World's Best Tour Operator - Travel + Leisure
BILLINGS, MT Austin-
One is a cycling tour through the Black Hills of South Dakota, a first for ALA in both destination and all-bike activity focus. The six-day itinerary includes the historic Old West town of Deadwood, hiking the base of Mount Rushmore, a tour of the Crazy Horse Monument (in progress), and Wind Cave National Park. Participants will pedal back roads from open prairie to mountain forests including a section of the new Michelson Trail, an abandoned railroad grade that traverses a number of bridges and rock tunnels. The all-inclusive per person double rate is $1,998 ($425 single supplement), representing one of ALA’s best bargains for 2010. Departures are set for June 6, 13; Sept. 5, 12 and 19.
www.austinlehman.com/
ALA is also resurrecting its Glacier National Park Multisport Adventure in Montana to celebrate the park’s 100th anniversary next year. Trained naturalist guides take guests on bikes, hikes and rafts into the backcountry while explaining the dramatic meltdown of the region’s once-mighty glaciers. The all-inclusive per person double rate is $2,498 ($680 single supplement).
www.austinlehman.com/
In 2009, ALA domestic US and national park trips out sold all other itineraries and destinations by a margin of three to one, according to Dan Austin, founding partner and director. He noted that both new trips will offer “the blend of sensational location, insider’s intelligent design, over-the-top service and personalized pace that earned ALA the distinction in 2009 of being named the “World’s Best Tour Operator” by the readers of T+L.”
“Trips in the American West are hot sellers and for good reason. American travelers look for three things in this day of tight budgets and limited travel time: getaways of no longer than six days that fall between two travel weekends, real experiences that immerse you in local lore and culture, and great value for their vacation dollar. These new trips deliver that and more,” said Austin.
The new trips, as with ALA’s other domestic programs, last six days from Sunday through Friday, allowing Saturdays for travel to the locations.
“Austin-Lehman delivers an exceptional and intimate customer experience,”
Austin-Lehman Adventures destinations include iconic national parks and backcountry regions of North, Central and South America as well as southern Africa and Europe. Other new trips slated for 2010 include Utah’s Canyonlands, Wyoming’s Grand Tetons and a Greek Isles trip that features kayaking, hiking and cultural exploration.
For copies of the current catalog and to receive the 2010 catalog due out later this summer, call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries go to: www.austinlehman.com.
About Austin-Lehman Adventures:
Austin-Lehman Adventures, with a 35-year legacy dating back to 1974, provides “over the top” adventure vacations on four continents. ALA has built a stellar reputation on small group active travel, limited to 12 guests (18 on family departures), exceptional dining, distinctive accommodations and all-inclusive rates and services. ALA focuses solely on destinations in North, Central and South America, Europe and southern Africa. Founders Dan Austin and Paul Lehman believe the best way to enjoy the natural beauty, culture and history of a place is to experience it as a local; close-up, at one’s own pace far off the usual tourist track. In addition to its scheduled group departures, ALA also offers customized trip planning for families, solo travelers and adults-only. To back up its strong commitment to the highest levels of guest service, ALA offers all its travelers a money back guarantee, a rarity among adventure travel companies.
Austin-Lehman Adventures – Recent Kudos and Awards:
-2009 “World's Best Tour Operator” Travel + Leisure
-2008-2009 Recipient “Best Adventure Travel Companies on Earth!” National Geographic Adventure
-2006, 2007, 2008 Recipient of “World’s 25 Best New Trips!” National Geographic Adventure
-2008 Recipient of "15 Best Bike Trips" Bicycling Magazine
-2007 Recipient of “50 Tours of a Lifetime!” National Geographic Traveler
Photo:
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