Posts Tagged ‘hiking’

Finding Finland’s National Parks

June 24th, 2010

FinlandBears Finding Finlands National Parks

National parks everywhere are popular summer destinations.

In northern Europe, Finland is home to 35 national parks with vast woodland, rivers, fells, lakes and meadows.

Some of Europe’s most remote wilderness, these parks have wildlife ranging from elk, bears, wolverines to thousands of bird species.

This summer, Visit Finland is showcasing the country’s beautiful, wild national parks.  Each month, one National Park will be featured on VisitFinland.com, highlighting key treks, trails, features, events and tips.

» Read more: Finding Finland’s National Parks

Family Chill Out In Tuscany

May 3rd, 2010

ItalianStateTouristBoardTuscany228833 Family Chill Out In Tuscany

Feel like chilling out in Tuscany with your family?  Then check out the  family-friendly, Italian spa Hotel Adler Thermae Spa & Relax Resort.

In the Tuscan Hills, the 90-room retreat features sculpted pools of thermal waters for bathing, morning yoga, fitness classes, 130+ custom spa treatments and local cuisine.

Resort rooms have rich wood furnishings, warm-toned draperies and private terraces or balconies overlooking the Orcia Valley.

The Sanoner brothers, the spa owners, “like to live and feel well, relax and have their families with them”, the philosophy behind Adler Thermae.

The spa offers country walks to the village of Bagno Vignoni, nearby cheese factory or vineyards.  Guests can borrow bicycles to explore the hills or go on guided excursions.

A daily schedule for children includes arts, crafts, videos, swimming, yoga, exercises and walking or bus excursions.  A  teen lounge features video games, hiking, mountain biking, trips to local farms and vineyards and special spa treatments.

For more info, check out Adler Thermae online.

Image courtesy of the Italian Tourist Board

EcoArts Touring India

March 29th, 2010

EcoArtsindia-flyer- 2010

Are you looking at touring India?  There are many organized tour options for travelers like the India EcoArts Tour.

This tour will mainly take place in Spiti Valley, India, the Himalayan region bordering Tibet, says California-based EcoArts Tours.

Participants will tour regional villages and learn about their conservation efforts including solar power and endangered species protection.  The arts of Spiti will be highlighted with local experts in cuisine, temple architecture, artisan work and music.

An endangered dance form will be performed by a sect of Tibetan monks called The Bhuchens.  The EcoArts tour will conclude  with a day visit to the  Taj Mahal and a Gandhi Legacy Tour in Delhi led by Tushar Arun Gandhi.  Travelers will see the Trans-Himalayan landscape by jeep, yak safari, hike and mountain bike.

For more info, check out EcoArts Tours.

Image courtesy of EcoArts Tours

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

Walking Mountains

March 16th, 2010

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Walking in the mountains can be transforming travel experiences.  From walking the Scottish Highlands to hiking the U.S. Rockies to trekking in Nepal, there are adventures for every mountain lover.

At LiveTravelMountains.com, our sister travel blog, we’re dedicated to mountain travel and living around the world.  Recently, we learned that World Expeditions is launching a new tour along the Great Himalaya Trail,the world’s longest alpine walking track.

Here are 5 more mountain adventures:

» Read more: Walking Mountains

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

World’s ‘Most Excellent Eco-Resort’?

February 15th, 2010

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Caribbean Galley Bay Resort & Spa has been named the  “Most Excellent Eco Resort” at the 2010 Awards for Excellence by Conde Nast Johansens, the international luxury travel guide authority.

The Green Globe certified Antigua resort is the  first eco-award winner for the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific.  Hotel guests and Conde Nast Johansens’ inspection team voted on the 2010 Awards for Excellence. Last year, Conde Nast Traveler recognized the resort with its “Top 25 Caribbean Resorts, Reader’s Choice Award”.

» Read more: World’s ‘Most Excellent Eco-Resort’?

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

The Hot Tourism Of Volcanoes

November 10th, 2009

GapAdventuresNicaragua_Landscape_Volcano and clouds

Some travelers like it hot, volcano hot.

If you’re intrigued by volcanoes, Gap Adventures is offering  upcoming volcano adventures in Nicaragua, Uganda and Costa Rica.  Trip highlights will range from volcano boarding, trekking through lava caves to experiencing the company of mountain gorillas.

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 more than 100,000 travelers a year.  The company’s adventures focus on wildlife encounters, active travel and cultural interaction.

Here are Gap Adventures’ volcano adventures:

» Read more: The Hot Tourism Of Volcanoes