Active Travel Adventures (2025)

06/02/2025

Is it possible to explore Europe AFFORDABLY? What about an ACTIVE European vacation?

On today's Active Travel Adventures podcast, I interview popular adventure guide Tammy about European cycling holidays where your 'hotel' is a ship!

These affordable week long vacations are for regular fit people, and are virtually all inclusive (with YUMMY meals!).

It's a fantastic way to see some of the best Europe has to offer!

It's also a great option for people with travel mates of different physical levels as e-bikes are available. Or, one partner can simply enjoy riding with the ship as desired!

PLUS! You only have to unpack ONCE, which I love.

Tammy gives us the low down on these super fun vacations, plus her picks for the 'Most Beautiful", "Most Historic", "Best Nature", "Most Undiscovered", etc.

You'll learn when to go where and what to expect on your Boat Bike Tours vacation. DM me for an exclusive promo code good for any of their amazing tours.

Visit the website (link below) to see pics and get more details, and to download the show - also available on all podcast apps.

I've also covered many of BBT's adventures on my podcast. Just search boat bike tour on the website or check out the show notes for a complete list.

https://activetraveladventures.com/resources/adventure-tour-companies/boat-bike-tours-european-all-inclusive-biking-tours/.

16/01/2025

Is the current Polar Vortex making you think of ICELAND (which ironically isn't that cold due to warming from the Gulf Stream)?

Then check out this week's Active Travel Adventures podcast and webpage where I interview Brad about his hiking and kayaking adventure.

Iceland is an incredible country that you can actually see is ALIVE!

The volcanic steam erupts from the soil. You can soak in hot rivers (including one that meets up with a glacial river so you can alternate temps!).

Straddle the tectonic plates between North America and Europe as you learn about the history and culture of these fascinating, friendly and hardy people.

You'll see the famous Icelandic ponies and enjoy charming Reykjavik. If you time it right, you might even get to see clown-like puffins darting about!

If you want to replicate this trip, DM me for an exclusive Promo Code.

https://activetraveladventures.com/hike-kayak-iceland-adventures/

02/01/2025

Need more travel inspiration?

Check out my popular annual Best Travel Podcasts episode on the Active Travel Adventures podcast and website.

Each year I find many new shows that highlight terrific destinations, travel hacks and how to best use points and loyalty programs. You're sure to find some new 'go to's"! Link in the comments.

19/12/2024

Wanna go on an adventure in 2025?
'Tis the season to plan our new year's travels, so I put together a list of my ultimate favorite active adventures since on today's Active Travel Adventures podcast (and website) that covers some of the most fun and incredible landscapes from around the world.
Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know so I can add it to MY new year's list!

Download the podcast on any (free) podcast app or directly from the website, where you can see the list, pics and get more details. I did an individual show on each adventure so you can see if it is the right one for you.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah or whatever you celebrate this season!!!

PS: The photo below is on the famous Tongariro Crossing on the South Island of New Zealand - EPIC!!!

PPS: Many of the adventures I covered I did with an affiliate adventure travel tour partner, so often I can save you some money with an exclusive promo code. DM me if you are interested in the code for one of the partners I cover

https://activetraveladventures.com/best-adventure-travel-vacations/

05/12/2024

Visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks on today's Active Travel Adventures podcast.

On today's show, we hike, bike and raft in two of America's most beautiful parks. Known for their incredible landscapes and abundant wildlife, you'll see why these parks are so popular.

See photos and get more info on the website. And listen to the show directly from the webpage or from all podcast apps.
https://activetraveladventures.com/yellowstone-tetons-adventure/

02/12/2024

We are looking for at least one more rider for our KYOTO to the Sea of Japan cycling tour next October 31 - November 7.

The cost is $4495 dbl occ and eBikes are available.

Here is the tour info, but DO NOT BOOK before checking with me as we are not confirmed until we find the one rider needed to meet our minimum(we are currently four riders).

Kyoto Bike to the Sea of Japan: https://www.artofbicycletrips.com/tours/kyoto-sea-of-japan-bike-tour/

DM ME if you are interested

19/10/2024

Now here's an outstanding way to explore southeast Asia: by BIKE!

On this week's Active Travel Adventures podcast, we bike highlights of Vietnam and Cambodia on quiet rural roads. Not only do you enjoy a more authentic experience and interact more with locals, you can avoid the crowds in popular places like Angkor Wat because you can bike around away from those other pesky tourists:)

You stay in comfortable inns along the way,, so you'll always get to start fresh each day.

Download (for free), get more details and see pics at the link in the comments.

20/09/2024

Considering doing the El Camino? On this week's Active Travel Adventures podcast, we talk all things El Camino (including BIKING the Camino!) Link in the comments.

Also, there's a chance that a solo (male or female) hiker can join our April 2025 Portuguese Way Camino (we have booked inn and our main luggage gets transported daily). It could also be a male willing to room with another male.

If you have any interest, DM me for details.

03/09/2024

My Mont Blanc hike is nearing the end, but I've a few days left... Today, we cross into Switzerland (on this trek, you hike around Mont Blanc western Europe's highest mountain, in the alps at the corner of France, Italy and Switzerland).

At each border, our guide Emma, gives us the appropriate flags so we can pose for our close up.

The trail here is not as rocky, as evidenced by an increase in crazy mountain bikers. I can't imagine biking this trail, and in fact, sometimes they have to carry their bikes.

Along the trail, you periodically come to refugios, or mountain huts. Here, with advance reservation, you can sleep in a dorm room. Anyone can get a hot meal or a refreshing hot or cold drink. You can also replenish your water and use a compost toilet instead of hiding behind a rock.

The new boots fit my feet fine, but rub my left upper ankle. They'll do for the remainder of the hike, but I'm going to pawn them when we arrive Chamonix, and consider the depreciation as 'boot rental':) I definitely don't want to wear them home and they won't fit in my bag.

01/09/2024

Mont Blanc adventure continues... Today we have a free day in Courmayeur, Italy (my favorite mountain village that we visited, btw. Much less touristy than Chamonix).

I opt to join the family - Brad, Robyn and Logan - white water rafting.

I think the two hour ride will be too short, but agree anyway (I like to go at least a half day). Little did I know that it was doubtful I would have the energy or knee capacity to get up and down in the raft for a couple more hours!

Let me explain: the river, unlike others I've rafted, was NON-STOP Class III-IV rapids. So it was a continuous "Get Down! - Get Up - Hold On - Get Down - Paddle Forward - Get Down -Paddle Back - Get Down" etc for easily five solid miles.

I would bet we were down in the floor and then up in 'position' 4-6 times a minute! No wonder our training on dry land was so intense (the should have been my first clue:)

It was a TOTAL BLAST!!!! Exhilarating, exhausting, maniacal joy. I couldn't stop smiling!

And I have never experienced anything like it -- and I have paddled some of the world's most amazing rivers, such as the Pacuare, Tulley and Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

I would so do it again (of course, after a suitable rest:)

The last couple of miles was relatively calm, so we had a chance to enjoy the scenery.

So today's tip: Go to Courmayeur and when you do, sign up to go rafting. We went with Totem, the only company certified to run this technical section of the river ( guides have to train for FOUR years to lead a raft!). Mind you, I had no idea prior what Robyn had signed me up for - although I'd have gone anyway, had I known that:) I'll put a link in the comments if you want to see one of Totem's videos. Thanks, Ivan (our guide) for an amazing memory!!!

02/08/2024

Intrigued by backpacking but worried about carrying all that weight? Check out Ultra Lite Backpacking, the focus of this week’s Active Travel Adventures podcast (and blog post).

Learn the pros and cons of this popular method of getting to those hard to reach vistas that require you to carry it all in order to see them.

https://activetraveladventures.com/ultra-lite-backpacking-tips/

27/07/2024

LAST CALL for joining us on the April 2025 Portuguese Way El Camino!

We are looking for a single male to share a room with another solo male traveler.

We will be walking for two weeks from Porto in Portugal to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Our Camino will be "Solo, Together" meaning our group will have the same itinerary and lodging, but everyone has the daily flexibility to walk when we want, with whom we wish to walk with.

This gives the support and camaraderie of a group, which you can walk with and/or eat and explore with, while allowing you the opportunity to set your own daily schedule and hike solo or with others, either in the group or new friends you meet along the way.

You stay in nice inns each night and your luggage gets transported for you so all you have to do is carry your daypack each day.

Must be willing to commit by July 31 or our unmatched solo male room converts to a single room.

20/06/2024

What better way to see Venice than by boat? How about boat AND bike???
On today's Active Travel Adventures podcast, we take an 8 day boat and bike tour (to or) from Venice to Mantua - one of Europe's most important wetlands and migratory stops.
We visit charming villages, pedal the Italian countryside and learn about the history and culture of the region - including a fun stop at a parmesan cheese factory.
This relatively flat cycling tour is perfect for a fun, stress-free yet active holiday. And you only have to unpack once as the ships sails the Po River watershed.
My guests went with my affiliate Boat Bike Tours. DM me for an exclusive promo code good for all of their amazing European vacations.
Learn all about this fun and surprisingly affordable European vacation. Link ibelow to download the podcast, see pics and get more details. You can also listen from any (free) podcast app.
https://activetraveladventures.com/boat-bike-venice-mantua-italy/

06/06/2024

Now here's a fun and relaxing way to explore Provence and see the wild horses and THOUSANDS of birds in Camargue in the south of France : do a boat and bike tour!

On today's Active Travel Adventures podcast, I interview the Banks about their 8 day Boat Bike Tours Provence - Camargue tour which also features Avignon and Arles.

See the landscapes that inspired Van Gogh and Cézanne. In the summer smell and see the acres of lavender blooms the region is justly famous for.

See the wild horses that live in the marsh (and even ride one when you have a minute!). Check out the flamingos and some of the more than 400 species that visit this important migratory stop.

Learn all about it on the podcast and see pics and get complete details of this affordable holiday on the website. As an affiliate, BoatBikeTours offer my listeners a 50 euro discount.

https://activetraveladventures.com/boat-bike-provence-camargue-france/

16/05/2024

I am honored to have been one of Mollie's guest on her Stay in Good Company podcast, which I shared on my own Active Travel Adventures show today.

Three guests share travel insights as well as some of the unusual places they have stayed around the world.

Give it a listen! I think you'll like it. On it, in addition to general travel talk, I describe three unique stays which left a lasting memory:

1. The photo (below) is of one of the coolest places I've ever stayed, in Las Olas in Copacabana, Bolivia with my sister Terry McGowan. Every little touch was a work of art, right down to the shower floor. All cottages were unique, like the ice cream swirl (shown) which I think was supposed to be a sea shell. All overlook the sea. Amazing AND affordable!

2. On my New Zealand South Island trip with Active Adventures, we stayed in a historic sheep shearers shed overlooking Aoraki / Mount Cook. Oh! And Netflix was filming a medieval movie out front:) A 'Hall of Famer' tour, for sure!!! (DM me for an exclusive promo code good on any of Active's incredible tours)

3. I also talk about the SWANKIEST place I ever stayed, Zhiwa Ling Heritage, where the stunning five star hotel was made in the traditional manner without nails! It is a work of art! PS: There are still a few spots available for our ATA Bhutan trip in October 2025 - DM me if interested in the details.

It was fun reliving the memories! Thanks, Mollie!

07/05/2024

I’m considering putting together a group to do this Everest Base Camp trek in September of 2025.

If this is something you might be interested in, DM or email me so I can keep you in the loop as plans progress.

07/05/2024

Are you the ONE???

We are looking for a male to room with another for our April 20 -May 3, 2025 Portuguese Way (Coastal route) El Camino de Santiago. Cost just 1818 euro (currently under $2000 USD) includes your lodging, breakfast, maps and more.

Our small group will be doing our Camino, solo yet together, meaning you can do your own Camino but we will be staying the same lodging. This means you can walk solo or with others in the group or new friends that you meet, on your own timetable, as you see fit each day. You'll have the safety and camaraderie of a group but with the flexibility of solo travel! A perfect combo to ensure your Buen Camino!

Our group is full except for the one lone male that we seek to room with another solo male 'pilgrim'. Are you the ONE???

Click this Active Travel Adventures link for more information: https://activetraveladventures.com/travel-with-me/

02/05/2024

Need a REALLY big challenge? Consider trekking to Everest Base Camp in Nepal! If you train, YOU can do this!

You hike along the same path as the Mount Everest climbers and end at their final camp before they climb (they climb another 12,000'!). Porters carry most of your gear and you sleep in local tea houses each night.

You also get to experience colorful Kathmandu and the exciting Lukla airport.

Learn all about this amazing bucket list adventure on today's Active Travel Adventures podcast and on the webpage (link in the comments).

If you are interested, contact me for an exclusive Active Adventures promo code (they won't let me publish it).

I'm seriously thinking about doing this in the fall of 2025. Want to join me? Let me know and I'll keep you in the loop.

Active Travel Adventures

06/02/2025

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19/12/2024

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01/09/2024

02/08/2024

27/07/2024

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