For the first time, Urban Adventures will partner with iconic publisher Lonely Planet to launch a new range of exclusive Lonely Planet Experiences.
Combining the art of storytelling with local expertise, these experiences are designed from the ground up for independent travellers, with the benefit of unrivalled insights from two of travel’s biggest innovators to get them to the heart of a destination like never before.
Lonely Planet and Intrepid Travel go back a long way and the two iconic travel brands share the same travel philosophy. Both believe travel is a force for good when carried out responsibly and that it should be accessible for everyone.
With two brands thinking alike, it makes sense to work together to help change the way people see the world. The small group adventures combine Lonely Planet’s talent for inspirational storytelling with Intrepid Travel’s unmatched on-the-ground connections and commitment to sustainable, grassroots travel.
We understand that attitudes are shifting when it comes to travel. In a recent survey of over 7,500 members of Lonely Planet’s dedicated community of travellers around the world, 92% said they see travel as an ‘opportunity for positive change’ – both in their own lives, and also for the places and communities they visit. Almost two thirds (65.7%) consider the experience to be a more important factor than the destination, nearly seven in 10 (68%) claim they now care more about sustainable travel than they used to and just over a third (35.2%) say they have factored in environmental sustainability when planning their travels.
Lonely Planet Experiences help address these factors. They are a series of carefully curated, carbon-neutral tours. Focussing on culture, food, adventure and wellness, they will help travellers gain a deeper understanding of – and connection to – a destination. The small group tours are geared towards those with an appetite for genuine exploration. Lonely Planet Experiences will help travellers to get off the beaten track and learn more about the local culture, travelling responsibly and benefiting local communities and economies.
On every Lonely Planet Experience, you’ll get a uniquely local insight into everything from street art to street food while exploring with your local guide, with itineraries hand-picked by the world’s leading travel publisher. Every Lonely Planet Experience also comes with six months’ free access to Lonely Planet’s Guides App, which includes over 8,000 destination guides, and unbeatable discounts in the Lonely Planet store.
Each Lonely Planet Experience offers a carefully curated, jam-packed itinerary which focuses on culture, food, adventure or wellness. They are led by Lonely-Planet trained local leaders and get travellers off the beaten track – and to the very heart of a destination – through a dedicated series of immersive and authentic experiences and insights on each and every tour.
Lonely Planet Experiences launches initially with 120 city day tours (powered by Intrepid’s Urban Adventures) plus over 100 multi-day trips (powered by Intrepid Travel), in over 65 cities across the world, with plans to further expand the range in 2020.
The full range of Lonely Planet Experiences will be available to book from 21 January. These tours will be offered globally in over 65 cities and are available in both group and private settings. You can find out more about our current tours – and see details as we add to the range at urbanadventures.com/lonely-planet-experiences