Posts Tagged ‘asia’

Sustainable Dining In Hong Kong

March 9th, 2010

HongKongSustainableWildSnapper252869 681x1024 Sustainable Dining In Hong Kong

Sustainable seafood is an increasing trend in restaurants worldwide.

In Hong Kong, The Bostonian restaurant at The Langham recently unveiled a fully sustainable seafood à la carte menu including wild snapper (above).   It’s one of the first restaurants to go sustainable in the city.

Says Mark Bannon, executive chef.

‘This has been a hugely educational journey for the whole team. I am proud of what we have achieved, in a relatively short time, and even prouder that we can now boast a fully-sustainable seafood offering. The new à la carte menu has been created to complement the produce, so dishes are kept simple, allowing the quality to speak for itself.”

Until the end of May 2010, restaurant guests will receive 25% off their total food bill when ordering from the new à la carte menu.

For more info, visit The Langham online.

Image courtesy of  Langham Hotels

10 Cool Holidays You’ll Love

March 3rd, 2010

ItalianTouristBoardofUKSardinia 10 Cool Holidays Youll Love

Looking for the coolest holiday in the coolest place in 2010?

You might find it at UK ethical travel company responsibletravel.com which works with 300+ tour operators and 600 villas, lodges, B&Bs and small hotels.

Here are 10  cool  holidays:

1. Snorkeling & swimming holidays in Sardinia, Italy

2. Peru eco-lodge holiday in the Amazon rainforest

3. Portugal yurt holidays

4. Atlas, Sahara & Marrakech holiday

5. Vietnam Hill Tribe holiday

6. Yukon dog sledding holiday, Canada

7. Hiking the Inca Trail

8. Full Moon Festival & Shamanism, Nepal

9. Windsurfing holidays in Greece

10. Self-drive Cuba family holiday

For more holiday ideas, check out responsibletravel.com.

Image courtesy of Italian State Tourist Board

Yoga Holidays In Asia

February 9th, 2010

ThailandAbsoluteSanctuary235717 2 1024x682 Yoga Holidays In Asia

Yoga can help maintain and enhance your wellness in 2010.   There are yoga holidays offered around the world like at  ABSOLUTE SANCTUARY on Koh Samui, Thailand.

The Moroccan-inspired boutique wellness resort, which plans a new wing in 2010, specializes in detox, spa and yoga holiday programs. It is part of the ABSOLUTE GROUP that owns and operates ABSOLUTE YOGA, one of Asia’s yoga centers.  Established in 2002, ABSOLUTE YOGA is one of the  largest yoga studios in Thailand with 8 yoga centers and 2 studios in Singapore.

Opened in April 2009,  the resort has become a popular destination for detox and yoga holidays in Thailand and a yoga teacher training & retreat center. It has been recognized as the Best Themed Resort award by SKAL International (Koh Samui) and nominated for Best Spa Cuisine of the year by Asia Spa awards.

» Read more: Yoga Holidays In Asia

New Global Voluntours For 2010

January 29th, 2010

PlaneterraNepal People Ghorepani kids 2 1024x768 New Global Voluntours For 2010

Voluntours worldwide are growing holiday options for green travelers.

Recently, global voluntourism specialist Planeterra announced 11 new 2010 projects and volunteer holidays in The Americas, Asia and Africa.

Founded in 2003 by Gap Adventures, Planeterra is a global non-profit organization dedicated to sustainable community development through travel.

Says Richard G. Edwards, Planeterra’s Director:

“More than ever, community development, environmental and wildlife conservation projects around the world need the support of active travelers who are willing to take the time to understand what is needed and how they can help. Our programs are designed with great care so that everyone genuinely benefits while having fun learning about each other’s cultures.”

» Read more: New Global Voluntours For 2010

Cycling Cairo to Cape Town

January 26th, 2010

TourAfriqueSunGathering at the start

Fancy cycling across Africa?   Then you might want to check out small, socially responsible bike tour company Tour d’Afrique.

The Toronto-based, bike tour company is named for its annual flagship tour that crosses the African continent from Cairo to Cape Town (7,500 miles in 120 days).

» Read more: Cycling Cairo to Cape Town

10 Asia Blogs You’ll Love

January 19th, 2010
CarrieMySeveralWorldsflickr mosaic 10 Asia Blogs Youll Love

Photo credit: Carrie Kellenberger/My Several Worlds

Is Asia calling?   If it is, there are Asia blogs about everything Asia for everyone from travelers, foodies and expats to educators and photographers.

traveling greener loves My Several Worlds and other blogs by Taiwan-based freelance writer/editor Carrie Kellenberger.  What we love about her blogs is they’re global cool and eclectic with posts on Taiwan, traveling in Asia, art, culture, education, photography and more.

“I love writing. I love traveling. I love photography. I love Asia. I don’t need any more than this to be inspired,” she says.

Kellenberger launched My Several Worlds to keep her family and friends updated on her travels and adventures in Asia.  Since then, she launched another two sites – Taiwan Photographers and Best Beaches in Asia and a third – Lay Your Head Here with her husband.

Says Kellenberger:  “My plan for 2010 is to bring it all back home. I’ll still be writing about travel, destinations, cultures, and lifestyles, but I also want to go old school and start writing more about our personal observations, experiences and travels in Asia.”

Need more inspiration?  Here are 10 Asia Blogs You’ll Love:

1. My Several Worlds

2. Asian Ramblings

3. EatingAsia

4. Unearthing Asia

5. Mike’s Blender

6. Jamie Sinz

7. Annamatic

8. Stickyrice

9. Kunzum

10. Chris in South Korea

What are your favorite Asia blogs?  Share and tell us about them.

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

Gap Adventures’ Top 10 New Trips

November 23rd, 2009

GapAdventuresThailandSailing Gap Adventures Top 10 New Trips

Gap Adventures is increasing its worldwide offerings by 185 new trips in 2010.   The company is featuring dozens of new destinations, a new trip style and an expanded list of activity options.

Here are Gap’s Top 10 New Trips for 2o10:

1. Paris to Prague Adventure

2. Project Kenya and Safari

3. Budget Galapagos

4. Istanbul to Cairo Adventure

5. Thailand Sailing – Koh Phi Phi to Phuket

6. El Salvador Express

7. Mayan Encounter

8. Machu Picchu Adventure

9. Vic Falls to Zanzibar Overland

10. Sail Belize

For more trips, visit GapAdventures.com.

Voluntourism Opening Eyes

October 20th, 2009

PlanterraGiftOfSightProject Tibet-1

Global non-profit Planeterra Foundation is known for its voluntourism and sustainable community development through travel.

In one program, donors and tour participants contribute to Planeterra-funded eye camps in remote Tibetan villages.  These camps have restored the sight of hundreds of Tibetans and provided eye care to hundreds more.

Last month, the 2009 eye camp in Chabcha resulted in 86 successful sight restoration surgeries. A $50 donation will give Tibetan patients the ability to see the world around them and change their lives.

Says Richard Edwards, Planeterra director:

“Tibet has one of the highest rates of blindness in the world. Most of this blindness is due to cataracts, a disease associated with aging but also prevalent among children and the working class. Many are unable to reach a hospital because of poverty and lack of transportation. With scattered populations spread across great distances, surgical eye camps are the most efficient way to treat the high rate of disease.”

For more info on its voluntour programs, check out Planeterra online.
Image courtesy of Planeterra Foundation