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.

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

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.

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.

• 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 .

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.

Since the project’s launch in early 2008, sea turtle organizations in Costa Rica, Baja Mexico, and Trinidad have received a total of approximately $50,000 from tourism fees, donations, grants, and in?kind volunteer labor. In addition, communities near important turtle habitat have earned roughly $55,000 in income from tourist spending in locally owned hotels, restaurants, and other businesses. To date, more than 200 travelers have visited nesting beaches and foraging areas and volunteers have covered more than 500 work shifts, saving the projects thousands of dollars.

“Every dollar spent visiting a turtle conservation project helps to improve conditions for sea turtles and proves that these amazing creatures are a valuable resource to protect.” Adds co?founder and noted ocean conservationist Dr. Wallace J. Nichols, “Connecting with a wild animal as ancient as a sea turtle on its terms can be transformative, for the visitor, for the residents and for the sea turtles.”

Image Courtesy Brandon Upchurch

Building on this success, SEE Turtles is offering a free trip to visit a turtle conservation project in Costa Rica or Baja California Sur, Mexico. One winner will receive a free spot on an upcoming tour run by ecotourism companies EcoTeach or Baja Expeditions. To enter, visit SEEturtles.org and sign up for the monthly enewsletter. The contest runs through August 31st, 2010 and the winner will be chosen at random in early September. Full contest details available on the website.

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.

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.

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 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.