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Archive for January, 2010

Like many of life’s greatest achievements, it began by accident. It started with one unique man on a desolate but beautiful mountain. The man was Teddy Roosevelt; the Matterhorn was the mountain where an idea that changed our world germinated. Today, we call it “eco tourism” and every year it leads thousands of people to a tiny gem that Christopher Columbus named ‘Costa Rica’ five centuries ago.

Two decades before he was to become one of America’s greatest presidents, Roosevelt traveled to Switzerland. He was one of the earth’s most famous adventurers who loved nature. So it was that he made the decision to ascend the renowned Mount Matterhorn. When he did so, however, he was distressed by what he found out on the mountain or, more precisely, what precisely he did not.

The mountain was almost silent. Where once there had been many, there were no bears, wolves, goats, mountain sheep, or other wilderness creatures. Only ghosts of the past richness. But only fading memories.

Even though “eco tourism” did not get into the language lexicon for practically 100 more years, Theodore Roosevelt was the world’s very first eco tourist and, I should point out, the man responsible for today’s ecotourism.

Roosevelt recognized that unless vast tracts of land were set aside, relentless exploitation would ultimately lead to calamity. So, when he was elected President, he did something no one before him had considered. He reserved an extraordinary 230 million as wilderness and parks over massive objections from vested interests, gold miners, timber companies, and robber barons.

Roosevelt’s vivid prescience led to an extraordinary discovery: the public would gladly pay money to enjoy nature. Continual use of land through eco tourism brought with it important economic consequences, often much more valuable in comparison with exploitation in many cases—in the United States.

However, that had been America’s experience. How about Costa Rica, a little place in Latin America that in 1519 its Spanish Governor referred to as “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in all Americas”? By the middle part of the 20th century, most of its forests were cut or lost to create farm land and the country was primarily reliant upon the foreign trade of bananas, coffee, and other agricultural products for its economic well being. Its future looked bleak, even more so when the world coffee market crashed in the early 1970s.

Certainly, nothing on earth is preordained and from the economic uncertainty arose Costa Rica eco tourism. Crisis always brings with it opportunity and, from a seemingly improbable alliance, conservationists and business interests argued that sustainable development should be given a chance in lieu of simply continuing to make use of the nation’s fast declining resources. The government joined forces with conservationists and businesses and embarked on an ambitious experiment, ultimately setting in reserve almost 25% of the land for parks and preserves over the following decades.

By just about any measure, and in the course of just three decades (about as long as The Simpsons have been on television!), the gains have been dazzling. At the same time so many other countries were slashing, clearing, and burning their forests, Costa Rica chose to bring back its forests. Today, you will find 20% more forested acres than only 25 years ago. Jaguars, peccaries, and other wildlife are going back to places where they have not been spotted for more than a generation. The populace has enthusiastically embraced sustained development, refusing to approve off shore drilling for oil and, in lieu, have chosen to concentrate their efforts on renewable power resources. Impressively, 99% of the nation’s electrical power today comes from hydro-electric plants—and it is starting to install wind turbines ,too. Columbia and Yale researchers now categorize Costa Rica within the top five of all environmentally sensitive countries on earth.

It has ended up a stunning reversal in fortune. The country has vaulted into the top position on the Happiest Place in the World Index even as Costa Rica tourism has soared. Sustainable tourism has lifted the economy even while conserving its wonders. As it turns out, Columbus was exactly right when he named this place “the rich coast” or “Costa Rica.” The Spanish governor was dead wrong when he labeled Costa Rica as “the poorest and most miserable Spanish colony in Americas.” Perhaps that is why no one remembers the his name.

To close, we must end with the Swiss Matterhorn, the impetus behind Roosevelt’s imaginative and prescient vision that parks and preserves were essential to protecting God’s gifts to earth and Costa Rica’s courageous extension of that concept leading to today’s extremely successful Costa Rica eco tourism. Consider the irony here. Costa Rica has been described as the “Switzerland” of the tropics but it learned from Swiss failures. Ironically, Switzerland has much to learn from Costa Rica. Costa Rica’s mountains are today replete with wild life and eco tourism helps fuel the nation’s economy. One of every twenty species of plants and animals on earth are found in this little country the size of West Virginia. Theodore Roosevelt, the world’s first ecotourist, would certainly smile in delight if he were still with us. Unfortunately, the magnificent Matterhorn remains silent because its life was exploited and destroyed, not valued and maintained.

Author Victor Krumm posts from his home in Costa Rica. Visit his authoritative, lovely website about Costa Rica Vacations and be sure to check out the spectacular Seven Wonders of Costa Rica

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Discount travel sites aren’t something new anymore, but they keep reinventing the wheel to make things easier and cheaper. Here are a few sites you should look into and some more travel tips you can use today.

Priceline and its name your own price program is actually a great way to book a trip as long as you are patient. My advice is to start early and inch up your price until they agree to it.

Some sites are known as blind sites because the names of airlines, hotels and departure schedules are hidden until purchase is complete. Flight tickets are usually nonrefundable and there are no frequent-flyer miles available.

With this economy, luxury travel is hit the worst and that means huge savings with LuxuryLink.com, a discount site that helps you book luxury travels. Check it out if you want to splurge a little.

Two sites you should look into is LastMinute.com and LateRooms.com. The former works with many companies within the U.S. and the latter is better for overseas travel.

Even if a United States address on a credit card prohibits you from making a reservation with your card, you can often make travel deals inside the country you are traveling to once you are there, especially for short air flights, car rentals or even hotels you may want to stay at during short excursions from your main base.

Keep in mind that there may be hidden fees attached to any reservation made in a foreign country, especially in regard to car rentals because of insurance policies covering foreign drivers, etc.

With all the social networking sites springing up on the web, it was only a matter of time before people started posting messages about travel sites and agencies.

Keep an English-foreign language dictionary handy when traveling in a foreign country. Keep important telephone numbers in your wallet or purse, and a copy back at the hotel in case your wallet or purse is lost or stolen.

It’s nice to see that the Travelocity promotional code is converting, which means that everyone is taking notice of the good savings and using them.

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Leaving behind the world and all of the stress that comes along with it is the entire point of a vacation. You are going to be able to find a place such as this at the Jaco Costa Rica Hotels. There is much to do and of course the beach is always a great place to relax and soak in the sun. There is nothing like working on your tan to help you relax and enjoy life.

Of course, there are many activities that you can enjoy during your stay at the Jaco Costa Rica Hotels. Whether you enjoy kayaking, white water rafting or the idea of taking a tour, you are going to find all of that here and so very much more. There are several different tours that you can take and each one offers you a different view on Costa Rica. Regardless of which way you go, you are going to have the opportunity to be able to see some of the most beautiful wildlife that you have ever seen.

You don’t want to leave out the fantastic cuisine that is offered as well. When you dine at the Jaco Costa Rica Hotels you will have your choice from local cuisine to something that you are more familiar with. This includes steak, sushi, fast food and even pizza. You can also enjoy Thai, tacos and good ole Tex-Mex. No matter what you are in the mood for you are going to be able to find it during your stay. Take your choice of a classic meal in fine dining or you can sit back and enjoy the scenery while you eat at one of the beachside huts. It gives you the choice of dressing up and dining out or dressing casual and basking in the atmosphere.

And don’t forget about the night life. A part of putting the stress and everyday hassles behind you is being able to get out and enjoy yourself and have a great deal of fun. During your visit to the Jaco Costa Rica Hotels, you are going to find different bars that you can attend and have a great time. If you are in the mood to dance, there are quite a few different dance clubs that you can visit and dance the night away until you are ready to call it a night, get some sleep and then do it again the next night.

It is also important to take into consideration the many different services that are available during your stay as well. Here at the Jaco Costa Rica Hotels you are going to find room service, internet connections, air conditioning as well as cable television. You are also going to find a spa that will rub the stress away and a fitness room to help keep you in shape. There is even a swimming pool that you can take a nice relaxing swim in or the oasis when you need a break from the beach.

As you can see, your stay at the Jaco Costa Rica Hotels will be an experience that will help you to relax and enjoy life once again. You are going to be able to kick back and enjoy the night life with your other half or your friends without any worries or concerns. This is how life was meant to be enjoyed. The staff here at the hotels will give you a feeling of welcome and family. You can find out all of the information that you need to know when you visit the website at http://www.ramadajacobay.com/. Take the tour or your lifetime now.

if you want more information about Jaco Costa Rica Hotels, feel free to visit their website by clicking on the following link: http://www.ramadajacobay.com/

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Aberdeen in the northern part of Scotland has the busiest airports in the world for helicopter traffic. Mainly due to the massive number of oil platforms in the North Sea there is a massive amount of departures to and from Aberdeen taking staff out and back from the oilrigs. The oil industry in Aberdeen is huge and as such there is also a massive requirement for airline seats from within Britain and further a field to get to Aberdeen.

Partly because of the oil industry there are now some great British city destinations available for local people living in Aberdeen and the adjacent regions. There are various flight companies providing a great choice of UK city break destinations including Liverpool, Southampton and Cardiff. When people have a weekend break they usually do not have much time therefore they are limited to locations a short distance away. With direct flights you are able to go much further and enjoy someplace new.

If you are looking to get some bargain offers from Aberdeen you can do this as well. There are non-stop departures to the hottest destinations and vacation hotspots particularly in the summer months and also when the schools are out.

With the arrival of the internet it is simpler than ever to check around for the best flight or vacation deal for your main vacation. It is also easy to reserve departures on their own from Aberdeen and then add-on the accommodation of your choice to make your own personal vacation. There are lots of companies providing vacation hotels and apartments including the ones you find in the holiday brochures so it is possible to save cash on your lodgings. If you get a bargain flight ticket as well you may save lots of cash off instead of booking a package offer.

There are flights from Aberdeen to Oslo and London, which can usually supply you with connections to almost any location on the planet. Even if you want to travel to Sydney or Barbados you can travel from Aberdeen.

Low cost airlines offer travellers some fantastic options on Aberdeen Flights and Hotel Breaks around the UK, Follow the tips from Craig Walker of www.travelbites.co.uk and save on your next trip.

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Hanoi

Hanoi is one of the best tourist attractions for Vietnam holidays. It is a busy city, bustling with activity, but if you stay for a week or two you will soon learn to appreciate it. Nearby Ha Long Bay and Sapa, and the Old District in Hanoi are some great places to check out. The famous Perfume Pagoda is also a must see.

Visit Northeast Vietnam

Get out and explore the wilderness! Find places that only a tiny percentage of tourists have ever seen. Jump into one of the four-wheeled vehicles provided for the purpose and discover regions such as Ha Giang and Cao Bang. The longer you go for, the more you’ll discover!

Journey down to Hue

Hue is south of Hanoi, and is an ancient Vietnamese capital. You will want a few days to have a look around and visit some of the breath-taking temples in the area.

Pop into Hoi An

A lovely beach is just the first of many great attractions in this wonderful city. You will never grow tired of looking at the incredible architecture in the beautiful streets of Hoi An, or picking up tailor-made clothes at bargain prices.

Nha Trang

Scuba diving is great in this region, with a number of amazing beaches around.

Saigon

Some will know Saigon as Ho Chi Minh city. This is Vietnam’s central business district. It is even louder and busier than Hanoi! But it has heaps to see and do, so stick around for a while.

Drift down the Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta will prove to be a unique experience as you drift along. Take a look at the floating markets as you go.

Phu Quoc Island

Leave this little beauty till last. Growing commercialism has not been able to spoil the pristine beaches and clear, beautiful water of this wonderful island, just south of Cambodia.

Jose Mauricio Maurette is the Director of Quest World Travel Ltd and a specialist in organizing Dubai, Cuba, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam Holidays. For more information visit www.questworldtravel.com

categories: Vietnam holidays,holidays to Vietnam,Vietnam and Cambodia,travel Tips,Vietnam,Cambodia,holidays,travel,tourism,Indochina

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Hi, I would really like to take a vacation this year with my family, but due to recent economic struggles.. it’s doesn’t seem possible… Anyone know where we could go? Anything but theme parks cause my oldest daughter has cerebral palsy, and I don’t want the stress.

The State of Texas has established tourist bureaus in some of the major Texas cities and near the entry point into the state along major highways. Part of the free information available includes brochures on state and national parks, including data regarding public campsites. They also have brochures on the various "Texas trails" (interesting and scenic journeys along good but lesser traveled roads). If you need data regarding private campgrounds, you might check with AAA or Kampgrounds of America or similar websites. Most campgrounds and RV parks are also listed in the yellow pages or are registered on line.

You might also check with any well-stocked Texas library for back issues of Texas Highways magazine to locate additional attractions that may interest you. Texas Monthly magazine also sometimes has good articles and pictures (see the October 2006 issue for their favorite hiking trails, for example). Happy camping!!!

Please don’t answer with orbitz…they are expensive.

Yahoo has the great websites that u may find great deals goto www.yahoo.com/travelguide

Some things inexpensive but fun? My family is very picky however, so it would help if you could also name somewere not too cold or not too warm, somewhere that’s fun and not too historical? And lastly, the women of my family LOVE to shop.

Can you name a good vacation summer vacation destionation that fits all these requirements?
Thanks!

you can vacation in orlando or kissimmee, Florida. It’s great anytime of year. There is PLENTY of shopping to do at the local outlet mall. Plus, you don’t have to go to ANY of the tourist traps if you don’t want to. It’s a great place to chill, with SO MUCH to do!

Email me for a place to stay for your family! 8]

I would like to buy 4days & 3nights all-inclusive resort vacation package for $499 per couple, which sounds really good. the only restriction is we have to attend a 90minute presentation for timeshare. the travel agent told me that there’s no obligation to buy. i’m not sure if i should buy this package since i’ve heard alot of negative about similar packages. please help, anyone. will help to hear from people who experience this. thanks!!!!

Unless you’re wanting to purchase a time share, I would try to find another way of traveling. My husband and I went on one of these timeshare presentations in Orlando, FL, years ago, and it was not worth it. These people are high-pressured sales reps, who do not take no for an answer. It was a horrible experience for us. The 90 min presentation turned into a 3-hour ordeal. After saying we were not interested over and over again, we finally had to just walk out. They had picked us up from another location, so we had to call a cab to take us to our car.

I am currently booking a vacation in the Bahamas, and found that Resortvacationstogo.com has very good deals on all-inclusive resorts in many locations. You should check them out. I hope this helps. Good luck!

This popular tropical coastline in Australia’s northern region is a highly recommendable getaway for some romantic one on one quality time for partners or the perfect family break that will set the scene for some bonding.

The Sunshine Coast is one of the most beautiful holiday destinations in Australia and is perfect for family vacations. There is so much to do in the area that will appeal to any sort of family looking to get a bit of sun. Here are some of the top attractions of Sunshine Coast holidays for families.

First if all, the beaches in the area are second to none. Depending on what you are after you will be able to track down any sort of beach that you desire, from surfing beaches if you have kids who want to learn to surf, to family friendly spots where you will be able to relax knowing that your young kids are in safe waters. The climate is also perfectly suited to any beach holiday, with a good level of sunshine and warm temperatures all year round.

Of course you won’t want to be spending your entire vacation sitting on a beach and there are a great host of world famous attractions that you simply need to see. First and foremost, Hervey Bay has some of the best whale watching in the world and so it is imperative that you take time to go there. You will be able to see the most playful whales in the world, Humpbacks, frolicking around in the water, and this is truly something you will never forget.

Right across from Hervey Bay is Fraser Island and this is another world famous attraction. After a short ferry ride across you will find yourself stood on the largest sand island in the world. It is home to some of the most stunning beaches you will see, some gorgeous blue lakes, and also the native dingo.

The kids will also be sure to love Australia Zoo. This zoo is the biggest and best in the country and was set up by the famous naturalist Steve Irwin. You will be able to see all of the country’s native species as well as some wild crocodile and bird shows!

If you are looking for a family vacation in Australia, then the Sunshine Coast is one of your best options.

Sunshine Coast holidays for families are very common and the area is very well catered to be able to cope with any demands that a family might come up with on their annual trip abroad. Inside info on Noosa Holiday Accommodation as well as Sunshine Coast Holiday Accommodation

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