Energized and inspired at the Adventure Travel World Summit in Aveimore Scotland

Scotland Mountain High

Having  returned from the annual  Adventure Travel World Summit in Aveimore Scotland, I am once again energized, inspired and proud to be a part of one of the fastest-growing and most successful travel sectors—Adventure Travel. Adventure travel companies, like fellow members of Trusted Adventures, have placed the bar very high when it comes to “the guest experience.” Since we are launching a NEW bicycle tour in Scotland, I was excited to taste as much of this wonderful country as nine days (and lots of meetings, lectures and networking) would allow. As usual, I packed a full schedule!

Highlights of the nine days included a walk up to Arthur’s seat, a guided 2 hour bike tour around Edinburgh with Andy of  Story Bikes, learning the intricacies of Single Malt Scotch at the ” Scotch Malt Whisky Society with my  Trusted Adventure colleagues, paddled with an expert kayaker/ tour operator from Sweden, mountain biked through lavender fields and at every meal was blown away by a different country’s presentation of their unique destination.

On my first afternoon in Edinburgh I rented a bike and did what I do best: EXPLORE. I checked out the city's bike map and sought out the highlighted bike path. I found this lovely path along a canal overflowing with cyclists, walkers and scullers.

Late afternoon shadows at the end of a 2 hour exploration Edinburgh by bicycle

Childrens' art was mounted on a wall along the canal near the center of Edinburgh

Andy of Story Bike Tours stops in a park across from the childhood home of Robert Louis Stevenson. The lush park complete with pond with a small island is said to have been the inspiration for Treasure Island

On tour a Story Bike Tour, we bike all around the city and ended at the base of the Edinburgh Castle

The Trusted Adventure leaders gather in Edinburg for our pre-summit meeting which included a hike to Arthur's Seat. Recognized worldwide for uncompromising quality, exceptional guest care and sustainable travel ethics, the Trusted Adventures alliance is a partnership of eight distinguished, award-winning, and independently operated companies; Austin-Lehman Adventures, Wildland Adventures, Western River Expeditions, Myths and Mountains, The Wayfarers, ROW Adventures, Great Alaska International Adventure Vacations, American Safari Cruises and Ciclismo Classico

Our Trusted Adventure guide took us on a behind the scenes walk which included the Edinburgh Cemetary where economist is buried.

Yes I AM a tree hugger: On our drive up to Aveimore, we stop at the Birnam Oak, a tree dating back to Medieval times and made famous in Macbeth

On our summit "Day of Adventure" I walked, canoed and Mt biked with a group of over 30 adventure specialists from around the world.

As expected, the Scottish tourist board won points for authenticity in their live performance of the Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns. The haggis is a traditional Scottish dish traditionally served with “Neeps and tatties” (turnips and potatoes) and “dram” (a glass of whisky).

How lucky am I?  Not only did I travel to a spectacular country but I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn the latest trends in travel, explore exciting new destinations via multi-media demonstrations and mingle with adventure travel “movers and shakers” from around the word. Enjoy some favorite moments from Scotland from Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/48084728@N02/sets/72157625169959908/

Over 500 adventure delegates from all over the world took this year’s theme, “Share and Inspire” to heart. Whether it was  Costas Christ, Editor At Large for National Geographic Traveler sharing his vision of the future of adventure travel or  Dr. Wallace Nichols from the California Academy of Sciences whose life long love of turtles and the sea led him to passionately promote his r/evolution that is helping save the planet and is making a difference— the message rang loud and clear: as leaders in adventure travel interacting with literally millions of travelers annually, we are making a difference in the way people are experiencing the world’s most precious resources.

Shannon Stowell and Chris Doyle, Brainchilds and passionate founders of the Adventure Travel and Trade Associate raise the "authenticity" bar on Scotland evening and they are looking good in the traditional Scottish attire

On our "Night out in the Park" we had dinner on a historic train. Adventurous conversations flowed with Judy Alpress of The Wayfayers and Judy Carvahal of Enchanted Expeditions (Specialists in Ecuador expeditions)

Adventure travel companies (and their guests and stakeholders) have an important role to play. We represent millions and millions of customers worldwide as a group.  Bicycle tour companies, eco-lodges, adventure operators, outfitters, safari companies, rafting companies, diving companies, walking tours, the list goes on endlessly. But we know instinctively that as a group we do impact millions of travelers and nearly every region on the planet with what we do.

We embrace the vision of the Adventure Travel Trade Association is very clear:  Ciclismo Classico is proud to be a part of a thriving community of responsible, profitable businesses, destinations and media who transform customers and businesses alike into advocates for sustainability and justice worldwide.

Nicky Fitzgerald summed up what she hopes adventure leaders will strive for as they host travelers on their tours into one word. This one word from her South African homeland—Ubuntu is actually an ethical concept.  Ubuntu, the essence of being human, refers to how we rely on others for our sense of self, how we are all interdependent and need to work together for our emotional and material health and wealth.  Embracing Ubuntu reminds of us of our interconnectedness, certainly the most profound way that adventure travel can transform and change each of us.

At a session on Mega Trends, Nicky reminded us that while the Adventure Travel “industy” can come up with lots of reasons why we hope our guests will take a travel adventure, the reason why people take an adventure is for self discovery, whether they know it, or not. Our responsibility, is to connect each traveler with their own soul. Amen.

This annual summit is a celebration of Ubuntu–adventure lovers from around the world sharing what they know and love best: Immersing oneself actively into the beauty of our natural world and its diverse culture.  I was in my  zone connecting with old “adventure friends” like:

Ellen Barone. Freelance Travel writer and Ciclismo alumni extraordinaire. Her peaceful smile is the first thing I look for when I arrive. She’s always got some great adventure going. This year, she will be back with Ciclismo!

Judith Fein, author of Life is a Trip,  gets my creative juices going. I have adopted her line: I LIVE TO LEAVE. This Travel journalist, travel filmmaker, travel speaker, travel columnist, travel addict also has knack for getting everyone on the dance floor, in a circle and strutting their stuff .

It’s always nice to find Timo Shaw, President, Country Walkers, in the Pub. My favorite ATTA rascal from down under, Timo’s got his hand on pint and his brain on the adventure travel business

Jim Sayer. Director of Adventure Cyclist. We are connected at the HUB when it comes to our vision for roads, bike lanes and bicycle travel in the world

Perry Lungmus of Travcoa. Just an all around nice guy who knows the ins and outs of Adventure Travel and has been around and around in this wonderful world.

Kathy Dragon of Travel Dragon. Well she is simply and wonderfully crazy & smart. Proudly closing the bars everywhere in Scotland.

Moe McCarrick of Momentum. We are new friends but something tells me, from her smile and NH connections, that we knew each other in another life

Ben Bressler and Don Martinson of Natural Habitat. Simply the craziest and funniest living duo  I have met to date.  Bummed that I missed the de-tox Mt Bike Ride but I was promised a rain check. They better not let me down!

Jason Rodi of Nomad Industries  Another “new” friend that I met on summit of a lovely mountain hike behind the hotel. I look forward to working with this talented filmaker. He also has roots in Calabria, so you know we had lots to talk about.

Andreas Lappe. Really excited to meet a fellow bicycle traveler from South Africa. Take me on a bike safari, please!

and of course hanging out in Edinburg with my fellow Trusted Adventure Colleagues:

Whisky lover Peter Grubb of Row Adventures put us to shame with his tasting talents. Kurt Kutay of Wildland Adventures. Not only does he have great party shirts but he has an intuitive sense of what makes the adventure travel business tick. Brandon Lake, The brains behind Resmark Systems & Western River showed us how to get work done AND attend a conference. Allie E. Almario of Myths & Mountains was bursting with energy despite her en route travel injury.  Alaskan Mountain Man Kent John of  Great Alaska took the Mt Bike Ride that I missed! Doting new papa and Trusted Adventures Leader Brad Moss kept us focused and on track. Finally,  Judy Alpress and Betsy West of The Wayfayers—although this was the first time we officially “hung out,” these classy gals took care of me and made me feel at home with their wide smiles and big hearts.

The experience of “Ubuntu” on our Ciclismo Classico tours may explain why so many of our guests claim to have been transformed by their travel experience.

Interconnecting our guests with the landscape, the people and their surroundings is the Ciclismo Classico Way of Life.

Thank you fellow Adventure Travel Friends for sharing views, ideas and best practices. See you in Mexico, hosts of the 2011 Adventure Travel Summit!