travel

april 2000

all photos courtesy of Country Walkers Since walking is my exercise of choice, and since as a travel writer, I am always looking for new places to explore, one might imagine my delight when a press kit from Country Walkers came to my desk. Founded in 1990, Country Walkers is the leader in worldwide walking vacations-offering 46 different itineraries to such exotic destinations as South Africa, Wales, Morocco, the Amalfi Coast of Italy, and the Lubéron region of Provence, France. Before you book your reservations: Always check with your physician before planning a trip, particularly if embarking to a destination out of the country. Carry a MedicAlert emergency medical identification or some other form of identification that indicates that your have diabetes and any of its complications. Also carry a copy of your medical prescriptions with a diagnosis just in case a local authority questions your carrying medications, insulin syringes, etc. Check with your health insurance company to make sure you are covered outside of the United States and if you are in a PPO plan, what number to call for out-of-network help. You can also purchase a special medical policy from Travel Guard that also covers trip cancellation in case your illness causes you to cancel your trip at the last minute. For more information, call their 24-hour number 1-800-826-1300 or visit their website at www.travel-guard.com. Be sure to note their requirements for the preexisting conditions waver. Carry at least twice the amount of insulin, medicine, and supplies as you think you'll need. Be sure to provide for proper storage of your insulin and disposal of your used syringes. Discuss with your health care team what changes to make in your medication schedule and be prepared to test your blood more frequently as your activity level will be greatly increased. Take into consideration any time-zone changes when flying to the meeting point and from the departure point of the walking tour. Flying east, you lose time; flying west, you gain time. Always carry meds and supplies that you'll need as well as snacks to avoid hypoglycemia. Make sure you're wearing proper walking shoes; wear a hat to help prevent sunstroke. Also tuck a pair of dry socks into your carry-all or backpack as it is most important that you always have dry feet. Don't forget to pack sunblock. If you need to take insulin while on the airplane, do not inject air into the insulin vial. Since the cabin air is pressurized, introducing air into the bottle will make accurate measuring of the insulin more difficult. Discuss with your tour director any special dietary needs before embarking on the trip. We've communicated with the tour directors for suggestions of walking tours that would be more appropriate for a person with diabetes. They suggested these tours to be particularly outstanding with regards to fresh, healthy foods and active, but not strenuous walks. Arizona: 7 days/6 nights with an average of 4 to 8 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on most days. Easy to moderate terrain that explores canyons, mountains, and grasslands. Accommodations in a charming desert lodge and Mexican-style inn with all meals included except one lunch. Hawaii: 7 days/6 nights with an average of 4 to 8 miles per day, with shorter and longer options each day. Easy to moderate terrain, visit remote areas of Maui and walks to Haleakala Crater, bamboo forest, and spectacular waterfalls. Lodging and all meals, except one lunch, are included. Coastal Maine: 5 days/4 nights with an average of 4 to 6 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on most days. Easy terrain with moderate options through spectacular coastal scenery, lovely fishing and schooner villages, with accommodations at two elegant, traditional Maine Coast inns. All meals are included. Vermont: 6 days/5 nights with an average of 4 to 9 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on most days. Easy to moderate terrain through spectacular scenery including Mt. Mansfield, unique New England villages and farmlands, with walks on Stowe's historic Von Trapp trails. Accommodations are charming country inns with mountain views, and all meals are included except two lunches. Burgundy, France: 7 days/6 nights with an average of 6 to 10 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on most days. Easy to moderate terrain with exceptional cuisines and chateaux accommodations. Meander through the village-dotted countryside, walk through world-renowned vineyards, and visit outdoor markets and a medieval chapel. All meals included except lunches and one dinner. Provence, France: 8 days/7 nights with an average of 6 to 9 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on most days. Easy to moderate terrain with visits to ancient Roman ruins, staying in charming hotels and enjoying exquisite cuisine. Stroll through olive groves, fig orchards, through fragrant pine forests and cypress-lined trails with your senses stimulated by the pervasive aroma of lavender, rosemary, and thyme. All meals included except three lunches and one dinner. Tuscany, Italy: 8 days/7 nights with an average of 4 to 11 miles per day with shorter and longer options on most days. Visit Siena, San Gimignano, Colle val d'Elsa, Monteriggioni, and Volterra, with the beautiful countryside dotted with cypress trees, olive groves, vineyards, and fruit orchards. Easy to moderate terrain, staying in fine hotels and a countryside villa. All meals included except five lunches and one dinner. Southern Tuscany and Umbria, Italy: 8 days/7 nights with an average of 5 to 11 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on most days. Easy to moderate terrain with visits to Siena, Perugllia, and Assisi, strolling through peaceful medieval villages, and verdant pastoral countryside. All meals included except four lunches and one dinner. Belize: 8 days/7 nights with an average of 4 to 6 miles per day, with shorter and longer options on some days. Easy terrain through ancient Mayan ruins and world-renowned bird watching and wildlife viewing. Swimming and snorkeling in tranquil lagoons. Accommodations in rainforest lodges and a research outpost with all meals included except one lunch. Two internal flights also included. Ready to explore part of the world, one step at a time? For further information, contact Country Walkers at 1-800-464-9255 or visit their website at www.countrywalkers.com.