GREAT SUMMER ESCAPES WITH iEXPLORE
Chicago, IL (March 24, 2000) - From Memorial Day to Labor Day, iExplore recommends 15 exciting escapes for every weekend this summer season. iExplore, the world's first resource for researching, purchasing and equipping adventure and experiential travel, features thrilling excursions and cultural trips for Gen Xers and Baby Boomers alike. Take a short weekend getaway right in your own backyard or venture out to other parts of the country and world.
Memorial Day Weekend: Take the family on biking, hiking and kayaking excursions in the Pacific Northwest. Paddle, pedal and walk through tranquil channels, harbors, and charming towns in Washington State on iExplore's Multisport Washington Family Excursion. Beginning May 19th, iExplore will be featuring on their home page getaways and weekend trips that are ideal for families.
June 2-5: A great trip for serious mountain bikers with short vacations and moderately technical appetites, Brian Head to Zion will surely satisfy your cravings. For three days, explore vibrant red rock sandstone in the Bryce canyon area, and towering 3000-foot cliffs in Zion. Mountain bike through lush mountain meadows, and see an abundance of rare wildlife including golden eagles, Utah black bears, peregrine falcons, Mexican spotted owls and mule deer.
June 8-11: Tutti a Tavola is iExplore's warm invitation: to cook, eat, and discover the flavors of life in Tuscany. Lele, Marisa, Mimma and Simonetta open their kitchens and share their expertise and recipes for Tuscan cuisine. Spend three days with these charming women, in and around Radda in Chianti, one of the loveliest hill towns in Tuscany, visiting markets, preparing dishes such as crostini, pasta e fagioli, torta della nonna, cantuccini, and panna cotta and sharing meals. All classes are taught in English.
June 16-19: Play with the dolphins and admire the abundance of waterfowl while sailing the warm easy waters of Florida's West Coast. This expedition cruises Tampa Bay, rivers, estuaries, barrier islands and the Gulf of Mexico. Secluded anchorages, upscale marinas, parks and nature reserves, hundreds of restaurants and a great diversity of shopping are all part of the Tampa Bay experience.
June 23-26: Join one of America's leading mountaineering schools on a spectacular journey to the summit of Mt. Baker. Located in the North Cascades, Mt. Baker stands as one of the most vividly beautiful alpine wilderness areas in the US. iExplore's three-day ascent includes a day of training with world class guides. This climb is designed for participants to take advantage of the beautiful North Cascades and complete a weekend climb of Mt. Baker.
July 1-4: Spend July Fourth Weekend on a trip through the Lower Klamath River. Ideal for families with young children and beginner rafters, this three-day trip allows participants to raft on a warm, gentle section of the Klamath River that flows through the mountains and valleys of northern California. The rapids are small, yet exciting. Exploring side creeks, swimming - - or floating - - in the warm river, watching for deer and turtles along the riverbank and picking local blackberries (when in season) make this a special children's adventure.
July 7-10: Spend three days exploring a hiker's paradise in the Berkshire Mountains. Trip guides lead hikers along the Appalachian Trail, along rushing rivers and past waterfalls. After a hard days hike, relax in the lovely Weathervane Inn in the picturesque village of South Egremont and enjoy evening concerts on the lawns of world famous Tanglewood.
July 14-16: Celebrate Bastille Day in Paris and learn the secrets to French cooking on a two-day excursion. Promenades Gourmandes is a unique opportunity for amateur cooks to get to know the "real" Paris, starting with cooking teacher and guide Paule Caillat. A Cordon Blue-trained chef, Paule teaches the basics and classics of French cuisine, beginning with a visit to the market and lessons at his home.
July 21-24: Hike trails that offer panoramic views of high mountain peaks, shorelines, and crystal-clear Lake Tahoe on this three-day weekend getaway. Walk among wildflowers such as tiger lilies, larkspur and shooting star. Ride the cable car at Squaw Valley, sight of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and hike the Pacific Crest Trail with views of the entire Lake Tahoe Basin, including Shirley Canyon, the Crystal Range, and the Desolation and Granite Chief Wilderness areas. Choices of hikes allow participants different levels of exertion and difficulty.
July 29-30: On Friday, learn the basic skills of sea kayaking, paddling, packing, camping and cooking on this two-and three-day trip to Superior Lake in Canada. On Saturday and Sunday, put your lessons to the test on a Superior sea kayak camping trip.
August 4-7: Learn about southwest geology and natural history on a three-day adventure along the San Juan River, which flows through the spectacularly contorted canyons of the Colorado Plateau region. Exceptional trip guides will enthusiastically share their knowledge and educate children and adults of all ages using ancient Indian ruins, fossil remains, and multi layered towering canyon walls as a living classroom.
August 12-14: Discover British Columbia's great outdoors on these spectacular two-day adventures covering 80 km on the Thompson River from Ashcroft to Lytton. The Thompson River boasts beautiful desert scenery and many playful rapids for those who wish to try inflatable kayaks. On "Fantasy Island," feast on a gourmet barbecue and enjoy relaxing evenings around the campfire - a highlight of every trip. Head down river to challenge the river's largest rapids, including "Devil's Kitchen," "Cutting Board" and "The Jaws."
August 17-20: Really get out of town... and go to Bolivia to trek the Inca Trails in the Andes. Hike on a three-day trip through the tropical mountains of Cordillera Real and the dense vegetation of the Yungas region. Camp in an Andes Valley surrounded by snow-capped peaks, streams and granite rock faces.
August 25-28: Take an extra long weekend to enjoy New York's Finger Lake region on a six-day tour of the area's wine country. Cycle through picturesque villages and explore historic sites. Taste the region's wine and sample regional gourmet cuisine at lakeside inns.
Labor Day Weekend: For a last summer fling, spend Labor Day Weekend in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Just 2-1/2 to 3 hours drive from Boston and within easy reach of many northeast cities, the White Mountains are ideal for a short break. Discover the waterfalls, lakes, cliffs and mountain peaks of Crawford Notch, Pinkham Notch and other spots within the Mount Washington Valley on this two- or three-day excursion.
This summer, do you what you've always been dreaming about with iExplore - whether that dream includes learning to cook or climbing a mountain. With more than 5,000 vacation options in 152 countries, iExplore can make your ideal escape a reality all year long. Can't find your dream trip on the site? iExplore also customizes trips to satisfy all needs and interests.
iExplore makes trip planning easier than ever with a large in-house staff of adventure experts, who have lived and worked in the destinations offered. The site also provides recommendations on gear and apparel, suggestions on travel books and chats with fellow travelers. For more information visit their website at www.iExplore.com or call 1-800-iExplore.
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