Sue Picken

As an "Active Traveler" myself, I love planning active travel trips for my clients! Active travel can be an exhilarating way to immerse oneself in a destination!I am a sailor (certified in the BVI) and scuba diver (many dives in the Caribbean, Mozambique, Belize, Costa Rica), but have also done cycling races (Argus Cape Town) and cycling vacations (Bike & Barge in the Netherlands & Belgium, and Bike & Boat in Turkey), as well as some amazing hikes (Drakensburg South Africa, Machu Picchu Peru, Hadrian’s Wall England).

Some destinations are best discovered with a particular travel style. Feel like a local in the Netherlands and Belgium when cycling through the countryside and villages and floating on a barge along the canals. Enhance your trip with a pre/post stay in Amsterdam and/or Bruges!

Experience the local villages and dramatic scenery of Turkey while cycling up and down the hills, visiting ancient sites, and then jumping off a traditional Gulet to enjoy the azure waters!

Other destinations that suit a bike and boat active vacation are Croatia (Dalmatian Coast and Adriatic islands) and the Greek Isles.

if you are more into cycling, then cyle through the Italian Alps and Lakes on a multi-day cycling trip or get to know the island of Sicily in depth by cycling from village to village!

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Hadrian’s Wall (UK) which was built to keep the Scotts out of England. Enjoy daily hikes through the countryside from Newcastle to Carlisle with stops at ancient ruins and local pubs while your luggage is transported to your guest house each day. Add London and York to this active vacation for delving deeper into UK culture and history.

Other destinations that lend themselves to multi-day hiking vacations are Spain, Northern Italy (Dolomites), Peru (Machu Picchu).

If a multi-day hiking trip is too strenouse, include a notable day hike into a fully independent custom trip such as Machu Picchu in Peru, Tre Cime Loop in the Dolomites, and Samaria Gorge Hike in Crete Greece.

Or how about a bush walk while on Safari in Southern or East Africa? Better yet, plan that bucket list trip Gorilla Trekking!

If you are a scuba diver then definitely consider French Polynesia, Belize, Mozambique, the Caribbean, and Thailand for your next scuba vacation!

The possibilities for an active vacation are endless!