Austin Adventures

Blog: https://www.austinadventures.com/travel-resources/

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/wyoming-family-yellowstoneteton/

Beyond the Park Borders: Austin Adventures Weaves In and Out of Yellowstone on Montana Multisport Vacation Journey

Details: Released on Tuesday, 20 February 2018 10:04

BILLINGS, MT – Feb. 20, 2018– A vast Yellowstone eco-system spanning Wyoming, Idaho and Montana is a world of wonder lost to most visitors whose eyes are only on one prize -- Yellowstone National Park.

The pioneer of active, multisport travel for adults and families, Austin Adventures offers a carefully crafted, six-day Montana Vacation Package from $2,698 per adult that focuses on adventures outside of Yellowstone National Park while dipping inside park boundaries for such must-sees as Old Faithful. Adult-only trip departures in 2018 are July 1 and 22, Aug. 26, Sept. 2 and 9. A version designed just for families (with youth pricing) is offered June 10, 17 and 24, July 8, 15 and 29, Aug. 5, 12 and 19. The host city is Bozeman, MT.

An extra advantage to guests on this itinerary is that they will be touring with the leading provider of best-in-class travel in this region, stretching from river-carved Gallatin Canyon and mountainous Paradise Valley to Old Faithful and beyond. This is the wild, wild West where Austin Adventures’ staff live, work and play. The company’s in-depth knowledge of the surprises buried in this home turf equate to unparalleled opportunities for active travelers to open their senses in this still untamed world.

Guests on this active itinerary will...

Hike two to six miles on easy to difficult terrain including a trek to a U-shaped glacial cirque in Big Sky’s secluded backcountry and a hike full of surprises to the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Horseback Ride with a bona fide, fourth generation Montana cowboy into the Absaroka Mountains with viewpoints overlooking all of Paradise Valley and the Gallatin Mountain Range (no experience necessary).
Raft Class II-III rapids through postcard-perfect canyons and ranchlands on the Yellowstone River (no experience required).
Tour Hayden Valley in search of elk, bison, wolf and bear, utilizing scopes and binoculars when necessary to view these animals from a safe distance.
Soak in the soothing natural waters of historic Chico Hot Springs Resort after a day spent wandering through the wilds of Montana.
Zip line across the Gallatin River in the land where the movie A River Runs Through It was filmed.

At 22 million acres, the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is 10 times the size of Yellowstone Park. Austin Adventures’ Montana Vacation explores the northern portion of this spectacular region in detail while also hitting many of the iconic highlights of Yellowstone National Park: Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin, home to the largest collection of geysers in the world, Grand Canyon and the Lower Falls of Yellowstone, Yellowstone Lake, Mammoth Hot Springsand much more.

The rate includes five nights accommodation; all meals (except one on-own dinner); services of fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides and knowledgeable local partners; use of activity-related equipment; vehicle support and land transportation; Austin Adventures T-shirt, water bottle and luggage tags; luggage service; pre-departure and packing information and incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees.

Accommodations include Chico Hot Springs Resort, home to one of Montana’s best restaurants, tucked into the foothills of the Absaroka Mountains. Here guests can luxuriate in Chico’s hot spring-fed pools in the midst of one of the most “Montana” landscapes imaginable. Guests also experience a 110-year-old homestead, 320 Ranch, reshaped with cowboy comforts as a Montana guest ranch.And near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, Canyon Lodge and Cabins provide rustic accommodations that allow guests to step back from technology and embrace togetherness in the country's first national park.

For details please see https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-big-sky-yellowstone-paradise-valley (adult-focused itinerary) and https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-family-vacation/(family-focused).

Austin Adventures also offers these other northern Rockies trips.

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/yellowstone-family-vacations/

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-wyoming-western-adventure/

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/glacier-park-vacations-tour/

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. They have been acknowledged twice by Travel + Leisure Magazine with the prestigious World’s Best Awards along with other national media accolades and distinctions. Austin Adventures has perfected the art of creating itineraries featuring exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations, incredible guides and exhilarating activities, all while keeping all-inclusive rates and services the norm. In addition to scheduled group departures on all seven continents, Austin Adventures has developed a reputation as the leader in customized trip planning and execution, all backed by the industry’s best money-back satisfaction guarantee.

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Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Blog: https://www.austinadventures.com/travel-resources/

· Montana – Big Sky, Yellowstone & Paradise Valley

Austin Adventures and Life is Good® Team Up to Launch Life is Good Vacations

Details: Released on Friday, 02 February 2018 12:44

Austin Adventures, the leader in active multisport adventure vacations for families and adults worldwide is teaming up with Life is Good, a Boston-based apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism, to launch Life is Good Vacations.

This new trip series will be uniquely designed to align adventure with a journey of self-discovery, allowing guests to connect with others and the outdoors through a refreshed, positive outlook. Life is Good Vacations are available to book now for travel dates starting in June 2018. For more info Click Here.

Life is Good has devoted 24 years to celebrating life’s simple pleasures through positive art and messaging. With the launch of Life is Good Vacations, people can now experience those simple joys while in the beauty of an incredible destination of their choice.

“These trips provide an unforgettable combo of pure outdoor fun, deep unplugged connections and true adventure,” says John Jacobs, Life is Good co-founder. “They’re a spectacular way to recharge and get a fresh perspective on the good that’s around us.”

Life is Good Vacations by Austin Adventures will kick off with a trip to Montana and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, complete with biking, hiking, rafting, and horseback riding. Travelers will savor the destination’s local cuisine, explore its hidden gems under the direction of expert guides, and enjoy its natural wonders without the stress of planning.

“The concept of ‘adventure’ is deeply engrained in the ethos of our company. We believe that every destination we visit is equipped with its own unique experience. With this partnership, we now have an incredible opportunity to translate Life is Good’s love for nature into the actual landscapes where active individuals and families want to travel,” says Dan Austin, Austin Adventures founder.

This season, vacations include both family and adult-only trips in groups of 12 or less to:

· Utah – Bryce Canyon & Zion

· Canadian Rockies – Banff to Jasper

· Costa Rica – Manuel Antonio to Punta Islita

To learn more and to book, visit lifeisgood.com.

ABOUT THE LIFE IS GOOD COMPANY

The Life is Good Company is a $100 million apparel brand dedicated to spreading the power of optimism through positive art and messaging. The company donates 10 percent of its net profits to help kids in need through the Life is Good Kids Foundation. To date, the foundation has positively impacted 8,000 childcare providers who care for over 1 million kids every year, many of whom are facing early childhood trauma. Life is Good® is a registered trademark of The Life is Good Company. Visit LifeisGood.com for more details, and follow Life is Good on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

ABOUT AUSTIN ADVENTURES

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. Acknowledged twice by Travel + Leisure magazine with the prestigious World’s Best Award plus many more national media accolades and distinctions. Austin Adventures has perfected the art of creating itineraries featuring exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations, incredible guides and exhilarating activities, all while keeping all-inclusive rates and services the norm. In addition to scheduled group departures on all seven continents, Austin Adventures has developed a reputation as the leader in customized trip planning and execution. All backed by the industry’s best money-back satisfaction guarantee.

For more information, trip listings, detailed itineraries and trip availability contact http://www.austinadventures.com, call 1.800.575.1540 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

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Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Blog: https://www.austinadventures.com/travel-resources/

Austin Adventures Names February 2018 “Family Appreciation” Month - Invites Kids & Parents to Attend a Live Webinar

Details: Released on Tuesday, 30 January 2018 11:15

Wednesday, Feb 7 Online Event to Offer Insights, Incentives and Prizes to Attendees

BILLINGS, MT – Jan. 30, 2018– Take a break from work, today is National Plan for Vacation Day! And in support and observance, the nation’s leading active family travel company, Austin Adventures, has designated the entire month of February as “Family Appreciation” month with special incentives and giveaways, plus an interactive child & parent “take a national park vacation” webinar that all ages will want to attend.

According to the U.S. Travel Association, sponsor of National Plan for Vacation Day, “51% of Americans skip the one step that could help them vacation more: planning.” Veteran tour operator Austin Adventures agrees and to assist families in their vacation planning, they encourage the public to log-on and participate in a lively and informative online webinar to be held Wednesday, February 7 at 7:00 PM Eastern Time. Click here to register.

The event is hosted by Kasey Austin, Outside Magazine 2014 Family Guide of the Year with a cameo appearance by Dan Austin, company founder, President and travel industry icon. Together, the Austin Family has set the bar for family adventure travel for decades, so much so, they are often referred to as “the First Family of Adventure”. During this informal and informative webinar focused on the younger generation, Kasey will offer tips and insights on planning and visiting America’s National Parks along with a few other popular destinations.

As an incentive to register and attend, every family that participates will receive a coupon worth $250 off their next Austin Adventures family vacation. Plus, all participating kids (age 6-12) whose parents end up booking a 2018 family national park trip will receive a cool logo-embossed backpack (on Day 1 of the trip) full of swag (logo water bottle, trip journal, field guide, hacky sack, stickers and more).

“We are really looking forward to sharing what we know and have learned from our 25+ years of taking families deep into our national parks,” said Kasey Austin. “Dan and I will draw from our own experiences and help families with real time information that can assist them in making the most of a park vacation, whether with us or on their own. There will be a follow-up email survey as well as plenty of time for questions and answers.”

The webinar will help Austin Adventures kick-off their first annual “Family Appreciation” Month. Dedicated to celebrating and encouraging family vacations worldwide, this observance comes on the heels of the company’s wildly successful “Alumni Appreciation” month held in December, 2017. Throughout the month there will be dedicated e-newsletters and blogs on family travel, special incentives, travel agent promotions and for extended families, an offer of a free trip for one guest in groups of ten or more booked. A free Insider’s Guide to Planning the Perfect Family Adventure will also be offered. Plus, for families booking an Austin Adventures family trip by February 28, 2018, each child under the age of 12 will receive a complimentary backpack.

Austin Adventures has led the field when it comes to family adventures (twice being acknowledged by Travel + Leisure Magazine as the #1 Tour and Family Tour Operator in the World). For 2018, there are over 40 family adventures planned across the globe. Here is a sampling of some of the more popular National Park itineraries on the current Austin Adventures roster. All adult rates are per person, double occupancy.

Grand Canyon National Park: 6-days/5-nights from $2,998; children from $2,698.

Alaska- Kenai Fjords National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,698; children from $3,328.

Bryce & Zion National Parks: 6 days/5 nights from $2,798; children from $2,518.

Yellowstone National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,698; children from $2,428.

Grand Teton National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,298; children from $2,968.

Yosemite National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,698; children from $3,328.

Glacier National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,198; children from $2,878.

South Dakota – Black Hills(Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monuments / Wind Cave NP): 6 days/5 nights from $2,698; children from $2,428.

Banff to Jasper National Parks6 days/5 nights from $2,998; children from $2,698.

To help plan the next family adventure, Austin Adventures’ 2018 catalog is available upon request. Please order ONLINE or call 1.800.575.1540 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For a full roster of 2018 trips that is frequently updated beyond the print catalog please visit http://www.austinadventures.com.

About Austin Adventures

# # #

Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Blog: https://www.austinadventures.com/travel-resources/

Austin Adventures Revolutionizes How Americans Experience Europe with 2018 Roster of Multisport Vacations

Details: Released on Tuesday, 23 January 2018 10:22

BILLINGS, MT – Jan. 23, 2018– A new trend is afoot. What for many years was the mainstay of adventure travel in Europe, the traditional bike tour no longer offers enough variety and satisfaction for active American travelers. Tours that can offer a combination of experiences and activities are now the hot ticket.

Decades ago, Austin Adventures (https://www.austinadventures.com/) helped pioneer the concept of multisport travel in North America. They have witnessed this evolution and, in 2018, have fully embraced European tours with much more than only cycling.

“While pedal tours are a great way to see a country, they do have their limits. The ‘perfect’ bike ride isn’t necessarily convenient or available every day,” explains Dan Austin, visionary President and Founder of Austin Adventures. “With multisport travel you can hand-pick the best of the best. Each day we focus on the perfect activity to pursue, be it biking, hiking, paddling or whatever.”

For example, Austin Adventures selects activities that each destination is best known for. “You wouldn’t want to miss kayaking in Croatia or hiking in the Dolomites, would you? Don’t get us wrong; we love cycling but we also love the excitement and flexibility multisport gives us and the experiences and memories it provides for our guests,” adds Austin.

And for 2018, to rest up for an active week in Europe, Austin Adventures is offering a complimentary hotel stay in the gateway city the night before a trip. This means a free hotel stay at a company-recommended accommodation in, among others, Paris or Amsterdam. The only condition is that the adventure trip is booked before March 1, 2018. See: https://www.austinadventures.com/special-offer-europe-pre-trip-hotel/

So, what has driven this evolution in the company’s European itineraries? Austin points to its loyal trip alumni (representing some 70 percent of annual sales). They bird-dogged Austin’s team for new ways to experience Europe beyond the company’s time-tested and popular bike tours.

The result is an enhanced and expanded roster of Europe Multisport Adventures – Beyond Bike Touring that draws on underutilized – certainly by Americans – coastal waters and lakes for kayaking, compelling alpine regions begging for hikers and more.

Austin Adventures’ deep experience in Europe – over 30 years – means that active travelers can now nibble on Europe as the locals do – taking the time off a trail and over lunch to observe, for example, how the French slice their cheeses, how Germans pour beer and how a Croatian guide’s family lives.

Austin Adventures’ Director of European Operations, Adam Beecham, wants guests to explore Europe like a European, by revolutionizing the way Americans view adventure travel. This is accomplished by incorporating physical, mental and social elements into each adventure. He also wants to dig into Europe’s highly specialized cultures with visits, for example, to futuristic greenhouses in Holland, organic wine producers in France, places where German precision and engineering are showcased, local craft breweries in Belgium and to Italian kitchens for making homemade pasta.

“Our revamped trips to Europe will be more sustainable, involve more local experts and cultural exchanges while taking in the best of each culture, all with their signature Austin Adventures service on a silver platter,” Beecham promises.

Following are a sampling of Austin Adventures’ 2018 multi-sport European itineraries:

(note: dates with * designate family-focused departures)

Holland to Germany - Amsterdam to Aachen is a 7-day program from $2,998 per person double ($480 single supplement; $2,698 children) rolling from Amsterdam in 2018 on May 13, June 10*, July 1* and 22*, Aug. 26 and Sept. 2. Activities include guided walks through the Dutch landscape of heath fields, tulips and woodlands and over the cobblestones in medieval centers including Maastricht; cycling up to 30 miles a day on designated bike paths; and learning how to blokart (sailing across a sandy beach on wheels). See https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/hollandgermany-amsterdam-aachen/
Spain – Barcelona & Cataloniais a 7-day program from $3,998 per person double ($680 single supplement) departing Barcelona in 2018 on April 22, May 13, June 3, Sept. 9 and 30 to explore Catalonia’s treasures from the Pyrenees to Costa Brava and on to the Mediterranean. Hot air ballooning (optional), kayaking, eating cava served with coca de llardons (a Catalan cake) aboard a short flight, walking, swimming, rowing, boating, biking, snorkeling and overnighting in a medieval castle embellish this food-and-wine-sated itinerary. Seehttps://www.austinadventures.com/packages/spain-catalonia/
Croatia - Dalmatian Coastis a 6-day program from $3,498 per person double ($680 single supplement; $3,148 children) with 2018 departures along the dramatic Adriatic coastline from Split to Dubrovnik on May 6, June 10 and 17*, July 1*, 8* and 22*, Aug. 12* and 19, Sept. 2 and 23 and Oct. 7. Once the realm of the Romans and the Venetians, ruins and palaces and an evolving and remarkable cuisine reflect a colorful past just across the sea from mainland Italy. Activities include sea kayaking, tastings at vineyards, hiking, biking, beaching in buggies (beach) and (optional) walking the wall around Medieval Dubrovnik after climbing many steps. See https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/croatia-dalmatian-coast/
Italy - South Tyrol and The Dolomitesis a 6-day hiking and biking program departing Verona (Italy) from $3,398 per person double ($680 single supplement) with 2018 trips scheduled May 13, June 10, July 1 and Sept. 23. This is a region in Europe coveted for its mountain-driven beauty, wines and cuisine. See https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/italy-south-tyrol-and-the-dolomites/
France - Provenceis a 7-day hiking, biking and kayaking adventure out of Avignon from $3,898 per person double ($880 single) on 2018 summer and fall departures (TBA). Roman ruins, lavender fields forever, markets and castles mingle with wine tastings and regional fare. See https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/france-provence/
Austria - Alps to Salzburgis a 7-day program from $3,698 per person double ($780 single; $3,328 children) with 2018 departures June 17 and 24*, July 15 and 22*, Aug. 5*, 12* and 19 and Sept. 2. Munich is the gateway to Salzburg, the home of Mozart, hiking, biking, rafting, spelunking and (optional) paragliding in this alpine playground with time enough for apfel strudel and beer. Seehttps://www.austinadventures.com/packages/austria-alps-salzburg/

To help plan the next great journey, Austin Adventures’ 2018 catalog is available upon request. Please order ONLINEor call 1.800.575.1540 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For a full roster of 2018 trips that is frequently updated beyond the print catalog please visit http://www.austinadventures.com.

About Austin Adventures

# # #

Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Blog: https://www.austinadventures.com/travel-resources/

Austin Adventures’ Guests Play through Game of Thrones Sites on July 2018 Tour of Northern Ireland

Details: Released on Thursday, 11 January 2018 15:51

BILLINGS, MT – Jan. 11, 2018– Fans of HBO’s blockbuster, Game of Thrones may have to wait until 2019 and the final season to find out who wins, but thanks to active travel pioneer Austin Adventures, they can visit many of the places where the action takes place during the summer of 2018. Journey to Winterfell, a new eight-day multisport adventure will visit many of the iconic set locations combined with world class hiking and immersion into the history and culture of Northern Ireland.

This July 1-8, 2018 hiking and touring journey through Northern Ireland thrusts Throners (guests) into the television drama as they visit castles and landscapes where filming for the series took place. The vast majority of the epic was filmed in Northern Ireland and each and every local has a personal Game of Thrones story to share.

Throughout this journey Throners collect “stamps” for their Game of Thrones passports. By journey’s end they will have 10 “stamps” representing film sites visited on this real-life journey of the imagination.

The per person, double, rate is $3,998 (single supplement $580) inclusive of double occupancy rooms with private baths, all meals except one dinner on own your own, fully trained, first-aid certified professional guides, full vehicle support and land transportation during the trip, luggage service, pre-departure and packing information, incidental expenses such as taxes, dining and housekeeping gratuities, local partner and expert gratuities and national park entrance and permit fees. For complete details see: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/ireland-game-thrones.

To assure that hearts aren’t lost to mythology, the tour’s first stop out of the gateway city Dublin, is Downpatrick where St. Patrick is buried. Then let fly the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, including an immersion in archery at the original film set in make-believe Winterfell (Castle Ward). After libations at three pub stops, Throners collect three “stamps” on Day 1 before bedding down in Enniskeen at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, the site on Day 2 of a seven-mile hike along an old smuggling route.

Throners collect “stamps” galore along the world-famous Wild Atlantic Way. A photo stop at Carrickfergus Castle (built in 1177) launches the stunning coast drive. Next is a tea break at Ballygalley Hotel, the oldest, continuously inhabited castle in Ireland (dating to 1625), followed by lunch near The Stormlands aka Cushendun Caves. Blasts of adrenalin follow while walking across Carrick A Rede (rope bridge) strung between two cliffs along the sea and before passing along a creepy avenue of beech trees called Dark Hedges (in situ since the 18th century).

An eight-mile hike around the cliff tops of Murlough Bay and Fairhead look over to Scotland before meandering by a traditional Clachan (cluster of small white-washed houses). On another day Throners may hike 11 miles across Giant’s Causeway, a natural sculpture playground of basalt columns created by volcanic activities millennia ago in the Atlantic Ocean. This is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Older, perhaps, than the mythology of the game Throners are playing here is the prehistoric (3,200BC) burial chamber at Newgrange, predating Stonehenge. Nearby is Ireland’s oldest community, Drogheda, settled before the 12th century. Another urban center Throners visit is Belfast, home of Titanic Studios where much of the filming for the series was done. This city is also the birthplace of the doomed ocean liner Titanic.

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. Creative itineraries feature exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations, and all-inclusive rates and services. In addition to scheduled group departures, Austin Adventures offers customized trip planning and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

# # #

Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Timing Just Isn’t Right to Travel to Cuba? Austin Adventures Points to Alternative Destinations with Comparable Culture, History, Arts and Allure

Details: Released on Wednesday, 03 January 2018 14:11

BILLINGS, MT – Jan. 3, 2018 – Staying flexible is a good strategy for life – and travel.

For example, your heart is set on experiencing the sights, tastes and sounds of Cuba. But after considerable thought, perhaps now just isn’t the right time to visit.

Because imposed tour regulations and travel limitations are the last thing anyone wants when planning a vacation, one active tour company has put a lot of thought into where to find such similar pleasures as the cuisine, culture and cigars that Cuba offers – but in other, equally alluring countries around the world.

“Cuba is one of those unique, once-in-a-lifetime trips that can’t be matched by any other experience out there. We also know there’s a lot of uncertainty regarding travel to Cuba at the moment and this makes a lot of American travelers wary. So as we look forward to the day that Americans can move more freely through Cuba, we’ve come up with other travel suggestions that won’t disappoint our savvy clients,” said Dan Austin, President of Austin Adventures, a leader in multisport and family-focused vacations here and abroad.

Dan and his veteran team at Austin Adventures’ offer these hand-picked destinations where one can source their own slice of Cuba across the globe.

If you want culture, consider Peru. As the Cubans do, Peruvians express a fascinating culture through music, dance, clothing and celebrations. On Austin Adventures’ Peru trips, guests meet women in traditional dress at Awanacancha where the art of traditional textile weaving is kept alive. A local hacienda displays folk art from the 17^th century. The historic center of Lima is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mysteries of an ancient culture come into focus trekking the Inca Trail through the “Sun Gate” into Machu Picchu. One trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/peru-machu-picchu/

If you want history older than Cuba’s Spanish occupation and more dramatic than the Castro’s revolution, look toFrance and Normandy’s beaches where in 1066 William the Conqueror crossed the channel and on D Day soldiers changed history. Trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/france-normandy/

If you want world-class cigars don’t try to compare anything to the Cohiba but give Nicaragua’s Oliva a shot. Dan Austin, cigar aficionado in his own right, says his favorite brand includes a little Cuba. Melanio Oliva first grew tobacco in Cuba in 1886 and generations continued until the pressure from the Communist-run government forced Gilberto Oliva, Melanio’s grandson, to Nicaragua. Today Gilberto and his family are Nicaragua’s second largest grower of Cuban-seed tobacco. The trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/nicaragua-granada-san-juan-del-sur/

If you want beaches, think Belize. As of November 2017, hanging out on a Cuban beach doesn’t meet the license requirements for now-stipulated “People to People” engagement. So check out Austin Adventures’ Belize Adventure where the last three days of the itinerary are on Ambergris Caye in shallow Caribbean waters. Here guests can sun, swim and snorkel the second largest barrier reef in the world, just a mile away from where they stay. The trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/belize-hidden-valley-ambergris-caye-2/

If you want nightlife, Colombia’sBogotá is giving Havana a run for its money. In this high-altitude city, Austin Adventures’ guests stay at Cité Hotel, a short walk from Zona T, the prime nightclub district (considered relatively safe after dark). Here is literally every type of music: Electronic, Bachata, Vallenato, Pop, Reggaeton, Salsa, Hip-hop, Rock. Trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/colombia-bogota-cartegena/

If you want great food and to discover a new cuisine, think Croatia where, like Cuba, a food culture is driven by a resourcefulness in response to scarcity. Traditional cuisine varies by region and historical influence (think Italian, Austrian, Hungarian and Turkish). On an Austin Adventures Croatia tour, guests learn to cook a Croatian specialty such as ćevapčiči (spiced sages) with ajvar sauce, mussels and black risotto. The trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/croatia-dalmatian-coast/

If you want distinctive lodging, Costa Rica, in the business of accommodating Americans for many years, offers world-class resorts and hotels that are yet to arrive in Cuba. For example, on one Austin Adventures journey guests begin and end their trip near San José at Xandari Resort, located on a forest reserve in the foothills of Poas Volcano. Guests enjoy Evergreen Tortuguero Lodge, five minutes from the main entrance to Tortuguero National Park accessible only by air and water. Nearby, guests raft the world-class Pacuare River into the Rios Tropicales eco-lodge to recharge in the rainforest before ending a trip “Pura Vida” -style at the beachfront Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort. Trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/women-only-costa-rica-tortuguero-to-cahuita/

If you want to sip local beverages, forego rum-based libations in lieu of Scotland where you’re sure to stop by at least one of the country’s 100 active distilleries for a wee dram of whisky. Trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/scotland-scottish-highlands/

If you want activities less focused on people-to-people and more on the great outdoors, try out one of Austin Adventures’ many U.S. national parks programs. Depending on where you travel, your days will be filled with hiking, biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, kayaking, zip lining or swimming. The trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/yosemite-national-park-family/

If you want UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Cuba tops the list and on an Austin Adventures trip here guests visit four of nine sites in eight days. But Southeast Asia also has its fair share of classified must-sees -- 37 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in nine countries. In Indonesia, for example, guests discover Borobudur, a Mandala-shaped monument near Yogykarta that immortalizes Buddhist cosmology in stone. On Austin Adventures’ Laos/Cambodia trip, guests visit Luang Prabang, Laos’s most sacred town, and Angkor Wat, the grand temple complex of Cambodia. A visit to Vietnam reveals Ha Long Bay’s dramatic limestone karst pillars, the ancient, peaceful old town of Hoi An and the Complex of Hue Monuments. A staff favorite trip to consider: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/laos-cambodia/

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. Creative itineraries feature exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations, and all-inclusive rates and services. In addition to scheduled group departures, Austin Adventures offers customized trip planning and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

# # #

Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/arizona-havasupai/

Ready for some BIG news for 2018?

Details: Released on Monday, 06 November 2017 08:01

Dear Friends,

Dan Austin has been a busy man. Coming off what has been Austin Adventures’ best year ever, the company is poised to achieve new heights in 2018 while launching something totally fresh, innovative and important. But more on that later. First, let’s look at what else is new for 2018.

· New Trips and Destinations! They’ve added a lineup of 11 new domestic and international itineraries that represent one of the most impressive expansions in the company’s nearly four-decade history. New multisport trips will be offered in the US & Canada, Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Check out the exciting lineup at https://www.austinadventures.com/new-2018-departures/.

· New Women-Only Adventures. Led by acclaimed guide and outdoors woman Kasey Austin, the company has announced three brand-new, action-packed itineraries created just for women for the 2018 season. Destinations include Costa Rica, Utah’s Bryce & Zion National Parks and Montana’s Yellowstone Country. “Women are taking on the world of adventure travel by storm!” – Austin.

· Travel Agent Bookings Have Doubled! A dedicated focus on the travel trade has paid off and 2018 stands to be another record-breaking year for agent bookings. Being an active member of Virtuoso Network as a Preferred Tour Operator and Partner has been a major factor in this growth.

· New Consumer-Friendly Reservation Policies. Guests can now change their minds 14 days from booking and more than 90 days out and still get a full refund. Plus, there are softer policies on cancelling or transferring to another trip 45+ days out. Their industry-best money-back satisfaction guarantee is still in place.

Ready for some BIG news for 2018? Now remember, this is just a teaser and more details will be announced in January along with a more formal launch. Austin Adventures is teaming up with the leading lifestyle brand Life is Good™ to offer a series of ‘Life is Good Vacations’ which will create transformative travel experiences connected to nature and rooted in the practice of joy and optimism. See: http://info.austinadventures.com/life-is-good-partnership/.

“Life is truly good. Let’s enjoy it and expand our possibilities by exploring and experiencing compelling destinations in a manner both positive, rewarding and empowering,” explains Dan Austin. Four tour locations have been scheduled for 2018: Montana, Utah, Canadian Rockies and Costa Rica.

BOSTON-AREA MEDIA EVENT

Please join Austin Adventures and Life is Good for a “soft launch” at the Life is Good Tavern, 51 Melcher Street 9th Floor, Boston, MA on November 16th (6pm-9pm EST), where you will meet Dan and Carol Austin, Founders of Austin Adventures, the team of hand-picked guides that will lead the Life is Good Vacations, and the founders of Life is Good, Bert and John Jacobs. You will hear the inspirational story behind the brand and the company, and you will learn about Bert and John’s vision for the partnership with Austin Adventures. RSVP through this link: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER. More on the January 2018 launch event in New York City to follow.

Please contact us if you have any questions on this new partnership or any of the innovative programs offered by Austin Adventuresin 2018. And, as always, if you have an assignment and are interested in experiencing a trip with them, please be in touch!

Looking forward to the future!

Dave & Sara

Widness & Wiggins PR

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Austin Adventures Adds Wilderness Glamping in Costa Rica to Its Growing Lineup of Upscale Multisport Tours

Details: Released on Tuesday, 24 October 2017 08:15

BILLINGS, MT – Oct. 24, 2017– The best of all worlds, including creature comforts while glamping in the wilderness, come seamlessly together on Austin Adventures’ new 8 day/7 night Costa Rica: Chiquita Glamping & Pacuare River Raft vacation. This is the latest of over 30 “online-only” trips featured on its award-winning website: https://www.austinadventures.com/.

With its newest Costa Rica program, year-round departures are flexible and may be arranged when it best fits participant’s own schedule, on a space-available basis. The per person double rate (based on a party of four or more) is from $3,998 for the core experience. Options exist to customize the itinerary to the guests’ wishes.

This luxury trip, without a lofty price tag, brings curious travelers to a country on the forefront of land and wildlife conservation. Over 25 percent of the country has been protected by the establishment of preserves, sanctuaries, refuges, and national parks. Costa Rica also offers one of the most biodiverse places in the world, Carara National Park located in the transition zone between Costa Rica’s wet southeast and hotter, drier northwest. The adventure begins here as guests explore the river basin of the River Tárcoles, which hosts one of the largest remaining populations of wild scarlet macaws in the country.

Guests then journey by boat to Isla Chiquita Glamping Resort, far off the usual tourist track. Home for three pampered nights, each large platform tent accommodation is equipped with a king bed, day bed lounger, private shower and bathroom with double sinks, and spacious lounging deck with stunning ocean views. From this isolated island, guests visit Curú National Wildlife Refuge with pristine beaches and abundant wildlife while gliding through the still waters of a protected bay in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard, watching tropical birds soar overhead. One morning guests transfer to Tortuga Island where white sands contrast with brilliant Caribbean blue waters. Snorkeling is popular here, as guests marvel at surprisingly colorful crabs and lobsters as well as vibrant tropical fish.

A local flight back to mainland beckons guests to engage in the premier whitewater rafting adventure in Costa Rica – on the Pacuare River (rated by National Geographic as one of the Top 10 river trips in the world). Here they visit the Cabecar Indian village and meet with the largest indigenous tribe in Costa Rica. A family of the community shares traditions they have used for centuries. After zip lining comes more rafting, leading to the deluxe, eco-sensitive Pacuare Lodge, accessible only by whitewater raft. Located at the center of a series of over 1.2 million acres of wildlife reserves, the lodge is both secluded and beautiful. Guests may opt to dine 60 feet above the forest floor in a platform built on the branches of a century-old Kapok tree. This lodge enjoys National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World status.

After two nights at the lodge and a final morning on the river, guests are transferred back to San José for a last overnight at Hotel Grano de Oro, a “Tropical Victorian” house which features a world-class restaurant. Airport transfers are offered the next morning.

For more information please see https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/costa-rica-isla-chiquita-pacuare-lodge/.

This is one of multiple programs Austin Adventures offers in Costa Rica where it has enjoyed relationships with top tourism purveyors for over 15 years.

“Costa Rica has always been our top selling international destination,” says Dan Austin, Founder and President of Austin Adventures. “We’re always on the lookout and open to what our well-established in-country contacts have to share when it comes to new, unusual and cutting-edge adventure opportunities. Together, we look for experiences away from the usual tourist track and crowds. The key is developing tour itineraries that appeal and captivate our brand of intrepid travelers.”

In the print version of its catalog, Austin Adventures features 65 separate destinations representing over 100 published tour options with over 40 also offered as a Family-Focused version. The website also showcases over 30 additional trips and destinations (not included in the catalog) outlining core itineraries that can be customized upon customer request.These online-only programs include, in addition to the Costa Rica vacation:

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/ireland-kerry-county/

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/ireland-family-kerry-county/

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/scotland-family-scottish-highlands/

https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/scotland-scottish-highlands/

To help plan, Austin Adventures’ 2018 catalog is available upon request. Please order ONLINE or call 1.800.575.1540 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. For a full roster of 2018 trips that is frequently updated please visit http://www.austinadventures.com.

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. Creative itineraries feature exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations, and all-inclusive rates and services. In addition to scheduled group departures, Austin Adventures offers customized trip planning and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

# # #

Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Three Women-Only Multi-Sport Itineraries New from Austin Adventures in 2018

Details: Released on Thursday, 05 October 2017 09:20

BILLINGS, MT – Oct. 5, 2017– An award-winning adventure company, Austin Adventures, is tapping a nationally recognized, award-winning female guide to facilitate and lead three brand-new, action-packed itineraries created for women-only in 2018.

These journeys through wild and challenging landscapes of national parks in North America and in Costa Rica are designed to address a growing demand for women-only adventure travel, said Kasey Austin, Lead Guide and Vice President of Operations for Austin Adventures. As the designated host and facilitator for these new programs, she will bring to each trip her leadership and inspirational skills that include, among others, the annual training of each of Austin Adventures’ guides. Included in her many accomplishments, Outside Magazine recognized Kasey as the World’s Top Family Guide in 2014. She holds an undergraduate degree in Education from the University of Montana in Missoula where she was distinguished as a Presidential Leadership Scholar.

Women-only travel is on the rise according to industry expert Marybeth Bond, author of The Gutsy Traveler. “Whether we are single or married, career women or stay-at-home moms, traveling with other women is empowering. Statistics show that 75% of all those who take cultural, adventure or nature trips are women,” Bond reports. Furthermore, “…24 percent of American women have taken a girlfriend getaway in the past three years, and 39 percent of American women plan on taking one in the next three years. Women are traveling to more exotic destinations, doing more adventurous activities and increasingly traveling alone.”

Kasey Austin concurs. “Over the last few years, we’ve seen a trend in everyday women taking on the world of adventure travel by storm. There’s nothing more empowering than taking a trip with other like-minded women who challenge you to push just beyond your comfort zone,” Austin said. “Women used to be portrayed as delicate figures who booked a spa vacation with the ladies for a week. Now they are looking to challenge themselves and their friends by pushing their limits together.”

Suitable for women age 16 and older, the new line-up of Austin Adventures’ women-only trips include:

Costa Rica - Tortuguero to Cahuita National Park, March 17-25, 2018: Over nine active days, women kayak the canals of Tortuguero National Park, paddle class II-IV rapids of the Pacuare River, rappel thundering waterfalls, zip line through canopies, snorkel in Caluita National Park and bike along the beach in Puerta Viejo. The per person double rate is from $3,498. For more information see: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/costa-rica-tortuguero-to-cahuita/

Utah - Bryce Canyon & Zion, May 20-25, 2018: For six days in the heady landscape of other-worldly rock formations capped with pure air and star-filled nights, women bike and hike together while being treated to one breath-taking view after another. The per person double rate is from $2,798. For more information see: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/utah-brycezion/

Glacier National Park Vacation Package, July 1-6, 2018: Over six days women cozy up to what the Native Americans call “Shining Mountains,” a region close to the heart of Kasey Austin and her company that has roots deep in this Montana soil. Ladies hike backcountry trails, raft the unspoiled waters of the Flathead, bike and even cruise by train through the mountainous scenes of the premier UNESCO World Heritage Site of northwestern Montana. The per person double rate is from $3,198. For more information see: https://www.austinadventures.com/packages/montana-glacier-np/

“I am the biggest advocate for girls ‘getting after it’ and proving they can do anything the boys can do when it comes to adventure. My goal is to get women hooked on adventure by overcoming obstacles like Angel's Landing in Zion or biking over Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier, together!” she added.

All itineraries provide, among others, double occupancy rooms with private baths, all breakfasts, most lunches and dinners, the services of an all-female crew of guides, including Kasey Austin, and of knowledgeable local partners, vehicle support and land transportation during the trip, Austin Adventures T-shirt and luggage tags, and pre-departure and packing information. See: http://info.austinadventures.com/women-only-adventures.

Exhilarating outdoor adventures that blend with cultural interactions are intrinsic to other new itineraries in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. Austin Adventures’ close-to-home programs continue to embrace US and Canadian national parks.See:https://www.austinadventures.com/new-2018-departures/.

To help plan, Austin Adventures’ 2018 catalog is now out and available upon request. Please order ONLINE or call 1.800.575.1540. For a full roster of 2018 trips please visit http://www.austinadventures.com, call (800) 575-1540 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, Montana, Austin Adventures has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a top provider of luxury, small group, multisport tours for adults and families to the world’s most captivating destinations. Creative itineraries feature exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations and all-inclusive rates and services. In addition to scheduled group departures, Austin Adventures offers customized trip planning and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.

# # #

Media Contacts: Widness & Wiggins PR:

Sara Widness / 802-234-6704 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dave Wiggins / 720-301-3822 / This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures: