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... Read More →

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... Read More →

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. Brown Bear sow (Ursus arctos) with coy (cubs-of-year) fishing for pink salmon near the salmon weir at Pavlof Harbor on Chichagof Island in Southeast Alaska. Courtesy Michael S. Nolan. 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... Read More →

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. Kids with Maasai Guide “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... Read More →

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... Read More →

Surrender Yourself to the Charms of Saimaa, Finland

Summer Tour with the Charms of Saimaa The Pier at Next Hotel Satulinna 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... Read More →

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. Tsumeb, Namibia 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... Read More →

Coming Up: The Wild Side of Jordan

Yamaan Safady, pioneering Jordanian backcountry guide, in the Jordanian desert. 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... Read More →

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... Read More →