We asked our staff about the greatest travel gift they’ve ever received, from life changing trips to nifty gadgets they use every day. Though we all have diverse memories and experiences, we’re all bonded together by reminiscing on the things that made us fall in love with travel, and what drives us to share that love with others.

We hope you enjoy these stories, and feel free to share memories of your own with us (or come on one of our tours and make new memories and traditions with old friends and new!)

Happy Holidays from The Incredible Adventures staff!

The greatest gifts are the ones you give.

“The greatest travel gift I’ve ever received was also a gift I got to give to someone else. Last year I was planning an amazing solo trek to Iceland for the first time. Shortly before I was scheduled to leave, I fell in love with this amazing man, and learned that he had never been outside of California! Every time I mentioned my upcoming trip and all the waterfalls I’d be seeing and the hot springs I was excited to dive into, I saw his eyes light up. So on Christmas I told him to check his email – I had purchased him a ticket to come out to Iceland with me. While I probably would have had a great time on my own, I was so excited to have an amazing travel companion and be a part of this special milestone in his life. It was better than I could have ever imagined, and we still talk about this trip and the memories we shared almost daily!”

– Lauren, Digital Marketing Manager

Two gifts that got me moving… literally!

“My sisters have always been supportive of my desire for travelling, even when it was just beginning. I remember one Christmas in the early 90’s when one of my sisters got me a rugged travel bag and the other gave me a sweet, old school Pentax K1000 film camera. I felt like both of those items actually made it somewhat mandatory that I plan some kind of big trip…So I did. I put the bag on the back of my motorcycle packed it full of gear, Pentax included, and rode on out of Kentucky, more than 2000 miles, all the way out to San Diego, CA! “

– JD, General Manager

A thoughtful reminder of home that traveled across the world.

“In 2008, I made the decision to move to South Korea to teach English. I was really nervous about leaving my family, friends, and awesome job as a tutor at a community college behind. I truly loved working there; the students and staff were an amazing group of people. On my last day of work, one of my co-workers handed me a leather bound journal, wrapped in a single gold bow. Inside, each of my co-workers filled a page or two with memories, drawings, words of encouragement and – most importantly for an English major – poems. I’ve never received anything so personal and a gift that so perfectly reflected that point in my life. I still have the journal and I occasionally read through the pages when I’m feeling a bit nostalgic or in need a bit of direction.”

– Damian, Operations Manager

The gift of beautiful Christmas traditions.

“We always go up north to go foraging on New Year’s Day – it’s a tradition with some of our close friends to have a great dinner, a quiet night on NYE, and then get up at 4am to head to the mountains. Because of the holiday, the (well-known and usually bustling) wilderness area is mostly deserted. Usually by the end of December, California has had enough rain for the winter mushrooms to come up, and we scramble up trails and into ravines with our eyes peeled for exciting finds: delicate yellowfoot chanterelles, stunning black trumpets, quirky “hedgehogs”, and the famed delicacy matsutake. What better way to spend the first day of the year than exploring nature and feeling grateful for the earth’s natural bounty? A few years back, my boyfriend got me a fancy French Opinel foraging knife for Christmas; every time I look at it, it reminds me of the quiet moments in the mountains.”

– Jessa, Sales and Marketing Director

Perfect camp gear built to last!

“Many years ago my mom got me these little solar powered camp lights. They were designed very well and have held up through rain, snow, and of course, beating sun. About 5 years later they are still going strong. Another cool thing about the lights is that they are designed for developing countries, and the company that makes them is a social enterprise with the goal of bringing affordable solar power to 100 million people by 2020.”

– Dan, Financial Controller

Small tokens that led to big adventures.

“A book exchange from college led me to one of my greatest and most challenging adventures to date: A bike ride following the historic Lewis and Clark Trail. The pact written onto the inside of the cover stayed in my bookshelf for 6 years until it was packed into one of my shiny new rear bike panniers. With a wave to my parents on a cool September morning, Tracy and I embarked on a 7 week journey. Being avid backpackers, this was a completely new type of travel for the both of us, seeing so much of our country and meeting amazing people along the way.”

– Anne, Business Development Manager

A European extravaganza to usher in the year 2000!

“I’ll never forget during 5th grade, my father took me and my older sister to Germany for Christmas and the Millennium. It was my first big slice of travel, not to mention my first overseas trip. Because he served in the army, it was cheaper for us to catch a military flight out of Delaware than drive out west to the Rockies. We snow skied our butts off, ate way too many giant bowls of fries, drank gluhwein (age was just a #), and they let me dance at the adult NYE party like it was 1999…because it was. This and many other family trips only stoked that wanderlust fire.”

– Nicole, Tour Guide

The post What’s the best travel gift you’ve ever received? appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Breakfast Camping Recipes (serves ~6 people)

Breakfast Burritos

(can be adjusted for any quantity of campers)

• Olive Oil
• Frozen Hashbrowns
• Your choice of meat (chorizo, breakfast sausage, ham, bacon, etc)
• 2 Eggs/person
• Taco Seasoning
• Salsa
• Sour Cream (or Yogurt as a substitute)
• Cheese
• Tortillas (flour or corn)

Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in large skillet. Add hashbrowns and cook for 1 minute, stirring continuously.

Add in your meat of choice and continue to cook, stirring occasionally until both have browned (about 8-10 minutes). Note: if the meat is very greasy, you can cook it separately and drain it before adding it to the cooked hashbrowns.

Whisk eggs in separate bowl. Add taco seasoning. Pour eggs into skillet with hashbrowns and meat. Stir frequently until eggs are set.
Warm tortillas, and place desired amount of egg mixture onto each tortilla. Add Salsa, Sour Cream, Cheese as desired. Roll up and enjoy!

Lunch Camping Recipes

Chicken Gyro Wraps (serves ~6 people)

• Greek Yogurt
• Feta Cheese
• Cucumbers
• Garlic
• Lettuce
• Grape/Cherry tomatoes
• 2 Lemons
• Red Onion
• Parsley
• Pitas
• 2 lb boneless chicken breast or thigh (or 1 pre-cooked rotisserie chicken)
• Olive oil
• Oregano
• Rosemary
• Salt & Pepper
• Dill

Tzatziki Sauce/Dressing

Dice or grate cucumbers (pour off any excess liquid). Add to yogurt. Add garlic, dill, and lemon juice.

Salad Toppings
Dice/quarter the tomatoes, dice the red onion, & chop parsley. Mix with the tzatziki dressing, and season with salt and pepper

Chicken (if raw)
Heat up a wok with a few tablespoons of olive oil. Sear the chicken for 7 minutes – add water, bring to a boil, flip chicken until cooked ~15 mins. Once cooked let cool enough to shred the chicken. Add the shredded chicken back to wok with more olive oil, oregano, rosemary, and salt and pepper to taste. Serve with pita bread.

Dinner Camping Recipes

Pesto Chicken Pasta (serves ~6 people)

• Box of pasta
• 1lb Boneless chicken breast or thigh (can be skipped, for a vegetarian camping recipe option)
• 1 jar/2c Pesto
• 1 jar/1c Sundried tomatoes (cut the sun-dried tomatoes in half or in strips if they’re big, drain the oil off & reserve)
• ½c pine nuts
• Parmesan cheese

Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces. Cook the chicken in a few tablespoons of the reserved oil from the sundried tomatoes. Toast the pine nuts in a small pan on low while chicken is cooking; make sure to watch them, though – they can burn quickly! Cook pasta according to packaging. Combine additional ingredients and serve with salad.

Vegan Camping Recipes

Vegan Coconut Sweet Potato Soup (serves ~6 people)

• 2-3 cans Veggie Broth (~6-8 cups) OR ¼ jar of veggie bullion + water
• 1-2 cups of uncooked rice
• 3-4 cloves of Garlic (minced)
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 Serrano Chili (if you like spice)
• 2 cans of Coconut milk
• 2-3 Sweet potatoes, diced
• 1 Small Bag/Bunch of Kale, washed and cut into small pieces.
• Turmeric powder
• Ginger powder
• Sriracha
• Fresh cilantro (optional)
• Lime wedges (optional)

Prepare rice as directed on package, set aside.

Bring the veggie broth to a boil, and add in coconut milk. Bring this back to a simmer. Add in onion, sweet potato, chili, garlic and spice to taste. Cook for 15 mins until sweet potatoes are soft. Add kale and let cook for 5 more minutes to let soften.

Serve over rice, add sriracha if desired. Garnish with cilantro/lime.

Couscous Salad

• Box of Israeli couscous (big grains) about 2 servings per box – double check servings per box
• 3 Tbs olive oil (plus more for “dressing”)
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 yellow onion
• 1/2 lb Green Beans
• 1/2 Red, yellow, or green bell pepper
• 1/2 bunch radishes (4-5)
• 1/2 can corn off the cob
• Cilantro or basil

Cook couscous according to box. Saute garlic and onions in olive oil. Add diced veggies and cook to al dente. Mix al dente veggies and couscous together. Add corn, radish and cilantro/basil raw, add more olive oil if needed for moisture.

Dessert Camping Recipes

Banana Boats (1 per camper)

• Aluminum foil
• Bananas
• Chocolate/Nutella/Peanut Butter
• Cinnamon
• Marshmallows, Chopped nuts, etc.

Slice a slit in the inside curve of a banana lengthwise while the peel is still on, making a “boat”. Place this in a large square of aluminum foil (this will need to wrap all around the banana, so maybe 20″ square. Stuff your banana with chocolate, Nutella and/or peanut butter or sprinkle with cinnamon. Add anything else you want! Wrap the foil tightly and toss your parcel directly into the fire/coals for a few minutes. Carefully remove, check to see that contents inside are melted to your preference, and enjoy!

Smores (duh)

• Graham Crackers
• Marshmallows
• Chocolate Bar of choice (Hersheys and Reeses are our favorites!)

Put a stick through your marshmallow, long enough that the marshmallow can be roasted without endangering your arm. Be careful to use a stick that isn’t chemically treated (lumber) or secretly poison oak. Trust us.

Prepare graham cracker by first breaking it into two pieces. Cover one of those halves with chocolate. Make sure it’s nearby and ready to receive your melted marshmallow BEFORE you start roasting.

Roast your marshmallow over the fire till golden all around (it’s an art, and a personal preference). Then, squish the toasted marshmallow on top of chocolate graham cracker with its plain counterpart. Allow your masterpiece to rest a few minutes so heated marshmallow can melt the chocolate a bit, then devour. Repeat as desired.

Enjoy!

These camping recipes may require a stove, propane tank, pots, pans, dishes and other kitchen tools, though some can be accomplished with nothing more than a roll of aluminum foil! No worries, though – all of these tools are included on our 3-day Camping Escape Tour in Yosemite National Park!

…And when all else fails, there’s always PB&J.

The post Camping Recipes for Your Next Camping Escape appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Camping Video

There are parts of the park that many people never see because of time and transportation limitations. It’s said that more than 80% of visitors only see about 7% of Yosemite National Park, which is 1,169 square miles of wilderness. On this adventure, you’ll go beyond Yosemite’s Valley floor. This is your chance to explore more! Our small-group tours have unique access to Yosemite’s High Country and the Giant Sequoias. We’ve also opened up more tours this year with five departures a week from May to October.

We provide the camping equipment, and offer sleeping bags for a small rental fee. We’ll also include five fresh meals for your crew. Experience what it’s like to Camp like a Californian as we roast s’mores around the campfire, hike to astounding vistas, and sleep under the stars.

One could easily spend months, or maybe even YEARS, in Yosemite and find a new hike or vantage point almost every day. As you can see in this camping video, there is so much to see and do! If you don’t have time in your vacation to San Francisco for a 3-day camping trip, we also offer one and two-day trips to the park that will still leave you in awe.

However much time you spend out there, be sure to FIND YOURSELF in Yosemite National Park this Summer!

The post Camping Video: Find Yourself in Yosemite National Park appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Those things are great, but this year, all we need are our National Parks!

While there are so many things to love on this special day, there are few things in this world that we adore more than our National Parks. As Edwin C. Bearss, NPS Chief Historian, 1981-1994, said, “Our national park system belongs to all of us, both legally and spiritually.”

Whenever you’re down, our National Parks are there for you. If you need peace and quiet away from your routinely busy lifestyle, our National Parks are there for you. If you are itching for an escape outdoors, a taste of fresh air or a night under the stars, our National Parks are there for you. If you want to learn something new, our National Parks (and thousands of volunteer docents, scientists, and rangers) are there for you!

We feel immensely connected to these protected plots of land. And we wanted to share our love with the whole world (wide web). We shout it from soaring maintained mountain tops and scream it to beautifully sheltered seas. So for Valentine’s Day, we’re sharing Trading Cards for our land conserving followers to share with loved ones all over the Earth!

*that said, if you ARE going to propose, what better way to do so than in one of these amazing locations? The national parks are an inspiring and beautiful backdrop for you to pop the big question, or even celebrate the big day! 

The post Valentine’s Day Trading Cards: National Parks Edition appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

One great thing about traveling with Incredible Adventures is that we’ll be continuing our tours to the park daily throughout the season. Our vehicles are small enough and our guides are trained to apply chains to our tires if road restrictions are enforced. Travelers can avoid the stress of driving in uncharted territories by hitching a ride in our small group biofueled mini-coaches!

Once you make it to The Valley, there’s still a lot to see and do. We have single day options, but our if you have the time, we’d recommend our Overnight Hotel Stay-and Play option to experience it all! Here are our favorite Winter activities to check out on our 1 and 2-day tours to the park:

Hike to Lower Yosemite Falls

An easy 30-minute loop trail. While the falls themselves may be dry until rain or snow return, there are still plenty of educational exhibits or places to stop in awe over the nature that surrounds you!

Hike around Mirror Lake

The trail around Mirror lake is open year round and provides a unique perspective to some of the park’s most photographed icons. This hour trail made the list of our favorite Winter Activities for its base views of Half Dome.

Yosemite Museum

Too cold outside? Venture into the museum formerly known as Ansel Adam’s Gallery, to learn about the cultural history of Yosemite’s native Miwok and Paiute people from 1850-present. Demonstrations of basket-weaving, beadwork, and traditional games are presented.

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center

Strike a pose with John Muir! View the exhibit hall where you can learn how Yosemite’s spectacular landscape was formed, how people have interacted with it through the centuries, how wildlife adapts and survives, and how your national park continues to evolve.

Pro Tip: There’s a free 23-minute film that will provide a stunning overview of Yosemite’s splendor

Ansel Adams Gallery

One of the first people to capture Yosemite’s essence was Ansel Adams. Check out his gallery of photos that inspired a nation to head West and recognize the park’s significance!

Majestic Yosemite Hotel

Formerly known as the famous Ahwahnee Hotel, here’s a chance to step back to an earlier era of history as you explore the National Historic Landmark erected in 1927. The hotel provides a cozy atmosphere in which to relax and enjoy a warm drink!

View Half Dome at Sunset

Towering more than 4,000ft above the Eastern end of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome is in a prime location for some pristine sunsets!

Fireside Storytelling campfire at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel

Totally family friendly

Starry Night Skies Over Yosemite

Discover the stories of the night sky. Advanced Registration required at any tour & activity desk once you’re in the park.

Ice Skating

Half Dome Village Ice Rink is open and weather permitting, it costs $9.75/adult, $9/child. Skate Rentals are an additional $4.

Rent Snow Shoes

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can rent a pair at Half Dome Village!

Other Evening Presentations are weather permitting. Have a look at the Park’s website for the most up-to-date winter activities information: http://www.travelyosemite.com/things-to-do/evening-programs/

The post 11 Winter Activities in Yosemite National Park appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

The media likes to hype us up for Black Friday. “Save big on the Holidays” “Holiday Sales” “If you don’t buy it now, you’ll be a big, fat, broke, GRINCH come Christmas!” Instead of bringing joy, these sentiments leave both the consumer and businesses with pressure-ridden anxieties! How can you combat the corporate giants this holiday season? Two words: Get Outside! Being out amongst nature and avoiding the malls today will bring many benefits that will make you want to say “Thanks” year-round! Here are our 3 favorite reasons to  opt outside this Black Friday!

Save Money

Consumerism. Capitalism. Some other ‘ism’ that dictates how you should be spending. With less cash registers and price tags out in the wilderness, you’ll have less temptation to throw your money away. Besides a possible park entrance fee (Here’s a list of California State Parks that waived their fees today), maybe some gear and a couple of snacks, your bank account will thank you for making it outside!

Live Stress Free

You know all of those crazy videos where people get trampled running around the store for savings? Or the ones where grown adults physically fight over toys because of a sale sticker? Don’t camp overnight in line for the malls to open their doors. Put your tent to better use and camp in the great outdoors. Sit around the campfire and wake up to the fresh air and freedom to do what you please.

Support Responsible Businesses

Materialism and the selfish desire to always get ahead has employers acting all sorts of crazy this time of year. The hours start earlier and go way later. The expectation of spending time with family is pretty much out the window. Consumers expect accessibility and some employees pay the price.

Last year, REI shook up the idea of Black Friday and the crowd went wild! The president closed their stores nationwide, urged it’s employees to ‘opt outside’ with loved ones and their target market couldn’t agree more. We support businesses like REI in their efforts to respect the sustainability of their workers and the environment.

So what are you doing looking at your screen right now? Get outside! Unplug your devices. Disconnect from you WiFi and your comfort zone. Forget about Black Friday. Let’s make it a Green Friday! Find yourself in nature today.

The post 3 Reasons to Find Yourself Outside this Black Friday appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

We sent out Mari Johnson, a California native, as a tourist in her own city. Whether you’re traveling from across the world or across the Bay, a day spent in Wine Country is always a treat!

Check out the video from her day tour below:

This tour includes an educational tram ride around the Benziger Family Winery, tastings at Benziger and Imagery, lunch from Glen Ellen Market and property visits to 4-6 wineries.

The post Video Footage: An Incredible Day in Wine Country appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

On Wednesday, March 3, California Air Resources Board (CARB), a division of the state’s Environmental Protection Agency, presented San Francisco’s greenest tour provider, Incredible Adventures, with a CoolCalifornia Small Business Climate Leader award!

CoolCalifornia’s Small Business program acknowledges steps a company takes to reduce its carbon footprint and minimize its environmental impact. To qualify for this award, a business must have less than 100 employees and be in compliance with all applicable environmental regulations. Much of what already qualifies us as an SF Green Business  made us eligible to apply.

Submissions from a wide array of businesses from all over the state were thoroughly vetted by a panel of 17 judges. Nineteen winners represented an auto body shop, a dental office, a pet cleaning company, a winery and vineyard, a hotel, a catering company, a gym and more!

Our biofuel fueled mission on the road and green practices in the office demonstrated to the committee our approach to integrate sustainable practices throughout our operations. Factors taken into consideration during judgement were our plumbing, light fixtures, recycling, composting and green purchasing policy that all align to reduce our costs and increase sustainable efficiency.

As a designated climate leader, we now qualify to distinguish ourselves as a Business of the Year at their next event. We look forward to documenting our improvements this coming year and continuously evolving our operations to proactively work with the environmental issues at hand.

Our commitment to protect the natural areas that we visit on our trips is more than just the physical award or a few paragraphs for the blog. We are leading California towards a healthier economic future. We look forward to the day when green business becomes less of a trend and more of our reality. Less award recognition necessary – we’ll just all do what’s right! But hey, in the meantime – our beautiful, shiny, heavy, blue and perfect award made of recycled glass sure does look nice at our receptionist’s desk

Congratulations to all who shared this prestigious honor!

We are proud to be grouped  together with such an incredible crowd!

The post CoolCA Small Business Climate Leaders appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

Could you imagine your day getting any better? Well just around lunchtime – it does!

Here are some ways you can spend your free time in historic Sonoma Town Square:

Grab a Bite to Eat
Lunchtime’s main focus should be the act of lunch. Especially considering the 3-4 tastings on your itinerary, you’ll want some food to soak up the alcohol. Nobody wants to be THAT passenger

A couple of our favorites in the square are Sunflower Caffe as a sit-down option, Sonoma Cheese Factory for a sandwich and cheese sample, or The Girl & The Fig.

Cheese Tastings
While not an official tasting, there are definitely samples to try before you buy. Grab a toothpick and go to town. Try the Jacks; try the cheddars; try em all! We have a feeling you’ll think they’re all grate.

Drink More Wine
Don’t let lunch get in the way of a good time. Keep the wine tastings going! It’s not everyday you’re in a premium wine-growing region. Choose between free pours or pay-to-play. Maybe multitask and order a bite to eat to accompany your glass. However you’re feeling,

Have A Beer
There is a tavern and Irish Pub to take a break from tasting grapes. Sonoma is becoming more recognized for their craft brews so you may want to pair lunch with what’s on tap.

Shop til You Drop
Or at least until you’re supposed to meet back up with your guide! Browse through boutiques full of high-fashion clothing and accessories. Maybe you’ll find the shoes to match that dress you’ve been waiting to wear. Or that dress to match your shoes. Maybe a the perfect golf-themed wine bottle holder for your uncle (no kidding). Skip the cheesy souvenirs (unless it is literally cheese…) and buy yourself something nice!

Learn Something
Sonoma Town Square has a lot of history to it. It’s the site of the Bear Flag Revolt – yes that cute little bear on our state flag – and home of California’s northernmost mission, Mission San Francisco de Solano. Explore the Barracks whose first inhabitants were Mexican soldiers back in 1835!

Chocolate Tastings
Tucked away in a little alley of shops is a delightful chocolate shop sure to appease your sweet tooth. No reservation necessary, you can waltz in and sample their truffle ganache flavor of the day and taste chocolates in varying cacao percentages. Try their world class truffles filled with ganaches made of fruit, honeys, peanut butter, and you guessed it – more wine!

Our guides spend a lot of time in Sonoma Town Square. They’re friends with the locals that work downtown and know all of the hidden gems. Be sure to ask your guide for advice if you’re not sure what to do! However you choose to spend your time – we’re sure you’ll enjoy your break on this Incredible Woods and Wine Combo Tour!

The post Lunchtime in Sonoma Town Square appeared first on Incredible Adventures.

You know the bottle we’re talking about. The expensive one you bought on vacation in Napa 5 years ago. The one you got as an anniversary present, or from your boss for a job well done, or that you bought for a “special occasion” that never really manifested. Yeah, THAT bottle. The one gathering dust in your cabinet.

Maybe it feels like the time isn’t right, or that you haven’t reached your goal yet, or that it’s just too “special” to open. Maybe your friends aren’t wine connoisseurs and you think you shouldn’t “waste” it. While those excuses may be legitimate for you, you may be missing out on the chance to celebrate and re-live the experiences that got you the wine in the first place.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY: save BIG on a wine tour!
Promotion ends soon.

It’s time to live a little: National Open That Bottle Night is coming up on February 28th (this Saturday). This is an opportunity to come together with friends, get creative with a special meal, and finally breathe life into that aging beverage; making new memories and savoring the old ones. Open That Bottle Night was invented by Dorothy J. Gaiter and John Brechter of the Wall Street Journal’s weekly wine “Tastings” column (see their article about OTBN here, and learn some tips to ensure success). They believe that “wine is more than the liquid in the bottle. It’s about history, geography, relationships and all of the things that are really important in life”.

Regardless of the age, price, or varietal, open a bottle of wine this Saturday and relive the memories that make it special.

…And hey, you’ll need some new memories, so come along with us on a Muir Woods and Sonoma Tour, a Napa & Sonoma Wine Education Tour, or even our Napa & Sonoma Overnight Hotel Tour and get a couple new bottles, bring them home, and stick them in the back of the cupboard for a special occasion*. There’s another Open That Bottle Night coming along on February 27, 2016, after all.

THIS WEEKEND ONLY: save BIG on a wine tour!
Promotion ends soon.

*Here at Incredible Adventures, we believe strongly that Wednesdays are special occasions (#WineWednesday). Also any day when traffic is bad, or there’s nothing but reruns. Also all other days. YOU make it special! OPEN THAT BOTTLE!

The post Open That Bottle! appeared first on Incredible Adventures.