New Blog Address
Dear Readers,
I am pleased to announce that our new Travel Maestro blog is up and running! Please come visit us at www.travelmaestro.covingtontravel.com to read the most current trends and tips on living the art of travel.
This site will no longer be updated, so if you have an RSS feed from this site, please change it to www.travelmaestro.covingtontravel.com.
I hope you will follow me over, leave comments, give your favorite posts a stumble, and share with your friends on Facebook and Twitter. I look forward to talking travel with you!
Travel Maestro
document.location.href=’http://travelmaestro.covingtontravel.com’
Why Paris Remains With Me
“Si vous avez la chance d’avoir vécu â Paris comme un jeune homme, puis partout où vous allez pour le reste de votre vie, il reste avec vous, car Paris est une fête” (If you are lucky enough to have lived in Paris as a young man, then wherever you go for the rest of your life, it stays with you, for Paris is a moveable feast.) – Ernest Hemingway.
Although I never had the opportunity to live in Paris, I did have the extraordinary privilege to visit in 2009 thanks to my grandma. After four years of French classes, my grandma noticed how fascinated I was with the culture and decided to take my sister, my cousin, and me to Paris as a Christmas gift. She typed a letter in French and told me to translate it to my sister, but overwhelmed with excitement, I stopped halfway through to go start packing for the most memorable experience of my life.
We flew into London and took the Euro star across the Chunnel where I had my first, and might I add, most interesting encounter with French food. I ordered the pumpkin tortellini, which was not exactly my cup of tea. The sweet taste mixed with the familiar texture of the pasta was unexpected and less than enjoyable. After this crash course in foreign food, I was much more careful with what I ordered from then on.
One of our first stops on our Parisian adventure was to strut down the Avenue des Champs- Élysées. Because it was still the holiday season, there were festive seasonal shops in addition to the usual shopping. It was when I was picking out a stunning ring when I had my first authentic French conversation with the saleswoman. After being applauded by the woman and my family for my French, we spent the ever darkening evening on the top of the Arc de Triomphe where we could look down on the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, in addition to the rest of the city. While I was standing on the top of one of Paris’s oldest buildings, looking out at the splendor of Paris, I realized that I wanted to create buildings and structures that are as magnificent and memorable as those that have become a staple of Paris.
On our last night in Paris we topped off an amazing trip by seeing the Tour d’ Eiffel which, in preparation for New Years, was covered with thousands of dazzling lights. I wanted to climb to the top and look out over Paris more than anything, but my grandma refused. Seeing how agitated I was, she leaned down to me, smiled, and said, “Ashley, if you climb the Eiffel Tower now, what will be your reason for coming back? You will have done it all. I want you to promise yourself that you will come back and climb the Eiffel Tower.” It was at that moment that I decided that I would return to Paris, no matter what.
I will never be able to explain to my grandma how grateful I am for her giving me the most amazing trip. I really do believe that Paris will always be with me and I will never forget the experience I had there. It was on that trip where I realized my desire to leave my mark on the world through beautiful buildings that generations to come will enjoy.
Ashley McLean
Ashley McLean is a High School Senior currently applying to some of the premier engineering universities in the nation. She loves to travel, enjoys tournament softball and makes her Mama (you guessed it…Travel Maestro) very proud!
Bigger IS Better!
The Big Island of Hawai’i, that is! There’s no better time than the present to visit this most diverse of all the Hawaiian Islands. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. The youngest island in the Hawaiian chain (and still forming, I might add) is breathtakingly beautiful. From the lush rainforests to volcanic deserts and everything in-between, you can experience several climatic zones in one trip around the island.
On a recent trip, I was lured to stay in the lovely and historic area of Keauhou. Just south of Kailua-Kona, Keauhou is quiet and close to the lush Kona Coffee growing area of Holualoa on the slopes of Mt. Hualalai. The Sheraton Keauhou is the perfect place to stay for moderate accommodations and friendly Aloha spirit. The hotel is built on lava rock and there’s no beach here, but don’t let that deter you…there is a great black sand snorkel beach just up the road. Nightly at the hotel, you can view the huge and mysterious manta rays feeding on microscopic plankton in the bay…it’s a wonderful sight!
Sheraton Keauhou
If you are staying a while on the Big Island, you’ll want to see as much of the island as you can. A trip to Volcanoes National Park is a must-do, so be sure to allow a full day to see everything and do a bit of hiking in the park while there. There are several hiking trails through lava fields and craters that are easy and fun…check with the Park Visitor Center for expert advice from the Park Rangers. Daily educational talks are scheduled, and there are also guided walks available. We hiked the moderate “Pu’u Huluhulu” trail, traversing over the 1969-1974 Mauna Ulu lava flows, viewing desolate landscape, a frozen lava lake and steam vents nearby. Right now, the Chain of Craters Road is closed from the Jagger Museum, but at the museum viewing area you can see the steaming Halema’uma’u Crater. Make sure to visit the Museum at dusk, and you’ll get to see the glow of lava in the crater…it’s quite exciting!
Halema’uma’u Crater at dusk
Head out on another day in the other direction, driving from Kona up to North Kohala. This is the oldest part of the island, and the land is very green and lush. Along the way you’ll drive by desolate ancient lava flows, with views of magnificent Mauna Kea down to the sea. At the end of the road just a few miles past the quaint town of Hawi, you’ll find the spectacular Pololu Valley. The incredible pali’s (cliffs) in the distance are magnificent, and foaming surf greets the black sand beach below with roaring thunder. You can hike down to the beach below on the marked trail, but there’s no swimming here…dangerous rip currents are rampant.
From North Kohala, be sure to head over to the fun “paniolo” (cowboy) town of Waimea. Lush, green, and with cool temperatures, this area is the home to famous Parker Ranch. With acres and acres of rolling pastures, it’s a great place to explore via horseback or ATV tour. Also in town you’ll find some of the best cuisine on the island, featuring grass-fed local beef and organic vegetables and fruits. Be sure to dine at Merriman’s for dinner if your pocketbook allows…one of the best chefs on the Big Island serves up Hawai’I regional cuisine.
Kailua-Kona town has the best tourist shopping on the island, so don’t miss some of the great little shops on Ali’I Drive, along with restaurants galore. To top off your trip, have dinner at the famous Kona Inn at sunset, and don’t forget to order the Mud Pie. It’s monstrous, so be sure to share. Aloha, and happy travels to The Big Island of Hawai’i!
Barbi Partlow, CTC has been a Travel Consultant for 19 years, and specializes in leisure vacation planning. Her passions include the Hawaiian Islands, Tahiti, and Fiji. In her spare time, Barbi enjoys acting in community theatre in her home town of Richmond, VA.Peeps, Impersonators and Possums – 50 Quirky New Year’s Celebrations
Everyone knows about the famous ball that drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, but just in case you can’t get to New York or are looking for something a bit zanier, here are 50 quirky things that are dropped by cities across the US. Most have some relationship to the locale, but a couple are just because someone started it and it became tradition. In aggregating this list, I couldn’t help but notice that Pennsylvania seems to have more New Year’s spirit than many other states. Does your hometown drop anything unusual at the stroke of the New Year?
- Atlanta, GA – an 8 foot round, 800 pound foam and fiberglass peach
- Bethlehem, PA – an 85 pound glowing fiberglass resin Peep
- Blain, PA – a cow
- Brasstown, NC – a live possum (released unharmed after the descent)
- Dillsburg, PA – a 6 foot paper mache pickle
- Duncannon, PA – a 10 foot sled
- Easton, MD – an oversized model of a blue crab
- Eastport, ME – a sardine
- Elizabethtown, PA – M&Ms
- Elmore, OH – a sausage
- Falmouth, PA – a goat
- Fayetteville, AR – a hog
- Flagstaff, AZ – a 6 foot, 70 pound pine cone
- Fredericksburg, VA – A chicken wire pear covered in yellow tape
- Frogtown, PA – a frog (of course!)
- Gratz, PA – a wildcat
- Harrisburg, PA – a large strawberry
- Hershey, PA – a giant Hershey kiss (raised)
- Houston, TX – a star representing the Lone star state (raised)
- Hummelstown, PA – a lollipop
- Key West, FL – a live pirate wench, a giant conch shell, and a female impersonator named Sushi
- Lancaster, PA – a red rose (raised)
- Lebanon, PA – a 12 foot long, 200 pound stick of bologna
- Lewistown, PA – a bag of potato chips
- Lititz, PA – a pretzel
- Liverpool, PA – a canal boat
- Manhattan, KS – an apple
- Manheim, PA – an orb
- Mechanicsburg, PA – a wrench
- Memphis, TN – a brightly lit Gibson Les Paul guitar
- Miami, FL – an orange
- New Bloomfield, PA – a huckleberry
- New Orleans, LA – recently a pot of gumbo, but this year changing to a 9 foot tall gold fleur-de-lis
- New Oxford, PA – an antique trunk
- New York City, NY – the iconic 11,875 pound Waterford crystal ball
- Mobile, AL – a 12 foot round Moon Pie
- Mount Olive, NC – a pickle (oh, the irony!)
- Pensacola, FL – a 13 foot tall illuminated Pelican with a 17 foot wingspan
- Pittsburgh, PA – a globe
- Plymouth, WI – an 80 pound cheese wedge
- Port Clinton, OH – 19 foot, 60 pound fiberglass Walleye fish
- Pottsville, PA – a Yuengling Beer bottle
- Raleigh, NC – a 10 foot tall, 1250 pound acorn
- Red Lion, PA – a cigar (raised)
- Seattle, WA – the Space Needle elevator (raised)
- Seven Valleys, PA – a chicken
- Shippensburg, PA – an anchor
- Steelton, PA – a steamroller
- Terre Haute, IN – watermelons
- York, PA – a white rose
Our Top 10 Ultimate Adventures of 2010
Everyone I know has a travel wish list. It might include a simple romantic weekend or a trip-of-a-lifetime for a special milestone. For a travel junkie like me, working in the travel industry is like being a kid in a candy store. I previously wrote about my own wish list for A Year’s Worth of Adventure and I constantly add more to the list as I hear about interesting trips that Covington clients have taken. To give you even more ideas for your own wish list, I’d like to share some of the over-the-top travel Covington has arranged for our adventurous clients this year.
An elephant back safari at luxury Camp Jabulani in South Africa – the Katama Private Game Reserve uses elephants rescued from Zimbabwe. An experienced elephant handler sits right behind the massive ears to guide the pachyderm while the guest rode in a seat on the elephant’s back.- Running with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain – To make our client as safe as possible, Covington arranged a local guide to take him through the course the day before the running. We also arranged access for his wife to film the live action from a balcony in a home along the route.
Floe Edge experience in the Arctic – They took suspension sleds to the edge of the ice floe on Baffin Island where they stayed in heated huts on the 8-foot thick ice. They were eye to eye with beluga whales, saw walrus, seal, polar bear, and even the rare narwhal with its unicorn type horn. - Hunting wild pigs in the outback of Australia – The Bullo River Ranch outside Darwin was being plagued by wild pigs, so the rancher invited our clients who were staying there on a hunt by helicopter. When the offenders were spotted from the air, they set down to stalk them on the ground. After a successful expedition, they flew across the expansive property to swim in some hidden waterfall pools.
Gorilla trekking in Rwanda – A strenuous hike of about five hours through the lush mountain jungle was rewarded by an hour visit with a large regal Silverback and his family. Being in the presence of their raw power and individual personalities was thrilling for these lucky travelers.- Villa rental for an extended family for Christmas in the Caribbean – A popular option that Covington has booked for many clients. Enough room for the whole family to stay together and a private pool with a beautiful view sets the scene. A cook, butler, housekeeper and driver do all the work so there is plenty of time for bonding, celebration and family fun.
Virgin Galactic sub-orbital flight, Space – This client hasn’t actually traveled yet, but will get an out of this world experience within 15 months. He will definitely have bragging rights that only a privileged few can claim.
Assent of Kilimanjaro, Kenya – A relatively inexperienced climber made this trip with a team of 16 guides and porters. They provided all the equipment and safety provisions for a thrilling and successful mountain climbing expedition.
Scuba diving off Lizard Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Divers love the profusion of color and marine life on the Great Barrier Reef and this spot is special because you can step right off the beach and swim to the Reef. - Horseback riding in Atacama Desert, Chile – One woman enjoyed galloping through the canyons up to the high plateau where she had a panoramic view of the desert that is 100 times drier than Death Valley. But she didn’t rough it in the desert – she stayed in the luxury of the Hotel de Larache.
These are only a few of the fabulous trips and adventures our Covington advisors have arranged for clients. Each one of the clients was thrilled with their special experience but trips like these don’t just happen. Covington’s expert advisors have developed personal relationships with the local service providers and attend to every tiny detail of the reservation. From the initial discussion of the trip until our clients return home, Covington is there to ensure a successful trip.
If you would like to try any of these wonderful trips, or have another special trip on your wish list, let Covington’s experts help you arrange it. Maybe you will see yourself on this list next year!
20 Quick Tips to Ease Holiday Travel Headaches
Over the river and through the woods… Holiday travel is exciting, spirited, emotional, and adventurous, but it can also be hectic, stressful and downright nerve-racking. Here are 20 quick tips to ease your holiday travel headaches and ensure a smooth trip to Grandma’s or wherever you may be heading.
Air Travel:
1) Check in for flights online within 24 hours of departure. Print boarding passes if you are able.
2) Reconfirm your flights before you leave for the airport.
3) Pack light and carry-on luggage to be more nimble in the case of a last second change, cancellation or opportunity. Consider shipping presents instead of checking a bag.
4) Be TSA security ready. Have boarding pass and ID in hand, remove your laptop from the case, have liquids in a quart-size Ziploc bag.
5) Have patience with the security lines. Allow plenty of time so you aren’t stressed about making your flight.
6) Wear shoes that are easy to slip off and on. Laces slow you down.
7) Do not wrap gifts that you are carrying through security.
8) Pack healthy snacks to save yourself the expense of less-than-gourmet airport/airline food. Take an empty water bottle that you can fill once through security.
9) Stay hydrated to avoid fatigue and limit alcohol and caffeine to stay hydrated.
10) Keep a good attitude. Don’t let the crowds, a weather delay, an overbooked flight, or lost luggage ruin your holiday. Don’t lose your cool. Be polite to the airline personnel and remember they are working this holiday so you can get where you are going.
11) Travel insurance is a lifesaver in the event of the previously mentioned misadventures. If the financial ramifications of potential travel problems would put you in the poorhouse or just plain insult you, protect your trip investment with travel insurance.
photo courtesy of Hertz Rent a Car
Road Travel:
1) Perform basic vehicle maintenance checks: tire inflation, fluid levels, lights and bulbs operation, oil change.
2) Consider renting if your vehicle is not the right size or in shape to make the trip.
3) Pack emergency supplies like blankets, a first aid kit, flares or reflectors and a fully charged cell phone.
4) Check the weather and road construction along your route and allow plenty of time for travel. Building in extra time makes you feel less rushed and reduces the stress of minor delays.
5) Pack car snacks. Chips in a can don’t get smushed, cheese sticks and finger fruit is a good healthy snack, and trail mix of m&ms, peanuts and raisins is always a hit. Don’t forget the wet wipes.
6) Stop and stretch or walk every two to three hours of driving to help blood circulation and relieve tension.
7) Wiggle a little inside the car so you don’t get stiff. Change your posture often, do neck and shoulder rolls, ab contractions, knee squeezes, or press your palms to the car ceiling.
8) Keep the kids entertained with travel games, books, word and Sudoku puzzles, and of course good old sing alongs and the license plate game.
9) Limit pet’s food and water several hours before the trip, but be sure to give them a little water every stop. Have the leash easily accessible and let them walk every time you do. Pack plastic bags and clean up after your dog at rest stops.
May your holiday travels be safe and uneventful!
Five Favorites for Family Fun
A family vacation is one of the most rewarding types of travel. Getting away from the routine for fun and frolic gives loved ones a chance to reconnect, relax and make memories that will last long after the trip. Here are five suggestions for your spring or summer family vacations as published in the Virtuoso Spring Family Travel Planner*.
Paradise Island, the Bahamas – Pack the sunscreen and head for Atlantis. This incomparable resort in the balmy Bahamas is an aquatic dream come true for all ages. Special “kids stay free” packages will insure an amenity-packed, value-conscious vacation guaranteed to make a splash. Virtuoso guests get a complimentary pass to walk with the sharks, swim with the dolphins and play at Aquaventure, the 141-acre water park.
Hawaii – “Hukilau” is Hawaiian for festive family beach gathering and you can get yours underway with an authentic Polynesian luau, lei-making, ukulele or hula classes. Snorkel, play golf or enjoy exquisite spa treatments. It’s hard to beat the beautiful Hawaiian islands for family fun, relaxation and memories.
Royal Caribbean International – Four magnificent ships, the Allure of the Seas, the Oasis of the Seas, the Freedom of the Seas and the Liberty of the Seas, now exclusively feature Dream Works Animation. So in addition to visiting the adventure-rich Caribbean ports, your kids can dine with Shrek, Donkey, or Fiona and the adults can savor a five-course wine-tasting dinner. Special perks and amenities come with suites, making this family trip a great value.
Cape Town, South Africa – What would the kids say to a cheetah encounter, or ostrich egg painting? And what would the adults say to wine tours and spa indulgences. Wildlife safaris and fabulous service for everyone makes a trip that will make family history and memories for a lifetime.
Wild West, Cowboys & Buffalo – For an action packed, yet hassle-free vacation, try a guided tour with visits to Salt Lake City, Jackson, Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. See the Crazy Horse Memorial and Mount Rushmore and even spend the night on a real working dude ranch. Exclusive savings on kid’s fares for Virtuoso guests. This is a trip that will make your cowboys and cowgirls tip their hats to you.
Covington advisors have plenty more ideas for fun family vacations, so please contact us to plan your future memories!
email: evacations@covtrav.com
phone: 888 747-7077
Facebook: Covington International Travel
Twitter: @TravelMaestro
* All rights reserved.
Turtle Nesting in Costa Rica
Sea Turtle populations worldwide have dramatically declined over the last century due to poachers who harvest turtle meat, eggs and shells to sell for consumption and souvenirs. While conservationists have brought attention to the dire circumstances of some species and the importance protecting these marine reptiles, the endangered status continues. Less sinister than poachers, but still with significant impact, is traditional drift net fishing that inadvertently catches and kills adult sea turtles.
photo credit Hybrid Vigour (cc)
Viewing the nesting grounds is a spellbinding experience as the large female comes ashore, painstakingly prepares her nest and lays her eggs. This activity is done at night and at dawn, she returns to the sea. In about 2 months, dozens of hatchlings toddle to the sea, although it is estimated that only about one in 1,000 survive.
In addition to a high death rate, sea turtles mature very slowly; some species are 40-50 years old before they mate and reproduce. Beach development and human encroachment on nesting grounds has reduced populations over the last 30 years, as has global warming. Warmer water affects the reefs that turtles feed from and rising seas engulf nesting beaches. Sea turtles also have the unique characteristic that the gender is determined by the temperature of the egg during incubation. A slight rise in beach temperature results in almost all female populations, which has obvious consequences on future reproduction. All of these factors make these giant marine reptiles’ future existence very precarious.
Some facts about the sea turtles of Costa Rica:
photo credit reiner.kraft (cc)
The Leatherback -
- The largest living reptile – up to 9 feet and 1900 pounds!
- Food – jellyfish and other gelatinous organisms.
- Nesting – September to March on the Pacific side, February to July on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica. Up to four times a season, she digs a deep hole in the sand and lays 45-100 eggs in a clutch (nest).
- Critically Endangered status – estimated less than 25,000 in the world, one fifth of 1980 population.
The Hawksbill –
- Small to medium-sized – 25-35 inches, 100-150 pounds.
- Food – Beak like mouth gives it the name allows it to reach into holes in coral reefs for marine sponges.
- Nesting – Returns to natal beach (birthplace) every 2-3 years, nests 3-5 times per season, 130 eggs each. Builds nests high up on beach in little to no sand.
- Protected status – Threatened by loss of coral reef (food source) and commercial exploitation of its shell.
The Pacific Green –
- Largest of the hard shell sea turtles – up to 3 feet and 350 pounds
- Food – Herbivore (seagrass and algae).
- Nesting – June to September but varies by location, returns to natal beach every 2-4 years, nest every 2 weeks on average 5 times in a season, lays 135 eggs per clutch. One of the largest nesting populations is at Tortuguero, on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.
- Endangered status – threatened by harvest of eggs and capture of adults.
Olive Ridley Arribada - photo credit Nodnarb Truk (cc)
The Olive Ridley –
- Relatively small – 22-31 inches and up to 100 pounds
- Food – Omnivorous (shrimp, crustaceans), highly migratory
- Nesting – Arribada occurs June to December on certain beaches. Females gather offshore of nesting beach and thousands come ashore at same time to dig nests.
- Protected status – Most abundant sea turtle in the world, many populations not depleted.
Visitors to Costa Rica can help with the conservation of these endangered creatures. In addition to learning about their plight, it is most important to never purchase any turtle product or support the illegal poachers in any way. There are many volunteer opportunities to assist with turtle conservation efforts in Costa Rica as well. Covington advisors can help you plan a trip that includes seeing turtles nest or helping with conservation efforts. If you have seen or worked with the turtles in Costa Rica, please share your story in the comments below.
A Year’s Worth of Adventure
As the year comes to a close, I inevitably start dreaming of future travel adventures. Here are 12 experiences that are on my personal “bucket list.” They roughly align with the months of the year, although it would be quite a feat to check them all off in 12 months!
Ice Hotel Sweden, cc license
1) Sleep in the Ice Hotel in Jukkasjärvi, Sweden – Every winter, a hotel made entirely of ice and snow is rebuilt north of the Arctic Circle. Everything from the beds to the bar, the sculptures to the sauna is -5° C! The Ice Hotel is open from mid-December through March when it begins to thaw.
2) Witness the Aurora Borealis near Reykjavik, Iceland – The Northern Lights are one of the most hauntingly beautiful natural phenomenons in the world and the 11-year cycle of activity will reach its peak in 2011-2012.
3) Snorkeling/Diving on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia – Swim with a magnificent array of marine life that lives around the largest coral formation in the world. The reef is easily accessible by boat or even from some beaches.
Image by Dr Zizimun
4) Zorbing in Rotorua, New Zealand – Envision hurtling downhill inside a 10’ diameter soft plastic ball. This crazy adventure sport was born in New Zealand, though courses have sprung up across the globe.
5) Heli-hiking in Banff, Canada – Combine spectacular aerial views from a helicopter with the exhilaration of a hike through the scenic Canadian Rockies wilderness.
Gorilla licking wound, cc license
6) Gorilla tracking in Rwanda/Uganda – Less than 700 mountain gorillas survive in the world, so seeing them in the wild is a special and exclusive experience. They roam along the Rwanda/Uganda border and in the Bwindi Rainforest.
7) Hot air ballooning over Cappadocia, Turkey – Silently float above the unique volcanic chimney rock formations and subterranean caves that were inhabited for centuries. The mystical field of natural minarets is an other-worldly experience.
8) Culinary focus in Tuscany, Italy – Hunt for prized truffles or visit a family-run olive oil farm. Taste flavorful wines at a local vineyard, and then learn how to use all that new knowledge with a Tuscan cooking class.
9) Elephant wrangling in Chiang Mai, Thailand – Meet the herd of rescued Asian elephants at the Elephant Nature Park and help to feed and river bathe these giants. Learn about conservancy in Southeast Asia for the endangered creatures.
10) Ride camels at the pyramids of Giza, Egypt – Cleopatra surely had more plush transportation, but visualize sauntering through the desert on the swaying back of a dromedary within view of the some of the largest structures ever built. These pyramids are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World remaining.
11) Cave tubing in Belize – Float on an inner tube past underground waterfalls and swirl around stalagmites protruding from the water with only a headlamp to light the way through the “River of Caves.” This was a spiritual place to the ancient Mayans.
12) Tango in Buenos Aires, Argentina – Titillate the senses with this passionate dance that is one of the hallmarks of this vibrant city. Watch, learn, or practice the improvisational moves that make tango so breathtakingly sensual.
What is on your travel bucket list? Let Covington help plan your ultimate adventure!
Responsible Travel – Organizations That Give Back and Make a Difference
- Image courtesy of Duluth News Tribune cc license
Environmental and social responsibility in travel is a hot topic and for good reason. Through technological advances we can now travel to previously inaccessible places. Wonderfully, it’s now relatively easy to visit foreign lands and cultures that our great-grandparents could only experience second-hand through books and adventurer’s tales. But this contact has brought its own hazards. While we now have access to virtually the whole world, the impact of that access has damaged some of the very lands and people that we find so appealing. It has become vital to reduce the negative environmental effects and to protect and improve the standard of living of the indigenous people if we want to sustain these travel privileges for future generations to enjoy.
Many of us make an effort to carry out responsible practices in our daily lives, and we also have choices when we travel. Here are some travel organizations that have programs in place that make a difference to the environment or social landscapes where they travel.
1) Micato Safaris changes lives in the slums of Nairobi, Kenya through AmericaShare. The non-profit organization funded by Micato helps “orphaned and vulnerable children get a quality education, assists women in creating businesses to support their families, and helps to provide care for those affected by HIV/AIDS.”
2) Big Five Tours & Expeditions runs the Spirit of Big Five Foundation which is committed to “sustainable tourism through conservation, poverty alleviation, education and healthcare initiatives in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America.”
3) Tauck World Discovery’s World of Giving supports “collaborative efforts in conservation, cultural and historical preservation of treasured sites upon which tourism depends and protecting fragile places in perpetuity.”
4) The Sandals Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Sandals Resorts International. The largest tour operator in the Caribbean harnesses their “passion, energy, skills and brand power to tackle issues under three broad headings, Our Community Our Education Our Enviroment.”
5) The Cruise Industry has widely adopted environmental policies to reduce the impact of the industry on the marine ecosystems and oceans, waste reduction and fuel disposal. Some of the lines that have programs in place include: Costa Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America Line, M/V Galapagos Explorer II, Orion Expedition Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, and Royal Caribbean International.
6) Marriott Hotels is dedicated to a five-point environmental strategy that focuses on “rainforest preservation; reduction of water, waste and energy consumption; greening its supply chain; building greener hotels and engaging employees and guests to take action.” They also devote significant resources to social issues of children’s vitality, shelter, and food programs such as SOS Children’s Villages, Habitat for Humanity, and Feeding America.
7) Other Hotel Chains who have social and environmental programs in place Include: Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Hilton Hotel Corporation, InterContinental Hotel Group, Joie de Vivre, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, Inc.
8) There are many Voluntourism organizations that offer travelers opportunities to help with everything from animal rescue to home-building projects, environmental work to humanitarian endeavors. If this type of hands-on helping is for you, be sure to choose the organization or project carefully. The Ethical Volunteer provides a good checklist to help you choose the right voluntourism organization.
9) Another excellent resource for sustainable travel is Travel Green, produced by the U.S. Travel Association. This site lists many more travel suppliers and industry associations that have committed to environmental and social responsibility.
Whether traveling for business or vacation, it is imperative that we be mindful of the impact on our world. By supporting these and other organizations that give back, each of us can make a difference.
