Outdoor Journeys by Central Holidays Takes Destination Immersion via Outdoor and Active Travel to New Heights with Expanded Trekking, Hiking and Biking Programs

Moonachie, NJ – January 14, 2016 – Leading international travel company Central Holidays today announced the expansion of its outdoor, experiential travel brand, Outdoor Journeys, focused on biking, hiking, trekking, and ski travel programs in Europe. Marked by a brand new website at www.outdoorjourneys.net and a comprehensive, 28-page full color Outdoor Activities brochure that can be downloaded or ordered online, the brand features programs for active travelers of all fitness levels and helps travel agents cater to one of the fastest growing sectors of travel… soft adventure or immersive and experiential outdoor recreation travel.

A unique new offering in the packaged travel arena, Outdoor Journeys is backed by the destination expertise of the Central Holidays family of companies as well as the in-country support required to meticulously deliver these types of experientially immersive travel programs. Each program is directed by knowledgeable tour directors and fitness experts to provide customized guidance for each participant.

"The expansion of Outdoor Journeys by Central Holidays presents a valuable resource for travel agents that complement the product range of our time-honored travel brands, while showcasing immersive destination experiences and outdoor activities for individuals, families, and groups throughout Europe," said Gianni Miradoli, CEO of Central Holidays. "The outdoor recreation niche is a rapidly growing $300 billion industry that serves more than 115 million outdoor enthusiasts and through Outdoor Journeys, travel agents can cater to this very lucrative niche to boost their income with commissions on the company’s novel collection of soft adventure, active vacations."

Walking, hiking, skiing or cycling in the footpaths of Europe’s ancestors, travelers will revel in wonderful cities of art; immerse themselves in the most spectacular corners of nature; and enjoy a unique combination of history, sightseeing and fitness at every turn on these new programs. Ideal for all fitness levels from beginners to accomplished athletes, each program is geared to the needs of the traveler, both groups and individuals.

Many of these experiences will also take travelers to explore the region’s vast culinary pleasures; featuring local products, wines and regional dishes to enjoy. Focused on delicacies that are an excellent source of energy for active travelers, they will become well acquainted with the "Mediterranean Diet," adopted by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Mediterranean people that celebrates not only locally grown food, but also sharing the mealtime experience with family and friends. On these active vacations, travelers will also often have the opportunity to learn good, healthy and easy to prepare healthy recipes that they can share with friends and family upon return home.

Here’s a look at some of Outdoor Journey’s new collection of active outdoor vacations for 2016:

BICYCLING

• The Chianti Region of Tuscany – 7 Days – from $3,749
• Lake Garda Tour – 7 days – from $3,520
• Tuscany Coast and Cinque Terre Tour – 7 days – from $3,520
• Piedmont and Cote d’Azur Tour – 7 days – from $3,490
• Granfondo Dieci Colli in Bologna and Montepulciano in Tuscany – 7 days – from $3,799
• Slow Cycling across the World Heritage Sites – 8 days – from $3,899
• Bikes ’n Wines in the hills of Emilia Romagna – 7 days – from $3,249
• Cycling through Medieval Castles – 8 days – from $3,299
• Emilia Romagna: Castles and Food Valleys – 6 days – from $3,599
• Lombardy: Historical Villas and Italy’s Most Beautiful Lakes – 6 days – from $3,799
• Piedmont: Origin of the Italian Taste – 6 days – from $3,499
• Tuscany: Art, Landscape and Brunello – 6 days – from $3,499

TREKKING

• Trekking of the Amalfi Coast – 7 days – from $2,219
• Trekking in Sardinia: Wild Blue – 8 days – from $1,799
• Trekking: The Cinque Terre and the Apuan Alps – 7 days – from $1,869
• Trekking on Sicilian Volcanoes Etna and Aeolian Islands – 7 days – from $1,679

SKIING
(rates vary based on dates selected)

• Free-ride Mont Blanc and Monte Rosa
• Nordic Skiing in Engadina
• Ski Safari Dolomite
• Ski Safari in Austria: From the Stubai Arlberg
• Snow Shoes in South Tyrol: The Highlands and Fanes Sennes

About Outdoor Journeys:
Outdoor Journeys by Central Holidays offers a premier collection of active travel experiences in exciting destinations throughout Europe. Featuring biking, hiking, trekking, and ski travel programs set within the region’s scenic settings, travel programs presented by Outdoor Journeys are noted for their diverse activities, destination immersion, and authentic experiences, as well as the in-country destination expertise and support dedicated to delivering the ultimate trips for active travelers. For additional information, contact Outdoor Journeys at 866.840.5920 or online at www.outdoorjourneys.net.

About Central Holidays:
Founded in 1972, Central Holidays offers superior travel programs, value, and service to enchanting destinations across the globe. Destinations include Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey, and Croatia. The company also offers dozens of Mediterranean and European river cruise itineraries, worldwide ski programs, religious pilgrimage travel, as well as people-to-people educational exchange travel to Cuba! The company’s sister brand, STI by Central Holidays, presents novel travel opportunities throughout Central and South America, Africa, and the Middle East. Central Holidays and its family of travel companies remain at the forefront of the global tourism and travel industry, offering the most diverse range of travel programs that support brand promises of reliability, expertise, and flexibility. For more information, contact Central Holidays at 1-800-935-5000 or visit www.centralholidays.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Marlene Oliver, NJC Communications
(305) 491-0512, moliver@njccorp.com

Tyler Sminkey, NJC Communications
(786) 390-8510, tsminkey@njccorp.com