Active Travel Adventures - podcast cover

Active Travel Adventures

Looking for a FUN adventure for your next vacation? Active Travel Adventures curates multi-day world wide adventure travel holidays for reasonably fit folks who love to hike, bike, paddle or otherwise stay active for a more immersive experience when they vacation and explore our planet and its people. These are all adventures that YOU can do, especially if you train (I'm 64, so if I can do it, so can YOU!). It's easy to find the right adventure for you: We cover mild adventures like cycling (flat) the historic and beautiful Netherlands, to taking an African safari, to taking a walking holiday from one medieval village to the next on historic paths in Europe. And if you are up for a bigger challenge, then check out climbing Kilimanjaro, trekking to Everest Base Camp or Annapurna in Nepal's majestic Himalayan mountains, or hiking the Mont Blanc circuit through Italy, France and Switzerland. But most adventures we cover are rated a 3 out of 5 for difficulty. Examples include (eBikes available) cycling Greek islands or island hopping from Split to Dubrovnik in Croatia (both while sleeping on a cool ship!), hiking in Banff, the Dolomites, Patagonia, or trekking to Machu Picchu. Long distance hikes we cover include the Coast to Coast and Cotswold Way in England, the West Highland Way in Scotland and other famous UK trails. Of course, we often cover doing an El Camino, including the French Way (Camino Frances), the Portuguese Way, the Primitivo, the original way from Oviedo. We've even BIKED the El Camino! We have also walked the Camino's sister trail, the Kumano Koda trail in Japan. If you like the water and to paddle, we've rafted the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon (and we've hiked the Grand Canyon, too!) as well as through Canyonlands National Park. We've rafted the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, as well as day trips as part of other trips on the Pacuare River in Costa Rica and the Tulley River in Australia. We've also snorkeled the Galapagos Islands and the Great Barrier Reef! Naturally, we cover the amazing National Parks, including Olympic, Acadia, the Grand Canyon, Arches, Zion, Arches, Rocky Mountains and more! Sometimes we even travel on horseback, including in Iceland, Ireland and other exciting destinations! Often the trips are multi-activity, like the ones in New Zealand, Italy, Argentina, Chile, Peru and Costa Rica. On multi-activity trips, we mostly hike, but we usually do some biking and paddling as well. Sometimes we go on expedition cruises, like to Antarctica, the Falkland and South Georgia islands or to Greenland. Here we hike and get to paddle among the icebergs, while traveling on a small ship for closer access to the amazing landscape! On occasion we backpack and camp, but mostly we day hike and stay in comfortable inns at night. We have backpacked St Olav Ways in Norway, the Kungsleden trail in Sweden, in Iceland and Greenland, as well as section hiked the Appalachian Trail, or 'AT'. We visit exotic countries like Bhutan, Vietnam and Thailand. In short, we cover the world's most exciting adventures that regular people can do on their vacation. Sometimes, we cover skills that you need in order to go on an adventure, from traveling solo, how to choose a tour company, how to save money for travel, how to save money ON travel, and outdoor skills you need to learn (also check out our sister podcast, the Adventure Travel Show podcast (ATSP) for deep dives into adventure skills). ATA's mission is to inspire and empower you to lead a bigger life through adventure travel. Travel the Active Travel Adventures way! Be sure to visit the ActiveTravelAdventures.com website where we make it easy to find the right adventure for you! You can search by time of year you can travel, what activity you want to do and which continent you want to visit. Learning about all the outdoor skills from ATSP are available to check out there as well. We aim to be your one stop shop for adventure travel! One the website, you can see photos and videos of the adventure covered, plus get more information about the trip covered. You can also get a FREE Travel Planner for each adventure by signing up for our once a month newsletter.
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Episodes

Hiking Colorado - The Sophie Diaries

Hike and explore springtime in Colorado as Kit and 'Sophie', her converted Sprinter cargo van, visit Dolores, Cortez, Durango, Salida, Colorado Springs, Denver and Rocky Mountain National Park. Get FREE Travel Planners for ATA adventures (and each month you will get an email from Kit with links to all future Travel Planners (no spam promise!). Get the monthly newsletter here . CONTACT KIT Resources Promo Codes and Recommended Tour Companies Travel Insurance : Quickly and easily compare rates and...

Jul 15, 202150 minEp. 93

Hike the West Highland Way of Scotland

Learn about Scotland's most popular 96 mile long distance trail in today's interview with Phil who, with his wife, walked this beautiful trail. We will hear what you'll see and learn what advice Phil has for those interested to see if this is an adventure you'd like to do. Kit also walked the West Highland Way in 2017, so she adds her two cents, too. COMPLETE SHOW NOTES See important links to help plan your West Highland Way adventure, plus see photos and more info. You can also listen to Kit's ...

Jul 01, 202154 minEp. 92

Hike and Bike Southern Utah

Kit heads to magical southern Utah to explore not just its fantastic National Parks, but also some lesser known areas, as she continues her USA camper van road trip in "Sophie". Learn about cool destinations and what Kit has learned about road tripping - both good and bad - along with tips to make your next road trip more pleasant. LINKS MENTIONED ON TODAY'S EPISODE: Wildland Trekking [ Use Promo Code ATA75] Active Adventures [ Email Kit for Promo Code] Red Cliffs Lodge Moab UT Rim Tours [ Mount...

Jun 17, 202153 minEp. 93

Hike Utah's 'Mighty 5' National Parks

Discover the extraordinary landscape of Utah's "Mighty 5" National Parks! We visit Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks, plus the cool town of Moab. Our guest, Ally, tells us about her hiking adventure with ATA affiliate Active Adventures [ BONUS: Email Kit to get an exclusive Discount Promo Code to save on your Utah or any Active tour!] Get complete details, see photos and more on the SHOW NOTES HERE. Get FREE Travel Planners for ATA adventures (and each month...

Jun 03, 20211 hr 13 min

Hiking the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Northern Arizona

The Sophie Diaries : May 2021 Join Kit as she explores the incredible landscapes of Northern Arizona! We hike and/or bike the Grand Canyon, Flagstaff and Sedona. We boondock in the Cococino and Prescott National Forest. Follow along as Kit learns how to travel and live in her converter camper van, "Sophie". Get tips on camper van travel and learn from Kit's mistakes. Support this show at no additional cost to you by shopping Amazon on this link . Other Active Travel Adventures episodes mentioned...

May 20, 202159 minEp. 89

Hike the Red Rock Canyons of Sedona

Hike the red rock canyons of mystical Sedona on today’s show. Learn what you need to know about exploring this stunning landscape. Join Kit as she hikes these magical canyons with ATA affiliate Wildland Trekking on their base camp Sedona adventure . Use Promo Code ATA75 on any multi-day Wildland adventure! You'll be helping to support the show while saving $$$! COMPLETE SHOW NOTES See photos and important links to plan your Sedona adventure. Get FREE Travel Planners for all Active Travel Adventu...

May 06, 202139 minEp. 88

USA Camper Van Road Trip - Appalachian Mountain Towns

Sophie Diaries: USA Camper Van Road Trip NC>VA Kit heads out on the road again in "Sophie", her 2011 converted Sprinter van. In today's episode, we explore the Appalachian mountain areas of NC, VA and TN. Learn what it's like to take a camping road trip, what Kit has learned, often by trial and error, on how to make the best of the situation in traveling in a van without a set agenda. Links mentioned: Adventure Travel Show Podcast: Boondocking (= Camp for FREE!) Active Travel Adventures Podca...

Apr 15, 202146 minEp. 87

Hiking the Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon Show Notes Kits interviews Mary, a 70 year old woman who has hiked the Grand Canyon down and back 142 times - most recently last November. Who better to learn the in’s and out’s of hiking this incredible canyon - in fact, learn great hiking tips in general, from a woman who has hiked the canyon for the last five decades. COMPLETE SHOW NOTES See important links to hiking the Grand Canyon, photos and more cool info On today's episode we cover: How to plan for your hike What to pack Pl...

Apr 01, 20211 hr 15 minEp. 85

2022 Travel with Me PLUS USA Camper Van Travel Now

There are two segments in today’s show. First we talk about traveling together to Central and South America in 2022, and then we discuss US Camper Van travel in “Sophie”, my 2011 Sprinter Conversion. We head to Hagan-Stone County Park and Hanging Rock State Park in NC before arriving in Roanoke, VA. TRAVEL WITH ME! Since I travel solo, sometimes (frankly, a LOT of times) it gets lonely. Since so many of you expressed interest in going with me to Costa Rica, I thought you might be interested in j...

Mar 18, 202157 minEp. 85

Hike the Camino de Costa Rica Part II

Hike the Camino de Costa Rica! Part II: The Logistics Costa Rica has a new long distance trail that runs from the Caribbean (Atlantic) to the Pacific Ocean. This 16 day, 280 km/175 mi trail takes you through five ecosystems and more than a dozen rural villages not seen by most tourists. In fact, the Costa Rica Camino is helping these locals afford to stay in their beloved home towns because they are feeding and housing the thru hikers, and even starting new businesses with optional excursions an...

Mar 04, 202147 minEp. 84

Hike the Costa Rica Coast to Coast Camino

Hike the Camino de Costa Rica! Costa Rica has a new long distance trail that runs from the Caribbean (Atlantic) to the Pacific Ocean. This 16 day, 280 km/175 mi trail takes you through five ecosystems and more than a dozen rural villages not seen by most tourists. In fact, the Costa Rica Camino is helping these locals afford to stay in their beloved home towns because they are feeding and housing the thru hikers, and even starting new businesses with optional excursions and classes! It's a "Win-...

Feb 18, 202151 minEp. 83

Gorilla Trekking Uganda

Kit interviews Wendy Lee from the popular travel blog Empty Nesters Hit The Road about her experience trekking Uganda seeking mountain gorillas, found only in the wild (there are none in captivity). We learn about trekking for gorillas in Uganda versus Rwanda, when to go, what to wear, how hard it is and what to expect on this engaging interview. COMPLETE SHOW NOTES See important links to planning your African gorilla trekking adventure, see photos and get more info. Get FREE Travel Planners for...

Feb 04, 202141 minEp. 82

Best Travel Podcasts for 2021

Third annual list of the 25 Best Travel Podcasts to listen to in the coming year. Host Kit Parks showcases the best in travel podcasts. Learn travel tips, destination and adventure ideas, travel hacks and industry trends and news. Discover new shows to add to your library. COMPLETE SHOW NOTES See important links to boondocking sites, photos and more cool info Get FREE Travel Planners for ATA adventures (and each month you will get an email from Kit with links to all future Travel Planners (no sp...

Jan 28, 202114 minEp. 81

Everything You Need to Walk (or Bike!) the El Camino de Santiago

Kit interviews Umberto di Venosa, founder of Follow the Camino, a tour company focused entirely on assisting 'pilgrims' plan and execute their Camino journey. Umberto gives us expert insight on what you need to think about when planning your El Camino. These can also be applied to any long distance walk or pilgrimage. We discuss important considerations like: which trail best suits you and the many paths available what time of year to go and the weather which Camino 'personality' best fits you a...

Jan 07, 20211 hrEp. 80

Hike Big Bend and Carlsbad Cavern National Parks

Kit brings back Arlis (Baja episode) to tell us about her hiking adventure to Big Bend AND Carlsbad Cavern National Parks. We'll learn what to see and do at these spectacular parks, when to go, and other helpful tips to make your adventure grand. See photos and the complete SHOW NOTES HERE . CONTACT KIT Resources Promo Codes and Recommended Tour Companies Travel Insurance : Quickly and easily compare rates and policies from different companies - no need to give any identifying information unless...

Dec 24, 20201 hr 4 minEp. 79

Trek Nepal's Annapurna Circuit

Kit interviews Tracy Pawelski, author of One Woman's Camino and her recently released One Woman in the Himalayas, about her Annapurna Circuit trek in Nepal. Not everything went as planned. We discuss her trials and tribulations, and how adventure travel in general often goes awry, but that's ok. The best travel stories come from the unexpected. We learn about the Annapurna Circuit, and hear Tracy's story about how she got into long distance hiking when she walked the El Camino del Santiago in Sp...

Dec 10, 202057 minEp. 78

African Hiking and Safari Adventures

Explore three amazing African countries by foot and safari jeep on today's episode. In addition to a typical jeep safari, we hike and track game with an expert guide in Botswana, and also paddle the delta in a traditional dug out canoe. The tour even heads to Zimbabwe to see Victoria Falls! We explore South Africa and Cape Town and seek the Big 5, and learn that it doesn't take very long with the vast number of animals populating the Kruger National Park region! If you climb Kilimanjaro, be sure...

Nov 26, 202048 minEp. 77

Hike and Kayak Iceland Adventure

076 Hike and Kayak Iceland! Kit interviews Brad about his amazing Iceland adventure where he hiked the rugged landscape to see waterfalls and cave dwellings, he glacier hiked in crampons, and kayaked among icebergs in this land of Fire and Ice. It’s a magical adventure travel destination you’re sure to add to your Bucket List! Here’s the link to more details and photos about today’s episode and be sure to get the FREE Travel Planner for this adventure. Get FREE Travel Planners for ATA adventures...

Nov 12, 202044 minEp. 76

Summer 2020 Camper Van Road Trip Concludes Part III

Today we conclude the "Sophie Diaries" about what it was like to take a six week road trip during the pandemic this summer. Kit makes it out west, hikes and bikes historic trails like the Natchez Trace, the Trail of Tears, the Pony Express and Route 66 as she covers her road trip from North Carolina to Wyoming - with an unexpected and abrupt ending. Learn what it's like to travel now, what she's learned and some cool places she visited that you may want to add to your future travel list. SHOW NO...

Oct 29, 20201 hrEp. 75

Camper Van US Road Trip 2020 Part II

Kit continues her multi-state camper van road trip during the pandemic. Learn what it's like to travel now, what she's learned and some cool places she visited that you may want to add to your future travel list. SHOW NOTES : https://activetraveladventures.com/roadtrip/ CONTACT KIT Resources Promo Codes and Recommended Tour Companies Travel Insurance : Quickly and easily compare rates and policies from different companies - no need to give any identifying information unless you decide to buy! Th...

Oct 15, 202042 minEp. 74

Camper Van US Road Trip 2020

What’s it like to go on a road trip during the pandemic? In today’s show, Kit and her camper van ‘Sophie’ take to the road to find out. You’ll learn what went right and wrong on her trip, and lessons learned. You’ll hear about some amazing places to explore, especially State Park gems, as Kit works her way West from NC on her six week adventure. SHOW NOTES : https://activetraveladventures.com/roadtrip/ CONTACT KIT Resources Promo Codes and Recommended Tour Companies Travel Insurance : Quickly an...

Oct 01, 202045 minEp. 73

The 'Summer of Kit' continues

The 'Summer of Kit' road trip in 'Sophie', Kit's new-to-her converted Sprinter camper van concludes, but she forgot about lack of internet access to produce new episodes while she traveled. Today we discuss the new schedule. Be sure to check in with Kit to let her know how YOUR summer went during this crazy time! CONTACT KIT Resources Promo Codes and Recommended Tour Companies Travel Insurance : Quickly and easily compare rates and policies from different companies - no need to give any identify...

Sep 03, 20203 min

Travel in a Different World

Is Contact Tracing the way to open up travel again? Explore the pros and cons of contact tracing and exposure notification, and how it may help us travel again in a Covid world. Today’s Bonus Episode brings Mary Charleson from CarryOnQueen.com and FiveMinuteMarketing.com and Barbara Cameron of BarbaraCameronPix.com. We define contact tracing, the differences between manual and digital tracing, the pros and cons of contact tracing versus exposure notification, we discuss privacy issues, centraliz...

Jul 16, 202050 min

Green Shoots: Industry Panel Travel Update

Roundup Interview with Adventure Travel Industry Leaders Bonus Episode #6 In March 2020 at the beginning of the lockdown, Kit interviewed three industry leaders to find out what was happening on the ground, how they were dealing with the crisis, and what advice they would give us adventure travelers. Today’s show is a follow up three months later to see what they’ve learned, what they expect we will see for the next twelve months onward, and advice for travel in the future. See the key takeaways...

Jul 09, 202050 min

Morocco Adventures

072 Adventures in Morocco : Marrakesh, Chefchaouen, the Sahara & Atlas Mountains and more! Our visit to Morocco today focuses on the exotic culture as well as hiking in the Atlas Mountains. We take a camel trek in the Sahara Desert. We visit Marrakesh, Chefchaouen, Casablanca, and Berber villages. We take a cooking class, take a night street food tour, explore a Kasbah, watch craftsmen make their wares, such as wool rugs, tanned leather goods, mosaic tile work and pottery. We tour a massive ...

May 14, 202054 minEp. 72

The West Highland Way of Scotland

The best way to see Scotland’s bucolic countryside is on foot! Savor Scotland’s most popular long distance trail, the West Highland Way! This 96 mile trail starts in Glasgow and finishes in Scotland’s adventure capital, Fort William. Kit even walked the Kelvin Way from Glasgow to the start of the trail in Milngavie. Stay in medieval villages each night and walk the rambling countryside trail, often along Loch Lommond, during the day. It’s magical AND doable for any fit person! Walking holidays a...

Apr 30, 202027 min

Jordan Adventures in Petra and Wadi Rum

The best way to see the highlights of Jordan is on foot! Hike Petra and Wadi Rum in Jordan, camp Bedouin-style in the desert away from the tourists and under a canopy of stars, ride a camel through the desert, visit Mount Nebo and Amman, and learn why Jordan is the friendliest country in the Middle East! We cover: When to visit Jordan Things to do and see in Jordan How to dress in Jordan Safety in Jordan; solo and women travel safety in Jordan Explore Petra and the Treasury and Monastery; Little...

Apr 16, 20201 hrEp. 70

Coping, Silver Linings plus an Action Plan

Kit Parks interviews three top adventure travel tour industry leaders about how they are coping with the coronavirus pandemic and its effect on the travel industry, how they are handling upcoming and future travel bookings, postponements and cancellations, what silver linings they’ve discovered, their outlook for the future and what travellers can do to help their favorite tour companies get through this crisis. Our guests today include Paul McDonald with Active Adventures based in Queenstown, N...

Apr 09, 202058 minEp. 4

Banff National Park Canada Adventures

Have an amazing vacation in Banff Canada! Hike, bike, and paddle in one of Canada’s most scenic destinations. Soak in a hot tub while you watch the incredible night sky! Learn tips from a local on this podcast episode, download the FREE Banff Travel Planner and get more information and see pics on the website. We cover: When to visit Banff How to get to Banff Things to do in Banff Guided hiking tours in Banff Where to stay in Banff Wildlife of Banff And much more! COMPLETE SHOW NOTES Get all the...

Apr 02, 202042 minEp. 69

Trekking North India's Valley Of Flowers And Chopta Trek

Trek North India's Valley of Flowers and Chopta Trek Learn all about this exotic hiking destination on today's program. Get complete show notes HERE. CONTACT KIT Resources Promo Codes and Recommended Tour Companies Travel Insurance : Quickly and easily compare rates and policies from different companies - no need to give any identifying information unless you decide to buy! The best way to find the right policy for your adventures. Train For Your Adventure Ask Becki at Trailblazer Wellness to cu...

Mar 19, 202051 minEp. 68
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