I would put forth the idea that for an active, outdoor vacation, Oregon might be the best state in the country. Why? Geographic variety. Portland Oregon’s main city – despite what you sometimes hear in the news – is fun and vibrant. Start here. It really doesn’t matter whether you stay in the downtown area Continue Reading →
Zephyr Travel Blog
Europe’s New Entry/Exit System
As of October 2025 but apparently only fully operational as of April 10, European countries in the Schengen zone have implemented a new biometric Entry/Exit System registration process for non-European travelers. This includes fingerprinting and a facial scan. The registration is good for three years or until the passport expires. In theory, this means subsequent Continue Reading →
Why Bolivia and Oman Have a Lot in Common
We recently ran an Oman Multisport Adventure that we will repeat next year and are heading to South America in August for a Bolivia Multisport Adventure. Both tours are part of our new Exploratory Adventure series and have a surprisingly Bolivia and Oman have a lot of similarities. Dramatic Landscapes Both Oman and Bolivia have Continue Reading →
How to Prepare for a Zephyr Adventure
You booked the trip. The destination is circled on the calendar. Now comes the part that will quietly determine how much you enjoy every single day of it: showing up physically ready. We’ve created a practical fitness guide for how to prepare for a Zephyr Adventure, for active travelers of all ages but primarily for Continue Reading →
Are US State Department Travel Advisories Useful or Political?
In May 2025 the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland were moved from Level 1 – Exercise Normal Precautions to Level 2 – Exercise Increased Caution. The change also affected Spain, France, Germany, Italy, and most of Europe. The advisories cited increased risk of terrorism. But Austria, Switzerland, and most of Eastern Europe remain at Level Continue Reading →
Who Created Flaeming Skate: The World’s Best Inline Skating Network?
We have already written before (and more recently here) about one of the world’s best inline skating networks of trails, the Flaeming region in Germany. Read that post first if you are not familiar with the trails. But how did it come to be? We checked in with our friend Uwe Kuhlmey, the owner and Continue Reading →
The Spontaneous Traveler’s Shortlist
There’s a particular kind of traveler we love; those who seek out spontaneous travel. They’re not the ones who plan eighteen months out, research every hotel, and build a spreadsheet of packing lists. They’re the ones who see an intriguing opportunity, look at their calendar, and think: I could actually make this work—and they do! Continue Reading →
Small Groups. Big Moments: What a Zephyr Day Feels Like
If you’ve been saying “someday,” consider this your gentle nudge. Zephyr trips aren’t about proving anything — they’re about feeling brilliantly alive in beautiful places, with a small group that somehow never feels “groupy.” Here’s what a real day can feel like. Morning: The World Before the Crowds You wake up knowing that someone else Continue Reading →
The Smartest Way to Train for the NorthShore Inline Marathon? A Week in Ohio.
Why our Ohio Skating & Biking tour is the ideal training — and the perfect vacation — for skaters racing the NorthShore this September. Ask most inline skaters how they train for a marathon and you’ll hear familiar stories: stolen miles on local paths, early mornings in parking lots, solo long runs squeezed between work Continue Reading →
“I Don’t Like Group Tours”… Until You Try One Like This
If you’ve ever said, “Group tours aren’t for me,” you’re not alone. When many travelers picture a group tour, they imagine rigid schedules, crowded buses, strangers they have nothing in common with, and a guide waving a tiny flag while everyone is shuffled from place to place. That’s not what we do at Zephyr Adventures. Continue Reading →