La Piazza Blog & Stories
Haggis to Ubuntu: Lauren’s Trip to Scotland
Having just returned from the annual , I am once again energized, inspired and proud to be a part of one of the fastest-growing and most successful travel sectors – adventure travel.Since we are launching a , I was excited to taste as much of this wonderful country as nine days (and lots of meetings, lectures and networking) would allow. As usual, I packed a full schedule! Highlights of the nine days included a walk up to Arthur’s seat (a dramatic peak right in the middle of Edinburgh), a bike tour around Edinburgh with Andy of , learning the intricacies of single malt scotch at the with my colleagues, paddling with an expert kayaker/tour operator from Sweden, and mountain biking through lavender fields.Lunch each day was sponsored by a different country, showcasing their native cuisine and demonstrating their unique sights and sounds. As expected, the Scottish tourist board won points for authenticity in their live performance of the Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns. The haggis is a traditional Scottish dish traditionally served with “neeps and tatties” (turnips and potatoes) and “dram” (a glass of whisky). .How lucky am I? Not only did I travel to a spectacular country but I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn the latest trends in travel, explore exciting new destinations via multi-media demonstrations and mingle with adventure travel œmovers and shakers from around the word. .
Over 500 adventure delegates from all over the world took this year’s theme, œShare and Inspire to heart. Whether it was , Editor At Large for National Geographic Traveler sharing his vision of the future of adventure travel or from the California Academy of Sciences whose life long love of turtles and the sea led him to passionately promote his r/evolution that is helping save the planet and is making a difference. The message rang loud and clear: as leaders in adventure travel interacting with literally millions of travelers annually, we are making a difference in the way people are experiencing the world’s most precious resources.Adventure travel companies (and their guests and other stakeholders) have an important role to play. We represent millions and millions of customers worldwide as a group. Bicycle tour companies, eco-lodges, adventure operators, outfitters, safari companies, rafting companies, diving companies, walking tours, the list goes on endlessly. But we know instinctively that as a group we do impact millions of travelers and nearly every region on the planet with what we do.Why we embrace the vision of the Adventure Travel Trade Association is very clear: Ciclismo Classico is proud to be a part of a thriving community of responsible, profitable businesses, destinations, and media who transform customers and businesses alike into advocates for sustainability and social justice worldwide. summed up what she hopes adventure leaders will strive for as they host travelers on their tours in one word. This one word from her South African homeland: œUbuntu. It is actually an ethical concept. The essence of being human, œUbuntu refers to how we rely on others for our sense of self, how we are all interdependent and need to work together for our emotional and material health and wealth. Embracing Ubuntu reminds of us of our interconnectedness, certainly the most profound way that adventure travel can transform and change each of us.The experience of œUbuntu on our Ciclismo Classico tours may explain why so many of our guests claim to have been transformed by their travel experience.Interconnecting our guests with the landscape, the people and their surroundings is the Ciclismo Way of Life.
Over 500 adventure delegates from all over the world took this year’s theme, œShare and Inspire to heart. Whether it was , Editor At Large for National Geographic Traveler sharing his vision of the future of adventure travel or from the California Academy of Sciences whose life long love of turtles and the sea led him to passionately promote his r/evolution that is helping save the planet and is making a difference. The message rang loud and clear: as leaders in adventure travel interacting with literally millions of travelers annually, we are making a difference in the way people are experiencing the world’s most precious resources.Adventure travel companies (and their guests and other stakeholders) have an important role to play. We represent millions and millions of customers worldwide as a group. Bicycle tour companies, eco-lodges, adventure operators, outfitters, safari companies, rafting companies, diving companies, walking tours, the list goes on endlessly. But we know instinctively that as a group we do impact millions of travelers and nearly every region on the planet with what we do.Why we embrace the vision of the Adventure Travel Trade Association is very clear: Ciclismo Classico is proud to be a part of a thriving community of responsible, profitable businesses, destinations, and media who transform customers and businesses alike into advocates for sustainability and social justice worldwide. summed up what she hopes adventure leaders will strive for as they host travelers on their tours in one word. This one word from her South African homeland: œUbuntu. It is actually an ethical concept. The essence of being human, œUbuntu refers to how we rely on others for our sense of self, how we are all interdependent and need to work together for our emotional and material health and wealth. Embracing Ubuntu reminds of us of our interconnectedness, certainly the most profound way that adventure travel can transform and change each of us.The experience of œUbuntu on our Ciclismo Classico tours may explain why so many of our guests claim to have been transformed by their travel experience.Interconnecting our guests with the landscape, the people and their surroundings is the Ciclismo Way of Life.