Costa Rica’s number one volunteer tour operator, Tropical Adventures, organizes a series of special projects over the holidays that allow guests to both enjoy fun activities and contribute to the local youth and adults. It offers two nine-day adventures that combine volunteering with fun activities. The first on Dec. 19-27, 2009 includes guests hosting holiday parties at a beach town, a retirement home and an indigenous community. It also features a rafting trip on the Pacuare River, a waterfall tour into Panama and a canopy zip line experience.The second trip, Dec. 26, 2009 - Jan. 3, 2010 involves four days running a summer camp for kids. It will be summer in Costa Rica and the children will be out of school. The camp will offer arts and crafts, sports and games, environmental education and lunch. The waterfall and zip line excursions are also included.
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".
Enroll now for the SATW Digital Photography Institute July 9- 13TOP 10 TIPS FOR BETTER VACATION PHOTOS FROM TRAVEL WRITERS & PHOTOGRAPHERS
The Society of American Travel Writers (SATW), the world’s largest organization of professional travel journalists and photographers, recently polled its members to come up with the “Top 10” tips to help travelers take better vacation photos.
“With digital cameras, it has never been easier or cheaper to take top quality vacation photos,” states SATW president and broadcast travel journalist, Bea Broda. “However, there are still some things that travelers can do to help them come back with stunning images of their vacation,” she said.
Listed in order of votes with comments from SATW writers and photographers, the “Top 10” tips for better travel photos are:
1. Shoot photos early in the morning and late in the afternoon. Between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., the sun is overhead and the light is flat. Shooting in early morning and late afternoon will add more color and shadows to your photos, giving more definition to the subject.
“Although morning and late afternoon are considered the best light for making photographs, some exceptions apply. In the Caribbean, for instance, to capture the water at its most electric aquamarine, shoot the seascape from on high, preferably at noon.”— Patricia Borns, maritime and travel writer/photographer
2. Move in close to your subject for impact (too far back and your photo can be too busy). Get close, and then get closer! Fill the frame with your subject.
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".
A HUNDRED YEARS OF CONTROVERSY MARKED AT THE NORTH POLE
©John Weller courtesy Quark ExpeditionsStunning vistas of ice and snow and rare wildlife highlight Quark Expeditions’ fifteen-day journey to the North Pole in July 2009
A century has passed since the first men claimed to have reached the North Pole. The validity of the claims of Americans Robert Peary and Matthew Henson continue to generate controversy. There is one incontrovertible truth, Quark Expeditions, leading innovators and operators of expedition cruises to Polar Regions, will once again journey to the top of the world with 128 intrepid travelers. From July 9 to July 23rd, the icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory, the world’s largest and most sophisticated nuclear-powered icebreaker, will crush its way through Arctic pack ice to the “North Pole.” Travelers will be accompanied by an Quark Expedition’s outstanding team of lecturers and naturalists.
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".
Vacation in Maui: Surf, Yoga, Wellness with your VALENTINE
Another Valentine’s Day and with a busy year and a lot going on, it’s sometimes easy to forget the ones that we love the most. Isn’t it? Tired of the same old chocolates and roses? Looking for something that is REALLY special for your girlfriend, fiancee, wife or husband this year. It’s called SwellCo-ed and it’s located on the romantic island of Maui.
Looking for the antidote for leaving it all behind to rejuvenate for a week with your partner? A chance for you and your partner to get healthy and fit together? How does improving your well-being while bonding with your partner sound?
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".
VaughanTown was the brainchild of Richard Vaughan, a business student from Texas who came to Spain to teach English in the 70’s. “After a quarter-century of language training and experience, I realized no matter how many times a person is drilled on irregular verbs, the only way to truly understand a language is to actively practice it,” says Richard.
This led to the creation of six-day immersion programs which include a cast of 15 Spaniards, 17 English-speakers from all over the world, a Master of Ceremonies to provide entertainment and a Program Director to enforce the only rule: No Spanish Allowed. All this for 15 hours a day, six days straight and no stopping except for your daily siesta. Throw in a mix of activities such as conversations, scenic walks, games, meals plus Spanish music and dancing, and somewhere along the way the Spaniards find themselves blabbing away in English without having to stop, think and translate.
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".
RELAX, REJUVENATE, DANCE…
Forget about your busy and hectic life for one week in sunny Oaxaca, Mexico from January 10-17, 2009 for a relaxing and rejuvenating Salsa dance and yoga retreat.
Regardless if you are new to yoga or have practiced for many years, enjoy our yoga classes lead by yoga instructor extraordinaire, dancer and aerial artist Jennifer Hill. Experience the surge of inner peace, love, and energy that results from connecting with yourself during your yoga practice, dancing will become the perfect way to connect with others. Whether you are an experienced Salsa dancer or simply want to try something new - you can take advantage of this exclusive opportunity to learn from the experienced instructors and well-known performers from Academia Tumbao.
Escape from the dullness of winter with an energizing vacation that offers an in-depth cultural experience, a physical workout that will bring a smile to your face, and some well-deserved time to relax.
Information:
Web: www.salsaretreat.com; info@salsaretreat.com; Phone: 206.234.3720; Fax: 866.613.8979
NOTE: THE AIRFARES TO OAXACA HAVE DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY RECENTLY. CALL OR EMAIL TODAY TO CHECK AVAILABILITY.
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".