Month: July 2022

Eco-tourism Today – Travel Lean and Green

The new trend in travel is eco-tourism these days, or ecological tourism to give it its full name. In a world where more and more people are looking at ways and means to save the environment as a result of environmental degradation. As a result, eco-tourism has been around for years, since the 1980s to be exact. It has only been the last few years that it has really caught the attention of travellers everywhere though.

Eco-tourism is perfect for individuals that are interested in the natural world. It is all about getting back to nature and valuing everything around us. As a result, eco-tourism is incredible and can really make you feel like you are alive. The one thing that puts most individuals off is that it sounds expensive, but if you know where to look and take the hints and tips given to you, then it need not be expensive at all.

There are many countries all over the world that have very active eco-tourism resorts, and the majority of them have received rave reviews from individuals that have already experienced them. Costa Rica, India, Ecuador and Kenya are the most popular destinations that support eco-tourism at the moment, but there are others that seem to fly under the radar and these may be the best picks for individuals or couples wanting to experience it firsthand in a remote location.

New Zealand is one such country supporting eco-tourism, as is Australia. Both countries have not publicised this fact because they are relatively new to the world of ecological tourism and are developing their resorts as we speak. The variety of eco-tourism there and the sheer beauty of the landscape is definitely worth a trip for, but you can actually turn it into a tour of the region and spend a month or so there if you so wish.

If you do want a successful trip of the eco-tourism variety then you should research the area first to find out what the customs and values of that country actually are because it is quite easy to undo all of the good work in ecological areas by making one of several mistakes. The list below will help you to distinguish between what you can and cannot do:

1. The first is obviously to do your homework. The areas that individuals visit in eco-tourist trips are finely balanced and usually value more natural ways life. If you do not know those values then it is easy to damage the equilibrium of the area. In fact, you can actually cause more harm than you realise by just acting as you would in a Western First World country.

2. Try not to give things away to those in need. This may sound harsh to begin with, but eco-tourism is all about helping individuals work their way out of poverty and giving things away simply encourages begging, which is exactly what the country is trying to avoid by setting up eco-tourism.

3. Don’t barter with the locals if it is not in their culture for you to do so. The items that they are selling usually help them to live and cost just pence back home. The whole point of eco-tourism is outlined above and this applies here as well.

4. Avoid buying souvenirs that are made out of flora or fauna from the local area because the likelihood is that this is going against the principles of eco-tourism. It is about using local materials, but that does not include animals and plants.

5. Be wary of where you take photos because it may offend some people if they are actually snapped without giving their consent. This is just common decency. They are not there to be made a show of, just simply to do their job.…

Alternative Travel Exposed

Alternative travel is extremely underrated these days. The majority of people travelling from one major city to another or one country to another would choose to fly rather than use any other method of transport. It is very rare that these individuals actually look into alternative travel methods before booking, and as a result they are missing out on the whole travel experience. On an airplane, you go from one place to another in a matter of hours and only see the clouds. However, if you take the train, boat or road then you will find that you experience far more. The sights you see can be simply amazing and enhance your trip, as well as the whole trip working out to be cheaper. There are many reasons for alternative travel though, and below are just a few:

o The freedom to do as you please – Once you are on an airplane, there is no getting off until you reach your destination. If you see a place that you want to explore than there is simply no way that you can go and take a closer look. However, if you drive past the place in question, or are indeed on a train, then you can stop and explore until you are ready to move on again.

o The natural world – From the perspective of a car, train or boat, you can see the world around you and fully experience it as you pass through it. Fields, forests, lakes, seas and various other natural ecosystems and environments can provide an eye opening look at the world in which we live that you would never see from the perspective of a plane. Alternative travel at its finest includes the natural world in all of its glory. Just taking the time to take a closer look will enhance your trip considerably.

o The cost – can often cost far less than flying. This is because there are very few taxes associated with car, train or boat travel. However, federal taxes have increased the cost of the only method of non-alternative travel to the point that it is considerably more expensive and now often make up the majority percentage of the overall cost of the trip. It is far cheaper to travel by road or rail as a result.

Although there has been much made of the state of trains and buses in recent years, there has been an effort to improve them and thus people can now travel in more comfort than had previously been possible. Boat travel is fantastic and definitely deserves a second thought. However, in terms of alternative travel, you cannot beat the car. Flying is a great method of travel if you are travelling abroad, but alternative travel should be considered domestically, for the environment and cost if nothing else!…

How to Make Your Own Comfy Travel Pillow

Whether you travel in a car or on a plane or train when you go on a vacation, you always want to try and be as comfortable as you possibly can, especially if you are going somewhere that might be a long distance and you need to sleep while traveling. So it’s always a nice idea to have your own travel pillow with you for the trip. Travel pillows are generally a lot smaller than a regular pillow and can be square, U shaped or round and when you buy one they can cost up to $45.00. So why not save yourself a little bit of money and make your own?

First thing you will need to do is to pick out the kind of fabric that you want your pillow to be made out of. You can choose silk, satin, fleece, whatever you like. Fleece however is probably the easiest material to work with and it doesn’t fray like some other materials that you might choose. For this project the material will be fleece. You can even take an old fleece shirt and use to make your pillow with cutting down on cost right there.

After you have your material you will need to figure out how big you want it and what shape you want it to be. The normal size of a travel pillow is about 12 inches in height and around 16 inches wide. This is about half as big as your traditional bedroom pillow. If you decide you want a U shaped one you should make a mock one first using some rolled up kitchen towels.

Once you have decided on your size you will need to add about 4 inches to the height and to the length of your pillow. Now, lay out the fabric making sure that it is flat and then carefully cut out the shape that you desire. You will of course need to cut two pieces of the same size. Take the pieces and lay them on top of one another. Make sure the sides that are considered good are out. Now take a ruler and put it 2 inches from the fabrics edge and leave 2 A� inches on the sides, next you will cut it at 1 inch intervals all around the material this will give you 2 inches of fringe all around the pillow.

Take one corner and tie the fabric together you can do this by twisting the material into a knot. This simple twist allows for the fabric to show it’s opposite side. You will tie three sides like this and then you can take the filling you decided upon and stuff it into the pillow. After you have the filling in the pillow you can then tie the fringe on the last side. Make sure that all the fringe pieces are tied securely around the entire pillow.…

Say Aloha to the Hawaiian Isles

The islands of Hawaii are so beautiful they are difficult to describe. There is a good reason why so many songs have been written and so many movies have used Hawaii as a backdrop – it’s paradise!

Visiting Hawaii is simple for Americans since it is a state; this makes it easy to just hop on a plane and enjoy a tropical vacation without even bringing a passport. Many Americans even choose to retire in the Hawaiian isles, as it is so idyllic with its beautiful tropical foliage, gorgeous vistas and balmy weather. Even the rainy weather is beautiful here.

Some basics you may wish to know before Hawaii include:

Say ‘Aloha!’ This ubiquitous greeting means both hello and goodbye and seemingly many other things as well. It is a warm welcome and you will find the island’s people to be hospitable, laid-back and friendly. As with many tropical destinations, the pace is a little slower here, even in the larger cities such as Honolulu. Put a lei around your neck and enjoy tropical life.

Pack light but bring a jacket. When it gets rainy or windy, especially up in the mountains, it can be a little on the cool side. Indeed, because of the geography of these volcanic islands, with mountainous centers leading, often dramatically, down to the ocean on all sides, the weather can vary greatly in different places on the same island, and from one moment to the next. Also bring sun protection as the sun’s strength can be deceiving when you are enjoying an ocean breeze.

Bring your camera! Everywhere you look there will be fabulous sights to see, and you’ll likely want to record many of them. If you’re there in the Spring you’ll even see whales, and rainbows are common any time of year.

Your options for accommodation in Hawaii are many and varied. You can stay anywhere from a small bed and breakfast to a large, decadent hotel, and many people from the mainland own rental properties here. Do an online search and you’ll find some great offerings you may not have thought of.…

Top 10 Tips for Travel to Turkey

Knowing how to plan for your trip and what to expect makes for more anticipation and less anxiety. Before you go, below are some useful tips for traveling in Turkey:

1. Before you go: Before traveling to Turkey, make sure your passport is valid for a minimum of six months beyond your stay. A visa is required for US citizens, which can be obtained on arrival at the airport or border post for a fee. This tourist visa allows a stay for up to three months in Turkey. The fee must be paid for in hard currency cash; euros, Japanese yen, UK pounds, or US dollars are acceptable.

2. When to go: The best months to visit Turkey are between May – October. If you are visiting in July or August, it is wise to bring a sun hat and sunscreen to protect against the blazing sun. Sunscreen is expensive in Turkey, so it is a good idea t o bring it along. If you are visiting in the winter, you will need warm clothes as the temperatures may go as low as 5F especially in the central eastern parts of Turkey.

3. What to pack: Clothes in Turkey are both inexpensive and fashionable. Therefore, pack lightly, as you can buy clothes there. Take along flat shoes for walking as the sidewalks are often not only uneven, but also broken with unexpected holes. Take along some shoes for the water as many beaches are rocky. Most basic supplies are inexpensive in Turkey, but sunscreen is not – so bring that with you.

4. Dressing in Turkey: When visiting mosques and religious sites you will need to remove your shoes upon entering. Dress needs to be modest for both men and women. Women are required to cover their heads with a scarf. In addition, men and women are required to wear clothes that cover their legs and shoulders. Silence is required inside the mosques and most mosques are closed to visits during prayer times.

Avoid beachwear while visiting places other than the beach. While Turkey is a secular culture, in cities it is important to dress like one dresses in a city in the USA.

5. Food in Turkey: Drink only bottled water while in Turkey. Though tap water can be drunk, even the Turks drink only bottled water.

To experience real Turkish food, find restaurants off the main tourist areas. Find restaurants where food and prices are local. Try Raki while eating mezze, small appetizers. Keep track of what you ordered and notice the prices so you will han no surprise when you get the bill. Eat in tiny places, fancy restaurants and huge places – the food is superb!

6. Shopping In Turkey: There are no fixed prices in Turkey. In small shops and in markets, bargaining is part of Turkish culture. Before you make a purchase, try to get the prices down as low as possible. In most cases, just leave the shop or vendor and pretend to walk away. You will probably be invited back to the shop by the vendor, asking what your best offer is. Then, feel free to declare your own price. Bargaining margins start at 10% and can easily go up to 60%.

7. Visiting museums and other sights: Most museums are closed at least one day a week. If you are traveling independently, check the dates and times of museum openings. Archeological sites can be visited every day of the week from 9 am to 5pm, in the summer. In the winter, it is a good idea to check these times as well.

8. Getting Around: An inexpensive transportation system in Turkey is a dolmus, which is a cross between a bus and a taxi. The dolmus has a predefined route – you can get on at certain locations, but you can get off anywhere. It usually will cost about 50 cents and the driver won’t take a tip.

9. Tipping: In Turkey it is common to leave a 10% tip for good service at restaurants, to guides and to taxi drivers.

10. Public restrooms: Finding public restrooms in Turkey can be a problem. Although hotels have improved standards, small restaurants will sometimes have “holes’ as toilets. On the other hand, all mosques have public restrooms, or “Tuvalet”. In Turkish, “Bay is the word for men and “Bayan” for women.…

Ways to Save Money While Volunteering Abroad

From buying plane tickets to getting a passport, traveling abroad and more than that volunteering abroad in particular can be an expensive endeavor. However, there are ways to save money while you are abroad. Here are a few tips:

1. Stay with a host family

Living in a hotel or hostel during your volunteer trip will not only rack up your expenses, but it will also impede your ability to immerse yourself in the culture. I highly recommend volunteering through an organization that will set you up with a host family. This affords you the opportunity to practice your language skills, see daily life for the locals first-hand, form lasting connections with the local people, and see the culture on a deeper level. You will need to pay your host family to cover food and accommodation expenses, but this will work out to be much cheaper than staying in even the cheapest hotel.

2. Eat the local fare

Eating out at restaurants that serve your favorite foods may help you combat homesickness, but it will also impact your budget. Even just getting breakfast out every day will soon add up. Eat with your host family if you choose to live with one. Food is part of what you are paying them for so you might as well get your money’s worth. Even if you don’t stay with a host family, find a small restaurant that serves the country’s typical cuisine. It will cost you around $2 a plate as opposed to $7 or $8 at a fancier restaurant.

3. Use public transportation

Although taxis are faster to get around in, paying $2 every time you want to get somewhere is not economical. Some taxi drivers charge tourists more, since they are not from the area and don’t know what the normal rate is. In developing countries, bus fare is usually a matter of cents (here in Chitre, Panama the intra-city buses cost.25-.35). This will be your most economical option. You may have to ask about bus routes and fares, but drivers are usually friendly and some busses have a “helper” who takes bags and collects money and can help you get where you are going.

4. Only buy the necessities

Of course you are going to want to buy souvenirs for your friends and family and keepsakes to remember your trip, but don’t over-do it. Not only can you easily blow your budget, but you may end up with a suitcase that won’t close. Make a list of people you want to buy something for and buy one item each. Instead of buying every piece of hand-made artisanry you see, take pictures to remember them and share with friends and family. Save your money and buy things you will really need such as toiletries and supplies for your project.

5. SKYPE

Unless you are going to a remote area that does not have a computer within a 50 mile radius, sign up for a Skype account. Calling home can get costly, especially since you may have to buy a cell phone in country to get any kind of service. Using Skype from computer to computer is free and if you have a webcam your friends and family can see you in your new surroundings. Phone cards add up, so investigate other means of communication.…