Mad about Travel - Adventure Travel Experts

22/12/2024

𝐃𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝'𝐬 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

Explore the North and South Andaman Sea, including the famous Similan Islands with these 7 night liveaboard trips. Divers will swim along spectacular walls and reefs encrusted with vibrant coral and can expect encounters with mantas, leopard sharks, silvertip reef sharks, abundant marine life, and possibly a whale shark.

With up to five action-packed dives each day and spectacular night dives you won’t be disappointed!!!

Give us a call on 0800 623 872 or email [email protected] to book your next DIVE holiday

19/12/2024

At Mad about Travel we are incredibly sad to hear of Al Raines passing at the age of 83.
A true legend of the ski world, he was Nancy Greenes husband, coach and father of their 2 boys.
He was absolutely key in the development of Sun Peaks as a world class ski resort and a town of its own right.

He once lent me a set of skiis, showed me around Sun Peaks, and then we watched hockey together over a beer.
A true gentleman.
May you find your everlasting powder Al!
You will me missed!

Our thoughts are with Nancy and the community of Sun Peaks Resort

18/12/2024

The team at Mad about Travel wishes you all a very Merry Christmas and hope you have an awesome break with friends and family.

Please go hard, but be safe in all that you do!

To all those who has booked a holiday with us THANK YOU!

We appreciate the trust you show in Mad about Travel.

We love what we do, and YOU are the most important part of our business.

Here's to an amazing 2025!

See you out on the water, trails and slopes!

15/12/2024

𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐝𝐨 - 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝!

Perched at the tip of a ridge line in the Andes, Valle Navado is one of the most epic places Phil has ever skied. One of the most incredible experiences is the drive from Santiago (570m) to Valle Navado (2,860m) where you ascend 2,200m in just 30km. Part of the Tres Valles Ski Resorts, made up of El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. Valle Nevado is the main international resort and the highest.

The ski terrain consists of a front face and several back bowls with 2 other faces leading into the other two resorts.You do need to be able to ride T bars if you choose to travel here, as most of the lifts into the back bowls are long fast T bars.

​Packages are fully inclusive and 3, 4 or 7 nights. The pass system allows you to ski the other resorts if you stay for 7 nights or more. The accommodation ranges from basic hotel rooms and condo’s to a 5 star hotel and all the accommodation has epic views to enjoy the sunset from. The food and service is awesome.

​​​Give us a call on 0800 623 872 or email [email protected] to book your next SNOW holiday

11/12/2024

Check out our final newsletter for 2024 - https://mailchi.mp/madabouttravel/merry-chirstmas-from-the-team-at-mad-about-travel

03/12/2024

𝐑𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐙𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝'𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐜 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐎𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐨 𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞

Experience the full breadth and depth of New Zealand’s original Great Ride on our fully guided and supported trip on the Otago Central Rail Trail.

You’ll enjoy easy riding on this trail created especially for cyclists, walkers and horses.

Following the old branch line from Clyde to Middlemarch, it takes in grand landscapes, railway heritage and charming country towns.

Our expert guides will show you the trail’s best sights such as gold rush relics, architectural gems and amazing natural wonders. There’s even a chance to try the ancient art of curling at the Southern Hemisphere’s only indoor rink.

𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝟎𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝟔𝟐𝟑 𝟖𝟕𝟐 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨@𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥.𝐜𝐨.𝐧𝐳 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐁𝐈𝐊𝐄 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

26/11/2024

We don't need to say anything else........

19/11/2024

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐬 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬

The Best of Visayas islands is a vast area with and home to some of the best scuba diving the Philippines offers. You can choose 7 nights or 10 nights. The itinerary route will be chosen once guests board and is based on weather, sea conditions, and visibility and the favorable route will be chosen.

From soft coral covered walls to black sand dives to Thresher sharks, huge schools of sardines, turtles, schools of jacks and whale sharks. On the macro side there is fascinating critters such as waspfish, ghost pipefish and many other unique bottom dwellers, offering lots of diversity.

Sample itineraries for Best of Visayas:

7 Nights - Malapascua, Capitancillo, Anda, Pamilacan, Balicasag, Cabilao

10 Nights - Malapascua/Gato, Capitancillo, Anda, Pamilacan, Oslob/Sumilon, Apo Island, Dauin, Balicasag, Olongo

𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝟎𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝟔𝟐𝟑 𝟖𝟕𝟐 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨@𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥.𝐜𝐨.𝐧𝐳 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

12/11/2024

𝐅𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐎 - 𝐆𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐞𝐧 𝐇𝐨𝐤𝐤𝐚𝐢𝐝𝐨

2 linked ski resorts over one mountain which offer an abundance of fast groomers and fantastic offpiste skiing.

Kitanomine has a ski in, ski out hotel, several chairlifts and a tram, Furano is just above the town and has chairlifts and a long gondola. between the two mountains there are fast groomers, excellent side piste and some hair raising off piste.

​Furano accommodation ranges from the ski in, ski out Prince hotel in Kitanomine to comfortable Japanese hotels, B&b’s and self contained apartments in Furano.

The best thing about Furano is that it is an excellent base to access many of the smaller interior resorts of Hokkaido, including Asahikawa, Kurodake and Kamui Ski Links.

Located in central Hokkaido the snow is guaranteed to be incredible!

𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝟎𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝟔𝟐𝟑 𝟖𝟕𝟐 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨@𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥.𝐜𝐨.𝐧𝐳 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

10/11/2024

𝐉𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐝 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝟏𝟕 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐛𝐢𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠!

This small group adventure discovers the flow, tech, jumps and drops of British Columbia's best mountain bike parks.

With a maximum of 14 people on the trip, clients become friends!

On this trip you will ride:

📌Vancouver - ride Mt Fromme and Mt Seymour on Vancouver's North Shore, where mountain biking was born.
📌Squamish - cruise the flow and shred the loam of Diamond Peak
📌Whistler - Experience the classic lines of Top of the World, A line, B line and Blue Velvet in the world's most famous bike park
📌Heli-biking the incredible Hidden Peak glacier to the valley (optional)
📌Sun Peaks - ride the awesome flow and jumps of Sun Peaks
📌Revelstoke - experience the legendary 5620 trail in the majestic Selkirk mountains
📌Silverstar - Shrelp the tech, fang the flow and challenge yourself on the skinnys at Silverstar, one of BC's original MTB parks
📌Big White - Cruise the blues and huck the drops at Big White

The trip is fully guided with trails to suit riders from a solid intermediate skill level. If you love Riverhead, Whakarewarewa Forest, Cardrona & Coronet Peak and the Christchurch Adventure Park - THIS TRIP IS FOR YOU!

Tour leaders:
🚵Kev Stringer - Organiser of Bike meet ups Auckland. Beer connoisseur, collector of fine Mountain bikes and trail builder extreme. Rides whatever he is building at the moment.
🚵Phil Clark - Director of Mad about Travel, Jafakids MTB academy lead coach, PMBIA coach, 30 plus years MTB’ing, rides a Canyon Strive when it’s not broken.

Flights, transport, 18 nights accommodation, most lift passes and guiding NZ$ 9349.00 per person

Give us a call on 0800 623 877 or email [email protected] to join this awesome trip!

05/11/2024

Time to get fit, ski season is coming...... - https://mailchi.mp/madabouttravel/time-to-get-fit-ski-season-is-coming

Ski - Tahoe & Furano
Bike - Otago Rail Travel and group trips to Canada
Dive - Philippines
Adventure - Africa by Rail

05/11/2024

𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐢 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐨𝐧𝐞

✔️ Heavenly - Incredible views, incredible skiing!

One of the most scenic ski resorts anywhere in the world, Heavenly spans both California and Nevada giving you stunning views of both the lake and the desert.

✔️ Kirkwood - Steep and deep!

Kirkwood is a hidden gem of a resort. With a steep front face and a cruisy back bowl its got buckets of terrain and its unique location tends to get buckets of fresh dry powder.

✔️ Northstar - A stunning mountain in a stunning setting!

Northstar has a wonderful circular layout of runs, plus a steep and deep back side and some serious terrain parks, giving awesome terrain for everyone!

Sales until 15 Nov 2024

​​​𝐆𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬 𝐚 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝟎𝟖𝟎𝟎 𝟔𝟐𝟑 𝟖𝟕𝟐 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨@𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥.𝐜𝐨.𝐧𝐳 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲

01/11/2024

⚠️The snow is starting to fall in the Northern Hemisphere !!

The experts are saying that La Niña is on the way, and forecasters are calling MORE epic POW days this season for Japan, Canada and USA.

If you haven’t locked in your overseas snow holiday there is still time!

Give us a call on 0800 623 872 or email [email protected] to book your next SNOW holiday.

27/10/2024

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐤 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐲 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐚 𝐂𝐢𝐫𝐜𝐮𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐥

Trek through the incredible Annapurna region and be awed by the Nepalese Himalayas. These snow-capped peaks, mist-shrouded valleys, isolated communities and remote monasteries will inspire those with a bold spirit and a yearning for a definitive nature experience.

Reach altitudes of more than 5000 metres, discover the ancestral traditions of the local people and immerse yourself completely in the spectacular mountain wilderness of the Annapurna Circuit.

This is a challenging trip, but the sense of accomplishment will leave even the most seasoned trekker with some unforgettable memories.

T'S & C'S​: Prices are subject to availability at time of booking.

Give us a call on 0800 623 872 or email [email protected] to book your next ADVENTURE holiday.

24/10/2024

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐲𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐒𝐫𝐢 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐚

This 10-day cycling trip through Sri Lanka will take you to tea plantations, fishing villages, national parks, cities and lush green jungles. From Negombo to Colombo, you’ll see why Sri Lanka is Asia’s most exciting new destination.

With pristine coastline, ancient ruins, rugged peaks and wildlife-filled national parks, it’s a dream for travellers who like to get active. In between two-wheeled treks, you can go on safari to spot leopards, take on optional food crawls, laze on the beaches of the southern coast, ride the rails (a must in Sri Lanka), explore the country’s premier Hindu and Buddhist sites, and see the famed UNESCO World Heritage site of Sigiriya.

With days of riding and nights of feasting, Sri Lanka will soon make its way to your heart.

Give us a call on 0800 623 872 or email [email protected] to book your next BIKE holiday.

22/10/2024

Japan is busy this year so its a great opportunity to check out some of the lessor known resorts in Japan. With over 450 ski resorts, there's no need to stick with the main ones.

There are some amazing resorts in the northern part of Honshu. Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi and Gunma prefectures all have ski resorts which are off the beaten path and remain largely undiscovered by westerners. Drop us a line if you want more information about these.

Give us a call or email to book your next SNOW holiday.

☎️ 0800 623 872
📧 [email protected]
🖥️ madabouttravel.co.nz

Shizukuishi Town in Iwate Prefecture is a town full of winter charm in the Tohoku region, with three ski resorts.Please watch the video to see this wonderful...

17/10/2024

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨, 𝐕𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐮?

It is a mecca for divers from all over the world because of the diversity of the diving offered, ranging from live coral to spectacular wrecks.

One of the many highlights of Santo is the SS President Coolidge – reportedly the largest wreck dive in the world. This legendary wreck offers over 20 different dive sites suitable for divers of all levels.

Santo is Vanuatu’s largest island rich in Melanesian culture with fascinating World War 2 history. This island was a major American military base with three airfields and over 100,000 personal stationed there. Evidence of this history is scattered throughout the jungle.

𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐚 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐨, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 $𝟐𝟕𝟗𝟗 𝐩𝐩 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧, 𝐬𝐚𝐯𝐞 $𝟐𝟑𝟑 𝐩𝐩.

→ return airfares Auckland - Santo
→ 6 nights at Deco Stop Lodge
→ breakfast daily
→ 4 shore dives
→ 2 boat dives
→ sales until 30 Nov

Give us a call on 0800 623 872 or email [email protected] to book your next 𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐄 holiday.