Going Greener In The Caribbean

February 9th, 2010 by Sonya No comments »

TaraPenthouseBalconyh 2 1024x614 Going Greener In The Caribbean

Green Caribbean resort Bucuti Beach Resort has launched a new, eco-friendly Experience Aruba Green Package.

On the white sands of Aruba’s Eagle Beach, the 104-room boutique resort for couples features Tara Beach Suites & Spa.  Known for its sustainable tourism, Bucuti has been recognized by the Caribbean Hotel Association and the International Hotel and Restaurant Association for its environmentally responsible hotel operations.

Says Ewald Biemans, Bucuti’s owner:

“At Bucuti, we are passionate about preserving the environment so we can share Aruba’s beauty and culture with guests for years to come.  The Experience Aruba Green Package will allow guests to experience some of the island’s spectacular sights, while also learning about our history and ecology. We hope this will help our guests develop a true sense of place.”

» Read more: Going Greener In The Caribbean

Walking In Wine Country

February 9th, 2010 by Sonya No comments »

Kunde Sonma Valley 2 1024x819 Walking In Wine Country

Fancy walking in California wine country?   Kunde Family Estate has recently announced 2010 Eco-Education hikes including dog hikes and taste tours of the 1,850-acre estate.

Recently, the estate received third-party certification from the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) for its ecologically sensitive winegrowing practices.   The family’s sustainable farming efforts have also earned awards including the 2nd Level Green Business Certification given by the San Francisco Bay Area Green Business Program in 2005 and 2009.

» Read more: Walking In Wine Country

Top 10 Green Travel Stories

February 5th, 2010 by Sonya 5 comments »

HotelSoStandardDoubleRoom137063 21 1024x659 Top 10 Green Travel Stories

Thanks so kindly for all the support in 2010!

Looking back, here are our Top 10 Blog Posts so far in 2010:

1. The World’s Most Sustainable Hotel

2. Top 12 Eco-Tours in 2010?

3. Going Greener In France

4. 10 Asia Blogs You’ll Love

5. Into The Wild Photography

6. Walking Rainforests

7. 10 Mountain Blogs You’ll Love

8. Train Safaris In South Africa

9. Cycling Northern Spain

10. 10 iPhone Apps You’ll Love

Image courtesy of Hotel SO

How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

February 5th, 2010 by Sonya 2 comments »

VancouverAquariumOceanWiseviewer How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

Will you be traveling to Vancouver, British Columbia for the 2010 Olympics or on vacation?   If so, when you’re dining out, ask about Ocean Wise, a leading Canadian sustainable seafood program.

Founded by the Vancouver Aquarium in January 2005, the program gives consumers and travelers information on making smart seafood choices.

The Ocean Wise logo on a restaurant menu, deli-counter or seafood product has become a  symbol of ocean-friendly seafood choices.  Whether you’re buying canned tuna at the supermarket or spicy tuna rolls at a sushi restaurant, look for the symbol on a restaurant menu, display case or product.

In 2009, Ocean Wise went national in Canada from coast to coast with partners from Halifax, NS to Victoria, BC.  Today, Ocean Wise works with 300 partners from the restaurant, supplier and retail sectors at 2700+ locations.

Says Ocean Wise:

“Overfishing is the number one problem facing the world’s oceans. Ocean Wise addresses this critical issue by promoting sustainable fishery practices to prevent habitat destruction and enable species to thrive at optimum population numbers. The program enables Canadians to make environmentally-friendly seafood choices.”

Here are the BC locations where you’ll Ocean Wise:

» Read more: How To Be Ocean Wise In Vancouver

A Caribbean Spring Break

February 4th, 2010 by Sonya No comments »

Hibiscus Bedroo 0493 33064 A Caribbean Spring Break

Need a Caribbean spring break?  Well, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is now offering 40+ percent savings on late winter trips through spring break escapes.  The deal is available for travel through April 30, 2010 when booked by February 28, 2010.

Inspired by Mediterranean hillside villages, the luxury green resort is set on a white-sand beach with suites and villas across 60 tropical acres on the Caribbean island of St. Lucia.  This new “Luxury All-Inclusive Special” for nightly double occupancy also includes weekly $350 resort credit.

» Read more: A Caribbean Spring Break

Best Southeast Asia Tour In 2010?

February 3rd, 2010 by Sonya 8 comments »

JourneysWithinSunset on the Mekong

Are you looking for a Southeast Asia tour?  Then think about the Mekong Experience with Journeys Within.

The boutique Southeast Asia tour company recently announced the 2010 itinerary along the Mekong River, from China to the Vietnam coast over 28 days.  The tour transportation will range from a 34-foot cruise boat to a local long tail boat.

Says the company:

“(This tour) gives travelers the chance to explore the countries of the Mekong River for a truly immersive cultural experience. The Mekong River is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, and on this trip guests will be escorted down this amazing river from Yunnan Province, China to the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, visiting the six countries that lie along its banks.”

» Read more: Best Southeast Asia Tour In 2010?

Going Greener In Scotland

February 3rd, 2010 by Sonya No comments »

UKLochMelfortHotel231428 1024x682 Going Greener In Scotland

If you’re traveling in Scotland, then you’ll find a greener hotel at Loch Melfort Hotel at Arduaine by Oban.

The hotel was recently given an “Excellent Social Responsibility” (Small Hotel) award because “it can demonstrate best how they had a positive and sustainable impact on the wider community, for example through ethical sourcing, environmental protection or energy conservation.”

Says Loch Melfort’s owner, Calum Ross:

“(My wife) Rachel and I are thrilled to win this award, as it recognizes the efforts the whole team at Loch Melfort go to, not just to ‘go green’ and protect the local countryside and wildlife, but also to be at the heart of our community”.

In 2009, the hotel supported the National Trust for Scotland’s Arduaine Garden by working with the Garden, offering admission services, planning special events and promoting NTS membership to guests.

For  more info, check out the Loch Melfort Hotel website.

Image courtesy of Loch Melfort Hotel

How To Be Dolphin Smart

February 2nd, 2010 by Sonya No comments »
7Credit-Dolphin Ecology Project-2

Photo credit: Dolphin Ecology Project

Florida program Dolphin SMART is striving to preserve wild bottlenose dolphins in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. 

The program hopes to engage local tour operators who offer dolphin watching excursions to become environmental stewards.

Dolphin SMART was developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and National Marine Fisheries Service, together with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society and the Dolphin Ecology Project.

Here are Dolphin SMART’s 5  guidelines for observing dolphins:

  • “Stay at least 50 yards away.”
  • “Move cautiously if the dolphins display any signs of disturbance.”
  • “Always keep the boat in neutral when dolphins are near.”
  • “Refrain from swimming with, feeding or touching the dolphins.”
  • “Tell others about the Dolphin SMART program.”

For more info, check out Dolphin SMART here.

10 Eco-Film Festivals You’ll Love

February 2nd, 2010 by Sonya 2 comments »

Rhodes Ecofilms10-POSTER_SITE

Are you planning to attend an eco-film festival in 2010?   There are a surprising number of eco-film festivals planned around the world.

This year, traveling greener is dreaming about visiting the Greek island of Rhodes for its Ecofilms International Film & Visual Arts Festival.  “An open forum embracing the human and the ecology of the mind”, this festival will show documentaries, shorts and features with environmental and ecological themes.

Here are 10 Eco-Film Festival sites you’ll love:

1. Ecofilms Festival

2. San Francisco Ocean Film Festival

3. Catalonia International Environmental Film Festival

4. Cinema Planeta

5. Ecofilm Fest 2010

6. Blue Planet Film Fest

7. Planet in Focus

8. Ecovision Festival

9. Environmental Film Festival

10. Environmental Film Festival Network

What is your favorite eco-film festival?  Tell us about it.

Image courtesy of Ecofilms Festival


Free Travel Guide Downloads

February 1st, 2010 by Sonya No comments »

DKEyewitnessTravel209964 Free Travel Guide Downloads

Fancy free travel guide downloads (and who doesn’t)?  Well, DK Eyewitness is now offering free downloadable travel guides.

traveling greener loves this paperless, travel guide option. Using the site’s create-a-guide tool, you can choose info on sights, attractions, restaurants, hotels and shops and Eyewitness Travel Guide content with members’ content.

Or you can just download and print guides created by traveldk members.  Some of these hundreds of shared guides include ‘Paris on Film’;  ‘Thrills in Orlando’ and  ‘Best Mojito in London’.

You can actually access 10,000+  images, maps, and content from the DK Eyewitness Top 10 series and create and share your own guides.

For more info, check out DK Eyewitness online.

Image courtesy of DK Eyewitness