Canada

 

Exiting out of Schiphol International Airport in Amsterdam early Wednesday morning, I was met by the blowing wind and light snow of a not-so-spring-like day in the blustery Netherlands. At the end of March, the weather seems just not able to make up its mind, just as its doing back home in Montana right about now. I search the rows of taxis and busses for my friend and Austin-Lehman’s European Operations Manager, Ron van Dijk. All of a sudden, a familiar voice calls out from across the way. Sure enough, Ron is here, right on time, and we’re ready to drive the 1.5 hours southeast to Nijmegen, his home town.

We had previously decided that it would be a great idea to bring an American over to Europe to attend the annual European spring guide training held at Ron’s office in the middle of town. Our director had popped in a few years before, but otherwise Ron (who’s been managing operations in Europe for decades) had been handling guide training, quite well I might add, with few influences from any “outside forces” for years and years.

Now, I must tell you, I had my qualms about attending our European training. Our operations are run a bit differently in Europe since we feature mostly biking trips in Europe versus more multisport trips in the US. Plus, what other learning’s would I be able to pass on to our most seasoned guides in the business, like Desiree Jansen and Anneke Peelen who’ve been guiding ALA’s (and previously Eurobike’s) trips for more than 20 years each? Wow! I was quite relieved to know that I had guided one of our Austria Family Tours the previous summer, so I at least had an idea about the “behind-the-scenes” magic of a European trip, and the differences between running an Austrian tour versus a Montana trip. Plus, my experience as both a guide in the field and as a member of the esteemed ALA office staff couldn’t hurt me either, right?

I realized as soon as our European guides started filtering into the room one by one, big hello’s and hugs to be had by all, that I had nothing to fear.  These were my fellow guides, even if not on the same continent, and they had nothing but smiles, encouragement, and inspiration to provide. What a team to be a part of! What friends to have across the ocean in a foreign land! I have nothing but good things to say about each and every one of our European guides – what amazing leaders and human beings in general!

Over the next two days, Ron and I would proceed to educate the tourism industry’s finest guides, covering every little detail of customer service, problem solving, and logistical management. Everything from the well-known ALA “WOW” factor to marketing efforts were covered. We jumped on the Austin-Lehman Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr accounts for an online tour, and stressed the importance of communication among fellow guides, hotel and restaurant staff, and our offices in both Nijmegen and Billings.  Van and bicycle safety, food preparation, “sweet dreams”, paperwork, and photography became the focal points of conversation (among many other important items). Most of all, we shared our stories and advice with other guides, new and seasoned alike, providing all with inspiration for the upcoming 2013 season.

Overall, I took the following away: tour guides work HARD, just as hard as anyone I know, to provide Austin-Lehman’s guests with the perfect vacation. Our slogan, “the toughest part is going home” could not be truer in any sense of the phrase. As I sit here typing this blog on my flight home, I can’t help but be excited and motivated for the upcoming season, AND I’m not even done yet! Our domestic (U.S. and Canada) guide training is coming up in May and I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned with all of those closer to home. Better yet, Ron van Dijk himself will be flying to Billings to take part in our guide training for the first time. I can’t wait to begin the whole process over again, only this time, at home!

Hope you’re as stoked as I am for the upcoming vacation season. I can personally tell you that because of your guides, it’s going to be a good one…

Tot ziens!

Kasey Austin

A day in the life … well let me see.  Let’s start with a bit of history of who I am.  I am a Bison but a lot of people think of me as a Buffalo.  True buffaloes are my relatives but they live in Africa and Asia, the cape buffalo and water buffalo.  Only North American buffaloes are bison and two of the largest herds of bison live in Yellowstone National Park and in Canada’s Wood Buffalo National Park.  Below is a photo of me with my Mom when I was first born in Yellowstone National Park a few years back.  Am I not adorable!!

Figure 1:  Photo courtesy of Peak Photography of Montana

Anyway, back to my day.  We are a social bunch so you will typically find us in herds or groups and spend most of our day grazing.  We are the largest land animal in North America and therefore need a lot of food for energy.  We love to graze on grasses, herbs, shrubs and twigs for an hour or two and then we rest and "chew our cud" which is basically regurgitating what I have already eaten once.  I have 4 stomachs so I make sure that I get every nutrient that I can from my food before it moves along.  We are constantly eating and throughout the day can move 10 – 15 miles depending on how good the grazing area is.  If we are lucky we find a great spot and stay for a few days.

A couple of times a day I visit the local stream or pond for a drink of water, run and play with my friends, take several rests and occasionally take a dust bath which is my natural insect repellant! 

Since I live in Yellowstone National Park, I have a lot of visitors that want to view me and take my photo. I love to pose for photos but always remember that I like my space and to stay at least 25 yards away or more.  I may be big but I am agile and can run more than 30 miles per hour and pivot quickly!!  So please take photos but give me my space and stay a safe distance away.

A lot of people are curious about how our species survive what can sometimes be a brutal winter.  Well our thick, shaggy coat is so well insulated and we can have up to 2 inches of fat that snow can settle on our back without melting!  It can also help to keep us warm similar to how a blanket would.  We use our strong head and hooves in the winter to move the snow off of the vegetation below to eat. Did you know you can tell where we have been by our distinct hoof prints which look like 2 fat banana's facing each other!

Well there Old Faithful blows so better go!  If you would like to see a bison like me in our natural habitat, your best chance would be to visit Yellowstone National Park or Custer State Park in South Dakota!! 

With all of the great Adventures that we offer, and the cool places we get to see, sometimes the host city (the city you fly into or out of) can get overlooked!  These cities are often great destination, and when you are looking into Alberta adventure travel, Calgary is no different!

As for what to do, the possibilities are endless!  First, there is the Heritage Park, which is a living historic site/amusement park! It gives visitors an interactive look into the past, and how the "west was once!"  It is great for all ages.  There is also The Calgary Zoo, which boasts more than 1,000 animals, including Kamala, the famous painting elephant.  The Zoo also has Botanical Gardens and a Prehistoric Park.  I love Zoo's so I always like to see if there is one at my destination!

The Calgary Tower held the ongoing flames of the 1988 Olympics, and since then has become a wonderful tourist attraction.  And don’t forget about Canada's Olympic Park!  There is also a great Aero- Space Museum.  Glenbow Museum, the largest museum in Western Canada, exhibits everything from the traditions of tattooing to life in different tribes in Western Africa. 

If you are looking into hikes, you should check out Edworthy Park and Douglas Fir Trail!  The views from the top of the hill are breathtaking!   And it might be good practice before your guides pick you up for your adventure vacation packages in the Canadian Rockies!

 

You Friendly Travel Expert,

 

Mindy Teini

Today I was dreaming of Canada... Why you ask? Because last summer I was lucky enough to go on one of Austin-Lehman's hiking vacations in Alberta on their Banff to Jasper trip. It was one of the most amazing trips I've ever been on. There are a lot of beautiful landscapes in the world, but for me mountains are where its at. So this trip to the Canadian Rockies was a dream come true for me. Massive peaks composed of sedimentry rock such as limestone and shale create these rocky peaks almost every where you look. I've always had a passion for hiking in the mountains, its just something about them that calls to me. But my favorite hike on this trip had to be hiking Sentinel Pass in Banff National Park. The hike starts at Moraine Lake, a beautiful glacially-fed lake with stunning blue colors. From there you head up the trail and into the Valley of the Ten Peaks (photo below), having these huge peaks all lined up alongside you is astonishing. There are also some hanging glaciers that are in view while on the trail. From there you keep going up until you get to Pinnacle Peak and Mount Temple (photos above), there you will find a high notch between the two peaks and a decently steep climb to the summit. But once you get to the summit the views will take your breathe away, soaring jagged peaks and crystal blue lakes as far as the eye can see. That's it for dreaming today, thanks for letting me share my Banff to Jasper trip and my dreams with you!

Your friendly hiker,

Jonathan 

Engaged couples often find that one of the most exciting parts of planning a wedding is deciding on the honeymoon. While many grooms want to surprise the bride with the wedding trip destination, brides also want to have a choice in this once in a lifetime trip.

Surely an adventure vacation for couples is just the right type of getaway to inspire tales repeated to children and grandchildren as you grow old and gray together. So at the start of your life together, our adventure tours promise to provide the happy couple with great memories of fun, pampering, dining, biking, hiking, culture and education all wrapped up into one package. We handle every detail including activities, accommodations and dining. The bride and groom just need to be prepared for experiencing everything that their destination of choice has to offer.

Fortunately, there are many journeys to choose from because our travel itineraries include locations in North, Central and South America as well as Europe and Africa. For Mountain adventure getaways with skiing, kayaking and wilderness exploration, couples will find their choice of Canada, Rocky Mountains, Alaska or Grand Canyon vacations.

Those who want to experience foreign cultures and breathtaking scenery will find our European vacations  just right for honeymoon vacations. With trips to France, Spain, Italy and more, honeymooners will enjoy biking, gourmet dining and walking through picturesque villages and wineries.

For an unforgettable honeymoon, join us on one of our journeys as you begin your first days together as a married couple.
 

Our guides are at the heart of every one of our adventure vacations. Their experience and personalities make our guests feel right at home even when they are miles from home. And every one of them no matter what activity they lead or expertise they share, all enjoy guiding our clients into their great outdoor adventure.

Our goal with every adventure travel itinerary we plan is to make sure that each guest has the experience of a lifetime. With small groups and a 6 to 1 ratio of guides to guests, each one of our adventure tours provides an intimate and personal journey meant to create a special time for everyone participating.

Using guides with so much expertise in the secret, untouched places at each destination means that you will share in an experience far away from the crowds. Treating each guest as a VIP means that we take customer service very seriously. Your vacation adventure guide is part of our family and wants to ensure that you feel like a member as well.

Let Austin-Lehman exceed your expectations on your next vacation with adventure vacation packages to Canada, Central and South America as well as Europe and Africa. Give us a call today or visit our travel site online.
 

We are so happy with our journey to Alberta, Canada with Austin Lehman. Our entire family really, really loved it! The guides were particularly great with our kids, and I appreciate how accommodating they were to our every need. Overall, the whole trip was well organized with a great balance of activities. The rock climbing experience was awesome, and we had great fun glacier walking! After a full day, the journey back to our nice and cozy cabins at the Baker Creek Chalets allowed us to relax and feast on great meals. Thank you for providing an amazing experience for our family!

Name: Stephanie Jacobs
City: Burlington
State: Massachusetts
Country: USA

Your adventurous spirit will be ignited at Whistler. Located in British Columbia in Canada, Whistler is a favorite spot for family adventure vacations.  There are many fun activities the entire family can enjoy.  You may start by exploring the Alice Lake Provincial Park, which is surrounded by mountains and forests. There are different hiking trails you can follow with varying degree of difficulty. The Four Lakes Trail, for example, leads you to a cedar forest while passing through four lake areas. Be prepared to spot birds like chickadees and robins and meet animals like chipmunks and squirrels.

Bike your way along the Valley trail to reach Meadow Park. Stop and relax awhile, and let the kids enjoy the playground and water park. Head back towards the village and enjoy the scenic route with the spectacular view of the Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Many adventure vacation packages to Whistler involve a trek to the summit of the Whistler Mountain to get a panoramic view of the glaciers and the meadows below. You can canoe or kayak along the River of Golden Dreams and discover interesting things in nature.  Take your adventurous spirit to a new level by trying exhilarating activities like bungee jumping, whitewater rafting and gyroscope rides.  Kids will enjoy the bungee trampoline, balloon slides and horseback riding.

Adventure vacations in Whistler pump up your adrenaline. Your vacation will never have a dull moment when you travel with Austin Lehman.