World's Top Tour Operator Adds Bike and Hike-Only Programs To Award Winning Portfolio of Adventures for Adults and Families

Online, November 12, 2009 (Newswire.com) - BILLINGS, MT, Nov. 11, 2009 - Traditionally known for a multi-activity approach to adventure travel, Austin-Lehman Adventures (http://www.austinlehman.com/) announces a mixed portfolio of domestic and international vacations that now includes single sport itineraries featuring hiking or biking as the primary activity.

Hike or bike destinations featured in their new 2010 catalog now available to the public include US and Canadian national parks in addition to select European and South American locations.

"Our alumni guests asked for it and we responded," explains Austin-Lehman Adventures Director of Operations Dan Austin on his company's decision to offer single activity programs. "It is this very ability for us to evolve and change with the desires of our guests that gained us the distinction of being named the World's Best Tour Operator for 2009 by the readers of Travel + Leisure magazine."

The new 2010 catalog now features 17 biking vacations throughout Europe and now in the US and Canada.

"Cycle-only trips are not new to Austin-Lehman in fact that is where we got our start. Just last year we returned to our roots when we launched a program of first-class European trips with our acquisition of Euro-Bike. What is new are the four tour itineraries we just added in North America," Austin points out.

Aside from Austin-Lehman's portfolio of European bike adventures, ALA now offers these four new trips in Western US and Canada:

Grand Teton: Valley Floors to Jagged Peaks http://www.austinlehman.com/trips/grand_teton___valley_floors_to_jagged_peaks/49.php

Black Hills: The Great Plains of South Dakota http://www.austinlehman.com/trips/black_hills__great_plains_of_south_dakota/79.php

Utah: Canyonlands National Park http://www.austinlehman.com/trips/utah__canyonlands_national_park/81.php

Canadian Rockies: Rocky Mountain Treasures http://www.austinlehman.com/trips/canadian_rockies___rocky_mountain_treasures/27.php

Austin-Lehman Adventures also added two new hike-only trips for 2010:

Canadian Rockies: Ultimate Rocky Mountain http://www.austinlehman.com/trips/canadian_rockies__ultimate_rocky_mountain/29.php

France: La Provence Complète http://www.austinlehman.com/trips/france__la_provence_complete/64.php

Austin-Lehman Adventures, with a 35-year legacy dating back to 1974, provides "over the top" adventure vacations on four continents. ALA has built a stellar reputation on small group active travel, limited to 12 guests (18 on family departures), exceptional dining, distinctive accommodations and all-inclusive rates and services. ALA focuses solely on destinations in North, Central and South America, Europe and southern Africa. Founders Dan Austin and Paul Lehman believe the best way to enjoy the natural beauty, culture and history of a place is to experience it as a local; close-up, at one's own pace far off the usual tourist track.

In addition to its scheduled group departures, ALA also offers customized trip planning for families, solo travelers and adults-only. To back up its strong commitment to the highest levels of guest service, ALA offers all its travelers a money back guarantee, a rarity among adventure travel companies.

For copies of the new 2010 catalog call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail [email protected]. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries go to: http://www.austinlehman.com/.