travelstories – Air shopify https://www.airshopify.com Cheapest Air Tickets,Best Hotels,Car Rental,Cruises,Taxi and more.. Wed, 16 Oct 2019 21:59:56 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v= https://www.airshopify.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/cropped-newlogo-1-32x32.jpg travelstories – Air shopify https://www.airshopify.com 32 32 New York City – Budget Accommodation Guide – Bed & Breakfasts https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/new-york-city-budget-accommodation-guide-bed-breakfasts/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 21:59:56 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/new-york-city-budget-accommodation-guide-bed-breakfasts/ In my experience, bed and breakfasts are one of the best ways of experiencing a new place. In many cases the rates can be quite reasonable although there is an increasing number of high end luxury bed and breakfasts and inns, many of whom may end up charging several hundred dollars per night as well. […]

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In my experience, bed and breakfasts are one of the best ways of experiencing a new place. In many cases the rates can be quite reasonable although there is an increasing number of high end luxury bed and breakfasts and inns, many of whom may end up charging several hundred dollars per night as well. At some of the more budget-oriented B & Bs you can get a simple, yet usually comfortable room, often with unique décor. Sometimes bathrooms are shared which will result in lower prices, so if utmost privacy is important to you check whether your B&B accommodation offers private bathrooms.

B&B stands for "bed and breakfast", now obviously we have discussed the "bed" portion of the equation. As far as the "breakfast" portion is concerned, there are also a range of choices available. Some B & Bs will offer full breakfasts, some even with home-made ingredients, jams, preserves or various gourmet breakfast dishes etc. while others may only offer a simple continental style breakfast. In larger cities B & Bs may even exclude the breakfast option altogether, so if a nice meal in the morning is important to you, make sure you check whether your desired accommodation actually includes breakfast or not.

One additional advantage of B & Bs is that generally these places are owned by private individuals or couples who enjoy hosting people from all over the world. Quite often the hosts end up being quite entertaining and they can become your built-in local travel expert for the area. At any rate, be prepared for a rather personal experience since often the hosts share the house with the guests. Inns are usually larger and take on an atmosphere of a small historic hotel, so there the atmosphere will be less personal.

Here is a listing of websites that specialize in bed and breakfast accommodation for New York City:

http://www.citylightsnewyork.com

This website offers hosted bed and breakfasts in a range from US $ 80 to US $ 130. Unhosted bed and breakfasts go for between US $ 130 and US $ 300.

http://www.athomeny.com

At the time of writing this article, this website offered single occupancy rooms for US $ 75 and up while most double occupancy rooms ranged between US $ 125 and US $ 175 (and higher).

http://www.nyhabitat.com

This website specializes in apartment rentals and has a variety of different types of apartments available. As of March 2005 their rates were as follows:

Studio: $ 85 to $ 165

One Bedroom: $ 135 to $ 225

Two Bedrooms: $ 200 to $ 375

Special Apartments: $ 250 to $ 500

http://www.bedandbreakfast.com

This website offers quite a few bed and breakfasts that start below US $ 100 per night and their listings are divided between Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. I have picked out the ones that come in at the lower end of the scale although you will find a lot more properties that offer rates in the range from US $ 100 and up.

http://www.bnbfinder.com offers several properties in New York City ranging from US $ 40 and up.

Here is a listing of bed and breakfasts that I could find for under $ 100 a night:

Stay The Night Manhattan, NY, $ 60- $ 125

1291 Bed & Breakfast Accommodations Manhattan, NY, $ 40- $ 150

Chelsea Lodge – Manhattan, NY, $ 95 – $ 110

Bed and Breakfast NYC – Manhattan, NY, $ 95 – $ 225

Rooms in Soho Loft – Manhattan, NY, $ 90 – $ 110

Bed and Breakfast Mont Morris – Manhattan, NY

Efuru Guest House – Manhattan, NY, $ 60 – $ 125

Room in East Village – Manhattan, NY, $ 80 – $ 100

The Harlem Flophouse – Manhattan, NY, $ 75 – $ 100

Regina's New York B&B in Brooklyn Brooklyn, NY, $ 75- $ 150

Honey's Home Brooklyn, NY, $ 75- $ 150

Bibi's Garden – Brooklyn, NY, $ 65 – $ 125

Angelique Bed and Breakfast – Brooklyn, NY, $ 75 – $ 150

Eve's B&B – Brooklyn, NY, $ 70 – $ 125

Astoria B&B – Queens, NY, $ 50 – $ 70

The Harbor House – Staten Island, NY, $ 59 – $ 150

Victorian Manor Inn – Staten Island, NY, $ 75 – $ 120

Victorian Bed And Breakfast Of Staten Island – Staten Island, NY, $ 75 – $ 105

Victorian Villa – Staten Island, NY,: $ 79 – $ 98

Hartshorne House – Staten Island, NY, $ 55 – $ 95

Other bed and breakfast directory websites that you may want to check include the following:

http://www.bbdirectory.com

http://www.bestinns.com

http://www.bbonline.com

http://www.ibbp.com

http://www.iloveinns.com

http://www.newyorkbedandbreakfast.us

If you have never tried b & b-ing, check out this way of traveling. You might like it too …



Source by Susanne Pacher

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]]> Travel Writing – Write in the Third Person https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/travel-writing-write-in-the-third-person/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 19:56:46 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/travel-writing-write-in-the-third-person/ If you are writing travel articles than consider what is best to enable you to get the maximum possible opportunity for getting your articles published. One of the tips to consider is that of whether to write in the first or third person. There are some clever and popular travel writers, for sure. Some of […]

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If you are writing travel articles than consider what is best to enable you to get the maximum possible opportunity for getting your articles published. One of the tips to consider is that of whether to write in the first or third person.

There are some clever and popular travel writers, for sure. Some of them are household names. Others are new and inspiring. These people find it easy to write in the first person. They say “I did this” or “I did that.” Their articles are of a high standard.

However, it can be difficult to write in this way and, especially if you are not established, it can be difficult for readers to connect with you. Frankly, people don’t always want to know what YOU did, what YOU ate and where YOU went. Your article is, after all, not an autobiography. It is a travel article.

People feel more comfortable when you talk and write in the third person (unless they know you or know of you). So, you would say, “proceed down Western Avenue” rather than “I proceeded down Western Avenue” and “try the duck in wine sauce” rather than “I had the duck in wine sauce.”

You are giving your reader a guide, a blueprint and an opportunity to loosely base their travel plans and experiences on the facts you can supply. You are not asking them to live a typical day in YOUR travel itinerary.

Allow your readers to experience the travel information you have in an objective and factual way. Write in the third person, not in the first.



Source by Dr. Mark Clayson

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]]> How to Start Your Travel Journal https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/how-to-start-your-travel-journal/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 18:55:13 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/how-to-start-your-travel-journal/ Writing a travel journal can be a fun experience. You will be jotting down everything from your travels around the world and creating a memorabilia of sorts. After a few years, the journal will be like a fountain of nostalgia for you. So, if you have been planning to begin a travel journal for quite […]

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Writing a travel journal can be a fun experience. You will be jotting down everything from your travels around the world and creating a memorabilia of sorts. After a few years, the journal will be like a fountain of nostalgia for you. So, if you have been planning to begin a travel journal for quite some time now, here are a few tips that will help you get started.

Choose a Medium for Your Journal Entries

Most people love the idea of writing their travel stories in a leather bound notebook. However, if you want the world to read about your adventures, you can even start a blog and start putting in your entries. It could be anything from a small paragraph about the places you are visiting or your experiences. And if you have the time, you can even write complete How-to blogs to help other people plan their journeys.

Start Travelling ASAP

In order to be able to maintain a travel journal, you will first have to start travelling. Pick up a destination and go there. If you have a busy life, dedicate a certain period of the year to your travels. If you don’t have money, you can save up and plan a trip on a budget. For instance, you can easily book cheap flights well in advance so that you save both money and time.

Earn Experiences

There’s a reason why most people these days want to be travellers and not tourists. It’s because tourists go around a place, sightseeing the important monuments or historical landmarks. On the other hand, travellers explore the local culture and lifestyle of the people living there. So, while you are travelling, remember to not just see the important places but to also get a glimpse into the life and culture of the local people. This will instantly add a lot of value to your travel journal.

Eat a Variety of Delicious Dishes

One of the best things about travelling is that you will be able to try a variety of local dishes, that might not be available in your hometown. Try out local eateries and small places that make and sell authentic dishes. Before starting your journey, you can even do a little research about your destination to know about the best restaurants there.

Maintaining a travel journal is one of the most beautiful ways of documenting your life. Years later, when you will look back at your diary or blog, you will be hit with an instant burst of nostalgia. And then, you will be thankful for beginning your travel expeditions. Bon Voyage!



Source by Anubhav Yadav

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]]> Benefits of Group Travel https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/benefits-of-group-travel/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 17:54:40 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/benefits-of-group-travel/ There are times when we travel in groups, either smaller or bigger groups. These travels can be either for pleasure or for work. Sometimes it may be with your extended family, or with your friends or with your colleagues or sometimes even with total strangers. There are some good advantages of having a group travel […]

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There are times when we travel in groups, either smaller or bigger groups. These travels can be either for pleasure or for work. Sometimes it may be with your extended family, or with your friends or with your colleagues or sometimes even with total strangers.

There are some good advantages of having a group travel for a vacation.

1. Group travel provides you an opportunity to make new friends, especially the like minded, people with similar interest of travel.

2. A travel expenditure in a group is very economical when compared to your own travel singly or with your family. The total expenditure can be shared by all the members.

3. You need not worry too much about organizing the travel. Other group members who act as team leaders will take care of all the arrangement.

4. If older and experienced people are there in your group you can enjoy their travel stories, which they had undertaken earlier, may be even in another era.

5. If your group number is small and are travelling by car, the driving responsibility can be shared, especially if it is a long journey, so that driving won’t become tiresome and spoil the very purpose of a vacation.

6. If you are carrying food with you for your next meal the food can be shared by the group and you get a flavor of other food, without having to spend for it.

7. If any member falls sick in the group other members will volunteer to help the patient. You alone need not worry about the patient. Sometimes, a senior member’s timely advice may help you to solve the issue easily.

Though there is little bit of problem about privacy and your own space, group travel can be enjoyable too.



Source by Lakshmi Menon

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]]> Travel Tips for the Deaf and Mute https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/travel-tips-for-the-deaf-and-mute/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 15:50:18 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/travel-tips-for-the-deaf-and-mute/ A well-planned trip can go awry at any time due to miscommunication. While travel issues can easily arise even when a traveler believes that he or she has taken care of every aspect of the trip, these issues may be a bigger challenge to those who have inherent communication problems due to speech and/or hearing […]

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A well-planned trip can go awry at any time due to miscommunication. While travel issues can easily arise even when a traveler believes that he or she has taken care of every aspect of the trip, these issues may be a bigger challenge to those who have inherent communication problems due to speech and/or hearing impairment. However, do not let the daunting travel stories of deaf and mute people discourage you.

You can plan a dream holiday alone or with your near and dear ones simply by planning a few months in advance and keeping a few important pointers in mind. Most of the travel tips for deaf and mute provided in this article are just common sense. To begin with, you need to decide about your travel destination. You can choose to go to any place you wish to visit and enjoy a memorable holiday experience as long as you plan it well.

Selecting the hotel

Once you have picked a location for your travel, you need to make your hotel reservations. This requires doing your homework well. You need to find the top disabled-friendly hotels in the place of your visit and check the list of facilities and services that they offer for the physically challenged. According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that was passed in 1990, hotel accessibility should comprise a number of facilities fordeaf and mute guests as well. These include visual alert devices for various in-room amenities such as telephones, alarm clocks, and fire alarms.

Since hearing impairment is an invisible disability, you need to tell people about it to make them aware of the same. You need to do the same while booking a room in a hotel. You should mail the hotel manager, intimating him or her about your disability and requesting him or her to provide you detailed information about the special facilities available such as TDD units and closed-caption televisions in the room.

It is highly recommended that you choose to stay in a room on the ground floor, so that you can get out quickly in case of an emergency. In addition to that, you should ask the manager about the check in and checkout times at the time of making a booking and request the manager to mail you the booking confirmation code on your email id. In addition to that, you can request the manager for any special assistance that you may require during your stay in the hotel.

Flight tickets and traveling arrangements

It is extremely important that you inform the flight reservation person about your hearing impairment at the time of booking your tickets. This way he or she can arrange for a person who knows sign language in case those services are required any time during security check or boarding the flight. Most top airlines offer TDD service that allows deaf and mute passengers to communicate with others via text messages that they type on a keyboard. Keep these tips in mind while planning a vacation.



Source by Kevin Delbert

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]]> Finding Saskatchewan in the Galapagos https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/finding-saskatchewan-in-the-galapagos/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 14:48:49 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/finding-saskatchewan-in-the-galapagos/ "Why are you going to the Galapagos?" asked my sister in a somewhat exasperated voice, "you don't even like nature." Good point as scenery generally bores me after about five minutes. And when it comes to landscapes, I tend to see similarities, rather than differences. My travel checklist is to meet interesting people, try different […]

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"Why are you going to the Galapagos?" asked my sister in a somewhat exasperated voice, "you don't even like nature." Good point as scenery generally bores me after about five minutes. And when it comes to landscapes, I tend to see similarities, rather than differences. My travel checklist is to meet interesting people, try different food, find local markets and collect travel stories.

Still, I had to go to the Galapagos simply because it was there. I'd booked a ticket to Bolivia, Peru and Ecuador, so a side trip to the islands was mandatory.

Galapagos, the far-flung islands of Charles Darwin and "Origin of the Species" fame off the coast of Ecuador, has long been the playground of the rich. But, being on a budget, I bought my ticket, booked a one-day cruise and made a hostel reservation well in advance, as December is high season in the southern hemisphere.

As the plane landed at Baltra airport, I peered out the window and speculated it could have been a farmer's hay field somewhere around Foam Lake. The airport is more like an outback airstrip you would find in, say, Stony Rapids. Everyone lines up to have their bags hand-searched for contraband. No, it isn't cocaine or marijuana they are looking for, it is plants or animals that could disrupt the delicate eco-system of the islands. Remember that nobody in Australia or New Zealand thinks rabbits are cute.

Representatives waved name plaques for those booked on expensive cruises. For the rest of us, getting into Puerto Ayora – the '"capital" of the island – was more of an adventure. I hopped on the free shuttle to the boat dock, paid 50 cents to cross on the ferry and then boarded the bus to town for $ 1.80. A shared taxi was only $ 5, but I wanted to travel with the locals. Ecuador, by the way, uses American dollars as its official currency, so figuring out the conversion rates isn't a problem.

Puerto Ayora is a rather dusty, run-down town that could use a paint job and some street repair. Sort of like the old part of Melville in the 1960s. I sniffed the salty air – shades of Manitou Beach – and enjoyed the intense cobalt blue water as compensation for the dreary architecture. Later I grabbed lunch at an outdoor café that overlooked the harbor and people-watched. In true island style, nobody seemed to be in too much of hurry. Influenced by the slow pace, I exhaled and relaxed.

A white taxi-truck anywhere in town cost $ 1 so I flagged one as it passed by. Fredy took me to the hostel I'd booked and I rang the bell. No answer. So I knocked on the door. Still no response.

What to do, what to do? Fredy understood my dilemma and in my bumbling Spanish I explained I was on a budget. He asked if $ 25 was okay and I nodded. Then he took me to the hotel-with-no name where I met English-speaking Cecilia. The hotel was yet to have the final papers processed so she couldn't advertise. The ensuite room with a balcony and white sheets was heavenly. Really, it could have been a room in an older two or three story hotel in Humboldt or Swift Current.

My concern was that the pick-up time for the cruise I'd booked was 06:00 and it was from the hostel. Fredy promised to collect me at 05:45 the next morning. And, true to his word, he was there right on time. Once all the passengers from the various hotels were accounted for, we headed down the road for the 45-minute trip to the dock. The flat landscape could have been somewhere around Regina. Then we got into the trees and rocks, however, and it was more like northern Saskatchewan, perhaps somewhere close to La Ronge.

We stepped precariously into the dingy that took us out to the yacht. A collection of young, old and middle-aged. And, as so often happens, I was the only solo traveler. Early on I struck up a conversation with Lauren and her mother, Elody from Johannesburg.

Once on board, we ate a cooked breakfast, eased ourselves into the dingy and were ferried to Bartolemo Island. There, we trekked up the boardwalk to the summit for the "classic" view of Galapagos. Yes, the view was "nice", but observing the way people – strangers who met on board – were interacting with each other was more interesting. A middle-aged women with an old-fashioned name – Ethel or Myrtle or something like that – took an instant dislike to me, barely returned my greeting and shot me killer looks throughout the day. Perhaps she has an aversion to women with red hair.

On our second stop we walked across the island to see the penguins. Except they aren't there at that time of year, so our only encounter with wildlife was a sea lion who flopped up on beach to take a nap. But, yes, it was a "nice" sandy strip with tumbleweeds rather like, say, Etter's Beach in the 1970s.

After lunch some of us went snorkelling. Treading water beside me, Kaitlan looked up at the massive volcanic wall in front of us. The composition was slightly different, but it looked a lot like the cliffs along the Churchill River near Stanley Mission. She sighed, "You know, the scenery here is okay, but it doesn't do a lot for me." I smiled in agreement. It may have been half way around the world, but it seemed a lot like Saskatchewan, except for the weather, of course as it was about plus 25 in December. It was affirming to know I wasn't the only person on the boat who didn't get excited about landscapes.

And people who want to experience some of the scenery of the Galapagos can do it in Saskatchewan. And, if you live in North America, getting to central Canada is considerably less expensive than flying to Ecuador and then on to the islands.

The Galapagos Checklist:

Interesting people. Tick: Cecilia, Fredy, Lauren and Elody.

Different food. Tick: The fare on the yacht was recognizable, but watching the chef whip up meals in a space the size of a closet was entertaining.

Local markets. Tick: While waiting for the return flight – and they are always late – I found a kiosk at the airport that offers a free Galapagos passport stamp. There I bought a cute little shot glass that I regularly use.

Travel story. Tick. The day on the boat is one I've told a few times.



Source by Jody Hanson

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]]> Interview With Simon Rose, Author of Science Fiction Fantasy For Children https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/interview-with-simon-rose-author-of-science-fiction-fantasy-for-children/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 13:47:04 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/interview-with-simon-rose-author-of-science-fiction-fantasy-for-children/ Carma: I thoroughly enjoyed The Heretic’s Tomb and I liked the way you got Annie into the past and out of the walled up room at the abbey. What was your source of inspiration for The Heretic’s Tomb? Simon:I’m pleased you enjoyed the book. It was inspired by my own love of history and I […]

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Carma: I thoroughly enjoyed The Heretic’s Tomb and I liked the way you got Annie into the past and out of the walled up room at the abbey. What was your source of inspiration for The Heretic’s Tomb?

Simon:I’m pleased you enjoyed the book. It was inspired by my own love of history and I have always enjoyed time travel stories. Many novels have medieval settings, but to me some historical periods, such as the era of the Black Death or the mystery of the Princes in the Tower depicted in The Sorcerer’s Letter Box, for example, are the most fascinating and the most suitable settings for a good adventure story.

Carma: What are your writing habits? Do you work on an outline before starting the actual story?

Simon: Yes I do. I always work extensively on an outline, determining all the twists and turns of the plot, before beginning the actual novel. This outline is usually at least one paragraph for every chapter and can be up to 5000 words.

Carma: What goes on inside the mind of the fantasy writer?

Simon: All kinds of things – ancient mysteries, the unexplained, the paranormal, science fiction themes, time travel ideas, parallel universes, alternate realities, weird and wonderful characters and a whole lot of ‘what if’ scenarios.

Carma: What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are trying to break into the fantasy genre?

Simon: Try to be as original as possible and not copy something else, even if it has been popular. Write about what interests you in this particular genre rather than jumping on any bandwagon.

Carma: Who is Simon Rose? Describe an ordinary day in your life.

Simon: I’m not sure there is an ordinary day. If I’m not traveling or at a local school or library, I do spend much of the day working on the current book project, as well as on marketing, correspondence and so on, but also have children to take care of, pets to feed, household chores to do and so on.

Carma: What type of books did you read as a child?

Simon: I became immersed in science fiction as a boy and read a lot of science fiction novels and collections of short stories, as well C S Lewis, Tolkien and other fantasy writers. At high school, I studied a great deal of history and have retained my interest in the subject up to the present day. I also read a tremendous number of comic books as a child. Pure escapism perhaps, but comic books were great for the imagination. On TV, the original Star Trek series springs readily to mind, along with many other influences.

Carma: How do you set about promoting your novel? How many hours a week do you spend on book promotion?

Simon: I do some form of promotion every day, whether for the books or for myself, usually online though the website, blog or via e mail correspondence regarding author visits, summer camps, writing services, festivals and other events.

Carma: How was your experience in looking for a publisher? What words of advice would you offer those novice authors who are in search of one?

Carma: There are lots on resources on line and elsewhere with regards to publishers, but a good thing to do is to research which houses are publishing the same type of material that you are writing. If you are writing fantasy for ten year olds, see who is doing that and then check their website to see if they are accepting submissions, Similarly, if you are writing teen fiction, see who is doing that and again be sure to check out their submission policies. There are also publishers who only deal with non fiction, prefer to specialize in regional issues, those who only do picture books or who do picture books, but don’t accept stories about animals and so on. It can be a long process, but is well worth it.

Carma: What type of book promotion seems to work the best for you? Any special strategies you’d like to share?

Simon: All authors have to be prepared to do as much as they can to promote their own work. Get a website or blog or both, even before your first book is published, forge a good relationship with your local bookstores in order to secure book signing events, look into ways to talk about your work at festivals, other events and especially at schools and libraries. You may produce the greatest book ever written. However, no one else is going to see it if your book doesn’t become known to potential readers.

Simon is available for presentations, workshops, Author-in-residence programs in Canada and the United States. Simon’s upcoming book due in Spring of 2009 is Doomsday Mask.

Thank you for this interview Simon.



Source by Carma Dutra

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]]> Green Travel – Making Better Environmental Travel Choices https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/green-travel-making-better-environmental-travel-choices/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 12:46:30 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/green-travel-making-better-environmental-travel-choices/ We all hear the term “global warming” all the time. During recent months I have started to read travel stories how the permanent ice cap of Mount Kilimanjaro is melting, how ski resorts in the Alps are going to be closing permanently due to lack of snow fall, how glaciers are melting in the Arctic, […]

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We all hear the term “global warming” all the time. During recent months I have started to read travel stories how the permanent ice cap of Mount Kilimanjaro is melting, how ski resorts in the Alps are going to be closing permanently due to lack of snow fall, how glaciers are melting in the Arctic, how increasingly more frequent and severe weather disturbances are disrupting tourism, and on and on the stories go. Some of these stories even exhort us to go now before some of these scenic places will be transformed or gone forever. Climate change has now become an issue of concern for global travelers.

Travel, of course, has environmental consequences. Long-distance travel involves the creation of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, airliners are some of the most intense pollutants in existence today. In addition, wherever we go, we consume food and other services, and we create waste. So what to do?

As far as airplane emissions are concerned, there are actually a few concrete things we can do. There are ways of offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel by means of purchasing trees that will be planted to offset these emissions. At Trees for the Future, your US$40.00 will actually pay for the planting of 400 trees which will help offset greenhouse gases. You will also get a Global Cooling Certificate and bumper sticker. On their website you will also see a list of partners, including lodges and bed and breakfasts that are powered by renewable energy sources.

The Rainforest Alliance actually offers a variety of information to eco-savvy travelers. They also offer a sustainable tourism certification to tourism establishments which is based on methods for reducing the consumption of water, energy and other resources, and to improve the management, handling and disposal of waste. They even make a toolkit for best sustainable tourism practices available for small and medium enterprises in the tourism industry.

On their website, the Rainforest Alliance also advocates a number of simple eco-friendly behaviours that we can all try to follow:

o Support local economies by seeking out locally owned lodging and dining establishments, locally grown food and locally manufactured products and crafts.

o Patronize green hotels whose managers have programs that save water and energy.

o Stay on hiking trails. Clean up your own mess and dispose of waste properly. Keep a distance from wildlife.

o Travel by mass transit as much as possible.

o Avoid vehicles with two-stroke engines such as jet skis, scooters and certain boats, which are enormously polluting.

o Be culturally sensitive to local customs, greetings, dress codes and food habits.

o Treat others with the same respect that you would ask for in your own community.

Other eco-certification programs for tourism operators and tips for eco-savvy consumers include the following websites:

– Terra Choice

– Green Globe 21

– Environmental Choice

– Green Seal

– The Global Ecolabelling Network

– The Climate Neutral Network

Another interesting website is Future Forests: it advocates a “carbon neutral” lifestyle, in order to neutralize our impact on the environment. Future Forests have been proving people with a variety of environmental gifts since 1997. You can dedicate a tree, for example, for $10.00. You can even plan carbon-neutral weddings with Future Forests.

One neat thing about their website is that they offer a really cool carbon emissions calculator that allows you to calculate your anticipated flying or driving emissions. I thought let’s check this out, so I entered some assumed data for a flight from New York City to London, England.

Instantaneously I found out that this flight would produce 1.22 tonnes of CO2. The calculator also tells me if I dedicate 2 trees I can make this flight carbon neutral. Alternatively I would be able to supply 2 energy saving light bulbs to a small community in the developing world. Both options would be £30. I also checked their carbon emissions driving calculator. If I travel 400 km (250 miles) every week in a car with an engine size between 1.4 and 2 litres, I would generate 4 tonnes of CO2 a year, which would take 5 trees to offset.

In addition to planting trees, you can also purchase “carbon offsets”. A “carbon offset” is actually an investment in a project or action with the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions. Offset projects come in many varieties and may include tree planting or reforestation, building retrofits (i.e. installing more efficient heating/cooling systems) or wind power projects.

According to the Better World Club’s website, this is the way it works: you can book a flight through Better World Travel – Members and get a free carbon offset for their US domestic flight ($11 value.) If you book a flight through the Internet, another travel agency or airline, send them a tax-deductible donation to offset the CO2 emissions from your flight. ($11 for domestic flights or $22 for international flights.)

So the good news is there are indeed ways of counterbalancing the environmental impact that we all have, even while we travel.



Source by Susanne Pacher

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]]> Website Focuses on Worldwide Travel https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/website-focuses-on-worldwide-travel/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 10:45:15 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/website-focuses-on-worldwide-travel/ Worldwide travel, from small town festivals around the globe to the highest mountains, are part of the coverage provided by a website focusing on all types of travel in every country on earth. The site offers photos, stories and videos from around the world with major focus on the southern USA and all states in […]

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Worldwide travel, from small town festivals around the globe to the highest mountains, are part of the coverage provided by a website focusing on all types of travel in every country on earth.

The site offers photos, stories and videos from around the world with major focus on the southern USA and all states in the country while offering international coverage.

A collection of travel stories and information are gathered into an onsite “magazine” and readers can also access pdf versions of a variety of travel books from the site’s on-line “library”

A recent addition is a store-site link to imprinted items popular with travelers. These can be ordered directly.

Site visitors can participate in an on-line travel course.

Videos cover many activities in the southern USA and numerous slide shows as well, covering festivals, drives, historic areas and tourist attractions.

Web visitors may also submit their travel stories and photos, particularly from around the world locations.

The site is updated on a regular basis and the most recent updates include vacation ideas, maps, vacation sites in the state of Alabama, Florida spots including EPCOT and Walt Disney World, Sanibel Island and the panhandle of Florida, Lake Carroll in Georgia, national vacation spots including Sea Island, Georgia and Seattle, Washington.

Global readers have provided stories and photos on the Philippines, India, Algeria, France and Thailand.

The site strives to touch on all facets of travel in a variety of locations and climates as one country may have summer while another has winter and the same climatic conditions are not worldwide.

Usually changes are made on the website as seasons change.

Beaches and outdoor activities are popular for summer while skiing, visiting museums, and cruises can be more popular for the winter.

Many of the articles and information focuses on economy travel and activities, particularly for the whole family or for couples.

Website visitors should return often to see the latest updates and travel information. Weather information may be posted from time to time as well as safety information regarding travel to certain countries or areas.

For many countries around the world tourism is a vital part of their financial growth and adds much to the local economies. Some countries are now focusing on nature tours and preserving much of their jungles and rivers as a draw for tourists.

Select links may also take the visitor to other sites providing additional information about an event or location.



Source by Wayne Ruple

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]]> Travel Stories – Massage Training in the Jungles of Belize – Belize Lullabies https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/travel-stories-massage-training-in-the-jungles-of-belize-belize-lullabies/ Wed, 16 Oct 2019 10:44:23 +0000 https://www.airshopify.com/2019/10/16/travel-stories-massage-training-in-the-jungles-of-belize-belize-lullabies/ During my stay in Maskall I explore the area. On one of my excursions I am scheduled for a boat ride with William, a fifteen year-old Belizean river guide. First I must take him a spark plug. His outboard motor won’t start. We drive in our air conditioned four-wheel-drive down the dirt road between Bomba, […]

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During my stay in Maskall I explore the area. On one of my excursions I am scheduled for a boat ride with William, a fifteen year-old Belizean river guide. First I must take him a spark plug. His outboard motor won’t start.

We drive in our air conditioned four-wheel-drive down the dirt road between Bomba, William’s village, and Maskall. It is a series of cavernous ruts. Barely passable! We have two flats on our way. It takes two hours to drive five miles. Wild hysterical laughter resounds all around us. Look, up in the tree tops. Monkeys are laughing at us! Torrential rains during the rainy season sometimes cause severe road wash outs. Making boats a far easier mode of transportation.

William shows me his home, a waterfront hut on stilts. In Belize it’s not unusual for a teenage boy to build his own home with the help of family and friends. William’s family gave him the land. Property is inherited, typically never bought or sold among locals.

The Maya frown upon any material show of wealth. They believe it causes envy. The idea of Cargo, or community service, is especially dear to them. Cargo is an acceptable way for a person to spend excess wealth.

After replacing the spark plug William’s small motorboat starts easily. Leaving Bomba Village behind we cruise down the peaceful Northern River towards the Caribbean Sea. Water lilies float serenely in the brown waters of the river and silver beams of light occasionally break through the overhead canopy of verdant green. The air is sweet and softly caresses my bare arms.

After a two hour cruise down the Northern River we arrive at its mouth to the Caribbean Sea. Braving choppy waters for a short distance we are finally greeted by a little open faced hut by the sea. We relax, lounging on the crooked little pier that juts out into the sea and in the hammocks hung from the surrounding coconut trees, as we eat ripe and juicy mango fruit. It’s a delicious afternoon!

My day of adventure leaves me feeling hungry and tired. Back at Pretty See Jungle Ranch I enjoy a tasty Caribbean meal of grilled ocean bass, rice, beans and salad with a slice of Carla’s coconut pie for dessert. Carla is the Belizean cook at Pretty See Jungle Ranch. All day long Carla sings the songs of her village ancestors and shares with me many stories about her culture and way of life.

Every evening Pedro, the night watchman, walks by my hut, whistling. He’s letting me know it’s time for lights out. He’ll soon switch off the ranch generator. Pedro patrols the Pretty See Jungle Ranch grounds each night with his loaded shot gun and a head lamp, perched atop his head, for seeing into the shadows of the dark night. Pedro keeps us safe from wild animals like the jaguar. In the morning Pedro will whistle again as he passes by my thatch roofed hut, delivering a pot of freshly brewed Belizean coffee with a side of brown sugar and rich cream. A new day in paradise will have dawned at Pretty See Jungle Ranch.

Tonight the Belizean night breeze is softly scented. Off in the distance drums beat, rhythmically. I watch a giant zebra-striped, armor-plated bug as it crawls along, outside the gauze netting that surrounds my bed. I listen as a lullaby of night sounds in unison sings me to sleep.



Source by KG Stiles

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