The Travel Snob

Visit Ivory Coast & Ghana in August and Help the Plight of Impoverished West African Cocoa Farmers. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

West African cocoa farmers supply 75% of America’s cocoa, but have never tasted one of its sweetest byproducts, chocolate, in their lives. They can’t afford it. Most West African cocoa farmers live in primitive conditions and abject poverty - mud huts with grass roofing, dirt floors, no plumbing or electricity, no access to anti-malarial drugs or modern healthcare facilities. Even the $10 rubber boots that would protect them from stinging ants or dangerous snakes in the cocoa fields is beyond most workers' reach. Many of the village children work in the cocoa fields and their parents cannot afford to send them to school, and in some cocoa-producing areas, children work as slaves, beaten and kept locked up at night.

"The gross disparity between the suffering of the West African cocoa farmers, their children, and the current chocolate trading practices should give consumers pause for reflection,” says Tom Neuhaus, founder of Sweet Earth Organic Chocolates, Inc., one of a handful of certified Organic and Fair Trade chocolate companies in the US. The company's motto is Do No Harm to the earth or the farmers that supply their product & they offer a 100% guarantee that no unfair treatment of labor or harmful chemicals was used in the production of the cacao used in Sweet Earth chocolate. A portion of Sweet Earth Chocolate Bar sales is donated to Project Hope and Fairness, which Neuhaus founded to assist West African cocoa farmers and advocate for Fair Trade practices in cocoa producing nations. “We need to fight indifference and ignorance and get people on board with conscientious purchasing. Project Hope and Fairness raises awareness of the disparities and advocates for Fair Trade practices.”

To help further raise awareness, Neuhaus - a food science professor at Cal Poly University in San Luis Obispo, California - is organzing a trip from August 8-25, 2007 for 10 unique, adventurous travelers. The group will visit five cocoa farming villages in both Ghana and Ivory Coast, learning about cocoa farming & the history of chocolate, Fair Trade, and helping to better the lives of the impoverished farmers. In past years, proceeds donated from the sale of Sweet Earth chocolate bars and Project Hope and Fairness have helped replace rusted or broken tools, provided farmers with rubber boots to protect their feet from the elements & snakes, and the purchase of new scales that put the villagers in a position of power over middlemen who supply scales that often cheat on weight of product and thus payment to the farmers.  This year, each trip member is being asked to contribute $1000 to support the building of water closets (toilets); many villagers currently use the side of the road at night or the forest during the day, always wary of encounters with snakes or ants. Neuhaus has already kick-started the process by donating $1700 for the sister villages of Depa and Zereguhe where the water closets are now under construction. Plans are underway for water closets in the villages of Pezoan, Broguhe and Batteguedea.

• Trip dates: August 8-25, 2007
• Reservations & deposit deadline: April 20, 2007
• For more info, call 1.805.441.6727 or visit ProjectHopeAndFairness.org
• SweetEarthChocolates.com

.- The Travel Snob

Rwanda is a Fab Destination, Whether Saddled with the Fam, or Flying Solo. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

Enjoying a peaceful midday siesta al fresco.

"Rwanda will not deny her past, but is moving forward and recognizing her strengths," says  John Kayihura, owner and operator of Silverback's Adventures in Rwanda. "The stunning natural beauty of this region and the tenacity and warm nature of Rwanda's people are terrific assets." Although the Land of a Thousand Hills is struggling, to some extent, to overcome its past, it's made remarkable strides in the years since the 1994 genocide (make sure the Genocide Museum in Kigali is on your itinerary). 

However, most adventure travelers will want to continue on to visit the mountain gorillas made famous by Dian Fossey, along with soaking in the country's natural beauty. Silverback's Adventures offers guided itineraries to the mysterious Nyungwe Forest - 13 primate species (one quarter of Africa's total number of primate species), over 100 species of orchids, & 1068 plant species - one of the priority sites of conservation in Africa. Of particular note is A'Kagera National Park in eastern Rwanda (it shares the border with Tanzania); it boasts more than 2500 square km of lakes, savanna, grasslands and woodlands, providing ideal habitat for a wide variety of flora and fauna. Look for elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra, lions, leopards and dozens of species of antelope - and unparalleled birdwatching opportunities.

"We at Silverback's strive to see to it that our unspoiled jungles, rivers and lakes are left for future generations to enjoy," notes Kayihura. "This will only be achieved by teaching the youth to understand, love and conserve this unique region of tremendous bio-diversity and beauty while providing our visitors with an unforgettable experience."

For more info, visit SilverbacksAdventures.rw.

- The Travel Snob

Find a Travel Needle in a Haystack with Lonely Planet's Newest Accommodation Booking Website. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

If you're the adventurous sort who enjoys your travel off the beaten path, but still digs excellent accomodation, Lonely Planet's Haystack is serving up a unique 'invitation only' booking service that features only properties that have been chosen, visited, reviewed and recommended by a Lonely Planet author.

"Whenever you go checking places out grumpy hotel owners say "Why do you guys come at such difficult times?" and that's exactly why we do it. We want to see places at their best and worst," explains one of Lonely Planet's intrepid authors. "First thing in the morning when people are checking out is always a good time to see how people handle being busy, plus there's always a helpful cleaner who might let you see a room that you might not otherwise have caught on the grand tour. The most important thing is to avoid the "official tour," where the people at the desk get the manager and you get shown how light switches work or invited for a cup of tea. Sometimes this can mean sneaking around the front desk or talking to people who are staying there or even just breaking up that tour by saying "What about these rooms?" You have to review against what you're being shown, which often means being pretty annoying to hotel staff." Adds another of their authors: "I don't really jump on beds, but I do look closely to see that the bedspreads are clean (I hate gunky-looking patterned bedspreads), suss out the bathrooms for water pressure and mould, test the windows to see if they can be opened and open wardrobes to look for wire coat hangers (yuck!). I often check minibar prices to see if they're extortionate, and I like to look at communal areas to see how guests and guests of guests are treated. I like to say hello to the people who clean the rooms to, you can tell a lot about a place by the greeting that's returned - and I think everyone in a hotel/motel or wherever should be happy to be there, even if it's for work."

In fact, many of their properties were not previously bookable online through any other service. "We are inviting our favorite properties from around the globe to join the service -- whether it's a backpackers in Sydney, an eco-resort in Yap, or a boutique hotel in Rome," says Dan Christian, Lonely Planet's Haystack Product Manager. "Haystack is a unique service in that every property listed is recommended as a great place to stay. Every property review is 100% independent and written by an experienced travel writer." Currently, Haystack boasts over 1000 properties in more than 58 countries, and more are being added all the time. "Haystack will continue to grow daily as more destinations and properties are added to the site throughout 2007 and beyond."

For more info, visit Haystack.LonelyPlanet.com.

- The Travel Snob

The Nature Conservancy Teams up with Abercrombie & Kent to Offer Luxurious Conservation Adventures in Cool Places. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

 
For 2007, The Nature Conservancy and Abercrombie & Kent journeys include:

• Brazil’s Pantanal (May 14-26)
• the remote highlands of Papua New Guinea (June 17-29)
• mainland Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands (August 11-21)
• Southern Africa (September 23-October 4)
• tropical rainforests of the Peruvian Amazon (October 19-November 1)

A portion of the proceeds from each trip directly benefits The Nature Conservancy programs in that region. Program participants automatically receive a one-year membership to The Nature Conservancy and subscription to the organization’s award-winning magazine. More at Nature.org  & AbercrombieKent.com.

- The Travel Snob

Don't Let Your Single Status Impede Your Wanderlust. Singles Travel International Has a Trip for Almost Any Destination. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

    

A swingin' single in Costa Rica.

Let's face it, having a fellow travel fanatic to share adventures with on the road is fun! Singles Travel International (SinglesTravelIntl.com) caters to singles with the travel bug, specializing in luxurious trips all over the world. They boast a 75% repeat clientele, who enjoy fun-filled adventures plus amenities like an escort for groups of 20 or more (available 24/7). Travelers are encouraged to spend as much or as little time with the group as they like, and age-specific excursions are available so you can share your experience with others just like you. While it's a fun way to meet people, it's not a dating service...thankfully.

Singles Travel International 2007 trip schedule:
(Note: *rates are per person based on double occupancy)

MARCH

• Weekend in Ft. Lauderdale (March 16-18,'07) - Starting at $469*. Stay at Bahia Mar Beach Resort on the ocean and check out the St. Patrick's Day festivities on Las Olas Boulevard
• Caribbean Cruise on Royal Caribbean's Jewel (March 18-24,'07) - Starting at $525*. Visits Key West, Cozumel, Costa Maya and Grand Cayman - for 30s & 40s

APRIL/MAY

• Caribbean Cruise on the QM2 (April 2-10,'07) Starting at $994* with $100 upgrades. Celebrate the Easter & Passover holiday at sea and visit Eastern Caribbean (Bonaire, Grenada & St. Kitts)
• Costa Rica Multi-Sport Adventure (April 14-22,'07) Starting at $2,295*. Experience hiking, whitewater rafting, mountain biking, canoeing, snorkeling and more.
• Galapagos & Optional Ecuador Extension (April 20-May 5,'07) Starting at $4,345*. Make like Charles Darwin at visit these isolated islands and their rare creatures aboard the Celebrity Xpedition
• Ecuador All-Inclusive Multi-Sport Adventure (April 28-May 5,'07) Starting at $1,923*. Stay in the center of the Andean heartland, and enjoy river rafting, mountain trekking and climbing.

MAY/JUNE

• Liberty of the Seas Caribbean Cruise Memorial Day Weekend (May 26-Jun 2,'07) Starting at $1,030*. Visit Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Private Island in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
• East African Safari (June 15-24,'07) Starting at $2,795*. Journey to the wide open wilderness and enjoy animals galore in their natural settings in Kenya. Have a bush dinner with the Masai Mara.
• Norwegian Odyssey Cruise on QM2 (June 16-26,'07) Starting at $1,599*. View the Fjords of Norway aboard the Queen Mary 2

JUNE/JULY

• New York City Weekend (June 30-July 2) Starting from $995*. 3 nights of action and romance with a Sex in the City Tour, dinner and salsa lessons in Soho, a singles party with the locals, bike ridge through Central Park and first class hotel accommodations. Add the QM2 4th of July cruise for a full week of excitement.
• QM2 4th of July in the Bahamas (July 2-6,'07) Starting at $899*. Experience a spectacle to remember on the "Greatest Ocean Liner of Our Time" the Queen Mary 2.
• Spectacular Spain for Singles in 30s & 40s (July 21-29,'07) Starting at $1,286*. An exciting 10 day vacation that allows time to experience a lot of Spain in a single visit including Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Seville, and Cordoba.

AUGUST

• Italy's Great Cities for Singles in 30s & 40s (August 1-8,'07) Starting at $1,626*. Enjoy museums, cathedrals, vineyards, and olive groves.
• Heart of Alaska Cruise and Tour (August 13-24,'07') Starting at $1,919*. Experience Alaska's wilder side in this 11 day journey, with a combination of grand class cruising, and luxury, spend 2 nights in the #1 wilderness lodge south of Denali National Park.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

• Mediterranean Medley Cruise aboard QM2 (September 10-22,'07) Starting at $2,129*. Discover a cache of treasures on this 12 day cruise from Southampton England to Rome, Barcelona, Portugal, French Riviera
• Transatlantic Crossing on QM2 (September 22-28,'07) Starting at $1,029*. From Southampton England to New York, it's like a 5-day visit to a luxury spa with no interruptions.
• New York Splendors of Fall Cruise aboard the QM2 (September 28-October 7,'07) Starting at $1,729*. A fall colors cruise from New York to Quebec, with stops in Newport, Boston, Halifax and Bar Harbor.
• Five Star Imperial Jewels of China (October 2-11,'07) Starting at $2,858*. View China's most imperial treasures, an exciting 3 night tour along the legendary Yangtze River, stay in Beijing, spend a night in Xian, and enjoy the skyline of Shanghai.
• Peruvian Paradise (October 7-12,'07) Starting at $1,795*. Mountain bike and raft through spectacular river canyons, and hike the ancient Inca Trail to the famous Lost City by way of beautiful stone paths, ancient stairs and mountain tunnels. Extensions available to the Peruvian Amazon and stunning Lake Titicaca.
• Greek Island Cruise (October 20-27,'07) Starting at $749 Departs Venice, Italy on the Royal Caribbean's Splendour of the Seas, and visits the fascinating Greek ports of Athens, Mykonos, Katakalon, Corfu, Split, and Croatia

DECEMBER/JANUARY

• Holiday Cruise (December 20-January 3,'07) Starting at $3,182* Cruise the holidays like a star aboard one of the grandest vessels afloat. Visit the unique ports of Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas. Round-trip from New York.

- The Travel Snob

 

Enjoy Your Africa Vacation Without Damaging the Environment on an Eco-Friendly Tour. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

      

Although it's a fundamental source of income for almost every country in the world, many areas are now moving away from the traditional resort-based attractions of the past and towards a model that supports a region's economy, the local environment and community.  The days of the self-contained hotel complex, owned by overseas companies, are fast losing their appeal. 

BAOBAB Travel is a UK-based specialist eco-tour operator, born out of a combination of a love of Africa and travel, and a desire to actively work with and support local communities in the Developing World. Their philosophy is to promote an ethical and responsible form of tourism that benefits both the economic and environmental sustainability of its local surroundings, while offering original and more satisfying vacations.

To find out more about the impact of eco-tourism, visit BaobabTravel.com.

- The Travel Snob

Know Before You Go...to Beautiful Africa! AfricanHeritageTravel.com Keeps a Traveller Savvy & Up-to-the-Minute. TRAVEL SNOB TRAVEL BLOG

(Some colorful passers-by in Tanzania)

From locations of UNESCO World Heritage sites, to visa & entry requirements, embassy and consulate information, travel warnings, and even myths debunked(!), AfricanHeritageTravel.com is an essential travel toolbox for today's globetrotter.

Filled with credible information for every country on the continent - as well as the world - it puts all the 411 at your stylish fingertips in a few easy mouse-clicks.  Check it out at  AfricanHeritageTravel.com.

- The Travel Snob

(photo: IntoTanzania.com)