Ellen Barone

Discover the Galapagos For Less This Fall With EcoVentura’s Discounted September Promotion

The small ship, travel company, Ecoventura is doing what it can to soften the blow of rising fuel prices. On its Sept. 28-Oct. 5, 2008 departure the company is waiving the usual $125 per person fuel tax surcharge.

Value-minded travelers might also be pleased to know that late September and October also coincides with lower off-season rates on international flights to Ecuador as well as flights from the mainland to the islands.

An Ecoventura spokesperson, Doris Welsh, notes that this week is a prime time to visit the islands. Late September falls into the garúa season, or dry season, that continues from now to November. Wildlife activity is up and temperatures are on average 10 degrees cooler with highs in the mid-70’s.  

“Aside from our money saving promotion, the benefits to visiting this time of year include being present as sea bird chicks (including boobies and waived albatross) are hatching; sea lion pups are being born and the marine mammals are active,” says Welsh. “There is a good chance you will see whales and dolphins.”

“The Galapagos Penguins continue to delight swimmers and snorkelers with their antics at the surface and torpedo-like movement underwater. Sea lions are in estrus stage and harem-gathering males are barking and fighting on the shore. Most species of sea birds remain quite lively at their nesting sites,” notes Welsh.

While enjoying an Ecoventura cruise, guests also travel with the peace of mind that their carbon footprint is being completely offset through company actions.  

In 2006, Ecoventura became the first Carbon Neutral operation in the Galapagos (and Ecuador). Carbon emissions from the company’s four yachts (and offices including business travel) are reduced and then offset by contributions to a portfolio of projects through the US-based company NativeEnergy.

Ecoventura is a family-owned company based in Guayaquil, Ecuador, with sales offices in Quito and Miami. In operation since 1990, the cruise company transports 3,000+ passengers annually aboard a fleet of three expedition vessels; identical, superior first-class 20-passenger motor yachts with 10 double cabins. The company also operates the Sky Dancer, a 16-passenger dedicated dive live-aboard offering 7-night weekly itineraries visiting the northern islands of Wolf and Darwin. All of its vessels have been purposefully retrofitted to meet or exceed the highest possible environmental standards.

To reserve a cabin on the special September departure or to receive a copy of Ecoventura’s 2008 catalog call toll-free 1.800.644.7972, or e-mail info@galapagosnetwork.com. To access current rates, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.ecoventura.com/.

 

 

Source: Widness & Wiggins 

The world’s great rivers and waterways have sparked the imaginations of countless artists and writers, and have prompted explorers to set out on some of history’s greatest expeditions. Join Lindblad Expeditions and take this same inspired and adventurous approach in exploring Europe’s winding Danube River, Egypt’s treasured Nile, the great lochs (lakes) of Scotland and the Columbia and Snake Rivers in the American West.

Autumn on the Danube Aboard River Cloud: Prague to Budapest and Budapest to Regensburg

12 Days/ 10 Nights
Departures: Sep.-Oct. 2008
Receive $1,000 off OR complimentary airfare select voyages.
Using the beautiful ship River Cloud as a base, take in the wonders of this historic region set in the most colorful of autumn landscapes. Accompanied by passionately caring Historians, venture into the fascinating cities of Prague, Budapest, and Vienna as well as smaller cities and towns like Regensburg, Germany; Dürnstein, Austria and Bratislava, Slovakia.

Click here to learn more about this itinerary.

Egypt: Exploring the Treasures of the Nile

10 Days/8 Nights or 15 Days/13 Nights
Departures: Oct.-Dec. 2008
Explore ancient and modern Egypt in the company of outstanding Egyptologist guides. Choose either the 10-day or  15-day journey, each featuring a Nile voyage aboard the 42-guest Triton, unquestionably one of the finest ships in Egypt. Stay in remarkable hotels too. Convenient private charter aircraft allow you to bypass airport crowds.

Click here to learn more about this itinerary.

Heart of the Highlands: An Exploration of Scotland

15 Days/ 12 Nights
Departures: May-Aug. 2008
Receive $500 off on select voyages.
Discover secluded villages, ancient sites, verdant landscapes and engaging people for an intimate perspective on Scottish life, past and present aboard the 48-guest luxury yacht, Lord of the Glens. Venture through lochs, glens and stately castles of Scotland’s Highlands and islands of the Inner Hebrides, a region of thriving seabird colonies, dramatic cliffs and glorious vistas.

Click here to learn more about this itinerary.

In the Wake of Lewis and Clark

7 Days/ 6 Nights
Departures: Sep.-Nov. 2008
Receive 15% or 25% off select voyages.
In the company of our knowledgeable Historians and Naturalists, watch the story of Lewis and Clark come alive as you are elevated more than 700 feet through a series of 8 locks to navigate the rivers. Venture all the way inland from the Pacific Ocean and the temperate rain forest of the western slopes of the Cascade Mountains, to the high desert country of eastern Washington.

Click here to learn more about this itinerary.

 

About Lindblad Expeditions
Lindblad Expeditions is a pioneering expedition travel company providing voyages in Galápagos, Antarctica, Baja
California, Alaska, the Arctic, and beyond. The company works in partnership with the National Geographic Society to
inspire people to explore and care about the planet by providing innovative marine expedition programs and by
promoting conservation and sustainable tourism around the world.

 

 

Source: Lindblad Expeditions 

Montana-based adventure travel company Zephyr Adventures has dramatically reduced the prices for kids on its Family Adventures, with the price of its Yellowstone multisport family adventure down 38% from last year for kids.

Zephyr Adventures owner Allan Wright says the price drop is not in response to the country’s recent economic worries. “We have been planning this price decrease since the fall,” says Wright. “This is more a long-term plan to make guided family tours more affordable than it is a short-term response to the economy.”

In the world of travel, families have a number of options with a range of prices.  Road trips in the family minivan can be relatively inexpensive, especially if camping is on the agenda.  On the high end, organized guided tours with hotels, meals, activities, and guides can run thousands of dollars for a vacation – per family member.

“We just came to the realization that our family tour offerings were unaffordable for most families,” explains Wright. “And yet the concept of an organized family tour is so fantastic, it didn’t make sense to restrict this to just higher-income families.”

So Zephyr Adventures dropped its prices for kids and, in some cases, for adults.  The five-day Yellowstone Multisport Adventure, priced last year at $1600 per person, is now priced at only $1400 for adults and $1000 for kids staying in the same room.

Zephyr manages to do this by being local and remaining small.  The company is based near its Family Adventure destinations, right outside Yellowstone in Red Lodge, Montana. Zephyr also drastically reduced office expenses by going “virtual,” with all employees working from a home office.

All Zephyr’s family trips include such activities as river rafting, horseback riding, hiking, canoeing, and watching for wildlife.  “Our tours still come loaded with historic National Park lodging, expert guides, great meals, and fun activities,” says Wright.  “Only now, our Yellowstone tours are priced $600 to $1700 less per child than the tours of our competitors.”

Kids are always attended by professional guides and tend to bond with other youth participants within the first hour. Parents are free to participate with their kids or spend time with other adults, going for an extra hike or relaxing with a glass of wine.

For more information about Zephyr Family Adventures visit  http://www.zephyradventures.com/types-family.htm

Sunrise Springs Resort Spa, Santa Fe’s premier green resort , announces a new 3-day overnight special: Stay 2 nights and get the third night at $100 off! Daily continental breakfast at the award-winning Blue Heron Restaurant is included. Other amenities include complimentary wifi, newspapers, bottled water, in-room coffee, cedar sauna and outdoor hot tubs.

Combining the graciousness of an inn with the amenities of an eco-resort, Sunrise Springs Resort Spa sets a new standard for travel. In addition to the Blue Heron Restaurant renowned for its natural, local and organic cuisine, the 70 acre compound also features Spa Samadhi and its unique spa treatments, as well as the Sages Arts Center, with an art gallery and pottery studio, yoga and tai chi class offerings.

The buildings at Sunrise Springs are in many cases constructed of adobe, reclaimed wood and straw. Guest rooms feature locally made amenities, pressure-reducing showerheads, energy-saving light bulbs and eco-friendly paint. The fireplaces in public areas and the restaurant burn firewood gathered from around the property. Built around two spring-fed ponds and organic gardens, this desert oasis is the ultimate choice for relaxation and pleasure.

Santa Fe Eco-Getaway Details:
Available December 1, 2007 through January 31, 2008.

Rates: Garden View room at $169 per night, and get the third night at $100 off. Upgrade to a Private Casita at $215 per night, and get $100 off the third night. Rooms are based on availability. Taxes, gratuities and resort fee are additional.


To book: Call reservationists directly at 800 955 0028. Ask for the Santa Fe Getaway special.

 

SOURCE: Ballentines PR