Posts Tagged ‘heritage’

Mad About Mallorca

March 25th, 2010

MallorcaFarmhousesMainFloor182251 2 1024x682 Mad About Mallorca

Staying in farmhouses can lead to authentic country living and travel experiences.

That’s why traveling greener loves the idea of Mallorca Farmhouses which offers traditional fincas, country cottages and rustic retreats for holiday rentals.  Many of the company’s properties are located within or near rural villages on the Spanish island.

Says Mallorca Farmhouses:

“Mallorca boasts more than simply sun, sea, sand and sangria. Head into the island’s interior and visitors will discover picturesque cobbled villages, thriving local markets, wild pine-clad hills teeming with birds and butterflies and undulating countryside with fields of almond, olive and lemon groves.”

» Read more: Mad About Mallorca

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Finding Time In New Zealand

March 8th, 2010

TIMENewZealand253071 2 1024x682 Finding Time In New Zealand

Are you fascinated by global indigenous culture and biodiversity?   Then take a look at New Zealand tours by Auckland tourism company TIME Unlimited Tours.

Recently, the company won the global Indigenous Tourism and Biodiversity Website Award 2010, a collaboration between Planeta.com and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity/UNEP (CBD) and Heidehof Foundation.

This award is presented to an indigenous tourism operation “which has a website that promotes sustainable practices and educates visitors on cultural protocols and biodiversity conservation.”

» Read more: Finding Time In New Zealand

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Going Greener In France

January 25th, 2010

GoGreenAlsace179059 2 1024x477 Going Greener In France

If you’re planning a greener holiday in France, then you might want to explore Alsace in 2010.

The region has an increasing choice of green accommodation from hotels and lodges to farms.  For eco-holiday activities, Alsace boasts two nature parks, 21 nature reserves, wildlife parks, 1,300+ kms of marked cycle touring routes and locations ideal for walking, horse riding, canoeing and climbing.

» Read more: Going Greener In France

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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

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Posted in adventure, culture, cycling, education, news, travel companies, walking

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Iceland’s “Pompeii of the North”

December 7th, 2009
Icelandwww.arcticimages.com2 Icelands Pompeii of the North

Photo credit: www.arctic-images.com

A new ferry pier on Iceland’s south coast will offer the first high-speed ferry link to the Westman Islands, known as the site of Iceland’s “Pompeii of the North”.

Scheduled to open in July 2010, the new Bakkafjara pier will reduce crossing times to Heimaey, the largest and only inhabited island of the Westman Islands, to just 25 minutes, with up to seven crossings per day.   Travelers will no longer be limited to either flying or taking a 2 hour 45 minute ferry crossing from Þorlákshöfn pier on the Reykanes peninsula.

» Read more: Iceland’s “Pompeii of the North”

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Feeling Christmas In New York

November 19th, 2009

NewYorkStateChristmas2008 WF 72dpi sharp 0123 Feeling Christmas In New York

If you’re traveling or living in New York, the state will  be getting into the Christmas spirit soon with upcoming, local festive events.

Here are some of the winter activities and deals:

Lights on the Lake, Onondaga NY
Lights on the Lake is a two-mile-long drive-through show featuring towering holiday displays at Onondaga Lake Park taking place November 25, 2009 – January 10, 2010 from 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. every night including holidays.

Candlelight Tours and Twelfth Night At Van Cortlandt Manor
This late 18th century celebration and candlelit festivities begin with a visit to the home of one of the wealthiest families of the post-Revolutionary War era. Guests can experience a lively celebration at the Manor’s ferry house. The celebration will be held on December 12, 19 and 26 from 4:00-8:00 p.m.

Santa Train Excursions at Medina Railroad Museum, Medina NY
Santa Claus is hosting train rides along the Historic Erie Canal through small villages with sparkling lights and festive scenes.

Wonderland of Lights, Utica NY
This light show attracts 30,000+ children and adults and raises thousands of dollars to support the Resource Center for Independent Living. Open November 25-January, the light show is once every night except Christmas Eve from 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. on the Masonic Care Community Campus.

Lyndhurst Mansion, Tarrytown NY
Visit the historic mansion and see Lyndhurst in its “full winter fairy tale beauty” with live music and hot mulled cider. Reservations required. The mansion is open December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27. Saturday from 4:00 p.m. -7:00 p.m.; Sunday from 3:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m.

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Gap Adventures Honored

November 16th, 2009
Bruce Poon Tip with camera

Image courtesy of Gap Adventures

Sustainable adventure travel leader Gap Adventures was recently honored in London at the World Tourism Awards, in conjunction with the World Travel Market.

The 2009 honorees were recognized for their dedication to sustainable tourism and the preservation of natural and cultural heritage.

Gap Adventures was honored for its commitment and vision to giving back to local communities by creating the not-for-profit Planeterra Foundation and supporting the organization.  The Planeterra Foundation is dedicated to global community development through sustainable travel and voluntourism.

Said Gap Adventures CEO and founder Bruce Poon Tip:

“On behalf of the Gap Adventures team and our travelers across the globe who are committed to changing travel, we are humbled to be recognized by our peers…Thank you World Tourism Awards for acknowledging our efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people and communities around the world.”

The World Tourism Award recognizes initiatives by individuals, companies, organizations, destinations and attractions for outstanding accomplishments in the travel industry.  It  is co-sponsored by Corinthia Hotels, American Express, International Herald Tribune and Reed Travel Exhibitions.

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Posted in adventure, news, sustainable tourism, travel companies, voluntourism

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Ecotouring New Zealand

October 22nd, 2009

NZpenguinonice Ecotouring New Zealand

Fancy an organized ecotour of New Zealand?

Adventure travel company Terra Incognita ECOTOURS is offering a new ecotour of New Zealand for 2010.   Specializing in wildlife-focused ecotours, the company will take “ecotourists” to North and South Islands of New Zealand to experience the wildlife, scenery, and culture of the region.

Among the sights and experiences will be newly-hatched penguins, the flightless kiwi, marine life, Maori culture, high altitude sheep farming, fjords, seals, dolphins, rainforest and glaciers.

» Read more: Ecotouring New Zealand

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National Geographic Traveler Scores

October 21st, 2009

COVER NGTrav Nov0922 National Geographic Traveler Scores

National Geographic Traveler, in conjunction with National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations, has devoted its sixth annual “Places Rated” Destination Stewardship survey to the world’s most celebrated and iconic travel destinations and how they have weathered mass tourism and other threats.

The survey, conducted by the Center, is the cover story of the November-December 2009 issue of National Geographic Traveler magazine on newsstands November 3, 2009.  A total of 133 destinations were surveyed by a panel of 437 experts in a variety of fields related to sustainable tourism.

Norway’s Fjords region takes top honors (85 points) with judges noting its scenery and well-preserved rural life. Other destinations in the “Best Rated Places” category include Japan’s ancient Kyoto (#4, 79 points) for honoring the “serenity and charm of ancient Japan” and Slovenia tied at #5 (78 points) for being among the most sustainable and authentic places to visit in Europe.

» Read more: National Geographic Traveler Scores

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