Austin Adventures

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Austin Adventures Embraces 2016 National Parks Centennial with Free Travel for 4th Graders, Donations to Tourism Cares and Death Valley Conservancy

Details: Released on Thursday, 10 September 2015 09:18

BILLINGS, MT – Sept. 10, 2015– Perhaps Austin Adventures’ premier claim to fame over 40-plus years is the company’s commitment to sharing the beauty and lore of America’s National Parks, celebrating a milestone in 2016 that Dan Austin, Founder and President, can’t pass up.

“At Austin Adventures, National Parks are what we do best. Our homegrown guides have been leading small groups through America’s most pristine and protected lands for decades. Combine our legacy with that of Xanterra Parks and Resorts – who first hosted guests at the Grand Canyon in 1901 – and you can rest assured that when it comes to behind-the-scenes access and insider’s knowledge, our National Parks’ experience is simply unbeatable,” Austin said.

To mark the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service, the National Park Foundation and companies such as Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/) will be lending financial and promotional support to a variety of national initiatives. Specific to Austin Adventures will be

4th Graders Travel FREE in 2016: The National Park Foundation and the White House are launching an Every Kid in the Park initiative whereby 4th grade students across the country have free access to National Parks throughout the 2015-2016 school year. As advocates of this program, Austin Adventures is waiving trip fees for all 4th graders traveling on any National Park adventure with them in 2016. (Offer subject to certain conditions, see: http://www.austinadventures.com/find-your-park/)

Preserve A Park Program: Since 2010 Austin Adventures has helped honor and protect “America’s Best Idea” by sending a portion of specific National Park program bookings to a designated non-profit organization dedicated to national park preservation and education. In 2016 each booking of Austin Adventures’ Death Valley National Park adventure will generate a $100 donation to The Death Valley Conservancy http://deathvalleyfund.com/ a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide support and private funding for projects that preserve, protect or enhance Death Valley National Park by improving the area's natural, cultural and historic resources as well as the visitor experience.

In past years Austin Adventures sent checks to Glacier National Park Fund (Montana), the Yosemite Conservancy (California), Canyonlands Natural History Association (Utah), Crater Lake Natural History Association (Oregon), and Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota). In 2015 the recipient was the Grand Canyon Field Institute.

Tourism Cares, Inc.: As a participant in The Centennial Tour Operator Program for upcoming National Park Service Centennial, Austin Adventures will donate $2 from each guest booked on one of if its National Park trips in 2016. Donated funds will be used by Tourism Cares and the National Park Foundation to bring more than 1,000 industry volunteers to aid restoration projects at five National Parks engaging hundreds of companies for tens of thousands of dollars of labor and materials. The program will also help promote National Parks and will make grants directly to support park priorities and projects. Tourism Cares, Inc. is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit public charity that benefits society by, among others, preserving the travel experience for future generations by awarding grants to natural, cultural and historic sites worldwide.

Nearly a dozen National Park trips are on Austin Adventures’ 2016 schedule. All adult rates are per person, double occupancy.

Grand Canyon National Park: 6-days/5-nights from $2,798; children from $2,238.

Kenai Fiords National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,498; children from $2,798.

Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks: 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998.

Yellowstone National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998.

Grand Teton National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,998; children from $2,398.

Yosemite National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $3,298; children from $2,638.

Glacier National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,898.

Arches & Canyonlands National Parks: 6 days /5 nights from $2,698; children from $2,158.

South Dakota – Black Hills(Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse Monuments / Wind Cave NP): 6 days/5 nights from $2,498; children from $1,998.

California – Death Valley National Park: 5 days/4 nights from $2,598.

Oregon – Crater Lake National Park: 6 days/5 nights from $2,798.

To receive print and or digital copies of the newly released 2016 Family Adventures and Adult Adventures catalogs, please go to: www/austinadventures.com/request-catalog/ . For more information about Austin Adventures programs in National Parks please see: http://www.austinadventures.com/national-park-vacations/. To inquire about destinations and trips or to make reservations please 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, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts®portfolio of experiential leisure offerings.Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway and The Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resortin Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations, and Country Walkers.

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Follow Austin Adventures:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/austnadventures

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures

Media Contact: 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 / 303-554-8821 /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a Portfolio of Past News Releases Visit: http://www.travelnewssource.com/

Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BoulderDave

Austin Adventures Identifies Latest Trend in Luxury Travel: Over-the-Top, High-End Custom Trips for Multi-Generation Families

Details: Released on Tuesday, 25 August 2015 10:06

BILLINGS, MT – Aug. 25, 2015– Austin Adventures’ legacy of arranging small group, vacations to the world’s most enticing destinations for active travel spans more than four decades. This legacy also leads to trend spotting.

The latest direction in luxury travel that Dan Austin, Founder and President of Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/) sees is the “ultra-high-end”, over-the-top custom trip for multi-generation families. What was once a rare request, his team is now asked quite frequently to arrange a week of adventure wrapped in luxurious amenities where price is no object. According to Austin, demand for this level of spending on vacations is up 40 percent from just three years ago.

Multi generation family travel has been on the upswing for some time now. A trend of its own, Austin Adventures has seen an increase in this demographic as well, up nearly 50 percent over the past three years. According to the Virtuoso Luxe Report, in 2014 three out of 10 grandparents traveled with their grandchildren and eight of 10 families arranged for the grandparents to join in the fun.

“We are seeing more clients who say price is not a concern when planning an exclusive, custom-built adventure. However, creating a special VIP experience with lasting memories is an imperative!” Austin said. “Total privacy, security and discretion are also priorities that we understand and know how to provide.”

His staff is uniquely positioned to satisfy this growing market. “Whether searching for the hidden property in Belize or finding the best secluded spot for a backcountry birthday party in Zion National Park or figuring out how to fly in a band for a musical surprise, it’s extremely gratifying putting our decades of experience in the field to use planning something incredibly special,” Austin said.

A list of Austin Adventures’ over-the-top experiences reads like a billionaire’s bucket list. One such vacation took place on the island of Kauai where 10 friends shared a 60^th birthday party with helicopter rides, a champagne brunch at the top of Waimea Falls and a private Luau and Pig roast with a musical trio. Flowers were dropped on the party from a helicopter.

His company recently fulfilled a request from a pair of grandparents who wanted to celebrate their 55^th wedding anniversary and treat their kids and grandchildren (14 in total) to a two week Western adventure from Yellowstone and the Tetons to South Dakota’s Black Hills. The itinerary included a private walking tour of Little Bighorn Battlefield with a local historian and a hike up Harney Peak (highest point east of the Rockies at 7,244’) enjoyed by part of the group while the kids went hiking and swimming at Sylvan Lake with the grandparents. The trip also included an all-day horseback ride with fourth generation Montana ranchers and a private chuck wagon dinner just for the family at a secluded spot overlooking the Tetons.

Thanks to the Austin Adventures team, an international celebrity and his family toured incognito behind the scenes in Yellowstone National Park. And an exclusive yacht for an extended family of 20 was secured for the Christmas Holidays in the Galapagos. Their wish to cross the Equator on the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve was fulfilled.

Austin Adventures’ reputation among the famous and ultra-wealthy has spread. “Our guest list, if we could publish it, would read like a Who's Who in this country: governors, congressmen, Forbes 100 list makers, philanthropists, Silicon Valley entrepreneurs, Television and Hollywood personalities and more,” Austin reports.

A recent satisfied client wrote, “Austin Adventures definitely wrote the book on customer service. From hand-written notes when we booked to friendly follow-up calls before departure, then the personalized messages every day and treats left by the guides in our hotel rooms, this trip was the best experience imaginable.”

Austin attributes much of their success in being able to pull off the impossible to their recent induction into the Xanterra Parks & Resorts family of companies. This connection, especially when it comes to tours in National Parks, helps his team meet the needs of what can be a demanding market.

“Austin Adventures was one of the first tour operators to offer multisport family trips in National Parks over three decades ago. And to this day, our guests benefit from our expertise and connections. Because we are owned by Xanterra Parks & Resorts we can offer the best rooms in national park lodges (think views of forest and wildlife not the parking lot), VIP services from park staff, behind-the-scenes access, insider conveniences and more. Through long-standing relationships and knowing who to negotiate with, we can provide VIP and behind-the-scenes access to experiences not readily available to the traveling public.”

For more information on all of the destinations, trips and itineraries offered by Austin Adventures visithttp://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, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts®portfolio of experiential leisure offerings.Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railwayand The Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountainand Petrified ForestNational Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resortin Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodgesas well as the Geneva Marinaat Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resortin Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

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Follow Austin Adventures:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/austnadventures

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures

Media Contact: 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 / 303-554-8821 /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a Portfolio of Past News Releases Visit: http://www.travelnewssource.com/

Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BoulderDave

Austin Adventures Suggests Seven Trips on Seven Continents to Enjoy or Book This Fall

Details: Released on Wednesday, 29 July 2015 09:53

BILLINGS, MT – July 29, 2015– Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/) enjoys a legacy spanning more than four decades of engaging travelers on small group trips to the world’s best destinations for active travel. With another record-setting summer winding down, the company turns its focus on the fall and upcoming winter seasons and recommends seven best-in-class adventures on seven continents.

Since inception, Austin Adventures founder, president and trip visionary, Dan Austin, had the goal of spanning the globe with world-class adventure itineraries for the intrepid traveler. This was finally accomplished in 2015 with the addition of Asia and small ship river cruising in Vietnam and Cambodia (departures offered December through April).

“While it’s hard to beat summer in Montana, my favorite time to travel is in the fall when the crowds thin out and you get the feeling you have a special place all to yourself,” shared Austin. “We put our collective heads together and have come up with a list of trips to either be taken in the fall when conditions are ideal or booked now before space disappears for prime-time winter travel.”

All of these trips listed include accommodations, most meals, transfers, required equipment, knowledgeable guides and more. Prices are quoted per person based on two people sharing an accommodation. More details are available by calling (800) 575-1540, visiting online at http://www.austinadventures.com/ or by contacting the company via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

North America

Fall is prime time in Southern Utah, and Austin Adventures’ Bryce/Zion National Park Adventure (multisport or all-hiking versions) covers the best of two national parks. From $2,398 per person for 6 days/5 nights, departures are scheduled Aug. 23 (hike) and 30, Sept. 6, 13, 20 (hike) and 27 (hike). This intimate tour brings guests past multi-colored hoodoos and spires, slot canyons and hanging gardens. Hiking Zion’s Virgin River Narrows, ranked one of America’s best adventures by National Geographic, is a must-do fall activity. The miracles of geology and ultra-clear nighttime skies play stellar roles enroute. See: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/utah-brycezion/

South America

No better time to head to the tip of South America than during fall and winter (their spring and summer). Chile – Northern Patagonia is the trip choice, priced from $5,898 per person for 10 days/9 nights, with weekly departures September through April on a custom basis with a minimum of two people. Hiking, biking, rafting and horseback riding reveal the jaw-dropping scenery in the Northern Lake district between Chile and Argentina. Artisan villages, deserts, a choice of 20 different treks and an end-of-day local Malbec to sip with exemplary local cuisine makes this journey to the end of the world worth it. See: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/chile-northern-patagonia/

Europe

It’s the favorite time of year for locals! Austin Adventures’ France/Provence Multisport (from $3,698 per person for 7 day/6 night departures Sept. 6 and 27 and Oct. 11) is the escape of choice. The tapestry of fertile vineyards becomes more vibrant in the fall, as ancient Roman ruins mingle with the oh-so-present fragrances of lavender, honey and thyme, and markets rife with summer’s bounty tempt between-meal snacking. But wait! A bouillabaisse and baguette with fromage de chèvre paired perfectly with a glass of crisp local rosé await. See: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/france-provence/

Asia

Now is the time to reserve a December 2015 through April 2016 vacation in Bali (recommended travel months for this region). Bali – Indonesia Luxury Adventure, bookable with just a minimum of two people (from $5,398 per person for 13 days/12 nights), offers the seduction of this exotic Indonesian island laced with terraced rice paddies and ancient temples. Standup paddle boarding, hiking through clove plantations, chasing a pod of dolphins from the nose of an outrigger, snorkeling in a reef and biking back-country roads bring paradise up close and personal. See: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/bali-indonesia/

Africa

After a brief hiatus as the world’s leading wildlife destination, Africa is back and prime season bookings are now being taken. Austin Adventures’ Iconic Botswana departs weekly from April through November 2016 on 11 day/10 night adventures from $8,798 per person. Wildlife on the delta viewed from your own safari tent deck, flora and fauna teeming in the wetlands of the legendary Okavango Delta and the spray of Victoria Falls mingle with the magic of the Big Five scouted on guided walks and game drives. See: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/botswana-iconic-botswana/

Polar

One of the last great wildernesses to be explored, Antarctica is always in high demand and anyone wanting to reserve a space on a cruise must act now. Antarctic Peninsula Small Ship Cruise starts at $9,300 per person for 11 days/10 nights exploring the southern-most continent, a frozen desert revealed by snowshoe, kayak, zodiac and from the deck of the 114-passenger M/V Plancius. Think sliding penguins, slumbering seals, 3,000-foot ice walls, and surreal sunsets. See: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/antarctica-peninsula-expedition-cruise/

Australia

Another superb destination for small ship cruising, Australia: Kimberly Wilderness Cruise offers weekly eight day/seven night departures in 2016 from April through August with rates from $11,095. Champagne sunrises, helicopter flight-seeing, rainforest explorations, aboriginal drawings, hiking, mud crabbing and billabongs come with passage on the 36-passenger M/V True North that plies in luxurious fashion the waterways of northern Australia’s Kimberley Region. See: http://www.austinadventures.com/packages/australia-kimberley-wilderness-cruise/

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings.Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway and The Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

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Follow Austin Adventures:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures

Media Contact: 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 / 303-554-8821 /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a Portfolio of Past News Releases Visit: http://www.travelnewssource.com/

Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BoulderDave

Austin Adventures adds Southeast Asia, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka to its Lineup

Details: Released on Tuesday, 02 June 2015 09:03

Five New Trips Let Guests Experience the Best in Adventure Travel in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand

BILLINGS, MT – June 2, 2015 – Austin Adventures has catered to globe-trotting guests for decades—sending them to the far reaches of South America, Europe, Africa and Australia. But now, for the first-time in the company’s 41-year legacy, it’s offering guests small group adventure tours in Southeast Asia, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.

“Asia can be an overwhelming place to break into from a business perspective,” says Dan Austin, President and Founder of Billings, MT-based Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/).“But, I’ve always been intrigued by this corner of the continent, and I couldn’t be more excited that we are now positioned to help travelers experience the best of Southeast Asia, Bali and Sri Lanka.”

The company’s first foray into the region was when it added a small ship luxury Mekong Rivercruise to its 2015 adult adventure vacation catalog. (Passengers on the five-day cruise stay on the Aqua Mekong and visit floating villages, Buddhist temples and vibrant local markets in Vietnam and Cambodia as they travel between Saigon and Phnom Penh.)

More recently, Austin Adventures has partnered with Khiri Travel to add five new trips to its roster of all-inclusive adventure vacations. Since 1994, Khiri Travel has offered intimate tours in Southeast Asia, and the company has offices in Thailand, Myanmar, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Indonesia.

“We’re looking forward to working with Austin Adventures as our vision of sustainable, experiential travel aligns perfectly with Austin Adventures’brand of adventure. From exploring ancient ruins to luxury eco-lodges and personal connections with local communities, Asia provides some of the most exotic travel experiences in the world. It’s our pleasure to share our passion for Asia with Austin Adventures and their discerning clientele,”says Michael Healy, General Managerat Khiri TravelUSA.

Healy and Austin will be hosting a free webinar, “Adventure Vacations in Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka,” on Thursday, June 18 at 6 p.m. EST. Members of the media and the general public can register for the webinar here. The presentation will feature photos and details on the new trips which range in price depending on dates and number of travelers. Attendees will also be able to participate in a Q&A session where they can inquire about the new itineraries including:

Sri Lanka | Silk Road Adventure

This 12-day island adventure begins with looking for leopards, water buffalo and sloth bears on a safari in Wilpattu National Park. Other trip highlights include watching the sun rise from atop 7,360-ft-tall Adam’s Peak, rafting the Kelani Ganga, dining on the beach at Trincomalee and taking in a traditional dance performance. Accommodations include an award-winning eco-lodge, a tented safari camp, a jungle beach resort and an upscale “retro-chic” hotel in the city of Colombo.

Thailand | Bangkok to Krabi

A foodie tour in the bustling Chinatown district of Bangkok kicks off this 12-day vacation which ends in Krabi where travelers can explore the coastline by mountain biking, kayaking or snorkeling. The itinerary also includes a visit to Patara Elephant Camp, a hike in Khao Yai National Park and a swim at the base of the waterfall made famous in the movie, The Beach. Accommodations include several resorts and a top-rated riverside boutique hotel in Bangkok.

Discovering the Spirit of Myanmar

From the gold-plated Shwedagon Pagoda to the floating villages on Inle Lake, this 12-day itinerary is full of incredible and awe-inspiring sights. Travelers can bike the rolling hills of Mandalay, cruise the scenic Ayeyarwaddy River and even opt for a hot air balloon ride over the city of Bagan. The trip includes stays at a colonial-style mansion, a quaint hotel and spa and an oceanfront resort.

Adventurous Bali

Between biking the backroads of Bali’s cultural center, Ubud, hiking above the clove plantations in Munduk and paddleboarding on the pristine waters of Bedugul, this 13-day adventure provides an array of options for the active explorer. Guests stay at distinctive accommodations including a romantic beach resort, contemporary villas and a boutique hotel on a coffee plantation.

Vietnam | Ho Chi Minh to Ha Long Bay

This two-week-long trip showcases the diverse natural beauty and cultural delights of this exciting country. The itinerary includes a visit to the homes of villagers in Rag Lai, a hike to a 900-foot-tall waterfall in Bach Ma National Park, a kayak excursion in Ha Long Bay and a stop at the Forbidden Purple City. Guests stay at an elegant hotel in Saigon, an eco-lodge in Cat Tien National Park and a peaceful resort and spa situated on the shore of a lagoon. –From $5,424 / person

All of the new Asia trips will be featured in the 2016 Austin Adventures catalogs which will be released in a few months and the trip itineraries and photos will be posted online at www.austinadventures.com in early June. More details including departure dates and trip prices are available by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway and The Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resortin Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

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Austin Adventures Media Contact:

Katie Jackson

800-575-1540

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures

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 / 303-554-8821 /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a Portfolio of Past News Releases Visit: http://www.travelnewssource.com/

Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BoulderDave

Visit National Parks with Adventure Travel Icon Who Knows Them Best and Can Pull Strings to Help Travelers

Details: Released on Tuesday, 05 May 2015 09:39

Austin Adventures Combines Strategic Partnerships, Veteran Guides to Create Multi-sport Vacations in National Parks

BILLINGS, MT – May 5, 2015 –The National Park Service reports that 2015 is on its way to besting the 2014 record for park visitation.

But with parks like Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon and Death Valley each covering more than 1,500 square miles, how do time-stressed people at the 11^th hour begin to figure out where in a park they want to be?

Last minute planning can also present issues when trying to find accommodations a month or two out. This is especially true in the national parks where for preservation purposes, lodging is limited to a handful of strategically located properties.

That’s when it pays off to call an experienced, well-connected tour operator like Billings, MT-based Austin Adventures, a veteran of 40+ years in America’s national parks.

“Demand for our national park vacations has never been greater,” says Dan Austin, President and Founder of Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/). “We sell trips to all seven continents, but in April alone, 71 percent of our bookings were for national park vacations.” He attributed the high interest in the parks this spring to such marketing initiatives as April’s National Park Week and the ongoing Find Your Park campaign celebrating the upcoming NPS centennial.

Fortunately for Austin Adventures, its parent company is Xanterra Parks & Resorts, the country’s largest operator of park-based hotels and resorts. Xanterra manages the in-park lodging for some of the most popular parks including Yellowstone, Glacier, Zion, Grand Canyon, Death Valley and Crater Lake National Parks. Austin Adventures offers guided, all-inclusive, group family and adult vacations to these destinations. Its experienced adventure travel consultants can also arrange custom and exclusive national park packages for private groups and individuals.

“One of the perks of being owned by Xanterra is being able to provide our guests with the absolute best rooms and dining experiences in our favorite national parks. But to some degree, this new, behind-the-scenes access and insider information isn’t that new to us. We’ve been leading trips in national parks like Yellowstone since 1974, so we have decades of experience and establishing important park relationships behind us,” says Austin.

Voted Travel+Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operator and Safari Outfitter in 2012, Austin Adventures is well-known in the travel industry for its exceptional guides and carefully curated itineraries that offer maximum value—especially when it comes to national park vacations, its forte. Throughout their vacation, guests are treated to “WOW” factors like their guides surprising them with ice cream sundaes on a summit in Zion, red carpet (literally) VIP treatment when it comes to transportation and hikes to secret vantage points for stunning aerial-like photo opportunities of the same sights that the crowds below are waiting in line to see.

Rick Hoeninghausen, director of sales and marketing for Yellowstone National Park Lodges has seen the Austin Adventures magic at work. “Our Yellowstone staff can always spot Austin Adventures guests as they are typically smiling and obviously part of an engaged group that has developed great camaraderie. Now that Austin Adventures has joined the Xanterra family, it is even clearer to us why those guests are so happy. The Austin Adventures guides are wonderful to work with and are always focused on taking care of their guests’ needs.”

The company’s unparalleled attention to detail from that first phone call to the final drop-off at the airport and its guides’ uncanny ability to be considered “extended family” by guests is what led one guest to coin the company’s tagline, “The Toughest Part is Going Home.”

· “Our guides did everything from waking up early with a few guests to watch a sunrise over the Tetons to organizing fun family games like the ‘Oreo Cookie Race’.” – The Hall Family –Yellowstone/Teton National Park Adventure – Berlin, NJ

· “Austin Adventures planned everything to a “t.” I could NEVER have planned and executed this trip on my own. There were so many extra touches.” – Cathy Garrett – Yosemite National Park – Baltimore, MD

For travelers who are still looking to take a national park trip in June or July, Austin Adventures has blocks of in-park rooms reserved and is happy to help accommodate those looking for a first-rate national park vacation during peak travel season. Last minute space is available on a number of popular packages including the following:

Yellowstone Family Adventure: This all-inclusive 6-day vacation to the world’s first national park features backcountry family-friendly hikes, horseback riding with 4^th generation cowboys and an exciting rafting trip down the scenic Yellowstone River. Guests spend four of their five nights in the park at historic park accommodations including Old Faithful Inn, Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins. From $2,298/adult and $1,838/child.

Grand Canyon Family Adventure: Kids and adults alike will get a kick out of riding the Grand Canyon Railway, seeing the bears at Bearizona, hiking around Montezuma Castle and taking a refreshing “dip and slip” on this 6-day vacation. Other trip highlights include biking part of a scenic rails-to-trails system and enjoying gourmet barbeque in a private dining room with views overlooking the canyon. Accommodations include Grand Canyon National Park Lodges like Kachina Lodge and Grand Canyon Railway Hotel. From $2,698/adult and $2,158/child.

Crater Lake Adult Adventure: Bike down a highway of waterfalls and along the rim of an ancient volcano on this 6-day vacation that visits the deepest lake in the U.S. Hike to the highest point in Crater Lake National Park, raft Oregon’s Rogue River and sit under the stars and catch some classic theater at the Ashland Shakespeare Festival. Guests spend two nights in lakeside rooms at Crater Lake Lodge which is celebrating its centennial in 2015. From $2,598/adult.

Austin Adventures vacations are all-inclusive and more details including departure dates and trip prices are available in the Austin Adventures adventure vacation catalogs and on its new website, www.austinadventures.com. Both scheduled group departures and custom trips can be booked by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway and The Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

# # #

Austin Adventures Media Contact:

Katie Jackson

800-575-1540

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures

9 National Park Vacations for the Books

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 / 303-554-8821 /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a Portfolio of Past News Releases Visit: http://www.travelnewssource.com/

Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BoulderDave

Musings and National Park Story Ideas from Dan Austin

Details: Released on Wednesday, 08 April 2015 12:44

April 8, 2015

Dear Friends,

I hope this email finds you well and looking for your next great story idea. As you may already know, April 18-26 is National Park Week. When it comes to our country’s national parks, we have plenty of stories to tell! For the past 30 years we’ve been guiding in the national parks—a few of which are conveniently located in our “backyard.” Perks of being based in Montana!

If you’re looking for insider information on national parks for any upcoming stories, please let me know. The Austin Adventures family includes our parent company, Xanterra Parks & Resorts the largest national and state park concessioner in the country, so we’re bursting at the seams with years of experience and national parks expertise. See below for a few resources and story ideas we’re happy to provide.

National Park Expert & Outside Magazine’s Best Family Guide of 2014

Kasey Austin, V.P. of Operations (and my pride and joy), knows the ins and outs of Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, but it’s her uncanny ability to entertain kids that got the attention of Outside Magazine who named her the Best Family Guide of 2014. Austin Adventures was one of the first tour operators to take families on guided tours of national parks, and Kasey is a walking wealth of national park knowledge and always available for interviews.

Special Access and Connections with Over 30 Years of Experience

Austin Adventures was one of the first tour operators to offer multisport family trips in national parks over three decades ago. And to this day, our guests benefit from our expertise and connections. Because we are owned by Xanterra Parks & Resorts we can offer the best rooms in national park lodges (think views of forest and wildlife not the parking lot), VIP services from park staff, behind-the-scenes access, insider conveniences and more.

Incredible Images from Professional Photographers

Our Flickr albums are full of share-worthy, high-res photos shot by some of the best photographers in the business. They wake up early and stay up late to capture breathtaking moments in places like Yellowstone, Bryce, Zion, Grand Canyon and Death Valley National Parks. Landscapes, people, wildlife, etc.

Lists of Facts, Tips, Must-Sees & More

5 Things You Should Do on a Yellowstone Vacation

Whimsical Wonders of Hiking in Yellowstone Park

10 Ridiculously Cool Things You Didn’t Know About Death Valley

Utah National Park Facts!

Guided National Park Adventure Vacations

The adventure travel segment is one of the fastest growing segments in the travel industry. See Explore Our Iconic Parks for our lineup of iconic adventure vacation itineraries that visit national parks. Which trips are NEW for 2015? Grand Canyon: Family, Death Valley: Adult, Glacier National Park: Family

For the Value-Minded Readers

We know readers love spending less and traveling more, so we’re currently running some special offers that are applicable to all of our national park vacations. We’re doubling our first time traveler's incentive (usually $100 off per person) until April 15. See our limited-time offers and evergreen incentives here.

Paying It Forward in the Park

We’ve always been honored to be able to give back through our Preserve a Park initiative. This year we’ll be donating $100 per guest who books a Grand Canyon vacation. The beneficiary will be the deserving Grand Canyon Field Institute.

I’m always eager to share my experiences and expertise via email or over the phone. Really, call me anytime. If you have an assignment and are interested in experiencing a trip with us, please contact me or our media relations team, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Looking forward to the future!

Dan Austin

Founder and President

Austin Adventures

800.575.1540

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Celebrate National Park Week by Spending a Week in a National Park

Details: Released on Monday, 30 March 2015 13:42

Austin Adventures Recommends Nine National Park Vacations

BILLINGS, MT – March 30, 2015 – The National Park Service and National Park Foundation will celebrate National Park Week April 18-26, 2015 by waiving entrance fees on April 18 and 19.

“That’s a great way to introduce people to America’s most treasured spaces,” says Dan Austin, President and Founder of Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/). This company for over 40 years has made guiding guests through the parks an art form, the reason so many past trip alumni return year after year to explore a new destination.

“I remember being a kid and experiencing Yosemite. It was literally life-changing, and I see the same reaction and sense of awe from guests who explore our national parks with us,” says Austin.

“We’re based in Montana so we’re fortunate to have several amazing national parks in our ‘backyard,’ but you can bet the parks outside of our region are dear to us as well,’’ says Austin. The company launched its Preserve a Park Program in 2010 to help support park education and conservation and this year has selected the Grand Canyon Field Institute for their per guest donation of $100 for anyone who books its new Grand Canyon Family Adventure.

To celebrate “America's Best Idea” Austin Adventures offers these professionally guided, small group National Park vacations for 2015:

1. Grand Canyon National Park– Round up the entire family and visit this mind-blowing, mile-deep canyon in the heart of Arizona’s high desert. Ride the Grand Canyon Railway across the Colorado Plateau, paddle board on Lake Pleasant, swim at Slide Rock State Park and end your 6-day/5-night vacation with a BBQ on the banks of Oak Creek. Starting at $2,158.

2. Glacier Bay National Park– As no roads lead to Alaska’s Glacier Bay, guests embark on an 8-day small ship cruise that explores this remote national park. See majestic mountains, calving glaciers, narrow fjords, and more. In addition to wildlife viewing, activities include hiking, kayaking, sailing and paddle boarding. Starting at $4,395.

3. Bryce Canyon & Zion National Parks– See the “most colorful park in America” and the “land of rainbow canyons” on this 6-day/5-night vacation in two of Utah’s most unforgettable national parks. Bike through Snow Canyon, hike among the hoodoos and wade in the Virgin River between the sheer rock walls of the Narrows. Starting at $1,918.

4. Yellowstone National Park– Trust your guide to show you how this place looks even more magical from “behind the scenes.” Hike backcountry trails for access to the best views, learn the secrets of the resident wildlife and rest assured, through Austin Adventures’ relationship with Xanterra Parks & Resorts®, you’ll have some of the finest rooms in the park on this 6-day/5-night award-winning package. Starting at $2,298.

5. Grand Teton National Park– Paddle and pedal in the shadow of the most striking mountain range on both sides of the Mississippi. The Grand Tetons are the crown jewel of Grand Teton National Park—the setting for this 6-day/5-night multisport (hiking, biking and kayaking) vacation. Starting at $2,318.

6. Yosemite National Park– Rappel down a granite wall, explore by horseback, raft the mighty Merced River and hike to the park’s highlights including Vernal Falls and Sentinel Dome. It’s all included on the itinerary of this 6-day/5-night vacation in Yosemite which celebrates its 125^th year as a national park in October, 2015. Starting at $2,558.

7. Glacier National Park– Revered as the “backbone of the world” by the local Native Americans, Glacier National Park should be at the top of any bucket list. Activities on this 6-day/5-night adventure include biking Going-to-the-Sun Road, trekking among the towering evergreens on the Trail of Cedars and plenty of wildlife watching. Starting at $2,398.

8. Utah Arches & Canyonlands– Marvel at the more than 2,000 natural stone arches in Utah’s Arches National Park, ride along the scenic Island in the Sky route in Canyonlands National Park and raft a playful stretch of the Colorado River. Base camp for this 6-day/5-night multisport vacation is in the heart of downtown Moab. Starting at $1,998.

9. San Juan Island National Historical Park– Consisting of 172 islands, this archipelago in Washington has a lot to offer when it comes to waterfront adventure. Search for orcas while kayaking the scenic bays, bike to historic sites which were once water boundaries and dine on the freshest seafood in the Northwest on this 6-day/5-night vacation. Starting at $2,998.

All vacations are all-inclusive and more details including departure dates are available in the Austin Adventures adventure vacation catalogs and on its new website, www.austinadventures.com. Both scheduled group departures and custom trips can be booked by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway and The Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

# # #

Austin Adventures Media Contact:

Katie Jackson

800-575-1540

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures

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 / 303-554-8821 /This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For a Portfolio of Past News Releases Visit: http://www.travelnewssource.com/

Follow Widness & Wiggins PR on Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/BoulderDave

Canada is Calling! Austin Adventures Kicks off Canada Month With “Adventures in Alberta” Webinar

Details: Released on Tuesday, 03 March 2015 09:37

BILLINGS, MT, Mar. 3, 2015 – With the U.S. dollar doing so well against the Canadian dollar, 1 USD = 1.25 CAD, now is a good time for Americans to visit their neighbor to the north. To celebrate the strong dollar and highlight its distinctive itineraries to more than one provincial paradise, Austin Adventures is celebrating March as “Canada Month” and the public is invited to partake.

The Billings, MT-based travel company is kicking off 31 days of Canada with “Alberta Week,” seven days dedicated to all things Alberta. The week’s most anticipated event is “Adventures in Alberta,” a free webinar presented by Dan Austin, founder and president of Austin Adventures (http://www.austinadventures.com/). The webinar will take place on Wednesday, March 4 at 6 p.m. EST, and attendees who book an Austin Adventures Alberta vacation by April 1 will receive $200 off per adult. All webinar attendees will be entered to win an Alberta-themed gift basket courtesy of Travel Alberta who will be co-sponsoring the event. Click HERE for more details and to register.

“We send guests all over the world, but because of its natural beauty and proximity to the U.S., Alberta is one of our favorite places on the planet.” said Austin. “With the exchange rate as strong as it is, we’re noticing a huge increase in interest from travelers who have the Canadian Rockies on their radars, and we’re more than happy to help them explore the region with our experienced guides.”

For 2015, Austin Adventures is once again offering its best-selling Alberta: Banff to Jasper multisport vacation for adults. Trip highlights include hiking to the turquoise waters of Lake Louise, donning crampons and trekking across Athabasca Glacier, rafting the Class IV rapids of the Kicking Horse River, biking the scenic Bow Valley Parkway and of course, shopping and dining in the picturesque mountain town of Banff.

In addition to its adult adventure, the company offers an Alberta Family: Banff to Jasper vacation package with a similar itinerary. The only difference is that some of the more challenging activities are scaled back to accommodate families with children ages 6-16. For example, the rafting portion of the trip takes place on the more kid-friendly Kananaskis River.

Both vacations are all-inclusive, guided 6-day, 5-night packages. Prices for adults start at $2,998 per person and for the family vacation, prices for children start at $2,398. Pre-set departures for 2015 begin in July; however, the company’s adventure travel consultants can arrange for exclusive departures and create custom tours and packages for private groups to fit individual schedules.

Rounding out the Austin Adventures Canada lineup is a 6-day, 5-night British Columbia Family Vacation Package that begins in Vancouver and traverses the scenic Sea to Sky Highway before ending up at the turquoise waters in Joffre Lakes Provincial Park. With a home base at an upscale lodge near Whistler Mountain, guests are treated to distinctive dining, shopping and days filled with guided adventures including hiking, biking, rafting and horseback riding. Departures begin in June and start at $2,898 per adult and $2,318 per child.

All of Austin Adventures’ 2015 trips can be found in the Austin Adventures award-winning adventure vacation catalogs and on its new website, www.austinadventures.com. Vacations—both scheduled group departures and custom trips—can be booked by calling (800) 575-1540 or emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Austin Adventures

Based in Billings, MT, Austin Adventures (formerly Austin Adventures) has spent more than 40 years building an international reputation as a provider of scheduled small group tours and customized trips to all seven continents. In 2014, Kasey Austin, Vice President of Operations, was named the World’s Top Family Guide by Outside Magazine. In 2013, Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings. Xanterra Parks & Resorts has operations in the Grand Canyon, including Grand Canyon Railway and The Grand Hotel; Yellowstone; Zion; Crater Lake; Glacier, Rocky Mountain and Petrified Forest National Parks; Mount Rushmore National Memorial; Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park and five Ohio State Park Lodges as well as the Geneva Marina at Ohio’s Geneva State Park. Xanterra Parks & Resorts also operates Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Va., Windstar Cruises, and VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations.

# # #

Austin Adventures Media Contact:

Katie Jackson

800-575-1540

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Follow Austin Adventures:

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AustinLehmanAdventures