Next up in active travel company Great Freedom Adventures (GFA) Tour Leader spotlight is guide Hollis Plimpton. Hollis is starting his third season leading tours and he is, without question, an invaluable member of the GFA team. Guests on Hollis’ tours invariably comment on his ever-present smile and his unfailing good humor. Comments heard repeatedly are: “He put me totally at ease;” He’s so patient;” and “He made the tour so much fun!” His personality, coupled with his expertise in bike touring, outdoor sports, travel, and knowledge of each tour region, make him a strong, and fun, tour leader. And his status as an Eagle Scout sometimes comes in handy!
Hollis graduated from Elon University in 2013 with a degree in Business Administration. He studied in Australia and then stayed on in order to work in the travel industry for a year and a half. Since his return to the States, Hollis alternates between winters working and skiing at large west-coast ski areas, and warm weather months working as a GFA Tour Leader, guiding guests through some of the most beautiful terrain on the East Coast. Smart guy.
In between, Hollis and some equally intrepid buddies recently spent two months roaming Europe by bicycle, a trip that spanned six countries. The trip was fodder for some great stories so if Hollis is your tour guide, make sure to ask him to fill you in on some of their escapades!
Hollis has travelled extensively throughout the Northeast US but has a particular fondness for Cape Cod, Massachusetts. He grew up biking there and really enjoys sharing with guests all of the cool places that he knows about from his many years of exploring this special place.
We asked Hollis what he likes about leading tours for Great Freedom Adventures. “I enjoy the physical demands of leading tours – not just the cycling, but the creation of the delicious snack and lunch spreads, keeping the bikes in top shape, encouraging the guests and making sure everyone has what they need when they need it. All of this leads to a big sense of accomplishment at the end of each day.” Hollis also likes adventures of all kinds, strong coffee and partaking in the good food he sets out for guests!
We are very happy to have Hollis as part of the Great Freedom Adventures team and look forward to having many more guests benefit from his expert guidance. Just as importantly, we know how much fun and how many smiles are in store for these lucky guests! And for his part, Hollis is greatly looking forward to meeting new guests and reconnecting with returning Great Freedom Adventurers!
Jeanne Rummel
Great Freedom Adventures Founder