Press Release
National Trust Announces New Line of Active Tours
National Trust Sojourns: Heritage Adventure Travel for Active Bodies and Curious Minds
WASHINGTON, D.C., January 10, 2007 – Debuting this year, National Trust Sojourns, a new line of small group programs being offered by National Trust Tours, are active learning vacations that give participants the opportunity to bike, hike, kayak or fly around some of the world's most fascinating places amid amazing people and interesting cultures.
“Sojourns represent an initial step for the Trust in enhancing our tours,” said Scott Gerloff, director of National Trust Tours. “They are designed for those travelers who are seeking our wonderful learning experiences but are also looking for a diversity of activities that may include wellness, connecting history to nature and immersing themselves and their six senses in the culture and soul of great destinations and places. Gerloff continues, “In addition to meeting the needs of our core travelers, we have created Sojourns to appeal to the needs of the next generation’s group traveler.”
Participants can get their hearts pumping and legs moving on one of six experiences spanning the globe and thoughtfully designed by our travel partners including Lindblad Expeditions, Bushtracks Expeditions, Backroads, Academic Travel Abroad and Geographic Expeditions.:
South Carolina & Georgia Multisport, April 15-20, 2007 and October 14-19, 2007
Pedal past the grand mansions and garden squares of Charleston and Savannah. Bike, walk and sea kayak through the area’s famous flower-draped courtyards, elegant neighborhoods and palmetto and magnolia-lined back streets.
Alaska, British Columbia & The San Juan Islands: A Land of Natural Splendor Aboard Sea Bird/Sea Lion, May 23-June 3, 2007
Scour Alaskan bays for calving glaciers and wildlife – particularly whales. Visit Native American communities, kayak, walk forest trails, and cruise in Zodiacs for an eye-level view of sculpted icebergs.
Outdoor Paradise: Swiss Alpine Adventure, July 7-15, 2007
Invigorate during excursions in the Alpine air of Switzerland’s Bernese Alps. Hike and bike through snowy peaks, hillsides bursting with wildflowers, and lush, fragrant pine forests and raft in mountain lakes.
Galápagos Aboard Polaris, August 10-20, 2007
Swim and snorkel among playful sea lions in the isles of the Galápagos, an area of extraordinary natural wonders. Likely animal encounters include feeding penguins, blue-footed boobies and crimson chested frigatebirds.
Southern Africa's Best Reserves & Heritage Sites, October 27 - November 8, 2007 and April 19 - May 1, 2008
Travel across the savannas of Southern Africa via private plane and encounter a rare diversity of landscapes and wildlife. Game drives, foot safaris and river cruises at sunset highlight this adventure.
Exploring the Art & Architecture of Bhutan, November 7 - 21, 2007
Hike through the spiritually and scenically rich kingdom of Bhutan. Examine unique architecture - from temples dating to the 7th century to mighty fortresses. Meet with Bhutanese artisans, artists and architects throughout.
Full itineraries for National Trust Sojourns are available at www.nationaltrust.org/adventure. All Sojourns can be booked online or by calling 800-944-6847.
Celebrating its 35th year of providing exceptional group travel experiences in 2006, National Trust Tours is a program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a non-profit organization of 200,000 members that provides leadership, education and advocacy to save America's diverse historic places and revitalize our communities. Traveling under the auspices of the National Trust has its advantages. Esteemed study leaders, local guides and guest lecturers broaden the mind; access to significant private homes, collections, and fascinating people provide a level of exclusivity to every program; delectable meals satisfy the palette; and memorable life experiences — unattainable to the individual traveler— infuse each program.