Actively seeking relaxation? Unwind in Kosterhavet Marine National Park

Anyone who visits Sweden’s west coast can’t help but be struck by its uncluttered beauty. Everything sits so well together it’s a real pleasure to just look out, casting your eye over the smooth rocks emerging from the sea, scattered islands dotted with wooden houses, and behind them leafy swathes of green set against a deep blue Swedish sky. But it’s not long before you want to get active and get closer to it all and one of the best places to do so is Kosterhavet Marine National Park, centred around the Koster Islands, near Strömstad and the border with Norway.

Typically idyllic, the islands and waters of this new national park, which opened in September 2009, are unique in Sweden. Kosterhavet contains Sweden’s highest level of marine biodiversity and, with a deep fissure known as Koster-Väderö Fjord between the Koster Islands and the mainland, it is connected to an oceanic environment. Such deep water leads to a valuable range of marine species, including cold water coral. While Kosterhavet protects an area of 450 sq km, it is by no means off limits to visitors: through careful management a balance is struck to enable people to appreciate the area to the full.

The Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences’ station at Tjärnö (formerly the Tjärnö Marine Biological Laboratory) not only carries out important research into Kosterhavet’s biodiversity but its staff enable visitors to get a fascinating insight into the park’s marine life by leading several guided tours. Taking to the waves, it’s possible to join an excursion on board a research ship, from which a remote controlled underwater vessel will beam back images to a screen. On foot, visitors can accompany a marine biologist to collect and examine creatures found on the Koster Island beaches. Walking is a wonderful way to get to know the Kosters and there is a great range of routes, across meadows and along cliffs and beaches, to try. Guided walks, available during the spring and summer, vary in length. Alternatively, just go for a ramble yourself and climb your way to the top of the Koster’s mini-mountain, at 45 metres, and drink in the far reaching views across the rocky outcrops and to the mainland.

The clear waters lapping at the edges of the Kosters are ideal for exploration by sea kayak and there are plenty of opportunities to paddle around. Whether for a morning, weekend or longer, the gneiss rock islands and islets throw up an almost endless range of routes to zigzag among them, looking out for sunbathing seals and passing birds on the way. So dense is the archipelago that in places only kayaks can pass between the islands, with pleasure boats avoiding them.

Seal safaris, to see the resident colony by boat; scuba diving; snorkelling and fishing are all part of the outdoor activities on offer in the Kosters. For a particularly tasty fishing trip, join a local fisherman in search of crayfish and help harvest the pots before returning to land and tasting your freshly cooked catch. For a different perspective, see Kosterhavet from two wheels. The car-free Kosters are ideal territory for cycling with a network of paths to pedal. Breathing in the sea air as you wind your way around the edges of South Koster, and making tracks into the green centre among the trees, is a relaxing way to soak up the natural beauty, peace and tranquillity of the island. Pull out your picnic supplies from a backpack and bask on rocks as you munch through them, or head to Sydkoster Hotel Ekenäs for a hearty meal. The family-run hotel’s Taste of West Sweden accredited restaurant offers a true taste of the west coast, with plenty of seafood on the menu. A comfortable place to stay, many of its rooms come with irresistible views of the seascape.

How to get there:

Most overseas visitors to West Sweden arrive at the coastal city of Gothenburg, and Kosterhavet is easy to get to from there. Hire a car, or take a train, and drive two hours north to Strömstad, from where a passenger ferry to the Koster Islands takes just 45 minutes.

Where to stay:

A range of accommodation awaits on the Koster Islands and in Strömstad such as Sydkoster Hotel Ekenäs on south Koster. On surrounding islands and in Strömstrad choose from hotels, cabins and campsites. For more information about visiting Kosterhavet go to www.westsweden.com.

Calling All Aspiring National Park Travelers: There Is “Room at the Inn” This Summer

Austin-Lehman Adventures’ Active National Park Vacations Feature Accommodations At “Sold-Out” Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Billings, Montana– For those who have their heart set on a Yellowstone National Park summer vacation but are deterred by sold-out National Park Lodges, Austin-Lehman Adventures still has availability on its exclusive, small-group trips to Yellowstone, where accommodations include Jackson Lake Lodge, Lake Yellowstone Hotel, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Old Faithful Inn.

Thanks to a 35-year-old legacy in operating small-group National Park Vacations, Austin-Lehman Adventures maintains a block of rooms at these historic and conveniently located lodges, thereby guaranteeing accommodations while providing the opportunity to enjoy an “insider’s” experience at Yellowstone. With more than 282 million visitors expected at the National Parks this summer, the surge in demand for National Park lodging makes Austin Lehman Adventures the best option for national park travel.

These ALA trips currently feature National Park Lodges and have space available:

Yellowstone/Teton National Parks “Best of the West” – A six-day, five-night multi-sport trip featuring accommodations at Old Faithful Inn (1 night), Lake Yellowstone Hotel (1 night) and Jackson Lake Lodge (1 night). Available July 18-23. Adults only.

Montana/Yellowstone “Canyons, Calderas & Cowboys” – A six-day, five-night multisport trip featuring accommodations at Lake Yellowstone Hotel (1 night). Available August 8-13 and August 22-27. Adults only.

Yellowstone “The Serengeti of the American West” – A six-day, five night multisport trip featuring accommodation at Old Faithful Inn (1 night) and Lake Yellowstone Hotel (1 night). Available August 29-September 3, September 5-10 and September 12-17. Adults only.

Yellowstone Family “Geysers & Grizzlies” – A six-day, five- night family vacation featuring accommodation at Old Faithful Inn (1 night), Lake Yellowstone Hotel (1 night) and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel (2 nights). Available July 11-16, July 18-23, August 8-13 and August 15-20. Ideal for families.

Yellowstone/Teton Family “Bull Moose to Bucking Broncos” – A six-day, five-night vacation featuring accommodations at Old Faithful Inn (1 night), Lake Yellowstone Hotel (1 night) and Jackson Lake Lodge (1 night). Available July 25 – 30, August 1-6, August 8-13, August 15-20. Ideal for families.

Montana/Yellowstone “Cowboys, Canyons and Campfires Family Adventures” – A six-day, five-night vacation featuring accommodations at Lake Yellowstone Hotel (1 night). Available August 1-6 and August 15-20. Ideal for families.

For further information, contact Austin-Lehman Adventures at 1-800-575-1540 or visit www.austinlehman.com

Classic Journeys Steps Up Value On Walking Tour Of Greek Isles

Revitalized itinerary adds more walks, new cultural connections

La Jolla, CA – Call it a full-blown Greek revival. You might not know it from recent media coverage, but there’s good news in abundance coming out of Greece…especially for those lucky enough to be exploring its legendary islands on foot.

Edward Piegza, president and founder of Classic Journeys, just returned from a week in-country on Crete and Santorini. Our mission quickly moved from renewing ties with our native guides to reinvigorating our entire Greek Isles cultural walking adventure,” Piegza observed.

Wholesale improvements include four fewer hours of driving time, three new countryside walks, two new cultural visits to local artisans, and one new boutique hotel.

Day 4 of the itinerary, for example, features the excavations at Eleftherna, one of Crete’s must-see archaeological sites. Explains Piegza, “To our minds, there was too much time in the vehicle and not enough time in the open air. So we reconnoitered, rerouted, and came up with a brand-new walk that showcases the natural beauty of the island.” After a visit to the magnificent ruins of the Minoan palace at Knossos, guests proceed to their highly recommended boutique hotel in Heraklion.

For Piegza and his guides, Elli and Marinella, resetting their sights on walking was a breeze in a place where the sea is a constant presence. Yet – as on every Classic Journey – the real highlights are the cultural connections guests make along the way:

• A private introduction to ancient lace-making techniques by the curator of a local folk art museum
• A private instruction from one of the rare bakers who still makes phylo dough by hand
• A private demonstration of the centuries-old craft of pottery-making
• A private stopover and sampling at a family-run olive press
• A private winetasting at a family-owned vineyard

Personal interactions like these reflect the company’s in-depth approach to each region it visits. On Santorini, most tourists arrive by sea, spend a few hours amid the hustle and bustle of Fira, and quickly return to their ships. Classic Journeys guests get to know Santorini like the locals do, setting out on a meandering footpath that takes them from Fira to Oia on the back side of the island, with whitewashed villages dotting the hillsides and terraced fields sloping down to the sea.

The price for the seven-day, six-night Greek Isles adventure, departing in September, October, May and June, is $3895 per person, double occupancy, including all breakfasts and five dinners.

Family Adventures with Western River Expeditions Offer a Cure for Digital Overload

River Adventures for Families Structured To Accommodate Children Ages 5 and Up – and Detox Is Free

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Seeking an antidote to communication overload and the digital world? How about journeying off the grid, unplugging and just “rollin’, rollin’, rollin’ on the river” this summer.

Brandon Lake, Vice President of Western River Expeditions, worries about decline in quality family time as our lives become filled with constant communication and media. In an average day, AC Nielsen company reports that a typical teenager will watch over 3 hours of TV, spend nearly 1 hour on a PC, 23 minutes on the internet, 6 minutes talking on a mobile phone, send or receive 96 text messages, watch 17 minutes of a DVD and, play 25 minutes on a game console, watch 13 minutes of a mobile video, 6 minutes of online video, and listen to one or more songs on an MP3 player.

Contrast this digital overload with the amount of time being spent with family. TV Free America reports that average amount of time parents spend in meaningful conversation with their children is 3.5 minutes per week.

“Families need a way to log off and find quality time with each other,” said Lake. “Families struggle to find quality time at home. It can even be difficult to completely unplug on most vacations. This is why Western River Expeditions has created family adventures that offer the perfect setting to create bonds and lifelong memories.”

“A multi-day rafting journey is different from other vacations,” continued Lake. “Getting out onto a river with no distractions other than rapids and wildlife offers the perfect escape for the entire family to have true fun, create lifetime memories and bond with each other instead of a keypad. It’s very much like detox for that over-used X-Box.”

Fifty year, river rafting veteran Western River Expeditions reports that there are still openings for its family rafting trips in Idaho and on Utah’s Green River this summer, recently ranked as one of the top 10 rafting vacations in the US.

Western River Expeditions accepts children ages 5 and up on itineraries that combine river rafting with off-river adventures. A four-night Green River rafting vacation covers 84 river miles on the Green River through Desolation Canyon with explorations of outlaw hideouts, dinosaur habitats and Native American petroglyphs. The per person rate, inclusive of guides, vehicles, lodging, meals and chartered flight is $1,210 adults and $920 children for a 4-night program.

Also offered is a 7-Day Green River & Ranch combo that begins at Red Cliffs Ranch on the banks of the Colorado River near Moab, Utah where guests experience an off-road Hummer® Safari, an optional horseback ride, and some of the most inspiring scenery in the world. Rates in July are $1,580 for Adults and $1,270 for Youth ages 5-15 which also include a chartered flight.

Getting to Moab is easy. There are direct flights from Denver to Moab; air service is also available to Grand Junction, CO, a 1.5- hour drive to Moab, and Salt Lake City, a 4-hour drive to Moab.