Four Seasons Safari Lodge Offers New ‘Walk in the Wild Serengeti’; Hosts Serengeti Lion Project Exhibit

Stop by the Discovery Centre for a viewing of the new Serengeti Lion Project Wildlife Photography Exhibition, August 1-31 by Serengeti Lion Project researcher Daniel Rosengren.

Proceeds from sales of photos will support the Serengeti Lion Project Research, the world’s most extensive daily mammal monitoring project, which has gathered detailed data on more than 5,000 lions since the 1960s. Rosengren, a Swedish biologist and senior field researcher who is passionate about travel and nature, traded in his globe-roaming bike for a Land Rover in 2010 to study the daily habits of the Serengeti’s lions. The exhibition will feature 40 or more of his most stunning images.

Inspired to follow in Rosengren’s photographic footprints? Visit The Lodge now and be among the first to experience its new Walk in the Wild Serengeti, a transformative 90-minute guided walk where you’ll help install a “camera trap” that digitally records the Serengeti’s majestic animals on the move. Elephants, cheetahs, lions and even notoriously hard-to-spot leopards are known for their cameos.

This guided walk shines a light on the wildlife sanctuary’s most subtle and unusual characteristics. Led by the Resident Naturalist at Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti, Masai guides and national park rangers, you’ll explore the beautiful landscape of Serengeti National Park as your guides point out animal tracks, interesting insects and useful plants.

Guests can also help The Serengeti Lion Project classify the different animals found in images caught by over 200 remote camera traps that have been set up in the Serengeti by visiting the Snapshot Serengeti website.

The Walk in the Wild and the Serengeti Lion Project Photo Exhibition are among the many innovative experiences undertaken by Four Seasons Safari Lodge and its pioneering Discovery Centre.  Part museum exhibit, part lecture theatre, it’s the first lodge-based conservation research and education platform in Serengeti. Chat with Lodge experts and explore a series of displays, exhibition boards and interactive presentations, or attend periodic talks by guest speakers. Participate in special research projects with local experts closely involved with Serengeti’s wildlife research and conservation projects.

Make your base camp in The Lodge’s two-story great house, with guest rooms and suites that all offer stunning views of the Serengeti landscape.

A more private escape can be had in one of the five freestanding villas. Ideal for couples and families, The Lodge is one of the first on the continent to welcome children ages 8+, a significant milestone for families with young ones and teens. The entire property is accessible via raised wooden walkways making short excursions into the bush not a far venture from the Lodge.

In addition to taking your exploration to an intimate new level during the Wild Walk in the Serengeti, The Kijana Klub offers children their own opportunity to learn about local culture and wildlife through a series of planned activities including short walks in the bush with a Maasai guide and learning basic wildlife research skills such as radio tracking and camera traps.

Other memorable guest experiences include sundowners at the infinity pool while elephants gather at the watering hole below, private romantic dinners in the bush, the Lodge’s celebrated Boma Grill and signature spa treatments featuring Africology spa products at purpose-built Spa.

For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/serengeti

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Join Conservation Efforts for Endangered Cheetah in Serengeti at Four Seasons Safari Lodge

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti, as a supporter of The Cheetah Watch Campaign run by the Serengeti Cheetah Project and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute enables its guests to participate in this important project.

Imagine being able to contribute to conservation efforts to track and identify endangered cheetah in the Serengeti.

The Four Seasons Safari Lodge, Serengeti, as a supporter of The Cheetah Watch Campaign run by the Serengeti Cheetah Project and the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute enables its guests to participate in this important project.

The Cheetah Watch Campaign aims to involve visitors in the monitoring and conservation of cheetahs, whose numbers are slowly declining due to poaching and loss of habitat. Visitors to the Serengeti are encouraged to submit their cheetah photos and, with the help of their guide, notes on location and behavior to the Project.

The Project’s 30-year study of these endangered cats has resulted in much of what we know today and developed our understanding of these majestic creatures.

Through its Discovery Centre, the Lodge encourages its guests to load their cheetah photos onto its iMac, which are then sent to the Cheetah Project, which uses each cheetah’s unique spot pattern to identify the individuals that were sighted and then send the guests a brief history of that cheetah.

Since starting the Campaign at the Lodge in late 2013, guests have submitted more than 30 cheetah sightings, resulting in the identification of 10 new individual cheetahs to the Project.

“At the Discovery Centre, guests are able to contribute to this essential research, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of cheetah ecology,” Discovery Centre Manager Oli Dreike says. “The Cheetah Watch Campaign plays a vital role in helping researchers to understand and conserve these beautiful cats, and it is really easy for guests to take part in if they are lucky enough to see cheetahs during their stay in the Serengeti. It’s incredible that our guests have helped to identify so many new individuals for the Project in such a short period.”

Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti

The 77-room Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti opened in December 2012 and is particularly well-suited for first-time safari travelers, extended families and groups. It includes 12 suites with plunge pools, five free-standing villas with private swimming pools, a spa with six treatment pavilions, three restaurants, a Kijana Klub for kids and teens and meeting facilities. Two active watering holes on the property allow for magnificent animal viewing at peak times of day and every room has an elevated open-air sundeck providing direct views over the Serengeti. Suitable for guests of eight years and above, Four Seasons Safari Lodge is also home to its own Discovery Center featuring museum quality exhibits and a lecture hall for guests to learn about the local wildlife, environment and culture. (For more information visit: www.fourseasons.com/serengeti; follow Four Seasons Safari Lodge Serengeti on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.)

Founded in 1960, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has followed a targeted course of expansion, opening hotels and residences in major city centers and desirable resort destinations around the world. Currently with 90 properties in 35 countries, and more than 50 projects under development, Four Seasons continues to lead the hospitality industry with innovative enhancements, making business travel easier and leisure travel more rewarding (www.fourseasons.com).

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Ged Caddick’s Terra Incognita Ecotours Company Changes Lives of Travelers, Communities

Gerard “Ged” Caddick, founder Terra Incognita Ecotours, with Jane Goodall.

Charitable vacations are very popular right now as more and more people long to give something back to the incredible places they visit in exchange for the once-in-a-lifetime bucket-list experience these places give to them.

One of those offering life-changing charitable vacations is Ged Caddick who launched his ecotour company, Terra Incognita Ecotours. with the dumbfounding mission – to give his profits away! With a Masters Degree in Wildlife Ecology from the University of Florida, Ged has always been motivated by his passion for making a difference.

After successfully working in wildlife conservation, he launched Terra Incognita Ecotours, a Florida-based travel company with a massive, but simple mission – to give back.

Nine years later, Ged has donated more than $130,000 to charities in more than 7 countries, literally changing lives each and every time he gets on an airplane.

“The business model I created for Terra Incognita isn’t based on profits, like most businesses are. We measure success by how much we’re able to give away – the more the better,” says Ged.

So how does he do it? Every ecotour isn’t just an adventure of a lifetime – it’s a way for travelers to give back to the communities that so graciously host them for a day, a week or even a month. With destinations like Belize, Borneo, Brazil, China, India, Kenya, Rwanda, Madagascar and Tanzania, Ged’s ecotours attract travelers who want to visit the most exotic parts of the globe with an expert guide to show them the way.

“My clients want an incredible experience, but they are thoughtful and responsible,” says Ged. “They want to visit communities in the most remote parts of the world and not just take an experience with them, they want to give something back, too. A percentage of every person’s tour goes directly and immediately back to a conservation partner in the areas we visit.”

Ged doesn’t just donate a check at the end of each year. He takes all of his travelers right to the organization to which they are contributing. In Rwanda, his tours visit the Gorilla Doctors, a non-profit group of veterinarians responsible for keeping the highly endangered Mountain Gorilla population healthy

Ged doesn’t just donate a check at the end of each year. He takes all of his travelers right to the organization to which they are contributing. In Rwanda, his tours visit the Gorilla Doctors, a non-profit group of veterinarians responsible for keeping the highly endangered Mountain Gorilla population healthy. They also visit the genocide museum to learn about the country’s past, giving his guests a glimpse of the enormous and seemingly insurmountable obstacles Rwandans have overcome in just 20 years.

“I was humbled by the experiences on my Rwandan adventure,” says Susannah Smith, a recent ecotour traveler. “Not only did Ged show us wild gorillas, which is an awe-inspiring experience in and of itself, but he introduced us to Rwandans – people who have experienced unimaginable tragedy, but remain welcoming, warm and overwhelmingly friendly. I got more out of the trip than I ever could have imagined!”

Terra Incognita’s ecotours do more than just give back financially. Every planned tour gives meticulous attention to environmental and sustainable responsibility. Ged’s guiding principles are to minimize impact and to build and foster environmental and cultural awareness and respect. He provides positive experiences for both visitors and hosts.

“The Mountain Gorilla hikes could be difficult,” explains Susannah. “But since we only carried a day pack, we felt like we could carry our own packs. Ged explained that he had hired porters to carry our packs – not because we needed the help, but to support the local economy. In a country where most families survive on only $2 per day, being a porter is a lucrative career. When we heard other travellers opting not to hire a porter, we told them what Ged had explained to us, and they hired a porter right away. It’s the small things that make a big difference.”

“The more I give, the more it encourages others to give. The inspiring people in each of the incredible countries we visit need the money more than I do. They’ve faced hardships I could never image; yet they are still so warm and welcoming. I can’t think of a better way to earn a living.”

About Terra Incognita Ecotours

Gerard “Ged” Caddick founded Terra Incognita ECOTOURS in 2004 after more than 15 years of working in the Expedition Travel industry. Ged has led many trips for Lindblad Expeditions, International Expeditions, World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic Society and the American Museum of Natural History as well as many College Alumni groups, the National Audubon Society and the Smithsonian Institution. He also lived in Belize, Central America for a number of years in the late 1980’s and worked in the conservation of endangered species for twelve years before becoming involved in the expedition travel industry. It is this mix of expedition travel (a.k.a. ecotourism) and conservation that has helped to shape Terra Incognita Ecotours.

Visit www.ecotours.com for more information.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Enter Peru Sweepstakes from Garnet Hill, Heifer International by March 12 to win trip for two to Cuzco

One grand prize winner who enters the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes from Garnet Hill and Heifer International will be awarded an all-inclusive trip for two to the ancient Incan Empire capital of Cuzco. There, they will experience the vibrant local culture and have an opportunity to participate in Heifer International’s local alpaca project in the Andean region near Cuzco, an initiative designed to end poverty in the region and foster sustainable development. The winner will engage with a Heifer family and see first-hand the breadth and depth of Heifer’s impact in combating poverty and will also receive a $1,000 Garnet Hill gift card. The sweepstakes runs now until March 12, 2013.

For seven days, the grand prize winners will work hand in hand with Heifer to foster sustainable development in the community while experiencing the country’s colorful culture through exclusive guided tours. To learn more or to enter the Pass on the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes, visit garnethill.com.

“We have designed a trip that will be inspirational and transformative, not only for the vibrant and historic culture of Cuzco, but also for the opportunity to work alongside and break bread with a Heifer International family. The winner will participate first hand in one of Heifer International’s projects in Peru that, like all of the organization’s global initiatives, aims to significantly improve the livelihoods of families and communities,” said Marleen New, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations for Heifer International

The trip includes an introduction to Heifer International’s alpaca projects in the Andean region near Cuzco. The winner will participate in and learn about all facets of alpaca care including feeding, tending to pasture and the business associated with the sale of their exceptionally soft wool to make blankets, ponchos, hats and carpets which ensures a sustainable way of life for struggling families.

For Heifer International, development is about creating a world free of hunger and poverty, where families in need thrive under their own energy and entrepreneurial spirit—on their own terms.

“This really is the trip of a lifetime. It’s a remarkable opportunity for the winner to play a role in helping to end hunger and poverty for a Heifer family,” Wendy Thayer, public relations manager for Garnet Hill, added. “Garnet Hill is thrilled to offer such an authentic way for our customers to engage with our partner in Cuzco.”

Heifer International began activities in Peru in 1963 and continues to support urban and rural communities and small-farmer organizations to improve their quality of life. Peru’s diverse cultural patterns are based on solidarity and reciprocity. Thus, Heifer’s approach to sharing resources is a key element to achieve just and sustainable development. Today, Heifer Peru works in Piura, Lambayeque, Cerro de Pasco, Lima, Junin, Huancavelica, Cuzco, Apurimac and Puno, and has assisted more than 40,000 families. Heifer’s partnership with Garnet Hill began in 2009.

To learn more or to enter the Pass on the Gift® in Peru Sweepstakes, visit garnethill.com.

Heifer International’s mission is to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. Since 1944, Heifer International has provided livestock and environmentally sound agricultural training to improve the lives of those who struggle daily for reliable sources of food and income. Heifer is currently working in more than 40 countries, including the United States, to help families and communities become more self-reliant. For more information, visit www.heifer.org, read the blog, follow on Facebook or Twitter, or call 1-800-696-1918.

For more travel features, visit:

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Nomadico Travel Promotes Eco-Friendly Trips to Ecuador, Peru

Nomadico Travel, which specializes in cultural eco-friendly trips to Latin America that provide enriching cultural interaction with the local people while including visits to historical sites and physical activities, is promoting itineraries to Ecuador and Peru.
In Ecuador, travelers can choose from six different experiences, which cover all types of experiences from walking tours to more rigorous expeditions including trekking, kayaking, rappelling and more.
Amazon Lodges –
Huaorani Adventure – an unforgettable experience that offers an opportunity to interact firsthand with the Huaorani people – Ecuador’s most isolated and perhaps most intriguing indigenous tribe. The Huaorani eco-lodge is in the midst of a primordial jungle where one can kayak, hike, camp and visit Huaorani villages during the day with the help of a bilingual naturalist guide.
Kapawi Adventure – one of the most remote, ecologically responsible and cultural sensible Amazon Jungle Eco-lodges in the world. A visit to this Amazon Jungle Lodge contributes to sustainable socio – cultural communities and the protection of a unique natural environment. Explore the Pristine Amazon, take a evening trip down the Kapawi River, bird watch in Claylick, hike along the Pitzacocha and Pama trails discovering the many ways the rainforest benefits the Achuar people, test your skills at a blowgun contest, hear a tutorial on Achuar face painting, learn about Arutam, the spirit of the forest, and more. The Kapawi lodge is couples friendly and family friendly. It’s a community owned ecolodge that supports an indigenous population.
Galapagos –
For the walker/hiker, Nomadico offers several walking tours in the Galapagos islands. With the Multi – Island Adventure, travelers leave the crowds behind and spend time actively exploring the islands in a path less traveled, kayak along the Cristobal Island Bay, and snorkel at Leon Dormido, and more.
The Isabela Walking Tour offers the exploration of Isabela, the largest of the Galapagos islands, covered in over 60% of the flora and fauna of the archipelago and is the only one straddled by the equatorial line. Find different species of parrots, macaws on one of the best natural attractions, the Claylick and visit one of the Achuar communities.
In Quito – visit the colonial centre of Quito, see the Plaza de Independencia, XVI and XVII century churches, including the monastery of San Francisco, a building begun only 5 days after the founding of the city. Lunch is served, tat the rim of the extinct Pululahua volcanic crater, then the Ethnographic Museum, situated right on the Equator.
In Otavalo whether by foot, riding a horse or biking along mountain trails participants see the beautiful patchwork quilt of local farms, gorges humming with birds, the humid high mountain cloud forests, as well as waterfalls and the cool clear mountain lakes of the Mojanda region; visit indigenous markets, the Raptor Rescue center, Inca ruins, and kayaking through Volcanoes Lakes, then dine on traditional Ecuadorian dishes prepared with fresh organic products and grains directly from the farm.
Highlights of the Cotopaxi Highland Adventure include adventure biking, ziplines Over Mountain Valleys, riding with the Chagras. This expedition is designed for the more adventurous traveler with horseback riding, mountain biking, trekking, hiking, mountain climbing, rappelling, bird watching, camping, as well as cultural exchange with the local communities available, as well as a visit to an ecological reserve on the slopes of the Mt. Pasochoa volcano, known for its forests, rivers and spectacular waterfalls, high in the Andean forest.
The Cloud Forest itinerary includes hiking above the Clouds, first Class bird watching, Cock-of-the-Rock Lek, and biking in the Forest. The lodge has 3 cabañas and sits on 44 hectares (110 acres) of land.
Nomadico offers Peruvain vacations including
Inca Trail
The Inca Trail is Peru’s best-known hike, combining a stunning mix of Inca ruins, mountain scenery, lush cloud forest and rich subtropical jungle. Dee over 345 species of orchids, numerous birds such as hummingbirds, waterfowl and the majestic Andean Condor, the spectacled bear – a shy, herbivorous animal that is extremely rare and close to extinction. The Inca Trail is a mountainous jungle hike leading to the sacred Inca city of Machu Picchu. The 45km trek is usually covered in 4 days, arriving at Machu Picchu at daybreak on the final day before returning to Cusco by train in the afternoon. Also included are Inca ruins at Sacsayhuaman, Q’enko, Pucapucara and Tambomachay, as well as exploring the Sacred Valley of the Incas visiting the tradition market town of Pisac and the fascinating Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo.
Nomadico Travel is committed to preserving the local cultures and environments of the countries they visit. They work hard to support locally owned hotels and lodges that have environmentally friendly practices. They employ local tour guides that give travelers an insider’s perspective, and donate a portion of profits to support indigenous rights campaigns and non-profits that protect the precious environments of Latin America.
For more information and to book travel, visit http://www.nomadicotravel.com, or call 855 996 6623.
For more travel features, visit:
http://www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin
http://www.examiner.com/international-travel-in-national/karen-rubin
travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate
‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures
Twitter: @TravelFeatures

Luxury Meets Sustainability at Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge with an Organic River Spa and On-Site Hydro Plant

Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge, located in the pristine Sierra Barahuco Mountains of the Dominican Republic, offers travelers green luxury with ease. For the first time this innovative property is shedding light on its environmental focus, and the array of eco initiatives that set it apart. From its own hydroelectric generator to community efforts to clean the shore, these green practices are sure to excite the eco-conscious traveler.

Nurturing a symbiotic relationship with the natural environment and local community, Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge shows how the best of creature comforts and sustainable hospitality practices go hand-in-hand.

Eco-friendly initiatives include:

• Hydro Plant – Situated on the Riosito River that runs through the property, the lodge’s own hydroelectric generator supplies the hotel with 30% of its energy. Guests are taken to visit the hydro plant – raising awareness of the viability of renewable energy practices.

• Farm-to-Table Cuisine – With its own organic garden supplying the restaurant with fresh vegetables and herbs, Casa Bonita’s innovative cuisine is the product of the hotel’s commitment to sustainable farm-to-table practices. All produce is sourced locally and fishermen from the town of Barahuco catch the fresh fish daily.

• Tanama Eco Spa – Nestled in the Bahoruco forest, Tanama Eco Spa’s signature treatment is performed in the river for an all-encompassing natural experience that exemplifies the hotel’s environmental connection. The spa’s products are all locally sourced featuring ingredients such as organic fruits, vegetables, herbs and native stones, without the addition of chemicals or pesticides.

• Partnership with FEDOSURF — Casa Bonita has partnered with The Dominican Federation of Surf (FEDOSURF) to restore the beautiful beachfront of Barahona Bahoruco. In addition to working alongside locals to restore the shore, the initiative will provide training for the native surfers in ecosystem management and conservation practices.

• UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge is adjacent to Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve, the only UNESCO Biosphere reserve in the Dominican Republic. Offering guest’s excursions to the natural wonder, the hotel works to build awareness and celebrate the regions astounding biodiversity.

• Community Outreach – Guests can take part in community efforts to transform the small local shops that sell jewelry made from the Dominican Republic’s indigenous stone, Larimar. Working with the locals, guests can participate in the upkeep, spending an afternoon painting and refurbishing storefronts, while also learning how the native Larimar is worked.

Located in the Dominican Republic’s unspoiled southwestern Barahuco Mountains, the 12-cabaña Casa Bonita Tropical Lodge offers green luxury with ease for the eco-conscious traveler.

Situated on 160 acres of pristine wilderness, Casa Bonita features its own electricity-producing hydro plant, a signature, organic river spa, farm-to-table cuisine, and opportunities to partake in local sustainability initiatives.

For further information visit www.casabonitadr.com or call 800-961-5133.

For more travel features, visit:

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate

www.examiner.com/eclectic-travel-in-national/karen-rubin

‘Like’ us on facebook.com/NewsPhotoFeatures

Malaysia Emerges as a Leading Ecotourism Haven

“Going green” is a phenomenon that has been permeating in all aspects of life – including travel. A consistent growing percentage of travelers are looking for destinations and activities that offer nature-based activities with minimum impact to the earth. Thus, ecotourism has become the fastest growing sector of the tourism industry and it is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.3% until 2017.

For this reason, Malaysia is growing in appeal as it emerges as a major ecotourism destination. Tourists can experience a range of ecotourism activities in Malaysia, such as caving, hiking, jungle trekking, white water rafting, river cruising, bird watching, and diving.

Mega-Biologically Diverse Country

Malaysia offers a wide range of natural and cultural assets that makes ecotourism a highly beneficial, sustainable and long-term form of tourism. The country, located in Southeast Asia, is one of the 12 most mega-biologically diverse countries in the world. It boasts more than 15,000 species of flowering plants, 286 species of mammals, 150,000 species of invertebrates, and 4,000 species of fish, in addition to countless micro-organisms.

Covering almost 60% of its landmass, Malaysia’s ancient tropical rainforests are millions of years old and are home to an incredibly diverse array of flora and fauna. Experts believe that many animals, plants, flowers, and trees living beneath its lush canopy have yet to be discovered.

The ocean and seas surrounding Malaysia shelter various marine life that rely on the delicate balance of an undamaged ecosystem. Turtles from the other side of the world migrate thousands of miles to nest on Malaysian shores.

Listed as a World Heritage Site

Malaysia’s reputation as a premier ecotourism destination is further strengthened by the inclusion of the Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak) and Kinabalu Park (Sabah) in UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites List. Langkawi Island, located in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia, has also been recognized by UNESCO as a geopark, a title given to outstanding geological landscapes in the world.

Malaysian Government Promotes Sustainable Tourism

While promoting natural attractions in the country to tourists, the Malaysian Government also recognizes the importance of sustainable tourism and the balance of conservation and development. As such, the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia, has adopted the National Ecotourism Plan (NEP) to provide policies and guidelines for the conscientious development of ecotourism.

Malaysia will continue to protect its environment, to ensure that travelers from across the world will be able to enjoy the country’s unique and natural wonders.

For more information on Malaysia, visit http://www.tourism.gov.my.

SANDOS CARACOL ECO RESORT & SPA BECOMES MOST ECO-FRIENDLY HOTEL IN RIVIERA MAYA

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa (www.Sandos.com), Mexico has just opened its eco-chic ocean view accommodations and facilities, making it the most sustainable hotel in the Riviera Maya region.

RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico (April 1, 2011) –

Sandos Caracol Eco Resort & Spa (www.Sandos.com), Mexico has just opened its eco-chic ocean view accommodations and facilities, making it the most sustainable hotel in the region.  A variety of environmental preservation programs, educational eco-tourism activities for guests and the new eco rooms combine to make Sandos Caracol one of the most eco-friendly hotels in the world.

Upgrading a total of 99 rooms, while maintaining the resort’s ecological standard of reducing CO2 emissions by 70%, Sandos Caracol incorporated new modern architectural designs for a more contemporary look.  In terms of sustainability, each room has an air conditioning system with low power consumption, a solar system to heat the water to eliminate using gas, an Internal lighting system based on energy-efficient LED and in-room water coolers to reduce the use of plastic water bottles.  Additionally, there is a new recycling system in place for waste water.

For more information, visit http://www.Sandos.com.

See our stories,

‘AUTHENTIC’: MEXICO’S RIVIERA MAYA IS BEACH DESTINATION WITH CHARACTER

and

SACRED MAYAN JOURNEY BRIDGES TIME ON MEXICO’S RIVIERA MAYA

Dominica’s Waitukubuli National Travel to Preview Aug. 29 – First Hiking Trail to Encompass Entire Island

Roseau, Dominica – Discover Dominica Authority and the Waitukubuli National Trail Project (WNTP) will announce the official opening for the first two segments of the Waitukubuli National Trail at their Summer Adventure and Hike Event, Sunday, August 29.

Once completed, the Waitukubuli National Trail (WNT) will be the first and only walking trail that traverses the entire Caribbean island. The trail will run from the south to the north, with a distance of 115 miles. It will be divided into 14 different segments with levels varying from easy family hikes to longer and more challenging hikes. Each trail will offer breathtaking views of Dominica’s unspoiled nature, pristine waterfalls and lush rainforests.

The event will highlight on-going work of the WNTP, feature a series of activities including hiking events for children and adults, the unveiling of the first billboard promoting the WNTP and will end with a closing ceremony by the WNTP Project Management Unit.  The closing ceremony will be concluded with entertainment from Fanatik Band and Club DVD Sounds.

“With the Waitukubuli National Trail being the first hiking trail to cover an entire Caribbean island, promoting the trail will become one of the key marketing tactics we utilize to attract hikers from around the world,” comments Colin Piper, CEO/Director of Tourism at Discover Dominica Authority. “The trail was created to showcase the natural beauty and lush rainforests of our island, with this event designed to give visitors a better understanding of the WNTP.”

Activities will begin at 10 am and all races will be held on Segments 4 and 5 of the WNT, covering the community of Sylvania and the Emerald Pool. Following the competitions, activities will be held within Sylvania.

Known as “the Nature Island” and located between the French islands of Guadeloupe and Martinique in the Eastern Caribbean, the independent nation of Dominica (pronounced “dom-in-eek-a”) is the largest and most mountainous of the Windward Islands, encompassing an area of nearly 290 square miles. Of volcanic origins with mountains reaching heights of nearly 5,000 feet, rainforests that are considered among the last true oceanic rainforests in the world, more than 365 rivers, waterfalls the second largest Boiling Lake in the world and pristine coral reefs, Dominica’s natural diversity is truly unique. Dominica is also home to the last remaining settlement of Indigenous People of the Caribbean – The Carib Indians.

A place where man and nature live in harmony, adventurers and nature lovers alike will revel in the Island’s eco-tourism options which include scuba diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking, horseback riding, nature tours, hiking/trekking, whale, dolphin and bird watching, sailing and fishing.

Dominica continues to be recognized for its attributes and responsible tourism efforts, including being the first country in the world to receive Benchmarking designation from the prestigious eco-tourism organization Green Globe 21. National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destination ranked the island as the top sustainable island in the Caribbean and among the top ten in the world. Dominica was recognized by Islands Magazine and was included in its 2007 Blue List for being a leader in responsible tourism and ensuring an environmentally and culturally sound island for future generations. Travel + Leisure also announced Dominica as one of the most compelling destinations to visit in their 100 Greatest Trips 2008 edition. Most recently, Dominica was recognized as the 2^nd most “pure island” in the world in the April/May 2010 issue of Islands Magazine.

For more information on Dominica, contact Discover Dominica Authority at 866-522-4057. Or, visit Dominica’s official website: www.discoverdominica.com or follow Dominica on Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Volunteers to help complete Continental Divide National Scenic Trail

Want to do something important, physical, and be out in the wild over your summer vacation? Each year, the Colorado Divide Trail Alliance organizes projects allowing volunteers to help complete the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT).

Each year CDTA coordinates more than 500 volunteers on projects from Mexico to Canada. No previous experience is required and tools and training are provided.

This year, you can enjoy the majesty of the Collegiate Peaks near Leadville, Colorado and work on the Clear Creek and Winfield projects, constructing a  new trail as part of a major 50-mile relocation to create a nonmotorized route linking Mount Elbert to Monarch Pass.

You build along with professional crew leaders, have your meals prepared by award-winning volunteer crew chefs, and enjoy the region’s history, hiking, fishing and numerous other outdoor recreation opportunities.
The CDTA is recruiting for the following 2010 volunteer opportunities:

•   Project #9 Clear Creek 1 – June 19 to 20
•   Project #10 Winfield 1 – June 23 to 27
•   Project #13 Clear Creek 2 – July 2 to 4
*   Project #15 Winfield 2 – July 7 to 11
•   Project #16 Winfield 3 – July 14 to 18
•   Project #33 Clear Creek 3 – Sept. 11 to 12
•   Project #37 Clear Creek 4 – Sept. 18 to 19

Volunteers are provided with free camping for our volunteers, and for most projects this is vehicle-accessed camping with no backpacking required. There is no charge any kind of registration fee to volunteer with CDTA (you would be amazed that some volunteer programs actually charge volunteers for the privilege).

Volunteers come from across the country with a few international volunteers mixed in. (More answers to Frequently Asked Questions are at

http://www.cdtrail.org/page.php?pname=involve/building/faq).

The Continental Divide Trail was established by Congress as a National Scenic Trail in 1978. When complete, the “King of Trails” will be the most significant trail system in the world. Stretching 3,100 miles along the backbone of America from Canada to Mexico, it accesses some of the most wild and scenic places left in the world while conserving the environment and promoting personal well being.

Since 1995, the Continental Divide Trail Alliance has played a central role toward the completion, management and protection of the Trail and it is the voice for unity in the diverse story of the Trail.

For more information about the Continental Divide Trail, call (303) 278-3177 or toll-free (888) 909-CDTA (2382). Or visit http://www.cdtrail.org.

For more information and to register online, visit http://www.cdtrail.org/getinvolved.

 See also:

Sustainable Travel: Reconnect with your inner Mother Nature while giving back to Planet Earth

Families pursue the call of adventure

Karen Rubin, Travel Features Syndicate

www.travelwritersmagazine.com/TravelFeaturesSyndicate