Guest post: O.A.R.S. announces 2014 Family Adventures catalog featuring 21 Easy-to-Epic Vacation Ideas

Veteran family adventure vacations outfitter, O.A.R.S., announces the release of its new Family Adventures Catalog and 2014 line-up of 21 all-inclusive options to escape technology this year, many suitable for families with children as young as four.

“Our 2014 family catalog showcases easy-to-epic adventures for families looking to unplug from technology and reconnect as a family,” says Steve Markle, O.A.R.S. marketing director. “Introducing kids to the fun of splashing around in rivers can help foster a new generation of adventurers and a deeper appreciation for the environment.”

The adventure lineup embraces the iconic rivers of America’s West, including the Grand Canyon plus hiking, sea kayaking and multi-sport trips in British Columbia, Costa Rica, Machu Picchu and the Galapagos.

“O.A.R.S. is family owned and operated so we know from experience how to keep the kids entertained and the parents happy at the same time. Once you’re on the river, we promise the only tweets or twitters on the trip are from the frogs and birds,” says Markle. “While families are unplugging and reconnecting, our guides take care of the meals, all the activities and camp set-up is a breeze. Our trips are all-inclusive and virtually every night features riverside, beachfront accommodations with a view.”

When compared to other family vacation options, an O.A.R.S. trip offers a refreshing alternative to the norm:

“… to my continual surprise (and pride), they (my children) prefer our outdoor vacations hands-down. They’d rather see a tent at the end of their travel day than a Jacuzzi suite,” writes award-winning travel writer Amy Whitley of her O.A.R.S. family’s river experience. “I remained blissfully on ‘river time’ for the duration of our trip. Our days took on a simple rhythm of whitewater, campfires, great food, and cozy sleep, punctuated by good company and good wine. The kids made new friends … and my cell phone sat like a paperweight at the bottom of my bag.”

Two examples in two price ranges of O.A.R.S. family trips available this year are:

Sea kayaking and rafting adventures from $329 for adults and $279 for ages four and up on a 2-day/1-night Jackson Lake Sea Kayaking get-away in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park. See: http://www.oars.com/wyoming/jacksonholeguide.html

Ranch and Raft 6-day/5-night multi-sport vacation in Utah from $2,297 for adults and $2,197 for ages seven and up. Guests spend the first half of the week in Cataract Canyon, home of Utah’s best whitewater, before moving to Red Cliffs Ranch on the banks of the Colorado River for convenient access to the skyscraping rock wonders of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. See: http://www.oars.com/utah/cataractcanyonrafting.html

For the truly adventurous family, a collection of O.A.R.S. epic excursions includes:

Rafting on Peru’s Urubamba River, zip-lining through the jungle canopy and exploring the Inca Empire on a 7-day/6-night Machu Picchu Family Adventure, priced at $2,459 per person for ages 12 years and up. Families lodge in cottages and at the renowned Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel. See: http://www.oars.com/peru/perufamilyadventure.html

Galapagos Adventure Sailing Multi-Sport is an 11-day/10-night trip on a 12-passenger private yacht/catamaran that accesses the miracles of Darwin’s Enchanted Isles as guests snorkel, kayak, swim and hike. The per person rate is $4,795 for ages six and up. See: http://www.oars.com/galapagos/galapagoscruising.html

The 2014 O.A.R.S. Family Adventures Catalog is available online for easy viewing at: http://www.oars.com/family_catalog or a complimentary copy may be ordered at oars.com/catalog or by calling (800) 346-6277 or emailing info@oars.com.

About O.A.R.S.

Some 500,000 guests later, O.A.R.S. has been providing whitewater rafting vacations since 1969. Over the decades the company has set the standard in first-class rafting, sea kayaking and multi-sport adventure, with destinations and unparalleled experiences on over 35 rivers and coastlines around the world. O.A.R.S. caters to active travelers of all ages and abilities with more than 75 unique itineraries, including one-day and weekend escapes. In 2013, for the seventh consecutive year, Condé Nast Traveler recognized Mindy Gleason, O.A.R.S. Reservation Manager and International Adventure Travel Consultant, as Condé Nast Traveler’s standalone Top Travel Specialist in the River Rafting category. In 2013 Outside, America’s leading multimedia active-lifestyle brand, named O.A.R.S. one of the top two outfitters in the world in its annual Active Travel Awards recognition program. Visit online: http://www.oars.com/.