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Celebrating World Oceans Day!

June 8th, 2009

flipper A quick tip of our fins to our friends at oceana.org/north-america for all of their hard work.

We at GreatGreenTravel.com are very grateful for their help in making this day a reality.

Now that we’ve spent the weekend cleaning up our respective shorelines, we’ll start visiting some destinations known for extensive coasts. That is to say we’re going island hopping, and we’re starting off today in the United Kingdom.

Bathhurst Inlet Lodge

May 22nd, 2009

Bathurstinletaerial This is perhaps the first ever “ecolodge.” Bathhurst Inlet Lodge, located on the Central Arctic Coast in Nunavut is the perfect place for greatgreentravelers to immerse themselves in the virtually untouched beauty of our land while supporting the people who live there.

During the brief summer season the area is rich with life. Over 80 species of birds are present, with more migratory sightings. An abundance of mammals like muskox, caribou, and barrenground grizzlies roam. Wildflowers come out by the thousands to celebrate the sun! The arctic land is host to vast geological wonders and awe inspiring views of waterfalls, gorges, canyons, and eskers.

The lodge is co-owned by the Warner family and the Kingaunmuit people, the indigenous Inuit residents of Bathurst Inlet. The history of this lodge is long and exciting, culminating in its present state of partnership. After your long and eventful day on the tundra you’ll be treated to a great meal and to story sharing.

Departures are out of Yellowknife. There are five 1-week programs scheduled beginning June 26-July 02 through July 20-26. Reservations are still being accepted, I just checked.

For reservations and full booking information, CLICK: www.bathurstinletlodge.com/

71% Water

May 19th, 2009

Greatgreentravel.com is compiling healthy ways to celebrate the beautiful island people of this world and their fragile cultures, wherever they may be.

At the same time we look toward June 8, 2009, formally recognized as World Oceans Day by the United Nations; this just 16 years after it was first proposed during The Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro back in 1992 by the Government of Canada. We applaud Canada for the foresight.

Since that time, Oceana, the world’s largest organization focused fully on ocean conservation, joined by hundreds of museums, conservation organizations, agencies, and supporters have worked tirelessly for this day. “Making World Oceans Day official will help us and other ocean groups to engage more people and to increase public support for efforts to reverse the declining health of marine ecosystems.” From a statement by Dan Sharpless, C.E.O. of Oceana. The full statement and more on this article appears at this CLICK: http://oceana.org/north-america

Good Morning Greatest of Green Travelers

May 18th, 2009

RainforestSOS
In a slightly different vein, today’s post is brought to you through our friends at RainforestSOS, available at: http://www.rainforestsSOS.org/

They’ve provided us with this morning’s fine short film, Vanishing Species, available here: http://bit.ly/BwpC0

The RainforestSOS site makes available an array of choices for information gathering, sharing, and giving. While there be sure to scroll down, scroll around, bookmark & share this page with everyone you care for on the planet. It’s enjoyable, informative, helpful, and caring. How many green thumbs up can we raise? More than we have hands, here at greatgreentravel.com!

The Colony Hotel

May 13th, 2009

Colony Hotel Maine Built in 1914, this grand holiday resort sits spectacularly above the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Kennebunk River, proudly owned and operated by the Broughton family since 1948. Thanks to some very forward thinking by Jestene Broughton, The Colony became Maine’s first environmentally responsible hotel in 1989. In 1994 the hotel turned its attention to conservation and initiated the Colony Hotel Ecology Group.

Their deep commitment to providing their guests with a quality experience while maintaining the policy of respect for Nature and their surroundings is shared throughout all levels of staff. Varying degrees of on-site educational information is readily available to guests. And, for a very pleasant change you will find your in room waste-bins are conveniently separated for your trash and recyclables. The consistent attention to conservation, waste reduction, and cultural stability have helped to qualify it as a U.S. Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

Open from mid-May through late October. Situated on 112 acres, you’ll enjoy a heated outdoor saltwater pool, private safe surf beach, organic gardens, including flowers, roses, and herb. It’s an easy walk to Kennebunkport, with many area activities including golf, tennis, sea kayaking, nature trails, bicycling, boating, shopping and galleries.

For booking information, CLICK: http://www.thecolonyhotel.com/

Kapawi Ecolodge & Reserve

May 1st, 2009

Kapawi
Photo courtesy & ©: www.jaymsramirez.com

Your visit to Kapawi Ecolodge and Reserve will transport you to a time and place so remarkable, so utterly unlike any other you have experienced. Deep, deep, in the Ecuadorian rainforest, accessible only by plane is this wonder of confluence where ancient life and tradition gently lights your evening path with solar power.

This is the home of the Achuar, the last indigenous people of the area, some 6,000 in population now living in 64 communities throughout their two million acres of nearly pristine land in the Amazon.

A partnership was formed in 1996 between Canodros, an Ecuadorian tourism operator and the Achuar with the shared goal of bringing economic stability and sustainability while conserving the natural state of the rainforest. The Kapawi project was planned and its successful execution over time has resulted in the full transference of management and ownership to the Achuar people as of January 1, 2008.

This trip helps support the Achuar people and helps to preserve their land.

For full information on the lodge, activities, and 20 available bungalows, CLICK: http://www.kapawi.com/index.htm

The Inn At Castle Hill

April 27th, 2009

Castle Hill This greatgreentraveler had the pleasure of spending the weekend at The Inn At Castle Hill, located on the 165 acre Crane Estate in Ipswich, Ma. A beautiful and elegant home with panoramic views of the marshes, fields, and ocean with almost every turn. Drop your bags and time just slips away.

You’re treated to amenities such as afternoon tea, a welcome respite after trekking the marked trails that run through the dunes, or walking the four miles of white-sand beach. With 2,100 acres of property to wander over and through, there is much to do between your tasty breakfast in the sun filled dining room and the time you decide to relax on the wide veranda with your ice tea and tasty and watch the light change over the salt marshes.

The Inn is one of the properties of The Trustees of The Reservations, a nonprofit conservation organization in Massachusetts that has been working to protect and keep the natural landscape for all to enjoy since 1891.

For full information on The Inn at Castle Hill and TTOR, CLICK: http://innatcastlehill.thetrustees.org/index.cfm

Locanda della Valle Nuova

April 21st, 2009

Locanda A charming small guest accommodation set on a 185 acre organically run farm in the northern Le Marche region of Central Italy. The house, originally built in the 1920s and restored in 1998 with energy conservation in mind; is fitted with solar collectors, the heating system is run with renewable energy, and the overall design provides for both thermic and acoustic insulation to provide all-around comfort.

There are six guest rooms located on the first floor, each with an en-suite bathroom with shower, small sitting area, ceiling fan, mosquito nets, telephone, color TV, a safe, and facilities to make tea and coffee. In addition there are two new separate guest houses, available for self-catering for two.

The farm has been organically certified since 1983 and animals are fed 100% natural feed. Greater than 70% of the food on the table is produced on the farm, the remainder is bought locally, often organic as well. You are assured a very peaceful, enjoyable, and comfortable stay here. Available activities include: dance, music, swimming, hiking, trekking, walking, horseback riding.

For complete details and booking, CLICK: http://www.vallenuova.it/

The Lodge at Pico Bonito

April 16th, 2009

Pico Bonito Located on Honduras’ Caribbean coast, nestled within the lush rain forest of the Pico Bonito National Park (the responsibility of the National Park Foundation, a non-profit ngo), The Lodge at Pico Bonito has become a must-do destination for those of us who love 4 Star luxury in and of the green.

In this protected space you are offered activities as diverse as birding where you can sight over 200 species, a walk through the butterfly sanctuary, try kayaking the Rio Cangreja, go horseback riding, rafting, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, or, perhaps just relax in your hammock and take in the luxurious backdrop of the Nombre De Dios Mountains.

There are just too many choices to make! Not to worry, all of the sustainable alternatives have been worked out for you. Just sit back, breathe deeply, and think about how happy you are to be there – then get moving!

For information and reservations: CLICK: http://www.picobonito.com/PB_files/lodge.html

Earth Day SIX Days and Counting

April 16th, 2009

In 2008 Audubon and Toyota, Inc. teamed up to launch TogetherGreen with the intent of funding conservation projects, train environmental leaders, and offer volunteer and individual action opportunities that significantly benefit the environment.

Audubon has been working from their community-based scientific, advocacy, and nature centers for two centuries now to bring people from all walks of life together and provide a central point in conservation efforts.

You don’t have to wait until Earth Day to start clearing trails or helping out. Contact the Volunteer section of TogetherGreen.org. to find activities being run over the next three weeks in various areas.

Also CLICK: Audubon online at: www.audubon.org