Category Archives: Food & Drink

Join Trek Travel and AutoCamp in Palm Springs & Joshua Tree and California Wine Country for a unique experience like nothing else.

Always Evolving

If you haven’t taken a look at our portfolio of vacations lately, it’s time to do some clicking. Trek Travel is always looking for new ways to wow our guests and get them closer to the world-class experiences they’ve come to love. While we already go to incredible destinations around the world such as Japan, Norway, and Chile, we strive to find exciting new ways to travel closer to home, as well.

That’s why we’re overjoyed to announce our partnership with AutoCamp, a unique and acclaimed provider of experiential travel featuring custom Airstream suites, to bring our guests two completely new options in Palm Springs & Joshua Tree and California Wine Country. Even if you’ve seen these two exceptional standouts in the Trek Travel portfolio before, you haven’t seen them like this. With a combination of exceptional rides, food, friends, wow moments, and the addition of mid-century modern elegance with private accommodations in a luxury Airstream, this is the epitome of boutique camping. Whether it’s relaxing by the campfire as the sun sets under a canopy of towering redwoods in the Russian River Valley or rising to greet the day in the middle of the Mojave desert, exploring Joshua Tree National Park before heading to the chic town of Palm Springs, these are two trips you won’t want to miss.

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Palm Springs & Joshua Tree AutoCamp Bike Tour

A mid-century oasis in the desert

AutoCamp’s newest offering in Joshua Tree gets you closer to the heart and soul of the Mojave Desert and the famed Joshua Tree National Park. The property was mindfully designed for minimal impact on the surroundings, incorporating ecological water usage, solar power, and dark sky-compliant lighting to enhance the clear view of the stars. With a seasonally heated pool, outdoor bar, and plenty of opportunities to get cozy around a campfire, AutoCamp Joshua Tree is the new premier outdoor spot in the desert.
As you walk into your Airstream suite, you’ll rethink what you know about camping. From the bedroom with luxury linens on top of a queen-sized bed, to the spa-inspired bathroom with a walk-in shower and vanity sink, each aspect of the Airstream is thoughtfully designed.
After an amazing ride through Joshua Tree National Park and the expansive views of the Coachella Valley, cool off in the pool and sip a refreshing cocktail at the poolside bar. In the evening you can enjoy the majesty of a desert night around the community fireplaces, as you reflect on the day’s events.

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California Wine Country AutoCamp Bike Tour

The richer side of Wine Country

You may already know the famed Napa and Sonoma varietals of California Zin and Chardonnay, but the Russian River Valley is a hidden gem amongst the giants. Here, 800 acres of famed California redwoods give way to a different type of grape that’s more sumptuous, dark, and robust. You’ll sip and savor them as you pedal through the valley to the Pacific coast, and visit historic wineries, including the Soda Rock Winery, whose mossy stone walls have been standing since 1869.
AutoCamp’s Russian River Valley location will have you camping underneath the majestic Sonoma redwoods. Your Airstream suite is perfectly secluded, and only a five-minute drive to hiking trails and the charming town of Guerneville. Have the full camping experience by picking up local foods from the Main Street stores of Guerneville, and create a meal over your private campfire. And of course, a stay in the Russian River Valley isn’t complete without a swim (or leisurely float) in the famed river!

These trips aren’t like anything you’ve ever done before. Guaranteed. With Trek Travel, wows are never extra. And with AutoCamp , neither are the incredible memories you’re sure to make.

Learn more about our Special Edition tours here and book your next adventure with us today.

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Looking for some quick recipes this holiday season? Trek Travel has you covered! Our guides have been known to create beautiful picnic displays with delicious, easy, and homemade snacks that our guests cannot get enough of! Now, they want to share some of their favorite recipes with you to wow your family and friends!

Guests and guides on our North American trips have been enjoying Kate’s Real Food Bars this year. Whether you consider yourself a chocolate and peanut butter lover or you’re all about the fruit and citrus flavors, you’ll find an energy bar from Kate’s Real Food that you love. We always have a variety to choose from on trips, so you can try out a different one each day. Keep reading to learn more about the awesome flavors available.

Trek Travel understands the importance of refueling with healthy, nutritious snacks during big days in the saddle. On our trips, our guides will set up snack stops along the day’s ride to offer refreshments and food. We are dedicated to providing the best experience, the best gear, and even the best snacks on our trips. That’s why Trek Travel is proud to partner with Kate’s Real Food, a healthy, organic energy bar brand that will keep you riding without a pause! Their delicious bars are soy free, gluten free, USDA Organic, non-GMO, and more.

“Guests have been really impressed with Kates Real Food bars as many of them have never tried this brand before. Lots of guests will ask where they can get them after the trip ends!”

-Brent, Trek Travel Guide

New Flavor: Dark Chocolate Mint

This year, Kate’s Real Food released a brand new flavor designed to offer a refreshing, cool treat on big adventures. Their Dark Chocolate Mint bar is made with heart-healthy dark chocolate, peppermint extract, natural cacao powder, and more organic goodness.

“Guests can’t get enough of these bars! The Dark Chocolate Mint flavor has been a huge hit this year. It reminds everyone of a peppermint cookies and is always a huge treat mid-ride. The gluten-free and soy-free ingredients make it an easy crowd pleaser for the entire group no matter the dietary restrictions!”

-Sarah, Trek Travel Guide

Flavors For Chocolate Lovers:

There is something so delicious about the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, and Kate’s Real Food has two choices that highlight the combination perfectly. Plus, the bars loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, fiber, and more to keep you pedaling throughout your trip.

• Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate
• Peanut Butter Milk Chocolate

If you love the mix of chocolate and cherry, there’s a Kate’s Real Food flavor for you. This bar mixes dark chocolate with antioxidant-rich organic cherries and smooth organic almond butter for an unbeatable combination.

• Dark Chocolate Cherry & Almond

Flavors For Fruit Lovers:

Bright and tropical, Kate’s Real Food fruit flavors are a delicious addition to our snack stops on trips. The bars include organic, gluten-free ingredients and extra touches like lemon to support digestion and ginger for anti-inflammatory properties.

• Lemon Coconut & Ginger
• Mango Coconut

“The Lemon is definitely my favorite of all the flavors! It’s citrusy and sweet! Plus, it’s awesome that I can easily stash one in my jersey for rides.”
-Erika, Trek Travel Staff Member

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Our 2021 California Wine Country trip is better than ever, and we can’t wait to tell you more about it!

California is constantly innovating and so are we. After 14 years of our long beloved California Wine Country trips, we have had a long and critical look at our rides, wineries, restaurants, hotels, and distilleries. We have taken to heart many reviews and suggestions from our guests in order to distill the itinerary into its most exquisite self. We hope that you’ll join us to experience the best of California Wine Country with us.

The Trek Travel Trip Design Team loves new ideas and is always looking for new opportunities. We pay close attention to our guide team’s feedback in the region and our guests’ reviews to get a better understanding of what guests love in a region. On occasion we receive underwhelming or negative feedback, but this is instrumental in keeping the wheels of innovation turning for our team and continuing to improve our trips.

In the California Wine redesign, we have removed a few hotels that were not consistently meeting our high standards for guest care. We are sticking with Indian Springs, which receives rave reviews and also adding a new hotel for 2021: Harmon Guest House. This new and trendy property is part of the Hotel Healdsburg collection, which never disappoints. We have swapped out wineries that had received intermediate reviews and upgraded to include only truly spectacular spots, some that we have worked with since the beginning of our California Wine trips. We have quite a library of possible riding options in the area, but over the years, we have listened to specifics from our guests and guides to only include those with the best views, roads, and experience in general. We challenge the assumption that if a trip is popular and has great scores that it means there can’t be more items to improve upon.

We are proud to say that this California Wine redesign is a testament to the fact that “really good” can become exceptional when we constantly strive to add that additional tweak to an itinerary that truly makes Trek Travel’s trips the trip of a lifetime!

Kate’s Real Food energy bars are designed for refueling during big days on your bike.

After putting some serious mileage on the bike, Trek Travel understands the importance of refueling. Our guides set up snack stops to keep our guests happily and healthily fueled throughout the day’s ride. Trek Travel is proud to share our partnership with Kate’s Real Food, a healthy, organic energy bar brand that will keep you riding without a pause! Get to know them a little more, and see why we can’t wait to share their bars on our North American trips.

Who is Kate’s Real Food?

Kate’s Real Food is a company founded by Kate Schade, active skier and busy body, who understood the necessity of having quick fuel on the go. From long hours hitting the slopes to heading to her night job, over the years Kate perfected her recipe for tasty organic energy bars known as Tram Bars. After sharing her bars with friends and receiving consistent pleas to start selling her recipe, by 2010 Kate made her Real Food company come to life. As of now, Kate has created 6+ mouthwatering flavors filled with wholesome, organic ingredients for people to grab when heading to their next adventure.

Why Kate’s Real Food and Trek Travel?

“We are proud to partner with a company that prioritizes high quality and organic ingredients, and we know that our guests will love the variety and recipes. Whether it’s long days in the saddle at Texas Ride Camp or leisurely cycling through Kentucky Bourbon Country, Kate’s Real Food is the fuel of choice.”
 
– Tania Burke, Trek Travel President

Kate’s Real Food was also voted best energy bar of 2019 by Outdoor Gear Lab!

What makes Kate’s Real Food tick?

Kate’s Real Food focuses on three main aspects when it comes to the quality and make of their bars: clean ingredients, sustainable practices, and great taste.
Clean Ingredients: From organic gluten-free oats to organic dark chocolate, Kate’s Real Food specifically uses clean ingredients to ensure each bite is better than the last and contains the best quality. No chemicals or artificial sweeteners are added to the products as organic fruits, such as dried cherries or dried mango, and all-natural honey fill their place.
Sustainable Practices: Sustainability is a prioritized practice within the company when it comes to production, culture, and organization. Kate’s Real Food focuses on sustainability by recycling plastics, glasses, paper, metals, and cardboard and is continuously finding any way to reduce waste.
Great Taste: Great taste is one of the perks of this healthy, energy filled product. Kate’s Real Food combines a multitude of ingredients to ensure your taste buds will be more then satisfied. Each product contains a sweet-and-savory recipe that allows for a unique mixture of flavor and texture. From crunchy to chewy and everything between, Kate’s Real Food will leave you ready to try the next delicious flavor.

 

 

North Carolina: A Blue Ridge Southern Cookin’ Odyssey

What’s a better pairing for adventure-loving foodies than mountains and hearty grub?

The Asheville to Brevard bike tour along the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Southern Appalachians will satisfy your appetites for both food and fun. Trek Travel rates this six-day tour as one for active riders: three out of four on a difficulty scale.

You’ll explore the mountains of western North Carolina, from the highest peak east of the Mississippi to the region’s vibrant hill towns. Chief among these is Asheville, a local arts capital, which you’ll tour on a historic trolley, and where you’ll nosh in some of the South’s best restaurants. At chef John Fleer’s Rhubarb, you’ll savor inventive New Southern cooking (think pork belly with apple-fennel butter and honey-glazed turnips).

Read the full article on Forbes.com »

Riding bikes in the great Smoky Mountains is a treat in itself. But finishing each day at Blackberry Farm, the best spot in the country for foothills (or Appalachian) cuisine, makes this trip worth the splurge. Blackberry Farm, located near Great Smoky Mountains National Park in eastern Tennessee, has expansive gardens, its own butcher, charcuterie kitchen, and on-site cheesemaker. It’s a glutton’s dream come true, and experiencing the place between bike rides is the ideal way to maximize your calorie intake while on the property. (Side note: I know the man who built the on-site mountain bike trails, and they’re a dream to ride.)

Read on»

Trek Travel salutes the season’s “last hurrah” with their new Asheville to Brevard Bike Tour this Labor Day. Guests will summit the highest peak in the eastern US, enjoy Southern-inspired cuisine, bluegrass music, and the local microbrew scene, relaxing for a few days in modern forest lodges around Pisgah National Forest.

Bike the Blue Ridge Parkway by day, then soak up Brevard’s vibes by night equipped with a racy Trek Domane SL7 Di2 carbon road bike. Every roadie (and maybe mountain bikers too) should summit Mount Mitchell by bike – the highest point east of the Mississippi at 6684ft/2037m.

Read on»

Palm Springs is known for its beautiful landscape, stunning architecture and storied history of Hollywood glamour. However, one place that stands out in this vibrant town is guest and guide favorite, Workshop Kitchen + Bar. We talked to Michael Beckman Executive Chef and Co-Owner about his Palm Springs epicurean oasis, and got the inside line on all the “must-try” dishes of the season.

 
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