about pathways
We love to travel for so many reasons. We travel for the stories. To increase our curiosity. To build bridges. To stay physically & mentally active. To step outside our own world, opening our eyes to the new and different. To gain new perspective. We travel for the friendships that are made on and off the trail. We travel because it makes us happier, smarter and more understanding. We travel to explore & connect. To learn. To relax. To have fun. To discover those hidden, local secrets. To challenge ourselves. We travel not just to taste that delicious Italian wine, but to engage with and learn from the local, multi-generational family who runs the small vineyard.
We travel for the wildflowers, the turquoise lakes, the blue skies, rolling meadows, the snowcapped peaks, big glaciers and all the view points along the way. We travel for the sore legs at the end of an active day, and that rejuvenated feeling after indulging in a cold beer & a hearty dinner with friends. We travel for the sunsets, the people, the shared conversations and the smiles...and for so many other uncountable reasons.
At Pathways, we believe in living life to the fullest. Every day. And we believe in the immense, positive value of global citizenship. We will never stop exploring, connecting with and giving back to the world.
the pathways experience
PERSONAL, local connections
We work directly with our local contacts, vendors and guides to create the best experiences for our travelers and the communities we engage with along the way. From creating beautiful itineraries to hiring incredible, local guides for our guided trips, to staying in exquisite, boutique accommodations to finding authentic ways to connect with the local communities, we are committed to creating meaningful & engaging experiences.
personal communication
As a small company, we are hardworking, detail-oriented and dedicated to making your trip with Pathways exceptional. From the moment you contact us, we’re here to answer all your questions and help make your pre-trip experience & on-trip experience the best it can possibly be.
We are experienced travelers who love what we do and we hold in-depth knowledge of all our destinations and itineraries. We are committed to creating meaningful & engaging experiences for our travelers and that starts with the first phone call or first email communication.
We Give back & support sustainable travel
We support local communities and people by working with passionate partners and vendors. A generous percentage of our profits each year is given intentionally to organizations with a focus on helping conserve the hiking trails and supporting small, local businesses.
customization
All of our trips are handcrafted from the ground up. You can start your trip on any date that works best for you and your travel plans. Once you submit a request for more information about an itinerary, you'll receive a personal phone call from the Pathways team. Together, we’ll chat about your goals for the trip and we’ll work personally to customize an itinerary based on your interests, budget, accommodation preferences & activity level. We’ll only ask for your deposit when your trip is just right.
GREAT vALUE
Traveling is a wonderful luxury that can transform us in many ways. We set our prices thoughtfully & intentionally to ensure a fair price for you without sacrificing value & authenticity.
We want you to take advantage of the incredible itinerary we’ve created, and we also value relaxation, spontaneity and choice. You’ll have time every day to do your own thing, ending your day with delicious food & wine in your family-run, boutique accommodations.
small groups
As one of the smallest in the industry and in keeping with our goals, we intentionally cap our guided group size to 12 travelers so as to keep the experience intimate, focused, authentic and exciting. For our private and self-guided itineraries, you’ll have the flexibility to choose your ideal group size.
The beautiful scenery, interesting towns and historic monuments that you’ll discover with your group are unforgettable. For us, it’s the people – your fellow travelers, enthusiastic guides, knowledgeable and thoughtful partners & all local folks along the way (small vineyard owners, ranch farmers, cheesemakers and artists) – who really make the Pathways experience unique.
“Pathways does a fantastic job exploring a new country and culture in a way that feels authentic. It was really neat to experience a country through the eyes of a local guide AND know we were doing fun, authentic activities.”
pathways FOUNDER & OWNER |
Sarah MARSTON CROCKER
Travel is in Sarah's blood and she's always had a thirst for adventure and passion for connecting with people in her personal and professional life. Growing up, Sarah and her family spent many summers hiking in and getting to know the European mountains. Sarah has spent time abroad in Europe, Africa, South America & Southeast Asia and these experiences have been some of the most meaningful of her life.
Sarah has had nearly two decades of experience in the travel industry and has worked with some of the most inspiring people. From VBT Bicycling & Walking Vacations to EF Educational Tours to Overland Summers, Sarah has worn many leadership hats ranging from managing operations, logistics, customer relations and recruiting.
In 2016, Sarah took an impromptu trip with her family to revisit parts of Northern Italy they’d explored together several years earlier. Inspired by the desire to create something from her passion and experience, it was on a beautiful trail in the heart of the Dolomites where the idea for Pathways was born. After this trip, Sarah knew she wanted to share this experience with others and help facilitate and create similar discoveries in other destinations around the world.
The simple yet powerful mission of Pathways is to enhance the lives of our travelers and the local communities we engage with wherever we go. We believe in the immense power of global citizenship and human connection in the outdoors. We hope that you'll join us on all the pathways that exist in this big, beautiful world.
Ready for your next adventure?
