Guest Post: Austin Adventures takes families on wild adventures in Montana, elsewhere

Author's note: From time to time I like to share information about travel destinations - especially as we (im)patiently wait for camping season to begin. Enjoy this guest post from Austin Adventures.

Austin Adventures, the award-winning active travel company setting international adventure vacation standards, announces 10 new-for-2014, value-driven family trips among its 100 itineraries and tours in 35 countries on six continents. 

“Keeping the family vacation tradition going strong has always been our mission, so each year we take a close look at our itineraries and prices and offer as much value and relief as we can,” says Dan Austin, President. “With Austin Adventures active, two-parents-working families can combine their thirst for outdoor adventure with distinctive kid-friendly lodgings that offer exemplary service and cuisine, all at a very competitive price.”

Nearly a quarter of the company’s itineraries are family-focused and value-driven. 

“We’ve researched comparable tours from other well-known family adventure companies and we can safely say that no one comes close to the inclusions and value that Austin Adventures offers,” noted Austin.

Austin Adventures family trips accept children ages 7 and up (5 and up for Costa Rica and Yellowstone). There are no age restrictions on custom and private trips which are becoming increasingly popular with extended family groups that include the grandparents.

Family adventures offer special child pricing for the first and second child in the same room with parents or grandparents. Other special considerations for families include an extra guide and van and such kid-friendly equipment as tag-along bikes, squirt guns and games. Knowing that togetherness is key but in reality parents and kids enjoy time set aside just for them, Austin Adventures has carefully designed itineraries to include supervised activities for kids while adults enjoy a candlelit meal or some private downtime.

“With plenty of options and flexibility on our family vacation trips, we've created the perfect blend of cross-generational activity, R&R, comfort and adventure to satisfy adventurers of all ages. Parents can relax with us as our guides take over. Whether teaching kids how to rock climb or exploring folklore and history, our guides are a hit with kids. They're great role models and friendly and fun to be with,” Austin says.

Accommodations are carefully thought through to combine child-friendly elements such as swimming pools and, on arrival and departure nights, proximity to airports.

A sampling of Austin Adventures’ 10 new family programs for 2014 includes:

British Columbia Family – Whistler
Hiking, biking, rafting and a gondola ride to the top of Whistler Mountain combine with well-earned meals and comfortable overnights at the top-rated Legends Lodge at the base of Whistler Mountain. Departures for this six-day program are June 29, July 6 and 13, Aug. 3 and 24. The rate is $2,798 ($680 single supplement); children from $2,238 to $2,518. See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/whistler-british-columbia-family-tour-trips-40.php
Nicaragua Family – Granada to San Juan del Sur
Families zip-line through a rainforest, explore two volcanoes, kayak on Lake Nicaragua and swim in the Pacific. Departures for this eight-day trip are Mar 22, April 5, July 12 and 19 and Nov. 22. The rate is $2,498 ($480 single supplement); children from $2,248. See: http://www.austinlehman.com/nicaragua-family---granada-to-san-juan-del-sur-trips-149.php

Montana Family – Great Western Adventure
Guests live the tales of Custer and the Wild West at Little Bighorn Battlefield, get into a summer snowball fight at the crest of the famed Beartooth Highway enroute to Yellowstone National Park, keep an eye out for wolves, bear, bison, elk and antelope – and the sunrise – in Yellowstone’s Lamar Valley, hike, ride horseback, then hoot and holler at the Cody Stampede Rodeo. Departures for this six-day trip are June 22 and 29, July 4 and 27, Aug. 17 and 24. The rate is $1,998 ($380 single supplement); children from $1,598 to $1,798. See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/great-western-adventure-family-tour-trips-152.php
Other new family trips for 2014 are:

About Austin Adventures
For over 40 years Austin Adventures (formerly Austin-Lehman Adventures) has provided adventure vacations, now on six continents, building an international reputation for small group active travel to destinations in The Americas, Europe, Africa and Antarctica. Its specialty is adult adventure (multi-sport), family, biking, hiking and small ship cruising adventures, all focused on history, culture and nature’s gifts.  Small group trips feature exceptional regional dining, distinctive accommodations and all-inclusive rates and services. In addition to scheduled group departures, Austin Adventures offers customized trip planning and a money-back satisfaction guarantee.
In the September 2012 issue of Travel + Leisure, the company was ranked the #1 Family Tour Operator in the World; in March 2012 the magazine awarded AA the 2012 World’s Best Values Award for Tour Operators.  AA has also received Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operator Award (a Top 3 finisher) for four consecutive years from 2009 to 2012. In 2011 the company was honored with the Global Vision Award for its Wheels of Change bicycle empowerment initiative.  In September 2013 Austin Adventures joined the Xanterra Parks & Resorts® portfolio of experiential leisure offerings.

For a comprehensive 2014 catalog, call toll-free 1-800-575-1540, or e-mail info@austinadventures.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries log onto: http://www.austinadventures.com/
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