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UPCOMING TRIPS
Come with an open-mind, and the world will open to you.
These trips focus on connections with locals, fellow travelers, self, the natural world, and fun.
UPCOMING TRIPS
PRICE
Double occupancy $3,290; single occupancy $3,490
Lodging at Shelburne Farms Inn
Lodging in the upper Valley, either at Cobb Hill Co-Housing or parts nearby.
At least half your meals, often combined with a Farm Experience
Transportation between activities and from Burlington area to Upper Valley
Entrance fees, costs associated with most activities, from Ben & Jerry’s tour to bike rental to local guidesDoes NOT include airfare (fly in & out of Burlington—BTV—airport)
Vermont: Green Mountain Galavanting!
August 13-18, 2025
Vermont maintains its distinction in a country of strip-mall homogeneity through its astounding nature, small town culture, buy-local priority and farm-to-table focus
We start in the Burlington metro area, take in Lake Champlain by biking the causeway, potluck with locals, and stay at Shelburne Farms, a working dairy, bakery and educational initiative with old-school lake-side indulgences. A little local wine & artisan cheese?
Then we head South to the Upper Valley--via Ben & Jerry's--to see communal living at Cobb Hill co-housing where we’ll flex our own muscles by joining in some of the farm work. We’ll hike near Woodstock, enjoy some slow-food meals, swimming holes & fire pit conversation.
Great trip for meeting Vermont folks, getting outdoors, and savoring simple, fresh, quality food.
WHAT TO EXPECT
WHAT'S INCLUDED
PRICE
Double occupancy $2,250
Single occupancy $2,500
5 nights lodging at an 1882 Historic Guest Ranch of 10 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, patio and spacious grounds (pending full group)
Light informal breakfast every morning at the Ranch
All lunches on hiking days (we'll pack 'em before we go)
Other activities that may/could include horseback riding/a fry bread cooking lesson/a visit to a rodeo family's farm; (Activities determined by group interest ahead of time)
At least one dinner--remaining dinners will be a mix of what we prepare together at the Ranch and restaurants in downtown or nearby Tucson
All transportation to and from trailheads and required park fees
Contact Bridget with any questions or to make payment arrangements: bridgetmhardy@hotmail.com
574.876.7786
Tucson:
Hiking, Relaxing & Desert Solitude
November 5-10
Enjoy the Sonoran desert!
This trip is a mix of hiking and simple enjoyments--Mexican food, some desert solitude, perhaps a scenic horseback ride, watching a road runner here or there...
We'll do at least three different day hikes, savor the sunshine and time to relax at our spacious ranch near the Santa Catalina mountain range of northeast Tucson. Hikes will be based on weather and group capability, but vary in terms of desert elevation and scenery.
Many activities will be shaped by group interest, from live music to fry bread cooking lessons to visiting a rodeo family farm to Pilates and Yoga. This trip is about the Southwest and individual restoration in many forms, from good times over communal meals, to physical activity, to quiet connection with the big night sky or the peaks, valleys and people surrounding us
Our group will be 6-12 folks.
Please make sure you're in good physical shape, starting with the ability to walk 5+ miles fairly easily.
Additional Information:
General Travel Article:
https://places.travel/.../tucson-an-oasis-in-the-sonoran...
The Desert Museum (an optional excursion):
https://www.desertmuseum.org/
Barry Morenz, one of our hiking guides:
https://content.sierraclub.org/outings/staff/barry-morenz
WHAT TO EXPECT
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Double occupancy $3,290; single occupancy $3,490
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Cuba
February 22-28, 2026
PRICE
Double occupancy $ 3,290
Single occupancy $ 3,550
WHAT TO EXPECT
Cuba is the closest completely-different-world you can find from the States. Shaped by colonialism, communism, isolating U.S. policy, years of hardship, incredible arts & culture, an environment of astounding Caribbean beauty, and an ethic of human
connection, this island is unlike anything else..
We will likely visit some of the foundational sites of Havana—El Museo de la Revolución, Old Havana, etc—but our largest focus is understanding Cuban life through meaningful exchange with Cubans themselves.
We might learn something about Cuban food and cooking, hear and/or dance to live music, talk to people about how their country has changed in their lifetimes, and meet neighbors. Past trips have included activities that vary from visiting farms and schools to learning about the Orishas (spirits that play a key role in the Yoruba religion) to enjoying meals with Cuban families in their homes. We sometimes visit Soroá, about 90 minutes outside Havana, to see a variety of Cuban flora & fauna. This trip is likely to include similar delights along with some new ones.
A NEW ADDITION is a 2-night trip to the Bay of Pigs, the southern coast of the island. Roughly 2-2.5 hours from Havana, this area offers hiking, the Zapata National Park, one of the largest swamplands of the country, the opportunity to enjoy a rich history based around the 1961 invasion, a more rural feel, and of course, fresh seafood.
• Lodging for all nights--in Havana we stay at Kerida Guesthouse or another similar property neaby: https://en.kerida-cuba.com/.
• Breakfast every morning
• Welcome Party & dinner, along with at least 2 other meals
• Entrance fees/admission to main activities
• Transportation to and from activities, including Bay of Pigs
• The expertise of our local partners
Contact Bridget with any questions or to make payment arrangements: bridgetmhardy@hotmail.com
574.876.7786
SHORT & SWEET TRIPS
PRICE
$70
PRICE
Double occupancy $625
Single occupancy $530
Held annually in September, the Michigan Irish Music Festival is a world-class celebration of Irish culture & heritage.
It features 6 stages of live music, culture, dance, and more. The Celtic Kitchen, The Tavern, & Craic Alley offer food & of course, Guinness, and activities abound (ex: Celtic Canines! Highland Games!)
Over 20,000 people attend the Festival every year--2017 saw a record 35K!--and a large portion of festival proceeds benefit local non-profits.
Check out: michiganirish.org
Includes Airbnb lodging with other fun folks (rooms private; common space shared) for Friday & Saturday.
Music Festival Ticket for Friday Night & All-Day Saturday
Basic Airbnb supplies---Snacks & Coffee
Sunday we'll enjoy optional Lake Time or a return to the Festival (10:20 AM-Noon admission free on this final day)
Plenty of options for free time throughout the weekend/autonomy, but also a good dose of community/group fun if you want it.
Contact Bridget with any questions or to make payment arrangements: bridgetmhardy@hotmail.com
574.876.7786
Gorgeous Goshen:
Biking Day Trip
August 24, 2026
Depart from Abshire Park at 9:30 AM
Return to Abshire Park around 2 PM (rough estimate)
Cycle around the Goshen southern and western boundaries. See the current state and future developments of the Maple City Greenway. Experience bicycling route options for food and fun. See brew pubs and other local points of interest.
Our guide is Evan “the Am-Bad-Ass-Ador” Bontrager and Andrea Milne (pictured L), Goshen pedestrian activists who know bikes, trails & drinks as well as the fine folks of their fair city.
Must have a bike & legs suitable to go 21 miles tota (a couple bikes avail for borrowing)l; broken into four sections 6 miles or less in this day trip.
You’ll bring water and appropriate clothing, but breakfast, route, lunch, leadership, and entertaining Goshen anecdotes provided.
Approximately 21 miles over 3.5 - 4 hours
Contact Bridget with any questions or to make payment arrangements: bridgetmhardy@hotmail.com
574.876.7786
WHAT TO EXPECT
Irish Music Festival & Lake Time in Muskegon
September 12-14, 2026
WHAT TO EXPECT
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CONTACT US
Contact Bridget Hardy to Learn whether HardynessTravel Adventures are right for you!
