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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Vaya Adventures Announces New-for-2015 Bespoke Vacations to Colombia

Vaya Adventures (http://www.vayaadventures.com/), the experts in designing premier bespoke vacations in South America, announces new-for-2015, Vaya-branded itineraries for private travel to Colombia.

“Politically there are very few countries in the world that have been able to turn their nation around as quickly as Colombia has. The same goes for ramping up services and facilities for visitors so that they can begin to enjoy, among others, a biodiversity unrivaled in the world, stunning and intact vestiges of a colonial past and the energy behind a world-class coffee production,” Vaya Adventures founder Jim Lutz says.

Newly-designed guided programs starting at just $2,517 per person (double) for nine days offer what Lutz calls “unparalleled value” for a South American destination. All accommodations and transfers, some meals, guiding, excursions and entrance fees are included in a base rate for diverse tours that offered year-round. Travel dates are flexible to accommodate client requests.

For more details, trip ideas and suggested itineraries please see: http://www.vayaadventures.com/destinations/colombia/

According to Lutz, Colombia holds a unique position and allure in the expanding world of adventure travel.

Colombia is listed (by the United Nations’ Convention on Biological Diversity) as one of the world’s “mega diverse” countries, hosting close to 10% of the planet’s biodiversity. Worldwide, it ranks first in bird and orchid species diversity and second in plants, butterflies, freshwater fishes and amphibians. With 314 types of ecosystems, Colombia possesses a rich complexity of ecological, climatic, biological and ecosystem components. Colombia was ranked as one of the world’s richest countries in aquatic resources, which is explained in part by the fact that the country’s large watersheds feed into the four massive sub-continental basins of the Amazon, Orinoco, Caribbean, Magdalena-Cauca and the Pacific.

Among Colombia tour highlights are:

• Bogota, with cobblestone streets below a panoramic view of this Andean plateau from atop Mount Monserrate (10,341 feet), Botero Museum (founded in 2000 when perhaps South America’s most recognizable artist, Fernando Botero, donated 208 pieces of his art) and the Gold Museum (the world’s most important collection of pre-Colombian gold).
• The pirate history that imbues Cartagena’s stone walls and location on the Caribbean.
• The Coffee Cultural Landscape of Colombia, dedicated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2011, viewed afoot and from an open-top jeep so guests can brush shoulders with the hard-working, real-life Juan Valdez’s of the world.
• Villa de Leyva, a charming colonial city in the Andes with excellent, off the beaten path hiking options.
• Tayrona National Park, one of the untrammeled gems of the country, on a gorgeous stretch of the Caribbean coast east of Cartagena, where guests can also explore the pre-Hispanic ruins at El Pueblito. 

An itinerary can be as culturally or actively (think hiking and horseback riding) focused as a client prefers, Lutz adds.  Visits here can also be combined with trips to Ecuador for snorkeling with sea lions and to the Incan ruins at Machu Picchu.

Jim Lutz on Colombia
“Colombia is a destination that is still well enough off the beaten path to feel like a real adventure. A lot of things help make travel in this country captivating, and those who have gone describe it as one of the highlights of their personal travels. Perhaps it’s that it feels like stepping back in time, experiencing what travel to South America was like decades ago, before major destinations gained widespread popularity. Colombia missed out on most of the rapid growth in tourism that many other parts of the continent have experienced. That will change, because the country’s troubles have receded far enough into the background that people now feel comfortable traveling here. Now is the right time to visit!”

For more information, trip planning, availability and reservations please visit:http://www.vayaadventures.com or call 800-342-1796.

About Vaya Adventures
Jim Lutz founded Vaya Adventures in 2004 out of a desire to share his passion for South America with others. This private custom-travel company leaves no stone unturned when it comes to understanding the history and culture of the regions its guests visit, thanks to extensive first-hand research and an expansive network of contacts in each destination, including the finest private guides. Vaya Adventures emphasizes accommodations, restaurants, and neighborhoods that reflect the best of the local culture, studiously avoiding the generic, the touristy, and the corporate.  Through low-impact tourism and a sustainable supply chain, Vaya Adventures strives to create a strong positive incentive for the preservation of both historic and natural environments in South America.  Lutz is also President of the International Galapagos Tour Operators Association, an organization of over 40 companies working to promote conservation and sustainable tourism in the Galapagos Islands.  

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Caribbean's Newest Destination Amber Cove In The Dominican Republic To Welcome First Cruise Ship In 2015

Amber Cove, an exciting new destination located in the heart of the Dominican Republic's breathtaking North Coast, known as the Amber Coast, just outside the historical town of Puerto Plata – will welcome its first cruise ship when the Carnival Victory arrives on October 6, 2015, for a day-long call.

The visit by Carnival Victory is the first of 37 calls by eight different Carnival ships that will take place between October 2015 and April 2016, accounting for more than 100,000 guests during this period.

Amber Cove will be a featured port on select sailings of Carnival Breeze, Carnival Glory, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Victory from Miami, Carnival Conquest from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Carnival Sunshine and Carnival Valor from Port Canaveral, Fla., and Carnival Fantasy from Charleston, S.C.

"Amber Cove is destined to become a cornerstone in creating new itineraries from several U.S. home ports," said Terry Thornton, Carnival's senior vice president of itinerary planning. "It will provide an unmatched combination of 'fun in the sun' activities and eco-tourism opportunities along with unique sightseeing, dining and cultural experiences to create a lifetime of wonderful vacation memories for our guests," he added.

Designed to serve as the gateway to one of the world's most beautiful cruising regions, Amber Cove features dramatic architectural elements that echo the area's storied Colonial past. The port is situated in a picturesque cove that serves as the backdrop for soaring mountains and lush tropical landscape. Its cobblestone plazas will be lined with a wide variety of retail offerings, including themed restaurants and bars and a marketplace with locally sourced crafts and souvenirs, recreational amenities, and a transportation center for access to land and sea adventures.

The facility will offer two berths that can accommodate up to two large post-Panamax cruise ships simultaneously.

Amber Cove will feature one of the most extensive shore excursion programs available in the Caribbean, offering a wide array of landside experiences including beautiful beaches, exciting water sports and special culinary, cultural and adventure options. Nearby Ocean World, which is one of the region's largest marine adventure parks, will offer guests many great ways to experience and interact with a variety of marine animals.

Dozens of shore excursions will be available, from cross-country adventures in 4x4 Terracross buggies that traverse the rugged countryside and horseback riding on the beach to snorkeling in crystal-clear waters and swimming in a pristine natural river pool.

Guests can also travel via speedboat to beautiful Paradise Island, one of the Caribbean's top spots for snorkeling and scuba diving, or visit rural coffee plantations and sample traditional Dominican cuisine, rum and seasonal fruit. Or for the ultimate luxury experience, guests can reserve their own private beachside bungalow with the services of a personal chef, bartender and staff.

Amber Cove will also provide easy and convenient access to the nearby historic town of Puerto Plata, named by Christopher Columbus when he discovered the island in 1492. Puerto Plata is home to the first fort built by European settlers in the New World. Visitors to the city can shop in the bustling downtown area featuring numerous artist studios and rum and cigar factories or stroll along the famed Malecon, a three-mile-long open air beach-side boardwalk dotted with bars, restaurants and shops.

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