Good morning. After breakfast get ready for a bike ride along the southern coast of Crete where seemingly endless mountains provide hidden coves, which are home to picturesque villages. The dry heat makes riding comfortable and sightseeing almost effortless. This scene may seem dreamlike when driveways are piled high with snow, but it has become almost ordinary for Hamlin resident Dale Hart and his family. The former SUNY Brockport professor left the college scene to launch Classic Adventures, a high-end cycling and hiking international tour company. Now 25 years later, Hart stays on in a volunteer capacity (and as a guide) to help his son Benton, a 1986 Brockport High School graduate, lead the family business. "I knew I wasn't ready to retire when Benton took over the business," said Dale. "Benton has the expertise to do some great things for this business." After Brockport, Benton went on to earn his bachelor's degree in English and French and an MBA with a concentration in finance. Today, Classic Adventures is a thriving business that runs from March through October and employs between 10 and 15 people depending on the time of year. Classic Adventures offers between 30 and 40 excursions annually. The office is located on Roosevelt Highway in a converted barn. Dale and his wife of 41 years, Dianne, are originally from Ohio, but they moved into the area in 1971 when Dale was offered a teaching position at SUNY Brockport. At the college he taught Sociology of Sport, History of Sport and Modern Greek Language. Dianne taught English at Holley High School. The two have always shared a love for travel and hiking and biking, which led Dale to start the family business when he left SUNY Brockport. Dale and Dianne have shared their love for travel with their three sons Benton, Nathan and Jacob. Benton, who lived and went to school for a couple years in France, said he enjoys how traveling spices up his life. "Traveling breaks you out of your routine. It forces you to be flexible," said Benton. Flexibility has proven to be a necessary virtue for the staff of Classic Adventures as leading international tours can be a daunting task. The company caters to well-established, middle age professionals from around the country. Some come for the cycling and the hiking. Some come for the history, culture and the pampering amenities that include fine dining every night and beautiful spots to stay at the end of each day. Whatever the reason for signing up, the staff must constantly be focused on each individuals needs no matter how demanding. "They are accomplished people who have a limited amount of vacation time," said Benton. "It is our job to make the time they have as fantastic as possible." That means the tour leader will be up and out by 6 a.m. each day to mark the route, so that it is clear for the guests. Then it is back to the last night's accommodations to prepare a half hour presentation to be delivered as soon as the 8 a.m. breakfast is finished. While this is taking place, another staffer is working diligently to prepare the bike fleet. The tour will usually last until at least 5 p.m. The presentation is critical as part of the Classic Adventures experience as the company's niche is the expertise in history and culture that the tour guides are able to provide for each guest. This was Dale's intention when starting the company, and as the business grows it has helped to differentiate Classic Adventures from its competitors. "We're expected to have a library of knowledge on the history of the area we are touring," said Benton. This year, Classic Adventures will offer trips to Greece, Germany, France, Canada and even Mississippi and New York's wine country and Erie Canal. Trip costs range from just over $1,200 to slightly under $3,000 per person. The first trip this year will be to Mississippi's Natchez Trace. There, vacationers will delight in scrumptious tastes of the South, take in a great deal of Civil War history, and enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride while gazing at the breathtaking architecture that the area has to offer. While through business and pleasure the Hart family has almost covered the entire globe in their travels, coming back to Western New York still feels good. Benton and his wife, Sarah, have settled back where they grew up in the village of Brockport. "I can remember growing up, and many of my classmates saying that they couldn't wait to move out of here," said Benton. "I really like it here. Homecoming is always good for me." Note: Anyone interested in learning more about upcoming adventures can call the tollfree line at 1-800-777-8090. Some travel arrangements for these tours are made through All Seasons Travel, Brockport. |
