Want to find out a bit more about Adventure Life? Check out some
of these great publications that have written articles about our tours.
Browse through these brief summaries or click on the links below to
read the full articles!
National Geographic
Published: August 14, 2022
By: Julia Buckley
“To me, adventure cruising is at the core of travel itself,” says Mary Curry, small ships specialist at tour operator Adventure Life.
“At its core, travel is about discovery, whether that’s of people and cultures, wildlife or places. Adventure travel allows you to feel like an explorer — you go out there and find out something in a way that you can’t from a luxury hotel or a large ship, where you’re more isolated from what you’re trying to discover. It goes back to the original reasons for why people travel.”
Published: July 14, 2022
By: Lea Lane
Antarctic Expedition: Embrace the spirit of polar exploration on an expedition to Antarctica with Adventure Life. Watch for seabirds and the first icebergs as you cross the often formidable Drake Passage to reach the South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula. Once there, you’ll experience the wonder of the white continent as you cruise along spectacular ice cliffs looking for seals and whales, and go ashore to visit penguin rookeries and historic huts.
Published: June 25, 2022
By: Liz Cantrell
"For travelers who want a truly unique wildlife experience, a cruise can be the best option. On a 16-day trip aboard
Ponant's Le Commandant Charcot, you'll venture to the Southern Ocean and view emperor penguins. Even more impressive is a
22-day trip to the Northwest Passage on the
National Geographic Resolution to see a pod of beluga whales or, if you are particularly fortunate, even a group of narwhals. —
Mary Curry, Adventure Life
Published: May 23, 2022
By: Love Exploring Staff
Your transport for this food and wine-themed
cruise along the Columbia River is the Wilderness Legacy, a beautiful vessel designed to resemble a Victorian steamer. During the cruise, which starts and finishes in Portland, you’ll visit some of Oregon’s most important historical sites, but it’s the food and wine-themed stops that really set it apart. In the Hood River Valley, you can sign up for cycle rides between local vineyards, and in the Washington city of Walla Walla, you’ll visit a local chocolatier, olive oil producer and brewery.
The Washington Post
Published: May 5, 2022
By: Danielle Braff
Forget infinity pools, couples’ massages and karaoke lounges; the newest luxury ships are all about scientific discovery. Rather than stopping at the usual crowded European and Caribbean ports, expedition ships are taking guests — along with scientists, historians and naturalists — to places rarely visited by tourists. Subtract the discomforts traditionally associated with research vessels, and expedition ships are attracting travelers who may not have considered cruising in the past... "You won’t find mini-golf courses, surf pools, slides, concerts, casinos, branded restaurants or Broadway-style entertainment," said Monika Sundem, chief executive of Adventure Life, a travel company in Missoula, Mont. Instead, in addition to the submarines and other tiny boats such as kayaks designed for further exploration, many of the expedition ships have helicopters, larger observation decks and educators.
Published: April 25, 2022
By: Rebecca Strong
"As travel resurges, tourists will return to this area, but for now, it feels as remote as it did 20 years ago," says Monika Sundem, CEO of Adventure Life in Montana. "The Galapagos was one of the first regions to return to operations since the start of the pandemic, and procedures are dialed in. Book a small-ship cruise for island landings to see boobies and finches, snorkeling excursions with sea lions, Galapagos sharks, and more."
Published: April 20, 2022
By: Sara Clemence
While dozens of countries have reopened for tourism, Monika Sundem, CEO of Montana-based travel-planning company Adventure Life, advises against destination-hopping. Testing requirements and policies from country to country (and region to region) are constantly in flux. Some travel suppliers mandate extra layers of testing to make guests feel safe. But any number of snafus—labs might have odd hours or run out of tests or results might be delayed—can upend your vacation. “If you can find one eco-resort that does day tours—beach adventures, water exploring, ruins—I really think that’s the best way to go,” Ms. Sundem said. “It will be much more relaxing because you don’t have to be worried about, ‘What if I don’t get the test?’” Among her recommendations: Hamanasi Resort in Belize; Manta Resort on Pemba Island in Tanzania; and Finch Bay Hotel in the Galápagos Islands.
Published: July 9, 2021
By: Liz Cantrell
The Galapagos National Park, Galapagos Islands
This park is absolutely beyond compare and is a must for National Park enthusiasts. As one of the most protected national parks in the world, the Galapagos Islands are full of incredible wildlife that are not afraid of humans and will come in closer contact with you than is possible in most other natural places in the world. You can experience a variety of landscapes in a small space, from lush highlands full of tortoises, to moon-like volcanic rock, covered in piles of iguanas. And the marine life is sure to excite even the most well-traveled guests when they have the opportunity to snorkel with penguins, sharks and playful sea lions, all while blue footed boobies dive for food in the distance. —
Erin Correia, Adventure Life
New York Times
Published: January 1, 2020
By: Nora Walsh
As the number of travelers cruising Antarctica swells, polar expedition companies are launching sustainable vessels designed for these bucket-list trips. According to the
International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators, approximately 56,000 tourists visited Antarctica in the 2018-2019 season, a 53 percent increase from the 2014-2015 season. “Climate change is a chief reason for the increased interest in visiting Antarctica,” said Mary Curry, a small ship cruise specialist and travel planner at
Adventure Life. “We truly don’t know if the region will ever be as magnificent as it is now.”“Antarctica itineraries often sell out one or two years in advance, so travelers should be prepared to book early,” she advised.
Published: November 30, 2019
By: Kristy Alpert
Take a Cruise to Antarctica
WHERE: Antarctica
Earn the ultimate honeymoon bragging rights by spending the first nights of your marriage traveling to the end of the earth on board a
luxury cruise to Antarctica. Bare-bones expedition ships still make the trip but treat yourselves to a little luxury by booking a private stateroom through
Adventure Life, a travel company that specializes in responsible travel with authentic experiences. Their trips range from 12-day Antarctic Peninsula cruises with kayaking and camping options for shore excursions or 10-day Polar Circle Air Cruise that avoids the dreaded Drake Passage (a.k.a. the “Drake Shake”) portion of the cruise.
Published: July 25, 2019
By: Alison Godfrey
With many of the world’s top travel destinations threatened by climate change and neglect, “last-chance tourism” is on the rise. Below are 11 destinations that will dramatically change in the next decade. It’s not just the Arctic. Some of these destinations will really surprise you.
Pack a suitcase, grab a
camera, and head to one of these amazing destinations before they disappear.
Published: April 24, 2019
By: Georgina Lawton
As I’m drifting down the tar-black waters of the River Negro in a tiny canoe, in the dead of night, the only thing I can see is the outline of the towering trees all around me. I’m totally engulfed by rainforest.
The treetops are illuminated by a carpet of stars so bright, the sky appears almost CGI-designed. The only noises I can hear is the defiant rattling of the cicadia beetles in the reeds, and the ominous growl of howler monkeys in the distance. It’s eerie, isolated – and totally ethereal.
Published: December 15, 2018
By: Kristy Alpert
From what to expect to what to bring and what to leave home, here are the things every passenger should know before leaving on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure.
Published: September 25, 2018
By: Anne Harnagel
Explore the Patagonian landscape on the lesser-known Dientes Circuit. For those up to the challenge,
this adventure is a unique way to experience the End of the World!
National Geographic
Published: July 23, 2018
By: Norie Quintos
Adventure Life's
Laos in Motion trip has been recognized as one of the National Geographic "
Must-Take Tours Throughout Asia"
Published: June 18, 2018
By: Larry Bleiberg
Cruise Critic seeks the input from our very own "
Mary Curry an expedition cruise expert at Adventure Life, a travel company that helps passengers organize trips, who has been working with the industry for 17 years" for the discussion of why it is important for cruise ships to operate with sustainability as a priority.
Published: May 25, 2018
By: Ashley Williams
Our General Manager, Jonathan Brunger, was interviewed for his ideas of how to get involved in ecotourism to foster a more sustainable travel experience. Check out his input in points #2 & #3 of this article.
Published: May 25, 2018
Photos of
Antarctica just simply cannot do it justice. Explore the Great White Continent up-close with Adventure Life!
Published: May 23, 2018
By: Lea Lane
Forbes Magazine named our very own
Cotopaxi Mountain Biking tour one of "
Eight Of the Best Bicycling Vacations Around The World". Just in time for World Bicycle Day on June 3rd!
Published: March 8, 2018
Elite Traveler magazine scoured the globe to compile an ultimate list of adventures. We are honored that this prestigious publications named our
Samui Seascapes itinerary in Koh Samui, Thailand one of the "
Top 50 Adventures" to take this year!
Published: February 23, 2018
By: Renee Brincks
Travel Weekly featured our exciting addition of the
Ultimate Alaska tour. Explore "The Last Frontier" by bush plane, water taxi, river raft, and more!
Published: January 28, 2018
Travel+Leisure Magazine sought out the advice of our very own Trip Planner, Mary Curry. She also happens to be on the
Travel+Leisure A-List of travel agents for Adventure Cruising. See what advice she has to give anyone looking to take a cruise.
Published: November 3, 2017
By: Anthony Flint
"The Galapagos With Kids - A bucket list item they never knew they had." Anthony Flint sings praises of the Enchanted Islands as a destination with his family.
“The Galapagos is one of those places where friends say ‘you’re going to love it,’ and it’s really true. But it can’t be done on a whim. There’s a series of branching decisions to be made...We chose Adventure Life, and in doing so a lot of questions got answered in short order.”
Missoulan
Published: September 3, 2017
By: David Erickson
"Adventure Life, a Missoula-based adventure travel company that specializes in organizing international tours, offers a host of generous and unique policies and benefits to keep employees happy." Find out more about these unique policies that have been recognized for keeping our team happy!
