Faroe Islands/Greenland

Mustang Monument

Wow, I was so moved by this webinar, I was ready to buy myself a horse and giddy up like Yosemite Sam! Set on 900 square miles of wilderness in northern Nevada and home to more than 750 wild mustangs, Mustang Monument is the pet project of wildlife enthusiast and philanthropist, Madeleine Pickens. A 3-hour drive from Salt Lake City or 5-hour drive from Las Vegas, Pickens has been working diligently for more than 5 years to preserve this land from encroachment, so that America's largest group of wild horses can always run free. You'll be right alongside the pack on

horseback, or choose to rock climb or go cruising in ATVs. The recently opened property (June 1-September 30 only) is all-inclusive and the highlight are the lodgings, 10 cottages and 10 tipis. Embodying the indigenous spirit of Native Americans and authentically designed, the tipis offer ample living space appointed with leather and plush chairs, hardwood floors, and authentic Native American textiles. They measure 26 feet in diameter and 26 feet tall with 300 sq. ft. of living space and a detached luxury bathroom nearby. Madeleine assured us that they just hired a fantastic chef who takes full advantage of their sustainable farm. There's also yoga, beading, and a spa in a tipi under a large tree. This is the Wild West with a serious dose of luxury.

Traveling the UK and Ireland with Celebrated Experiences

Those of you who had the good fortune to travel with Celebrated Experiences to Scotland, Ireland, Britain, or Wales know firsthand how exceptional they are as a tour operator. At least twice a year, they visit every hotel they recommend, and include a special Celebrated perk like a spa treatment or bottle of wine at dinner. They also hire fantastic guides that add unparalleled insider knowledge like the gardener to Prince Charles or a 9th-generation cheesemaker.  We've already been on three webinars

with them to scenic Kerry and Kenmare in Ireland, the Central Highlands of Scotland, and the Cotswolds region of Britain, and each one left us licking our chops for more. The mix of rolling green countryside, centuries-old villages, food-makers and other artisans, and unique properties will entice the most jaded travel advisor. Not only do we love the routes they select over a week to 10 days, but their choice of lodging, like Sheen Falls Lodge in Kenmare, Cullodon House in Inverness, and Foxhill Manor on the Famcombe Estate in the Cotswolds, are first-rate.

Uganda

After taking this webinar with a naturalist from Natural Habitat Adventures in mid-May, we were ready to get on the next flight to Kampala. Already on my bucket list for years thanks to my brother, Jim, who's been raving about his trip there, Uganda is about the size of Oregon and is known as the "Pearl of Africa." Yes, you can gorilla trek in Bwindi, and depending on where the gorillas are that day, that hike can last from 1 to 10 hours. So you need to be flexible and be in decent shape, though you are led by expert porters. Yet, this country offers so much more, including the chance to see the tree-climbing lions and more than 1100 species of birds on safari at Queen Elizabeth Park; 13 varieties of

primates including chimpanzees in the green and lush Kibale National Park; one of the most powerful waterfalls in the world, Murchison Falls; and the source of the Nile River at Lake Victoria. Then spend time in Kampala to meet the welcoming locals and listen to live world music at the many clubs. Sign me up on this trip!

Colombia

The Spanish colonial city of Cartagena might get all the hype, but if you asked ActiveTravels members who have visited Colombia, the majority would say the highlight of their trip was their time in Coffee Country. Take the 45-minute flight from Bogota to Armenia and you'll be picked up by your hosts from Hacienda Bambusa for the 30-minute drive to their hidden oasis on a 500-acre farm. Drop your bags off in one of their 8 rooms and then go play. Take a stroll around the farm, go birding with a naturalist, visit a working cocoa farm, hike in a massive bamboo forest, go rafting, horseback riding, even hot air ballooning. Owners Olivier and Diego can arrange all activities and serve tasty authentic Colombian fare outside on a serene patio. 

They recently added another property to their expanding

portfolio, Casa Yahri , a private villa in the Colonial town of Barichara. Located in the mountains, a 4 ½-hour drive from Bogota, Barichara is one of those towns straight out of a movie set, with narrow cobblestone streets, whitewashed buildings, and red-tiled roofs. It's the perfect place to unwind and roam the streets checking out all the local handicrafts the region is known for, like paper-making and ceramics. Nearby outdoor adventures include hiking, biking, canyoneering, and whitewater rafting. Afterwards, head back to one of the four suites and lounge in the infinity pool. Sounds pretty good right about now.

Rick Steves

Similar to the many webinars we've attended, Rick Steves' weekday broadcasts on PBS have been a wonderful source of insider information. I always grab one of his guidebooks before visiting a European destination, appreciating his honesty and opinions, like "Bordeaux is boring." But his 25-minute shows really highlight his top picks, because he doesn't have much time to discuss the Croatian, Czech, or Danish countryside. So if he raves about the Plitvice Lakes region of Croatia, the mountain village of Cezky Krumlov in the Bohemian region of the Czech republic, and the Danish island of Ærø, take note. Few know the continent better. If you're fortunate, he might even throw out the name of a pension or inn he's staying at, like the house built in 1784 by a sea captain as a dowry for his daughter called Pension Vestegade No. 44 in Ærøskøbing harbor. Or Albergo Milano, located in the historical center of Varenna on the shores of Lake Como. An added bonus were the two episodes of his travels through Iran. Loved it!

Please contact ActiveTravels if you are interested in any of these destinations. We are now experts after hours of training with our excellent contacts in these regions.