Poseidon Expeditions, specialists in Arctic cruises, offers opportunities aplenty in the high Arctic wilderness between Norway and the North Pole to see reindeer as well as the King of the North, polar bear in their natural habitat. On Arctic Wildlife Safari and Bet of Svalbard cruises, guests can observe and learn such fun facts about these animals.
PROVIDENCE, RI– In an ancient ice age the
four-legged critter we associate with Santa’s sleigh lived as far south as
Tennessee. Whether those reindeer picked up a southern drawl is still up for
debate.
What’s non-debatable is that Rangifer tarandus or reindeer
(aka caribou), meaning snow shoveler, was so named by the Mi’kmaq, who were
among original inhabitants of the Atlantic Provinces of Northern Canada.
The specialists in Arctic cruises, Poseidon Expeditions, offers opportunities
aplenty in the high Arctic wilderness between Norway and the North Pole to see
reindeer as well as the King of the North, polar bear in their natural habitat.
On Arctic Wildlife Safari and Best of Svalbard cruises,
guests can observe and learn such fun facts about these animals as…
A reindeer’s hide is covered with hair follicles that are hollow and that trap air that provides insulation.
Their noses warm the air before it reaches the lungs.
In the winter, facial hair grows long to the mouth, protecting muzzles while grazing in snow.
Its body temperature adjusts to just above freezing to avoid losing body heat in extremely cold conditions.
Both male and female reindeer sport antlers.
They vocalize through air sacs in their neck, males warning other males away from girlfriends and females communicating with their young.
The knees of one subspecies of reindeer make a clicking noise while walking, sounds that allow a herd to stay together in a blizzard.
And about the polar bear?
Adult females often weigh between 500 and 600 pounds; males are double these weights. Cubs enter the world at around one pound, females reaching full weight at age five and males by age 10.
Ask anyone what color a polar bear is and they’ll reply “white” with total confidence. The fact is, their fur is actually transparent and holds no color. It only appears white because it reflects visible light. The transparent fur also traps in the sun’s heat to help keep the polar bear warm.
When polar bears swim, they use their large front paws to propel themselves through the water and their back legs to steer. They can actually move pretty fast at approximately at 6 mph, closing their nostrils when under water.
They can go days, even weeks, without eating. When they reach a week or more without food, their metabolism slows down and goes into starvation mode until the next meal.
Polar bear cubs learn to freeze or “play dead” while momma bear hunts for food. If they’re caught moving, mom will discipline them, with a smack to the head.
Two-thirds of polar bears could disappear by 2050 due to disappearing hunting grounds, or sea ice. They are now compelled to swim such long distances that they are drowning from exhaustion.
While cruising around seldom-visited, natural preserves of the far north, guests may also experience polar wildlife from the perspective of a kayak. Imagine paddling with bearded seals, large and peaceful creatures that are often encountered at close range reposing on ice floes in sheltered bays and fjords. Harbor seals and ringed seals can be seen from a kayak as well. Sometimes massive walrus can also be seen.
Guests may also access beluga whales via kayak. Paddling with these gentle and intelligent creatures in the wild — hearing their breaths and feeling their inquisitive gaze upon you — is a life-changing experience, especially if it happens to be a pod of over a hundred beluga whales swimming in long procession past and underneath the kayaks.
Poseidon Expedition’s sea kayak guides are well versed in the wildlife viewing and protection protocols developed by the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO) and International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO).
The rates for 2020 Arctic Wildlife Safari, West Spitsbergen & Polar Ice Edge, are discounted: May 31-June 8, June 7-June 15, June 14-June 22 from $5,895 to $5,305; June 21-July 1 from $7,295 to $6,566 and June 30-July 11 from $8,095 to $7,286. On the June 7 departure guests receive a bonus, the opportunity to mingle with a polar bear expert from the Cincinnati Zoo.
Best of Svalbard, Svalbard & Polar Ice Edge cruises offers three departures in June and July 2020. Children under age 12 travel at half the regular rate when sharing a double-occupancy cabin with an adult. Per person double rates are from $10,095 double in a main deck suite.
For inquires and reservations in North America, or to request a catalog, contact the company’s Providence, RI, sales and reservation office at www,poseidonexpeditions.com or call 347-801-2610, or contact your travel agent.
With offices in the US, UK, Germany, Russia, Cyprus and China, Poseidon Expeditions is a leading provider of polar expeditions in the cruise industry. The company is committed to safe and environmentally responsible polar travel. It is a member of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Association of Arctic Expedition Cruise Operators (AECO).
Gift your adventure seeker the gift of a visit to India with andBeyond to explore the mountainous region of Ladakh and search for snow leopards
Stuck for a special gift for your animal-lover lover? Your art aficionado? Music buff or theater devotee? How about a snow leopard expedition for your adventure seeker? Think about giving the uniquely personal gift that keeps giving: the gift of a travel experience. The holidays is a time of wish fulfillment, so what better gift that tapping into that bucket list. Here are some ideas for the gift of getting away, no matter the time of year:
For the Animal-Lover
Winner: andBeyond Pangolin Adventure
Pangolins are mini (and adorable) dinosaur-like
mammals. While not commonly known in the U.S., these native African anteaters
are covered in keratin scales, which are highly valuable to poachers, making
them the most trafficked mammal in the world. The species used to roam freely
in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, but have been locally extinct
for decades. andBeyond Phinda
Private Game Reserve has committed to
reintroducing the species to the area, and there are already three thriving in
their new environment. Conservation-minded travelers can have the
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get up close and personal with these elusive
creatures with andBeyond’s Pangolin Conservation Experience and assist in
replacing tags and monitoring behavior. Rates from $3,504 per group (up to six
people).
Runner-Up: Nayara’s Sloth Sanctuary
Ever wonder what it would be like to sleep all
day? And all night? Of course you have. Humans are naturally lazy. But not as
lazy as sloths. The slowest mammal on earth loves to hang around in Cecropia
trees. Spot them in the wild at the new Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica, which opens December 20. As a part of
Nayara’s commitment to reforestation, the acres surrounding the resort are
being replanted with thousands of trees, including the Cecropia trees, so that
the sloths can continue to thrive. Take a slow, leisurely stroll around the
property to see these fabulous animals in in-action. Rates start from $1,200
per night.
For the Art Aficionado
Winner: La Reserve Paris
Mona-who? Been there, done that. The
latest must-see at the Louvre celebrates much more than the Instagram
overloaded Mona Lisa. Open through February 24, the Leonardo da Vinci
exhibition honors the 500th anniversary of the Renaissance man’s death. Though
almost sold out, guests of La Réserve Paris can skip the line by booking the Leonardo da
Vinci package, including two VIP
fast-track tickets to the exhibition and da Vinci inspired cocktails at Le Bar.
Package rates start at $1,330.
Runner-Up: Belmond La Residencia
It’s P-art-y time in Mallorca! Deia,
the hillside village on the island’s northwest coast, is an artsy town
welcoming painters, sculptors and writers for inspiration. Among Mallorca’s
most famous former residents is Joan Miró, and Belmond La
Residencia is home to the
largest exhibition of his paintings
in a hotel anywhere in the world. Thirty-three of his
original artworks
will be on display in Café Miró, the hotel’s bistro, until September 2020. The
hotel lawn is also one of Spain’s largest outdoor sculpture gardens, and it
features Tete (1975), a Miró bronze head. After taking in
the art, enjoy Belmond La Residencia’s “Tea with Miró,” which is inspired by the artist’s signature use of bold
colors and abstract line drawings. The tea is served on an exclusive tea set
made of La Cartujade Sevilla porcelain with a design based on Miró’s 1952 work, Sans titre. The setwill
be available for purchase in the on-site boutique. Rates start at $470 per
night.
Fore! The Golfer
Winner: Belmond Royal Scotsman
Hit the links with Belmond Royal Scotsman as the
train travels through the heart of the Highlands from tee time to tee time.
Golf enthusiasts can customize the two- to seven-night journeys by adding
rounds at Scotland’s renowned courses such as Gleneagles, Royal Donorch Golf
Club, Castle Stuart Golf Links and Kingbarns Golf Links. A veritable ‘country
house on wheels,’ the Royal Scotsman will also make stops at local distilleries
including Strathisla Distillery, the oldest working distillery in the Scottish
Highlands. Journeys start at $3,158 per person for the two-night Taste of the Highlands itinerary.
Runner-Up: Dromoland
Enjoy a golf experience fit for a king at
Ireland’s Dromoland Castle. Set on a 450-acre
estate, the 15-century castle’s parkland course is the perfect place to hone
golf skills. Take a lesson at The Academy, the on-site golf school helmed by a
resident PGA pro. What’s more, Dromoland can coordinate private transfers and
tee times at Ireland’s famed links courses, including nearby Lahinch,
Ballybunion, Tralee and the new Adare Manor. Rates start at $355 per
night.
For the Adventure Seeker
Winner: andBeyond Snow Leopard Expedition
Known as ‘Little Tibet’ or the ‘Roof of the
World’, the mountainous region of Ladakh is situated on the northern border of
India and is home to the snow-capped Himalayas, cobalt lakes and an abundance
of wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard. The species, listed as
‘vulnerable’ and rare to find, lives in this high-altitude cold desert
environment and can be seen during winter months. Conservation-minded,
experiential safari outfitter andBeyond offers travelers the opportunity to
explore this wilderness with the region’s most experienced guides, offering the
rare opportunity to meet a snow leopard, if luck strikes. The 12-day Snow Leopard
Expedition sets off in small
group set-departures in January, February and March 2020. Rates start from
$6,891 per person, including a $200 donation to the Snow Leopard Conservancy.
Runner-Up: Ponant Emblematic Antarctica Cruise
Journey to the ends of the earth, but make it
luxury. Swap icicles in your eyelashes for a champagne toast on an Antarctic
iceberg with Ponant, the leader in polar cruising. Each trip to the
southernmost continent challenges adventure seekers with the trip through the
Drake Passage – the 600-mile stretch of ocean between South America and the
Antarctic peninsula that boasts some of the roughest seas in the world. Keep an
ear out as the captain will often stop and redirect the ship to point out
passing whales, Gentoo and Adelie penguins, and crabeater seals. Once in
Antarctica, expedition guides and naturalists will lead daily Zodiac excursions
with visits to research stations and former whaling stations. Rates start from
$13,310 per person for the 11-day / 10-night Emblematic
Antarctica journey.
For the Theater Goer
Winner: Chatwal, New York
Do you like your theater with a little side of
murder mystery? If so, you’ve come to the right place – The Chatwal, New
York. Designed in 1905 by iconic American architect
Stanford White – who was famously killed by his mistress’s husband atop Madison
Square Garden – The Chatwal was once home to the prestigious Lambs, America’s
first professional theatrical club. The Chatwal continues to play homage to its
history as the epicenter of Broadway. A dedicated theater concierge can offer
access to the most sought-after shows; and guests can enjoy a pre-theater
dinner at Geoffrey Zakarian’s The Lambs Club at The Chatwal. Rates start at
$595 per night based on double occupancy.
Runner-Up: Westbury
Theater buffs visiting The Westbury in Dublin can explore the history of Ireland’s stage with
the complimentary Theatre Walking Tour every Thursday morning. The 90-minute
stroll begins in the vibrant Georgian Quarter and brings guests to key sites
around the city, including a behind-the-scenes look at the famed Abbey Theatre,
which has nurtured the talents of Irish playwrights like William Butler Yeats.
The tour also includes a lesson on ancient Irish storytelling at the Setanta
Wall, and a look at the drama-inspired artwork within the National Gallery.
Rates start at $277 per night.
For the Movie Buff
Winner: GoldenEye
The 25th James Bond movie, which will mark
Daniel Craig’s final appearance as 007, is heading back to Jamaica. In
celebration of the April 2020 release, movie buffs can retrace the island life
of Bond’s creator, Ian Fleming. The author was a former British intelligence
officer and discovered Jamaica during a WWII mission in 1942. Four years later,
he purchased 15 acres of under-developed tropical land and named it GoldenEye
to pay homage to his naval operation that first brought him to the island. He
resided at GoldenEye every January and February for more than two decades and
wrote a new Bond novel each winter for a total of 14 books. His beachfront
bungalow, which is now called The Fleming Villa with five bedrooms, is part of
the 52-acre GoldenEye resort. Fleming’s
writing desk and sunken garden where he would entertain the likes of Noël
Coward and Katherine Hepburn are available for guests to enjoy. Rates start at
$6,365 per night.
Runner-Up: Park Hyatt Tokyo
Guests of Park Hyatt Tokyo can channel Bill Murray while sipping on a whisky flight in
the hotel’s 52nd floor New York Bar. Famed as the location of Sofia
Coppola’s Lost In Translation, the bar’s signature L.I.T cocktail
with Japanese sake and peach liqueur can be enjoyed to the soundtrack of live
jazz while overlooking the sparkling city skyline. Rates start at $600 per
night.
For the Romantic Beach Bum
Winner: Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi
“Love Island” – not just a reality show,
but something that could actually be your reality. Give the
gift of an ultimate couples’ vacation in the Maldives. When it debuted in
July, Waldorf Astoria Maldives
Ithaafushi became the first
luxury resort to open near the capital of Malé in the last decade. The journey
to tranquility begins with a yacht ride from the airport to the resort. The 122
accommodations include 39 beach villas, each of which features a swimming pool
and a private alcove on the beach with an outdoor hammock and two sunbeds.
Surround yourself with sand and surf on a nearby sandbar, available for a wine
pairing dinner or a yoga class. Rates start at $1,700 per night.
Runner-Up: Belmond Cap Juluca
Set on the white sands of Anguilla’s Maundays
Bay, known as one of the most pristine beaches in the Caribbean, each room
at Belmond Cap Juluca has its own private slice of sand complete with a dedicated
beach butler. Guests of the newly renovated property can soak in the Caribbean
sun and sway to live calypso and reggae at the Cap Shack, a laid-back beach bar
with a vintage ’80s food truck serving up everything from fish tacos to rum
punches and poke bowls. Rates start from $725 per night.
For the #InstagramFamous Friend
Winner: Dalloway Terrace
Off to Europe for the festive season? Why not
hit two countries in one – visitors to The Bloomsbury in London will be treated to a Merry Swissmas
celebration. The hotel’s heated, al fresco restaurant, Dalloway Terrace, has
launched a collaboration with the alpine resort town of Gstaad. Stroll from
Regent’s Park into snow-dusted pine garlands and frosty foliage. Gstaad’s Swiss
traditions overwhelm the terrace, with bespoke “Scherenschnitte” (Swiss paper
cuttings) on display around the restaurant. Guests can warm up with Foxford
woolen blankets and warming cocktails like an alpine toddy – a hot toddy with a
chamomile twist. Cocktails are delivered to the table with a Retro Viewer that
allows guests to gaze upon the picturesque mountains of Gstaad between sips.
Afternoon tea starts at $50 per person.
Runner-Up: Almanac Rooftop
360-degree views of Barcelona, check.
Instagrammable décor, check. Craft cocktails, check. Almanac Barcelona’s Azimuth rooftop bar is open year-round, beckoning guests
with its coral-hued, cocoon-like lounges and cozy blankets during the mild
winter months. The city is known for its gin and tonics, with the clear liquid
and fizzy bubbles the perfect accessory for an Instagrammable rooftop view.
Almanac’s signature ‘Dealer’s Choice’ cocktail is elevated with dry sherry from
Jerez, grapefruit bitters and artisanal tonic water. Rates start from $287 per
night.
For the Foodie Focused
Winner: Chuck Williams Culinary Arts Museum in
Napa
Give the gift of the CIA. No, not that CIA
– the Culinary Institute
of America at Copia in Napa Valley is
the perfect place for travelers to the region to become immersed in the local
food culture, with daily cooking classes and tastings from local wineries.
Newly opened at the CIA, the Chuck Williams Culinary Art Museum features the
4,000-piece personal culinary collection – including rare special cookware,
bread baking and culinary tools, appliances, and tableware – of the
Williams-Sonoma founder. Admission to the museum is free. Class and tasting
pricing varies with rates starting at $30.
Runner-Up: Shou Sugi Ban House
Get a taste for the flavors that put Noma in
Copenhagen on the map! Chef Mads Refslund, formerly of the world’s best
restaurant, now directs the food and beverage program at wabi sabi-inspired
wellness retreat and destination spa Shou Sugi Ban House in the Hamptons. The plant-based menu is inspired by Nordic,
Japanese and New England cuisines. Located in Water Mill, New York, adjacent to
the Parrish Art Museum, the 13-room property incorporates many forms of
wellness in its multi-day retreats, which include spa and healing arts
treatments, workshops, meditation and movement. Rates start at $550 per person.
P.S. Don’t forget the most important carry-on
items when traveling: chocolate and a face mask. La Maison du Chocolat’s Bars Unhinged ($14) are the perfect plane-size snack (think mini
deconstructed chocolate bars). Guinot’s Newhite Instant Brightening Mask ($77, set of seven) is a travel-size sheet mask that removes
those post-flight dark circles and creates a glow in 10 quick minutes.
Glamping Hub is an online
booking platform and leading portal for unique outdoor accommodations across
the globe. With over 35,000 accommodations in over 120 countries, Glamping
Hub’s mission is to connect travelers with nature in order to create authentic
experiences in which travelers can stay in the great outdoors without having to
sacrifice creature comforts—camping with added luxuries and five-star
amenities.
Glamping Hub is a third-party booking platform and does not own any of the vacation rentals listed on the website. Guests can find over 27 different types of glamping accommodations to choose from on Glamping Hub from safari tents, tree houses, and cabins to tipis, villas, and domes.
There are
several defining factors Glamping Hub looks for in an accommodation in order to
determine its eligibility for listing. It must have close access to nature,
hotel-quality comfort, and offer guests a unique experience. Glamping Hub’s
business model is both transactional and highly scalable. For each transaction
made through the website, Glamping Hub collects a 4% commission from the hosts
and a 6% to 12% service fee from the guest (depending on the size of the
booking), resulting in an average of 10% of the total booking that Glamping Hub
retains from each transaction.
In the
global market, there is an estimated 100,000+ glamping accommodations—with
eight units per site and an average of $320 per night stay—creating a $45
billion (and growing) market. And glamping is not just luxury camping, but also
ski getaways, wine country stays, safari excursions, surf camps, yoga retreats,
and wildlife tours, which increases the outdoor accommodation marked to $200
billion and growing.
Within the vacation rental sector, Glamping Hub is the one of the only platforms that is both transactional and specialized, which is due to a number of factors, including rigorously researched SEO practices, lower rates and costs, organic traction and unique visits, and its marketing tools. In 2016, Glamping Hub received 2.6 million visits, resulting in 12,000 booking requests and $2.1 million in revenue, and by the end of 2018, those figures tripled.
Glamping
Hub is a global team with two offices—one in Sevilla, Spain and the other in
Denver, Colorado—with over 100 employees and interns from over 13 different
countries. Not only does Glamping Hub shine with 90% of guest reviews with
4-star and 5-star ratings, but Glamping Hub has also been featured in many
highly-regarded publications, including The New York Times, the New York Post,
Forbes, TIME, NBC, USA Today, Travel and Leisure, Lonely Planet, O Magazine,
and more.
At Glamping Hub, the accommodation is the destination. In August,
2018, Glamping Hub launched it’s first ever, “This is Glamping Hub” video,
on the homepage to redefine what is glamping. Travelers choose Glamping Hub
because they care about their trips being truly memorable. We’re
different to other websites in that all of our accommodations have been handpicked
and placed in a targeted collection, and support our four core values: Unique,
Experience, To-Gather, and Nature. Glamping Hub’s accommodations are
one-of-a-kind and completely submerged in nature, where our guests can
disconnect from their daily lives and reconnect with each other for an
experience they will never forget.
By combining the amenities of a luxury boutique hotel with the atmosphere of a wooded campground, Fireside Resort offers Wyoming’s best glamping experience
Interest in glamping – or, “glamorous camping” – is growing among North American leisure travelers, according to the 2019 North American Glamping Report. The report reveals that 30% of North American travelers have taken a glamping trip over the past two years, and 60% of those travelers represent the millennial or Gen Z generations. An array of glamping destinations have popped up around the world in recent years, offering everything from geodesic domes to Airstream RVs to tiny homes. Here are five glamping options in South America, Africa, Russia and the USA that rival anything on the market:
1. Fireside Resort: By combining the
amenities of a luxury boutique hotel with the atmosphere of a wooded
campground, Fireside Resort offers Wyoming’s best glamping experience. The
lodging options reflect the heritage of the valley’s original homesteader
cabins, with cozy fireplaces, full kitchens, private furnished decks, and
outdoor fire pits. Situated on wildlife-filled acres where moose, elk,
red-tailed hawks, bald eagles and deer roam, Fireside Resort is a mere seven
miles from Jackson’s bustling town square.
2. Kachi Lodge: On
Adventure Life’s High Deserts of Bolivia & Chile tour, explore the extreme
geography of Lake Titicaca, mountains, canyons, lagoons and the largest salt
desert in the world, Salar de Uyuni. Upgrade your trip and stay in a Kachi
Lodge dome, offering the comfort of a luxury hotel room and authentic,
inventive dining on the salt flats at the foot of Tunupa Volcano, at an
altitude of 11,800 feet.
3. Ryabaga Camp: The
Ponoi River in Russia offers some the world’s best Atlantic salmon fishing. At
Ryabaga Camp, guests enjoy their own cabin with queen beds and en suite
bathroom with hot water, electricity and internet (email access). Gourmet, chef-prepared
meals are served in the “Big Tent,” the camp’s social hub. For a true
wilderness location, Ryabaga Camp stands alone with its level of service and
accommodations.
4. Kestrel Camp: The
American Prairie Reserve in Montana is piecing together what will be the
largest nature reserve in the lower 48 states, totaling 3.5 million acres, and
restoring habitat and species in the process. APR’s Kestrel Camp offers five
yurt-style luxury suites set around a central lounge and dining room serving
chef-prepared meals, as well as a safari-style experience with special access
to tour the reserve’s ecosystem with personal naturalists.
5. Sossus Under
Canvas: On Adventure Life’s Namibia Under Canvas tour,
climb the sand dunes of Sossusvlei, explore the coastal city of Swakopmund,
marvel at the natural wonders of Damaraland and search for wildlife in Etosha
National Park. Return each night to a camp like Sossus Under Canvas, where
tents are protected from the elements by natural stone walls and roofs built
from recycled oil drums, and furnishings are made of recycled metal and wood.
The camp is virtually invisible from any distance has a low environmental
footprint.
Ride & Seek adventure cycling company has introduced the first two stages of The Marco Polo Expedition, cycling 1900 km from Venice to Athens.
(Provence, France) —
Ride & Seek, an adventure cycling company offering itineraries that follow
in the footsteps of historical figures, is thrilled to announce its most
ambitious project to date: The Marco Polo Expedition. The goal of this newly
created tour is to cycle from Venice, Italy to Beijing, China in seven distinct
stages. The first two stages are scheduled to run in September 17 – October 14,
2020, leading riders 1,900 km from Venice to Athens, Greece over 26 days.
Guests will bike down the coast from Italy through Croatia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro, Albania and Greece, riding from harbor to harbor. Accommodations range from charming Soviet-style hotels to agriturismos and modern boutique hotels. Fine wine and gourmet food will be featured throughout the trip. This epic excursion ranges from $5,260 USD to $11,248 USD per person.
“Our Epic Adventures are all created with a sense of discovery at their core, and this tour fulfills that in abundance,” said Ride & Seek Founder Dylan Reynolds. “Marco Polo is one of the great travelers in history and in many ways, he embodies the spirit of the tours we run.”
Polo was a Venetian merchant who journeyed across Asia at the height of the Mongol Empire. He first set out at age 17 with his father and uncle, travelling overland along what later became known as the Silk Road. Upon reaching China, Marco Polo entered the court of powerful Mongol ruler Kublai Khan, who dispatched him on trips to help administer the realm. Marco Polo remained abroad for 24 years.
STAGE 1 – Venice to Dubrovnik Leaving Venice by boat, the first stage of The Marco Polo Expedition embraces the essence of island-hopping, which lies at the heart of this tour. We negotiate our way down the stunning Dalmatian coast via Marco Polo’s alleged birthplace of Korcula and take in such jewels as Hvar and Split on our way to the enchanting city of Dubrovnik. 12-days/11-nights, 738 km, September 17-29 2020
STAGE 2 – Dubrovnik to Athens Leaving Dubrovnik, riders quickly enter the beguiling country of Montenegro before jumping on to the road-less-traveled through fascinating Albania, a true tour highlight and phenomenal cycling destination. The final week take guests first to Corfu, before heading inland towards Athens. 16-days/15-nights, 1,050 km, September 29 – October 14, 2020
Ride & Seek is a worldwide adventure cycling company offering unique
historical itineraries with quality lodging, fine gastronomy, and cultural
immersion. Cyclists can not only ride some of the greatest roads in Europe but
also visit some of the most spectacular sites as well. Providing a cultural
insight into the areas visited both historically and gastronomically is central.
Historical journeys and cultural adventures are the company’s specialties. https://rideandseek.com
How can
the travel industry better support the communities we love around the world? On
World Tourism Day, leaders in tourism and community development will come
together in Washington, DC on Friday, September 27, to discuss best practices
for travel giving, voluntourism, and corporate social impact.
The 2019
World Tourism Day Forum, Impact Tourism: Giving Time, Talent, &
Treasure, is a day-long event focused on how tourism business, travelers,
and organizations are successfully making strategic contributions of time,
talent, and treasure to social and environmental projects in destinations.
Recognizing that “doing good” does not always mean “doing right,” the forum
will also examine the downsides of poorly implemented travel giving programs.
Hosted by
the Center for Responsible Travel (CREST) and the Organization of American
States, this event will trace the evolution of what was originally referred to
as “travelers’ philanthropy” into “impact tourism,” which is recognized today
as a core component of responsible travel. Designed to generate insights and
highlight innovation, the forum will also discuss the future of this growing
source of development assistance.
Select speakers include:
James Thornton, Chief Executive Officer, Intrepid Travel
Chris Blackwell, Founder, Island Outpost
Meenu Vadera, Founder & Executive Director, Women on Wheels/Azad Foundation
Katherine Redington, Vice President of Social Impact Journeys and Business Development, Elevate Destinations
The event
is taking place on Friday, September 27, 2019, 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m at United States Institute
of Peace, 2301 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC (reached by the Foggy
Bottom-GWU Metro, Blue, Orange, and Silver lines).
A trek to Everest Base Camp is the adventure of a lifetime. Follow in the footsteps of some of the greatest and most famous trekkers and climbers. Embark on a mind-blowing trek to base camp of the world’s highest mountain.
When you land in Lukla, the gateway to Mount Everest, you’ll be greeted by fresh mountain air, smiling Sherpa faces, and the wonderful absence of sound. For the next 14+ days, you will not encounter even one motorized vehicle! There are no roads to Everest, just gorgeous trails. And this is just the beginning.
You will see countless carved Mani stones and prayer wheels, stunning Buddhist mountain monasteries, breath-taking views of the Himalayas at every turn, and will immerse yourself in the Sherpa culture as you walk through village settlements and over suspension bridges. Each night you will stay in a rustic and charming tea house. Gather around the stove in the main dining room, meet travelers from around the world as you enjoy an authentic and delicious Nepali dinner. Every day of the EBC trek is new discovery for your senses. Hike through Rhododendron forests, over raging rivers, inside gorgeous valleys, and along stunning mountain ridges. You will never regret taking this life-changing adventure!
“At Hope Treks, we believe in doing the right thing and passing on the good karma to you, our client. In addition to funding medical research for the world’s most devastating and terminal childhood disease, we also practice responsible and green tourism through treading very lightly in the mountains and the countryside of Nepal. We make every effort to minimize negative social, economic and environmental impacts on the places we travel. We are committed to paying a living wage to our Nepalese guides and porters who, in the past, have often worked for as little as $10 a day. We ensure that they have proper, safe clothing and gear, as well as insurance.
“Isn’t it time for your ultimate, altruistic adventure?”
Tour Name: Everest Base Camp Trek Tour Dates: Flexible Tour Rate: $2200 USD per person Rate Includes:
Accommodation with breakfast at deluxe hotel in Kathmandu.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day while trekking
Tea House accommodation during the trek.
Experienced, English-speaking guide and porters (1 porter between 2 people). Also included is their food, accommodation, salary, and insurance.
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS Card).
Company Profile: Hope Treks offers Treks in Nepal, including
Everest Base Camp, and profits go to the Hope for Gus Foundation, which funds
medical research for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
Mountain Kick, a Kathmandu-based trip operator, is offering a Mount Everest Base Camp Trek at discounted rates for the rest of its 2019 departures and for early bookings for 2020.
Mountain Kick, a Kathmandu-based trip operator, is offering a Mount
Everest Base Camp Trek at
discounted rates for the rest of its 2019 departures and for early bookings for
2020.
Beginning from Lukla, you will walk through all the Sherpa villages on the way
to the Everest and back. Stand on the foot of Mount Everest and gaze at the
majestic giant all you can. The Everest Base Camp is where all mountaineers
begin their summit of the highest peak in the world. But the journey begins
quite before that. You have to walk through gorges, valleys, rivers, forests
and villages to reach the base camp itself. Although you will not attempt to
scale the Everest, you will set foot on it nevertheless. It is not the same but
it comes quite close. Maximum altitude is from 4,600 feet at Kathmandu to
18,519 feet at Kala Patthar.
About Mountain Kick: Mountain Kick is a Kathmandu-based trip operator and
we organize adventure sports, trekking and sightseeing trips all over Nepal. We
believe that a true Himalayan adventure is a blend of endurance in general and
a healthy dose of thrill in particular. We attempt at making your holiday just
that. We are a team of travelling enthusiasts ourselves and after years of
exploring the Himalayas we like to believe that we know our way around the
mountains and can share the “kick” that enthralled us with you. Although
Mountain Kick is just a startup, all of us have done this for long enough to
see what the Himalayas had to offer beyond commercial holiday packages to carve
a niche for ourselves. The Himalayas never fail to inspire.
Duration: 15 days
Rate: $2,250 USD, All inclusive
INCLUDED IN COST
·Receive
you from and drop you to the airport or hotel in our company vehicle.
·Stay at a
three-star hotel in Kathmandu on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfast is on us.
·Sightseeing
around Kathmandu in a private vehicle with our guide. All entrance fees will be
paid.
·Stay at
guesthouses during the trek on a twin-sharing basis. Breakfasts, lunches and
dinners will also be taken care of.
·Local
government-licensed guides.
·Porters
(one each for a pair of travellers) and local support staff to help you trek.
·Fees for
Sagarmatha National Park entering permit and Trekkers’ Information Management
System card
·We will
lend you a down jacket and a sleeping bag for throughout the trek.
·Fully
paid round-trip tickets for Kathmandu-Lukla flight and back. Rides in private
vehicles included in the itinerary.
·A duffel
bag, a sun hat and a t-shirt as a souvenir from us.
·A
traditional Nepali feast with cultural shows as a farewell dinner.
·All
tourist fees, government charges and other official expenses throughout the
trip.
One of the best bike tours on the planet is in our own backyard: the annual Parks & Trails NY Cycle the Erie Canal ride, eight-days, 400-miles and 400 years of history, from Buffalo to Albany, a fully supported biking and camping trip (you can even hire Comfy Campers to set up your tent).
The
ride raises money and awareness for advocacy for new trail development and this
year’s ride will highlight new trails that take the riders off the roadway – this
year, cyclists will ride a new stretch west of Lockport in the town of
Pendleton and a gorgeous new trail between Amsterdam and Pattersonville (so you
no longer bike on the highway). Some 550
riders are expected this year, its 21st
annual Cycle the Erie ride, taking place , July 7-14; Parks & Trails NY is
still accepting registrations ($925/adult, 6-17 $545, 5-and under $280,
ptny.org)
The
organization’s key focus now is to build upon the state’s plan for 750-miles of
off-road recreational trails – the 360-mile long Erie Canalway, plus Empire
State Trail, north-south mixed-use, off-road trail system that will fully
connect New York City to Canada.
The
plans are already in place for the Empire State Trail to be completed by the
end of 2020. In 2019, PTNY launched Trails Across New York Campaign, to build
off the momentum of the Empire State Trail’s planned completion in 2020 and
support ways to turn the statewide trail system into a true network, connecting
local trails with the main spine of the Empire State Trail, including Long
Island, “and cementing New York’s position as the nation’s leader in multi-use
trails.”
Legislation
is currently pending in the NYS Assembly (A. 5035B) (S.4416B has already passed
the NYS Senate) would create a statewide multi-use trails plan. This important
bill would direct the state to come up with a blueprint for future trails
development, helping to turn our local trails across the state into a unified network
of trails with major spines and connecting routes, ensuring all parts of the
state have access to quality outdoor active recreation on trails.
The
Senate version has already passed; the Assembly version is in Ways & Means,
which directs the State Parks department to strategize and prioritize filling
in the trail gaps. Though it was considered possible for the Assembly to pass
its version by the June 19th close of session, if it languishes to
the next session, progress will not be lost. Parks & Trails was urging
people to contact their state legislator to ask them to cosponsor the
legislation and to make sure that the legislation is brought up for a vote
before the legislature adjourns for the year.
“Trails
Across New York envisions a future in which all New Yorkers will be located
only minutes from a trail and ideally will be able to access that trail easily
and safely by walking or bicycling. Throughout the state, trails, bicycle
boulevards, and Complete Streets will be acknowledged as essential and
mainstream elements of community infrastructure, much as utility lines and
sidewalks are thought of today.”
PTNY notes that New York State’s trail-rich and
trail-friendly reputation will attract visitors from across the nation and
abroad to experience the historic communities and varied and beautiful
landscapes accessible through the state’s trail network.
Trails
offer a wide range of benefits, including stimulating local economies, PTNY
notes. The Erie Canalway Trail alone has an estimated annual impact of more
than $250 million, and has created close to 3,500 jobs. New York’s outdoor
recreation economy annually generates $41.8 billion in consumer spending and
supports 313,000 jobs.
See
Cycle the Erie series on goingplacesfarandnear.com:
How fitting that during May, National Biking Month, Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (RTC) has just unveiled its preferred route for its visionary Great
American Rail-Trail™—or the “Great American”— a 3,700-mile biking trail that
would link Washington DC with Washington State.
The proposal underscores the organization’s long-time
commitment to creating an iconic piece of American infrastructure that connects
more than 125 existing trails and fills 90 trail gaps to create the
cross-continental recreational trail.
“Since the 1980s, RTC has understood the potential of a
trail like the Great American Rail-Trail that could connect the nation. That
vision has been a guidepost for the organization for 30 years. Now, we have the
chance to create from that vision a national treasure that unites millions of
people over thousands of miles of trail,” said Ryan Chao, president of RTC.
“This trail is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to provide—together—an enduring
gift to the nation that will bring joy for generations to come.”
The preferred route of the nation’s first cross-country
multiuse trail is detailed in a comprehensive report released by RTC today. The
Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment Report outlines RTC’s recommendation
for the route, developed in close partnership with states and local trail
planners and managers.
“When defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail, we sought a cross-country route that would provide the highest-quality experience while delivering significant economic and social benefits to the communities it connects,” said Liz Thorstensen, vice president of trail development at RTC. “This route achieves those things and more, in large part thanks to the input, support and leadership of state agencies and local partners who have built the existing trails that will make the Great American Rail-Trail possible, and whose ongoing collaboration is vital to its completion.”
The route assessment was developed over 12 months with input
from RTC’s GIS analysis of more than 34,000 miles of multiuse trails; review of
state and local trail plans; and discussions with hundreds of local trail
partners and state agencies representing the trails along the route. The
preferred route aligns with RTC’s and its partners’ criteria that specify the
Great American be one contiguous route that is initially more than 80 percent,
and ultimately entirely, off street and separated from vehicle traffic;
comprises existing trails to the extent possible; is the most direct route
possible between Washington, D.C., and Washington State; is amenable to the state
and local jurisdictions that will host it; and will serve as a catalyst for
local economic development, including providing services for long-distance
trail travelers.
Traveling through 12 states and the District of Columbia,
RTC and its partners have defined the Great American Rail-Trail as more than
3,700 miles, comprising more than 1,900 miles of existing trails—those trails
already developed that will help carry the route across the country—and more
than 1,700 miles of “trail gaps,”—sections of trail in need of development to
fully connect the Great American into one contiguous route.
As the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, the
Great American will connect people of all ages and abilities with America’s
diverse landscapes and communities. Nearly 50 million people living within 50
miles of its route will be able to call this iconic American infrastructure
their own as the trail delivers new access to the outdoors and new
opportunities for physical activity and recreation. Hundreds of communities
along the route will experience new opportunities for business development and
tourism thanks to the Great American Rail-Trail, all while contributing to the
growth of the country’s burgeoning outdoor economy—one of the largest sectors
in the United States.
“We believe the Great American Rail-Trail will be a
transformative project for the nation, as it magnifies on a grand scale the
benefits that trails have delivered to communities for decades,” said Chao.
“Whether bridging gaps within and between communities, creating safe walking
and biking access to jobs, transit, shopping and green space; or serving as
recreation for cyclists, runners and casual daily explorers, this will be
America’s trail.”
While completion of the Great American Rail-Trail is a
significant undertaking and several decades away, 52% of the path is already
complete and available for public use, with plans for RTC to work in
partnership with states and local jurisdictions and organizations to bring new
segments online year after year.
RTC and its partners view the route assessment as a
blueprint for the trail’s development that is based in the reality of existing
plans and priorities. To spur trail completion, RTC has identified initial
catalyst initiatives—projects or challenges that would most benefit from RTC’s
national breadth of resources. Through these initiatives, RTC will directly
support local and state partners, investing time, expertise and organizational
resources in specific projects that are critical to catalyzing the completion
of the Great American Rail-Trail. RTC is also enlisting the support of trail
lovers across the country to demonstrate national enthusiasm for the Great
American’s development.
Setting a goal to reach 1 million pledges in support of the cross-country trail, RTC is asking the public to pledge at greatamericanrailtrail.org.
“We know that it will take a significant investment of time,
resources and energy to complete the Great American Rail-Trail—but it will be
worth it. It will take the help of trail lovers and leaders to bring this
vision to life,” said Kevin Mills, RTC’s vice president of policy. “Federal,
state, local and private investment will all be needed to complete this
project. To support the ongoing advocacy necessary to secure critical public
resources, we hope everyone will be inspired to proudly pledge to show the
widespread desire that exists for this trail.”
The Great American Rail-Trail is a signature project of RTC
and the most ambitious in its portfolio of TrailNation™ projects—the
organization’s initiative to encourage the rapid replication of regional trail
networks across the country. The Great American was first envisioned at RTC in
the late 1980s, and for decades has been an underpinning of the organization’s
strategy to create a nationwide network of public trails.
Separately, New York State, which already offers a 353-mile
long Erie Canalway from Buffalo to Albany, is in the process of filling the
gaps for a bikeway that will extend the entire north-south expanse, from New
York City to the Canadian border.
To learn more about the Great American Rail-Trail and RTC and to view the preferred route, visit greatamericanrailtrail.org and follow @greatamericanrailtrail on Facebook and Instagram.
It will take public and private support to complete the
Great American Rail-Trail. To learn more about how you can support the project
and RTC’s national leadership to plan, organize and advocate for the trail,
contact Alisa Borland, vice president of development at RTC, at
[email protected] or 202.974.5126.
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong— dedicated to connecting people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines. Connect with RTC at railstotrails.org and @railstotrails on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
