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TRAVEL IN THE NEW YEAR: Travel Trends for 2011 From Kensington Tours

Exciting New Destinations and New Ways to Rediscover the Classics
Nicaragua, Safari Houses, Iceland, Private Nile Cruises and Far Beyond Sightseeing…

 

With the end of 2010, private guided tour company Kensington Tours, polled its team of destination experts to see what trends they saw on the horizon for travel in 2011. Their team, which coordinates thousands of private guided tours to more than 80 countries worldwide every year, came back with a variety of insightful tips for vacation planning for the new year ranging from hot new destinations to exciting new ways of experiencing old favorites.

 

1. Safari Houses – Private African Paradises
Villas aren’t just for Italy anymore. “A growing number of luxury villa rentals and safari houses have sprung up particularly in South Africa and Botswana,” says Brad Crockett, Kensington’s Senior Africa Expert. “They are going to become very popular for families and groups of friends seeking more exclusive safari experiences.” 
http://kensingtontours.com/Tours/Africa/Southern-Africa/South-Africa/10-Day-Southern-Africa-by-Villa

 

2. Second Layer Vacations – Beyond Sightseeing
Coming on strong in well traveled Europe are “second layer” vacations that focus on experiential travel over more traditional sight-seeing. Kerstin Sowden, Kensington’s Senior Europe Expert notes “travelers are looking for affordable alternatives to group travel and set itineraries. Demand for tailored experiences like personalized adventures tracing family roots, active adventures, epicurean journeys and multi-generational family trips is spiking.”  http://www.kensingtontours.com/Tours/Europe/Western-Europe/Italy/8-Day-Italy—-Family-Style

 

3. Nicaragua – The Next Costa Rica?
”With its great mix of tropical rainforests, vibrant culture, colonial history, heavenly beaches and amazing, affordable properties, Nicaragua is working its way up the hot list,” says Brandi Merchant Kensington’s Senior Central American Expert. “Currently more like the Costa Rica of 20 years ago, Survivor Nicaragua is putting the country in the spotlight and driving a spike in enquires.” Adventurers can enjoy exotic wildlife safaris, horseback riding, volcano hikes kayaking through mangroves, surfing, fishing, zip-lining, exploring cloud forests, relaxing in hot springs, scuba diving, touring colonial towns and even tree planting!

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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".

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American Safari Cruises Introduces Exclusive and Inclusive Hawaiian Island Adventures for 2011

YAY! One of my favorite small ship adventure cruise companies adds action packed exploration in Maui, Moloka’i, Molokini, Lana’i and Hawaii to their itineraries. Read on for details…

American Safari Cruises (www.americansafaricruises.com), best known for offering compelling yachting adventures in Alaska and Mexico’s Baja, introduces “authenticHawaii,” fall 2011.  Choose from the 7-night Hawaiian Seascapes and the 10-night Hawaii’s Traditional Shores, both boasting active adventures and cultural exchanges designed to thoroughly engage guests’ senses and take full advantage of the islands attributes as no other cruise can do.

Hawaii is a natural extension to the 13-year-old company’s existing product line-up given the rich marine mammal environment and opportunities to kayak, hike, snorkel, sail, bike, stand-up paddle board and more.  American Safari Cruises is the first operator to offer unstructured inter-island yacht cruising inHawaii, where the next port may not be a port at all, but a magical passage rich with wildlife, a secluded and inviting beach or a quiet cove that beckons to be explored.  After a day of action, adventurers can ease tired muscles in the sauna or soak in the on-deck hot tub aboard the elegant 36-guest Safari Explorer.

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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".

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Women's 100-km Horseback Ride Adventure

Cowgirls Invited to Be Big Sky Pioneers from October 28-November 1, 2010

Saddle up, girls. The luxurious, Montana-based, Triple Creek Ranch has announced its first annual Klicks for Chicks, a one-of-a-kind, women-only 100-Km horseback riding adventure, created and led by Triple Creek Ranch owner Barbara Barrett. Klicks for Chicks is an all-female upgrade of the all-male 100-mile Los Caballeros and Bohemian Grove endurance horse rides. With a decidedly Triple Creek Ranch twist, the ride is for women only, and cowgirls will ride rugged all day but return to the luxury of the Rocky Mountain resort at night. Riders will venture into deep canyons, over mountain passes, past crystal-clear lakes and through open meadows to discover the ‘last frontier’ and wilds of the Rocky Mountain West. Gourmet evening meals followed by crackling fires in Triple Creek’s luxurious cabins and a relaxing outdoor hot tub will be the reward for a long day in the saddle.

The “100 Klicks for Chicks” program is priced starting at $650 per night, per couple and features three-and-a-half days of riding, concluding with a fireside roast and awards presentation.  All meals, beverages, and activities are included.  Participants will also receive a personalized fleece vest.  Traveling companions not participating in the ride are welcome to enjoy the luxurious accommodations and varied activities that Triple Creek Ranch has to offer while the cowgirls ride off into the sunrise. Husbands and compadres are invited to join the cowgirls for dinner each evening during the program

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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".

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Looking For Adventure This Fall?

Summer is winding down, but there is still plenty of time left to travel in 2010. If you’re hoping to visit some of the world’s most popular vacation destinations, without the hassle of the crowds, autumn is the perfect time to do so.

 

photo courtesy of Austin-Lehman AdventuresFrom Yellowstone to Utah and Arizona, adventure travel specialists Austin-Lehman Adventures offer a tempting line up of fall adventures to choose from. They also report space available on several of their favorite biking tours in Europe

Learn more at www.austinlehman.com

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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".

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Travel to Bhutan on Assignment with National Geographic and WorldNomads.com

Travel Photography Scholarship - Bhutan

WorldNomads.com is giving one exceptional individual the chance to travel with National Geographic on-assignment photographer Jason Edwards to The Kingdom of Bhutan - Land of the Thunderdragon. Apply and the winner could be you!

photo by Wonderlane via flickr (common license)

Without a doubt, mentors have played an inspiring role in my life, helping me build the skills necessary to transform passion to profession. So it is with great enthusiasm that I share this amazing Travel Scholarship program from our travel insurance partners at WorldNomads.com that gives passionate individuals the opportunity to further their skills through professional in-the-field mentorship. There’s no better way to move forward than learning on the job from some of the best in the biz. 

Apply by October 17, 2010 and you’ll qualify for the chance to travel with National Geographic on-assignment photographer Jason Edwards to The Kingdom of Bhutan - Land of the Thunderdragon! It’s that easy. 

Plus, the lucky scholarship recipient will also win AU$2000 worth of Pentax photographic equipment. NICE! 

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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".

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Pet Friendly Taos, New Mexico

The Town of Taos is not only a great destination for art, outdoor recreation and culture, it’s also one of the most pet-friendly towns in the Southwest. The famed artsy enclave boasts at least 20 lodging facilities and a number of restaurants with outdoor patios that are Fido-friendly.

“Travelers come to Taos to relax, but worrying about leaving their four-legged companions behind can be stressful, especially since many of us consider our pets as part of the family,” said San Geronimo Lodge owner, Charles Montgomery, whose Taos bed and breakfast (B&B) permits dogs. “We love dogs, as we have two of our own, and understand the importance of sharing a great experience like Taos with a canine companion.”

Prior to booking a hotel or B&B, travelers should first contact the hotel or B&B to understand what the individual policies are when staying with a pet. Depending on the facility, some hotels may require the owner to be secured in a crate when left alone in the hotel room. Dogs need only have the appropriate vaccinations for rabies, DHLPP/Parvo and Bordetella. For cats, leukemia shots must also be current.

Pet-friendly Taos hotels and B&B’s include, but are not limited to:

Adobe and Pines B&B Inn - dog walking yard available; $25 one time pet fee; crates required for pets in rooms alone; dogs must be leashed in common area. 4107 State Road 68 Taos, NM (575) 751-0947/ 1(800) 723-8267 www.adobepinesinn.com mail@adobepines.com

American Artists Gallery House B&B - limited pet friendly rooms available; $25 for up to 2 nights, $10 per additional night; pets cannot be unattended. 132 Frontier Lane Taos, NM (575) 758-4446/(800) 532-2041 www.taosbedandbreakfast.com taosbandb@gmail.com

Casa Europa B&B Inn and Gallery - maximum of two pets allowed in La Casita only; must be leashed in common area; $20 fee per pet, per night. 840 Upper Ranchitos Taos, NM (888) 758-9798 www.casaeuropanm.com stay@casaeuropanm.com

El Monte Sagrado Living Resort and Spa - permits well-behaved pets under 40 pounds; dogs need to be leashed in common area.

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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".