DuVine Adventures has expanded its team with the addition of Deborah Newmark, Travel Coordinator Pre & Post Travel Plans; Neshelle Loessi, Accounting Manager; and Dede Sullivan, Marketing Manager.
DuVine Adventures attributes its growth and success to the continued triumph of new partnerships and new business. With the recent accolade of being selected as one of the Best Adventure Travel Outfitters on Earth for 2009 by National Geographic Adventure Magazine, kudos from Peter Greenberg, and sustained sales growth, “DuVine finds now is the best time to hire the most qualified individuals, thus reaping rewards for both our clients and our staff” said President Andy Levine.
Deborah Newmark brings a wealth of experience to DuVine, with her 15 years of travel industry history with Quantas Airways ranging from Reservations Sales Manager, Operations Manager, to Senior Business Analyst. Deborah’s familiarity with all facets of the industry creates a perfect match for her role as Travel Coordinator.
Neshelle Loessi comes to DuVine from South Brisbane, Australia where she held various roles in Account Management and Bookkeeping at Faulkner Technologies and Office Management at Vision 6 Technologies. She holds a degree in Business Administration from Phillipine Women’s University.
As Marketing Manager, Dede Sullivan will be responsible for developing and expanding DuVine’s marketing efforts – including social media strategy and all facets of website content and management. She brings a diverse background in Publicity and Sales Management to DuVine, holds a B.A. in Art History from Mount Holyoke College and is also an avid cyclist.
All are a welcome complement and great match to the existing management team – with its original owner of 14 years, President Andy Levine; 3 year Vice President, Alisa de Gaspe Beaubien; and 5 year European Trip Manager, Camille Dumont.
Have you been dying to go on a bicycling vacation but can’t find any willing friends, etc to join you? Why let that stop you?
I keep hearing my fellow cyclists and triathlete friends complaining about how they want to take a bike trip that includes participating in some of the activities they love, but just can’t seem to convince their fellow travelers to do anything more than wade up to the poolside bar. Why spend money on a vacation that isn’t what you want?
Actually, truth be told, it’s not just ‘my friends’ that feel this way – I, too, share in that sentiment. I finally realized that it’s not worth the effort trying to cajole my friends into a trip that is only going to satisfy me. Why not just go it alone, meet some new people who actually share that same spirit of adventure and are happy to be out and about riding alongside you? Honestly, some of my most memorable and exciting trips have been while traveling solo.
Do you have a similar story? Tell us about it…
And remember, you can always treat yourself to a cycling trip designed by you and for you – you don’t have to sit and wait for your buddies to come around.
Are you looking for an escape to an exotic island but want do more than just relax on the beach, soak up the sun and listen to the soothing sound of surf? Who said you can’t have it all? Sun, sand, sea and cycling – the perfect ingredients for the comprehensive vacation.
This spectacular Mediterranean island off the coast of Spain is every cyclist’s dream – from weekend warrior to professional athlete. With an abundance of flat terrain, sunny skies, rolling hills, challenging mountain passes, beautiful landscapes, small ancient villages, turquoise water and traffic free roads – this is the cycling trip of a lifetime. The cycling options are endless – experienced riders can take it to the extreme on the same category climbs where the pros train, and beginner cyclists who want to take it easy can enjoy the rolling flats along the breathtaking coastline.
And that’s just the cycling. Remember, this is the tour with MORE! In addition to the exotic beaches and year round pleasant temperatures, this island is rich in architecture and history, has superb hotels, Michelin star restaurants with gourmet Mediterranean cuisine, and an active nightlife.
Take the tour that offers more – plan a bicycling trip to Mallorca this May.
If a cycling tour of Bordeaux embodies DuVine’s original inspirational vision, a bicycle trip through Provence represents the essence our mission – to engage your senses, nurture your curiosity and pamper your tastes.
Provence – the name itself evokes images of lavender fields, olive trees, the aroma of rosemary and sage, tapanade, goat cheese, pastis, Muscat, the land of Cezanne and Van Gough, the world of Peter Mayle. Life at an easier pace.
May is a wonderful month to spend touring Provence on bike. The sun is out most days, the strong summer heat has yet to arrive, and the Mediterranean spirit fills the air with warmth and an unhurried pace. Slow down and let Provence soak into your soul and reverberate through all of your senses.
Bike through vestiges of ancient Roman settlements, medieval hilltop villages, and miles of lush green vineyards; Eat crispy hot toasts slathered with garlic aioli or an olive and anchovy tapenade; Drink at café to reenergize with a café au lait or a pastis, a traditional anise-flavored liqueur; Sleep at an oasis of peace and quiet, beautifully integrated into the natural splendour of its surroundings.
Engage, nurture and pamper yourself this May on a bicycle tour of Provence.
Join DuVine and wine your way through Bordeaux on this intense ‘wine training camp’. Cycle through the vineyards that have made Bordeaux wines the best in the world. This bicycle tour is a vinophile’s dream. Imagine biking along lovely country roads to grand Bordeaux appellations: St. Emilion, Pomerol, and Margaux where you will delight in privately arranged tastings, swirling some of the best wines imaginable – from exquisite Cabernets to dry Sauvignon Blancs. With the help of your guides’ knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for both wine and cycling, you will break through that plateau – taking you from wine enthusiast to Bordeaux expert!
DuVine was born of a passion for wine and cycling – and this trip epitomizes that vision.
Bike trip heaven – Bordeaux bliss.
Yet another ‘local’ option is to travel north to Canada (where you can actually take advantage of the exchage rate) and experience the Okanagan Valley - the ‘Napa of the North’.
The Okanagan region is known for its production of award winning wines, and is the oldest and most prolific wine growing region in Canada. With over 30 wineries, spectacular mountain vistas and beautiful lakes, the Okanagan Valley makes a gorgeous setting for a DuVine Cycling Adventure. Add to that its arid climate, great roads, sun and naturally terraced landscape, and you have all the ingredients for a perfect cycling trip. Late summer/early fall is the perfect time visit the region, and DuVine offers two opportunities to discover this Napa of North.
Come and check out our exciting new bicycle tour of the Okanagan Valley!
Continuing on the ‘closer to home’ theme – why not come to New England and discover what the phenomenon of summer on the Cape is all about?
As native New Englanders, we at DuVine know that the secret to enjoying this classic coastal escape is on bike – far away from all of the summer traffic – along the car-free Cape Cod Rail Trail. Our multi-sport trip of Cape Cod and Nantucket will have you pedaling through coastal villages, alongside cranberry bogs, lush marshlands, lighthouses and rolling sand dunes. Off the bike, you’ll stroll the beaches, kayak, visit museums, and whale watch. All this, and you’ll still have free time to relax and explore all that this charming coastal region of New England has to offer.
Come and spend the classic American holiday in the classic New England beach town. Trip begins July 5th!
And, yes, there are still more domestic bicycle trips to discuss…stay tuned.
I’ve received a several inquiries from our US travelers about whether we have any bike tours that are closer to home (and do not require any international travel/currency change.) The answer is YES! We have plenty of options.
One of our newest cycling adventures is a tour of Southern Utah and its awe-inspiring parks of Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and Cedar Breaks National Monument. This multi-sport adventure combines daily hiking and biking trips designed to enhance your experience of the panoramic vistas of these soaring multi-hued rock formations.
When not out and about exploring, kick back by the pool, treat yourself to a spa day at one of St. George’s renowned spas, or to a round of golf on the hotel’s award wining course.
This tour is also great for a family vacation. If you’ve always planned on taking the kids to see the Grand Canyon, why not expand on that destination-only based trip and make it an active bike holiday!
There’s nothing we value more than keeping in touch with our DuVine friends. Whether it’s a story from one of your bicycle tours, tales from a recent soiree, or simply how you keep the spirit of DuVine alive – we’d love to hear about it!
Why keep the excitement to yourself? Send us your photos, describe your latest epic ride, share those bike trip encounters and tales from the road with your extended DuVine family. Check out some of our recent bike tour reviews. And it needn’t be just about a specific DuVine trip…
Hey Andy-
I’m loving the bike jersey! Last week we went to San Francisco, rented some bikes and the photo attached is me riding over the Golden Gait Bridge wearing the very cool Duvine jersey.
I think my husband Mark may have been a little jealous.
Thank you again,
Ridgely
So keep it coming, folks – it’s just that simple. Comment on our blog, post on our Facebook page , tweet us a message, and become part of our DuVine online community.
Check out our Facebook page to view Ridgely’s photo.
Our California bike tours are focused on Napa and Sonoma. With great weather, breathtaking scenery and over 500 vineyards, the wine valleys of Napa and Sonoma are a cyclist’s paradise. Leave the streets of San Francisco behind, head up along the rugged Sonoma Coast, inland through redwood forests, and down into these bountiful valleys to experience the world of wine country.
bike the rolling valleys, through vineyards or surrounding mountains…eat some of the best gourmet cuisine in the region… drink at world renown vineyards, private wine tastings, and initmate cellar samplings… sleep in some of the most luxurious and unique properties in the region…
This tour of California is guaranteed to please all – from those seeking family fun to super-fit pros. Come explore Napa and Sonoma the DuVine way.
