As you approach the first big rapid of the day, you hear the roar. Salmon Falls is a five-foot wave drop around car-sized rocks, and now you and your family drift toward the edge. “Easy forward,” your guide requests, as you paddle to gather momentum. The boat surges forward. Everyone paddles together to power the raft onto the blue tongue of water that will take you to the center of the foaming froth below. “Okay, team, here we go! Left turn!” the guide yells. The boat then spins to face dead ahead into the roller coaster maelstrom. “Looks like fun! Let’s run the drop. Forward hard!” The raft speeds into and over several waves. Paddles fly. People whoop and holler, as you bounce up and over and through the heart of Salmon Falls. After gracefully moving through walls of white and mountains of waves you emerge, soaking wet and elated. You pat the backs of your family members and new friends, as your paddle raft team celebrates a successful run through an unbelievably fun rapid. “We did it,” you quietly whisper to yourself. Here we are, whitewater rafting in Idaho. It’s more fun than I could have dreamed.http://www.mainsalmonrafting.com Running rapids, galloping on horseback, riding through a herd of water buffalo in an open air jeep, or looking down, down, down at the specks of people as your hot air balloon goes up, up, up, are all great examples of what you can expect from an adventure travel vacation. But there is even more! Solid planning and expertise are hallmarks of adventure travel that make these dramatic ‘highs’ possible. Exceptionally knowledgable guides, great food, stunning and peaceful outdoor settings, and hassle-free logistics are just a few of the basic features your adventure travel vacation is likely to include and ones we’ve chosen to highlight for you below. Experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly guides are an essential part of adventure vacations and professional adventure travel companies. These women and men love what they do and are excited and eager to share their passion with you, their guests. Most successful adventure travel company guides have years of experience leading trips or are paired with those who have led such trips in the past. In addition to technical expertise, guides have a wealth of knowledge about the regions in which they work. As a result, on adventure trips you learn much about the flora, fauna, natural history, and culture that surround you. On family trips, guides often have in their repertoire games, information sheets, books, and more specifically designed for children. The entire family learns first-hand from these skilled, accessible trip leaders, who present a wide range of information and gladly answer all of your questions. Guides are also equipped to handle medical concerns or emergencies in the field. Virtually every professional adventure guide has certifications in First-Aid and CPR, and many have trained specifically for wilderness or emergency medical situations. Though rare, should a medical problem arise on your trip, you and your children [...]