Archive for Custom Tours

What Medications May Be Necessary to Travel? 15 Jan 2016

Visa requirements for a country will describe what vaccinations, if any, are required before entry.  You can easily find out what vaccinations or medicine are recommended in addition to any minimum requirements for your intended destination by contacting the Center for Disease Control.  Go to www.cdc.gov/travel and enter your destination(s).  Allow plenty of time before you travel before you travel in case there are timing requirements.

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Into the Wild, the Mountain Gorillas of Uganda 01 Jan 2016

Uganda, gorilla trekHaving long been on my personal bucket list, visiting the mountain gorillas in the Virunga Mountains of Uganda was nothing short of awesome and even better than I anticipated. Observing these intelligent, playful and handsome creatures up close and personal in the wild jungle of Bwindi’s Impenetrable Forest (aptly named for its dense vegetation,) elevated my already-high appreciation of Nature’s beauty and diversity. Expert trackers found the Nkuringo family of 12 early in the day of my journey, which allowed our small group of human trekkers, porters and armed ranger precious time to spend with these magnificent mammals before the onslaught of torrential seasonal rains. Daily permits are issued to a limited number of visitors and for only one hour of visitation in Uganda, Rwanda and the Republic of Congo in order to minimize man’s impact on their natural habitat and way of life. Permit revenue is responsible for curbing poaching as it has become an important source of income for the government and a portion of it goes to support services in the local communities as well.

Uganda, gorillasA short flight from Entebbe to Kisoro in a comfortable small plane was followed by an adventurous 2-hour drive on a rough and rugged mountainous road to the site of Nkuringo Gorilla Camp. This lovely hilltop 3+-star property has 14 clean and very comfortable rooms with ensuite baths, most of which are individual cottages with private decks. Delicious meals are served in the common dining room and panoramic views include the Bwindi Forest, nearby Ugandan villages and Rwanda and Congo. For a luxury experience, nearby Clouds Mountain Gorilla Lodge boasts very private and spacious cottages, each with their own fireplace.

gorilla and babyVisiting the Nkuringo gorilla family of Bwindi National Park requires strenuous trekking on steep mountainsides but it will take you through incredibly beautiful scenery and remote rural villages. The mountain gorillas can also be safely visited in a few other places in Uganda and Rwanda, most requiring less serious hiking. Some families also live in the Republic of Congo but it is still unstable and travel is not recommended in this area. In addition to seeing the gorillas, there is a lot to experience in Nkuringo and Kisoro including endless scenic hikes, dining with a local family, visiting a coffee plantation or local school, riding in a dugout canoe on beautiful Lake Mutunda, trekking to see Golden Monkeys, and learning about the Batwa tribe and their fascinating former way of life as forest dwellers before being relocated from Bwindi when it became a national park.

Uganda Uganda has a lot to offer travelers in addition to a life-changing mountain gorilla encounter – breath-taking natural scenery, abundant wildlife including big game safaris such as found in beautiful Kidepo Valley, delicious fresh fruits and vegetables, and happy, welcoming people. Call us for a free consultation to see how you can best explore Uganda’s treasures.

Categories : Blog, Custom Tours
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Looking for More Adventure on Your Vacation? 01 Nov 2015

Many American travelers are demanding more adventure in their vacations. This ranges from exploring mainstream destinations in a non-ordinary way to thrill-seeking experiences. Whether you are a solo traveler, traveling as a couple, with friends or your family, all levels of adventure await you. A few considerations for soft adventures include:

  • Exploring a city like Paris or Rome by bicycle or Segway instead of on foot or by a coach bus
  • Tracing some of the Tour de France route on your own bicycle
  • Multi-sport vacations involving a variety of active experiences such as hiking, biking and kayaking–Backroads makes this possible in a number of countries as well as in the US
  • Exploring the Patagonia region of Chile and Argentina on horseback–Austin Adventures offers great itineraries to this area
  • Small ship cruising to explore the Galapagos Islands, Alaska or other destinations–tour operators such as G Adventures and Lindblad Expeditions offer both adult and family adventures
  • Hiking from lodge to lodge, or by train then a one day hike to the top of Machu Picchu
  • Expedition cruising to the Antarctic or Arctic Circle–even luxury cruises are available such as with Silversea
  • An African safari by jeep or on foot
  • Dog-sledding in Alaska or exploring Iceland’s tundra by snow mobile in summer

For those seeking more adventure, a few ideas include:

  • White-water rafting the Grand Canyon
  • Heli-skiing in North America and other parts of the world
  • Swimming with sharks or cage-diving in such places as South Africa, Belize, Fiji and other areas
  • Gorilla trekking in Rwanda, Uganda or the Republic of Congo–watch for my upcoming blog about Uganda soon!
  • Hiking Kilimanjaro-possible even for families through Thomson Family Adventures
  • Exploring Vietnam by Vespa
  • Hiking and camping along the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu–Austin Adventures can organize this with hot showers and gourmet cuisine

Looking for ideas for your next adventure? Call for a free 20-minute consultation, 602-923-1542.

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Honeymoon Origins: Kidnapping? 13 Oct 2015

We all know what the tradition of a honeymoon involves, and most of us have had or would like to have one, but how did this celebrated occasion come to be?

There are many different accounts from many different cultures on how the tradition began, ranging from the typical etymological interpretations to the more drastic stories, told from the earliest days. Although there is no way to tell which theory is the correct one due to thousands of years of twisting and re-telling each story, it does not keep us from speculating and acknowledging each theory in existence— both to add to the intrigue of this celebration and to deepen our historical appreciation for it.

One of the more direct approaches into digging out the history of a term is to dissect the word itself. Various historians agree that the term ‘moon’ represents the time period, a month, while others agree that it represents the full moon of the wedding day.

The etymology of the word honeymoon comes from Old English. It is made up of the two words, ‘hony’ and ‘moone’. Hony, loosely based from honey, refers to the period of tender and sweet pleasure that a newly-wed couple experiences. Moone on the other hand refers to how fleeting the amount of time the sweetness would last. In those times, it was used to warn newlyweds that love would wane and they should prepare for such an instance, but nowadays the honeymoon has a more positive connotation.

It may be a bit frightening to know that the earliest theories, dating back to Attila the Hun in AD 433-453, were based off of kidnapping. The process of kidnapping was considered a practice; where the groom would actually ‘abduct’ the woman he chose to be his bride. The groom, sometimes with the help of his groomsmen, would take the woman into hiding by throwing a blanket over her head and riding off with her on horseback. This is also where the term ‘swept off her feet’ originated from.

The woman would literally be swept off her feet and bundled onto the horse, to be carried wherever the groom intended. The ‘hiding’ would end when the woman’s relatives ceased their searching for her, which was usually about a month according to the phases of the moon. While the couple hid, they would feast on wine made of honey and water.

Of course, this is no longer the practice in modern times, but it always adds to the value of a tradition to know its roots. When you’re ready to have your own honeymoon, whether you avail of an exquisite French honeymoon package or plan your own, you can rest assured there will be no kidnapping involved, even if it says ‘women getaways’. Enjoy your honeymoon!

Categories : Blog, Custom Tours, Europe
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Alaska, America’s Last Frontier 01 Oct 2015

 getthumbnail-1.phpIf your travels have not yet included Alaska, this is definitely a must-see for Americans as much of it is truly unspoiled–filled with wild game, great fishing, clean lakes and rivers, untouched forests and majestic mountain ranges.

Sailing through the many lush islands of the Inside Passage (which includes northern Washington, British Columbia and Alaska) certainly gives you a taste of Alaska’s pristine beauty, but it barely touches the surface of what Alaska has to offer. That is why a number of cruise lines offer land packages or cruisetours with many of their voyages. Why not include a few days visiting Denali State Park with its majestic Mount McKinley and abundant wildlife or Kenai’s Fjords? Activities on land are abundant ranging from fishing, dogsledding, 4-wheel adventures, sea kayaking, flightseeing, glacier exploration, bear viewing, cultural visits and much, much more.

images-1Want to venture further into the wilds? Consider flying to a remote lodge or taking a tour to the Arctic Circle to see polar bears. Alaska is also one of the premier sights for the Northern Lights, with prime viewing between January–March, but often visible from September through mid-April. The area around Fairbanks is ideal for viewing this phenomenon of nature.

I traveled on an Alaskan cruise with my two sons when they were 10 and 14 and it was an adventure our entire family will treasure forever. Due to the short sailing season, cruises fill up fast so it is wise to reserve early. Let Gateway Destinations help find the perfect Alaskan adventure for you! Call us today at 602-923-1542.
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