The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel

05/05/2024

ANNOUNCING: The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel, “Discover & Explore” Virtual Travel Series, Special Presentation…WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH, 6 PM, on ZOOM!

“DISCOVER & EXPLORE…. TRAVEL TO DOMINICA…. THE NATURE ISLAND OF THE CARIBBEAN”

Located in the Lesser Antilles of the British West Indies of the Eastern Caribbean between the islands of Guadalope and Martinique, lies the island of Dominica, aka “The Nature Island” due to 2/3 of its terrain consisting of dense tropical rainforest with tall, rugged volcanic mountains, deep valleys and gorges, mineral hot springs and 365 flowing rivers with cascading and gushing waterfalls. In addition, to being a beautiful pristine and remote rainforest paradise, made famous by the filming of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, episodes 1 & 3, Dominica is also surrounded by warm crystal clear turquoise waters and is rated as one of the top destinations in the Caribbean for scuba diving and snorkeling offering steep walls with dramatic drop offs and rugged underwater topography, and two marine reserves containing vibrant coral reefs rich in marine life including sea turtles, dolphins, and 22 out the 33 different whale species and is one of the only places in the world where giant S***m Whales which can get up to 70 feet long, can be sighted in Dominica all year long!

Dominica is also a top destination for land adventures too with over 300 miles of hiking trails such as Trafalgar Falls, Titou Gorge, Boiling Lake and the Waitukubuli Trail, the Caribbean’s first long distance national trail. For nature lovers and outdoors enthusiasts, these are just a few of the amazing adventures you can do to discover and explore the tropical paradise of Dominica, “The Nature Island” and a top off-the-beaten path destination for adventure travel in the Lesser Antilles of the Eastern Caribbean!

Join us for this NEW and exciting destination travel program, WEDNESDAY, MAY 15TH, at 6 PM on ZOOM, where we will discover and explore travel to Dominica, presented to us by special guest speaker Samantha Doctrove Letang, Group Sales, Marketing & Communications Manager from the Fort Young Dive Resort & Secret Bay Resort & Residences in Dominica!

In this meeting we will learn about:
 Fort Young Dive Resort: History, accommodations, amenities
 Top adventure excursions & tours that are "must do's"
 Scuba diving & snorkeling in Dominica
 Whale Watching and the first S***m Whale Sanctuary
 Voluntourism tours and sea turtle watching
 Top recommendations for dining & cuisine in Dominica
 Tips, advice, and helpful information for traveling to Dominica

Mark your calendars and be sure to come join us Wednesday, May 15th, at 6 PM on Zoom, and help us welcome our special guest speaker, Samantha Doctrove Letang, Group Sales, Marketing & Communications Manager from the Fort Young Dive Resort and Secret Bay Resort & Residences in Dominica!

It's going to be a really fun and informative evening of travel advice, tips, and information on visiting Dominica, aka the “nature island” of the Caribbean, and with a Q&A session afterwards to answer all of your questions too!

To RSVP for this special virtual event, go to The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group on Meetup at https://www.meetup.com/great-outdoors-adventures-travel/events/300831281/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link

05/02/2024

The Great Outdoors, "DOMINICA DIVING, SNORKELING & HIKING ADVENTURE", coming up in the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group, June 17th - 24th! Can't wait! 😎

https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/news/visit-this-underrated-caribbean-destination-for-a-budget-friendly-island-vacation/ar-AA1ijewl?ocid=socialshare&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3T124xtH2wKWfmtfVb2jAIEargObL2RIP2vvq93lkXz659OPCQ7zsnY6Q_aem_Acf2bU-oHNdiT6YWIV-JuU9dvAOcyZVhMCSr5vpoUEGpjGu7QF1c9XgAywYUimod5a2bsD7nADVoM4kSTtieqLGe

Want to plan a trip to the Caribbean, but don't want to break the bank doing it? Visit this underrated island for your next budget-friendly tropical vacation.

05/02/2024

Princess 35% Off 2024 Cruises plus 3rd & 4th Guests Free, Limited Time Offer, good through 5-31-2024! 😎

04/22/2024

Happy Earth Day, April 22nd, 2024! 😎🌍❤️

Photo: Waterfall in Dominica, Eastern Caribbean

04/08/2024

The Great Outdoors, MUNDS WAGON TRAIL TO MERRY GO ROUND ROCK HIKE ADVENTURE, in the Munds Mountain Wilderness, Sedona, AZ! Coming up next Saturday, April 13th!

“A Gorgeous and Spectacular Red Rock Journey Along the Historic Munds Wagon Trail to Merry Go Round Rock, in the Munds Mountain Wilderness, Sedona, AZ!”

Come join us for a journey with truly spectacular panoramic Red Rock scenery and an amazing adventure to the iconic Merry Go Round Rock…. sure to be really fun day hiking the historical Munds Wagon Trail in Sedona’s Munds Mountain Wilderness! 😎🥾

For more information and to RSVP for this event, go to the Great Outdoors Adventures new meetup group at https://www.meetup.com/great-outdoors-adventures-travel/events/299069892/

04/04/2024

***ANNOUNCING SPECIAL EVENT***The Great Outdoors, "ZION NATIONAL PARK HIKING, CAMPING & GLAMPING HOLIDAY ADVENTURE", Springdale, Utah! Coming up, May 25th - May 28th, 2024!

“A Spectacular Hiking, Camping and Glamping Holiday Adventure, Discovering & Exploring Zion National Park, Springdale, Utah!”

Located in Southern Utah’s high plateau country, Zion National Park was established in 1919, and contains 232 square miles of deep narrow gorges, colossal buttresses and towering red sandstone canyon walls with sheer cliffs that drop 2000 feet straight down to the desert floor below. Carved out millions of years ago by the Virgin River, Zion National Park is comprised of pristine and remote canyons and some of the most dramatic and spectacular topography that extends into its remote backcountry. For hikers and outdoors adventurers, Zion National Park is a mecca with iconic hikes such as the Narrows, Angels Landing, the Subway, Emerald Pools and more. With its extensive network of trails, Zion National Park contains some of the best national park hikes for all levels offering spectacular canyon scenery whether looking up from deep within its narrow gorges or from the top of its tall cliffs. Zion National Park is a bucket list destination for a spectacular and epic hiking, camping or glamping adventure that will leave you with great memories for a lifetime!

You are cordially invited to come join us for this special event which will be an amazing holiday weekend of hiking, camping & glamping adventure, with gorgeous and spectacular scenery only found in Zion National Park, Utah!

Come join us! It’s going to be an amazing holiday weekend of hiking, camping & glamping adventure, with gorgeous and spectacular scenery that is only found in Zion National Park, Utah!

For more information and to RSVP for this special event, go to The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Meetup Group at https://www.meetup.com/great-outdoors-adventures-travel/events/300219254/

04/04/2024

The Great Outdoors, "DOMINICA DIVING, SNORKELING & HIKING ADVENTURE, JUNE 17TH-24TH"***ONE SPOT LEFT***SINGLE FEMALE TRAVELER, DIVER OR NON-DIVER FOR OCEANFRONT ROOMSHARE***

We have only one spot left now that we are looking to fill, oceanfront for a room share with another female diver. So come join us! It's going to be a spectacular week of adventure both under the water and above in beautiful and pristine, Dominica, aka "the nature island"! Folks, this NOT the Dominican Republic! Dominica is a tropical paradise for nature lovers and outdoors adventurers! This will be an amazing adventure unlike anything we've ever done before, and a once in a lifetime opportunity, so come join us! 🙂

***DEPOSIT & PAYMENT DEADLINE APRIL 17TH***Contact, Laura Halik at 602-689-9763 or email [email protected]

03/29/2024

The Great Outdoors, UPPER SALT RIVER WHITE WATER RAFTING ADVENTURE, Saturday, March 30th! “A Rocking & Rolling White Water Rafting Adventure on the Upper Salt River and a Spectacular Journey through the Pristine & Remote Salt River Canyon Wilderness, Globe, AZ!” RSVPs are closed and we're excited and getting set for another great day of rocking and rolling white water rafting fun and adventure on the Upper Salt River and a beautiful pristine journey through the Salt River Canyon Wilderness, Globe, AZ! 😎

03/28/2024

***ONE SPOT LEFT***ROOM SHARE***SINGLE FEMALE DIVER OR NON-DIVER***

Come join us! It's going to be a an amazing and spectacular week of great diving, snorkeling and hiking adventure including whale watching and more in beautiful and pristine Dominica, a hidden gem of the Caribbean for nature lovers! 🙂 Contact, Laura Halik at 602-689-9763 or email [email protected]

03/22/2024

***ANNOUNCING NEW SPECIAL EVENT***The Great Outdoors, "SOCORRO ISLANDS WHALE SHARK & MANTA RAY CITIZEN SCIENCE DIVING EXPEDITION ADVENTURE", Quino El Guardian Liveaboard, San Jose Del Cabo, Baja Sur, Mexico! November 22nd - December 1st, 2025!

“An Extraordinary Bucket List Adventure of a Lifetime….Discover & Explore the Magnificent Marine Life Wonders of the Socorro Islands, aka “The Galapagos of Mexico”, with the Ocean’s Largest Pelagic Animals….Plus, Participate in a Citizen Science Expedition and Help Research and Study Whale Sharks and Manta Rays Aboard the Quino El Guardian Liveaboard, Baja Sur, Mexico!”

“The Revillagigedo Islands, more familiarly called the Socorro Islands are also known as “Mexico’s Galapagos”. Located out in the Pacific approximately 250 miles from Cabo San Lucas and the Baja California peninsula, the Socorro Islands are a group of four small volcanic islands: Roca Partida, Socorro/Santo Tomas, San Benedicto, and Santa Rosa and are an Unesco World Heritage site with its own unique and diverse ecosystem and endemic species not found anywhere else. For scuba divers, the Socorro Islands are a magnet for attracting many of the ocean’s largest pelagic animals including many species of sharks, such as Hammerheads, Tigers, White Tips, Galapagos, also giant Manta Rays, Whale Sharks, plus schools of Humpback Whales, Dolphins, Tuna, Barracuda, Jacks, and many more, truly offering divers a spectacular once in a lifetime bucket list adventure that’s only accessible by liveaboard! So if you’re a scuba diver with some experience in deep water diving, this journey aboard the Quino El Guardian Liveaboard to the Socorro Islands also a Citizen Science Expedition to help research and study the Whale Sharks and Manta Rays in partnership with Whale Shark Mexico…..will be an epic adventure and an extraordinary experience you’ll sure not want to miss discovering and exploring the rugged and pristine natural wonders and spectacular marine life of the Socorro Islands, aka “Mexico’s Galapagos!”

Check out this amazing video of the Quino El Guardian at the Socorro Islands!
https://youtu.be/EooJvGRRgGw?si=ZY3WVl8u1fR6ITaj

On this adventure we have the exciting and special opportunity to be aboard a Citizen Science Expedition to research and study Whale Sharks and Manta Rays, and participate in marine conservation with activities such as animal/fish counts, tagging, photo identification, helping to collect data in order to learn more about these amazing creatures along with daily presentations on Whale Shark and Manta Ray conservation with marine biologist and Executive Director from Whale Shark Mexico, Beto Garcia!

Join us for this special event which is sure to be an epic and unforgettable week of ocean fun and scuba diving adventure aboard the Quino El Guardian Liveaboard on a Citizen Science Expedition to help research and study Whale Sharks and Manta Rays ….in the pristine and remote, Socorro Islands, aka “Mexico’s Galapagos”, 250 miles off Baja Mexico!

***SPACE IS LIMITED***ONLY 8 SPOTS AVAILABLE***

For more information and to RSVP for this event, go to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Meetup Group at https://www.meetup.com/great-outdoors-adventures-travel/events/299958486/?utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=share-btn_savedevents_share_modal&utm_source=link

03/18/2024

***TWO SPOTS LEFT***Looking for single male diver for room share, and single female diver for room share***

It's going to be a an amazing week of great diving, snorkeling and hiking adventure in beautiful Dominica! 🙂 Contact, Laura Halik at 602-689-9763 or email [email protected]

03/04/2024

The Great Outdoors, WHITE TANK MOUNTAINS TRIPLE SUMMITS FUN DAY HIKE, Skyline Regional Park, Buckeye, AZ! Coming up, SATURDAY, MARCH 9TH!

“A “Triple Summits” Fun Day Hike and a Scenic Ridgetop Traverse and an Amazing Circumference Journey Through the White Tank Mountain Range in Phoenix’s Skyline Regional Park!”

Skyline Regional Park is Phoenix’s newest regional park consisting of approximately 8,700 acres and roughly 16 miles of well-maintained trails. Located in Buckeye and the southern flanks of the White Tank Mountain range in the far west valley, Skyline Regional Park offers a pristine, remote and off the beaten path place to get outdoors to hike, exercise & train, while enjoying beautiful, expansive, and panoramic mountain top views of the White Tanks Mountains, Estrella Mountains and entire Gila River Basin and Phoenix Valley!

For more information and to RSVP for this event, go to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Meetup Group at https://www.meetup.com/great-outdoors-adventures-travel/events/299069775/

03/04/2024

The Great Outdoors, UPPER SALT RIVER WHITE WATER RAFTING ADVENTURE, in the Salt River Canyon Wilderness, Globe, AZ! Coming up, SATURDAY, MARCH 30TH!

“A Rocking & Rolling White Water Rafting Adventure on the Upper Salt River and a Spectacular Journey through the Pristine & Remote Salt River Canyon Wilderness, Globe, AZ!”

Discover an ancient canyon wilderness, rich in riparian nature and pristine, natural beauty, and enjoy a fun and exciting outdoors adventure, white water rafting the Upper Salt River. Located just 135 miles from Phoenix, near the town of Globe, the roughly 52 mile stretch of the Upper Salt River, after receiving run off from the nearby White Mountains during early spring, is home to some of Arizona’s best Class II, III- IV river rapids. Even if you are a beginner, white water rafting doesn’t require prior experience or training, is relatively inexpensive and best of all, it’s a thrilling and exciting adrenaline rush and a great way to experience nature and the outdoors with your friends or family!

For more information and to sign up and register for this event, go to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Meetup Group at https://www.meetup.com/great-outdoors-adventures-travel/events/299161110/

***IMPORTANT UPDATE***DEADLINE TO CONFIRM YOUR RESERVATION IS MONDAY, MARCH 4TH***

02/25/2024

Coming up on Tuesday, February 27th at 6 PM on Zoom! We are having another orientation meeting regarding our upcoming trip to Dominica for the new members who have joined our new meet up group. So, if you missed the first orientation meeting, then come join us for this one! It's going to be a very informative and fun evening on Zoom. Hope to see there! :)

***“Discover Dominica, the Nature Island with Pristine & Remote Volcanic Mountains and Rainforest Beauty, Spectacular Waterfalls and Deep River Gorges Encircled by Turquois

02/08/2024

***NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE GREAT OUTDOORS ADVENTURES TRAVEL GROUP IS NOW ON MEET-UP***This group was originally created in 2016 as a private Facebook group and for the past 8 years has grown and been a great success in providing travel and adventure from single day hikes to multi-day adventures domestically and internationally. Well, now I am excited to announce that starting here in 2024, the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group is available as a meet-up group!

Come join us on meet-up and check out one of our amazing adventure travels and special events, we have coming up! It is my hope that you will enjoy a whole lot of fun, friendship and camaraderie with us through the exciting discovery and exploration of the beauty, majesty and wonder of the great outdoors! Cheers! 😎
Laura Halik, Administrator, Group Organizer

Welcome to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group! This group was created in 2016 for like-minded people and active adults who enjoy the beauty and wonder of nature and adventure travel in the great outdoors. Check out our calendar of events page to see what new adventure travel and special even

02/04/2024

Let's face it, airfare is expensive and not forecasted to get cheaper anytime too soon. Here are some great tips and advice to help you save a little money when it comes to booking your flights whether domestic or international for your next bucket list adventure!

We've got tips from the experts on the best time to buy flights to get great deals on airfare The post When Is the Best Time to Buy Plane Tickets? appeared first on Reader's Digest.

02/02/2024

Discover Dominica, the Nature Island of the Caribbean, 8 Days/7 Nights, All-Inclusive Dive & Stay package, 5 days two tank boat diving, one night dive, free nitrox, $50 resort credit per room, unlimited shore diving/snorkeling, daily breakfast, tours, transfers, all taxes/fees . A great deal too at the beautiful Fort Young Dive Resort. Rooms available, $1518 divers, $1019 non-divers, oceanfront, double occupancy. $200 per room refundable deposit. It’s going to be an amazing week of diving & snorkeling and exploring this beautiful and pristine tropical island!
Contact Laura Halik, group organizer at [email protected] or call/text 602-689-9763.

01/28/2024

ANNOUNCING: The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel, Quino El Guardian Liveaboard, November 22nd - December, 2025! A Bucket List Adventure, and Citizen Science Expedition to Study Whale Sharks and Manta Rays with Beto Garcia, Executive Director from Whale Shark Mexico at the Socorro Islands, aka Mexico's "Galapagos"! Sooo excited!!!

Space is limited with 1/2 charter and believe me, will fill up quickly for this amazing, once in a lifetime dream adventure! More details to follow soon! 😎🤿

Want to study whale sharks and manta rays? You can work with Beto Garcia on two upcoming Citizen Science Expeditions to Socorro - November 30-December 9, 2024, and November 22-December 1, 2025.

For more details:

https://mexicoliveaboards.com/destination-citizen-science.html

01/27/2024

The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel, coming up June 17th - June 24th, 2024! Discover Dominica, aka "The Nature Island of the Caribbean"!

01/10/2024

Celebrating 8 years of The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel! Thank you all for helping keep this group's community strong through all these years! So many good times and great memories! Looking forward to 2024 and a great new year of continuing travel, fun and adventure in the great outdoors! Cheers! 😎

01/06/2024

***ANNOUNCING: The Great Outdoors, "ORIENTATION: DOMINICA DIVING, SNORKELING & HIKING ADVENTURE", virtual travel event, coming up TUESDAY, JANUARY 30TH, at 6 PM!

“Discover Dominica, the Nature Island with Pristine & Remote Volcanic Mountains and Rainforest Beauty, Spectacular Waterfalls and Deep River Gorges Encircled by Turquoise Blue Waters with Dramatic Walls and Brilliant Coral Reefs Rich in Marine Life for Spectacular Diving, Snorkeling, Hiking and Exploring the Caribbean’s Off-The-Beaten Path Best Kept Secret!”

Join us this for this orientation and informational meeting on Tuesday, January 30th, at 6 PM, where we will have an overview of the details and logistics and also have a Q & A session to answer any of your questions regarding the "DOMINICA DIVING, SNORKELING & HIKING ADVENTURE ", coming up June 16th – June 24th, 2024, which will be a truly epic experience and spectacular week of diving, snorkeling and hiking fun and adventure exploring and discovering Dominica, the “Nature Island” of the Southern Caribbean! 😊

This event will be an online Zoom meeting via your computer or mobile device. You do not need to be RSVP'd for the Dominica diving & snorkeling adventure trip to join the meeting.

Join us for this orientation and online zoom meeting on Tuesday, January 30th, at 6 PM. It's going to be an informative event and a really fun evening! I look forward to seeing you all soon! 🙂

For more information and to RSVP for this special event, go to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group at https://fb.me/e/1BhuSaztU

Not already a member? Join the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1638129706438217/

01/02/2024

May all your dreams and goals come true in this new year! Happy New Year, 2024! 😎🎊🎉

12/14/2023

“NEW YEAR’S EVE MASQUERADE PARTY 2023”, hosted by Raven Events, coming up Sunday, December 31st! Join us for this year’s NYE celebration at “Raven’s 17th Annual New Year’s Eve Party” an exclusive and upscale NYE masquerade gala party and special event, hosted by Ravens Events at the new 20,000 venue, The Forum Complex in Chandler, consisting of four different party venues all in one and offering a variety of music & live entertainment, including a DJ with dancing in the club!

Included in this all-inclusive party are a host of complimentary amenities such as:

 Premium Open Bar from 9 pm to midnight (excluding gratuity)
 Asian inspired cuisines menu with hors d’oeuvres from 9 pm – 10 pm
 NYE Party favors
 Champagne toast at midnight
 360-Degree photo booth platform for pictures
 Limo service to and from the party and hotel
 Self-parking

COST: General admission tickets start at $100 per person, from 9 pm to 2 pm. Reserved seating available. Masks can be purchased for an additional $15.

For more information regarding Raven’s “17th Annual New Year’s Eve Party” and Masquerade Gala and to purchase tickets for this event, go to https://www.ravenevents.com/monthlyevents/12312023/

PARTY HOTEL SPECIAL: There is a room block for attendees at the Home2Suites by Hilton in Gilbert, which is only three miles away, for only $119/per night and includes the following: Queen-size bed, full pull-out sofa sleeper and kitchenette, breakfast, free parking and WiFi, outdoor heated pool, BBQ grills, firepit, fitness room and business center. There will also be a complimentary limo service to and from the party to the hotel that evening. Highly recommend making your reservation as soon as possible because this block will sell out quickly. For more information and to make a room reservation, call 480-857-4778, option #2.

Raven’s parties and signature events are some of the BEST in Phoenix! It’s sure to be a great evening of dancing and entertainment and a ton of fun in “masquerade party” style and elegance! Let’s all get together to celebrate and toast to another great new year of health, happiness and travel, fun & adventure in 2024! 😊

If you have any questions, contact Laura Halik at [email protected].

If you To RSVP for this special event, go to the Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group at https://fb.me/e/1oF2zHyx6

12/07/2023

12/05/2023

The Great Outdoors Adventures, “2ND ANNUAL CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY POTLUCK PARTY”, Coming up Saturday, December 9th, at 5 PM!

Join us for the Great Outdoors 2nd Annual Christmas Holiday Potluck Party which will include great food and delicious holiday desserts, followed by a Christmas “White Elephant Gift Exchange”, as well as other fun party games and a raffle with holiday gifts and prizes!

It’s a great opportunity to spend a little time together “off the trails” with our friends and fellow group members to celebrate the holiday season with a lot of great food, desserts, and a ton of laughs with a White Elephant gift exchange!

Come join us for a wonderful evening of great food and fun celebrating the Christmas holiday together with friends coming up Saturday, December 9th, at 5 PM!

For more information and to RSVP for this special event, go to The Great Outdoors Adventures Travel Group at
https://fb.me/e/4SYSBLGu0

11/23/2023

To all of you and your friends and families....hope you have a very happy Thanksgiving! ☺️🦃❤️