Two chicks with major wanderlust who live to see the world: themselves, through others, or just living vicariously with the latest & greatest gadgets, travel accoutrements - from luggage to skincare
Fuelmyblog.com recently teamed up with Lastminute.com to launch a competition to find the best blog post about "the best ever weekend break". Open exclusively to bloggers, the highest quality 300-word post wins a a weekend in Vienna with business class flights from London. "We are delighted to be joining forces with one of the most successful dot-com businesses in the world," explains Fuelmyblog Founder, Kevin Dixie. "Many bloggers write about their travels and exotic experiences in far-flung destinations and, as the home to the world's blogging community, we wanted to support their efforts with a special prize."
All entries will be published on Lastminute.com & Fuelmyblog.com, with the best ten judged by Internet pioneer and the creator of Freeserve, Ajaz Ahmed.
SFGate.com offers these tips for staying green on the road:
BEFORE YOU GO: Turn down the thermostat & water heater in your home; place a hold on your newspaper delivery.
PATRONIZE GREEN TRAVEL PROVIDERS: How can you tell if a hotel, tour company or other travel provider has a genuine commitment to environmental preservation? Have them e-mail a copy of their eco-policy, and see if their catalog is printed on recycled paper. If you're booking a tour, ask if accommodations are at chain hotels or locally owned lodgings. A good place to start is Lonely Planet's Code Green which lists almost 100 eco-friendly trips.
REUSE HOTEL TOWELS & SHEETS: Many hotels now change towels & sheets only upon request. If a towel is on the floor, it will be replaced, while those hanging on the rack are left to dry. Leave housekeeping a note stating that you don't need the towels or sheets changed, and ask that the hotel refrain from from using chemical air fresheners and cleaning products in your room.
IS YOUR TRIP GREEN...OR GREENWASHED? According to Jim Sano of Geographic Expeditions, many companies present themselves as green when they really are not. Ask outfitters how they select tour operators, whether they support local people, and what they do to minimize impact on the areas they visit.
BE ECO-ACTIVE In a new city, travel by bus on on foot. Walking is not only greener but also opens you to fun encounters. Bike touring, whitewater rafting and kayaking can also be green, depending on the tour operator.
BYOT (BRING YOUR OWN TRASH) If you're in a remote area such as the mountains or the desert, bring as little potential trash along, and pack out whatever waste you create.
CONSIDER YOUR FOOTPRINT After a day of trekking in the Himalayas, it might be high time for a cold beer and hot shower, but bear in mind that tourist demands can lead to increased deforestation (to heat water) or to the disruption of traditional ways.
For more green travel ideas, check out these resources:
This week, down-and-dirty travel site Travelfish launched their downloadable PDF guide to Ho Chi Minh City, the latest in their growing stable of snappy insider guides, and their first for Vietnam. "We want travellers to navigate their way through Southeast Asia's top destinations without being weighed down by out-of-date guidebooks containing way more information than they need," says Travelfish founder and veteran traveller Stuart McDonald about the concise but comprehensive guides; they print out to A4 size paper before the trip or on-the-go at Internet cafes. "Travellers can simply choose Travelfish guides to the places they are actually going -- each usually costing far less than an airport cab in the city they're travelling to."
While heavy, bulk print guidebooks can take more than six months to reach shelves after a researcher has been on the ground, Travelfish guides are up-to-the-minute. "The writing is on the wall for the legacies [traditional guidebooks]. There is a whole new way of travelling for the latest generation of backpackers -- and flashpackers -- thanks to the internet." says McDonald, who spent years backpacking in Southeast Asia and has now lived in the region for a decade. "Travelfish is at the forefront."
Each Travelfish guide is thoroughly researched on the ground by experienced travellers who do their best to conceal their identity and never accept freebies, to ensure their readers get realistic, warts-and-all reviews of hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, bars and sights:
Cambodia: Siem Reap & Angkor Wat with Phnom Penh launching in two weeks
Laos: Vientiane, Champasak & more off-the-beaten-track destinations in remote southern Laos
Thailand: Ko Phi Phi, Phuket, Bangkok; diver's paradise Ko Tao on the way
Coming soon: 24 titles by the end of 2007, including Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon & Central Highlands
"I want an honest evaluation about my travel destination with candid
photos, traveler's opinions and real-life stories from locals on the ground and from recent visitors," explains Katherine Morrow, co-founder of TheRatingGuy.com - which just released their new list of Great Travel Sites...of which a scant 19 made the grade. "Printed books can't keep up with the rate of change in the travel industry. So many options are available today, and with the power of web-based social communities, I can find what suits my
personal needs so much better. My Google search today for "travel sites" revealed 273 million results. What is that going to do for me? We help the consumer to get to the better site sooner and here they are."
Rating a variety of travel & leisure sources - from the traditional travel publishers to the new digerati-based social networks whose content has been created by travelers themselves, hosting editorial,
photos, commentary, reviews, ratings, and, of course, rants - what is exceptional about The Ratings Guy list is the superior level of content which helps a traveler get where they're going with minimal hassle and the best planning advice.
TribecaRadio.net's newest show offers an insider's look at trips for people of all lifestyles, budgets, age groups and physical abilities. Host Susan Raphael interviews a vast array of globe-trotters, artists, writers, chefs, musicians and designers from around the world about their personal adventures, cultural perspectives and found treasures! She also shares news of the joyous journeys and secret hideaways of the show's listening audience. An intrepid traveler herself, Raphael has braved the sands of the Sahara in search of the perfect Berber carpet, maneuvered through the moterini of Milan to find the quintessential Italian handbag and scoured the patisseries of Paris for the fluffiest French croissant. "Our show is for people of all means, ages and abilities," she explains. "We want to excite listeners, surprise listeners and send them "packing"!
For the premier show, Raphael visit Italy, the number one destination for returning travelers, and scores tips & trics on everything from securing the most coveted reservations in Italy to the best current travel promotions from Consul General of Italy to the United States, Antonio Bandini, and Dottore Riccardo Strano, director for North America of the Italian Government Tourist Board (ENIT). Upcoming shows discuss looking at architecture when you travel with Joan Blumenfeld & Frederic Bell of the New York City chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA); Morocco & Andalusia with a Moroccan Gnawa trance dance musician and two American filmmakers; traveling for the physically challenged; how to feel "at home" abroad; how to pack and what to take; travel bargains; around the world in 80 meals; doing business abroad; medical advice for travelers; and traveling celebrity style.
Each show is podcast the following Tuesday so stay tuned at TribecaRadio.net
Schmoozing on the ninth hole. (photo: Bernard Napthine)
Ayers Rock (photo:Chris Mellor)
Melbourne by night (photo: David Hannah)
Australia, for all its fabulousness, does have some pitfalls - like weather - as the honeymoon couple headed for the Great Barrier Reef found out. Unaware that it was monsoon season, they spent five days in rain, and never saw the reef. "Australia is such a big place with an array of travel choices that the traveler can easily spend to much money and wasted time if they are not educated on their options," notes David Frederick of LetsGoToAustralia.com whose goal it is to help travelers fully enjoy their time Down Under. "It should be the first choice of everyone to visit in their lifetime and I want to make sure it's the best trip of their life."
For the scoop on where to go in Oz, what to see, and the cheapest way to get to there, visit LetsGoToAustralia.com.
Eilean Donan Castle near Kyle of Lochalsh. (photo: Loch-Ness.org.uk)
The best way to visit a place like Scotland is to make sure that the major touristy places don't dominate the agenda. And the recently launched Secret- Scotland.com wants to keep this from happening. Specializing in hidden, offbeat gems, they customize budget-friendly itineraries that also avoid the pitfalls of traditional guides which often cause the misinformed to try and see Inverness, Loch Ness and Skye in a day. Instead, their guides are logical, day-to-day, easy-to-follow sequences of route directions, punctuated with recommendations for sightseeing, including attractions away from the beaten tourist trails.
"The idea for Secret Scotland came about as a result of helping friends discover just how
much there is to see and enjoy in our small, but unique, nation. The market place was crying out for a new style of easy to follow tour guide, but, importantly, a tour guide with sufficient flexibility to allow visitors to create really bespoke itineraries," says Mike Peddie, a native Scot who started the site with his French partner, Aurelia Reymond-Laruinaz. "Of course we will help people to see the main attractions in Scotland, but it's a pity that all too often they leave our country without seeing many of the varied and special places tucked away around every corner. We have spent the last two years meticulously researching every aspect of our guides to ensure that, when a tour is selected, a really successful visit to Scotland is likely to ensue. We also believe that our guides are second to none when it comes to offering value for money."
In order to find out what tourists actually needed, Peddie went right to the source. "Some French tourists were telling me how misled they felt by their guidebook. They had spent £6.50 each to get entry to Urquhart Castle and discovered that the Castle was mainly a ruin. In our guides, we advise people to take a picture from the car park!" Adds Reymond-Laruinaz: "We pride ourselves on our 'local' knowledge base of Scotland. We really do know where to find the scenic spots, quiet side roads, great pubs and eating places that other guides never mention because they only have space to focus on the major attractions".
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."
If your personal holy trinity involves great wine, food & scenery, it's time to add Walla Walla to your travel plans. Extending from eastern Washington State to the south, and across the Oregon border (one-third of Walla Walla's vineyard land is actually in Oregon), the Walla Walla Valley increasingly the talk of wine & foodie circles. "We surveyed the most intriguing wine producing regions of the world, looking for the perfect launch destination for Inspired Travel," explains Steve Woodward, managing director of HinsdaleCellars.com, about their boutique travel service which specializes in small group experiences, private tours and custom dining."The choice soon
became obvious -- Washington's incomparable Walla Walla Valley."
In addition to connoisseurs, the region has been luring winemakers from tradition-bound parts of the world such as Christophe Baron of the acclaimed Cayuse Vineyards, who uprooted from his native France more than a decade ago - drawn by the rocky soils of Walla Walla. "The best wines made in Washington rank among the best wines produced anywhere in the world," notes author and Washington native John Doerper. "(Yet) much of Washington's Wine Country and many of its wines are still little known, making this a perfect region
to explore."
If the frigid weather is simply unbearable, ShermansTravel.com has what you seek: the best six beach deals of the season:
Bahamas for $499: Escape to the Bahamas' beachfront Paradise Island Harbour resort with this unbeatable deal from CheapCaribbean.com. The five-day package includes lodging, meals, drinks, and all non-motorized water sports.
Hawaii for $527: Experience world-famous Waikiki Beach for five nights at the family-friendly OHANA Waikiki Malia with this package through PandaOnline.
Belize for $880: If you can bear to wait until April, Tara Tours is offering a seven-night jaunt to the Banana Beach Resort on Amergris Caye, an island renowned for its stunning beach and first-rate snorkeling. Want to leaver earlier? Winter departures are just $200 more.
Florida Keys for $914: This Orbitz deal includes a three-night stay at
the luxurious Hyatt Key West Resort & Marina and airfare from
Atlanta to Miami. Winter rates at this hot spot usually go for at least
$350/night.
Cancun for $1089: Balcony suites run up to a wallet-busting $800/night during peak-season, but this extraordinary deal from Expedia includes a four-night stay at the upscale Fiesta Americana Grand Coral Beach and airfare from Los Angeles. This offer is only valid for one departure date - March 1st.
St. Croix from $1143: Spoil yourself at The Buccaneer, St. Croix's top-rated, four-star resort for four-nights. This extraordinary deal represents a more than 50% savings since the average winter rate is a whopping $840/night
To find editor reviews of each of these winter beach getaways, including pricing and booking information, visit ShermansTravel.com. The site's Top Ten Easy Winter Weekends Abroad has other winter getaway ideas, including both warm and cold weather destinations such as Collingwood, Canada, Isla Mujeres, Mexico, and Isla Taboga, Panama. In addition, they also feature the top 25 deals each week in their free Top 25 e-newsletter, while their The Luxe 15 covers the best smart luxury values.
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