Swinging (and Biking and Swimming . . . ) Singles
Getting active provides an effective 'in' for unattached adventurers

By Heather Murphy
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Monday, September 25, 2006 1:14 AM

If your version of the perfect vacation involves sweat, tousled hair and meeting new people, many options await you.

Every day new packages pop up catering to a growing number of single adventure-lovers looking for the companionship and security that comes from traveling in a group.

Even if the idea of a "singles-only" vacation makes you cringe, there are thousand of singles-friendly options for travelers with packages organized around activities and destinations that naturally facilitate connections.

When sifting through the possibilities, carefully consider what you want to get out of your vacation, urges Diane Redfern Founder of Connecting: Solo Travel Network. By taking a more purpose-filled trip, she says, you increase your odds of meeting like-minded people.

Simply by being the sort of person who prefers moving to lounging on vacation, you have already improved your chances of finding people you'll click with.

Maybe you are a stressed-out urban executive looking for romance on a dude ranch. Maybe you are a cowboy who wants to learn to tango. Maybe you want to cycle across the country while volunteering; maybe you want to swing through a rainforest like Tarzan. Regardless of who you are and the type of adventure you are after, the list below should offer something to pique your interest.

Tango in Buenos Aires

In the world of dancing, it doesn't get much sexier than tango. If you are going to learn it, you might as well do so properly, in tango's birthplace, the cosmopolitan city of Buenos Aires.

El Abrazo Trips, named after "the embrace," a central element of Argentinean tango, offers one week intensive tango immersion experiences. Regardless of whether you aspire to learn the basics or become a professional, partners Ney Milo and Jennifer Bratt promise to help you improve your understanding of the sensual moves, the racy history and the complex culture.

Days are filled with technique classes and insider tours of the city. Nights are spent at milongas, wild -- yet sophisticated -- tango parties that keep going until dawn. Participants need not worry about dancing alone; El Abrazo pairs everyone up with experienced local dance partners.

According to Milo, when participants finally let go of their inhibitions and become comfortable connecting with the music and their partner, they will discover a whole new world.

Details: The next tour departs Dec 27, 2006 and returns Jan 3, 2007. The cost is $1500 without airfare. For more information go to http://www.close-embrace.com/contact.html, e-mail jennifer@close-embrace.com or call 718-753-0521.

Yoga in Thailand

The stunning island featured in the movie, "The Beach," does exist and is more than just a playground for Leonardo DiCaprio and his lovers. Phi Phi, as it is called, draws thousands of non-stars every year who are looking to expand their yoga repertoire on its perfectly white sandy shores.

Perched beneath palm trees and limestone cliffs is Yoga Traveller's retreat center where visitors from across the world gather to meditate, practice yoga and eat communal meals.

It's a bonding place, says founder Michelle Riordan. Between yoga sessions, new companions can rent kayaks, scuba dive and scale rock formations together.

While many yoga retreats attract primarily women, the abundance of adventure sports at the center tends to draw just as many men as women, says Riordan. At the end of the day, massages and fresh fruit drinks await.

Details: The Yoga Traveller Phi Phi retreat center is open all year. The cost is $690 in the high season (Nov - Apr) and $590 in the low season (May - Oct) for one week including accommodation, breakfast, yoga twice a day, meditation twice a day and snorkeling trip. For more information, e-mail info@yogatraveller.com or call +353(0) 868289178.

Wyoming Dude Ranch

If you have a thing for old Western movies, perhaps it's time to get out your Wranglers and snakeskin boots and head to Wyoming. Triangle C Ranch, located on a bluff above the Wind River with spectacular views of the Pinnacle Mountains, welcomes singles who want to give the cowgirl and cowboy lifestyle a try. "Our friendly ranch hands have put the 'Wild' back into Wild West," they boast on their Web site.

Days are spent riding horses through the back-country, fly fishing and hitting up rodeos. Nights are spent do-si-do-ing around fellow ranch mates and serenading new friends with good old-fashioned country songs.

"It's a good chance to meet people from all walks of life," said Jim Moulton, Assistant Director of the ranch. And he's not kidding: a recent program attracted unhitched adventurers ranging in age from 21 to 81.

Details: One week program, including meals, lodging and activities runs around $1850, but varies depending on the time of year. For more information, go to http://www.trianglec.com/, e-mail info@trianglec.com or call (800) 661-4928.

Biking for Housing

For those who aim to make a difference with their vacation time, there are programs that blend favorite athletic activities with passionate causes.

Participants in Bike and Build promote affordable housing while peddling across the country in shiny spandex shorts. The program sends hundreds of college students huffing and puffing across six different routes every summer. Once a week, volunteers lock up their bikes and get to work building living spaces and giving speeches about the need for low-income homes.

When you spend two months with people on the road, "you break down the facades and get to know people for who they really are," said program director Chris Webber. And while the mission may be serious, inevitably, "romance is in the air," he said.

Details: The program is open to 18-25 year-olds. While trips do not start up again until May, those interested are encouraged to apply soon because they will be asked to raise $4000 towards affordable housing projects. For more information, go to http://www.bikeandbuild.org/, e-mail info@bikeandbuild.org or call 718-599-5925.

Surfing Pilgrimage in Australia

Any Monday during the entire year you can hop aboard a bus in Sydney and follow the route that surfers in-the-know have been taking since the 1960s. With the guidance of several charismatic surf bums, you will learn to read and ride the waves off remote beaches, visit tiny towns overflowing with surfer lore while singing and drinking the soreness away with friendly folks from across the world.

The constant companionship, stunning beaches and charming nighlife make it one of the greatest surf trips for singles in the world, says Jose Gutierrez who oversees 60 surf camps for Nomad Surfers. Regardless of whether you are shy or wild, experienced or new to surfing, you are bound to have a great time, he says.

After five days of travel, pilgrims arrive in Byron Bay, a funky artist's colony.  Within a ten-minute radius of the Nomad Surfers camp, there are great beaches for beginners and experts alike, a marine reserve, a rain forest and a lively town, all overflowing with fascinating creatures. It's understandable that few revellers leave when they plan to.

Details: A two week package, including five-day bus tour along the coast and nine days in Byron Bay surf camp costs $995 (low season) / $1027 (high season). For more information, go to http://www.nomadsurfers.com, e-mail info@nomadsurfers.com or call 34- 971- 31 20 99.

Costa Rica

Zigzagging across the rain forest and climbing up a bubbling volcano are part of what Trish Sare, founder and director of BikeHike Adventures calls the "bread and butter" of singles travel.

For those who truly love to sweat, once a month the company offers the Ultimate Adventure Medley which packs mountain biking, rafting, sea kayaking, hiking and swinging on cables into ten days.

"Often you really connect out there in a way you might not be able to back home," says Sare who has watched numerous romances develop on the trip -- including several which led to marriage.

Details: A 10-day package, (land only) runs $1999 and during peak season, $2099. For more information, go to http://www.bikehike.com/costa_rica/, info@bikehike.com or call (888) 805-006.