Go Green: Eco-Friendly Hostels

Global warming. Arctic melting. Rising sea levels. No longer relegated to environmental doomsayers and apocalyptic prophesiers, these predictions are now being confirmed by top scientists and world leaders around the globe. With all eyes firmly fixed on the dire state of our fragile ecosphere, citizens and businesses alike are growing increasingly aware of the immediate need for conservation and changes in our gluttonous habits towards the Earth’s limited resources – and that’s where hostels come in.  

Hostelworld.com recommends the following environmentally friendly hostels, which, truthfully, are anything but inconvenient.

Gyreum: Sligo, Ireland

Direct from Middle-Earth and nestled snugly in the Irish countryside, this solar and wind powered hobbit-hole is constructed from renewable resources, including sheep wool insulation and a “living roof.” Designed with a reverence to the natural world, the structure aligns to the dawns & dusks of the summer and winter solstices when beams of light enter into the great central hall. During the day, ocean-loving guests can carry their shortboard past the hostel’s organic garden to some of the best surfing beaches in Ireland. Landlubbers can trek in their Birkenstocks across the rich landscape that inspired Yeats, searching the nearby hills for hidden pubs that serve their own inspiration by the pint.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Gyreum-Sligo-4457

Enigmata Treehouse Ecolodge: Camiguin, Philippines

Channel your inner Swiss Family Robinson with a stay in this state-of-the-art treehouse, overlooking the ocean and surrounded by white beaches, soaring waterfalls and bubbling hot springs. Operated by a vibrant artist and environmental protection group known as the Enigmata Creative Circle, the treehouse’s existence and operation is a testament to environmental awareness, offering biodiversity workshops and conservation seminars. Visitors can dine in the outdoor garden among the blooming rain trees or spend an evening in the treetop bar and lounge, stargazing and moon bathing. Those seeking personal reflection can retire to the poolside poets’ nook or the meditation corner perched atop the treehouse.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/EnigmataTreehouseEcolodge-Camiguin-14147

Port O Call YHA: Port Douglas, Australia

The Port O Call hostel proves that it is not necessary to resemble an eccentric tree-hugging commune to be eco-conscious. Hostellers loll in a huge lagoon-like pool heated by the sun’s rays. Inside the hostel, funky tropical bedrooms use light efficiency and solar energy to keep you warm through long blustery nights.  There is plenty of action to be found on the 4-mile beach and marina located a mere 5-minute walk away. At this snazzy seaside hostel you are sure to quickly befriend an outgoing crowd that appreciate the value of a cold beer and a healthier planet.
http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/PortOCallYHA-PortDouglas-6880

Eco Beach YHA: Apollo Bay, Victoria

A chic, 3 million dollar hostel located within walking distance of spectacular sandy shores, Eco Beach YHA uses passive solar energy to ensure the satisfaction of both the environment and its guests. There is certainly no need to shell out extra cash for a tasty meal out at this hostel; an array of herbs can be picked right from the surrounding garden, perfect for experimenting with in the spacious, fully equipped kitchen. Wrap your leftovers up in recycled aluminum foil and grill them up for tomorrow’s lunch before heading out to surf and paraglide along the seashore. The Eco Beach hostel offers its guests an elegant, earth-conscious experience sure to please all.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/EcoBeachYHA-ApolloBay-16568

Hedonisia Hawaii, Hawaii Big Island, USA

Don’t expect anything traditional at this hostel, as all accommodations have been fashioned from recycled materials and renewable products. A defunct school bus has been converted to sleep a family of four, a bamboo hut has been constructed with the couple in mind, and an old tractor has been renovated to house a lone traveller. Each sleep house has been placed strategically around the 3-acres of property to ensure that every guest awakes and steps outside to a breathtaking view, whether it is a gleaming ocean or the 2-acre volcanic crater located right on the property. But by far the most interesting view maybe found from the eco-friendly toilet which looks out over the jungle. Guests are encouraged to try their luck at living off the land, as gardens full of spices and salad greens make for nutritious ingredients. Hedonisia Hawaii Hostel offers the overworked traveller a rejuvenating break from consumer, mainstream society.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/HedonisiaHawaii-BigIsland-7941

HI Boston Downtown: Boston, USA

Located at the birthplace of the American Revolution in Boston’s Back Bay, H.I. Boston is at the forefront of another uprising – the movement towards environmentally conscious lifestyles in bustling urban jungles. This hostel not only provides guided tours of the Freedom Trail and kayak trips down the Charles River, but also an eco-program that pushes both staff and patrons to be stewards of the earth by offering recycling stations, energy efficient lighting and appliances, recyclable carpet and low-flow plumbing. Boston Hostelling International is located only a brisk walk away from all of Boston’s most popular attractions: luxurious Newbury Street shopping, Quincy Market, and Fenway Park. The surrounding neighborhood also boasts some of the areas top-notch bars, so if the cocktails don’t help you sleep easy, let your mind be put to rest with the knowledge that you are doing your part to alleviate accelerated global warming.
http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/HIBostonDowntown-Boston-1852

HI Washington DC: Washington DC, USA

This hostel just eight blocks from the White House is one of the greenest hostels in North America and is committed to being a positive force on environmental issues. Each floor has its own recycling centre, where they promote the recycling of aluminum, glass, paper and plastic. But that’s not all…the paper used at reception is 100% recycled; compact fluorescent light bulbs are used throughout the city and the soap used in the kitchen is environmentally friendly. They even show documentaries on environmental topics once a month. If you feel the people at the White House aren’t doing their bit to help the environment but you want to help when you are in town, make sure to stay here.
http://www.hostelworld.com/availability.php/HostellingInternationalWashingtonDC-WashingtonDC-1859

Reykjavik City Hostel: Reykjavik, Iceland

Iceland is a country steeped in natural beauty, from tremendous icecaps and explosive geysers to steaming solfataras and magnificent waterfalls. Reykjavik City Hostel, one of the capital’s top hostels, has received awards for both its responsible treatment of nature and its excellence in service and quality. The hostel promotes energy monitoring, erosion control and extensive recycling services, while offering its pampered guests high-speed internet access, laundry service and fully equipped kitchens. Outside of the hostel, enjoy excursions to the beautiful Blue Lagoon, botanical gardens and tremendous waterfalls, all of which can be organized by a friendly staff at the front desk.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/ReykjavikCityHostel-Reykjavik-8792

Grampians YHA Eco-Hostel; Grampians, Australia

Forget the grocery store, this hostel offers a delicious array of organic, locally grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the backyard.  Throw some freshly picked vegetables together with eggs straight from the estate’s chickens, garnish with some succulent fruit and indulge in an unforgettable breakfast before heading out to do some hardcore rock climbing and bushwalking in the Grampians National Park. Return home to a cozy lodge and warm-up next to an inviting wood heater that consumes 50% less energy than a traditional heating system while also serving as the main meeting spot for guests.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/GrampiansYHAEcoHostel-Grampians-16573

Deepdale Backpackers Hostel, Burnham Deepdale, England

Built around a partially covered stable courtyard and dating back to the seventeenth century, Deepdale transcends time, mixing old world traditions with new age amenities. Located on a working farm, which in 2004 was voted the most beautiful farm in Britain, the hostel engages in all forms of environmental and energy conservation including the use of solar panels for all accommodations. Deepdale is currently working with major universities to explore new forms of environmental approaches such as water recycling, wind turbines and bio-diesel fuel.
http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/DeepdaleBackpackersHostel-BurnhamDeepdale-531

Source: The Castle Group, Inc. 

Check Out Your Hotel Before Checking In at TVTrip.com

Traveling for business, leisure, a wedding or simply just planning a summer vacation? Want to make sure the picture of the room and hotel you saw on the hotel website actually resembles what the room looks like in person?

Who hasn’t felt a bit lost trying to pick a hotel, with little information and no visuals to help? Or disappointed by a hotel room that doesn’t live up to the impression it made when it was reserved?  Now there’s a website where you can check out your hotel before you book.  TVtrip.com has 115 destinations, 5530 hotels, 494008 reviews, and 4937 videos of hotels in popular destinations such as Madrid, Beijing, Paris New York, San Francisco, Miami and Chicago, so you can “check out” your next hotel before you check in.

 

New Cinque Terre Walking Tour - Perfect for a Girlfriend's Getaway

THE WAYFARERS’ NEW FALL CINQUE TERRE WALK IS PERFECT FOR A GIRLFRIENDS GETAWAY FOR ALL AGES
Guaranteed in US Dollars
 
Enjoy the camaraderie of a fitness-oriented and pampering vacation with the Wayfarers’ new “girlfriends getaway” Cinque Terre itinerary.  An energetic walk that covers mule tracks by road, and hills via stone steps, Cinque Terre offers an immersion into the area called by many the most beautiful part of Italy and one that is best visited by foot. Accommodations are in a former 16th-century Franciscan monastery with a state-of-the-art Wellness Spa and in a hotel with its own sandy beach. 

A World Heritage site, Cinque Terre or “Five Lands” sits near Genoa in Liguria, in a corner of Northern Italy originally forged by the Romans as trade routes. Linking five enchanting villages set in the cliffs and harbors of the Italian Riviera, the pathways and rocky terraces of the area offer views of pastel houses that reach from hilltop to the blue Ligurian Sea, terraced vineyards, and olive groves. A food mecca, the region is synonymous with olive oil, basil, pesto and the dessert wine Sciacchetra.  Of particular interest to women, the Walk features a tour of Rapallo’s lace museum; lunch in elegant Portofino; shopping in Sestri Levante, a town known for its fine linens; a crossing of the Riviera di Levante by boat, rail and cable car; and a visit to a mountaintop monastery. Days are punctuated by meals of local delicacies, wines and limoncello between walks covering three to five miles. Dinner is a lavish affair preceded by a cocktail hour designed to further foster conversation and friendship.
 
Priced at US $3795 per person, based on double occupancy, the seven-day/six-night walk takes place on September 21-27 (women only) and October 5-11 and includes 6-8 miles of walking per day.  A single supplement is priced at $470.   
 

The Wayfarers, named one of the “Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure, marks its 25th season with 83 diverse Walks through 15 countries.  All Wayfarers Walks are US dollar guaranteed, so travelers can book with no worries about fluctuating exchange rates.  The Wayfarers 2008 schedule includes Walks in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Austria, France, Italy, Spain and Switzerland and the United States.
 
About The Wayfarers
Offering an eco-aware “walking” holiday of both culture and fitness, The Wayfarers’ newest Walks/hikes include South Africa, Slovenia, New Zealand and California. A new women’s-focused program with Girlfriend Getaways and Mother/Daughter walks adds shopping, museums, spa treatments, and more.  Other popular walks are the Founders’ Walk on the Isle of Wight, Croatia, Austria, Amalfi Coast, and Czech Republic.  Now in its 25th season and named one of the “Best Outfitters on Earth” by National Geographic Adventure, The Wayfarers offer exclusive entrées into homes and gardens otherwise closed to the public, graceful accommodations, outstanding cuisine, and meetings with local residents. Walks range from 5-12 days and are rated easy to challenging, with distances of 4-5 miles, 6-10 miles or 12-15 miles per day.   www.thewayfarers.com, 800- 249-4620.                   

Don't Be Fleeced By The Cost of Traveling This Year. Austin-Lehman Adventures Offers Up Some Warm, Fuzzy Solutions To Rising Travel Costs

One travel company sticking to its commitment to affordable travel,  Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA), set its rates last year and they’’re holding to these in 2008, even though the cost of gas, lodging and meals, among others, has sky-rocketed.

“”This makes traveling with one of our small groups to, for example, British Columbia, a value compared to piecing the same components together by you,”” says Dan Austin, founding partner and Director.

“But there is some fleece, the warm fuzzy kind, involved,” he says. “We’’re giving away fleece vests to folks who book any of our Canadian adventures from now through the end of May. The North End “all climate wear” vest retails for $65.”

““We’’re using this as a booking incentive to remind folks that you need not cross an ocean for a truly exotic vacation with an international feel,”” he says.

Matt Delany, the company’s British Columbia specialist, says that this easy-to-access, culturally and naturally textured region is an emerging destination for ALA who specializes in immersive, multi sport adventures for families and adults.

His favorite highlights on trips in and around the Whistler region include:

• •Hiking through the coastal temperate rainforest into Joffre Lakes to witness the hanging Matier Glacier melting into aquamarine waters of the lake below.
• •Rafting the Elaho River in the Paradise Valley, fed by cascades and waterfalls from four pristine glacial systems.
• •Gazing out from the alpine heights of Whistler to the distant Coastal Range, surrounded by massive ice fields, towering peaks and vibrant wild flowers.

For details please see Whistler – British Columbia Wilderness Adventure and Whistler Family – Mountains, Meadows & Wildlife Adventure .


Another one of ALA’s BC destinations is Vancouver Island. The programs include kayaking, biking, wine-tasting and touring the world-class Butchart Gardens in Victoria. Follow these links to: Vancouver Island – Beaches, Black Bears, & Boreal Forests  and Vancouver Island Family – Northwest Family Adventure.


All of these 6-day / 5-night multi-sport vacations that combine adventure with high-end accommodations are fully guided and nearly all-inclusive. The per person, double occupancy rates, exclusive of air to/from Vancouver (Whistler trips) or Victoria (Vancouver Island trips), start at $1,998 with child and single supplements available.

ALA manages all of the arrangements in its selected destinations. Small groups are held at just 12 guests with a generous 1:6 guide-to-guest ratio. Rates include first-class accommodations, meals, expert guides, all necessary equipment, entry fees, ground transportation and more.

Austin-Lehman Adventures (ALA) is also the “go-to” company for planning and setting up a private, custom vacation throughout the Americas and Southern Africa.

To get a copy of the 2008 catalog as well as information on ALA’s 40 unique luxury, multisport, adult and family active adventure travel itineraries call toll-free 1.800.575.1540, or e-mail info@austinlehman.com. To review current trips, schedules and itineraries you can log onto www.austinlehman.com.

Source: Widness & Wiggins PR

Guys Ultimate Fishing Getaway

For the fisherman at heart, what could be better than hanging out with the boys, casting your reel, kicking back with a drink in hand and waiting for the perfect catch? Add in a boat trip along B.C.’s rugged coastline, staying in a 110-foot luxury boat with nothing but gourmet food, cigars, a hot tub, and plenty of fish to be caught, and you have the “Guys Ultimate Fishing Getaway.” Ocean Explorer Sportfishing’s three-night “Guys Ultimate Fishing Getaway” package is priced at $2929 USD per person and includes roundtrip airfare from Vancouver International Airport, single stateroom accommodation, meals, Cuban cigars, guides, fishing gear and bait.

 
Available from from June through September, the 110-foot MV Ocean Explorer takes the boys and their tackle through the famed Inside Passage between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert, depending on where the fish are biting. Four fully rigged 17-foot skiffs take keen fisherman directly from anchorage to the top secret fishing spots along the coast. Whether it’s trophy chinook salmon, king-size halibut, northern coho, dungeness crab, jumbo prawns, lingcod or red snapper you’re after, the crew aboard the Ocean Explorer guarantees your catch or the next trip is free!
 
While taking a break from fishing, the boys are invited to climb into one of the kayaks provided to explore the nearby inlets and bays and watch for some of the local wildlife that inhabit the area. Pristine water, towering mountains, deep fjords and a temperate climate make the area prime habitat for bald eagles, whales, dolphins and sea lions.
 
The only fishing experience of this kind in the area, the Ocean Explorer boasts nine private staterooms, lounge, a state-of-the-art galley and hot tub ensuring all the luxuries of a home away from home. After a long day on the open water, the men are welcomed with the culinary talents of Executive Chef David Weslowsky. David, the on board chef, serves up unforgettable meals that feature the finest and freshest of Pacific seafood, fruits and vegetables and fresh baked pastries. After a gourmet meal, the “Guys Ultimate Fishing Getaway” is wrapped up with all hands on deck for a nice long soak in the hot tub under the stars and to share fish stories.
 
For more information or reservations for the “Ultimate Guys Fishing Getaway” package, call Adventure West Resorts at 1-877-GO-WEST (1-877-346-9378) or visit www.adventurewestresorts.com/ocean.
 
Adventure West Resorts is a multi-faceted destination experience provider that delivers an authentic Canadian adventure. Experience the unexpected with Ocean Explorer Sportfishing, Adventure Fjord Heli-skiing and Elkin Creek Guest Ranch. For more information and reservations, call 1-877-3-GO-WEST (1-877-346-9378) or visit www.adventurewestresorts.com.

Source: Ki Communications 

EC3 GLOBAL Offers Green Globe Responsible Travel Tips

Ready to Go Green? EC3 Global, an internationally recognised environmental advisory group offers responsible travel tips for the eco-conscious traveler.

THINGS TO CONSIDER…BEFORE YOU GO

When planning a holiday, don’t ask your travel agent for a lot of different brochures as all of the same information is available online. In fact, most travel companies have a website which will contain an electronic version of the brochure you are interested in. Travellers can utilise the internet for their research and this will provide a broader range of information about your destination.

Select hotels based on their demonstrated green credentials – many internet booking engines now offer information on eco-friendly hotel options. These accommodations have introduced eco-friendly practices and have made efforts to reduce their energy and water consumption and waste production.

If you intend to visit areas of natural or cultural significance, ensure you plan the visit with tour guides who have environmental accreditation – this will ensure that the visit does not have any negative impact on the surroundings.

Speak to your travel agent or visit the tourism website of your destination to learn more about their public transport system – in some destinations it is easier (and certainly less expensive) to use public transport than to rent private vehicles or hire taxis.

When booking your flight, ask your travel agent to organise an electronic ticket. It saves paper and ensures you are less likely to lose your documents when you travel.

Remember to unplug all of unnecessary electrical appliances (TVs and audio visual equipment, kitchen appliances such as kettles, microwaves and toasters) in your home prior to departing. These items still use energy when they are in off or standby mode. By unplugging them, you will decrease your home’s energy usage as well as reduce your electricity bill.

THINGS TO CONSIDER…WHILE YOU TRAVEL

Use the online check-in counter at the airport – most major airports offer this service, saving time in long queues and unnecessary paper.

Take advantage of public transport air transfers that are available upon arrival in your destination. Most major airports have this as an option, and in some instances (see London Heathrow www.heathrowairport.com for an example) coach transfers take you directly to your hotel.

When checking in to your hotel, ask the staff about the hotel’s environmental policies and what they can do as a guest to assist them (not having your sheets and towels changed every day to cut down on water usage etc).

Always turn off the lights in the hotel before you go out and explore the area.

Use a digital camera for photos – you can review the image instantly and decide whether they wish to keep it or need to shoot the photo again. Using traditional film-reliant cameras can lead to excess paper use, and often results in photos that you don’t want to keep.

Rather than send postcards from your destination, email friends and family e-cards. Most national tourism boards have e-cards available on their websites with images of significant landmarks. Doing this saves paper, postage and the CO2 emissions from the postcard’s journey.

Take advantage of the local restaurants in the area you are visiting. It is a fantastic way to experience the authentic culture of a destination, ensures you are supporting the local population, and assists the environment as the food was produced locally and hence hasn’t required excess transportation.

THINGS TO CONSIDER… WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR TRIP

Take advantage of the public transport options available upon your return home – most new airports are equipped with efficient transport services that will take you at least part of the way home.

If you struggled to find eco-friendly options at any of the accommodations you stayed in, send an email to let them know that you think they should consider adopting some of the other practices you have seen – it is only when customers take a stand that organisations start to change their practices!

Encourage others to take advantage of the responsible travel options you discovered – there are several good travel blogs where delegates can post their thoughts and recommendations.

Inform your travel agent of any positive/negative behaviour you witnessed while travelling – they are an invaluable source to people booking their trips and when it comes to accommodation, flight and tour options they encourage or dissuade travellers based on their former clients’ recommendations.

Source: EC3 Global