There's no doubt that scuba diving is one of the most amazing ways to experience the ocean. But you can't just jump in off a dock with a tank of air and start exploring, and pre-dive safety training isn't exactly our idea of a vacation. Snorkeling is a pretty good stand in but lacks that adventurous feeling. That's where Snuba comes in.

Snuba combines the best of snorkeling and diving into an underwater sport that allows anyone to enjoy the sights up to 20 feet below the ocean's surface. You're always connected to an air tank that sits above the water and you aren't weighed down by cumbersome diving gear.

Experiences with Snuba are available in Florida, Hawaii and many of the Caribbean Islands. If you're going somewhere warm with sandy beaches, odds are that you'll be able to find a tour guide to take you under.

Related Stories:
· Snuba [Official Site]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Wikimedia]]]> kjb 2008-09-05T13:00:23-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/9/3/8543/89567

As you know, there's not much we like more than movies and adventure travel, so when we heard about the Reel Rock Film Tour, we were naturally pretty excited.

A traveling film festival devoted to flicks about rock climbing and other adventure sports, Reel Rock is screening movies about bouldering in South Africa, rafting through the Grand Canyon and a bio on legendary aerialist Dean Potter.

The tour sticks to its roots, kicking off Wednesday night in the mountain town of Crested Butte, Colorado, with a grand opening September 10 in Boulder and then continues over the next two months across the country, hitting up mostly smaller and mid-size cities, like Santa Cruz, Boise and Asheville.

Related Stories:
· Real Rock Film Tour [Official Site]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]
· Film Festival Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Reel Rock Film Tour]]]> BS 2008-09-03T11:30:21-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/28/7459/42804

Just because summer is winding down doesn't mean you have to give up on the outdoors. For September and even October, Acadia National Park in Maine has a lot to offer, including stunning scenery and cooler temperatures.

We like the idea of the park's "Step-On" Tours, which allow you to just jump on a bus as rangers navigate the 27-mile Park Loop Road system. The tours start at $50 an hour and most last at least three hours. True, it's not exactly a deal, but at least your guide knows what she's doing!

There are also a few other tours that involve a little more exercise. The two-hour Beaver Trek runs through September and October and is all about the little critters. Meanwhile the Carriage Road Ramble is the ideal opportunity to take in the fall colors. You'll learn about the native flora and fauna and what each brings to the party at the park. Each tour runs about two hours and both cost $100.

Related Stories:
· Acadia National Park-Ranger-Led Group Tours [Official Site]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: post406]]]> kjb 2008-08-28T13:00:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/28/94315/1692

Forget boring activities like rock climbing or white water rafting. For something radically different, head to Dig This in Steamboat Springs, Colorado and push around boulders and mounds of dirt with heavy machinery.

For excitement or stress relief, you can get in the cab of a big yellow industrial vehicle and test your skill at earth moving. The Dig This heavy machinery theme park is located on a 10-acre job site where you can operate a Caterpillar D5G dozer, two 315 excavators and a 6-ton skid-steer.

Playing with these big kid toys will cost you $400 a person for a half day and $750 for a full. Look for the next Dig This franchise to open in Las Vegas in the near future.

Related Stories:
· Dig This [Official Site]
· "Dig This" Tourism [Archinect]
· Ever Toss a Boulder with a Bulldozer? [BT]
· Adventure Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]> Dan Gould 2008-08-28T11:00:18-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/21/125915/438

While we were apparently wasting our time on a sailboat this summer, everyone else was kayaking--and having a terrific time.

It started back in June, when David Kocieniewski wrote about his adventure paddling around Venice, dodging vaporetti and startling gondolieri in an inflatable kayak. He didn't even get a ticket for it, an impressive feat in the fine-happy city.]]> pbb 2008-08-21T13:00:51-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/15/143046/341

We're all about trying out new adventures, but people in the Czech Republic may have started to take things a little too far. So far this year, 56 Czech tourists have died while traveling abroad.

Officials chalk it up to people being a little less careful when they're away from home. The "it can't happen to me" syndrome also appears to be a leading risk factor. Adventure seekers seem to have caused a spike in the numbers as well, as more and more people are looking towards mountain climbing, diving and other active vacations.

Most recently, one tourist perished will attempting to climb the Matterhorn in Switzerland. Trying new things and enjoying the outdoors is essential, but keep an eye on those local guidelines and safety warnings. And watch out for logs!

Related Stories:
· Number of Czech Tourist Deaths on the Rise [Prague Post]
· Active Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Terry Wha]]]> kjb 2008-08-15T14:45:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2008/8/14/73045/5022

We've seen plenty of Alaska before: The state's unpredictable wildlife, epic hiking and even its surfing. But if you want even more out of a trip to America's last frontier, hit up Mica Guides.

Based just two hours from Anchorage on the Matanuska Glacier, the company offers glacier tours, adventure trips and, most importantly, ice climbing! Every day during the summer months, tours depart at 10 am and last about six hours. Best of all, no experience is necessary, as they'll tailor your tour to fit what you can handle.

It will only set you back $130 per person and that includes all the gear you'l need. You probably should bring your own sunscreen, sunglasses, gloves and some warm clothes. Once you get good, Mica also offers an advanced class where they'll mix things up and get you climbing some seriously wild ice.

Related Stories:
· Mica Guides [Official Site]
· Alaska Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Mica Guides]]]> kjb 2008-08-14T14:00:10-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/