Most people think there is just one Inca Trail that takes hikers from the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu — the “Classic” Inca Trail.  However, there are actually two. The Royal (Alternative) Inca Trail starts and ends in the same place as the Classic Inca Trail but instead of going up and over the mountains, the Royal Trail stays along the Urubamba River.  It is rarely visited, lower altitude, and has far fewer hills than the Classic Inca Trail, making it a fantastic option for many travelers.

Zephyr Adventures guide Liz Miller guided a past Zephyr trip on the Royal Inca Trail. Here is her summary of this alternative route:

At nearly 14,000 feet in the Peruvian Andes, Dead Woman’s Pass is a rite of passage on the popular Classic Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. The prerequisite of puffing over this pass may appeal to the no-pain-no-gain set, but others are intimidated, worrying about altitude sickness, fitness, and how their joints will fare on the route’s famed Inca staircases. If only they knew what I recently learned on my second trek to Machu Picchu: there is a lower, easier, four-day route to the emerald city of the Incas!

For many people, it is a life’s dream to explore the mystic ruins of Peru’s Machu Picchu. While it’s possible to reach this unburied treasure by train and bus, hiking to the area and getting a first glimpse of the ruins while entering the famed Sun Gate is a magical experience.

In 2008, I relished my first hike through the cloud forests and mountain ridges of the Peruvian high country. Our Peruvian guides led us over the same stone-reinforced trail the Incans used centuries ago to connect Machu Picchu and Cusco, the capital of their empire. Known now as the Classic Inca Trail, this is the most frequently traveled route to the famous ruins today. The 4-day Classic Route begins at 9,500 feet in elevation and, at its highest, climbs to Dead Woman’s Pass at 13,860 in elevation. It also involves steep and significant declines to get back to Machu Picchu at less than 7,900 feet.

The Incas’ steep stair steps present a challenge for most hikers and a real trial for those who have difficulty adjusting to the altitude, poor fitness, or bad knees.  Undoubtedly, many would-be hikers are turned off by the expected difficulties.

The Royal Inca Trail, also called the Original (or Alternative) Inca Trail, was most likely the first trail built by the Incas to connect Cusco to Machu Picchu. It starts in the Sacred Valley at the same departure point of the Classic Inca Trail, follows the Urubamba River canyon, and rejoins the Classic Inca Trail just before the final ascent to Machu Picchu’s Sun Gate.

The Royal Inca Trail averages 7,500 feet of elevation along the river canyon walls, rising only at the end to approach the ruins of Machu Picchu at just under 8,000 feet. Neither elevation nor killer hills are a usual problem with this route. An added plus is that during the three days we hiked on this trail we did not encounter any other trekking groups (and their many associated porters).

Is a trek to Machu Picchu on your bucket list? The Royal route is a photographer’s dream, with less altitude exposure, less strenuous hiking, and almost no crowds. It concludes with a fulfilling sense of personal achievement and a postcard-perfect first sighting of Machu Picchu’s emerald terraces.

Join us October 19 – 27 for our Royal Inca Trail Trekking Adventure!  Act quickly, however: with a limit of only 500 Inca Trail passes issued for each day (that is 500 passes for everyone in the world who wants to trek during that same time period!) and two-thirds of those taken up by staff (such as porters, guides and cooks) who accompany the trekkers, passes always sell out.  For example, passes are already sold out through the end of September at the time of this writing. 

All photos in this article were taken by Liz Miller on the October 2010 guided trek.

If you aren’t familiar with it, the Camino is an ancient pilgrimage route that was initially popularized around 1000 A.D. Today, travelling the route remains an immensely popular experience for Europeans, and increasingly, you’ll find travelers from America and Asia enjoying the route.

One of the best things about the self-guided walking tour of Camino de Santiago is that while the route is well-mapped, the “journey” is full of surprises, and your experience will be completely unique to you. Our pilgrimage was full of wonderful, unplanned moments: the sun glistening magically off a babbling creek; a herd of cows being led by an ancient peasant farmer blocking our path; the young South Korean girl traveling the Camino alone who teared up telling us about her travels; Rosa from Puerto Rico by way of New York, who bought us several rounds at the hotel in Palas de Rei; the amazing polpo (octopus) on the playa in Melide….. and so many more. I had an amazing time on the Camino and will definitely remember it for the rest of my life.

While it hardly pushes a fit person to a physical extreme, it is challenging enough to make each night’s rest feel wonderful and well-earned. Whether you are staying in the standard accommodations or upgraded ones (Zephyr conveniently offers both), you can luxuriate with a wonderful local meal, trade stories with new found friends, or simply spend a peaceful night relaxing in the countryside. And Zephyr arranges for baggage portage to and from each hotel, so you won’t be stuck carrying a heavy pack.

By now you might be wondering what walking the Camino de Santiago all is about. Here’s my take on the journey, section by section.

Sarria to Portomarin: Crossing the old stone bridge out of town, my traveling companion and I found ourselves immersed in the rural countryside, where the centuries-old path rose gently through rolling hills, and was intermittently bordered by old stone walls and ancient trees. Gorgeous grassy fields and gardens of leafy kale abounded.

Portomarin to Palas de Rei: The countryside is still rural, quiet and beautiful. During one short stretch, several cyclists passed us. This is one of the only parts where the real Camino and the cycling route overlap. We chatted with a couple of guys from Germany, who were on their third Camino crossing! No doubt, the journey is addicting.

Palas to Melide: An amazing, beautiful day of walking that ended with fantastic, flavorful food in Melide. Tip: do not miss a chance to enjoy the polpo! The polpo was delicious, but so were the almond tarts we ate at the crowded Melindre Festival. After hours in the quiet countryside we noticed what a shock the noise of the crowd was to our ears! You can expect endless contrasts such as this along the Camino.

Melide to Arzua: We shared the route with more people as we start to converge on Santiago de Compostela. Of course, we always retained etiquette: a smile and “Buen Camino!” followed by conversation- but only if the other party appeared to invite it. We passed a magical and aromatic eucalyptus grove, the inn was charming, and our 12-year old waitress Sara was a particular delight!

Arzua to Rua: This part of the journey took us in and out of deep forest. Sometimes we straddled the highway, sometimes we plunged back into ancient European woods. It wasn’t hard to envision a medieval Spanish Robin Hood romping through this land with his merry band.

We enjoyed a short break reviving with cheese sandwiches at a small cafe. -Some pilgrims start in early with their beer, but we stick with water until night, and then vino it is! Rua is a lovely little village, and even though we’ve been walking all day, the back roads of town beckon us! We are rewarded for our efforts with sights of large, old farmhouses nestled in the forest-  quintessential herds of sheep grazing nearby.

Rua to Santiago de Compostela – Our last day on the Camino! The pilgrims at the cafes are either deep in contemplation or a bit manic. The end is near. We try to stay composed, but we experience deep emotion as we approach the close of our Camino travel. The monument to Santiago at Amenal is a striking reminder of how important this pilgrimage route has been to so many millions over the centuries.

Santiago de Compostela – This is a world class cultural city in its own right. It is an incredible city that fills us with light and life after days of walking. To be honest, it is a bit difficult to adjust to the cars and noise, but our hotel is wonderful, the food and wine fantastic, and soon we are relaxed and revived. We meet up with our guide host Reuben, who takes us to the bustling market in the day and a festival in the city park at night. We notice that there seems to be a major festival every few weeks in the summer!

Whatever your spiritual orientation, the Camino invites you to become present with your life on earth, and in the universe. I hope you have a chance to do all or part of a Camino at some point in your life. Go with a friend, several friends, family, or on your own. Many Europeans do the entire Camino over a period of years, a week or two, and a few hundred kilometers at a time. If that is not practical, then doing the final 111 km like we did is a wonderful way to go. But beware; pilgrimaging the Camino can become addictive!

See our separate Zephyr Self-Guided Adventures website for more details about the Camino de Santiago Adventure. In addition, we offer hike, bike, or driving tours through Tuscany and Umbria in Italy and walking tours along Hadrian’s Wall. 

This guest post was contributed by Paul Agostinelli who lives, writes, and practices Zen Buddhism in Boulder, Colorado, where he is an internet entrepreneur. He travels the world where and when he can, with a special love of the Mediterranean, the land of his blood, and Asia, the land of his soul. He is a co-founder of Zephyr Self-Guided Adventures. 

According to our partners, Local Wine Events, who is hosting the database of scheduled events, there are currently 163 events scheduled and that number is still growing. There are over 50 participating wine & tourism associations and as of today, there are over 2650 consumers who have signed up to receive updates about #WineTourismDay. Visit the Wine Tourism Day website to find an event near you!

We think this is a great start!!

Organizer of Wine Tourism Day and the Wine Tourism Conference, Allan Wright recently was interviewed by Lynn Krielow Chamberlain of iWineRadio about the event and how wineries and organizations can participate. You can listen to the broadcast on WineFairy.Com.

In celebration of the first ever Wine Tourism Day, Zephyr Adventures has coordinated with 5 wine regions across the country to present the 2013 Great Wine Tour Giveaway. You can win a free wine weekend escape for two in Finger Lakes, Sonoma, Ontario, Oregon or Virginia.  Each prize includes airfare, two nights hotel, one dinner, and one full day of guided wine touring by a local wine expert for two people. Don’t wait, register now for your chance to win!

 See you at a Wine Tourism Day event on May 11th!

Photo Credit: B℮n via Compfight cc

We at Zephyr Adventures have been running self-guided tours in Italy for about five years. We have found them so appealing, this past summer we spent the time to add two new destinations to our list of self-guided tours:

• Hiking tours on the famous Camino de Santiago (the Way of St. James) in Spain.
• Hiking tours along the route of Hadrian’s Wall in England

In my younger years before starting Zephyr Adventures, I spent a LOT of time traveling around the globe with a backpack, passport, and Let’s Go Handbook. I had few plans, no hotel bookings, and simply a plane ticket home.

Now, however, I am a bit spoiled by our tours. I love having a hotel bed each night, a nice meal after a day of exercise, and a clear schedule for the next day – even when I am guiding! And so when I travel on my own, I still like the sense of adventure from my early years and the comforts of the group tours we at Zephyr Adventures organize. This is where self-guided travel comes in.

Self-guided travel is a combination of independent travel and group touring. You get to pick your own date, your own location (from among our choices), and your own traveling companions – often just one other person. We handle your hotel reservations, move your luggage for you each day, and provide you with written hiking or biking directions. We even meet you when you arrive to the tour location. At that point, you are on your own without local van support or guides – perfect for an adventurous soul who likes comfortable travel.

I undertook this form of travel this past summer when I hiked Hadrian’s Wall, a coast-to-coast hike across England. Two of us completed the hike in six days. We were totally on our own but had the benefits of luggage transfer, a shuttle to the hiking start location, and hotels booked each night. It was simply awesome.

Because of that, we decided to add even more locations to our self-guided travel options. See our separate Zephyr Self-Guided Adventures website for details. In addition to being able to hike, bike, or even drive through Tuscany and Umbria in Italy, you can now walk on the Hadrian’s Wall path or along the Camino de Santiago in Spain.

I personally love this form of travel as it provides me the flexibility I often need given my schedule, the sense of adventure I crave, and the added comforts that make a vacation a relaxing experience. Give it a try. And for a better sense of our self-guided tours in Italy, where we went so far as to create videos you play along your route, check out this video of the tours:

If you are an inline skater, you know that a good skating surface is a huge factor in getting the most out of your experience.  Trust me when I say that our Idaho Skating Adventure, which takes place this year September 8 – 12, offers some of the best skating trails in the world!  It’s about as close to perfect as you can get on a five-day adventure, and you can be the lucky winner of a free spot on this trip! See link below to enter to win.  Imagine yourself skating in zen-like solitude under sunny skies, or chatting the miles away with new-found skating pals. 

We spend three days on the 73-mile-long Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, which is nothing short of an inline skater’s paradise.  This repurposed and mostly flat rail trail is located in the wilderness of northern Idaho and offers some of the smoothest asphalt you’ll find anywhere, opportunities to see wildlife, and panoramic views of forested mountains, clear lakes and teal-colored rivers.

You’ll also have the pleasure of zipping along the historic 53-mile Centennial Trail and the short-but-sweet Fish Lake Trail. Flanked by quaint towns, abundant natural beauty and fascinating history, you’ll experience a new respect for the feeling of freedom inline skating inspires. When you’re ready to slow down and reenergize, you can explore the historic mining town of Wallace, or perch yourself on the beach at our resort on the Spokane River.

Our Idaho Skating Adventure is suitable for skaters who are advanced beginners or better – trails are mostly smooth and there are few hills on our routes, but you should be able to brake and be comfortable skating around or over obstacles at times.  Bicyclists are very welcome on this tour – bike rental is an extra 5.

Join us on this epic skating trip, or enter here to win it!  The winner will also receive free airfare from anywhere in the U.S.  Thanks to our wonderful partners in this giveaway are Inline Warehouse and Inline Planet.

Wineries and wine-related businesses coast to coast are celebrating Wine Tourism Day, and Zephyr invites you to join in on the fun. Some wineries are hosting scrumptious food and wine pairings, others are providing education workshops, premier vineyard tours, and offering impressive discounts. Participating wineries in the Finger Lakes Wine Region of New York are not only serving up a variety of exciting wine experiences, they are also giving back to the community by donating tasting fees to one of three regional food banks. 

Discover the character and profile of wines available in North America by day-tripping to your local wine region or planning a weekend getaway to a wine region you’ve been longing to explore. Whatever event you partake in, rest assured; Wine Tourism Day is all about celebrating you- the wine lover who has a thirst for adventure.

In celebration of the first ever Wine Tourism Day, Zephyr Adventures has coordinated with 5 wine regions across the country to present the 2013 Great Wine Tour Giveaway. You can win a free wine weekend escape for two in Finger Lakes, Sonoma, Ontario, Oregon or Virginia.  Each prize includes airfare, two nights hotel, one dinner, and one full day of guided wine touring by a local wine expert for two people. Winners will be drawn on Wine Tourism Day, May 11th, and can choose their vacation date for any dates in 2013 (subject to certain limitations in some of the areas). One winner will be randomly drawn for each destination. Don’t wait, register now for your chance to win.

Zephyr Adventures’ inspiration for Wine Tourism Day in North America comes from Europe, where the European Day of Wine Tourism has enjoyed overwhelming popularity since its inception four years ago. Attendees of the 2012 Wine Tourism Conference, an annual gathering of the industry’s leaders, discussed bringing the concept to North America. And it’s no wonder: With over 7500 wineries in 205 American Viticultural Areas, 38 authorized wine appellations in Canada, and another 40 appellations in Mexico, the opportunity for wine tourism abounds in North America, and it’s a niche that is just beginning to be explored.

Wine Tourism Day is being supported by a number of industry partners including LocalWineEvents.com, Touring and Tasting Marketing & Media, WineAmerica, the Wine Industry Network, and the Wine Tourism Conference in addition to wine and tourism associations in wine regions throughout North America.

Visit the Wine Tourism Day website, and discover the special events that will be happening near you or a place you would love to travel to.  And be sure to sign up for important Wine Tourism Day updates so you stay in the loop about all the latest exciting wine events taking place in the region of your choice.

Beer West magazine is that periodical and their upcoming issue has a feature story on Zephyr’s Yellowstone & Grand Teton Multisport Beer Adventure. Writer Adrienne So joined us on our tour last summer.

Adrienne is a beer writer and an athlete but this was her first-ever group tour. Her writings reflect not only the beer offerings on the tour but also descriptions of the local scenery and history:

In a blatant brown-nosing gesture, Meriwether Lewis named the Gallatin River after Albert Gallatin, who was the secretary of the treasury when the Corps of Discovery arrived here in 1805. In their journals, both captains give accounts of repeatedly overturning their canoes while navigating the three tributaries of the Missouri that meet here, trying to decide which one of them would lead to the Pacific Ocean. (Answer: none of them.) As our guide deftly steers us through Class III rapids, it’s not hard to imagine how those tired men would have had a lot of trouble.

Of course, beer plays a big role not only in the tour but also in Adrienne’s article:

At first glance, Victor is unprepossessing—the sort of low-to-the-ground, monochrome, one-lane town that breeds unfulfilled dreams like mosquitoes in stagnant water. But when we park, the Tetons face us on one side. Locals sip Bitch Creek Extra Special Brown on the patio, their dogs lying under their chairs. As we start to play lawn games, Grand Teton brewmaster Rob Mullin, comes out to greet us.

The article is long but flows nicely, as any well-written story should. Give it a read and then come join us this summer on our Yellowstone & Grand Teton Multisport Beer Tour!

Photo courtesy Max Lowe for Beer West Magazine.

Big Sky Country

As the name alludes, Montana has some of the most open, pristine land in the country. With two national parks, Glacier and Yellowstone, spotting big horn sheep, mountain goats, moose, wolves, bison and bears roaming among jagged, snow topped mountains and alpine meadows is an everyday occurrence. Not to mention, the sunrises and sunsets here are considered by many to be among the best in the world. Boasting over 700 miles of trails, Big Sky Country is a place of hikers’ dreams. This is the type of landscape that leaves you grasping to hold on to the moment, as you simultaneously reach for your camera.

Bighorn Sheep on Logan’s Pass

Nowhere is the rugged beauty of Montana more evident than Glacier National Park, also known as the Crown of the Continent. Here the northern Rockies run into Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park, making it the world’s first International Peace Park.  Some of the best sights in Montana can be seen on the park’s famous Going to the Sun Road. This is a 52 mile road that winds and traverses it’s way through the heart of the park. This is where a good camera will be worth it’s weight; photo opportunities abound here! Iceberg Lake is another major attraction in the park. Looking at this perfectly blue, serene lake that’s surrounded on three sides by huge cliffs really puts into perspective how big this place is. On the more leisurely side, many visitors say that Lake McDonald Lodge is the perfect place to take a glass of beer or wine, and head out onto the veranda to soak in the tranquility. The lodge is one of the best examples of a Swiss chalet in the United States and the rustic styling perfectly compliments the attitude of it’s surroundings.

Iceberg Lake

Big Sky Resort and Moonlight Basin Resort, connected by a chairlift, give you the “Biggest Skiing in America” Although notorious for their slopes, there is quite a variety of activities to choose from. Dog sledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, golfing, and rejuvenating at the spa are all nice alternatives to exerting yourself on the slopes. These four season resorts offer some of the best amenities and dining experiences in all of Montana. With Yellowstone only being 18 miles away, this is another destination that provides many different experiences tailored to your interests.

Sleigh Ride 

As you can see, the natural beauty to be enjoyed here is something special. It’s not everyday that you get to see country as it appeared back in Lewis and Clark’s time. If you want to enjoy nature in it’s purest form, then a trip to Big Sky Country should definitely be in your future.

Come explore Glacier National Park in August as Zephyr spends the week devoted to gentle hikes that reveal inspiring beauty, picture taking along scenic drives, time to venture out on your own, and even a thrilling half day river rafting excursion. At night, you’ll lay your head down and rejuvenate in a comfortable national park lodge.

This guest post was contributed by Jordan Thorton, a big craft beer fan and an outdoor enthusiast. 

Photo Credit: Big Sky Country –  Big Horn Sheep - Iceberg Lake - Sleigh Ride  

Shop with a Gemini It is a universal truth that Geminis cannot for the life of them make a decision.  This is not to say they aren’t charming, don’t have your back or aren’t cheerful when the clock is ticking.  But when presented with myriad beautiful objects d’art in Deruta, for example, do not expect a snap decision from a Gemini.  Even when the sun is setting.  And the rest of your cycling group has departed for the next town, Spello.  Including the Guides.  And Spello is thirty miles away.

Have no plan.  This is crucial.  It is best not to have read-up on the next day’s adventures and to know only that Deruta has some nice pottery, and that the group will stop there only briefly to look around.  The joy you feel at arriving in Deruta and finding beautiful pottery at every corner is unforgettable, and to have planned ahead to see as many pottery shops as possible before cycling to Spello before sunset would have been a killjoy.

Do not train for the bike trip ahead of time.  This would also detract from the whole adventure.  It’s best to stay too long in one place and then hope adrenalin kicks in when you need it.  To have spent all those hours before the trip training for long bike-rides without just cause seems tedious.  There’s no better fuel for a speedy bike ride than knowing that while you were shopping for the perfect piece of pottery everyone else has left; your landmarks to the next town are only visible in daylight and you have no flashlight; you’re in a foreign country; better yet, you don’t speak the language; oh, and you’re two women cycling alone but hey, it’s Italy so no worries.  

Shop with a moral imperative.  Here is how it’s done: walk through the archway into Deruta and assume that any shop near the entrance will try to rip you off.  Stick your nose in the air and keep walking even if the shop owners are kind.  When you come to the next shop, start looking at pottery in earnest.  It is here that the real challenge begins: you start thinking about your home décor.  Colors of pottery become very important at this stage.  The male proprietor sees you in the throws of color anxiety and comes in for the kill.  Move on, and say that you’ll be back.  Swear to your Gemini friend that you won’t come back.  Turn the corner and see six more pottery shops.  This is where moral considerations come into play: decide to buy from real artisans not just dealers.  Decide you want some red in the pottery.  Think that you want platters.  No, bowls.  A salad bowl.  Pass some beautiful open-air studios where you see green, blue and yellow pottery.  But still want some red.  You’ll see row after row of male artisans, so now you’ll decide that the artisan from whom you buy must be a woman.  At this stage it is important to stay with the moral imperative and not notice that it’s getting dark, there are fewer people around, and that neither of you has bought any pottery yet.

Buy with frantic abandon.  A Tour Guide finally turns back to find you and gives you the straight facts: that you have thirty more miles to bike and the sun is setting.  The Taurus in your group will move into full-purchase mode and suggest strongly that you go to one of the shops near the entrance and just buy something, anything.  The Gemini, bless her soul, is unphased.  Another half-hour needs to elapse before you depart for the next town, just to add to the sense of adventure.  Oh, and both of you must be hungry, thirsty, and need to use the bathroom before departure. 

Laugh with friends over dinner that night about your adventure as though this happens to you every day. This is very important.  And be sure to have this discussion while sitting down, because neither one of you will be able to walk.

This guest blog post was written by Katy who lives and works in the Boston area with her husband, two daughters and two yellow labs.  They do not own goats.

Cover Photo Via: http://www.themarthablog.com/

Overseas travel is not something I can often afford.  But when Kris from Zephyr contacted me saying that there was space remaining on the upcoming Tuscany/Umbria cycling trip, I had 24 hours to decide.

I had just received my tax refund, so it was a no-brainer.  I jumped at the chance.

I was headed to a country whose scenery I’d watched roll by in many televised professional cycling races; a country with a beautiful language, a passion for food and culture, and a rich history.  Wanting to immerse myself in all things Italian, I listened to Italian language CDs, and re-visited “Under the Tuscan Sun” plus other books by Frances Mayes.  I was well prepared; or so I thought.

What I hadn’t prepared for was falling in love. Tuscany captured my heart the very moment I arrived.  Everything was jaw-droppingly beautiful to me: the architecture, the smell of the countryside, and the gorgeous small towns with their maze-like cobblestone streets. Large piazzas, the neat rows of cypress trees lining paths to picturesque red-tile-roofed hilltop villas, art, museums, and shops offering leather, fabrics, ceramics, and the finest shoes. The simply magical musical sound of locals engaged in animated conversation Ahhh, Italia.

And then there was the fantastic food and drink. Perfect pasta, the freshest breads, and that amazingly tasty wild boar ragu- accompanied by the most delightful vino. Even a café’s house red was the best wine I’d ever tasted.  I had one incredible “close-your-eyes- and-enjoy-every-bite” meal after another.   It was total sensory overload.

 I was tempted to stay and transform into a local- enjoying daily life to its fullest.

I noticed every small town and village we rode through seemed to exist at a different pace.  Most homes had large gardens with olive trees, vineyards, and plots for growing tomatoes and vegetables.   Many had large, well-cared for terraces with tables and chairs, perfect for big outdoor gatherings with family and friends.

I had to pinch myself several times while riding on the beautiful white gravel (strade bianche) roads with amazing views, or on the bike path in Umbria lined with fields of poppies.  I’m riding a bike in Italy! I’d say out loud. ITALY!  I’d breathe deeply and couldn’t stop smiling.

One morning in Pienza, I awoke early and watched the sunrise over the valley. I recall exactly how I felt at that precise moment:  listening to the birds, looking out at the rolling green countryside, knowing that all I had to do that day was pedal a bicycle. This was heaven, and I wished for time to freeze. I wanted to remember every impact Italy had imprinted upon my senses: the magnificent food, the glorious scenery, the smells, the views of the lush green countryside, the sounds of sheep bells ringing as they grazed, oblivious to my bicycle tires humming on the road.

When I returned home, I recognized the vast contrast between life in Italy and life in the United States. It seems that we don’t take the time to SAVOR anything.  We eat meals in front of the television, in our cars, at our desks at work. We shop while talking on our cell phones. We are masters at multi-tasking; and in doing so we fail to enjoy anything fully.

Undoubtedly, experiencing Italy from the seat of a bike was an amazing way to fully capture the country, but it also inspired me to try to live more fully in the moment in all aspects of my life. I truly believe the trip changed me. Thank you Italia and thank you Zephyr!  

The next time an opportunity to travel to Italy arises, you can bet I won’t hesitate in saying “andiamo!” Let’s GO!

This guest post was contributed by Linda, a Zephyr Alum who has been on trips to Glacier, Yellowstone and Italy. She lives in Portland with her cat, Levi, and is always looking forward to more adventure. @lindajellison

Cover Photo via http://foodnouveau.com/ & Kris Thomas