusters, viewers can virtually experience these adventurous videos all in the safety of their own home without any bruises, wet swimsuits or dog breath.
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Quick Escape:
Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

With WestJet's new direct 1 hour, 40 minute flight from Boston to Halifax, you now have easy access to Nova Scotia. From Halifax, it's a 4-hour drive to Cape Breton, where I was fortunate to be in late June. 

Cape Breton is a mesmerizing mix of rolling summits, precipitous cliffs, high headlands, sweeping white sand beaches, and glacially carved lakes, all bordered by the ocean. Drive the Cabot Trail, a road that hugs the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and around every bend you want to pull over to 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. Sightings of bald eagles, moose, and pilot whales fluking in the nearby waters only add to the excitement. 

There are also a number of worthy attractions. Golf Digest has already called Cabot Cliffs one of the top 10 golf courses in North America and it just opened this summer. Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Park is located in his former summer home in the small town of Baddeck. In 1955, Graham Bell's two daughters donated thousands of original artifacts to the museum, including a bicycle that he hoped one could pedal on water, his invention of the gramophone, and the metal detector he used on President Garfield to try to locate the bullet after he was shot. A final stop is the Glenora Distillery to sample their single malt whisky. Cape Breton is perfect for a quick August or September getaway. 

Let us know if you want us to help you plan your trip to Cape Breton! Contact ActiveTravels.
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