OCR Text |
Show H4 The Salt Lake Tribune TRAVEL Sunday, February25 1996 Life in the Semi-Wild Isn’t Always Cheap No, not all Baby Boomers took their degrees and backpacks and beads and guitars and Eurailpasses and parents’ moneyacross the Atlantic and, in a last gasp of hippian freedom, sampled the pleasures of swinging London and sparkling Paris and free-loving Amsterdam. Someof them wentto war. Most of them went right to work. But eventually, lots went to Europe. Nowthey're going to Bhutan. The business of “adventure travel’ has been building throughout this decade, but no subspecies of the animal has grownlike the segment best deseribed as... as I actually prefer te use the words ‘special interest travel,’ ” says Jim Sano, president of Geographic Expeditions. Andwhois going? That's right The Baby Boomers,” says Chris Bensley, sales and market- ing director for Overseas Adventure Travel, “have done so much traveling in their lifetime that they want to explore and do more @ Are You Ready? Eight things to do before venturing into the wild 1. Understand that camping maybe easier than you think. Tented safaris in Africa actually can be luxurious. If you'restill uncomfortable with the thought, choose anothertrip. 2. Decide how much physical challenge you want. And don't overestimate yourfitness or experience levels. Others may depend on your ability to keep up. 3. Pick a price range. That'll cut down youroptions in a hurry 4. Shop around, and carefully. Somepackagesare all-inclusive, while others mayhave add-onssuchas park fees and interior transit fares 5. Don’t forget the airfare. It could add a chunk to catalog prices and influence your decisi ion, Some companies can save you moneyon group fares to ove rseas destinations. Ask 6. Call the tour companyand ask everything. They want you to. And get references. No one knowsa trip better than someone who's doneit, and if the company or outfitter can’t provide them, there maybe a problem. 7, Check out the trip leader. He or she sets the tone and can makeor break trip. If you can't contact the person, at least get their credentials. 8. Compare the literature. Outdoor magazines, specialty stores, books and sometravel agents can lead you to companies offering trips that match your interests and pocketbooks, and spur your imaginations. Source: Adapted from 101 Tips for Adventure Travelers, distributed by Overseas Adventure Travel. For free brochure,call 800-873-5628 active trips, more exotic trips.” “Their idea of a vacation,” Sano says of the turning-50 segmentofthis group ‘is noi exactly what their parents’ was. Or is.” Sano’s company, based in Francisco, offers 14 variations on trips to Bhutan, a Himalayan neighborto the better-known Nepal and Tibet. Nine trips to Machu Picchu. Twelve to Antarctica. For $26,000, he'll put you on the South Pole. Sanosays his business has doubledin the last four years Mountain Trayel/Sobek will send you to Timbuktu, Butterfield & Robinson will take you biking to China's Great Wall, but not until '97, Wings of the Werld Inc. will show you 10 memorable days in Cuba. Wilderness Travel will lead you to the wonders and eries of Chachapoyas. Over- 8 Adventure Travelwill guide youinto the Moroccan Sahara and on to Carthage. Abercrombie & Kent will accompanyyou ona 15day African golf safari (a ball in Victoria Falls is a one-stroke penalty, but watch that drop). Evidently, business in this seg- ment is up all over. Bensley says volumeathis 17-year-old company was up 50 percent last year alone, despite a generally stagnant economy. Other companies ‘report good numbersas well. No, not everyone born in 1946 is rushing to climb Mt. Everest. For every traveler willing or financiallyable to have an intimate experience with a gorilla in Rwanda, there are dozensbetter suited to take on more conventional travel adventures. BROVAL “PRE CARIBBEAN ubCRATAS? 7 & 10 NIGHT CRUISES N/BAHAMASALASKA MEXICO/HAWAI/EUROPE CRUISE HOTLINE! 1-800-435-7967 These, too, have grown in popularity as providers adjust to an aging yet travel-wise demographic that wants something morechallenging than a “Sound of Music” bustour out of Salzburg — so long as the wineis properly decanted. Dan Wiggins’ Boulder, beautiful when it’s raining You've got waterfalls coming down everywhere. People need to understand and accept that before they do a trip.” Mostof all -- particularly when they choose to examine radically foreign cultures and countrysides — they have to understand what Colo.- based American Wilderness Experience is in its 25th year of matching travel hiking trails ventures,” says Wiggins, Some of these trips are designed for people with zero body fat and the lungs of a marathon runner, Most simply aren't that physically tough; in fact, that's oneof the most misunderstood elements of exotic or adventure travel “Adventure travel.’ to many “where maybe horseback riding and canoeing.” And, since the movie “City Slickers,” cattle drives. are other things on Wig- gins’ wish list, one of which cuts to the heart of adventure travel, whetherit’s a Grand Canyon raft trip or a trek through the Andes: that people would realize that all people, connotes ‘rigors,’ says Sano. “There are people wholike to do that, but Bhutan doesn't mean you have to put on a 50pound backpack.” ‘We look at adventure travel not 2s physical adventures as much as adventuresof the spi or mind,” says Overseas Adventure Travel’s Bensley. “It’s not so much bungee-jumping or moun- these adventures require some- thing of the consumer beyond an adventurous spirit and a credit card “As a traveler,” says Wiggins, ‘there's a responsibility. You have a responsibility not only to prequalify yourself, but while you're on the trip to accept the — though someof ourtrips do in- spontaneity and the unknowns — corporate some of those elements. and the fact that it could rain for six days — and make the most of them. “Some people are just totally unacceptingofthe realities of wilderness, but the Grand Canyonis alist © cru en" SOPar : eae = We wantpeopleto make anintelligent decision,” says Sano, who could have been speaking for the industry. “After all, we're in the vacation business, and the thing we don’t want to happenis for peopie who were expecting hot water in a lodge out between Lhasa and Katmanduto not find Og One more irrefutable truth about adventure trips: They're not cheap. Youhave to have some money to enjoyit, and that puts a lot of people out of the market,” concedes Wiggins. On the other hand, once the trip begins, just about everything is taken care of: lodging, transportation, meals, guides. aa ar B published report that he would meet with officials in two north- ficial said that about 18,000 tour- Qo ists arrive on such packages each DRY CLEANING COSTLY Need a pair of pants drycleaned in French Polynesia? Get ready to be takento the cleaners, literally. It will cost you nearly $12.50, or $6.25 a leg Ugandaranks second ($11.46). French Guyana and Monaco are tied for third ($11.26), while Nor- TEN SUPER BUILDINGS Hereis how the world’stallest habitable buildings will rank in 2000 (with year of completion and height), according to The Top 10 of Everything 1996 (DK; $16.95) 1. Nina Tower, Hong Kong year. Oo way is fifth ($10.98) (1998): 1,535 feet Japan by comparisonis reasonable ($7). The USA ($4.21), Hong Kong ($4) and South Africa 2. Chonging Tower, Chonging, China (1997): 1,500. 3. Petronas Towers, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (1996): 1,475. ($2.71) are best among major countries. 4. Sears Tower, Chicago (1974): 1,454. Oo KID GLOVES Camp Hyatt Career Day,set for March 5, is the day 2,500 fifth graders don hotel uniforms and head to work at 83 Hyatt hotels around the country. The career day is designed to teach children about opportunities in the travel industry which employs 212 milion people worldwide Thefifth graders will work ina variety of jobs, including pastry chef, horticulturist, general manager and housekeeper oO BRAZIL SAYS NO The Brazilian government has 5. Tours San Fin, Paris (1998). 1,3377 6. World Trade Center, New York City (1973): 1,362 7. Jin Mao Building, Shanghai (1997): 1,255. 8. Empire State Building, New York City (1931): 1,250. 9. Amoco Building, Chicago (1973): 1,136. 10. John Hancock Center, Chicago (1969): 1,127. paceeg Faldmo Tours 800/777-5771 or 296-8940 BRANSON ‘1099 8 Day - May 1 INCLUDES AIR FROM SLC neludes 11 shows and activities. See Sho) F Pt RESERVATIONS eeeaby Sunday Departuresin April Depart Surday Return Saturday HAWAII ‘1999 11 Day - June 19 INCLUDESAIR FROM SLC Maui, Kauai, Oahu, TheBig Island Polynesian Cultural Center, Pearl Harbor, Fern Grotto, Waimea Canyon, Parker Ranch, luau and more SAN FRANCISCO AND PHANTOM ‘559 3 Day - 3/1, 4/26 or 5/24 Sunday Flights Available Call F INCLUDES AIR FROM SLC MEALS, SHOWS Menoe Brunch bay cruise, 2 nights hotel, dinner at Fisherman's Whar!, PRINCESS eeees ESMCMe cB Lec All April Departures ALASKA7 Day ;Aug 5 Cozumel es. nf te,,# Air, Transters,7 Nights Hotel B Depart March 30or Apri 6 CrassCoeols Tee 800-525-1 948 Peak Season Departure Inside Cabins from $1199 Cruise only price. Air additional, Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, College Fjord Hosted by DannyKramer of KDYL. Host based on minimum Perel es pr Mats ina tworday, on acct foi oe ome aocea yet ey : or two, twa: bréakfagtio Cea CarerG Cn y two one’ hou 2 spa trealments (one fete) Choose FUN YET TOURS SLC 485-5870 out of the area 1-800-300-5870 amit followi treatments: Swedish M Aromatherapy IN Risen eve) ei ae Cea SU iiss aera age, ter Ueno vere SES Combo Massa: NE Brg NY rap. mie Dra of Pamp ss & @ = i Night of Playing. mEuea emitter mre SERVING THE WASATCH FRONT SINCE 1963 alg, steant roam EP ileal weear Also L-L-Les Vegas & M-M-Mesquite March 11-March 14 Single ot Da $35 Sanday Thru Thursday Through 5/23/96 “SPRING MYSTERY: TOUR How Brave Are You??? pril 11-April 14 VICTOR BORGE AT TUACAHN Also Las Vegas Dinner & Show pril 23-April ines 2 Stay at the Sahara and experience what all the talk is about! SCANDINAVIA-LAND & SEA * Weekends sighthy PeeMmea= 12. Aiso-Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island May 1 11-May ha 17 Sweden, Finland. Norway & Denmark Includes Coastal Steamer Fjord Crulse Receive Sahara's "Book of Riches” vaived at over $200 Free Hat! Retaii Discounts! Fiee Pull To Win $1000! Stop by our Welcome Ce nter for more details Limit 800-63 4-666 Holiday intion periods SiaPMOeadSTZa eeroe ._ BRANSON. SPRING TOURS _. April 26-May } Branson In the Sprir May 14-May 19 with Eureka Springs May 28-June 2 with Lake of the Ozarks June ne 21 with Nashvili Doll Tahoe Getaway, June 2 Soutt.ern Utah Parks Tour. June 20-23 + Palmyca Pageant Church History Tour With Guest Lecturer Elder Hartman Rector, Jr.. July 4-17 + Calgary Stampedes. July 615 July 917, July 11-17 Cheyenne Frontier fentenniai Juity 25-29 : blsrors Dee eteead . Rea eeoe ee HYPNOTIST MARSHALL SYLVER STARRING IN tYPH PNOTIC SPECTACULAR Tickets: $29.95 plus tax * Dark Sunday HOTEL AND CASINO LAS VEGAS cabins sold, TR et te i‘ Call 288-1100 eee Peet aeeRe) mezzanineseating to Phantom, and San Francisco sightseeing. Monday & Friday Flights included with all reservations CALL TOLL FREE T jiiams, Roy Clark, Me! Til, The Osmonds, Silver Dollar City, Branson Belle fa Vancouver ® Ketchikan ® Juneau Seee EyMOMate) RS idé-Passage @ Anchorage Departs duly 29 and Aug. 12, (Book Early!) tare, lodging, some meals Shoji Tabuchi, MelTillis, Ww of the Justice Ministry said in a CRUISE TO ALASKA... “sexual tourism” in Brazil. Jose Gregori great remedy for motion sickness. “But by and large, most of the people whotravel with us aren't super-physicai athletes. “They're just people who want to explore.” His company’s catalogs rate Cla elecle 6990 “me tions taineering or white-water rafting Bemiacy BRANSON from “deluxe” to “rustic,” treks can be “moderate” or “rigorous.” Definitions are provided. Backroads, a companythat specializes in “active” travel, gives detailed difficulty ratings of its bike, hike and running routes. About any companythat markets river raft or kayak tripswill rate the river's rapids, usually on a scale of I (not much) to VI (don’t even think about it) Studythe material, be realistic about your tolerance levels, and before you book a trip, ask ques- tee. someone will do not just mountain biking but maybe mountain or Geographic Expeditions hasits own language: Safaris can range Germany, Italy and Argentinato countries who advertise eastern states where an estimated 500,000 girls younger than 16 work asprostitutes. A tourism of- of the trips are “‘easy.”” fitters generally are upfront with what they can and can't guaran- rafting. Seasickness asked the embassies of France denounce travel agents in their @ Continued from H-1 wild can haveits quirks, but experienced tour companies and out- with mostly AndI think there's more and moreinterest in combination ad- and trips on a scale of “easy” (‘‘Turkey’s Magical Hideaways’’) to “moderate” (Nepal) to ‘demanding” (the Mt. Kilimanjaro trek and wildlife safari). The majority they're buying. Life in the semi- domestic rivers, pack rides and biking McCarthey: Warding Off (800) 896:4567 it cs |