Each of these expertly-guided new trips—to Vietnam, Ecuador, Jordan and Nepal, as well as revamped trips to Tanzania and Southern Africa— includes breakfast daily, comfortable accommodations and an array of additional inclusions. Trips range in length from eight to 16 days, allowing adventurers to explore volcanoes at the equator, take a dip in the Dead Sea, find their inner spirit in Nepal or experience the cultural treasures of Vietnam.

“For over 25 years, Discovery Channel has provided viewers with action packed programming dedicated to the adventurer and explorer inside us all,” said Elizabeth Bakacs, Vice President of Licensing, Discovery Channel. “With Discovery Adventure’s line-up of 37 trips, including two brand new destinations, we are offering travelers the chance to come face-to-face with the world’s great cultures, destinations and natural habitats.”

“Part of what makes Discovery Adventures trips so memorable are the immersive experiences and activities we include on all of our itineraries,” added John Warner, VP Global Sales. “This year we’ve taken it one step further and introduced language lessons on many of our tours so travelers can better communicate with the locals they meet. And our partnership with the Planeterra Foundation (a non-profit organization that supports a steady cycle of giving and investment) offers travelers even more opportunities to connect with, and positively impact, communities around the world.”

Some of the highlights of the new 2012 line-up include:

ECUADOR, VOLCANOES & CLOUD FOREST— Travelers can explore the many natural phenomena that Ecuador has to offer in this convenient, eight-day trip. Take a boat ride on Cuicocha, an ancient lake found inside a volcanic crater, visit the cloud forest area of Mindo with a local Naturalist to spot birds and learn about the amazing eco-system, watch local artisans at work; and spend two nights in a historic Hacienda.

WONDERS OF JORDAN — This eight-day trip will have explorers craving more. Travelers will take a journey back in time to discover the natural architectural treasures of Petra and Wadi Rum, swim in the Dead Sea, enjoy cooking demonstrations and taste local specialty foods, and spend a night in a desert tented camp.

SPIRIT OF NEPAL — From the Lord Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu to the spiritual site of Namo Boudha in Panauti, this 12-day tour brings travelers on a wonderful journey through some of the world’s most ancient marvels. Guests can plan to enjoy a unique view of Everest from the air, discover Chitwan National Park from the back of an elephant and visit the rural villages of Nepal – experiences that will captivate even the most widely-traveled explorer.

CULTURAL TREASURES OF VIETNAM — This tour offers adventurers an inside look into Vietnamese history and the country’s unique culture. On this 14-day trip, travelers will discover the history behind the Cu Chi Tunnels used during the Vietnam War, cruise the caves of Halong Bay, enjoy Vietnamese cooking lessons and take a guided tour of the ‘Hanoi Hilton’ Prison.

For more information, visit www.discoveryadventures.com

All gorilla permits purchased before 1st June 2012 for tracking in 2012 will stay at US$500. All permits purchased after this date will be sold at the new rate of US$750. Gorilla permits for tracking in 2013 will be sold at US$750 regardless of the time of purchase.

Normal gorilla purchasing procedures have now resumed.

We thank you for bearing with us during this process and apologise for any inconvenience it may have caused. Please don’t hesitate to contact Volcanoes Safaris with any queries.

Rafting pioneer Western River Expeditions has such an experience up its sleeve on two six day / five night departures May 8 and 9, said Brian Merrill, CEO.

“Beyond the gift of gazing up at surreal scenery from the comfort of Western’s custom J-Rig raft, exploring hidden waterfalls, delighting in delicious riverside meals and sleeping under endless stars, each mom will be treated like royalty with a number of special surprises and a complimentary “Canyon Gift” on both Mother’s Day launches. The entire trip promises to be a gift she’ll never forget and one that will bring the whole family together in an amazing way,” said Merrill.

See: http://www.westernriver.com/trips/grand6day/mothers-day.php

The pros of rafting in May include mild daytime temps (in the 70s and 80s), blankets of spring flowers, thundering waterfalls and more consistent, drier weather. The J-Rig raft assures dry seating if desired plus pontoon seating for the gung-ho who live in the thrill of getting wet.

The Grand Canyon is Western River Expeditions’ signature trip conquering over 60 major rapids during a 187-mile run in six or seven days. Per person rates for 2012 begin at $2,495. There is also an option to do a shorter three or four day trip covering 100 river miles starting at $1,145 to $1,560 per person respectively.

Traditionally Grand Canyon trips book full more than a year in advance. “The year is somewhat of an anomaly,” explained Merrill. “Our Mother’s Day departures still have lots of room while the rest of the season is pretty much booked to capacity.” Western River Expeditions can’t promise that they will have the same special trip offer in 2013.

SUNSET IN HANGZHOU
Sample imperial cocktails and hors d’oeuvres as you watch the sunset together in your private courtyard in Hangzhou at the Amanfayun, for an intimate evening.

HORSEBACK RIDING IN YUNNAN
Surrounded by Lijiang’s incredible mountain scenery, horseback ride side-by-side at serene Lashihai Lake.

HELICOPTER RIDE OVER HONG KONG
Buzz above Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour in a private helicopter tour. Take in amazing views of this subtropical metropolis that few ever experience.

In a newly released certification guide, Irene Lane, founder of eco-travel services trail blazer Greenloons, explains that slogans like green, sustainable, local and eco are being used to seduce consumers.

“But are these terms always truthfully applied?” she asks. “Unfortunately not, and that’s where the confusion lies. The lure of playing in the billion-dollar annual eco-travel market means an oversaturation of loosely applied and misunderstood labels that often set the consumer up to pay higher prices often associated with eco-tourism.”

However, she adds, “Those tourism suppliers who are eco-certified by qualified third parties meet environmental and socio-economic standards for sustainability, responsibility and ethics. Supporting these efforts doesn’t have to mean you’ll be paying more.”

A PDF download of Lane’s paper “A Consumer Guide to Eco-Certification Labels” can be found at:
http://www.greenloons.com/images/stories/GreenloonsConsumerGuideEcoCertifications.pdf

Ecotourism, explains Lane, is one of the fastest growing sectors of the tourism industry and over the past 10 years has become a billion-dollar-a-year market. Eco-certification provides much-needed knowledge and transparency because award criteria as well as independent assessment and reauthorization processes help educate the consumer about the various socio-economic and environmental issues of a specific country and provide the consumer with a basis of comparison against other eco-travel suppliers.

Eco-certification is awarded to companies that have disclosed their sustainable operations, participated in training on new technologies and undergone stringent on-site visits by independent auditors. Presently there are more than 25 major eco and sustainable tourism certifications around the world and while it can be difficult to understand their nuances, Greenloons’ reference guide helps consumers. See: http://www.greenloons.com/about-ecotourism.html#why not one

In addition, a set of 37 standards developed by the U.N. Foundation’s Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) (Greenloons is a member) serve as the basis for most eco-certification standards and have effectively established the GSTC as the leading accreditation authority. See: http://new.gstcouncil.org/

Greenloons only lists ecotourism vacation packages offered by certified tourism suppliers. Examples of GSTC recognized eco-certifications that are featured in Greenloons’ portfolio of vacations include Certification for Sustainable Tourism (Costa Rica); Advanced Eco Certification (Australia) and Smart Voyager (Ecuador).

“If I had closed my eyes before getting to Tambor and tried to imagine a tropical adventure, a tropical vacation, it wouldn’t have been much different from Tambor. Great accommodations built out of teak, a deep-blue pool, thatched-hut bar, tall palm trees, swinging hammocks and the sound of the sea- and quiet, very quiet and with only a few other guests around all was set for a good bout of rest and relaxation. Much needed after a demanding photo shoot in Honduras.

So needless to say the time at the Tambor Tropical was the best in easy living but it was the time out on the Bay of Curú that gave me the memories, even two months later, that I keep thinking about. We had time for a three-day, two night camping excursion with Bruce and it couldn’t have been better. Sunny skies, calm waters and pelicans cruising in formation made the paddling a delight. And then there was the excursion through the shadows of the mangrove estuary. I felt like I was entering one of those lost-in-the-jungle movies’ sets. With a bit (a lot) of help from Bruce, we spotted a ton of birds but the resident crocodile somehow gave us the slip- still, maybe that’s a good thing.

On shore, at our two-night base camp on the beach, life was every bit as good as out in the boats: howler monkeys roared, coatimundis and iguanas came by for a look-see and Bruce’s coffee, well, reason enough to jump out of the tents in the morning. It definitely made me paddle faster.

It’s two months later as I write this, winter has settled into New Brunswick, but I still get an almost daily smile thinking about Tambor Tropical and our time out on the water with Bruce. Truly one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. As they say, thanks for the memories.”

View an album of Brian’s photos from the trip

On July 19, Stage 17 will finish with a mountain climb to the ski area of Peyragudes. The full area is surrounded by spectacular mountain and rural roads, and legendary climbs. On this 2012 Tour de France Watch and Ride bicycle tour, You will ride many of the most famous mountain climbs, as well as a few lesser known but equally spectacular. This 7-day cycling tour also comes with an optional 3-day to ride a lesser known area of the Pyrenees, and watch Stage 14 over Col de Peguere. This steep Wall is featured for the first time in the 2012 Tour de France, and promise to be a huge challenge to all.

Don’t miss your chance to ride these legendary climbs and then cheer on the world’s best cyclists as they compete in 2012′s most grueling sporting contest. We can’t hold to hotel rooms long, so contact VeloTopo now for more information and to reserve your spot.

This romantic 4 day trek starts in Santiago de Compostela and finishes on the cliffs of Cape Finisterre. For a long time this path was labelled “The Edge of the World” by the Celts, who thought it was the westernmost point of the World.

The trek begins on February 10th in Santiago, where you will spend your first night in the 4* hotel, San Francisco Monumento, situated right in the city centre. This hotel offers a calm and quiet atmosphere, as well as a great location which will allow you to enjoy the beautiful historic centre. While here, you can relax in the heated swimming pool and jacuzzi while admiring the views of Monte Pedroso.

The next day, you will begin walking to the Cape Finisterre, passing through the most peaceful and beautiful scenery of Galicia.

The trip will see you finish up in stunning Fisterra’s Bay, where you will be treated to a light meal, before reaching your accommodation, a beautiful lighthouse-hotel on the cliffs of the cape. The breath-taking views of the steep cliffs and spectacular beaches make this place an unforgettable spot.

On valentines night you can enjoy the sunset from the summit of the cliffs followed by a romantic dinner for two, with a complimentary bottle of Cava.

Camino Ways, the walking and cycling holiday specialists, offer this romance-filled luxury weekend from just €950pps.

Price includes: Luggage transfers from hotel to hotel, en suite rooms, airport transfers, holiday pack, full-board accommodation.

Price does not include flights, drinks or insurance.
To book, or for further information visit www.caminoways.com, or call Roland @ +353 1 525 28 86 or by email: roland@greenlifetours.com
Follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/caminoways

ALA’s European expert and cycling director, Ron Van Dijk represents a legacy dating back to 1974 as the first European tour operator to offer cycling tours to American travelers.

“It was a fun challenge for me to go back through nearly four decades of cycling to pick my all time favorite pedal routes of Europe. I call them my Sensational Seven,” explains Van Dijk. “I hope to inspire others to slow down, get on a bike and enjoy a Europe adventure on two wheels either on their own or with a small group tour such as those offered by ALA.”

Austin-Lehman Adventure’s European bike tour season begins in April of each year and runs through October. An advantage to travelers booking Europe bike tours with Austin-Lehman is the fact that Van Dijk’s knowledge and expertise are imbued in every trip.

The following favored stretches, many of which are included in ALA multi-day tour itineraries, are suggested for daylong or weekend outings:

• France: The Dordogne between Argentat and Beynac (110 miles). Says Van Dijk, “A favorite for its authenticity, the peace, the great food, the old Romanesque churches, the castles and the history (such as the Hundred Years War between France and England). Make sure to divert from the valley every now and then to visit villages like St-Céré, Autoire, Loubressac, Rocamadour, as well as the lively town of Sarlat.”
• Italy: South-Tyrol from Reschen Pass to Merano (50 miles). Van Dijk says from the top of the pass “it’s all pretty much all downhill for about 50 miles on specially marked bike paths, and you’re always surrounded by some of the most majestic mountains of the Alps. Pass by villages, lakes, meadows, apple orchards and end your ride in the noble spa town of Merano.” See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/innsbruck-to-lake-garda-italy-austria-tour-trips-88.php
• Spain: Rioja vineyards between Logroño and Haro (35 miles). Van Dijk suggests October when the leaves are turning, roads are peaceful and hospitality including tapas bars in Haro a blessing after tackling a few hills. See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/la-rioja-spain-tour-trips-110.php
• Germany: Mosel Valley from Trier to Koblenz (132 miles). This is a four-day stretch through steep vine-clad hills with stops at villages for sips of Rieslings. This is a gentle, downhill trip past Roman sites in Trier and castles and ruins around every bend of the Mosel. See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/mosel-valley-germany-tour-trips-75.php
• Austria: Salzach Valley from Gerlos Pass/Krimml to Salzburg (115 miles). With the snowcapped Grossglockner, this is a highly scenic descent from Gerlos Pass (1628m = 5340 ft) to Salzburg (443m = 1450 ft), notes Van Dijk. See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/alps-to-salzburg-austria-tour-trips-56.php
• Netherlands: Tulip, hyacinth and narcissus fields near Keukenhof (Best in April: 20 miles). See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/netherlands-highlights-holland-tour-trips-72.php
• Denmark: Danish Riviera between Copenhagen and Helsingør (30 miles). Bike paths along Denmark’s “Gold Coast” reveal villas, fishing villages, and museums such as the Karen Blixen Museum (author of Out of Africa), the Nivagaard art museum and the supreme Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in an incredible setting overlooking the Sound, advises Van Dijk. See: http://www.austinlehman.com/tours/danish-isles-denmark-tour-trips-92.php

For a full list of favorite bike rides see: http://www.austinlehman.com/besteuropebikerides

ALA reports that bookings on their cycling trips were up 26 percent from 2010 to 2011 and year-to-date compared to last year they are already up 10 percent. To accommodate the projected up trend, ALA added three new trips and additional departures representing a 15 percent increase in capacity from 2011 to 2012. The trips new for 2012 are

• France – Burgundy
• Spain – Rioja
• Denmark Family Adventure