Do improved relations between Cuba and the U.S. have you eager to visit the island before broader tourism changes it forever? Here are 5 Cuba adventures for 2015 with government-approved permits that legally allow Americans to go now.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
The Pacific Northwest put craft beer on the map and now you can discover some of the region’s best brews on four new craft beer theme cruises with Un-Cruise Adventures.
The Seattle-based adventure cruise line has just announced new fall and spring departures in Washington’s Puget Sound and Salish Sea that bring together local micro-brew experts with adventure while cruising the scenic area from South Hood Canal to Olympic National Park and the San Juan Islands.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
For me, the ideal adventure not only introduces me to places of wild beauty - its landscapes, wildlife, cultures and history- but also plays a role in protecting and sustaining it for future generations.
So I was thrilled when Maureen Gordon, co-owner of Maple Leaf Adventures, told me that they had added a second sailing vessel to accommodate interest in an upcoming collaborative conservation expedition with Canadian Geographic into British Columbia’s Great Bear Rainforest, a vast protected area currently under the environmental threat of a controversial pipeline proposal.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
THIS JUST IN: Aurora Expeditions Becomes First Operator to Offer Snorkeling in Antarctica.
Expedition cruise and adventure company Aurora Expeditions has just announced that they will be offering passengers the chance to snorkel in Antarctica, becoming the first tour operator to offer guests the opportunity to explore the icy waters alongside penguins, seals and whales.
Why go:
In addition to serious bragging rights, you’ll be among the first to witness Antarctica’s extraordinary wildlife and underwater world from a truly unique angle. Passengers who select this option will be provided with all of the training and equipment they need including expert polar diving guides, specially designed Waterproof© Snorkel-Drysuits, gloves, hood, fins, mask, and snorkel.
How it works:
Passengers who take part will enjoy the opportunity to snorkel daily (weather dependant) in sheltered bays, off shore islands and secluded ship wrecks which make for spectacular wildlife viewing. Polar Snorkeling Cost: US$975pp
Dates and rates:
Aurora Expeditions have a selection of voyages that include Polar Snorkeling in February 2014 and 2015
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
This Just In:
My favorite small ship cruise line (formerly operating as American Safari Cruises) sets sail in 2013 under a new name, Un-Cruise Adventures, with new ships, new departures in Alaska, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés and the Hawaiian Islands, and an exciting new Pacific Northwest itinerary.
What hasn’t changed is their signature blend of spontaneous flexibility, access to hidden ports, active adventure, and private-yacht feel —a.k.a the Un-Cruise experience.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".
From rich history in the heart of Peru and the nearly untouched wilds of the Galapagos Islands, to a trek to the height of the Himalayas, or a voyage to the emerald coasts of Ireland, REI Adventures’ classic trips feature world-class wildlife viewing, some of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, and unmatched experiences for learning & adventure.
For those seeking a healthy, outdoor alternative to the traditional fall foliage viewing or road trip this autumn, here are four REI travel experiences that take the idea of fitness vacations to a whole new level:
· Machu Picchu & Galapagos Islands Multisport – An award-winning adventure for 2012, this trip combines two classic destinations in one unforgettable expedition. Beginning in South America’s oldest continually inhabited city, Cusco, and working its way through the ancient Inca culture, it then takes adventurers to the Galapagos Islands, where there are plenty of opportunities to swim, kayak, snorkel and hike. Trips leave once a month, through November.
· Zion and Bryce Canyon Hiking – Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, known for their stunning red and white-walled canyons, plentiful hiking opportunities and panoramic views, are perfect destinations to visit in the fall, when the intense heat of summer eases into pleasant hiking weather. Adventurers will hike the canyons, learn about the landscape and spend their evenings in a secluded lodge on a private 1,000 acre ranch.
· Everest Base Camp Trek – One of adventurers’ most coveted destinations, the peak of Mt. Everest towers far above timberline; travelers will see the stark banner of clouds and snow pluming from mountain peaks and experience the colorful Buddhist and Hindu traditions to be found in the surrounding areas. This journey will take folks to the peak of Kala Patar (18,100 ft.) for an unobstructed view of Everest’s summit.
· Ireland Coast-to-Coast – From Dublin to Dingle, hike from the Irish Sea to the Atlantic Ocean for a trip of unmatched scenic variety and authentic Irish experiences. Take this trip in the fall – it’s sold out for nearly every departure date from now through August.
Ellen Barone is an American writer and wanderer. She co-founded and publishes the group travel blog YourLifeIsATrip.com and is currently at work on her first book "I Could Live Here".