July 18, 2003 -- Alyson Adventures, which specializes in active tours for gay men and lesbians, has over a dozen trips this summer and fall at prices ranging from as low as $995 to a high of $2,195 for land-only arrangements (meaning you have to get yourself there, but avid readers of this Newsletter should know those ropes by now). The company offers trips to practically any destination you can imagine covering an equal number of physical outdoor activities such as mountain biking, cross country biking and kayaking.
Two of the cheapest tours are to Switzerland, where $995 will get you either an "Edelweiss" hiking tour (September 6-13)or a "Grindelwald" hiking tour (September 13-20). The former is based out of Zermatt. In this cozy car-free village at the base of the mighty Matterhorn, you spend an entire week, taking easy walks through the meadows or longer hikes onto high ridges. A variety of trams, cog railroads and knowledgeable guides make it easy to pick and choose your own way. The latter tour is set in the heart of the Bernese Oberland. And there's no need to be a-freud of climbing on the slopes of the Jungfrau here, or the Eiger, for that matter.
The "Tuscan Trails" tour out of San Gimignano, Italy, has two starting dates with both costing $1,395. The first runs September 20-27 and is open to men and women; the second trip from September 28 to October 5 is designated for gay men only. On each tour, you take hikes from both San Gimignano and the outskirts of Radda, deep in the heart of Chianti Classico wine country.
Alyson also offers three Italian biking tours called "Flavors of Tuscany". Each tour lasts a week and costs $2,195. The itinerary covers the road from Florence through Chianti Classico country and San Gimignano to the walled city of Siena. The September 12-19 trip is reserved for single gay men. Another, from October 6-13 is designated as women-only. A third trip from September 4-11 is open to both gay men and lesbians.
For France, where Alyson began its career, there are bike trips to Provence and the Loire, for $1,895 and $1,495, respectively, in September. The company also offers a longer "Valley of the Kings" biking trip in the Loire for $1,895 later in the month.
Alyson also has trekking and snorkeling tours in Thailand, kayaking and hiking trips in Baja, Mexico, and various tours in the USA. The USA tours include a rafting and hiking trip in the Grand Canyon, and the "Castles in the Air" tour with mountain biking on the White Rim Trail near Moab, Utah from October 5-12 for $1,495.
All prices are per person based on double occupancy, though the company matches single travelers with a roommate at no charge. Single rooms are also generally available for a supplement. For information and to make reservations, visit www.alysonadventures.com, e-mail info@alysonadventures.com or phone 800/825-9766.
Not only you do you get a great vacation, but the company donates 10% of all profits directly back to a charitable organization benefiting gay and lesbian communities across the country, including the Human Rights Campaign; the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund; and the Gay, Lesbian, Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Go to www.alysonadventures.com/ten4t.htm of current and past recipients.
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