Summer Camp in Costa Rica – An Affordable and Unforgettable Experience

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – For decades, the youth of America have spent their summer vacations at camps in the Pocono Mountains, upstate New York and beyond. For teens sick and tired of the old routine, Horizontes Nature Tours is offering a 2-week summer camp exploring the beautiful nature and rich culture of Costa Rica. Young people will learn the value of life in other countries, leadership skills, independence, and outdoor recreation. Don’t be surprised if they travelers are rattling off Spanish phrases left and right by the time they come home!

The summer camp headquarters are situated at the foot of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano near Liberia, Guanacaste. Strict advocates of ecotourism, Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín is surrounded by native tree gardens, exotic flowers, a great variety of birds and astonishing views of the volcano and the Pacific Ocean.

Every morning, campers will wake up to the “mooing” of cows roaming through the pasture and help the cowboys with farm chores before they head out on excited excursions. Horizontes and Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín take teens to National Parks around the area to discover the natural wonder and wildlife. Participants will visit the local volcano and get to take a dip in the popular mud pools. Not only will guests learn about Costa Rica’s vast ecosystem, but they will really get to know the people as well. Campers volunteer at the Liberia orphanage for two days, interacting with children and making their home a more vivid place to live.

Campers will have a loads of time to enjoy the activities based right out of the camp headquarters: horseback riding tours, a zip line canopy, tubing tours at the rapids of the Río Negro, various hiking trails, natural hot springs, crystal clear waterfalls, virgin forests, and relaxing volcanic mud pools – just to name a few. Back at the hotel, participants will be able to relax in the pool, take part in hilarious leadership activities, practice their Spanish and learn about the Cosmos in the Star & Planet Search Program. Kids will even take a course in First Aid and CPR.

Parents can rest assured their children are in safe hands. Owner of Hacienda Guachipelín, José Tomás Batalla runs an operation to the high standards that he holds for his own beautiful family.

“The idea of a Summer Camp in Hacienda Guachipelín has crossed my mind so many times. All the students groups, my children and those of my relatives and friends, always have a blast when they meet here in the hotel. At the end of their vacations they don´t want to leave. Of course, they take home hundreds of pictures and lots of information to share with their folks at home and their class mates at school,” Batalla said.

During 26 years, Horizontes Nature Tours, has been responsible to make each journey in Costa Rica country not only a perfect vacation but also an enriching life experience; one which combines all the elements of fun, safe adventure, learning and personal growth, while promoting a greater understanding of nature and humankind. They aim to make each tour a voyage of personal discovery of the world around us – and the one inside.

The program is offered for four sessions throughout the summer – the first one starting on June 6 – costing $1,699 per participant. For more information about this summer camp program, visit www.horizontes.com or contact Luigi Quesada at luigi@horizontes.com.

Zegrahm Expeditions Announces the Ultimate 2011 Persian Gulf Voyage

SEATTLE, Wash. — Long before any large cruise ships visited the region, adventure cruise specialist Zegrahm Expeditions was exploring the exotic Persian Gulf, including the United Arab Emirates, the Sultanate of Oman, Bahrain and Qatar. What Zegrahm discovered then, remains key to their operation today: the region is best experienced with a small group and accompanied by expert lecturers in order to bring this multi-faceted itinerary to life. With that, Zegrahm Expeditions is pleased to return to the region in 2011 with its Sands of Time voyage offered February 17 – March 4 as well as November 25 –December 7, 2011 aboard the 110-passenger Clipper Odyssey.

The voyage begins in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). A full exploration of this famed city ensues, including Burj Khalifa – at 2,617 feet, the highest structure ever built. A dhow cruise across Dubai Creek with stopover at Sheikh Saeed’s house, the Burj Al Arab, Jumeirah Mosque, and Dubai Museum are all part of an in-depth visit before embarking the ship in the evening and sailing under massive, illuminated skyscrapers.

Also while in the UAE, travelers search for the nearly extinct Arabian oryx on the island of Sir Bani Yas and visit the futuristic city of Abu Dhabi, which spares no expense in showcasing the wealth generated by oil revenues. In the nearby emirate of Sharjah, small museums and historic Arabian architecture reveal preserved and intact cultural traditions. From the UAE we visit Bahrain, Arabia’s only island-nation and tour the National Stables, featuring Arabian horses, in Qatar.

Many highlights of the voyage will be found during days spent in the Sultanate of Oman—one of only two sultanates in the world. On the Musandam Peninsula, travelers board local dhows to explore sinuous inlets where towering cliffs plunge into the turquoise sea. The itinerary includes Fujairah, which separates Oman into two sections and is the only emirate located outside the Persian Gulf, and the charming capital of Muscat home to the magnificent Sultan’s palace, Portuguese forts, elegant mosques, and maze-like souq. A countryside excursion reveals the ancient capital of Nizwa and the astonishing mud-brick fortress of Bahla, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

On the February voyage, the trip concludes with Sur and Salalah, Oman. In Sur, travelers will be awed by the artisanship of the town’s many dhow builders. Then, off to Salalah, an important stop in the ancient frankincense trade and home to the Prophet Job’s sacred tomb.

One of Zegrahm’s hallmarks is the high-caliber expedition and lecture team that is assembled – these voyages are no exception. Professor Ron Wixman, for 35 years one of America’s leading specialists on the cultures and people of the Middle East, will join author and textile expert Kim Saunders, as lecturers. Other cultural and natural history experts will accompany each voyage, under the guidance of one of our veteran expedition leaders.

For reservations or to learn more about the Clipper Odyssey and the expert leaders for this voyage, please visit www.zeco.com.

Lindblad Expeditions and B&H Photo Team Up for The Perfect Photo Op

Lindblad Expeditions, the pioneering expedition travel company with a strong commitment to responsible travel, has teamed up with B&H, the world’s leading retailer of imaging products, for their first Wild Alaska Photo Expedition.

The one-of-a-kind one week expedition aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird will head into the wild with top pros from National Geographic. They include Kim Heacox, award-winning writer/photographer and Alaska resident; Cotton Coulson, contributing editor to National Geographic Traveler who will guide guests through the latest techniques for shooting video with DSLR cameras, plus Lindblad Expeditions’ photo specialist Michael Nolan, an expert in shooting Alaskan wildlife.

To augment the finest in instruction, Lindblad is bringing aboard the ultimate in equipment. Guests will get to test drive the best photo and video gear – with plenty of “toys” to inspire every range of photography skill – and instruction from the onboard B&H gear specialist.

Whether you’re a point and shooter, or a seasoned photographer, the itinerary is dedicated to improving your photography and appreciation of Alaska’s natural and cultural wonders. Talk gear, track big creatures, walk into old growth forests, kayak into still coves and draw close to calving glaciers in a zodiac – and capture some of your best field shots ever.

Characterized by active days shooting in the wild, and evenings offering photography discussions, presentations and mini workshops, the photographers and Expedition Team will always be available for assistance, whether it’s aboard the ship, exploring ashore or simply chatting over drinks.

This special expedition, Wild Alaska: A Photo Adventure departs August 29, 2010. Rates begin at $5,650 per person based on double occupancy.

For reservations contact your travel agent or for additional information on Lindblad Expeditions’ Wild Alaska: A Photo Adventure and voyages to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on earth visit www.expeditions.com or call 1-800-EXPEDITION.

Africa Adventure Consultants Crafts Safaris in Kenya and Tanzania for Families Seeking People-to-People Experiences

Even at age five one world traveler has vivid memories of hyenas chasing a lion and of school children clustering to touch his hair and skin. The essences of why families vacation – to connect with different cultures and witness nature first hand — come together on a family safari in Africa.

“One highlight of our family safari was a visit to the local school where about 700 kids learn in a handful of crowded classrooms. The children’s excitement at seeing our sons Grady and Tate was off the charts. At one point there were at least 75 kids swarming around Grady to try and touch his skin and hair. He was a really good sport, exclaiming that he had a lot of new friends and they all wanted to touch him!” said Kent Redding, president of Africa Adventure Consultants, Inc.

Redding’s company offers family programs in Kenya and in Tanzania. He underscores the Kenya Family Safari as an “exceptionally good value” while at the same time minimizing travel time by utilizing small planes between lodges and camps.

This eight-day program offers full-time educational and entertainment programs for children included in the price. Daily programs are organized and led by carefully selected and trained local naturalists, and children get plenty of opportunity to interact with African children their own age. A typical day might include a visit to a “manyatta” village to watch a dance or join in a game of soccer, or learning how to use a traditional bow and arrow.

From Nairobi the first flight is to the Samburu National game reserve and luxury camping at Samburu Intrepids Camp in one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. From the camp guests can see herds of elephant, buffalo and zebra. A flight to Lake Naivasha and the Rift Valley Lodge offers boating, fishing, golf, guided forest walks, horseback riding and more. The third flight is to Masai Mara game reserve for game drives and more deluxe safari-style camping.

The rates from July through October are $3,659 per adult (double occupancy) and $2,013 per child up to age 16 in room with two adults. Rates are less the rest of the year except for Dec. 24-Jan. 1 when holiday surcharges are applied. Included are all accommodations, meals, some drinks, guides, air and ground transfers, vehicles, park fees, activities, and a $25 donation to a worthy African charity. Price excludes international flights, visas, tips, inoculations, travel insurance, and items of a personal nature. As a leader in eco-tourism, Africa Adventure Consultants also offsets 100% of each safari they sell through the purchase of carbon credits.

Other popular family safaris offered by the company in 2010 include:

Deluxe Kenya Family Safari
A Luxurious 7-Day Safari with Exclusive Family Accommodations

Tanzania Family Safari
A 9-Day Wildlife Safari Designed for Kids of All Ages

Western River Expeditions Hosts 3rd Annual Raft for the Cure June 26

Supporters from Around the World Invited to Moab for a Day of Colorado River Rafting, BBQ, Concert, Raffle and Auction to Benefit the Fight against Breast Cancer

Moab, UT – Western River Expeditions hosts its 3rd annual Raft for the Cure on June 26, 2010. During last year’s event, over $12,000 was donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure – Salt Lake City for breast cancer research.

Brandon Lake, VP of Western River Expeditions explains the history behind the event. “A few years ago, Betty Conner, one of our reservationists discovered she had breast cancer. Betty had been with us for over 15 years and we were all personally touched by her heroic battle. Today she is a survivor. From that experience, Raft for the Cure was born. We now join with her and hundreds of others in a tribute to those millions who have been affected by breast cancer and to find a cure.”

The event takes place at Western’s Moab Adventure Center (http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/) and includes mild white water rafting on the Colorado River, a complete riverside buffet lunch at Red Cliffs Lodge, an evening BBQ, and live concert. Participants also receive a commemorative T-shirt and transportation to/from the river. Proceeds are donated to Susan G. Komen for the Cure Salt Lake City.

Registration for the event is $100 for adults 16 and up and $85 for youth 5-15. The raft adventure includes running the rapids of Onion Creek, Cloudburst, Ida Gulch, and the famous Whites Rapid. Space is limited so reservations should be made soon.

Non-rafters may also register for off-river activities only; $15 for the dinner and concert, $15 for the commemorative T-shirt, or $27 combined.

“This event, now in its third year, is enjoyed by hundreds of people from all over the country. It’s not only one of the most fun events of the year, it’s also emotional, liberating and all for a very worthy cause,” said Lake.
For a video of last year’s event and more Information please visit: http://www.moabadventurecenter.com/cure/.

To register visit: http://www.raftforthecure.com/registration1/

Surrender Yourself to the Charms of Saimaa, Finland

Summer Tour with the Charms of Saimaa

The Charms of Saimaa is a cooperation of 15 enchanting destinations around the Saimaa region. The variety of services offered includes distinctive hotel and farm accommodation possibilities, charming, high-class restaurants, delightful boutiques, and atmospheric steamboat cruises. Pick and choose destinations from the multitude to create the perfect Saimaa holiday just for you.

Next Hotel Satulinna is an early 20th century manor, which serves as a hotel, restaurant, conference venue, as well as sauna and spa village. At Satulinna, you have the possibility to enjoy the nature of southern Savo, bathe in a traditional Finnish smoke sauna, swim in the clear blue waters of Lake Puulavesi, and indulge yourself with a variety of beauty treatments. The former barn of the manor now serves as a restaurant in the summer time, serving food prepared using all-organic ingredients.

To combine your overnight visit with a true culinary experience, try Tertti Manor. In Mikkeli In this delightful manor hotel and gourmet haven in southern Savo, the charms of the past meet modern comfort. The manor dates all the way back to the 1500s and has been run by the same family for over a century. Tertti is known for its high-class cuisine. In 2010 The Finnish Gastronomic Society acknowledged Tertti’s achievements in consistently promoting high-quality gastronomy, as well as sustaining the authentic manor house atmosphere. One of the secrets behind Tertti’s cuisine is their passion for local and organic produce. The restaurant serves rye bread based on a 100-year-old dough root from local suppliers, partridge and other game hunted from the manor’s own forests, and salads and herbs grown in Tertti’s own garden.

Continue to delight your taste buds at the Ollinmäki Wine Farm in Anttola. Ollinmäki is a producer of award-winning wines made from Finnish berries and fruits. At Ollinmäki, a Central European wine-making technique – with a healthy dose of Finnish pioneering spirit – is used to turn the berries into wine. In addition to the berries, the names of all the wines come from Finland as well, from an old collection of songs and hymns called Kanteletar.

For getting around Saimaa, leave your car ashore and travel back centuries on a nostalgic steamship cruise. Sightseeing cruises on the traditional handmade Finnish steamships S/S Paul Wahl or S/S Punkaharju offer an insight into the history of the Finnish inland lake. The tour takes you around the Saimaa Lake district and Savonlinna’s famous medieval Olavinlinna castle, home to the world-famous opera festival held at the height of summer each year. Daily cruises in the Savonlinna archipelago 1 June–31 August 2010, at noon, and at 2, 4 and 6 p.m. on the S/S Paul Wahl, and at 11 a.m. and 1, 3, 5 and 7 p.m. on the S/S Punkaharju.

These are only a few examples of the Saimaa region’s charming possibilities. For more information about the Charms of Saimaa, visit www.saimaancharmantit.fi.

For a complete six-day Charms of Saimaa Summer tour, check the Savonlinna travel website at www.savonlinnatravel.com.

For more information about tourism in Finland, go to www.visitfinland.com.

Cycling and Multi-Sport Specialist Austin-Lehman Adventures Embraces Bicycles for Humanity (B4H)

Billings, Montana-based ALA puts fleet of old wheels, its home community and active trips to work for rural Namibia settlement

Billings, Montana — Global adventure travel company Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) has announced Bicycles for Humanity as its charitable partner and designated the African community of Ngoma, Namibia, as its newly adopted beneficiary.

Spearheaded by ALA director Dan Austin, who also founded the Billings, MT chapter of B4H, ALA has created three key initiatives with its local B4H by leveraging some of its greatest resources: (1) the collection and transport of a fleet of used bicycles; (2) the organization of a seven-day, all-inclusive fundraising B4H bike tour through Tuscany, October 2-8, 2010, with proceeds to develop a new Bicycle Empowerment Center in Namibia that offers distribution and repair services ; and (3) a bike delivery trip to Ngoma, Africa, and its surrounding Caprivi region in July, which will include visits to Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River.

For this remote, rural village in the Caprivi region of eastern Namibia, where poor transport systems impede residents’ access to healthcare, education and economic opportunities, ALA’s donation of bicycles and funds is vital to advance their mobility and quality of life. “The potential derived from our support is astounding and heartwarming,” said Austin. “We can provide low-income earners with a form of sustainable transportation; offer youth a gateway to schooling and sports activities; and a two-way road for medical attention – a means for the sick to pursue it or for volunteers and caregivers to deliver it.” One hundred percent of all donations, cash, equipment and materials go directly to the recipient communities in Africa.

A 34-year veteran of adventure travel, Austin shares a spin-off of Winston Churchill’s famous quote, “We make a living by the bikes we get, we make a life by the bikes we give.”

Coming Up: The Wild Side of Jordan

Don’t miss the adventure of a lifetime as GreatOutdoors.com editor Peter Potterfield takes an epic 50-mile backcountry journey through the mountains of Jordan. One of the most interesting routes in the Middle East, the hike starts from Jordan’s wild Dana Reserve and follows a rugged wilderness to the country’s crown jewel—Petra. This is a journey made entirely on foot, day by day, hour by hour, staying in traditional Bedouin camps, savoring the Jordan countryside at a walking pace, having the time to appreciate this unique landscape.

There will be no busses, no crowds, and no distractions on this hike, just a trek through the wild deserts and mountains of Jordan. The journey starts from the Dana Nature Reserve and follows eons-old Bedouin trails through desert wadis (drainages), through 5,000-foot high mountains and through archeological sites among the oldest in the Middle East.

The first day is the eight mile hike from Dana down to the Feynan Eco Lodge, but from there it’s all camping for the next five days. The route on day two follows Wadi Araba past the unique Rift Valley mountains to the mouth of Wadi Barwas in 10 miles. Day three takes us high into the mountains but ends at a traditional oasis. Day four is the heart of the trek, a long walk through one of the most remote wilderness areas in Jordan, a 10-mile day that gives us our best chance at seeing a rare desert ibex.

Not until the sixth day will we reach the stunning ancient capital of the Nabateans: Petra. Arriving through the “back door,” we’ll trek by the beautiful Monastery, known more accurately as El Deir, one of the most dramatic of all the monuments at Petra. A day of exploration will follow before reaching the comforts of the city outside the archeological park.

Potterfield will make the trek with noted Jordanian backcountry traveler and guide Yamaan Safady of Adventure Jordan, and the pair will be accompanied by Jordan Tourism Board videographer Catherine Porterfield. The expedition, sponsored jointly by ExOfficio, the Jordan Tourism Board , Wildland Adventures, Adventure Jordan and GreatOutdoors.com, will take place in early May, The full story will appear by early summer on GreatOutdoors.com.

Myths and Mountains’ Unique Accommodations Take Experiential Travel to Next Level

INCLINE VILLAGE, Nev. – There are a few essential things that separate a tourist from a world-traveler – the most important being accommodations. Where a tourist might choose to shack up in a high-end suite, a world traveler seeks out an experience that will deepen their understanding of the country they’re visiting. As one of Travel + Leisure’s Top Adventure Outfitters, Myths and Mountains arranges unique, culturally immersive accommodations on all of their trips in order to provide eye-opening opportunities for every sleep number.

One of the greatest ways to get to know a culture is by staying in a local’s home. On Myths and Mountain’s Insider’s Machu Picchu trip, travelers are welcomed as honored guests in the homes of Quechua Indians to experience what small village life in Peru is like. Unlike most travelers, Myths and Mountains guests are able to witness ancient traditions handed down from generation to generation that still play apart in locals’ daily routine. On this trip, Peruvians share intimate aspects of their lifestyle – everything from shopping for produce at a food market in Cusco, to a hands-on cooking lesson with a local chef.

Myths and Mountains allows travelers to get up close and personal with world cultures by staying at traditional campsite locations on a trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp. These sites may not have down feather, king-size beds, but guests will be integrated into the Himalayan lifestyle unlike any other trip. Bunking next to professional climbers who will summit Mt. Everest in the next weeks or setting up tents side-by-side with a Nepalese Sherpa is an once-in-a-lifetime experience that dissolves the line between a tourist and local. As explorers hike to 19,000 feet in elevation, they will stop by villages and monasteries, learn about the regional environmental issues and meet the Sherpas and mountaineers who have left such deep imprints on the area.

For travelers who value upscale comfort but still want a real taste of the country they’re visiting, Myths and Mountains has arranged ‘glamping’ trips in South America and Southeast Asia. In Chilean Patagonia, guests will rest their head in casually elegant yurts in the heart of striking, natural beauty. Stunning views of Torres de Paine are right on the doorstep and the swanky digs offer the comfort of an upscale hotel room and gourmet meals served by a Chilean chef, with the novelty of camping and the convenient proximity to the national park. Travelers can choose to venture to the other side of the globe – Cambodia. On this temple and beach safari, guests will be accommodated in surprisingly luxurious safari tents in the Cambodian jungle with first-class service and delicious food. Adventurers start the day at dawn to see the sun rise over historic sanctuaries and end the evening exploring Preah Kahn temple by torchlight.

Click here for a complete list of trips. For more information on individual itineraries or Myths and Mountains, contact Allie Almario at (775) 832-5454 allie@mythsandmountains.com .

Myths and Mountains is a member of Trusted Adventures, a consortium of award-winning companies matching active travelers with over 350 unique trips walking, rafting, cycling and trekking in over 85 destinations worldwide.