Although European travel is full of delights, there are at least five aspects you may find you don't like. But if you're prepared for them, you'll be in a better position to cope even if you can't change them. Not every thing I list is true for every country, but these are fairly common sources of discomfort I've found in my years of guiding trips in Europe.
- Dinners are late. And large. This is particularly true in Spain but also many other countries (The UK and Bulgaria being two exceptions). Restaurants simply don't open earlier. So your choices on how to deal with it are either to eat at c
afes or to buy food from grocery stores. Or simply plan to eat less. Instead of finishing every course, eat only half or two thirds. Or order soup and salad, something lighter that won't leave you going to bed wishing you weren't so full.
- Hotel rooms are small and the bathrooms look like they've been added as an afterthought. That's because they probably have been added as an afterthought. Having bathrooms in every bedroom (called "en suite") is more of an American thing than a European thing. If this is something that is important to you, then you want to either stay at hotels that cater specifically to Americans or at newer hotels. We always look for hotels where Europeans stay because they seem more authentic, but this is not to everyone's taste.
- You will arrive jetlagged and be unable to check in. Like hotels in the U.S., they have a check-in time that is based on people checking out and getting the rooms cleaned. It never hurts to ask if you can check-in; if they can accomodate you, they will - but don't count on it. Plan how you're going to spend the day, store your luggage at the hotel, and go sightseeing. A couple of other startegies- I once saw someone get a room after they stretched out on the sofa in the lobby and went to sleep. If you really absolutely have to have a room when you arrive, reserve one the day before and make sure they know you won't be there until the next morning.
- Many people don't speak English, especially in the smaller towns. You can almost always find people in the larger cities but people in small towns, even ones that often have tourists, may not. Some strategies: first, look for a young person. They are much more likely to be fluent. The second is to have fun pantomiming. I stilll remember going into a pharmacy with someone on the trip and trying to act out needing hemorrhoid cream. Fortunately the person I was with saw what she needed on the shelf and pointed at it, because I was definitely not having much luck (but for sure I was having fun!).
- They don't put pots of coffee on the table. In some countries they don't even make real coffee, or at least they only make it in small cups of strong brew and it isn't a morning thing. In Italy they make your cup to order, which means it is hot and delicious - but it is also often difficult to get more than one cup. If you need more, bring some instant coffee with you. And do try to learn to like Nescafe.
Personally, I find all these things are small potatoes compared to how much fun, enriching, and enlivening European travel is. But the more you can be prepared for what you find to be bumps on the road, the easier it will be to focus on all the things you enjoy. Ciao!
Posted by
Jan Latham on Fri, May 11, 2012 @ 09:58 AM
I go to the mountains on backpacking adventures to enjoy natural beauty and solitude. I want to get away from houses, roads, and city life. To do this I take very little stuff with me. Stuff that gets in the way of my mountain experience. For obvious reasons Ultralight is a perfect fit for me.
- I don't need fancy food or hot meals.
- I don't mind if the ground is hard.
- I don't want a big fancy tent that reminds me of the rooms I left behind.
- Books? I never get bored. There's always too much to see and something interesting to check out in the next canyon. And I need time to think in the quiet and solitude of the mountains. Something I get precious little of in my life.
- When I'm in the mountains, I like to cover a lot of ground. I want to see as much as I can in the limited time I have.
- I hate being a pack mule. I like the freedom of a light pack. It allows me to go further and through more rugged terrain without suffering!
- I sometimes hike with people that are a bit slower or not as fast as I am. Ultralight allows me to carry a little extra weight for them, and substantially reduce their pack weight. With lighter packs we can get to beautiful remote areas that would be unattainable with conventional packs.
Editor's Note: If you want to learn how to go out for a week with less than 30 pounds on your back, please join us for Introduction to Lightweight Backpacking September 16-23. Jan will also be writing blog posts on the hows of lightweight backpacking.
Or maybe you have experience hiking Amalfi Coast so you do know these things, but I sure didn't the first time I did our "Amazing Amalfi" trip. Let me specify that I am defining "Amalfi Coast" broadly so it includes the whole coastline down to Paestum and also the Isle of Capri.
- Despite the fact that Amalfi is one of the more densely populated part of Italy and has been a tourist magnet for centuries, it is not difficult to get away from tourists. On two of our hikes, you are unlikely to see any other people. One of them, "Sentiero Dei Degli" or The Gods' Walk, lives up to its name: following a path that traverses the side of high hills, there are nonstop views of the Mediterranean's rugged coast. It was definitely our group's favorite hike.
- There are three well-preserved Greek Temples in Paestum, dating from the time the Greeks founded a colony in the area in the 7th century BC. In fact these are the best preserved Greek temples anywhere except for the Acropolis. Well-preserved ruins from the Roman occupation that followed the Greek one are also on the same site.
- Limoncello, a lemon-flavored liqueur, was first created and is still made here. When you walk past terraces of lemon trees on the steps between Amalfi and Ravello, you really understand just how well lemons grow in this area.
- The Isle of Capri isn't just for rich people who love shopping. Which is not to say that there isn't plenty of opportunity for shopping and it helps if you're wealthy. But Capri is a beautiful place and the walk out to the ruins of Tiberius' villa or following the path that goes down to the ocean and follows the shoreline are both uncrowded and delightful. There is also the well known Blue Grotto where your boatsman sings as you paddle in the cave- hard to describe, quite touristy, and well worth it.
- While we often think of Pompeii as being interesting because of its history of being buried by ash from the eruption of Vesuvius, what makes it really interesting is the degree to which the ash preserved it - and thus what remains is the most well-preserved Roman town in Italy, which has provided scholars tone of insight into how the Romans actually lived.
And one pleasure that is true almost anywhere you go in Italy? Gelato!!! Hmmm, its just as good as you always heard.
Amalfi? What's not to love!
After about a decade of using a flip phone, I finally caved and got an iphone. I am still learning how to make sure I tap the correct letter when text messaging (my fingers tips must be larger than most, because this has been a frustrating learning curve). Once I master this task, I am excited to find out how this device can improve my life or as this article suggests could how it could save my life. Safety first is a motto at Adventures in Good Company and these five apps were developed with safety in mind, especially when traveling abroad. (Equally as exciting – some of them are free!) For example, 911 is not a universal call for help. One of the aps, tells you how to call for help in your country of destination. Whether or not you have a mobile device that downloads aps – reading this article may give you a few travel tips – such as inputting an ICE (in case of emergency) contact on your phone, or in lieu of traveling with your medicine cabinet, jot down a few names of over the counter medicines in foreign countries to ameliorate common adventure travel ailments such as head ache, sore muscles, or poison ivy. Planning ahead manually or technologically is always a good idea. Now, when I figure out how to actually download an app – I'll let you know.
Read the USA Today Article: 5 Travel Apps That Could Save Your Life 
One of the most confusing issues travelers face on international adventure trips is how to stay in touch with people back home. There are so many options and so many variables, and it all changes so quickly! Sometimes it seems the best idea is to give up trying to figure it out, and just give folks a list of the hotels where you're saying or the number of the tour company you're going with.
Actually, I think that is a great idea!! It's how people used to travel and it allowed them to truly get away when they were away. Many times I've seen someone on a trip get jerked out of the present and back into their regular life by a cellphone call or text - and usually it is not about something they can do anything about. But that is a whole other topic and I digress.
We've actually tried to lay out all the options in our International trip prep checklist (see the Appendix) but even that isn't easy reading. So in this post, cowritten with Jan Latham, I am simply going to describe what we each do and why.
I carry a phone for two reasons: I want people to be able to get in touch with me if it is urgent; and I want to make any in-country calls that become necessary during a trip. I have an iPhone from AT&T, which means that it works almost anywhere in the world. I usually upgrade to an International Calling Plan for the month I'm gone and I only use the phone as a cellphone when I have to. For any optional calling, I wait until I am someplace that has WiFi. I then use Skype on my iPhone to make calls. If the other person has Skype, then it is free- and we can even see each other! If the other person doesn't, Skype charges pennies per minute to make a call. Either way, I save alot of money.
Jan doesn't have a smart phone, so she can't use skype, and her plan is Verizon, whose network pretty much works only in the U.S. So her options are totally different.
- On personal trips she often uses the tried and true method of purchasing a telephone card that is used by entering a code into the public telephone system of the country. These cards are purchased for specific numbers of minutes and tend to be very economical. In most countries these are readily available even in the smallest towns.
- For AGC trips she might rent an international telephone from Verizon. The telephone rental is free, other than a one-time fee for shipping and handling ($19.99 currently). Your telephone plan is then adjusted for the period of time you will be gone to accommodate calls from the country or countries you will be visiting. All of your personal information on your original cell phone is transferred to the International phone and then transferred back when you return (so people still reach you when they call your phone number). You still have to pay the rates for international calls so be sure to read the fine print. Usually texting is the bargain with this type of arrangement.
- You can also purchase (either before you leave or when you arrive) an inexpensive telephone that works in the country you are visiting and buy time as you go. The companies that specialize in this are called TIM cards or UnoMobile Sim cards. These shops are found pretty easily now in Europe, particularly in the larger cities and airport/railway cities. It is helpful to know the local vernacular for these types of companies; for example, in Scotland they are called ‘Orange’ Sim cards.
Neither of us have personal experience with this but we know you can rent or buy a phone or SIM card from National Geographic. You can see the Cellular Abroad program here.Thier website is helpful in fiuring out the best option for you, based on where you're going and how long you'll be gone.
See how many options there are? Now really, wouldn't it be easier just to give everyone the tour company's phone number for emergencies and tell them you'll send postcards?
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On the trip document for our international adventure travel trips, we always recommend books you might want to read in advance just to get prepared or get the feel of a country. But, in addition of course to packing, there are lots of other fun ways to "get ready" too. Here are some ideas.
1. See a movie that was filmed in the country. Even if the movie isn't all that great, you'll see the country. For example, I watched the Eiger Sanction before starting a hike in Switzerland (it might not have had realistic mountaineering content but the scenery was amazing).
2. Listen to a radio station in the country. The internet gives us access to radio stations all over the world these days. This website can be a good place to start: http://radio-locator.com/. It might be hard to find one in English but at least you'll hear what music they are listening to.
3. Listen to folk music from the country. Wikipedia defines folk music as "Any style of music which represents a community and can be sung/played by people who may or may not actually be trained musicians, using the instruments available to them." Every country has their version of folk music. Your library may be able to help with this and, if not, try iTunes.
4. Go to a restaurant that specializes in the country's cuisine. The growth of ethnic cuisine in major cities is one of the most fun things to happen on the dining scene. Even better, if your city has an area where immigrants from that country tend to live, try the local cafe. Of course often the cuisine has been Americanized - don't think the Chinese food in America bears any relationship to the food in China - but you're just doing this for fun anyway.
5. Try cooking a meal from that country. The availability of cookbooks that specialize in different country's cuisines is growing by leaps and bounds. And of course the internet has a treasure trove of recipes.
6. Learn a little bit of language from either a community ed class or from tapes. Of course you are not going to be fluent but hopefully you can avoid asking "Who is the bathroom"? In my experience most people in other countries appreciate the effort.
7. Read poetry from people who live there. Many times poetry can capture the feeling of a culture or the current mood in the country more quickly and completely than prose.
Whatever you choose, have fun with it. Tthis should not be one more thing on your To Do list- after al, you have enough on that already!
Sunday, April 22nd is Earth Day! 2012 marks the 42nd Anniversary of the eco-friendly holiday. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, whose goal was to mobilize the globe and bring together environmental activists to promote awareness and education. Adventure travel is a great way to celebrate Earth Day. Be it hiking, kayaking, backpacking, or biking – all are great ways to appreciate the gift of nature. This Earth Day, consider spending it a National Park. In celebration of National Park Week, April 21-29, ALL 397 of your national parks offer free admission, all week long! When planning National Park trips or trips to any destination, consider these 10 green travel trips. They include unplugging all unused appliances when you leave for a trip, using a bandanna instead of a paper napkin, or purchasing reusable batteries for your camera or other battery-op
erated items. Whether you venture off to a national park or observe earth day in your own neighborhood – small efforts can make a big difference. Here are a few more simple ideas:
Take a walk in your neighborhood and bring along a trash bag to pick up litter along they way.
Select a paperless option for your bank statement delivery or other bills.
Skip the disposable cup today. Drink coffee, soda, or water from something reusable.
How will you celebrate Earth Day (April 22nd)?
On Adventures in Good Company trips, participants often share some of their favorite books. The conversations usually results in a compilation of recommended reads. So, I thought I'd share a brainstorm after just finishing the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
Now, I recognize that it is a work of fiction (science fiction/fantasy, at that) – but I couldn't help but “wanting to be like,” Hunger Games' heroine, Katniss Everdeen! She is an inspiration to any woman adventure traveler. And I think Katniss and AGC participants have a lot in common! Read on...there is no spoiler alert in this post, it will just make you want to read the bestselling book, watch the movie (a blockbuster hit in its first weekend), then be the Katniss Everdeen of your next AGC trip!
AGC participants and Katniss both know...
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Essential supplies are critical for survival – Katniss's first priority was to secure a backpack full of supplies. AGC participants learn how to be prepared for all conditions - whether they’re out for a day hike, overnight, or week-long backpacking trip, essential supplies are lifesaving.
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The importance of a good water source – be it filtering from a lake or purifying with iodine tabs, AGC participants learn multiple water purifying techniques. Even Katniss (fighting for her life) knew to wait 30 minutes (after mixing in drops of iodine) before drinking.
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There is strength in numbers – Katniss and Rue paired up during their wilderness adventure. AGC participants are also surrounded by like-minded women and agree two is better than one.
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How to just be yourself - Katniss won the crowd over by just being herself. On AGC trips, participants are able to 'let their hair down' and genuinely be themselves. AGC trips are unintimidating fun-loving atmosphere.
Posted by
Deb Malmon on Thu, Mar 29, 2012 @ 02:12 PM
We have written in previous blogs, newsletter articles and even in the notes section of our packing list about hydration packs. But I wanted to emphasize again why this piece of equipment can be superior to water bottles for outdoor adventure travel.
For those of you who are not familiar: a hydration pack is a water bladder (usually 50-100 oz./1.5 -3 L ranges) that fits inside a backpack and has a long tube that stretches from the water bladder, through the pack, over your shoulder and to the front of you (when you wear it). There is some type of soft silicone valve on the end of the tube that allows you to “bite and suck” when you want a drink, but it closes off when you want it to just hang loosely.
I got my first Camelbak hydration pack for bicycling, but now I carry it on hiking adventures and sometimes even bring it for sea kayaking tours as well. 
1) You will drink more, drink more regularly and stay better hydrated. With the tube in easy reach of your hands and mouth, you can drink as often as you want or need to. You don’t need to stop and get your water out of your pack, take your hands off the handlebars to get your bottle out of its cage or even stop paddling very long for a quick drink. Plus it is fun to drink from a long straw.
2) It easily fits in a backpack (or fanny pack). Most backpacks made for hiking these days come with hydration pack compatibility. Typically there is a separate pocket on the pack for you to put the bladder in and a portal in the top of the pack for the hose to fit through so it easily can reach around your shoulder strap to the front. While there are still some backpacks with the hydration system built into the pack, more are separate, which means if your hydration bladder gets a leak, you do not need to buy a whole new pack; just a new bladder. Also, with it being carried in a backpack you also have the room to carry camera, wallet, rain jacket, bike tools, snack, etc. The packs vary in extra cargo sizes, so pick one that is right for you.
3) The water stays cold/cool longer. How many times have you stopped to drink out of your water bottle on a hot hike only to find it like bath-water? The hydration pack keeps the contents of the water bladder cold for quite a while, especially when you put ice in it. You can also freeze the bladder when it is half full, take it out the following day, top it off with water and the ice chunk will melt even more slowly than ice cubes throughout the day. The top layer of water is not always cold, but there is nothing more refreshing than sipping through that layer and hitting icy cold water in the middle of a 30-mile bike ride or 10-mile hike.
4) You can carry a larger quantity of water. Getting a 70 oz or 96 oz. bladder allows you to carry a lot of water pretty easily and all in one space. You would need 3 to 4 water bottles to equal that. You don’t have to fill it totally full if you don’t want, but I have been on several hikes and bike rides where I drank it dry. And as you drink, the bladder empties and gets smaller, as opposed to drinking out of a bottle where you still have to carry the bottle around once it is empty. This feature also means it takes up less space in your luggage when traveling for the equal water capacity as bottles.
5) Cleanliness: I have found that my bladder has stayed much more clean and less smelly than any of my water bottles. However, they do need to be cleaned, as does the tube. It is inadvisable to put flavored beverages in the hydration bladder due to the difficulty of thoroughly washing the tube. In that case bring a smaller water bottle for your Elixir/Gatorade/Crystal Light/etc and leave the bladder for water only. Most bladders have wide mouth/ziplock-type opening which makes it easier to clean as well as to fill with ice and fill in a variety of water sources (though many bladders are not a compatible fit with water filters)
The hydration pack is certainly not suitable for every situation (like winter sports or high altitude trekking - due to freezing temperatures). But more often than not it is the ideal choice for staying superbly hydrated while being active in the outdoors.
Whether we're talking about a daypack or a backpack, it's important to buy one that fits. These days most pack manufacturers have guidelines about the approprite size for you, based on simple measurements. And while that's a crucial step, it's not the only one that matters. This video, featuring our very own guide and Appalachian Trail thru-hiker Leigh Saint, shows you how to adjust your pack so it fits comfortably on your body. And her advice is just as good for a daypack as it is for a backpack. A well-adjusted pack makes for a well-adjusted hiker, we always say!
If you're interested in learning more about Lightweight Backing, join us in June or September and lear everything you need to know to go out for a week with a pack that weighs less than 30 pounds!