Archive for the ‘adventure’ category

How To Go Penguin Spotting

February 16th, 2010

GapAdventuresPH Antarctica Wildlife penguin 03 2 1024x683 How To Go Penguin Spotting

Have you always wanted to go penguin spotting?  Then take a look at Gap Adventures which is committed to responsible tourism.

One of the world’s largest independently-owned adventure tour operators, Gap Adventures offers 1,000+ small group experiences, safaris and expeditions on all seven continents to 100,000+ travelers a year.   The company’s adventures focus on wildlife encounters, active travel and cultural interaction.

Right now, Gap Adventures is offering discounts of up to 15 per cent across several trips which all visit penguins in their natural environment.   Travelers can choose from voyaging around the Galapagos, cruising in Antarctica or an overland tour in South Africa.  Bookings must be made before 1 March 2010 and terms and conditions apply.

Make sure you quote PENGUINDAY10 (for Galapagos and Overland South Africa trips) or PENGUINDAY15 (for Antarctica trips)  if you’re booking online at GapAdventures.com.

The following Gap Adventures trips are included:

» Read more: How To Go Penguin Spotting

Train Safaris In South Africa

January 14th, 2010

SouthAfricaRailSafariStyle179323 2 1024x682 Train Safaris In South Africa

Fancy going on a luxury train safari in South Africa?

The Blue Train has announced a new package including a stylish safari in the Big 5 Pilanesberg Game Reserve with its new hotel partner Ivory Tree Game Lodge .  The trip aboard one of the country’s tourism icons promises South Africa’s stunning landscapes, safari adventure, luxury train travel and fine dining.

» Read more: Train Safaris In South Africa

In The Ocean Swims

January 13th, 2010
VanatuBlueHoleDavidKirkland219410 674x1024 In The Ocean Swims

Photo credit: Blue Hole Espiritu Santo/David Kirkland

Fancy an ocean swim in a tropical paradise?

Vanuatu has just announced its annual Vanuatu Ocean Swim series.   Two ocean swims make up this event coming up in Port Vila on June 12 and Espiritu Santo on June 15.

In Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, the first swim will be the 3.2Km or 1.5Km swim around Iririki Island in Port Vila Harbour.  The second swim will be in Espiritu Santo for 2.6Km swim across the Segond Channel to Aore Island.  Among the main attractions here are the white sand beaches, kayaking between small islands and swimming crystal clear blue holes.

Says Georgia Ditton, tourism representative:

“Each year the number of international entrants to these swims is increasing, particularly from Australia. Vanuatu is just so close, three and a half hours flight from Sydney and two and a half hours from Brisbane, which makes it a great destination for sporting events because it is affordable and accessible for a whole range of travellers. The swims are a great way for visitors to discover Vanuatu and really feel like they have achieved something at the same time.”

In 2010, other upcoming Vanuatu events will include an international kite surfing competition, a half marathon, a team long distance running relay around Efate Island and the  first Adventure Race.

10 Mountain Blogs You’ll Love

January 12th, 2010

Sti 1024x768 10 Mountain Blogs Youll Love

We’ve just launched LiveTravelMountains.com, a new blog dedicated to mountain travel and living everywhere.  Come by and tell us about your mountain business, organization, event or story.

LiveTravelMountains.com is inspired by mountain hiking blogs around the world. What are your favorite mountain hiking blogs?

Here are 10 Mountain Hiking Blogs You’ll Love:

1. i, cjw ~.::.~ hiking and climbing in japan

2. Hiking Camping

3. Modern Hiker

4. Ulster Walker

5. Trailspotting

6. Gear Talk with Jason Klass

7. winehiker witiculture

8. Just. Running.

9.  Hiking in Finland

10. Hiking Blogs

Walking Rainforests

January 11th, 2010

Rainforest2 21 688x1024 Walking Rainforests

Walking is an easy, inexpensive way to travel greener in 2010.

You can walk more wherever you’re traveling from Bangkok to New York and whatever you’re doing from business traveling to honeymooning.

Walking lets you experience the sights, sounds, scents and energy of your destination.  Up close and personal, you can meet residents, learn about  local culture and feel the pulse of everyday life there.

» Read more: Walking Rainforests

Into The Wild Photography

January 7th, 2010
Iceland - Bird cliffs, Snaefellsnes peninsula

Photo credit: Martin Sammtleben

Are you passionate about travel photography?  Then you may be intrigued by Wild Photography Holidays which specializes in small-group photography holidays and workshops in unique locations in Iceland, northern Spain and India.

The company has just announced its new summer 2010 departures to Iceland.  Its four new Icelandic itineraries are : Southern Contrasts – Glaciers, Volcanoes & Waterfalls; Flowers and Landscapes of the East; Trails of the Deserted Fjords and Highland Exposure.

Says Geraldine Westrupp, co-owner, Wild Photography Holidays:

“Iceland’s young, raw, dramatic landscapes and superb ambient light combine to produce an incredible array of photographic opportunities that are quite simply without equal. By venturing beyond the beaten track, each of our distinctly different and well-paced holidays makes the most of Iceland’s wide open spaces and stunning natural scenery, allowing guests to capture unique images of places that few other visitors have seen.”

» Read more: Into The Wild Photography

Planning A 2010 Trip To Africa?

December 18th, 2009

GapAdventuresDAWD banner wildlife zebra eye Planning A 2010 Trip To Africa?

Are you planning a 2010 trip to Africa?

Then you might be interested in the Gap Adventures Africa Overland program. Recently, the adventure travel company announced it will guarantee all Africa Overland departures through to mid-2010 except for the standalone Kenya and Tanzania Overland trip (DKTO).

The Africa Overland tour network features 40+ itinerary options in nine countries including some 20 new 2010  options.  Among these African destinations are small villages in Malawi; isolated beaches on Zanzibar and adventure spots in Victoria Falls and Jinja.

Says Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip:

“These guaranteed departures provide a fantastic opportunity for our passengers to explore more of Africa’s pristine destinations in the sustainable, authentic manner they expect from us. Adventurers can rest assured that their once-in-a-lifetime journeys to embrace Africa’s beautiful and bizarre wildlife and culture will depart as planned.”

For more info, check out Gap Adventures online.

Image courtesy of Gap Adventures

The Adventures of Wicked Campers

December 17th, 2009

WickedCampers239076 2 1024x768 The Adventures of Wicked Campers

Road tripping across Europe can be a wild, cheap (and greener) adventure.   If you’ve already booked stays in Amsterdam Hotels and Barcelona Hotels, you have diverse transportation options.

Just ask  bargain campervan company Wicked Campers, which rents out its funky campervans complete with graffiti, built-in kitchen and accommodation or tents for larger vehicles.

Wicked Campers is offering discounted winter rates for travel throughout Europe until April 1/2010.  Starting from £288 per week, their prices include a two-berth campervan with pick-up and drop-off in London, insurance for two drivers aged 25 and over, unlimited mileage and roadside assistance.

The company also offers one-way packages and depots in European cities including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Malaga and Munich.

» Read more: The Adventures of Wicked Campers

Journeys Within Southeast Asia

December 11th, 2009

JourneysWithinA Hmong woman (About Laos)

Are you planning a trip to Southeast Asia?   Then you might fancy one of the new 2010 customizable tours from Journeys Within, a boutique Southeast Asia tour company.

Called “pioneers in philanthropic travel” by Conde Nast, Journeys Within is recognized for its efforts to positively impact local communities in Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.  Here are the company’s new 2010 customizable tours:

Culinary Immersion:  “From the spice of Thai food to the exotic textures of Laos cuisine and the sour mixes found in Cambodia, this tour takes travelers through these amazing countries while tantalizing their taste buds along the way. Highlights include cooking classes in each city focused on local cuisine, eating with a local family, visiting the Grand Palace in Bangkok, riding elephants in Chiang Mai, and much more.”

Give As You Go Tour: “This tour offers travelers a chance to see the highlights in each country, but also positively impacts the communities they are visiting. This tour visits important community projects in Cambodia that were developed by Journeys Within.”

» Read more: Journeys Within Southeast Asia

Gap Adventures’ New Lifetime Deposits

December 11th, 2009

PlaneterraEcotourismssustainable travel-2

Have you ever had to postpone a trip and been forced to pay additional charges?

Gap Adventures has now adopted a new Lifetime Deposit policy which lets passengers postpone trips indefinitely at no extra charge.  The company says it understands that travel plans change and sometimes need to be delayed and listened to traveler feedback.

The adventure tour operator offers 1,000+ small group experiences, safaris and expeditions on all seven continents to more than 100,000 travelers a year.  Its  adventures focus on wildlife encounters, active travel and cultural interaction, ideal for travelers who want to get off-the-beaten track and experience local culture.

In an adventure travel industry first, passengers who forced to delay a departure will now retain their initial deposit with Gap Adventures for life. The no-questions-asked Lifetime Deposit policy allows passengers to save their initial deposits with Gap Adventures for use at a later date.

Says Bruce Poon Tip, founder of Gap Adventures:

“We see this as an opportunity to once again demonstrate our commitment to leading with service and change this industry-standard practice. We understand the needs of our travelers and we feel that providing this extra flexibility will enhance their travel experiences with us. Under the new policy, deposits are also transferable. Our passengers are telling us they need flexibility now more than ever.  This new policy fits in perfectly with our core mission to provide the best customer service in the industry, which is an essential part of the life-changing adventures that our loyal travellers have come to expect from Gap Adventures.”

The original passenger may transfer the initial deposit to another traveler of their choice at no additional charge. They can also donate their deposit to the non-profit Planeterra Foundation – Gap Adventures will then match the value of that donation.

For more details, check out GapAdventures.com.

Image courtesy of Planeterra Foundation