Where to go? - Wellness & Lifestyle - Brief Article

American Fitness, Jan-Feb, 2004

With the holiday fun and hard work over, now it's time to settle back in an easy chair and contemplate where you might spend your next vacation. Here are a few ideas.

* GreatEscape2004: How about a first-class, Survivor-type vacation? The Global Scavenger Hunt invites 50 people on an around-the-world, adventure-travel competition. From April 16 through May 9, 2004, 25 two-people teams will earn points by completing a series of culturally oriented scavenges in at least 10 countries across four continents. The application deadline is February 27th and entry fee is $9,900, a portion of which is tax deductible. The GreatEscape Foundation, a charitable foundation that raises money in fun, novel and interesting ways, organizes the annual scavenger hunt. For more information, call (310) 281-7809 or visit www.globalscavengerhunt.com.

* English Lakeside Ramblers: Enjoy breathtaking scenery and visit some of the finest prehistoric sites in Britain on a walking tour of the Isle of Skye and Outer Hebridean Islands or walk from inn to inn in England's Lake District. For more information, visit www.ramblers.com.

* Backroads: Biking trips, walking journeys and multisport adventures in destinations as diverse as Cambodia and Cape Cod are part of Backroad's 134 unique itineraries in more than 100 destinations on five continents. For more information, visit www.backroads.com.

* SpaFinders: Let the experts at SpaFinders help you find the perfect spa. For more information, visit www.spafinder.com.

* Absolute Africa: Follow the path taken by famed explorer Dr. David Livingstone through South Africa and Botswana or glimpse mountain gorillas in the lush rainforests of Uganda and Rwanda. Absolute Africa's new Southern and Eastern Africa "Explorer's Collection" tours combine several African countries into 10 unforgettable journeys. For more information, visit www.absoluteafrica.net.