MORAL COMPASS: Great Places to Go Where the Going Does Good

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Active Travel, bike trips, cycling trips

Ride & Seek Adventures Introduces 36-Day Bike Across Europe Tour: France to Estonia

February 11, 2022 MoralCompass

*Ride & Seek Adventures, has announced an epic, 36-day, 3,693 km “Bike Across Europe” tour from Paris, France to Tallinn, Estonia.*

(Provence, France) — Ride & Seek Adventures, the adventure travel company known for its Hannibal Expedition cycling tour from Barcelona to Rome, has announced an even more audacious excursion taking riders on an epic 36-day, 3,693 km “Bike Across Europe” tour from Paris, France to Tallinn, Estonia.

The epic adventure crosses eight countries and two continents following in the footsteps of Napoleon’s Grande Armée. It begins in Paris with a spin down the Champs-Élysées, followed by aperitifs under the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe before departing for Germany, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia—through rolling vineyards, deep forests, medieval villages, and historic cities. The tour is slated for July 2 – August 6, 2022 and starts at $17,208 USD. There is an option to ride 8-day or 15-day stages of the tour starting at $4,006 USD. For more information, download the tour itinerary.

“This is our most epic of epic tours through eight countries as we cycle in the footsteps of Napoleon from Paris to the Russian border,” said Dylan Reynolds, Founder and Director of Ride & Seek. “It is our very own Ride Across Europe tour that seeks out the road less traveled as we embrace the cultural and culinary highlights along the way”

Guests will ride across the Champagne region of France into the picturesque, castle-clad green hills of southern Germany. The route then heads through UNESCO-protected medieval villages in Poland to the North Sea. From here, it moves east via the great lakes of Poland and The Baltics. Riders will eventually arrive in Tallinn, Estonia, the country’s cultural hub and capital on the Baltic Sea.

“We will visit expert champagne makers eat wonderful regional cuisine, explore UNESCO recognized sites, and ride through beautiful forests, remote territory and bustling cities, all in the footsteps of Napoleon.” said Reynolds.

For more information, download the tour itinerary.

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Active Travel, dude ranches, health and wellness travel, Outdoors Travel

New Website Spotlights Guest Ranches That Add Wellness, Spa Dimension to Horseback Riding

February 11, 2022 MoralCompass

Many guest ranches today, in addition to offering horseback riding and a cowboy spirit, are base camps for a host of outdoor adventures, and some are going beyond, with new additions to their offerings of spa and wellness facilities and Mind, Body & Spirit programs.

SONOMA, CA – Gene Kilgore, one of the world’s leading authorities on ranch vacations, has launched a new website dedicated to spa and wellness ranches: https://wellnessranches.com/.

“This is the perfect moment to highlight the wellness work that some innovative ranches are focusing on,” said Kilgore. His new website shines the spotlight on 11 such ranches in North America that are breaking new ground in the wellness movement, a multi-billion dollar Mind, Body, Spirit phenomenon.

These properties in Arizona, British Columbia, Colorado, New Mexico, Oregon, Montana and Wyoming represent the best of the best in both traditional ranch activities (life in the saddle) plus healthy wellness and spa-focused offerings.

He noted that the personal wellness movement is spurred on, in part, by the desire to recover from life under a pandemic and by a new-found appeal of America’s Wild West, its cowboys and ranch life, as evidenced by the popularity of Kevin Costner’s hit TV series Yellowstone.

Originally, ranches offered horseback riding activities for adults and families as the main focus of a ranch vacation, while ranches today are base camps for a host of outdoor adventures. But some are beefing up what they may have offered in the past with new additions to their offerings of spa and wellness facilities and Mind, Body & Spirit programs. Wellnessranches.com is organized into these categories:

In addition to exploring the wellness-related features each ranch offers, the website provides the following services to potential guests:

Check for Availability Form which is sent to ranches that match search parameters (budget, dates of stay, party details and preferred location). To begin the selection process, visitors to the site are invited to fill out the form with as much information as possible for ranch staff who have committed to respond the same or next day.
Personalized Concierge Service assists those who wish a little extra help in trying to choose the right ranch for themselves. Although not a booking service, no fees are charged for this assistance. The only goal is to give the user ideas that hopefully will assist them in finding one’s perfect “home on the range”. To use this service, visitors to the site can call 707-217-5205 or complete the online form provided.
Travel Advisor Center provides access to the website to professional travel advisors to help them expand their portfolios and business. There’s a simple interface for viewing select ranches, rates and more. Advisors simply log in or sign up via the online form to get started.

While there are a host of ranches to consider, here are four examples of properties that combine focused wellness programs matched with traditional ranch activities.

Bishops Lodge – https://wellnessranches.com/wellness-ranches/bishops-lodge: Near Santa Fe, NM, Bishops Lodge combines nature’s offerings, such as river floating and hiking, with outdoor mindfulness sessions. The Wellness Lodge offers relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, couples massage, EMF learning, aromatherapy massage, meditation, land dance, CBD massage, botanicals remedy, sound healing, sound healing facial, sacred sound massage, intuitive healing and energy medicine

Echo Valley Ranch and Spa – https://wellnessranches.com/wellness-ranches/echo-valley-ranch-and-spa: A small, eco-luxury ranch located near Clinton, British Columbia is known for its warm, sincere and anticipatory service. When guests are not on horseback riding the spectacular backcountry you may find them mountain biking, engaged in Yoga, bird watching, hiking, enjoying some archery, marksmanship, canyon tours, and meditation. Although a major draw is the spa offering relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, couples massage, scrubs, manicures, facials, and pedicures.

Bitterroot Ranch – https://wellnessranches.com/wellness-ranches/bitterroot-ranch: Near Dubois, Wyoming, Bitterroot Ranch retains its original commitment to making matches between riders, new and old, and their mounts. The ranch’s yoga program focuses on stretching and conditioning muscles that are most engaged when riding. Resident Yoga instructor Hadley Fox is a certified Vinyasa Yoga teacher and on set weeks offers clinics with instructor Marc Holzman, a certified Ayurveda practitioner with over 18 years of experience teaching Hatha Yoga and Meditation.

Rock Creek – https://wellnessranches.com/wellness-ranches/the-ranch-at-rock-creek. This ranch near historic Philipsburg, MT, offers yoga and golf along with such treatments at its Granite Spa as relaxation massage, deep tissue massage, rock treatments, couples massage, scrubs, manicures, facials, pedicures and its signature Saddle Sore Soak.

Kilgore also offers these other ranch and western lifestyle vacation-related websites to make the journey from research to booking as informed, fun and easy as possible:

RanchWeb – https://ranchweb.com/
Top50Ranches – https://www.top50ranches.com/

Kilgore (https://genekilgore.com/) began his ranch journey some 40 years ago and has spent most of his adult life and professional career taking the ranch message to the world.

“Our Ranch Vacations websites reconnect travelers with unparalleled natural beauty, hospitality and a goodness that weary city folks are craving,” Kilgore says. “The pandemic has only heightened this demand and for years to come ranches will offer this magnificent way of life for all to enjoy.”

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TD FIVE BORO BIKE TOUR, ‘A TRULY NEW YORK CITY EXPERIENCE IN A TRULY UNUSUAL YEAR’

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Uncategorized

Registration for NYC’s TD Five Boro Bike Tour Opens Jan. 26

January 24, 2022 MoralCompass

TD Five Boro Bike Tour cyclists take over the Queensboro Bridge on their way from Manhattan to Queens. For the annual biketour, thousands of cyclists ride 40 miles of car-free streets through all five boroughs © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

Registration for the TD Five Boro Bike Tour will open on Wednesday, January 26 at 12 PM EDT.

And on May 1, 40 miles of NYC streets will turn into bike lanes only. Pedal with tens of thousands of other biking enthusiasts through every borough, completely car-free, while supporting Bike New York’s mission to transform the city through cycling.

Standard registration for adults and youths costs $112, $23 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation to Bike New York to fund our free bike education programs. Standard registration includes:

Rider Identification Kit (bib & bike plate) – this is your key to enter and participate in the Tour
Snacks and entertainment at rest areas along the route
Fully supported route with additional water stops
Access to free bike repair along the route provided by Trek
Access to SAG (Support and Gear) vehicles
Entry to the Finish Festival on Staten Island
Digital finisher certificate
Free photos provided by Amazon

VIP registration for adults and youths costs $350, $76.50 of which is a tax-deductible charitable donation to Bike New York to fund our free bike education programs. VIP registration includes:

All standard registration perks
Guaranteed placement in the first start wave
Limited-edition TD Five Boro Bike Tour jersey designed by Bike New York and Primal Wear
Custom, limited-edition Tour-branded Manhattan Portage bag
Breakfast and entertainment at the Start
Timed climb over the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge
Access to exclusive VIP lounge and gourmet lunch at the Finish Festival

The cost of charity registration depends on your selected charity. Charity registration includes:

All standard registration perks
Guaranteed placement in the first start wave
Breakfast at the Start
Lunch at the Finish Festival
The satisfaction of knowing you’ve helped further the cause of Bike New York and your chosen charity
Whatever other perks are offered by your selected charity

A list of Charity Partners will be provided in the coming days, so check frequently.

Bike New York is New York City’s leading proponent of cycling and the go-to resource for anyone planning to saddle up and hit the streets.

Produced in conjunction with the City of New York, the TD Five Boro Bike tour is a charitable ride that funds free bike education programs reaching thousands of New Yorkers each year. For the latest updates on TDFBBT news, follow on social, www.bike.nyc.

See highlights of the 2021 TD Five Boro Biketour:

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Benefits of Travel & Tourism

National Plan for Vacation Day is Jan 25: Battle Burnout by Taking Time to Plan

January 23, 2022 MoralCompass

Family at Grand Teton National Park. January 25, 2022 is National Plan for Vacation Day. “After nearly two years of living with the pandemic, Americans are in serious need of the reset that a vacation offers, no matter how near or far it may take you,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “National Plan for Vacation Day is the perfect opportunity to sit down with family and friends and make plans for much-needed time off for the rest of the year.” © Karen Rubin/goingplacesfarandnear.com

After nearly two years of pandemic-related stressors, Americans workers are burned out—and new data proves it.

To help battle burnout and spur Americans to take some much-needed vacation, thousands of travel organizations around the United States are highlighting the annual National Plan for Vacation Day (NPVD) on January 25 to encourage Americans to plan all of their time off for the year at the start of the year.

More than two-thirds (68%) of American workers feel at least moderately burned out and 13% are extremely burned out. Further, more than half (53%) of remote workers are working more hours now than they were in the office and 61% find it more difficult to unplug from work and take a vacation.

Despite the latest wave of the pandemic, data from Destination Analysts found that the majority of Americans polled are in a “ready to travel” state of mind and are eager to plan a trip:

81% of Americans are excited to plan a vacation in the next six months
Nearly six in 10 (59%) agree that travel is more important than ever and 61% plan to make travel a top budget priority in 2022

Historically, NPVD was intended to help address the problem of Americans failing to utilize all of their earned time off each year, however, the challenges of the pandemic have given NPVD new significance: a time to plan ahead for brighter days and to unplug from the stressors of daily life.

“After nearly two years of living with the pandemic, Americans are in serious need of the reset that a vacation offers, no matter how near or far it may take you,” said U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow. “National Plan for Vacation Day is the perfect opportunity to sit down with family and friends and make plans for much-needed time off for the rest of the year.”

Even the simple act of planning a vacation can help to chase away the winter blues. Nearly three-quarters (74%) of planners reported being extremely or very happy anticipating and planning vacations for the coming year versus just four in 10 of non-planners.

However, work-related barriers—such as heavy workloads and staff shortages—are some of the top reasons preventing Americans from using their time off.

“Rested and recharged workers create a better, more productive workplace,” Dow added. “I encourage business leaders and team members to make vacation planning a priority, particularly frontline employees who have been working harder than ever during the pandemic.”

Social media content for National Plan for Vacation Day will be tagged using #PlanForVacation.

Click here to see a fact sheet that includes more data on the importance of planning for vacation.

U.S. Travel Association is the national, non-profit organization representing all components of the travel industry. In 2020, travel generated $1.5 trillion in economic output and supported 11 million jobs, a drastic decline from pre-pandemic figures. U.S. Travel’s mission is to increase travel to and within the United States. Visit ustravel.org for information.

expeditionary cruises

Lindblad Expeditions to Sail 4 Ships in Alaska This Season to Meet Demand

January 22, 2022 MoralCompass

Lindblad Expeditions will have all four of its U.S.-flagged vessels in Alaska this season—the 62-guest sister ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, and the 100-guest sister ships, National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture – to meet demand.

New York, NY– After bringing more than 3,000 guests to Alaska in 2021, Lindblad Expeditions is heading towards another spirited season in 2022. Bookings have exceeded expectations and with the 62-guest National Geographic Sea Bird almost sold-out, Lindblad has added her sister ship, National Geographic Sea Lion—and a slate of additional departure dates, to meet demand.

Lindblad will now have all four of its U.S.-flagged vessels in Alaska—the 62-guest sister ships, National Geographic Sea Bird and National Geographic Sea Lion, and the 100-guest sister ships, National Geographic Quest and National Geographic Venture—offering six separate itineraries ranging from 6-to-15 days. The season begins in May, offering the first guests the advantages of springtime in Alaska, and runs through September.

All voyages will provide guests the wild, iconic Alaska experience Lindblad Expeditions has honed over nearly 40 years of expedition discovery. Guests will witness the exhilarating wildness only accessible via small, nimble ships as they explore deep into remote Alaska—surrounded by extraordinary wildlife and epic landscapes. Some will walk in silent old-growth forests, kayak in secluded coves, and search for foraging bears and soaring eagles. Others will experience the thrilling spectacle of Alaska’s colossal glaciers, humpback whales, and breathtaking fjords.

The Itineraries and starting rates (per person based on double occupancy in a category 1 cabin) include:

The 6-day Wild Alaska Escape: Juneau to Ketchikan and Wild Alaska Escape: Sitka to Juneau voyages explore Alaska on an active, exciting expedition in the compact time frame of one work week. Guests will hike through forests of towering trees, kayak long routes deep into glacially carved fjords, with opportunities for active adventure. Rates begin at $4,660.
The 8-day Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness ventures into a land of mist-shrouded fjords, tidewater glaciers, and islands teeming with wildlife. Spend a full day in Glacier Bay National Park with insights from a park ranger and a Tlingit cultural interpreter. Rates begin at $7,340.
The 14-day Treasures of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia uncovers the grand wildness of seldom-seen coasts and legendary national parks. Linger in the temperate rainforests and wildlife-rich channels of British Columbia and explore the breathtaking fjords and towering glaciers of Southeast Alaska. Rates begin at $10,640.
The 15-day A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii explores some of the Pacific Northwest’s most wild and pristine regions between Sitka, Alaska, and Seattle, Washington. By special invitation, discover a nearly lost First Nations culture in the remote, moss-draped archipelago of Haida Gwaii. Rates begin at $11,580
The 8-day Voyage to Great Bear Rainforest: Native Culture & Wildlife in the Land of the Spirit Bear sails into the narrow, winding fjords of northern British Columbia into the Great Bear Rainforest, domain of the rare Spirit Bear. One of National Geographic’s “Places of a Lifetime,” it stretches across the central and northern coast of British Columbia and encompasses a quarter of the world’s coastal temperate rainforest. Rates begin at $5,400.

Lindblad Expeditions is also offering guests the chance to reconnect with friends and family in Alaska: book three full-paying guests and bring a fourth person free on select departures. Guests can also receive free roundtrip airfare from Seattle to Alaska on select departures on Exploring Alaska’s Coastal Wilderness and Wild Alaska Escapes or free one-way airfare on select departures on Treasure of the Inside Passage: Alaska & British Columbia and A Remarkable Journey to Alaska, British Columbia & Haida Gwaii. Complimentary air is based on economy group flights and must be ticketed by Lindblad Expeditions.

For reservations or additional information on Lindblad Expeditions voyages to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on Earth, visit www.expeditions.com, call 1-800-EXPEDITION (1-800-397-3348) or contact your travel advisor.

Find Lindblad on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

Video: See what happens deep inside Alaska where Lindblad’s small ships roam

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Adventure Travel, Arctic/Antarctic Travel, expeditionary cruises, luxury travel

Atlas Deploys Two Ships to Antarctica for Winter 2022-23; Travelers Save 20 Percent Plus Up to $2,000 When Booking with a Travel Advisor

January 22, 2022 MoralCompass

*Atlas Ocean Voyages, a luxe-adventure cruise company, will deploy two luxury expedition ships to Antarctica for the winter 2022-23 season.*

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Atlas Ocean Voyages will deploy two luxury expedition ships to Antarctica for the winter 2022-23 season. World Traveller will embark on her inaugural Antarctica season, while World Navigator will return to Antarctica for its second.

Travelers who make a new booking through a travel advisor by March 31, 2022, can save up to $2,000 per suite or stateroom on newly announced itineraries, as well as an additional 20 percent when paying in full.

The two ships offer a choice of 20 expeditions, ranging from nine- to twenty-night itineraries, sailing from November 2022 through March 2023. The two ships offer different kinds of expeditions: World Navigator sails shorter nine- to 11-night expeditions, while World Traveller offers extended immersive itineraries, ranging from 13 to 20 nights.

“Atlas Ocean Voyages brings travelers to remote and captivating destinations for once-in-a-lifetime and bucket-list experiences,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “In our brand’s second Antarctica season, we offer travelers a choice of two different Antarctica experiences by deploying both recently launched World Navigator and newly constructed World Traveller to the region. Whichever Atlas expedition ship travelers choose, our expert expedition teams will deliver fascinating context and unforgettable experiences on the Southern Continent.”

World Traveller will sail nine expeditions to Antarctica on 13-, 16- and 20-night itineraries for an in-depth exploration of the Antarctic Peninsula. Her inaugural Antarctica voyage departs on November 1, 2022, with a 17-night expedition from Montevideo, Uruguay, to Ushuaia, Argentina. Guests on this voyage, as well as those aboard the January 16 and February 18, 2023, expedition will visit and make select landings at the Falkland Islands, South Georgia Islands, South Shetland Islands and the Antarctic Peninsula to catch sightings of a variety of penguins, including King, Rockhoppers, Gentoo, Chinstrap, Megellanic and Macaroni penguins. Travelers can also choose among three departures that cross the Antarctic Circle and join the Order of the Red Nose on the December 1 and 14, 2022, and February 5, 2023, expeditions. On the November 18, 2022, and January 3 and March 10, 2023, departures, World Traveller will bring guests to the Diego Ramirez Islands, Chile, which is situated in the Drake Passage. All World Traveller expeditions, except for the November 1, 2022, voyage will sail round-trip from Ushuaia.

World Navigator will sail 11 round-trip expeditions from Ushuaia on nine-, 11-, and 20-night itineraries starting on December 3, 2022. For the most accessible Antarctica expedition, travelers can choose among five, nine-night departures that feature some of the must-see sites throughout the South Shetland Islands and on the Antarctic Peninsula. Furthermore, World Navigator will also bring guests into the Antarctic Circle on 11-night expeditions departing January 10 and 30 and March 2, 2023. The December 12, 2022, expedition brings guests on a unique nine-night, Tierra Del Fuego expedition that visits Chile’s most awestriking and scenic fjord lands and glaciers. Furthermore, travelers can combine the Tierra Del Fuego expedition with the subsequent 20-night Antarctica immersive expedition, departing December 21, for an epic Tierra Del Fuego and Antarctica New Year’s expedition.

Atlas Ocean Voyages is a luxe-adventure expedition cruise brand designed for discerning, fun-seeking travelers to immerse in unique and awe-inspiring moments in remote and captivating destinations. World Navigator, Atlas’ first ship, has begun service and World Traveller will launch in July 2022, with three additional sister ships, World Seeker, World Adventurer and World Discoverer, to join the fleet by the end of 2023. At 9,930 GRTs, Atlas Ocean Voyages’ ships are Polar Category C- and Ice Class 1B-certified.

The luxe-adventure cruise brand welcomes travelers to ‘come back to something brand new’ in its ongoing marketing campaign “At Last… Atlas” (www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com/itstime.)

For more information about Atlas Ocean Voyages and World Traveller and World Navigator’s winter 2022-23 Antarctica season, visit www.AtlasOceanVoyages.com.

Travel Advisors can call 844-44-ATLAS (844-442-8527) to book.

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Active Travel, Adventure Travel, National Parks

Utah’s Arches National Park Introduces Timed-Entry Program for Independent Travelers; Tour Operators Exempted

January 17, 2022 MoralCompass

A new advance-reservation timed-ticket entry program is in effect at Arches National Park, Utah for independent travelers from April 3 through October 3. Tour operators, however, are not restricted. © Laini Miranda/goingplacesfarandnear.com

MOAB, UT – New admission protocols have gone into effect for visitors to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. Visitors traveling on their own will have to make advance reservations through Recreation.gov. Under a timed entry system, each registered visitor (an individual, couple, group or family is covered under a single booking) will be assigned a one-hour time slot between 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. local time. They will be able to enter the park anytime during that one-hour window.

The new timed-entry program will run from April 3 to Oct. 3, 2022. Reservations will open three months in advance. For example, visitors who hoped to go to the park in April needed to reserve a slot beginning Jan. 3, 2022. There will also be small numbers of last-minute tickets made available every day for the following day, since not everyone is able to plan their visit so far ahead.

Another good strategy is to leave the car behind and arrange to visit the park under the guidance of a professional tour operator.

Moab Adventure Center, the go-to hub for all things adventure in the region, has arranged guided tours throughout the season and is not limited by these new restrictions. This will be a benefit for those who aren’t able to plan their park visit so far in advance.

Visitation grew to new heights in the 2021 season, the busiest year on record. Many people had to wait hours in line before being admitted. Others were turned away altogether and asked to come back the next day.

“Overall, we are very excited about the new system, and the changes it will bring. With the new system, the aim is to reduce the lines to get into the park, further enhancing the experience for everyone. The timed-entry system should keep the crowds at a manageable level at each point of interest, as well as parking lots and trailheads, making parking and access much more available and predictable,” said Cort Wright, Moab Adventure Center Manager.

The timed entry program does not apply to tour operators who have concessions contracts, such as Moab Adventure Center. The park will continue to accommodate travelers (even that same day) who book a guided tour through Moab Adventure Center. For details see https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-national-park-tours and https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-national-park.

“If tourists miss getting a reservation or something unexpected comes up, Moab Adventure Center will always be able to get them in as long as we have a scheduled tour operating. We are not required to participate in the reservation process and are not limited by the restrictions placed on the public,” Wright added.

Wright recommended the following tours for first-time and repeat visitors to the region:

Arches National Park Sunset Discovery – This is a four-hour guided tour in a van with extra wide and tall windows for premium viewing. The rate of $105 per person ($85 ages 5-13) includes numerous stops, snacks, water and park entrance fees plus the inclusion of short, scenic hikes enroute. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-natinal-park-tours-sunset
Arches National Park Morning Adventure – Is a similar program conducted earlier in the day. https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/arches-national-park-tours-morning

“In addition to not having to worry about advance reservations or having to enter the park at an assigned hour, these guided tours have several other benefits. Our guests love the fact that they can sit back and enjoy the ride, taking in every view out the window vs. having to pay attention to roads and traffic. Guests also appreciate learning about the history and geology of the area from an experienced guide. It’s really a great way to see Arches National Park,” Wright explained.

Moab Adventure Center (https://www.moabadventurecenter.com/) is a division of Western River Expeditions (http://www.westernriver.com/) an adventure travel company headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah with operations and offices in Moab and Fredonia, AZ. The company is the largest single tour provider in Moab, Utah. The Moab Adventure Center is located at 225 South Main St., Moab, UT 84532. For information and reservations call 435-259-7019 or 866-904-1163.

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● Stay with a Bedouin Family in Jordan & sleep under the stars in the Valley of the Moon

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Active Travel, Adventure Travel, Cultural Travel, international travel, Live Like a Local, Off-Beaten-Track Travel, Uncategorized

TRIPS by Culture Trip Launches New Immersive, Experiential Tours with Special Deals, Discounts

January 17, 2022 MoralCompass

*Experience rural life in Vietnam and cycle through rice fields to experience farm life first hand with TRIPS by Culture © Laini Miranda/ goingplacesfarandnear.com*

TRIPS by Culture Trip launched in September to offer multi-day small-group adventures with itineraries that combine immersive activities and distinctive places to stay, and experiences for the young at heart, the off-the-beaten path enthusiast, the culturally curious and those with the belief that “travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”. Behind TRIPS by Culture Trip is Culture Trip itself – the travel website and app for booking hand-picked places to stay, unique travel experiences and now also small-group adventures.

To kick off the new year, Culture Trip is also offering special deals and discounts now through January 31, 2022 including a $100 Culture Trip voucher when you book with TRIPS by Culture Trip; a $50 Culture Trip voucher when you spend $200 on a hotel; and a $20 Culture Trip voucher when you spend $100 on an experience. T&Cs apply.

TRIPS by Culture Trip offers over 30 itineraries in some of the world’s most captivating and off-the-grid places across the world. TRIPS range from four to 13 days, welcoming up to 18 travelers aged 25 and over who can join solo or with friends. With a focus beyond mass-market offerings, TRIPS itineraries often avoid areas of over tourism and aim to put local people at the center; the team is dedicated to avoiding unethical activities or wildlife interactions that aren’t in the best interest of the animals.

“With everyone looking for that vacation or escape in 2022, here are some trips that many will never experience in their lifetime because, well, they didn’t know they could.” Check these out:

Wild camping under the stars and staying with a Bedouin family in the breathtaking Wadi Rum — also known as the Valley of the Moon and as filming location for Star Wars: the Rise of Skywalker — is an unforgettable experience. On this trip, travelers also learn how to make Arabic coffee, cook a traditional meal with local Bedouins, milk camels and help shepherds herd their goats in the sunrise. Treks through rust-colored mountains, street food tours in Amman, and visits to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Petra through a back door to avoid the crowds are also part of this itinerary. 9-day trip from $2,599* per person

● Explore Casablanca’s design with a local architect & stargaze with an astrologer

Before exploring the tangerine dunes of the Sahara’s Erg Chebbi, bedding down in a desert camp in a Berber-style tent with a canopy of twinkling stars above, and stargazing in the desert with local astrologer Astro Hamid, travelers get to explore Casablanca’s diverse and historically significant architecture together with a local architect. 13-day trip from $2,809* per person

● Experience rural life in Vietnam & cook with a gastronomy artisan

A trip to Mai Chau is unforgettable — a lush valley lined with rice paddies between forested mountains, inhabited by several ethnic groups in the Hoa Binh province. Here, the group will cycle through rice fields to a White Thai village to experience farm life first hand — including collecting food for buffalos and feeding them, while learning about the history and culture of the White Thai ethnic group, named after their white clothes. The trip also takes travelers to Hue where they will get to learn about the flavors and techniques behind the local cuisine through a market visit and cooking class with gastronomy artisan Ms. Huy. 12-day trip from $1,609* per person

● Immerse yourself into Sri Lankan wildlife and culture & learn the ancient dances

This epic 12-day ‘Treasure Island’ adventure avoids the usual tourist areas for a glimpse of real Sri Lankan culture. Travelers get to visit a quieter, lesser-known side of Yala National Park — reducing the impact on the wildlife and environment. The park has one of the highest densities of leopards in the world with plenty of elephants, monkeys, and crocodiles. Equally memorable will be seeing herds of wild elephants in Minneriya National Park, visiting a rural village school to learn about Sri Lankan education, and attending a dancing school in Lankathilaka, where a generational dancing master will teach the ancient art of dance in his own backyard. 12-day trip from $2,039* per person

● Learn taiko drumming and aikido & witness sumo wrestling training in Japan

As part of the ‘Japan Rising’ 12-day journey through the land of the rising sun, travelers get to learn from a local aikido expert this Japanese martial art that involves breathing, stretching and self-defense techniques. They also can witness sumo wrestling training to learn about the centuries old history of this traditional sport, and test their rhythm over a taiko drum — played in traditional performing arts and festivals in Japan — with a local expert instructor. 12-day trip from $4,239* per person

Naturally, TRIPS by Culture Trip has an extremely flexible and generous cancellation plan in place should Covid restrictions change your plans , including rebooking for free up to 48 hours before departure and if TRIPS by Culture Trip cannot change your booking dates, they will refund the booking.

To learn more and book TRIPS by Culture Trip, visit culturetrip.com/trips or call 678-967-4965.

* Prices include the Local Insider; activities; accommodation based on two people sharing, with single occupancy available with a supplement; transport throughout the trip and a range of meals

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ecotourism, Endangered Places, Environmental Activism, Responsible Travel, Sustainable Travel

Ecuador President Conserves Ocean Around Galapagos While Marking Historic Milestone

January 16, 2022 MoralCompass

(From left to right): Gustavo Manrique, Ecuador’s Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition; President Ivan Duque of Colombia; President Guillermo Lassa of Ecuador; Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer in Residence; Sven Lindblad, Lindblad Expeditions; Niels Olsen Peet, Ecuador’s Minister of Tourism; former U.S. President Bill Clinton (photo supplied by Lindblad Expeditions).

NEW YORK — The decades-long effort to protect the Galapagos Islands realized an important milestone on January 14, 2022 when Ecuador’s President Guillermo Lasso signed a decree to conserve more than 23,000 square miles of ocean around the Galápagos Islands and beyond.

The new Hermandad Marine Reserve expands the current Galapagos Marine Reserve by almost 50 percent and extends northwest to the Costa Rican maritime border. This swath of ocean will safeguard a migratory corridor known as the Cocos-Galápagos Swimway, which is used by sea turtles, sharks, whales, rays, and many other marine species.

Lindblad Expeditions has had an enduring connection to the islands, ever since Lars-Eric Lindblad brought the first citizen explorers to the archipelago and funded the very first Galapagos Park Rangers. Lindblad’s founder and Co-Chair of the Board, Sven Lindblad, who first visited the Galapagos Islands in 1967 as a 17-year-old, was honored to witness this historic moment alongside Gustavo Manrique, Ecuador’s Minister of Environment, Water and Ecological Transition; President Ivan Duque of Colombia; former President Bill Clinton; Dr. Sylvia Earle, National Geographic Explorer in Residence, and other dignitaries.

Following the ceremony, Sven Lindblad noted, “This is a really valuable and important step for marine protection…And hopefully these extensions will only get larger and larger over time. It’s been a tremendous joy. People have come from all over the world to celebrate what Galapagos has done. These islands are a jewel of our planet.”

See Video of the Signing of the Marine Reserve Decree

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