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 About the website Newsletter Archives Press Clippings Client Log-in Passport information (from U.S. State Dept) Trip Evaluation (Hiking) Trip Evaluation (Heritage) |
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In 1995, the first group of Walking Softly adventurers set forth on a journey to the Italian Dolomites. Ever since, we've continued to invest our time and energy in developing and delivering high quality hiking trips that put you in touch with Europe's most striking landscapes. We never forget that a Walking Softly adventure is your adventure. We firmly believe that the first job of a trip leader is to facilitate your travel experience. Our job is to set the stage and choreograph the trip so you're free to explore and enjoy. Relax and let us handle the details! We'll work to make sure your journey abroad is rich, rewarding, and memorable! We’d like to thank you again for the wonderful trip you put together for us. The locations, accommodations, meals, variety and schedule made our week as enjoyable as it could possibly be! You are elite professionals; that combined with your individual skills and charm…make "Walking Softly" a wonderful success! --SUSAN LAWRENCE AND LEE JALOVEC Trip Leaders |
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Amy and John Osaki are the owners of Walking Softly Adventures. Amy Boyce Osaki, an award-winning educator and former park ranger, attended university in Europe. She holds a masters degree in the decorative arts from the renowned Winterthur Museum and is an adjunct professor at Portland State University. She studied art, history, and language at the Sorbonne in Paris and was Curator of Education at the Portland Art Museum for six years. Amy is a Certified Travel Counseler, a level of professional certification that is the travel industry’s highest. | |
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John Osaki’s love for the mountains deepened during the years he worked as a backcountry ranger in Washington’s Olympic National Park. He is an accomplished photographer and has spent two decades administering interpretive programs in national parks and forests. He recently traveled to Africa as a consultant to the World Wildlife Fund in ecotourism development for national parks and protected areas in two Central African nations. With Amy he has hiked, climbed, and photographed mountains on four continents. | |
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We have never experienced travel with leaders who attended to every detail with such dedication. Walking Softly Adventures attracts delightful people for a thoroughly enjoyable adventure. --SHIRLEY & DEAN SCHAMP |
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Steve and Jo Zimmermann, a husband-wife team, were clients on a Walking Softly hiking trip in the Dolomites several years ago, so they know first-hand what a Walking Softly experience is all about! They are both doctoral-level school psychologists whose travel experiences have fueled their interest in people and communication. | |
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In addition to their shared passion for hiking and other outdoor activities, Steve and Jo enjoy exploring the art, music, food, and wine of different cultures. We know you'll enjoy their warm, engaging, and good-humored style. | |
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Steve and Jo were patient and so thoroughly customer-oriented. They bent over backwards to make sure we had the best adventure. They made the trip wonderful. --RUTH AND DAN WIMBERLY |
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Patrick and Suzanne Feeney possess a wealth of experience with mountain environments. Both are accomplished in hiking, climbing, rafting, sea kayaking, and cross-country skiing. They have hiked extensively in the Italian Dolomites, the French Maritime Alps, and the mountains of Ireland and Scotland. Patrick has over 20 years of experience leading extended wilderness trips and is a former Associate Director of the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School. | |
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In addition to her other outdoor pursuits, Suzanne is an avid cyclist. She has led trips to Mexico, Ireland, Scotland and England. Patrick holds a law degree, and Suzanne is a professor at Portland State University. | |
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Patrick and Suzanne were outstanding: prepared, experienced, flexible and always in good spirits. The were...perhaps the primary reasons for our trip's success. --STEVEN AND LINDA SCOTT |
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Craig Romano is an accomplished outdoorsman whose passion for hiking has led him to seek out trails in North and South America, North Africa, Japan and Europe. He runs competitively and has cycled across the United States on three occasions. In addition Craig loves to ski, snowshoe, and canoe. He holds a graduate degree in education, and his work as a freelance writer and photographer has appeared in several magazines including Backpacker, Canoe and Kayak, Northwest Travel, Sports Etc., and Northwest Runner. He is the author of Day Hiking, Olympic Peninsula published by the Mountaineers Press. | |
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Heather Scott is a talented linguist and avid adventurer with an impressive travel resume. She has traveled, hiked and backpacked in the United States, Canada, Paraguay, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Costa Rica, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia, Tunisia, Indonesia, and Japan. She holds a degree in Spanish and is accomplished in French, Italian, Portuguese, and German. She honed her linguistic talents during residencies in Chile and Germany and by teaching English in Ukrainian and Latino communities in the U.S. | |
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You have a true gem in Heather and Craig...[they] were a wealth of information regarding area history, flora and fauna. They were very upbeat and spread their time equally between all members of the tour. They were both extremely top-notch and full of energy. --MARILYN PERKINS |
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Local Guides. We involve only those rare individuals who can blend personality, knowledge and skill to enhance your experiences with the places they call home. Christian Denicolo, a mountain guide in the Italian Dolomites, introduces you to the distinctive cultural landscape of the South Tyrol. Dee Cunningham and Hege Strømme own a mountain farm in fjord Norway and provide you with new insights on Norway’s people and landscapes. Gabor Orban is a bird and wildlife enthusiast, hiker, and owner of an ecotourism company. He'll open your eyes to the natural treasures of central Europe and his native Hungary. | |
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Krasimir Ivanov and Asen Marinov are Bulgarian mountain guides who ensure that you'll have a memorable encounter with the beautiful mountains of their homeland. | |
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You do a wonderful job of caring for your travelers, and we recommend Walking Softly to others. --BERNICE STEARNS AND MEL TAYLOR
The whole trip went so smoothly. All the details were taken care of and everyone had plenty of space to do what they wanted. John and Steve were so nice and very accommodating. Thanks for stressing for us! --HEATHER WADE What wasn’t wonderful about our leaders? You attended to every detail bringing a freshness and enthusiasm to us first-timers. --SHERRE AND LARRY BARNETT The skill, warmth and caring that Amy and John put into the trip gives great pleasure. Their courtesy in introducing the innkeepers attests to their positive relationship with staff as well as guests. --SALLY SAMPLE I can’t say enough about our hosts and their flawless arrangements, good humor, and concern for everyone’s comfort. --ROSALIE GITTINGS You do outstanding work to let your clients play! --LINDA ALDASSY Over many years experience I have never hiked with anyone who had more knowledge of the trails, history and local color than Steve, Jo and John. Within a day or two I knew I was hiking with good friends who happened to be the most professional guides too! --DALE SURAN Another unexpected value was in how relaxed we could be. We didn't have to worry about how to get anywhere, what the trail might really be like and all the hundreds of things that so often add tension to travel. --BARB STEWART Craig, Heather and John were all fabulous—great humor, exceptionally organized, really fun to spend time with! They were all sensitive to the various needs of the group, flexible, and full of advice. I felt very pampered!! --FREDA SHERBURNE |
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© Walking
Softly Adventures, Inc., PO Box 86250, Portland, OR 97286 |
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