Top 10 emerging countries for adventure travel – Explore offers them all

Aug. 18, 2011 - PRLog -- The annual Adventure Tourism Development Index (ATDI), published by George Washington University, ATTA and Vital Wave Consulting, ranks the ten fastest ‘developing countries’ for adventure travel – which this year are (in order): Israel, Slovakia, Chile, Estonia, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Jordan, Romania and Latvia.  

Seven out of the ten are in Eastern Europe – but all ten are in adventure specialist Explore’s impressive portfolio. This underlines Explore’s long-held pedigree for introducing its customers to unusual, adventurous destinations – with the stress on exploring new cultures while minimising impact on them.  

Says Ashley Toft, Explore’s Managing Director: “During our 30 years, Explore has always tried to pioneer emerging destinations and these survey results really emphasise our efforts.  Authentic travel experiences are at the crux of what are customers looking for, keeping us on our toes to remain ahead of the game with the tours that we offer and the countries that we visit”

The rankings are not merely a reflection of countries’ current visitor numbers; they also consider sustainable development, safety, infrastructure, and various other criteria.  For the full explanation, visit http://www.adventureindex.travel/docs/atdi_2010_report.pdf.

Here are a selection of Explore tours that visit some of the top ten emerging countries:

Israel
History pervades every narrow alley of Israel’s musty capital Jerusalem, where a walking tour includes the Via Dolorosa and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre – site of the crucifixion. The surrounding areas are also littered with famous names, such as Bethlehem and the Mount of Olives. See them on Explore’s three-night tour, plus dip in the Dead Sea at Qumran, sail on the Sea of Galilee and take a trip to Jericho, the world’s oldest city.
Next departing 2 September, this Beyond Jereuselum's Walls tour costs from £761 pp including flights (London), all transport, three nights’ B&B and an Explore tour leader. Explore (0844 499 0904, http://www.explore.co.uk).

Bulgaria
Snow doesn't have to spell the end of mountain walking. Don a pair of modern snow-shoes and trek through one of the EU's newest recruits. High in Bulgaria's wild, fragrant Rila Mountains, admire a frescoed UNESCO World Heritage monastery, then follow silent paths up through pine forests onto one of world's prettiest rooftops.
Next departing 24 and 29 December, this Snowshoeing in Bulgaria tour costs from £713 pp including flights (London), all transport, four nights' full-board and an Explore tour leader. Explore (0844 499 0901, http://www.explore.co.uk).

Jordan
Discover one of the most spectacular cultural cities in the Middle East - Petra - on Explore’s action-packed four-night tour. Spend a full two days visiting this archeological wonder before following in Lawrence of Arabia’s footsteps through the Wadi Rum desert. Sleep under the stars with the local Bedouin tribes then take a camel trek through the twisting Siq al Barrah gorge.
Next departing 20 October, this Red Rose City tour costs from £994 pp including flights (London), all transport, three nights’ B&B, a night’s full-board in the Bedouin Camp and an Explore tour leader. Explore (0844 499 0901, http://www.explore.co.uk).

Chile
Explore’s comprehensive 16-day Atacama to Paine tour includes visits to the world's driest desert and highest geyser.  Between the Atacama Desert and Torres del Paine - lofty Patagonian peaks - the tour stops in Santiago, the Chilean Lake District and Punta Arenas.  Some walks are quite strenuous, but all are optional.
Next departing 22 October and costing from £3,038 pp, this includes flights (London), all transport, 13 nights' B&B and an Explore tour leader.  Five-day Easter Island extensions are possible; the tour would then cost from £3,895 pp with 17 nights' B&B in total.  Explore (0844 499 0904, http://www.explore.co.uk).

Pictures available for all tours.  

Ends – 18 August 2011

Notes to editors: For more media information or images, please contact Richard Mellor at Travel PR (020 8891 4440 / r.mellor@travelpr.co.uk) or Stella Blackwell at Explore (01252 379505 / stella.blackwell@explore.co.uk).

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