Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
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Monday, 17 June 2013
Our blog has now moved!
We've shifted our blog on to our website - come and check us out here!
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Sunday, 16 June 2013
Open water swimming in Australia
Now is the time to be planning your trip to the Southern Hemisphere for some open water swimming in the summertime down-under.
Our favourite swims happen along the Shipwreck Coast - easily accessible from Melbourne.
The swimming is good anytime from November through to March, and the major events and races tend to happen in January and February.
Want to join us?
Get in touch and we can talk options for your group's travel - plus we've got some training tips to make sure you're at your peak when you hit the beaches of Australia.
Our favourite swims happen along the Shipwreck Coast - easily accessible from Melbourne.
The swimming is good anytime from November through to March, and the major events and races tend to happen in January and February.
Want to join us?
Get in touch and we can talk options for your group's travel - plus we've got some training tips to make sure you're at your peak when you hit the beaches of Australia.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
We love feedback!
We love getting feedback from people who have been on a Venture expedition with us - particularly when it's good feedback!
Nancy and Marc from Boston in the US recently joined our guide Keiko on a discovery visit to Japan.
On their return home they've sent us a really fantastic letter saying what a great experience that they've had. It's a long letter, but some of the highlights are:
- "Keiko is an expert in the culture, the history and the cuisine of Japan, providing us with a wealth of information and learning that we greatly enjoyed."
- "Keiko brought an international perspective to the discussions and was able to comment on the differences and similarities between Japan and other nations."
- "Keiko related to and honored each individual tour member while organizing us all with the precision necessary to keep a schedule that was at times quite hectic."
- "Keiko was at all times patient, professional and totally reliable, even administering first aid on one occasion with compassion, calm and great competence."
Thanks Nancy and Marc - you've totally made our day!
If you'd like to plan an expedition for your group to join us to discover and experience everything that Japan has to offer, then get in touch and let's start planning it together.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Saturday, 15 June 2013
Everplaces - a new travel diary?
I haven't quite got my head around Everplaces yet. It's a new app that enables you to create places and write descriptions.
While you're browsing the internet you can bookmark places that catch your eye or interest (using the Everplaces bookmarklet). You can also browse suggestions from other Everplaces users.
In some ways it's a bit like a travel diary combined with a wishlist I guess.
I'm trying it out to see if we can promote the Urban Adventure tours that Venture offers in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Gareth from Venture
While you're browsing the internet you can bookmark places that catch your eye or interest (using the Everplaces bookmarklet). You can also browse suggestions from other Everplaces users.
In some ways it's a bit like a travel diary combined with a wishlist I guess.
I'm trying it out to see if we can promote the Urban Adventure tours that Venture offers in Tokyo and Kyoto.
Gareth from Venture
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Tuesday, 11 June 2013
Honeymoon ideas - sea kayaking!
Here at Venture we love making people happy.
Honeymoon trips are a lot of fun - you get to take two people and show them an amazing time, helping them to create some really special memories.
Our active adventures in Japan are really popular with honeymooners - people tend to combine a bit of action and adventure with a bit of relaxing and recuperating.
The photo below is of one of our leaders Dai who is taking a honeymooning couple out on a sea-kayaking adventure around the coast of Okinawa. Great fun!
If you want a few options to think about for your honeymoon, then get in touch! We're no good with relationship advice, but very good at creating a memorable trip!
Gareth from Venture
Honeymoon trips are a lot of fun - you get to take two people and show them an amazing time, helping them to create some really special memories.
Our active adventures in Japan are really popular with honeymooners - people tend to combine a bit of action and adventure with a bit of relaxing and recuperating.
The photo below is of one of our leaders Dai who is taking a honeymooning couple out on a sea-kayaking adventure around the coast of Okinawa. Great fun!
If you want a few options to think about for your honeymoon, then get in touch! We're no good with relationship advice, but very good at creating a memorable trip!
Gareth from Venture
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Fitness challenges can be fun!
Sometimes it's really great to push yourself, to really test what your body can do.
A lot of my friends at the moment seem to be tackling the 'Tough Mudder' races, and there's lots of similar types of events that happen all around the world.
The photo below is of Venture's founder Aaron Davis, tackling a fitness challenge race in the mud of Wales. See how much fun he's having?
Of course your fitness adventures don't have to be all pain and hard work, why not take your team somewhere warm? Somewhere a bit exotic? Somewhere where there's a hot tup and sports massage at the end of the day?
Get in touch and let's start planning your trip together.
Gareth from Venture
A lot of my friends at the moment seem to be tackling the 'Tough Mudder' races, and there's lots of similar types of events that happen all around the world.
The photo below is of Venture's founder Aaron Davis, tackling a fitness challenge race in the mud of Wales. See how much fun he's having?
Of course your fitness adventures don't have to be all pain and hard work, why not take your team somewhere warm? Somewhere a bit exotic? Somewhere where there's a hot tup and sports massage at the end of the day?
Get in touch and let's start planning your trip together.
Gareth from Venture
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Fishing in China
I have a confession to make... I don't really like fishing.
I like the idea of it - calmly sitting and watching your line, contemplating the big questions of life, enticing unsuspecting fish onto your hook, and then barbecuing them up for a feast with your friends...
However the reality generally seems to be a lot of sitting around, waiting for something to happen, drinking beers to pass the time, and being outsmarted by wary fish.
I event tried deep-sea fishing once (thinking that it would be a much more exciting endeavour). Unfortunately it was part of a stag-do weekend. Everyone ended up throwing up as the choppy waves got the better of delicate stomachs.
Putting all of that aside... the people of China know a lot more about fishing than I do. The photo below is from one of our recent trips to China where there is not only some stunning scenery and impressive rivers, but also a long history and tradition of fishing.
Apparently you just need a bit of patience... clearly not my strong point...
If you fancy trying your hand at some fishing in China, then get in touch and let's start planning your group's expedition together.
Gareth from Venture
I like the idea of it - calmly sitting and watching your line, contemplating the big questions of life, enticing unsuspecting fish onto your hook, and then barbecuing them up for a feast with your friends...
However the reality generally seems to be a lot of sitting around, waiting for something to happen, drinking beers to pass the time, and being outsmarted by wary fish.
I event tried deep-sea fishing once (thinking that it would be a much more exciting endeavour). Unfortunately it was part of a stag-do weekend. Everyone ended up throwing up as the choppy waves got the better of delicate stomachs.
Putting all of that aside... the people of China know a lot more about fishing than I do. The photo below is from one of our recent trips to China where there is not only some stunning scenery and impressive rivers, but also a long history and tradition of fishing.
Apparently you just need a bit of patience... clearly not my strong point...
If you fancy trying your hand at some fishing in China, then get in touch and let's start planning your group's expedition together.
Gareth from Venture
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Kayaking in Japan
We love kayaking.
It's a great way to explore some hard-to-get-to coastal areas plus you can make it as challenging or as relaxing as you like.
It's a great activity to add into an itinerary for an active expedition or a training camp.
The photo below was taken on one of our recent kayaking trips in Japan - our leader Dai snapped this while trying to paddle along and keep his group heading in the right direction.
If you'd like to talk about some great places to take your group kayaking, then get in touch and let's start planning together.
It's a great way to explore some hard-to-get-to coastal areas plus you can make it as challenging or as relaxing as you like.
It's a great activity to add into an itinerary for an active expedition or a training camp.
The photo below was taken on one of our recent kayaking trips in Japan - our leader Dai snapped this while trying to paddle along and keep his group heading in the right direction.
If you'd like to talk about some great places to take your group kayaking, then get in touch and let's start planning together.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Trail running in the Grampians
We love this article by Jessica Douglas - the current Australian and World 24hr MTB Champion who is currently mixing up her training with some trail running in the Grampians national park in South Eastern Australia.
We love the Grampians and it's one of our favourite destinations for adventures and expeditions in Australia.
We helped Jess with some of the logistics and gear that she needed for this challenge, so it's great to get a mention in the article.
Read it here!
We love the Grampians and it's one of our favourite destinations for adventures and expeditions in Australia.
We helped Jess with some of the logistics and gear that she needed for this challenge, so it's great to get a mention in the article.
Read it here!
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Thursday, 6 June 2013
Hot tub?
Hot tubs are great. Relaxing in the warm water, kicking back and laughing with your friends, colleagues or teammates - it's one of those rare occasions in life when you really let your guard down and just enjoy the moment.
Japan does really good hot tubs. So do the Scandinavians.
What's great about designing your own itinerary is that you get to choose what to do. We give you the options and you make the decisions. Want to have a hot tub for everyone at the end of each day? Let's do it! Get in touch and let's start planning your expedition together.
Japan does really good hot tubs. So do the Scandinavians.
What's great about designing your own itinerary is that you get to choose what to do. We give you the options and you make the decisions. Want to have a hot tub for everyone at the end of each day? Let's do it! Get in touch and let's start planning your expedition together.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Sports Camps. Whatever Your Sport.
Maybe it's all those years of playing team sports, but here at Venture we really love sports camps.
This is where you take your team away to a destination that's perhaps out of their comfort zone, and you design a programme that not only challenges your team mentally and physically, but also brings you closer together so that you're more effective as a team - whatever your sport, whatever your level.
Getting a sports camp right takes a lot of work and a fair bit of expertise. It's a big investment (of time and money) to take a group of people away for a period of time, so you need to ensure that you're going to get the benefits that you're hoping for.
We don't like to brag, but we're pretty good at this kind of stuff. Wherever you are in the world - we know a destination that will work for your team. Whatever your sport - we know experts that can help you improve your performance. Whatever your objectives - we've got the experience to help you design the right programme of activity.
Interested? Get in touch and let's start planning together.
This is where you take your team away to a destination that's perhaps out of their comfort zone, and you design a programme that not only challenges your team mentally and physically, but also brings you closer together so that you're more effective as a team - whatever your sport, whatever your level.
Getting a sports camp right takes a lot of work and a fair bit of expertise. It's a big investment (of time and money) to take a group of people away for a period of time, so you need to ensure that you're going to get the benefits that you're hoping for.
We don't like to brag, but we're pretty good at this kind of stuff. Wherever you are in the world - we know a destination that will work for your team. Whatever your sport - we know experts that can help you improve your performance. Whatever your objectives - we've got the experience to help you design the right programme of activity.
Interested? Get in touch and let's start planning together.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Explore by bike
We love cycling. Honestly we do. There's no better way to explore a new city than to get on a bike and trundle around.
We do a lot of cycling tours around the Japanese city of Kyoto - it's a beautiful and historic city, in many ways the heart of Japanese culture, and somehow a bicycle tour seems the right pace to see the sights and get a taste for what this fascinating city has to offer.
If you've got a group that would like to visit Kyoto, then get in touch and let's start planning together.
We do a lot of cycling tours around the Japanese city of Kyoto - it's a beautiful and historic city, in many ways the heart of Japanese culture, and somehow a bicycle tour seems the right pace to see the sights and get a taste for what this fascinating city has to offer.
If you've got a group that would like to visit Kyoto, then get in touch and let's start planning together.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Running in Japan
There's something really special about trail running. You're in the great outdoors, breathing in air so fresh it feels like it's making you fitter and stronger, and you're connecting with the natural environment in a way you don't often get to do.
Japan is a great place for trail running.
Lot's of forests and mountainous areas that have miles and miles of quality trails just waiting to be explored.
We've also got some of the best running leaders in the business - in Japan running is a way of life and our leaders can help you not only get the most out of the runs that we plan for you, but can also help improve your technique and your performance.
If your running group is interested in an expedition to Japan, then get in touch and let's start planning it together!
Japan is a great place for trail running.
Lot's of forests and mountainous areas that have miles and miles of quality trails just waiting to be explored.
We've also got some of the best running leaders in the business - in Japan running is a way of life and our leaders can help you not only get the most out of the runs that we plan for you, but can also help improve your technique and your performance.
If your running group is interested in an expedition to Japan, then get in touch and let's start planning it together!
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Open Water events in Australia
We're really seeing an increase in the enthusiasm for open water swimming in all its forms.
One of the joys of open water swimming is that there's a growing number of events around the world that you can compete in - whatever your level of swimming in.
We love swimming on Australia's 'Shipwreck Coast' - the stretch of coastline to the West of Melbourne, bordered by the Otway Ranges and the Great Ocean Road.
During the Australian summer there's some great open water races that you can get involved in - a lot of fun and some spectacular planes in which to swim.
If your swimming club is interested in organising an expedition to Australia, get in touch and let's start planning it together!
One of the joys of open water swimming is that there's a growing number of events around the world that you can compete in - whatever your level of swimming in.
We love swimming on Australia's 'Shipwreck Coast' - the stretch of coastline to the West of Melbourne, bordered by the Otway Ranges and the Great Ocean Road.
During the Australian summer there's some great open water races that you can get involved in - a lot of fun and some spectacular planes in which to swim.
If your swimming club is interested in organising an expedition to Australia, get in touch and let's start planning it together!
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Altitude Training
One of our favourite sports camps recently was a trip that we organised for the Essendon Football Club from Australia.
We took the team to Boulder in Colorado, United States for some pre-season altitude training.
The benefits of altitude training are widely documented, but it's not just for elite athletes - anyone wanting to boost their fitness and become lean and strong will definitely benefit from this type of structured training programme.
There's a couple of places around the world set up to deliver this type of training. We like Boulder because not only are the facilities great, but there's a huge variety of environments in the area so you can really mix up the training experience each day.
If your sports club or group is interested in designing a training camp, then get in touch and let's work on it together.
We took the team to Boulder in Colorado, United States for some pre-season altitude training.
The benefits of altitude training are widely documented, but it's not just for elite athletes - anyone wanting to boost their fitness and become lean and strong will definitely benefit from this type of structured training programme.
There's a couple of places around the world set up to deliver this type of training. We like Boulder because not only are the facilities great, but there's a huge variety of environments in the area so you can really mix up the training experience each day.
If your sports club or group is interested in designing a training camp, then get in touch and let's work on it together.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Explore Australia
Ever been to the Grampians national park in south-eastern Australia?
It's a part of the world that we really love - rugged bush, spectacular views, and an abundance of wildlife of all shapes and sizes.
We use this area a lot for sports camps and fitness challenges - there's lots of different accommodation options and the terrain provides some real diversity in activity.
Mountain biking or trail running is a real treat through this scrubby bushland, there's some good kayaking options, and we love camping out as the silence and the unending night sky is overwhelming and awe inspiring.
Want to join us? Get in touch and let's start planning your group's expedition together.
It's a part of the world that we really love - rugged bush, spectacular views, and an abundance of wildlife of all shapes and sizes.
We use this area a lot for sports camps and fitness challenges - there's lots of different accommodation options and the terrain provides some real diversity in activity.
Mountain biking or trail running is a real treat through this scrubby bushland, there's some good kayaking options, and we love camping out as the silence and the unending night sky is overwhelming and awe inspiring.
Want to join us? Get in touch and let's start planning your group's expedition together.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Mount Fuji set to become UNESCO World Heritage Site
It's looking pretty likely that Japan's iconic Mount Fuji will soon be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site which makes a lot of sense to us - we love it!
It's a great area for cycling or running trips. We help a lot of people prepare for the Fuji runs which are really popular.
The great thing about Mount Fuji is that you don't have to climb it to appreciate it, on a clear day you can simply admire it while sipping sake in the heart of Tokyo.
If you want to see what all the fuss is about then get in touch and let's start planning your group's expedition to Japan!
It's a great area for cycling or running trips. We help a lot of people prepare for the Fuji runs which are really popular.
The great thing about Mount Fuji is that you don't have to climb it to appreciate it, on a clear day you can simply admire it while sipping sake in the heart of Tokyo.
If you want to see what all the fuss is about then get in touch and let's start planning your group's expedition to Japan!
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Swimming in Copenhagen
Copenhagen is one of our favourite cities in the world - read a travel report about it here.
Denmark is a great destination for a bit of adventure travel or a sports camp - as well as the spectacular Bellahoj swimming stadium in Copenhagen, if you head up to the North Sealand area or across to Jutland there's fantastic outdoor opportunities for trail running and sea kayaking.
If you're interested in talking about what sort of trip your group would like to tackle then get in touch and let's start planning it together!
Denmark is a great destination for a bit of adventure travel or a sports camp - as well as the spectacular Bellahoj swimming stadium in Copenhagen, if you head up to the North Sealand area or across to Jutland there's fantastic outdoor opportunities for trail running and sea kayaking.
If you're interested in talking about what sort of trip your group would like to tackle then get in touch and let's start planning it together!
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
Recruitment Update
We've had a lot of interest in our post about trip leader roles that we currently have in Japan.
If you love travel, are able to communicate effectively and share your passion for the places we visit, then we'd love to hear from you.
An ability to speak both Japanese and English is ideal.
Our main locations are Tokyo and Kyoto.
Get in touch via our website and we'll send you a more detailed Position Description and talk you through the recruitment process.
If you love travel, are able to communicate effectively and share your passion for the places we visit, then we'd love to hear from you.
An ability to speak both Japanese and English is ideal.
Our main locations are Tokyo and Kyoto.
Get in touch via our website and we'll send you a more detailed Position Description and talk you through the recruitment process.
Brought to you by Venture - Events. Expeditions. Adventure.
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