Friendly Planet Travel Announces 2011 Departure Dates for its Pyramids and Nile Cruise

Travelers have nine new chances to explore Cairo, embark on a four-night Nile River cruise, roam the Lost City of Petra, and more

JENKINTOWN, Pa.—August 17, 2010—Friendly Planet Travel today introduced nine new 2011 departure dates for its nine-dayPyramids and Nile Cruise. They include: Jan. 12, Jan. 26, Feb. 9, Feb. 23, March 9, March 16, April 6, April 27, and May 4. This is the first in a series of announcements Friendly Planet will make introducing 2011 departures dates for all of its world-renowned tours. For $2,099, travelers can stand in the shadow of the Sphinx, gaze at the pyramids of Giza, tour the city of Cairo, sail down the Nile River, and more. Egypt’s contrast of ancient treasures and contemporary cities has made it one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, and Friendly Planet has put together nine first-class tours highlighting the most desirable sites and exotic locales Egypt has to offer.

Included in the price are roundtrip flights from New York (JFK) via EgyptAir; five-star hotel accommodations at the Ramses Hilton or Cairo Sheraton; four nights aboard the five-star Tamr Henna ship in outside balcony cabin; all internal flights; ground transportation and transfers, with assistance and porterage; daily breakfast buffet and all meals aboard the cruises; comprehensive sightseeing programs, including a half-day in Cairo featuring the Giza Pyramids and Sphinx; and professional, English-speaking local tour guides.

“The Pyramids and Nile Cruise is one of Friendly Planet’s most popular tours, and our signature tour to Egypt,” says Peggy Goldman, President of Friendly Planet Travel. “Almost every tour sold out in 2010, and customers continue to flood us with positive feedback from their trips. Travelers can’t seem to get enough of Egypt, so we’re jam packing the beginning of 2011 with nine departure dates. Each one is sure to sell out, so don’t wait to book your tour!”

The Pyramids and Nile Cruise begins in Cairo, where you’ll stay on the bank of the Nile River in the Ramses Hilton or Cairo Sheraton hotel. Here your breath will be taken away at the sight of the Pyramids of Cheops and Chephren, which have stood for 46 centuries, and the Sphinx. Next fly to Luxor and walk the Temple of Karnak, one of the most overwhelming monuments of the Pharaonic legacy, and Luxor Temple. Then board the Tamr Henna and settle into your outside balcony cabin.

From there you begin your luxury excursion down the Nile River. The first stop is in Esna to see the Valley of the Kings and theDeir El Bahari mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut. After Esna comes Edfu, home to the Temple of Horus, Egypt’s best-preserved temple. Continue sailing to Kom Ombo to the Temple of Kom Ombo. It overlooks the Nile and features fascinating drawings on the walls, including detailed drawings of surgical instruments. Lastly, you’ll disembark in Aswan to enjoy a tour by felucca, a swift Egyptian sailboat, around Elephantine Island, once the center of modern Aswan.

Head back to Cairo by air to sightsee in the cosmopolitan city or take advantage of an optional guided tour of Old Cairo. If time and budget permits, opt for the extension to the Lost City of Petra in nearby Jordan. You’ll tour the Monastery and Treasury at Petra, the Amman Citadel, the Roman Amphitheater, and more with your English-speaking guide along to explain the highlights of this amazing site.

To enjoy a longer stay in cruise including a 7-night Nile cruise, Friendly Planet also offers the 12-day Treasures of Egypt tour for $2,199. Also available is the eight-day Pyramids and Petra tour for only $1,799, which offers a taste of Egypt’s antiquities in and around Cairo plus a visit to Amman, Jordan’s capital and the amazing Petra. For more information about Friendly Planet Travel’s Egypt tours, departure dates, full itineraries, and booking, please visit the company’s website at www.FriendlyPlanet.com, the blog athttp://blog.friendlyplanet.com, or contact Jackie Zima at 610-228-2138 (office), 215-534-2973 (mobile), or write toJackie@GregoryFCA.com.

ABOUT FRIENDLY PLANET TRAVEL

Friendly Planet Travel (www.FriendlyPlanet.com) makes high-quality exotic travel affordable for everyone. Since 1981, Friendly Planet Travel has been arranging all-inclusive escorted discount vacation packages and cruises to the most exciting destinations in the world at the lowest possible prices.

Each year, Friendly Planet Travel offers more than 30 different group travel packages to Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe and South America—at discounts of hundreds of dollars off similar vacations. With no hidden charges, add-ons or surprises, Friendly Planet Travel vacations include convenient flights and airfare, carefully-selected first-class and superior hotels, knowledgeable English-speaking guides, many meals and itineraries as well as friendships and memories that last a lifetime.

Friendly Planet Travel offers its extensive, economical travel services to private groups including universities, religious institutions, alumni associations and families. Groups who wish to travel together can count on Friendly Planet Travel’s three decades of experience to operate their group travel program expertly and always at the very best possible prices.

Visit us at www.FriendlyPlanet.com.

Press contact:		Company Contact:
Jackie Zima		Peggy Goldman
Account Supervisor		President
Gregory FCA		Friendly Planet Travel
27 West Athens Avenue		1 Abington Plaza
Suite 200		101 Old York Rd, Suite 204
Ardmore, PA 19003		Jenkintown, PA 19046
P: 610-228-2138		P: 215-572-9594
Jackie@GregoryFCA.com		PMGoldman@FriendlyPlanet.com

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Whiskey, Wildlife, Walking and more in Cairngorms National Park, Scotland

By Don Mankin, Adventure Transformations

I lifted the glass to my nose and sniffed, trying to detect the alleged “floral and vanilla notes with a hint of oak.” I then sipped the strong, amber liquid and sighed deeply. I’m not sure I tasted everything that I was supposed to (does anybody, really?), but I know what I like. And I liked this wee dram of 18 year old single malt whiskey very much.

This was about as soft as adventure gets, literally — soft beds, easy walks, and gourmet meals of fresh salmon from the River Spey, fresh scallops from the Moray Firth and ever more creative uses for haggis. It was a welcome change from my usual, more grueling adventures.

It was the last day of our brief exploration of the many diverse attractions of Cairngorms National Park, less than a three hour drive north of Edinburgh. We were here at the invitation of Visit Scotland, Scotland’s national tourism association, who hosted our visit to the Park. For four glorious, sunny days in mid-June, my wife Katherine and I drove, hiked, rode and kayaked through the Scottish countryside, then retired every evening to the classic, oak-lined bar of the world famous Boat Hotel in the heart of the Park for a drink, dinner and a good night’s sleep.

The first full day of the trip set the tone for the next three – diverse, leisurely, and active but not strenuous, all enveloped in a colorful setting of forests, hills, lochs, streams, meadows of purple and yellow flowers, and fields of cows, sheep, and horses. The gently rounded Cairngorm Mountains, still streaked with snow, served as a backdrop throughout our trip.

We started with a two hour kayak down the legendary River Spey, which flows through the heart of the region and lends its waters and name to the Speyside malts revered by knowledgeable whisky drinkers around the world. Mindful of our dearth of white water experience, our guide from Full On Adventure chose a relatively easy stretch of water for our morning “paddle,” more of a float than a paddle. We drifted effortlessly down the mostly flat water invigorated by the crisp, fragrant air and the deep green hues that can only be found in places, like Scotland, encased in rain for most of the year.

After a lunch of fish and chips back at our hotel, we took a two and half mile walk to the RSPB Loch Garten Osprey Center on a trail through the edge of the sun-dappled forest alongside the narrow, lightly traveled road. These rare birds of prey are making a comeback in Scotland and one family migrates every year from Africa to breed and nest in a tall pine tree in the reserve. The visitor center has several powerful spotting scopes and a closed circuit TV trained on the nest to give visitors an unobstrusive look at what’s going on in the nest.

While watching through a scope, I saw the newly hatched chicks start to squirm. Then, without warning, the daddy swooped in with a large fish in his talons and hovered above the nest as the mom and chicks squirmed and flapped their wings in excitement. For the next few minutes, I continued to watch as the mom served the meal to her chicks. The image of the daddy hanging above the nest with a fish in his talons with his kids stretching their necks in anticipation is frozen in my memory. I guess I have seen an image like this in photos or on TV, but never in person. There is no comparison.

Over the next two days we explored the Park on foot, by car and via a beautifully-restored classic steam train. One morning we hiked around Loch an Eilein on the Rothiemurchus Highland estate. For two hours we hiked in hushed silence through an ancient Caledonian pine forest with frequent peek-a-boo views of the loch. At one point the view through the trees opened up to reveal an old castle on an island about 30 yards off shore with the Cairngorm Mountains in the background.

One afternoon we drove into the mountains to visit the Cairngorm reindeer herd. A relatively short hike up a ridge took us to a herd of about 40 reindeer. While Katherine fed and petted the reindeer, I admired the view and absorbed the subartic temperament of the place. The day was capped off by a sheep dog demonstration on a working farm just a few miles away. It was a big afternoon for feeding and petting friendly, furry animals.

We could have filled up several more days with other activities – riding a funicular up a mountainside, hiking in the mountains, white water kayaking and canoeing, cycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, fishing, bird watching, and of course, golf. But by our last day we only had time for one more activity on my bucket list for this trip, a visit to as many distilleries along the Malt Whiskey Trail as my blood alcohol level would allow.

The Malt Whiskey Trail begins just a half hour drive north of the Park on the A95, what passes for a major highway in this part of the world. Sixteen distilleries are located within a scenic corridor of about 10 miles along the highway and a couple of miles on each side. Most offer tours and free tastings. We managed to hit just three before my legs turned to rubber and good sense kicked in. Katherine tentatively took over the driving until we found a place to eat lunch and take a long walk on a small portion of the Speyside Way, the 80 mile path that runs along the River from the heart of the Park to the coast.

Now sober, we headed to Aberdeen to pick up the Angus Coastal Trail south to Dundee, our destination for the night. After stopping at a couple of picturesque fishing villages along the way, we pulled into the St Cyrus Nature Reserve. We took a walk on the wide deserted beach sandwiched between the sea and a line of cliffs a couple hundred yards inland, then drove to the top of the cliffs for a view in the other direction. As the sky grew dark we watched a pair of hang gliders swoop in arcs of yellow and red along the cliffs. One of the aviators stretched out his hand to skim the tops of the bushes on the sides of the cliff as he flew by, as if to convince himself that it wasn’t just a dream.

Bike grease, temples, sweat, hills, dirt roads, a chance to learn about development issues and support education programs, and pristine Cambodian countryside…this is PEPY RIDE VI!

Cambodia has lately seen international media attention for its first conviction of a Khmer Rouge war criminal. Media attention focusing on past events can overlook current realities of the place in the spotlight. For an authentic perspective, come see this amazing country for yourself, and you will see that it is a place not just of a tragic history and present challenges, but also of beauty, character and inspiration. Come experience Cambodia with PEPY.

Since 2005, adventure tourists from around the world have participated in The PEPY Ride, an annual cycling trip across Cambodia. This December PEPY Ride VI participants will again learn the value of “Adventurous Living, Responsible Giving” on a twenty-two day tour covering all corners of Cambodia on our most awe-inspiring and invigorating ride yet.

From Siem Reap and the majesty of the Angkor Wat temple complex, participants will be greeted by smiling faces as we stop for delicious noodles, tasty sugar cane juice and refreshing coconuts. Together we will cycle through beautiful rural areas, visit non-profit organizations to learn about their work, delve into recent history at significant landmarks in Phnom Penh, and cycle past water buffalo and pigs on the back of motorcycles. We will make our way through riverside towns down to majestic Kep, and then run straight off our bikes and into the sea in celebration of our phenomenal 1000km ride!

Throughout the journey, participants will also have the opportunity to visit and learn from some of Cambodia’s most respected non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These visits will give great insight into development projects and create an opportunity to reflect upon how aid work can be both beneficial and detrimental to communities in developing countries. This educational aspect of PEPY Tours is highly valued amongst our past participants.

One hundred percent of participants’ fundraising goes to PEPY’s ongoing educational programs in rural Cambodia. The fundraising aspect of our tours allows participants to directly support PEPY’s goal of empowering local teachers and parents to provide increased access to quality education within their communities.

December 19, 2010 – January 9, 2011: The PEPY Ride VI, our most adventurous and challenging tour yet!

For further information or to sign up for a trip, please visit www.pepytours.com, or contact PEPY’s Chief Tourmaster Eric Lewis at eric@pepyride.org or 914-458-4262 (U.S.).

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.

Lindblad Expedtions Introduces Three New Life-Changing Voyages for 2010/2011

New York, NY – Lindblad Expeditions, the pioneering expedition travel company with a strong commitment to responsible travel, has announced three new itineraries for 2010/2011. These new journeys provide travel explorers a diverse range of destinations for life-changing encounters with beauty, wildness and the seldom-seen.

• Upper Amazon voyages explore the rain forests of Peru’s Pacaya-Samiria Reserve — bordered by the Marañón and Ucayali rivers — where the mighty Amazon is formed. This new 10-day exploration of the Upper Amazon takes guests through wild lands of unsurpassed beauty aboard the Delfin II, which accommodates only 28 guests. Our Expedition Leader and experienced local Naturalists will help guests see and learn about the remarkable flora and fauna of the region, while the chef presents the finest Amazonian-Peruvian gourmet cuisine on the river. Dates include Aug. 28, Sept. 11 and Dec. 18, 2010 and Jan. 15, Jan. 29; Feb. 12; April 30; May 7, 14, 21; Sept. 3, 10, 17, 24 and Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26, 2011. Rates begin at $5,590 per person based on double occupancy.
• Exploring New Zealand’s North & South Islands is an in-depth exploration of these islands, as well as Stewart Island, with forays into famous sounds discovered by Captain Cook. Its volcanic landscapes are breathtaking, from the snow-covered mountains and fjords of South Island to the cliffs and indented coastlines that run the entire length of the journey. The voyage will spotlight the unique wildlife that results from New Zealand’s long geographic isolation. Guests will walk on an active volcano, see a land steeped in Maori culture, and discover a side of New Zealand few know aboard the 68-guest Oceanic Discoverer. The 17-day journeys depart Jan 31 and February 12, 2011. Rates begin at $11,990 per person based on double occupancy.
• West Africa & Islands of the Atlantic explores five distinct and welcoming regions – Senegal, Gambia, Western Sahara, Cape Verde and the Canary Islands – offering a dazzling array of cultures, scenery, wildlife and experiences to inspire even the most experienced world traveler. See vivid birdlife and the legendary baobab trees, walk the dunes in the beautiful desert of the Western Sahara, and experience the daily life of Africa through its lively markets and music. The 13-day expedition aboard the 148-guest National Geographic Explorer departs April 7, 2011. Rates begin at $9,820.

For daily itineraries and additional information on Lindblad Expeditions’ new voyages and other expeditions to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on earth visit www.expeditions.com or call 1-800-EXPEDITION .

Western River Expeditions Hosts Girlfriend’s Getaway July 20-23, 2010

Plus 2, 4 and 6-day Summer-Long Rafting Adventures on Colorado River through Cataract Canyon in Utah

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – Western River Expeditions announces a July 20-23 Girlfriend’s Getaway plus 2, 4 and 6-day summer-long adventures on the 100-mile stretch of the Colorado River called Cataract Canyon in Utah.

All programs include rafting and hiking in Canyonlands National Park with explorations of Native American culture and the thrill of 30 world-class white water rapids, camping equipment including cots, delicious meals, guides and return air from Lake Powell back to Moab, UT, where the trips begin.

Ideal for mothers and daughters, groups of friends and solo travelers, the Girlfriend’s Getaway also includes daily yoga and optional massage. The rate is $1,205 per adult, including scenic return flight to Moab.

The two-day Cataract Express designed for those challenged with busy schedules offers a 100-mile, thrilling adventure via motorized raft at $695 per person ages 12 and up, run weekly through early July.

Cataract Classic engages guests for four days of rafting and three nights of deluxe camping on the banks of the river and a little more time for side canyon exploration at $1,150 per person and $995 per youth ages 10-15, run weekly through August.

The six-day Cataract Ranch/Raft includes two nights at Sorrel River Ranch with an off-road Hummer safari and optional horseback ride in advance of a four-day river adventure at $1,730 per person and $1,560 for ages 10-15, run weekly through August.

Brandon Lake, vice-president of Western River Expeditions, said Cataract Canyon offers comparable beauty and whitewater excitement, with more affordable multiple-day trip options and better last-minute availability than the company’s already-sold-out excursions through the Grand Canyon (with one exception – a few spaces remain available for the Grand Canyon 6-Day trip on Aug. 25). He said that while Cataract Canyon bookings are up nearly 30 percent this year with waiting lists on some departure dates; however there are still a number of prime departures available.

Lake explained, “Cataract Canyon is often overshadowed by its downriver counterpart, the Grand Canyon, primarily due to name recognition. But the whitewater and scenery in Cataract are comparable and absolutely breathtaking. It’s somewhat of hidden gem. The trip cuts right through the middle of Canyonlands National Park. In fact, the river itself was recently made a “district” of Canyonlands National Park.”

“The trip has much warmer water than Grand Canyon and water levels fluctuate more because it’s not dam-controlled. This gives visitors the chance to choose between bigger rapids in May and June and more moderate (but still very exciting) whitewater later in the summer. Guests also have a choice of boat: high speed snout rig, j-rig, oar-powered rig, and paddle raft,” he said.

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.

SEE Turtles Generates $100,000 for Conservation

SEE Turtles, a conservation tourism project, has surpassed the milestone of $100,000 generated for sea turtle protection efforts and local communities. The goal of the project is to benefit sea turtle conservation efforts through ecotourism and volunteer projects, as well as raising funds to protect important habitat. To celebrate this milestone, SEE Turtles will be giving away a free spot on a turtle ecotour to Costa Rica or Baja.

Read more

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.

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