Travel, whether it's close to home or on the other side of the world, requires travel resources you can rely on. Over the years, I've experimented with a lot of different ways to research and book trips. In the process, I've found a few favorite adventure travel resources for planning and booking travel in the US and around the world. Maybe they'll work for you, too! #Idratherwalk #AdventureTravel #TravelResources

Travel Tips & Deals

Most recently updated August 4th, 2023

Over the years, I’ve found a few favorite tools for planning and booking travel in the US and around the world. 

Most of my travel adventures have been in or close to National Parks or other incredible outdoor destinations. 

View at Hanging Rock State Park
View at Hanging Rock State Park

I focus on time spent in Nature, but there are also plenty of cultural and historical sights to see!

For your convenience, I’ve included links to my favorite travel companies, and some blog posts about trips I’ve taken with them.

Some of my posts contain affiliate links.  If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will receive a small payment at no additional cost to you. I do not get paid for recommendations, all opinions on this site are my own. See full Disclosure page here.

Travel Destinations USA

The average American spends 87% of their time indoors, 6% of it in a car, and just 7% of their life outdoors.

That’s too bad, because there are a lot of benefits to spending time outdoors!

National Parks

Delicate Arch at Arches NP

For National Park locations in the US, the National Park Service provides a park locator that may help you with some destination ideas.

I’ve written about some of the National Parks I’ve visited – with more to come! 

Read more here about:

State Parks

Many States in the US have online pages to help people navigate the State parks in their area.

T-Bone is on loan from the Texas Longhorn Herd to Palo Duro Canyon State Park

I’ve spent the most time in North Carolina State Parks and Virginia State Parks, but an online search would easily find parks in other parts of the country.

These sites provide important information like location, hours, fees and lodging options – as well as detailed Trail and park maps.

I’ve written about a few of the State Parks I’ve visited – with more to come!  Read more here about:

Taking the ferry away from Torres del Paine, Patagonia, Chile

Adventure Travel

There are a couple of companies that I rely on when I want to go on hiking/adventure trips outside of the US. 

Though I’ve arranged all of the details for many trips on my own, it’s much more convenient – and usually less expensive – to have the help of an experienced team in my destination country.

They take care of getting transfers, hiking permits, lodging, renting any necessary equipment and engaging trail guides – which can be tricky, especially when traveling in a remote area.

Hiking Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park
Hiking Old Rag in Shenandoah National Park

Adventure Travel Companies

If you have multiple flights and other transfers to reach your destination, it can be really confusing – especially if you don’t know the language!

It’s good to have someone on the ground to help you navigate the potential pitfalls that come with the mechanics of getting where you want to go.

There are two companies I’ve traveled the most with for guided trips.  They’re both great companies, which is why I keep going back to them! 

View of the crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand
View of the crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand
G Adventures

I’ve got special regard for G Adventures because I’ve taken so many wonderful trips with them.  They’re very eco-friendly and always have great discounts available.   


Me at Machu Picchu – can’t believe this was 15 years ago!

My first trip with G Adventures was back in 2004, to hike and see ancient sites on the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and my most recent was in 2020 (right before the pandemic) to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing in New Zealand.   

G Adventures offers vacations for solo travelers, couples, and the whole family, too.   

NOTE:  After March 31, 2023, GAP no longer requires all travelers to show proof of COVID vaccines & boosters or provide a Medical exemption to travel with them on any tour, but you can find an “all vaccinated” tour if you want one.

To learn more, see my G Adventures Travel page and get links to trip discounts!

Hiking near the Mont Blanc range in Italy.
Hiking near the Mont Blanc range in Italy.
Intrepid Travel

Intrepid Travel provides expert group leaders and take care of all of the necessary permits and transfers for all of their trips, including entrance to any National parks abroad. 

I’ve hiked the Isle of Skye in Scotland and cycled in Tuscany with this company, and much more. They were great!   

They also offer some really good discounts on Last Minute travel.

NOTE:  After March 31, 2023, Intrepid no longer requires all travelers to show proof of COVID vaccines & boosters or provide a Medical exemption to travel with them on any tour.

Hiking in Northern Spain.
Hiking in Northern Spain.

Travel Resources

For me, the most stressful part of a trip is getting to my destination and getting back home.

With flight cancellations, close connections, and carry-on rules changing for each flight, just navigating the airlines is enough to make you stay at home!

Returning to Puerto Natales from Torres del Paine.

Getting in the TSA Pre-Check line for flights in the US can help smooth the process.

Just go to their site, fill out the form, pay the fee and bring your ID to a quick in-person meeting and you’ll get your TSA Pre-check account number.

With TSA Pre-Check you won’t have to remove your shoes or unpack your laptop while going through airport Security – this is very important if time is tight and you’re wearing hiking boots!

 

A Guide To Enjoying National Parks

I write a lot about the individual hikes I’ve taken in the wonderful National Parks across America, but pretty much leave the descriptions of the parks themselves to the Park websites.

Wayside previews of the park on the way into Bryce Canyon National Park
Wayside previews of the park on the way into Bryce Canyon National Park

A friend from the National Parks shared this Guide with me recently, and I thought I would pass it on to  you!

The US is home to 62 national parks, and I’ve visited a bunch of them.  But if you want to read about them ALL go here:

 https://www.loveholidays.com/holidays/enjoying-us-national-parks-responsibly/

Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872, and the rest followed, up to New River Gorge National Park, which was dedicated less than a decade ago.  

Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah National Park
Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah National Park

Other Helpful Travel Sites

The Ledge trail at Pilot Mountain

The resources below help me keep everything organized with detailed itineraries, and usually provide some good discounts, too:

  • Travelocity – I use them mainly for researching and booking flights.  This is great because you can see flight options from many different airlines and from different airports.  If you book rental car and lodging along with your flights, you can get some really good deals.
  • Crystal Travel – Some great discount flights and other travel deals.
  • Booking.com – Great for booking hotel rooms and comparison shopping.  The more you book with them, the better deals you get.  Also, most bookings are cancellable and don’t require a deposit.
  • Cozycozy.com – Look for a room with Cozycozy for your next hiking trip – they’re sure to have a place near the trail that suits you!
  • City Pass – Discount Activity Passes for specific destination cities, you get great discounts on multiple local attractions!
  • Sightseeing Pass – Sightseeing Passes give you access to activities and services for a discount.  Passes are available for:  New York City, New Orleans, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Nashville, Orlando, Miami, Key West, and more!
I'm sharing my anti-asthma diet with you! I hope it helps. My earliest memory is of being inside an oxygen tent when I was a toddler.  I'm in my 50's now. Through years of research and trial and error, I've created a diet that helps me breathe easier.
Trail marker on the Pacific Crest Trail near Big Bear CA

For more vacation planning ideas, see my Trip Planning post.   You may also find some tips in my post about planning your trip budget.

I hope these resources help you plan the trip of your dreams 🙂  However you do it, get out there and have your hiking adventure! 

Thanks for stopping by – see you next time!  LJ
 

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Travel, whether it's close to home or on the other side of the world, requires travel resources you can rely on. Over the years, I've experimented with a lot of different ways to research and book trips. In the process, I've found a few favorite adventure travel resources for planning and booking travel in the US and around the world. Maybe they'll work for you, too!