Bicycle Tours Focused on Deaf Cyclists Planned for Maine Coast

Innovative Initiative Will Provide Outdoor Experiences to Niche Group Portland, Maine – This summer, a Maine company will begin offering something unusual, if not unique, among outdoor vacations nationally. The company will host bicycling trips guided by people who are both fluent in sign language and have first-hand knowledge of the coast. Summer Feet, which provides supported bike trips in New England and overseas, will provide two nationally certified sign-language interpreters for each trip. In 2010, those trips will be to: Acadia National Park and other spectacularly beautiful areas near Bar Harbor, Maine, from Aug. 27-29. Camden, Maine, and neighboring communities that have been identified by various publications as some of the most-scenic and fun-to-visit locations in the country, during the weekend of Sept. 24-26. “The communications barrier will be eliminated entirely,” said Alyssa Gagnon, a nationally certified interpreter in American Sign Language who has been involved... Read More →

Dengue Fever: Fastest Growing Vector Borne Disease?

The map shows worldwide distribution of Dengue Fever. Blue: Areas infested with Aedes aegypti. Red: Areas with Aedes aegypti and recent epidemic dengue fever. WorldNomads.com‘s roving medical expert Dr. Erik McLaughlin MD discusses Dengue Fever, its symptoms and the preventative measures travelers can take when visiting at risk areas. What is Dengue Fever? A recent article on Medical News Today discussed Dengue Fever as the fastest growing vector borne disease in the world.  Dengue is a viral illness that is spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes.  This illness, once confined to SE Asia has now become more common in Latin America, Asia, Africa, North America and even Australia.  Dengue, nicknamed “breakbone fever” due to the wracking muscle cramping it causes, has no specific treatment and carries a case fatality rate of 40-50% if left untreated and progresses to the dreaded Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF). Dengue fever is a flavavirus that is classified into 4 different... Read More →

Travel Scams 2.0: The Evolution of Deceit

You’ve most likely been warned about pickpockets, drink spiking, and conniving tuk-tuk drivers. However, new and increasingly more creative scams seem to keep popping up on the backpacker trails everywhere. We’ve highlighted some of the latest scammer tricks and trends, and how to handle them safely while they are happening. The Bogus Doctor Scam Relatives of overseas travellers are being contacted by bogus doctors and hospital staff claiming their family member has been injured and asking for money to be sent for medical treatment. In this new scam, relatives are contacted by phone, email or SMS text messages and given contact details of where to send the money that will pay for the treatment of their supposedly injured loved one. In reality, no one is in hospital, the details are their personal accounts – and if you panic and act on their request, you will be out a large sum of money. How to avoid this scam – You should share your insurance policy details with friends... Read More →

If Travelers Are Where Disaster Strikes: Survival Tips from WorldNomads.com

Immediately following the tragedy in Haiti, WorldNomads.com, the travel services company that’s helping travelers stay safe and stress-free on the road, posted information on their Travel Safety Hub on how travelers can safeguard their own health and safety in an earthquake / disaster affected area. If you have access to a working phone or the internet: - Make contact with family, friends & your local embassy and let them know that you’re safe. If you are injured or become ill - Contact your travel insurance 24-hour medical assistance service as soon as possible, they’ll guide you through what to do next. Follow their advice to the letter. - If you’re not covered under a travel insurance policy, seek attention at the nearest medical clinic or ask for directions to your nearest embassy. Beware of the environment: - Avoid downed power lines and disaster-caused hazards. Use battery-powered flashlights and lanterns, rather than candles, gas lanterns or torches. Following a disaster... Read More →

Hurtigruten Pumps up its Roster of Theme Cruise Vacations – Music, Celebrations, Cuisine, History, Scenic Vistas and Birds Lead the Charge

New York, NY – As a growing number of travelers seek to return home with lifetime memories, built from experiential vacations, Hurtigruten has responded to their passengers’ interests with an expanded roster of even more fascinating Theme Voyages possibilities for 2010. All of which take place aboard the company’s fleet of modern vessels as they make their way along Norway’s spectacular fjord-filled, 1,250-mile west coast, on 6- to 12-day sailings between the cosmopolitan city of Bergen and the Arctic town of Kirkenes — a route named the “world’s most beautiful voyage” by Lonely Planet’s “Bluelist.” Theme Voyages fares range from $1,205 to $8,042 per person, double. Theme Voyages combine music, history, the culinary arts, national celebrations and traditional arts and crafts spiked with informative talks and activities. Start the New Year in the Arctic on the North Cape with the “Celebrations in the Arctic.” The “Rhythm and Fabric of Life” is a... Read More →

Isla Carmen Circumnavigation – Jewel of Loreto Bay National Park

Loreto, Baja California, Mexico — Cliffs of red-hued basalt rising sharply out of the sea and the bold outlines of towering cacti provide the backdrop for paddling sea kayaks 60 miles on this little known, classic 10-day circumnavigation of Baja California’s Isla Carmen, the largest island in Loreto Bay National Marine Park in the Gulf of California. The company runs this trip only once a year in April, when winds are typically calm. “Although tour groups visit the southern tip of Carmen, the rest of the island remains mostly wild and untouched,” says Sea Kayak Adventures president Terry Prichard. “Plus, the marine life blows people away – over 280 species of reef fishes, as well as scores of dolphins, sea lions, and five of the big whale species ply the surrounding waters. We are the only company to offer this tour.” You can be among the few to paddle along Carmen’s rocky cliffs through crystal-clear water, coves with sandy beaches, reefs, and sea caves (including... Read More →

Celebrate Jane Goodall’s 50-year legacy

Harvard primatologist and professional photographer to lead historic adventure Arusha, Tanzania– Two renowned Gombe Stream alumni will lead a historic adventure in 2010 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of when Jane Goodall first began studying chimpanzees in western Tanzania. Famed primatologist and Harvard professor, Richard Wrangham, and celebrated photographer, Stewart Halperin, have teamed up with Thomson Safaris and the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) to mark the milestone with the 50th Anniversary Safari and Chimp Trek. The 15-day adventure will take a fortunate group of travelers to the heart of Tanzania’s extraordinary wild places, from tracking chimps in the rainforests of Gombe Stream National Park to following the wildebeest migration across the plains of the Serengeti. Halperin and Wrangham (see bios below) will enrich the experience beyond measure, as travelers will sharpen their photography skills with a pro and will discover more about animal behavior and evolutionary... Read More →

Official 2010 Tour de France Itineraries Announced By Discover France

Scottsdale, AZ—Discover France Adventures, an award winning specialist in journeys to France, recently announced that it is one of only four tour operators worldwide that are officially licensed to sell Tour de France tours in 2010. As officially licensed tour operators for the Tour de France, Discover France Adventures will offer trips that provide cycling enthusiasts with exclusive and elite access to all major Tour de France events. Guests on Discover France’s VIP Tour de France itineraries will be granted access to the Tour Village before the start of each day’s stage as well as special access to the team and press areas after each stage finishes. This access is usually only reserved for race officials, pro athletes and other VIP’s, but Discover France’s guests will be able to mix and mingle with the pros. In addition, VIP guests will have the opportunity to cycle our along the route of the Tour on the same day as the pro stage and just ahead of the pro riders themselves.... Read More →

Haiti earthquakes: advice for travelers

CNN.com has reported that officials are fearing more than 100,000 people have died as a result of Tuesday’s earthquake in Haiti. The 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck shortly before 5 p.m. Tuesday 12th January, centered about 10 miles (15 kilometers) southwest of Port-au-Prince, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. It could be felt strongly in eastern Cuba, more than 200 miles away. Safety tips if you are in an affected area If you are injured or Sick? If you are injured or become ill please seek medical aid and contact your 24-hour Medical Assistance Service.  The traveller should recognize that any functioning hospitals and clinics will be busy caring for people who have been injured and/or who are sick. If you are in a region with no operating medical facilities please contact your Medical Assistance Service Immediately. WorldNomads policy holders can find these details on their Certificates of Insurance or see phone numbers at the bottom of this article. Injuries The risk of injury... Read More →

Gap Adventures Announces Early Booking Bonus for Spitsbergen Cruises

Toronto – Gap Adventures is offering huge savings to anyone looking for an unforgettable, life-changing journey around the Svalbard archipelago. The adventure tour operator has announced an early booking bonus on its popular, nine-day ‘Spitsbergen -The Realm of the Polar Bear’ cruise. Travellers who book a spot on this memorable polar trip by February 28, 2010, will enjoy a $500 discount on specific cabins. “This expedition cruise is a fantastic opportunity for lovers of wildlife and pristine landscapes to experience one of the most remote regions of the world in the comfort of our state-of-the-art ship, the M/S Expedition,” Gap Adventures founder Bruce Poon Tip said. “I’m thrilled travellers will be given an opportunity to cruise through Norway’s ice-covered fjords and enjoy the breathtaking scenery on this once in lifetime arctic adventure.” Led by a team of highly-experienced expedition staff and naturalists, the trip includes spectacular... Read More →

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