Kayak in Capri, hike the Valley of the Winds, even practice yoga in a geodesic dome: REI adds new trips to its adventure lineup for 2017 and members get a big discount.
REI will add new locations and itineraries to its adventure travel program in honor of its 30-year anniversary. Over 150 travel packages around the globe are available to members and non-members.
The trips vary in intensity level and technical skill, with all led by REI travel guides. I participated in a recent trip to Bryce Canyon and can attest it’s a physically active but accessible way to see some of the world’s most iconic sites.
There are numerous options for adventure travel, including booking your own. But the upside to REI’s program is that, for a $20 lifetime membership, you can save hundreds for every trip you take. Plus, those on the lookout for new gear can save with member discounts and rebates.
If you’re considering an activity-filled vacation, check out these 2017 options.
Amalfi Coast, Italy: Hiking, Kayaking
Check out the ruins of Pompeii, hike the Mt. Vesuvius crater and lava tubes, and kayak the Isle of Capri. This eight-day family-friendly adventure even includes a Neapolitan pizza-making session!
Cost (member discount): $3,800 ($400)
Catalonia, Spain: Hiking
Nine days of hiking the Pyrenees Mountains, and visiting extinct volcanoes, glacial lakes, the Mediterranean Sea, and Costa Brava.
Cost (member discount): $4,200 ($500)
Northern Territory, Australia: Hiking
Spend eight days in the north of Oceania hiking through Watarrka and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Parks. Along the way, see Kings Canyon, the Valley of the Winds, the Larapinta Trail, and try authentic Australian barbecue.
As a bonus, this trip includes the option to add five days of kayaking and exploring the Great Barrier Reef.
Cost (member discount): $4,600 ($500)*
* not including Great Barrier Reef extension
Patagonia, South America: Hiking, Kayaking, Cycling
REI’s new multi-sport adventure for 2017 lets you kayak next to massive glaciers on Gray Lake, bike among “guanacos” (South American llamas), and hike to the base of Torres del Paine. Guests stay in massive, traditional-style (but glamp-worthy) domes.
Cost (member discount): $4,000 ($400)
Intensity: Moderate
Yellowstone, Grand Teton, USA: Hiking, Camping, Rafting
Prefer to stay in the U.S.? The REI adventure tour of America’s first national park is a great way to see what inspired our national park system. Mountains, meadows, waterfalls, and geysers are just some of the magic that makes Yellowstone so incredible. This trip includes wildlife tours, summit trail hikes, and river floats.
Guests can rough it camping style or opt for cabin-style lodging.
Cost (member discount): $2,900-$3,400 ($300-$350)
Interested in signing up? A membership at REI is lifetime and you can join anytime.
