Rafting in Patagonia and 5 More Travel News Briefs
Africa's newest safari camp, how you can sleep on a ski jump, and 'Game of Thrones' gets touristy in this week’s adventure travel dispatch.
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Alpinist Teams Up with Luxe Hotel Chain
Swisshôtel Hotel & Resorts has tapped alpinist and travel writer John Harlin to create a series of digital urban walking guides (branded as “Vitality Guides”) that encourage guests to explore the area around their hotels on foot. At launch, the guides, which are free, will be available in Amsterdam, Ankara, Bangkok, Berlin, Bremen, Chicago, Dresden, Dusseldorf, Foshan, Geneva, Istanbul, Kolkata, Moscow, Osaka, Shanghai, Singapore, Sochi, Sydney, Tallinn, and Zurich, with more destinations to be added throughout the year.
Meet Zimbabwe’s Newest Safari Camp
Wilderness Safaris will open its newest outpost—Linkwasha Camp—in Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park this May. The non-fenced-in style camp will consist of eight luxury canvas tents with outdoor showers, a swimming pool, and wrap-around deck to view the park’s elephants.
Sleep Atop a Ski Jump?
Airbnb is listing one of the world’s most modern ski jumps, Holmenkollen in Norway, for a special once-in-a-lifetime stay. For two nights at the end of March, the very top of Holmenkollen, where the ski jumpers prepare for flight before their jump, will be transformed into a glass-walled penthouse apartment with private rooftop terrace. To snag this pad, visit Holmenkollen’s listing on Airbnb no later than March 16 at 5:59 p.m. EST, and write about why you’d wanna sleep here. Two winners (who can bring a guest) will be selected to stay one night each.
Ever Been “Archaeobirding”?
Those wishing to combine their love of exploring ancient ruins with bird watching, should check out Matsam Tavel, a 20-year-old outfitter, which just launched a series of “archeobirding” expeditions to Mayan ruins (famed for their abundance of rare and beautiful avian species) in Belize, El Salvador, Guatemala, Hondorus, and Mexico.
Your Ticket to Winterfell, Right Here!
While you’re waiting for Game of Thrones season five to premiere on April 12, consider planning a trip to Northern Ireland, where a majority of the show is filmed. Why? The Northern Ireland Tourism Board has just released a comprehensive map of Game of Thrones filming locations that includes itineraries and planning tools.
Finally: Rafting Comes to Patagonia Trekking Town!
Until now, El Chalten has been an easy going Argentinian expedition town where treks to Perito Moreno glacier and Fitz Roy begin. But, Calafate Mountain Park has just launched the first ever whitewater rafting trips (grade III) leaving from El Chalten, along the Las Vueltas and Fitz Roy Rivers, through Los Glaciares National Park.