How to have a truly meaningful travel experience

October 01, 2024 at 09:01 AM EDT

(BPT) - Do you want to explore the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of unique cultures and landscapes up close and personal? If so, you might be attracted to "adventure" or "active" travel. However, those terms may conjure images of bungee jumping off a bridge or ziplining through a jungle, which might not be your style.

To help you sort the myths from the reality, the experts at Explore Worldwide explain the difference between your image of adventure travel compared to what they offer - small guided group tours that support you as you hike, bike or gently stroll your way through extraordinary destinations while soaking up the local culture for immersive travel experiences.

Myth 1: Adventure travel is dangerous. Booking with a reputable tour operator ensures a high standard of safety and security. Traveling in a group enhances your security, while your local leader who's familiar with the destination, fluent in the language and focused on ensuring the well-being of the group further bolsters your safety during the experience.

You'll have the best of both worlds - a safe tour experience that allows you to explore one-of-a-kind environments like this one:

Group of four people celebrating their Hiking Turkey's Lycian Way.

Hiking Turkey's Lycian Way: On this one-week walking trip, you'll hike Turkey's picturesque Lycian Way, including scenic coastal trails between little-visited ancient ruins and villages nestled in peaceful valleys and on tranquil beaches. Along the way, you'll soak up traditional Turkish hospitality as you stop by teahouses and rest in rural village guesthouses.

Myth 2: Adventure travel is only for the young and fit. To find travel that best suits your abilities, look for a company that provides clearly graded levels of activity. Explore Worldwide caters to a diverse group of travelers, with an average age of 57, and their tours range from gentle sightseeing where you might spend the week exploring museums and locally owned farms all the way to more intense treks where your week is focused on summiting a mountain. All their trips are carefully graded so you can choose the level of intensity that's right for you - relaxed, moderate or full-on, depending on your preference and ability.

For example, cycling trips are graded from Easy (typically flat, leisurely rides) to Challenging (hillier and longer routes). Most cycling tours are graded from Easy to Moderate, but keener cyclists can find some Challenging tours. Cyclists may enjoy:

Cyclists on the Dalmatian Coast pause to experience the breathtaking beauty of this historic vista.

Cycle the Dalmatian Coast: Breeze along the beautiful Dalmatian Coast on this one-week biking tour. You'll pedal your way from Split to Dubrovnik, taking in ancient sites, medieval towns and fishing villages as you island-hop Croatia's iconic coast. Pit stops will be planned at local wineries, stunning beaches and of course traditional restaurants to refuel on tasty grub.

Myth 3: You have to rough it. Enjoying an immersive experience in another culture doesn't have to mean sleeping rough and skipping showers. Explore Worldwide provides clean, comfortable accommodations for all of their tours, along with the opportunity for a 'softer landing' through their new collection of Upgraded trips, ensuring an enhanced comfort level for travelers, like this one:

Stunning hotel room in Morocco featuring lavash carved wood and iron work.

Upgraded - Discover Morocco: An adventure spanning Morocco's stunningly diverse landscapes awaits. Starting from Rabat, with its easygoing seaside feel, explore the delights of Fes, visit ancient Roman ruins, sample fine Moroccan wines and watch the Jemaa el-Fna marketplace come to life in Marrakech.

Myth 4: You need to be an expert. With over 40 years of experience, Explore Worldwide staff are the experts, so you don't have to be! All their tour leaders are either locals from the country you're visiting, or on the more active hiking and cycling trips, are seasoned experts in their field. Their experts allow you to visit places you may not have considered tackling on your own, such as:

People dressed in traditional costume enjoying an area of the Baltic Republics near the sea.

Historic Baltic Republics: This 15-day tour entices travelers with its fairytale-like charm during guided walking tours of historic capitals like Tallinn in Estonia. You'll explore the drifting sand dunes of Curonian Spit National Park, and pause to appreciate the beauty of baroque architecture.

Myth 5: You need a lot of time. Many incredible experiences with Explore Worldwide await you within just one week, such as Walking the Amalfi Coast or exploring the Highlights of Costa Rica. On average, their most popular trips span between 8-10 days, and they're perfectly crafted to maximize your adventure within that timeframe. You might also love:

A woman in a sun hat enjoying a view of the Amalfi coast with its terraced homes and other buildings.

Amalfi Coast Walking - Agriturismo: The Amalfi coast boasts postcard-perfect seaside towns and lush rural landscapes. You'll walk the ancient stone stairways, limestone cliff paths and old mule tracks that link Campania's picturesque villages, and discover Italian treasures from Ravello to Positano and Capri. After your day's walk, relax and enjoy organic wine and farm-to-table food at a rustic agriturismo for a taste of Italian family life.

Myth 6: You must visit remote locations. While Explore Worldwide does feature many lesser-known destinations, their most popular trips are located within Europe. These offer a fantastic opportunity to enjoy iconic sights while also venturing off the beaten path, providing a perfect blend of famous attractions and hidden gems. For example:

Charming buildings along the chamonix tour du mont blanc trail

Highlights of Mont Blanc: Adventurers on this eight-day tour through France will view the awe-inspiring Alpine peaks and snowy glaciers on treks through landscapes like the stunning Chamonix Valley, and sections of the famed Tour du Mont Blanc - the highest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe.

Myth 7: Adventure travel is too expensive. This is not always the case. For example, Explore Worldwide tours offer excellent value for the money, and optional activities and meals allow travelers to have more control over their budget while in each destination. Additionally, when booking with an operator, essential services such as local leaders and guides are shared across the group, making them more affordable when compared to arranging these services privately. Group travel can be especially helpful in locations that might be costlier traveling alone, and where there's a language barrier:

People in a cafe enjoying traditional Japanese Cuisine.

Simply Japan: Visitors will experience a fascinating mix of modern and ancient Japan on a 14-day tour. You'll witness a fire ceremony at Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji Temple, and enjoy stays in a family-run ryokan (traditional inn) and a Buddhist temple. You can opt for a day trip to Hakone National Park, boasting views of Mount Fuji, and visit Jigokudani Onsen, home to Japan's famous snow monkeys.

Explore Worldwide offers opportunities to journey through a destination at ground level, for an experience you can't achieve from the window of a tour bus or deck of a cruise ship. Their guided cultural discovery, walking and hiking, and biking tours provide groups of solo travelers, couples, friends and families - on average 11 people per group - adventures in remarkable locations worldwide. Local guides handle all the logistics, providing access to cultural experiences you can't find anywhere else, for a truly unique, memorable journey.

"Adventure travel is on the rise, for good reason," said Explore Worldwide Regional Director for North America, Katy Rockett. "Travelers seeking once-in-a-lifetime experiences will appreciate the opportunity to journey their way through exciting locations around the world. Our tour leaders know the best places to stop, find the views, enjoy a fantastic meal or visit cultural sites - and can answer all your questions about your destination."

To discover your travel possibilities, visit ExploreWorldwide.com.

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How to have a truly meaningful travel experience

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