TESTIMONIALS

“If you are tempted to plan your own trip…don’t! Use Sarah and the wonderful folks at Pathways - it’s worth every penny and more! We have done two trips through pathways and both have been the most incredible experiences!”

“Truly this trip was more than I could have imagined! I don’t think I’ve ever been less involved in planning (in the best way possible) and it allowed me to get on the plan and RELAX before we even started the trip knowing that everything was taken care of. We cannot wait to go on another Pathways trip and have already been spreading the word to all of our friends. ”

“I am usually always a fan of doing things myself, and often don’t see the need to use a company to organize a vacation. In this instance, I am so glad I chose you guys - you put together such a streamlined itinerary, there is no way I could have done that myself without knowing the area in detail. You made this trip a success, with all the fun and none of the confusion/mishaps/wrong turns that often accompany these types of scenarios. ”

“Sarah is an exceptional trip planner. Every detail was anticipated, and the trip was perfectly conceived and executed. I would travel with Pathways anytime, anywhere!”

“Without exception, Sarah at Pathways provides the most thorough, complete, and enjoyable service in travel agent services that I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. From the very beginning she listens very well to what our expectations and abilities were and designed our entire trip around what we shared with her. She was timely in all her communications and continued to be available and in touch throughout the entire trip - from the very first day to the last. She has obviously cultivated excellent working relationships with all of her contacts and agencies. We received the best care and attention at every step of our trip. I would highly recommend Pathways Active Travel for anyone planning a trip. ”

“The Pathways team created a perfect itinerary for our honeymoon. We were never stressed and were able to enjoy our whole trip thanks to all the logistics and recommendations they provided. We would absolutely recommend Pathways to anyone!”

“Pathways enabled us to have an amazing self-guided adventure in Norway, with all the details taken care of ahead of time so that we were prepared and could just relax and be in the moment with our trip. Along the way, we realized and experienced things that we wouldn’t have had the knowledge to take on ourselves, but that greatly enhanced our trip and enjoyment. We’re already looking forward to our next hut to hut adventure!”

“Everything was so easy. I would have spent months of research trying to create an itinerary even close to this.

We loved so many things about this trip, it’s hard to single anything out. It was a really nice balance of activities that allowed us to appreciate the unique vibe of each city. We have been fortunate to have had wonderful trips in the past, but I have always done 100% of the planning. This is the first trip I have been on that I didn’t plan (I’m a really good trip planner) and it allowed me to fully relax, hand over responsibility for the enjoyment and logistics, and be surprised-I LOVED it!
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“Our trip to Switzerland was absolutely wonderful.  I kept wanting to pinch myself to see if the scenery was real or a dream.  I’m hard pressed to think of a more beautiful, pristine and inspiring place. We enjoyed every moment. The hikes you outlined for us were awesome.  Our first hike with our local guides, Martin and Margrit, was the perfect beginning.  They are so kind and knowledgeable, and we enjoyed our day with them. They treated us to a local wine, cheese and apricots picnic by an alpine lake, and set a new precedent for fueling on the trail! The hike to the Obersteinburg hut was challenging but the reward of the waterfall view, hut experience and food was worth it. To be so close to the Matterhorn was magical. We even got to see a Chamois at the top of one of the lifts. I’m am enamored with Switzerland! This trip was a dream come true and we appreciate all that you did to make it so. Thank you!”

“From our first connection through the post-trip follow-up, Sarah and the Pathways team have been exceptional.”

“Working with Sarah to customize our Dolomites honeymoon was so easy and so much fun. Our trip ended up running smoothly from start to finish thanks to her attention to planning details, and so many fun local recommendations were included in our itinerary that we never would have found on our own. We couldn’t have had a better experience.”

“Pathways went above and beyond to make it a trip of a lifetime! We are so grateful to the care and knowledge of these beautiful places.”

“The Pathways Team facilitated the best trip for our family - we loved the places we stayed, the food we ate, and the people we met. The logistics, even during the complicated time of COVID, were seamless and easy, and Sarah was the best supporter and cheerleader from the States the whole time we were gone. ”

“This is probably our 8th-9th self-guided trip in the mountains of Europe, and Pathways is superior by far in the initial suggestions/the custom planning/the communication (before and during the trip) and in the overall product! The most well-run outdoor travel company ever! Truly the best!”

“Pathways completely exceeded our expectations at every twist and turn. We fell in love with our trip — so many beautiful memories in beautiful locations.

We thought that the itinerary was perfect (especially the order of locations). The activities were perfect and diverse — helped us see different places in different ways. The hikes, so much fun. We also enjoyed that each day, though planned, had some level of flexibility. If we were to write out all the positives of the trip, it would be a 200-page novel (that I would have so much fun writing).”

“We loved knowing all of the details (lodging, transfers, schedule) were dialed in and taken care of. It took a lot of stress off of us and allowed us to just enjoy the hiking. Our favorite part by far was our time with Gianni on the via ferrata.”

“Working with Sarah was a delight. She was proactive in finding new accommodations for our group when we ran into weather issues that made our original accommodation plans untenable. And she made sure to keep us apprised of major potential weather and other issues, so we could just enjoy the experience.”

“Our adventure hiking the Haute Route (our honeymoon!) was absolutely epic!! It’s hard to describe what a spectacular, life enhancing experience it was. Having our itinerary set, accommodations booked, and all the safety details and extra info we might need was a total game changer and basically created the most stress free experience we could have hoped for. Not to mention all of the lovely details in between :) I can’t sing enough praise for the Pathways team!”

“We had a general idea of where we wanted to travel and what we wanted to do, but Sarah helped us to put together an itinerary that included amazing towns, hotels, hikes, meals, and experiences that resulted in an absolutely fantastic experience. Even if we had spent many hours doing research, we still wouldn’t have been been able to select such consistently excellent accommodations and experiences.”

“Your organization is fantastic! You listened well to what we asked for and planned the trip accordingly. The overnight stays were all lovely and the description of the hikes were great. The quick email responses while on the trip were greatly appreciated!”

“From the micro-details to the macro-trajectory of the trip, Sarah and the Pathways team were ahead of the game, prepared to help, and experts in making this the best experience possible.”

“Thank you for designing a wonderful trip to celebrate some big birthdays. You did an amazing job creating a fun-filled itinerary that checked so many boxes and gave us a comprehensive Azores experience. Every vista was more spectacular than the previous one. When we thought we could see nothing more beautiful, we’d turn the corner and voila...... All the guides were terrific as well; service-oriented, knowledgeable and passionate about their archipelago. Our accommodations were wonderful; your recommendations for dinners, etc were spot on. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend you to any of my friends looking to plan a trip.”

“We had a fantastic trip that included unique and local experiences, which we likely would not have been able to find and put together on our own. Pathways’ expertise, knowledge of the area, and local connections made our honeymoon something to remember forever!”

“Our trip was so well planned and every detail thought through. We were so grateful when we could reach Pathways by phone when we got lost on our Faial Rim hike in the fog. We also felt comfortable changing the itinerary if we were tired or felt like exploring an unexpected area.”

“Phenomenal; incredible; amazing; absolutely wonderful.”

“Pathways was wonderful to communicate with! Quick to communicate back, very knowledgable about the area and we felt so well prepared due to their communication and knowledge.”

“This was one of the best trips I have ever taken.”

“I wanted to let you know what an amazing time we had! Everything was perfect and the islands were truly beautiful. I have never been to such a gorgeous spot! Everything worked out great and we loved both Luis and Mario. Such great guides and so nice! The White Suites was an amazing property - it was hard to leave the hotel and pool each day! Thank you so much for everything! I’ll definitely refer you onto friends and family and certainly hope to be able to take another Pathways trip in the future.”

“Our experience planning our trip with Pathways was seamless and made for a spectacular adventure.”

“We had a wonderful trip. So fun and rewarding! Your itinerary was perfect!”

“We really appreciate all your thoughtful planning and incredible attention to detail. It was a terrific combination for us of having everything planned out but also having a sense of adventure.”

“The Trip was spectacular. This trip was very important to me on many different levels, and it fulfilled everything I hoped that it would. A lifetime memory of the very first order. Having the best guide in Patagonia was the single most impactful element. Very grateful for you and your efforts.”

“Great personal experience! Attentive to all your needs and requests. Superb communication from beginning to end. I could not have planned this once in a life time trip without Pathways and grateful for this connection. The accommodations, connections and organization are beyond my expectations!!”

“A grand itinerary, which was perfectly paced; great variety to experience Norway from different perspectives; each accommodation had a unique and special charm/ambiance with fantastic staffs; guides were excellent - professional, personable, knowledgeable and took extra time to go above and beyond.”

“Thanks for all of your help! We had an amazing time and made lifelong memories and new friendships on our adventure to Norway!”

“It’s like a concierge experience, making traveling “self-guided” a wonderful time. Outstanding.”

“I felt like we were in excellent hands - everyone so professional and so fun to be with! It really made this an enjoyable, relaxing vacation!”

“Travel in the time of Covid is stressful to say the least. We never would have been able to take this adventure without Pathways. Our travels and transports were seamless.”

“Exceeded expectations. Both the quality of the planning and the trip itself.”

“We will be using pathways for all our future big trips. It was an absolutely amazing time.”

“Pathways provided so many options in the self guided pack and the places we stayed were amazing.”

“We have done other self-guided trips but this one was the BEST by far! Of course the scenery is unmatched, but the organizing/maps/accommodations and general communication of Pathways is truly unparalleled! We will recommend to anyone who wants a trip created by a knowledgable and caring company! 5 Star!!”

“We can’t thank you enough for the most amazing vacation we’ve had in years! Everything associated with the adventure was great – the itinerary, breathtaking scenery, accommodations, food, and especially the people (you, Gianni, and the 11 of us that benefited from it). It was our first with a travel group, and had reservations going into it (knowing there would be varying personalities and social expectations), but went for it anyways. In fact, on the first day, when we all introduced ourselves and were asked what we wanted from the trip, I said, “…to hopefully make new friends…”. That being said, I truly believe I’ve made 13 new friends, and couldn’t be happier, with hopes that many will turn into lasting ones. Hearing from the veterans of these types of group vacation packages, the degree we all got along and enjoyed each other’s company, and wanted to have all optional meals together, is rarefied and not often experienced. This makes me very squeamish about going on another group vacation, other than one organized by you and Pathway Active Travel (possibly with the same group!?), knowing that we experienced the best it can be and could only be matched at best.

While on the flight back yesterday, we talked about how very sad we were to be going home, which never happens upon returning from a European vacation. Usually, after a couple weeks away from what we’re used to, and the long flight home, we’re happy to be back. This time was very different, and much of the credit goes to you. Thank you! ”

“You’d be totally crazy not to go on a Pathways trip! Your expectations will be exceeded beyond your imagination. ”

“We really really enjoyed working with Sarah and Pathways, and more importantly, owe you a huge thanks for the best honeymoon we could have hoped for. Looking forward to working together again in the future!”

“Using Pathways gave us a chance to see things and stay at places we never would have found on our own!”

“Best we’ve ever been on by far.”

“Everything was absolutely excellent. The setting was gorgeous. The guides & staff were knowledgeable, friendly, and flexible. It was really beyond what we were expecting. Sarah, as usual, did an outstanding job organizing our trip.”

“Our experience with Pathways was exceptional from beginning to end. Sarah was easy to work with, listened to our desires and put together a unique once in a lifetime trip for us. She was readily available with any concerns or changes. The trip was thoroughly planned for us on a daily schedule with all detailed info including addresses, contact info and maps. Our trip was a quick decision on our part and Sarah dedicated the time to make all the arrangements perfect on a fairly short notice. I am excited to use Pathways Active Travel for more adventures!!”

“Absolutely everyone loved it. Trip of a life-time.”

“Pace and order of places/activities was spot on. Perfect combination of intense activity and relaxation.”

“The whole experience was one of the best we’ve ever had - the detailed Trip Handbook (all of the arrangements that were made for us to truly enjoy our experience without having to figure it out for ourselves); each day’s journey; Hotel Chalet del Sogno; Alberto; Gianni; the Dolomiti di Brenta; being with Ingrid and Woody; the food and drink.”

“Pathways planned a FANTASTIC trip for us. It was perfect in every way. Sarah is so organized, responsive and so wonderful to work with! Thank you Sarah!”

“Go. You will make new friends, share new experiences and have a true vacation!”

“Paint the picture of what you want, and Pathways will figure out how to make it happen.”

“This was a truly extraordinary trip – absolutely one of the best we have ever taken. And you made this happen! I am so impressed with the choices you made for us and the care and detail you put in to making this trip work. It was absolutely perfect – even the weather! I greatly look forward to working with you in the future for another trip.”

“It’s going to be hard to travel any other way!! It’s wonderful that the hikes, restaurants, hotels and experiences have all been personally vetted and curated.”

“Remarkably attentive to our preferences in planning the trip.”

“Sarah was incredible to work with! By the time we meet in person, it felt like connecting with an old friend. She was always available to answer questions, listened to our feedback so the trip could be best suited to our wants, she was highly organized and detailed, and is just an amazing and welcoming individual. Being able to have a resource, like Pathways, to advise you on what to see and where to go is so valuable. It takes all the stress of planning and research a way, so that you’re better able to just enjoy the trip and time exploring a beautiful new place.”

“The hotels were beautiful, the hikes were perfect and interesting and the cultural experiences like the vineyard and the cheese maker made us really feel like we were experiencing Italy in a way that most tourists don’t get the chance to do. ”

“Pathways took all the planning and arranging into their hands and provide us with a unique and wonderful experience.”

“With all the logistics taken care of you can truly be in the moment and immerse yourself in the experience.”

“Let Pathways plan the trip of a lifetime for you in the beautiful Dolomiti where every single detail is taken care of and each day is better and entirely different than the one before!”

“Your trip was absolutely perfect. Knowing that you were watching out for us with the calls, updates, maps, etc. is boutique travel at its best. You didn’t know us before arranging this trip for us (and we really are seasoned travelers) which in hindsight tells me how well you listen and do your homework. Every hotel was just perfect. Our favorite 24 hours were at Bård’s!!! Those walks and views will be in our hearts forever.”

“This trip exceeded our expectations! The leaders were wonderful, fun, knowledgable, professional and had a sense of humor too! All of the hotel logistics and transportation were perfectly executed. The day to day adventures were thoughtfully planned and organized with options depending upon the group’s interest and ability. The diversity of activities offered the opportunity to experience the culture and ruggedness of southern Patagonia. I loved learning and exploring the diverse climate and geography in addition to gaining an appreciation for the challenges posed to those living in the bottom of the Southern hemisphere.”

“We’re still feeling the joy from the week spent with Pathways and all our extraordinary friends - both old and new - and the magical things and places we experienced.”

“Pathways did not miss a detail. So attentive from first contact phone call, each step of the trip design, and throughout the adventure. Everything just seamlessly worked. ”

“Prepare to be amazed and rejoice in the fact that the leader and guides will have thought of every detail to ensure your vacation provides the perfect mix of movement for the body and rejuvenation of the soul.”

“The thoughtfully planned itineraries and kind, joyful guides truly allowed us to enjoy the destination, the culture, and mountains, and a new place in the world. ”

“So many good parts, each day was so interesting, crazy ridges, expansive glacial valleys, that view from Glitterind over the glacier was beyond words!”

“My overall experience with Pathways was exceptional. The program was very well designed, and the group was wonderful. ”

“We like that you are a small company, really dwelling on a few areas that you know well. We didn’t feel like a number but rather a special client!! It seems as if you take the time to know all of your clients!”

“It was all great.....our guide was really special and very attentive.”

“This was truly the trip of a lifetime. Stunning scenery, engaging leaders, beyond comfortable accommodations, and food to die for. ”

“Or trip was fantastic. Your planning and organization was a godsend and you somehow put together the perfect trip for us. We spent 5 days in complete delight at just having to put one foot in front of the other, soaking in the endless views and vistas, and knowing that at the end of the day, we had rooms waiting, warm showers and someone to feed us meals. We are smitten with Norway. We were also amazed at the at the number of glaciers we saw every day. They were on the map but somehow we didn’t realize just how visible and awe inspiring they’d be. In fact, my personal favorite was standing on top of the Glittertinden looking down on a glacier. I never thought I’d experience that in my lifetime.”

“Pathways allows you to experience an incredible place in a totally unique and authentic way that you would not have visiting the same place on your own. The extensive and thoughtful work that is done in advance of the trip in terms of itinerary planning and guide selection shows.”

“We hadn’t been away together since 2000. This was definitely my favorite 10 days away together since then and we both felt like we got exercise, ate amazing food, met some really nice people and had a real vacation. ”

“Pathways did a great job of keeping us on schedule but never once did I feel like I was on a schedule. It was pure joy the entire trip. ”

“I loved Gianni, he was terrific! I felt so lucky to have had such an accomplished guide. He met all of us all where we were in terms of ability and seemed to evaluate what was appropriate without judgement. He took time with me to connect and really made an effort to learn about me personally. It was lovely to have his daughter and dog join us on the final hike. Brought us all close to the Italian family life experience. I felt honored that he wanted to bring his wife to our final gathering. How lucky were we all to have him be a part of our trip!!”

“I loved getting to take a back seat on logistics and planning, both in advance and while we were there, and just fully being able to focus on being in the moment and learning about the region and culture. ”

“It’s not just about hiking. This trip offers a multitude of pathways to enrich your everyday life & travel experience through cultural, culinary, artistic and historical perspectives.”

“Pathways puts together some truly unique itineraries. I’ve been on the Pathways trips to Italy and now Patagonia - I’ve been beyond impressed with the quality of itinerary, the fun and family-like characteristics of the leaders, and the level of detail that so flawlessly goes into each trip. I’ll be back for another trip next year for sure!”

“I would have no hesitation to use Pathways for my next trip as they did an excellent job in orchestrating every detail. Don’t delay. Book your trip!”

“The visit to the vineyard was my highlight of the trip. Devis was so interesting and cared so deeply about his family’s business and having the whole family there was really special.”

“Patagonia was gorgeous and pathways took excellent care of us!”

“If you are interested in intimate group travel with a passionate nascent adventure travel company, look no further! Pathways has a promising future and I would not hesitate to recommend these hiking trips to anyone who enjoys this type of active travel experience.”

“Alberto is so connected to his beloved home in the stunning Brenta Dolomites. Having been born and raised there, he is a true local. From the mountains, to the trails, to the food and wine, to the flora and fauna, and - most importantly - to the people and the community, he knows it all! And his energy is nothing short of astounding.”

“Wow!! I was beyond impressed by the fluidity and seamlessness of the trip - from feeling the culture to experiencing the mountains and having fun as a group!”

“Fischer was a gem! Great humor, kind, sensitive to all levels of fitness, filled with local knowledge and lore, enthusiastic - truly excellent! ”

“Personal caring communications... great accommodations! Good transport logistics! And willingness to tailor to clients’ diverse needs and concerns. Pathways does a great job and obviously you are passionate about your trips and your clients’ experiences.”

“This was my first ever group trip, so I don’t have anything with which to compare. The experience was really just fabulous. No matter what we did each day, it seemed to flow smoothly. Whatever was happening behind the scenes each day appeared to be seamless to me as a participant. ”

“Great leadership, guides, organization, destinations and accommodations!”

“I traveled with the Pathways organization because I trust Sarah’s dedication to her work, her thorough preparation, her ability to adjust logistics in a pinch when the weather doesn’t cooperate and overall fulfilling her promises to deliver some of the most beautiful sites in the world at a reasonable price. ”

“From the short time we were with Gianni, it was clear that he is a unique man. His love of the mountains was evident without him having to say so directly. His knowledge of the geology, botany, animals, water, history was presented so effortlessly, it just seemed like part of the conversation...Quietly and unobtrusively. His interpersonal skills are superb. He clearly wanted the group to succeed, and for us to all be safe.”

“There was not one detail that was lacking - Pathways has organized this trip with utmost care and every detail is carefully orchestrated. I enjoyed an incredible week and memorable experience. It was a chance to be active, to meet new friends, enjoy the natural world in a way that will provide a memorable lifetime experience for me.”

“What a fabulous trip! The daily itinerary, guides, accommodations, and food were absolutely top notch. ”

“I have never traveled before with a group in this capacity and I was just so amazed at how great we all got along and getting to know the other travelers really helped to make this an experience I’ll never forget. ”

“The biking was an ideal compliment to the days of hiking. A superb route to ride.”

“Loved every bit if it. I think we had a perfect group! I particularly liked the location in Merano. The mountains offered a great introduction. Ottmanngutt was beautiful and so well located in the town. ”

“I always knew I wanted to go to Italy, but I also knew I wanted to avoid the tourist traps and crowded cities. Pathways offered that alternative and I’d go back again in a heartbeat. I’m looking forward to my next Pathways trip to Patagonia!”

“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 thru the eyes of a local guide AND know we were doing fun, authentic activities. ”

“Gianni is the real deal - an unassuming, extraordinary alpine guide who holds the mountains in his heart. Great knowledge, sense of people and their abilities.”

“Pathways rocks. I can’t wait for our next trip!”

“Great guides, a well organized, surprisingly diverse itinerary. More fun than you expect.
Fun fellow travelers. Exceptional value.”

“Best guide I’d ever experienced on a trip. Filled with knowledge of the area, a skilled hiker, polite, thoughtful, kind, patient, good sense of humor, punctual and fun to be with!”

“My expectations were completely met! Everything seemed to happen without a hitch”

“The thought, love & effort Pathways has placed in this venture is quite evident.”

“The guides make or break the trip. Gianni and Alberto were very professional, organized, safe and understood the limits of the group while providing a stimulating agenda.”

“My favorite part was being exposed to new places and meeting new people and forming relationships.”

“The whole trip was my favorite! And each part for a different reason. The sharing of the experience with people we know and love; being in places where the natural beauty takes your breath away; laughing and learning; feeling and seeing a bit into the souls of people who are passionate about what they do.”

“Wow. Ottmanngut was spectacular. Design-wise beautifully done. Very welcoming and relaxing. Food was beautiful, gardens and location could not have been better. I was very comfortable. I don’t think you could have done better!”

“The trip exceeded anything I could have imagined”