The 5 Best National Parks In The World

The world is filled with a staggering amount of natural beauty, taking the form of unique rock formations or expansive forests which are home to some of the rarest animals. It is important to protect these places, to ensure that they remain undisturbed and stand the test of time. Of all the national parks out there, here are my favorite five:

Kruger

South Africa is renowned for its remarkable landscapes, filled with a plethora of flora and fauna which promises to bewitch natives and tourists alike. As one of the largest game reserves in Africa, Kruger National Park covers an area of 19,633 square kilometers and is home to some of the world’s rarest and most incredible animals, such as the lion, rhino, elephant and cheetah. Over the years South Africa’s tourism industry has taken off, with many people booking safari holidays to witness the amazing wildlife. The rugged landscape of Kruger National Park ensures that visitors will go away with a camera stocked with countless unforgettable photographs.

Yosemite

Yosemite National Park spans over 3,080 square kilometres, and is filled with spectacular cliffs, waterfalls and forestry. Over 3.7 million people visit Yosemite every year, with many choosing to spend their time in Yosemite Valley. Home to sights such as the Half Dome, Yosemite Valley is an area bursting with natural beauty, as well as a rich history which visitors will surely enjoy learning about. Nowadays the adventurous choose to go hiking in Yosemite, or even rock climbing; its beautiful scenery makes it the ideal place to combine sport with beauty.

Galapagos

The Galapagos National Park is a relatively new national park and World Heritage Site, having been established in 1959. Consisting of an archipelago of small islands, visits to the Galapagos National Park have been restricted, due to the area’s fragile ecosystem. The Galapagos Islands are home to an array of incredible wildlife, such as giant tortoises, sea lions and birds of prey, not to mention volcanoes which visitors are able to hike across. Although the Galapagos Islands are a somewhat exclusive location that can cost a pretty penny, they are well worth travelling to.

Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is an icon of the US and is the 15th oldest national park in the country. Its history dates back to 1919 when it first became a national park, but is said to be thousands of years old. There are many ways to take in the Grand Canyon, whether it is on foot or on a helicopter ride. No matter what angle it is viewed at, the Canyon never falters to amaze those who look upon it.

Activities such as hiking and rafting are commonly enjoyed at the Grand Canyon, as well as camping in one of the established campgrounds. The Grand Canyon Skywalk is also a popular way to view the Canyon – the transparent bridge juts out over the Canyon, providing a once in a lifetime view.

Everglades

The Everglades is an extraordinary location, and is the largest subtropical area in the United States, where a whole host of interesting wildlife resides. It was first declared a national park in 1947, to help maintain the area’s fragile ecosystem. The Everglades is home to 36 endangered species of animal, including the American crocodile and Florida panther. Visitors of the national park can explore it on foot or on an airboat tour.

Contributed by Matthew Coe, Online Marketing Manager for Wanderforth. www.aluxurytravelblog.com

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6 Of The Best Adventure Destinations In the World

Adventure holidays no longer have to be the exclusive domain of the intrepid, young, single traveler, ready to rough it in the world’s most remote places. Many couples and families like a bit of an adrenaline rush too. Here are just some ideas for those who would like to inject a spot of action into their travels, whilst not losing out on comfort and luxury.

Costa Rica

With more protected land than any other country in the world, more bird species than the whole of North America, more butterflies than Africa and beaches on tow oceans, Costa Rica could have been put on the planet as a living classroom for natural history. A two-week trip could encompass Pacific rainforests, nights in a jungle loge, an exhilarating river-rafting trip, the impressively active Arenal volcano and the cloud forest of Monteverde where you can test your nerve on a canopy walkway high in treetops. And there’s a final wind-down at a beachfront hotel on the Pacific coast, with swimming, surfing, horse-riding and turtle watching on the menu.

Morocco

First to Marrakech and ‘the biggest circus in the world’ on Djemma El Fna, the main square, with its daily show of juggles, acrobats, snake charmers and drummers. From there, drive to the exotic south, to Ouarzazate, the gate to the desert. You can then drive by 4WD through the palm groves of the Draa valley, visiting the kasbahs of ancient warlords who guarded the caravan routes through the Atlas Mountains, before spending the final few days on the beach of Essaouria.

Nepal

Why not give skiing miss this year and go trekking, white-water rafting and elephant riding in the world’s greatest adventure playground? On trek in the Himalayan foothills, you can either camp o stay in warm, comfortable lodges if the rigours of life under canvas do not appeal, before running the rapids of the beautiful Seti River down to the Royal Chitwan National Park. Here you stay in lodges built on stilts, track one-horned rhinoceros and Royal Bengal tiger through the lowland jungles of this spectacular wildlife, and even get to wash your own elephant at the end of the day – animal therapy at its very best!

Thailand

A mixed bag of exotic pleasures, starting with the high-octane capital of Bangkok. After doing the hot rounds of historical sights, including the Grand Palace, a walled, magical inner city filled with a fantasia of murals, ceramics, gold-leaf and mother-of-pearl topped by dreaming spires, there’s also time for hair-raising jaunts by tuk-tuk and longtail boats. From there we would recommend heading north to Chiang Mai and up to Chiang Rai, gateway to the so-called Golden Triangle, an elephant camp and visit exotic hill tribes before spending time on once of Thailand’s fabulous beaches.

Oman

Arguably the most interesting of the Middle East destinations and ideal for couples and families who would like to inject a measure of education into their holidays. As well as beach, Oman reveals a rich seam of history, markets unchanged since Biblical times, nights in the desert with adventures ranging from dune bashing to camel rides and spectacular mountain scenery.

Peru

Woven into its geography of coastal desert, a backbone of soaring Andean peaks and Amazonian jungle are fabled archaeological sites, a vibrant Indian culture and a veneer of Spanish colonialism. Plus there’s Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world with its unique Uros islands made form floating reeds, the Inca capital of Cuzco and the classic trek to Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas, past waterfalls, ruins and cloud forest. Or you can take the train for ease and speed. We would also recommend, if time permits, adding a cruise of the Galapagos Islands, Darwin’s ‘Living Laboratory’.

Conributed by Nick Van Gruisen, Managing Director of The Ultimate Travel Company. www.aluxurytravelblog.com

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For Earth Day, April 22nd, Consider These Destinations To Unplug

 Next Tuesday, April 22^nd, over one billion people in over 190 countries will be taking part in Earth Day celebrations. Celebrating its 44^th anniversary, Earth Day is an annual reminder to appreciate and care for our precious planet. In appreciation of Mother Earth, the travel experts at Cheapflights.com, the online leader in finding and publishing travel deals, suggest we stop and really smell the roses this year. The team has compiled a list of Top 10 Places to Unplug to help you disconnect from the noise and toys of the modern world and really connect with the beauty and majesty of nature.

Stop, take a breath and savor our planet at these five places in the Americas to go, unplug and become one with nature.

·         Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile - At the southern tip of South America where the Andes met the sea, the Patagonia region, part Argentina and part Chile, is a world removed from most everyone’s everyday life. With growing glaciers that periodically toss ice chunks into lakes, towering mountain tops and wild, windswept terrain, Patagonia is a testament to the powerful forces of nature. There are six national parks in Patagonia, including Torres del Paine. Though fire swept through much of the park in 2011, the three granite peaks that give the park its name were not damaged. These monolithic peaks, which reach more than 9,000 feet, are joined by waterfalls, glaciers and lakes, all fed by the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. The park is also home to a dozen or more species of birds of prey as well as guanacos, pumas, foxes as more. Out here, in these wilds, the best electronic device to pack is a great camera.

·         Kennebec River, Maine, United States - In the depths of Maine, four hours northwest of Portland, a 12-mile stretch of the upper gorge of the Kennebec River offers a wet, wild and definitely remote adventure. A handful of outfitters offer rafting outings on the Kennebec and nearby Dead and Penobscot Rivers are filled with class two through five rapids. Part adrenaline rush, part splash park, a day or two on the river is a sure fire way to immerse yourself in the moment and truly embrace your surroundings. After all, with high rock walls that cut out most data feeds, a phone-drowning flood of water and the occasional up ended boat that scatters everything and everyone aboard, there is not much point in trying to communicate with anyone or anything else.

·         Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, Peru - The Salkantay Trek may be the long way to the Lost City of the Incas, but it will get you off the beaten path, literally. An alternative to the increasingly popular and crowded Inca Trail, this trek can vary from a five- to seven-day journey and takes you more than 15,000 feet in elevation before dropping down to the cloud forest and then back up to Machu Picchu itself. Make your way through the Salkantay Pass in the shadow of its 20,000 foot summit, pass through the 15 ecosystems, with everything from hanging glaciers to orchids and butterflies, or catch your first glimpse of the ancient mountain-top ruins — just don’t expect to “check-in” unless you have a satellite phone.

·         The lakes of northwestern Ontario, Canada - Why go fly fishing when you can go “fly-in” fishing? Much of upper Ontario is peppered with lakes of all sizes (and not much else). The more remote the lake, the more fish there are. So, for a chance to match wits with a 20-inch walleye or fight the good fight with a 30-pound pike, your best bet may be to board a small float plane and wing off to the wilderness for a week. Outfitters offer cabins and lodges in secluded spots (often the only house on a lake) throughout Ontario, flight included. Many promise you will see plenty of fish, game, great sunrises and peace and quiet but that you won’t hear a car engine the whole time you’re there.

·         Green Bank, West Virginia, United States - To find out about nature beyond our planet, sometimes it requires shutting down the electronic noise in our own backyard. In Green Bank, W.V., the use of cell phones, Wi-Fi or anything else that emits a radio frequency is forbidden. The reason? The town is home to the giant Green Bank Telescope, which uses radio signals to explore space. The telescope is surrounded by a 13,000 square mile National Radio Quiet Zone, which covers the eastern half of West Virginia and into a corner of Virginia. The FCC picked this region in the 1950s in part because the Alleghany Mountains served as a natural shield from signals that would interfere with the telescope’s work. So, whether you want a front row view of space exploration or an extremely quiet trip to the mountains (there are two national parks in the radio-free zone), this is your chance. Just bring some change for the pay phone.

Rounding out our list are five destinations from around the globe where Mother Nature can be experienced in full (and undistracted) splendor. These include: Great Ocean Ecolodge, Cape Otway, Australia; Koh Tonsay, Cambodia; Tarangire National Park, Tanzania; Bardsey Island, Wales; and Khan Khentii, Mongolia. To read the details on these and Cheapflights.com’s complete list of Top 10 Places to Unplug visit www.cheapflights.com/news/top-10-places-unplug.

The Pachamama Alliance Announces Its 2014 Journey Schedule And Selection For National Geographic Traveler's "50 Tours of a Lifetime" List

Connect with the Earth, indigenous wisdom and your deeper self on a transformational journey of a lifetime.

 The Pachamama Alliance, a 501c3 organization whose vision is to bridge ancient wisdom with the modern

 world to bring forth an environmentally sustainable, spiritually fulfilling and socially just world, announces its 

schedule of 2014 Pachamama Journeys. Journey destinations include indigenous communities in the pristine

 rainforest of Ecuador, and to a special ceremonial center and community in New Mexico. The experiences are

 designed to expand the mind, open the heart, and stir the soul.

The journeys offered by the Pachamama Alliance are purposeful travel immersions that go far beyond conventional 

eco-tourism and adventure travel. The participant is invited into a deeper relationship with the people and lands visited,

 with a rare opportunity to connect with indigenous communities, traditions, and wisdom; engage in sacred ceremonies

 and deep reflection; and experience profound connection with the natural world while being held in a mutually 

supportive community.

The experience is not only transformative on a personal level; it is also connected to a larger vision for the world. 

Participants frequently report feeling deeply transformed after their participation in a Journey. Adam DeVito said,

"My journey into the heart of the rainforest with the Pachamama Alliance was one of the most potent experiences 

of my life. I had the feeling of being guided back in time as I went deeper into my own true self. I returned so alive 

and much more awakened to my life's greater purpose."

Vinit Allen, a participant to the sacred ceremonial grounds in New Mexico stated that "The Arawaka journey was

 incredible for me – I would even say life-changing. I can't recommend this highly enough! " 

The 2014 Journeys calendar from the Pachamama Alliance includes eight different journeys, each with a unique

 focus. Participants can explore earth-based spirituality, shamanism, or an immersion in the warmth and wisdom

 of the Achuar, Shuar, or Sápara peoples.

• May 3 to 9, 2014: Journey in the North: An Immersion in Indigenous Wisdom and Earth-Based Spirituality
• June 7 to 19, 2014: An Immersion with the Achuar
• July 10 to 21, 2014: An Intimate Journey to the Achuar
• August 7 to 19, 2014: Immersion with the Sápara
• August 29 to September 4, 2014: Journey in the North: An Immersion in Indigenous Wisdom and Earth-
• Based Spirituality
• October 1 to 13, 2014: Achuar Immersion with a shamanic emphasis
• October 18 to 30, 2014: Amazonian Immersion with the Sarayaku-Kichwa and Achuar 
• December 27 to January 8, 2015: An Immersion with the Sápara

The Amazonian Immersion trip in October has been selected for National Geographic Traveler's 2014 "50 Tours of

 a Lifetime," based on their criteria of "most authentic, most innovative, most immersive, best-guided, and most

 sustainable tours" in the world.

All of the journeys offered by the Pachamama Alliance help the indigenous communities maintain a sustainable

 livelihood, and help raise awareness of the gifts and wisdom they hold that is so relevant and vital to our present

 time and state of our planet.

Related Links

• Follow the Pachamama Alliance on Twitter and Facebook.
• See video on journey experience.
• Subscribe to our Blog.

About The Pachamama Alliance
The Pachamama Alliance is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco. Its mission is to empower indigenous

 people of the Amazon rainforest to preserve their lands and culture and, using insights gained 
from that work, to

 educate and inspire individuals everywhere to bring forth a thriving, just and sustainable world. To learn more, visit 

www.pachamama.org.

Nuances Of Australian Bush Life Become Real For Guests Joining Four-Day Farmstay Immersion

 
Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman left their mark on the outback in the 2008 film Australia. Now Aussie Farmstay & Bush Adventures (http://www.aussiebushadventures.com/) will deliver paying guests into the hands of a farm family in the bush while introducing them to this country’s historic, cultural and mythical nuances during a whirlwind, four-day / three-night Venture West Tour.
 
This eco tour adventure introduces guests to genuine Australian bush characters while experiencing an authentic Australian country lifestyle. Guests eat traditional Aussie bush tucker (foods such as fresh damper, Anzac biscuits, Bar-B-Qued lamb chops and kangaroo meat) and try their hands at Australian farm and bush crafts.
 
The highlight is an Australian farm stay on an historic sheep farm where the rural hospitality of hosts Bill and Mary warm hearts just as much as their campfire. The bush hosts are real characters and share the intricacies of horsemanship, sheep mustering and shearing and dog handling, all skills their guests can watch and lend a hand with.
 
The host city is Sydney. There’s a maximum of 11 guests per departure. Travel is in a mini coach with a luggage and kitchen trailer. For more details please seehttp://www.aussiebushadventures.com/tours.php?tour=4
 
The Aussie Farmstay and Bush Adventures program is $1010 per adult and $640 per child (all prices are in Australian Dollars - AUD) and include GST. This rate includes all transportation including transfers from central Sydney, all accommodation and activities (except optional horse riding), all meals and snacks (except one dinner), hot showers and full bathroom access. Guests lodge one night in a country pub in the historic town of Mudgee while sampling local wines, honey and olives; camp under the stars on a sheep farm and spend another night in mountain cottages.
 
In this fast-paced immersion guests will, among other activities, sing around campfires while listening to Aboriginal legends of the stars; step back millions of years at the fossil museum in the historic village of Canowindra; tour the underground at Abercrombie Caves; experience the life of miners then and artists now at Hill End; pat a koala and feed a kangaroo; walk in the World Heritage Blue Mountains National Park; ride horses through the mountain bushland in the Megalong Valley and journey on the world’s steepest railway and the ultra modern scenic cable.
 
About Aussie Farmstay & Bush Adventures
Aussie Farmstay and Bush Adventures Pty Ltd was started in 2007 to give travelers tours out of Sydney that provide the opportunity to experience more than just the bustling city. Off the beaten tourist track guests find the authentic Australian bush character. Tours are designed to be relaxed and friendly. Hands-on involvement of guests in all activities is encouraged. For 2014 information, availability and reservations contact: Phone Toll Free 1-877-806-5747 (USA and Canada) or visit: http://www.aussiebushadventures.com/

Wild Planet Adventures Travelers Lavish “Hand’s On” Love To Rescued Animals In Costa Rica, Celebrate Camels & Color In India, And Save On Islands In Thailand

The wildlife viewing expert, Wild Planet Adventures, continuously creates new wildlife eco-tours and safaris with opportunities to interact unobtrusively with weird and wonderful wildlife. For winter 2014 and beyond, the company unfurls three innovations for exploring the animal kingdoms of Costa Rica, Thailand and India.

In Costa Rica guests explore up to 8 national parks and wildlife sanctuaries with hands-on features that include tending to and cuddling rescued animals at a National Geographic-recognized rescue center.  In Thailand, Wild Planet has added the brilliant white-sand beaches, incredible snorkeling and limestone karst of Ko Phi Phi Island as an alternative to remote Ko Tarutau Archipelago, and at big savings ($600).  In India guests may opt for a new version of the award-winning Leopards, Tigers & Palaces Ultimate Wildlife Safari, with special Festival departures scheduled to include the famous Pushkar Camel Fair and the joyful Holi Festival of Color.

Costa Rica
Hands-on wildlife interaction meets naturalist-led wildlife viewing on the award-winning 9- and 14-day Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife Eco-Tour. A nearly four-hour, hands-on wildlife experience at Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center is a new addition to this tour and an experience recently featured in National Geographic.

“This new segment is getting rave reviews from our travelers who get to cuddle, feed and care for parrots, kinkajou, toucans, coaitimundi, macaws and other exotic tropical wildlife,” reports Josh Cohen, founder/owner. This is a natural compliment to an itinerary specializing in up-close wildlife viewing in eight remote national parks (six parks on a nine-day tour) plus whitewater rafting, cloud forest canopy tour, volcano, hot-spring, beaches on both coasts, sea-kayaking with dolphins, snorkeling at night in the bioluminescence, a scarlet macaw migration and a world-famous sloth sanctuary.

Thailand
Guests may now opt to save $600 person on 11- and 14-day a Hidden Thailand Rainforests & Islands eco-tourby choosing one of two exemplary island destinations; either Ko Tarutau archipelago for the most remote, off-the-beaten-path experience possible (with the best snorkeling!) or the breathtaking limestone karst and famous mottled turquoise water of the more popular Ko Phi Phi at a big $600/person savings. Both offer the experience of being on gorgeous romantic island beaches.

Says Cohen: “This is the Thailand you've always imagined: truly hidden remote places with thrilling adventure, unparalleled wildlife, exotic culture, brilliant white sand beaches and turquoise water. If you're the type of traveler that appreciates finding hidden gems, you'll love this rare experience of a country known for its sensual food, joyful people, exotic wildlife and south-sea islands.”

The Hidden Thailand adventure includes authentic wildlife safaris in three national parks not offered by any other tour operator; visits to a lakeside wildlife sanctuary, cloud forest and elephant camp; cultural experiences, Buddhist temples, night markets and Chiang Mai; and snorkeling at Ko Tarutau or saving $600 by relaxing on the world-class beaches of Ko Phi Phi.

India
India Ultimate Wildlife Safari: Leopards, Tigers & Palaces for 13 or 19 days already has won more awards than any other Wild Planet Adventures trip as the most comprehensive multi-safari available in India. Now the option to attend festivals adds to the sizzle.

During India’s Pushkar Camel Fair in November, thousands of colorfully dressed camel traders, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, comedians, sadhus (wandering holy men) and tourists turn the small town of Pushkar into a cultural phenomenon. The Holi Festival in February and March is the famous Hindu festival of colors celebrating the universal triumph of good over evil. Young and old yield to exuberance, throwing colored powdered dye and colored water on each other and rubbing the colors on their faces to celebrate the joyful power of enthusiasm.

It includes a multitude of safaris to see tigers, leopards, rhinos and rare wildlife, by jeep, elephant-back, camel and rickshaw. Also included are cultural segments in Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi and Agra, including the Taj Mahal, and a total of four UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

About Wild Planet Adventures
The expert wildlife guides of Wild Planet Adventureshttp://www.wildplanetadventures.com/ go the extra mile to explore remote wildlife habitat and study wildlife patterns in destinations not often accessible to the general public. Thanks to the company’s comprehensive itineraries that balance diverse and complex ecosystems and habitats, guests enjoy wildlife and game viewing that is carefully aligned with animals’ seasonal, daily and nocturnal migrations.

Following a philosophy that interacting with nature has the power to transform lives, tours are conducted in Africa, Baja, Belize, Borneo, Brazil, Costa Rica, Galapagos, India, Laos, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Thailand and Zambia. Wild Planet Adventures is recognized by top publications in the travel industry for its itineraries that combine intimate encounters with wildlife and local culture.

For a more information and a complimentary 2014 catalog call toll-free 1.800.990.4376, or e-mail: trips@wildplanetadventures.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries log onto: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/.

Mara Naboisho Becomes First Wildlife Conservancy “Early Adopter” Of Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria For Destinations

Kenyan Destination Recognized for Good Practices and Desire for Improvement

 Mara Naboisho is the first wildlife conservancy to participate in the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) Early Adopters Program. In doing so, the destination has achieved an important milestone in the recognition of sustainable tourism as a model to protect an area of high concentration of wildlife in Kenya’s Greater Mara region, while empowering the local Maasai community.

In 2010, Base camp Foundation Kenya was requested by some 500 Maasai landowners to facilitate the creation of the conservancy as a community wildlife and tourism cluster. After three years of intense planning, compromise, and implementation of strict policies, the conservancy decided to participate in the GSTC Early Adopter “In a time when complex solutions are critical to the conservation of the last remaining vestiges of spectacular wildlife, as well as the improvement of quality of life for the traditional landowners of the Mara, this project represents hope in finding solutions.  This project will continue to be a leader and a case to exemplify hope for the future” said Dr. Kelly Bricker, Chair of the GSTC.

Home to a large variety of flora and fauna, Mara Naboisho Conservancy is a 50,000-acre community located in a pristine part of Narok South district, next to the heavily trafficked tourist destination Masai Mara National Reserve, approximately 250 km from Kenya’s capital. Lars Lindkvist, CEO of Basecamp Foundation, which oversees the destination said, "Mara Naboisho Conservancy is honored to be the first wildlife conservancy to participate in the GSTC's Early Adopter Program. We are proud of our innovative approach to sustainable tourism, which is already realizing significant benefits, and improving lives and livelihoods in the beautiful Masai Mara. From the evaluation, we recognize a great opportunity to monitor and report on our impacts going forward, so that we can celebrate our success, identify improvements, and collaborate both regionally and across the globe."

Through a participatory planning process that deserves global recognition for inclusiveness of its stakeholders, innovation, and outcomes, Mara Naboisho Conservancy has already begun transforming lives and land. “Throughout its short existence, the destination has already seen a significant increase in wildlife numbers and a strengthening of local traditions, while encouraging Maasai landowners to take a proactive role in their own survival”, revealed the evaluation from Sustainable Travel International , the lead NGO partner for the GSTC on the Early Adopter Program.

"The results from Mara Naboisho Conservancy's assessment are outstanding. The tourism model implemented by the destination successfully integrates many fundamental sustainable tourism practices and principles. As the conservancy grows, it will only increase its positive impact on tourism partners and landowners. It is truly a global showcase for the wildlife conservancy model." added Jeremy Sampson, STI Senior Director and Destination Specialists, who also conducted the on-site assessment.

About the GSTC
The Global Sustainable Tourism Council is a global initiative dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism efforts around the world. Housed within the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the GSTC works to expand understanding of and access to sustainable tourism practices; helps identify and generate markets for sustainable tourism; and educates about and advocates for a set of universal principles, as defined by the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria. The Criteria, a set of voluntary principles that provide a framework for the sustainability of tourism businesses across the globe, is the cornerstone of our initiative. For more information, visit http://www.gstcouncil.org/.

About the GSTC Destination Criteria
A panel of business owners, academics, government officials, and other experts, who examined the UN World Tourism Organization’s Indicators of Sustainable Development and other such guidelines currently in existence, developed the GSTC’s Destination Criteria. Because the criteria are intended to describe a globally applicable set of minimum steps needed to approach sustainability, the criteria are seen as a baseline that each destination should add to or adjust as needed.

The GSTC does not aim to certify destinations as sustainable; rather, the Council will review existing certification standards and acknowledge those that meet their criteria. However, any destination will be able to use the new criteria as a guide to becoming environmentally, culturally, and socially sustainable.

About Sustainable Travel International
Sustainable Travel International is a non-profit organization with a purpose. We’ve been collaborating with destinations, businesses and travelers to implement innovative sustainable tourism development and conservation solutions since 2002. We combine the mission and transparency of a non-profit NGO with the business acumen and expertise of the private sector, ensuring our partners achieve their desired results and receive a strong return on investment.

Five Tips to Identify Eco-Tourist Attractions That May be Greenwashing

WSPA uses the Cayman Turtle Farm as a case of a losing proposition for animals, conservation 

In recent years, eco-tourism has become a hot buzzword for environmentally minded travelers, but the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) advises tourists to research visitor attractions to ensure they are operating responsibly, keeping in mind the welfare of animals and the environment, and avoid those that are simply greenwashing.

Using the Cayman Turtle Farm as an example, Elizabeth Hogan, oceans and wildlife campaigns manager at WSPA, put together a list of five tips that can help tourists identify when an eco-tourist attraction is not as animal- or environmentally friendly as it claims. The turtle farm is a popular tourist destination in the Cayman Islands that alleges to focus on the conservation and the protection of endangered sea turtles, but also sells them for food and has a poor track record on animal protection issues.

1)      Avoid direct interaction with the animals.

As a general rule, you shouldn’t be touching animals at an eco-tourist attraction. Whether it’s swimming with dolphins or holding sea turtles, this kind of contact with hundreds or thousands of tourists can traumatize the very animals being protected and compromise their health, sometimes in serious ways. Be wary of any eco-tourist attraction that encourages or allows this kind of contact and know it may also pose a health risk for you personally. For example, at the Cayman Turtle Farm, tourists are encouraged to handle the sea turtles, putting themselves at risk of contracting E.coli and salmonella. 

2)      If there is a high entertainment to science ratio, stay away.

Eco-tourist attractions must balance science and entertainment. Unfortunately, some lean too heavily on the latter. If the eco-tourist attraction you’re considering has too much entertainment, such as snorkelling with sea turtles in small artificial ponds as the case at the Cayman Turtle Farm, it may not be paying enough attention to welfare of the animals it’s supposedly protecting and the science of conservation. 

3)      Don’t eat any of the animals supposedly being protected.

Done properly, there’s nothing wrong with farming. But it’s a very different thing than conservation. Any eco-tourist attraction that tries to balance conservation of a species with selling it for meat is caught in a conflict of interest. At the Cayman Turtle Farm, it claims to be helping endangered sea turtles while simultaneously selling sea turtle meat to local restaurants.

4)      Look for what trusted third parties have to say.

Before you visit an attraction, spend a few minutes on the Internet to see what trusted third-party groups have to say.  In the case of the Cayman Turtle Farm, WSPA as well as other animal and conservation groups have expressed concerns about its policies and practices which are online and come up in any search on the farm.

5)      Ask you travel agent, cruise line and hotel concierge lots of questions.

With the four points above in mind, come armed with questions for anyone recommending you visit an eco-tourist attraction. Ask members of the travel industry to investigate the attractions they are promoting and provide proof that the property is operating with animal’s and the environment’s interest at its core. If they can’t answer all of your concerns, look for other animal- and eco-friendly options.  In the case of the Cayman Turtle Farm, WSPA and other groups have met with and encouraged cruise lines visiting the Cayman Islands to stop directing tourists to the farm because of its poor track record with animal welfare issues. 

WSPA says keeping these five simple tips in mind will help environmentally minded travelers avoid eco-tourist attractions that fail to meet industry standards.

“Ultimately people want to do the right thing and eco-tourism sounds good, it feels good, and people like the idea that they are helping make the world a better place while they are on vacation,” added Hogan. “But it’s not that simple. Luckily if you know what to look for it’s fairly easy to spot problem places even if no one tells you.”

To learn more about WSPA’s campaign to end sea turtle cruelty at the Cayman Turtle Farm, visit http://www.StopSeaTurtleFarm.org.

***

About WSPAAt the World Society for the Protection of Animals, we have worked to expose animal cruelty and prevent animal suffering for more than 30 years. Working with individuals, organizations and governments across the globe, our campaigns range from putting animals at the heart of farming to protecting animals in disasters. Consultative status with the United Nations means we have a unique international platform to prove that the lives of animals are inextricably linked to our own, and now more than ever is the time to stop their suffering.

For more information, visit http://www.wspa-usa.org.

Five Holiday Trips for Wildlife Lovers And Families with Animal-Crazy Kids

 

 
“A wildlife vacation is inspirational. It can impact how and where people move through life when they return home,” says Josh Cohen, founder of Wild Planet Adventures (http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/), the wildlife-viewing specialist. “International travel is the best possible gift that you can give a child of any age.”
 
For December and early January travel, he underscores that to secure airline tickets and accommodations, travel plans need to be made as soon as possible. The following adventures are priced per person, double occupancy.
 
Thailand - Remote Rainforests & Islands: There are two comprehensive itineraries to choose from. Highlights include excursions seeking elephants, guars, tigers, gibbons, langurs, macaques, barking deer, flying foxes and a plethora of unique birds; wildlife safaris by boat and kayak based from a floating aqua-lodge; jeep and walking safaris in Kaeng Krachan, the largest and least visited national park in Thailand; tracking wild elephants in Pa La-U; and snorkeling the turquoise waters of Ko Tarutau archipelago.
 
Thailand tours are best for couples or families with teens and adult children who will appreciate the peace and joy instilled by the Buddhist culture. Everyone will love the fun and sensuality of the Thai people best experienced through the extravagant Thai cuisine, unique Thai massage and the simple beauty of the Asian aesthetic found at many of the lodges.
 
Hidden Thailand: 14-day (Dec. 15-28, Dec. 22-Jan. 4, $4,898) & 11-day (Dec. 15-25, Dec. 22-Jan. 1, $3,798) http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/204/434/
 
Thailand Ultimate Wildlife: 15-day (Dec. 15-29, Dec. 22- Jan. 5, $4,798) & 11-day (Dec. 15-25 or Dec. 22-Jan. 1, $3,798) http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/143/384/
 
India – Exotic Wildlife and Rich Culture: Wild Planet guests don’t have to choose between India’s spiritually rich cultural experiences or its classic wildlife safaris. Two in-depth itineraries provide the very best of both. These are the most comprehensive multi-day safaris available in India. They include India's top national parks, wildlife reserves and UNESCO World Heritage Sites where sightings of wild leopards, rhinoceros, elephants and tigers inspire a lifetime of awe. Included are cultural experiences and safaris in five very different National Parks and wildlife reserves, by jeep, elephant-back and camel-back.
India is best for couples or families with older teens or adult children who want their kids “to have the inescapable spiritual experience of traveling in India, seeing how people with so little can have so much joy, and appreciating how fortunate we are, a message underscored by the privilege of getting to see tigers and other extremely rare animals in their natural habitat,” says Cohen.
 
India Ultimate Wildlife Safari - Leopards, Tigers & Palaces: 19-day (Dec. 17-Jan. 4, $7,398) & 13-day (Dec 17-29, $4,998) http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/235/1196/
 
Untamed India & Nepal: 19-day (Dec. 15-Jan. 2, $7,198 - a $500 savings) & 14-day (Dec. 15-28, $5,098) http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/259/661/
 
Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife: Costa Rica has six percent of the world’s biodiversity, but the vast majoriBorneoty of travelers never see more than a fraction of that. To go beyond the norm requires a specially designed itinerary like Wild Planet’s “Ultimate Wildlife” eco-tour that escapes the mainstream and visits a variety of diverse ecosystems. Highly trained naturalist guides with extensive knowledge of localized migrations, nocturnal animal activity and little-known wildlife hot-spots guide travelers through the widest variety of eco-systems to expose travelers to the most possible wildlife. The itinerary includes eight national parks, beaches on both coasts, cloud forest canopy tours, whitewater rafting, volcanoes, hot springs, sea-kayaking with dolphins, snorkeling at night in the bioluminescence, a scarlet macaw migration, a world-famous sloth sanctuary and a hands-on wildlife rescue center.
 
Cost Rica is best for adults and kids eight years and up (especially for wildlife enthusiasts with limited time, who like to travel closer to home and have highly active kids). “A wildlife-focused trip like ours is especially suited to families with animal-crazy kids who want to take the next step and inspire them to become biologists, work with animals or start a green business,” Cohen notes.
 
Costa Rica Ultimate Wildlife Eco-tour: 14-day (Dec. 14-27, Dec. 21-Jan. 3, $4,798) & 9-day (Dec. 14-22, Dec. 21-29, $3,198)  http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/12/50/
 
Borneo’s Weird & Wonderful Wildlife:“It may come as a surprise to many that Borneo is an ideal Holiday destination because its most popular season is March through October. However, in Borneo the difference in seasons is minimal since it’s hot, humid and rainy year-round,” Cohen notes. In December there are fewer travelers and some of the best flight availability of the year. The ancient primeval rainforest here harbors an Orang-Utan sanctuary, pygmy elephants, proboscis monkeys with huge noses, and Bornean gibbons who sing to each other, among countless other rare and endemic species. Highlights include a special expedition to see Borneo’s unique flying and gliding mammals. Night excursions reveal tarsiers and slow loris, two of the world’s smallest and cutest primates. Borneo’s rainforest is disappearing at alarming rates due to palm oil cultivation, making it the world’s #1 “see it while you can” destination.
 
Borneo is best for adventurous or experienced travelers who can appreciate its extraordinary wildlife. Borneo shares a rare commonality with the Galapagos, as its wildlife evolved in highly unusual ways due to its isolation. Think gliding frogs and snakes, flying lemurs and lizards and much more. Snorkelers and scuba divers will also appreciate one of the world’s top five barrier reefs.
 
Borneo Weird & Wonderful Wildlife Safari: 12-day (guests choose their own departure date, $5,998). http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/427/1426
 
Galapagos Wildlife Cruise: “Because most quality, first-class yachts are sold out one to two years in advance for the Holidays, now is the time to start thinking about Holiday 2014 and even 2015; or consider a non-holiday week if you’d like to go sooner,” Cohen advises.  Wild Planet Adventures works with over 30 yachts to offer travelers a wide variety of options.
 
The Galapagos Islands are best for adults and children six and up and provide excellent experiences for travelers who are less adventurous or less active, as the activities aren’t strenuous. “However, it’s not a good fit for those who get seasick easily or small children who would feel cooped up on a small yacht for a week,” notes Cohen.
 
Galapagos Islands Aboard the M/Y Eric, Letty or Flamingo:  8-day (Sunday departures year-round, rate depends on choice of cabin, from $3,900)  http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/content/view/10/219/
 
About Wild Planet Adventures
The expert wildlife guides of Wild Planet Adventures go the extra mile to explore remote wildlife habitat and study wildlife patterns in destinations not often accessible to the general public. Thanks to the company’s comprehensive itineraries that balance diverse and complex ecosystems and habitats, guests enjoy wildlife and game viewing that is carefully aligned with animals’ seasonal, daily and nocturnal migrations.
 
Following a philosophy that interacting with nature has the power to transform lives, tours are conducted in Africa, Baja, Belize, Borneo, Brazil, Costa Rica, Galapagos, India, Laos, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Thailand and Zambia. Wild Planet Adventures is recognized by top publications in the travel industry for its itineraries that combine intimate encounters with wildlife and local culture.
 
For a more information and a complimentary 2014 catalog call toll-free 1.800.990.4376, or e-mail: trips@wildplanetadventures.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries log onto: http://www.wildplanetadventures.com/.