Tagged: adventure travel

Top 10 Adventure Tours

TripAdvisorSwitzerland Hang Gliding Interlaken tour TripAdvisor lg Top 10 Adventure Tours

Hang Gliding Interlaken, Interlaken, Switzerland.

Adventure traveler?  Then check out travel site TripAdvisor’s list of Top 10 Adventure Tours worldwide.

TripAdvisor.com travelers and editors chose the tours which “explore and learn” diverse global landscapes.

“With travelers seeking outdoor activities during the summer months, these adventure tours offer unforgettable experiences and provide stories to last a lifetime,” says Karen Drake, spokesperson for TripAdvisor.

Here is TripAdvisor’s list of Top 10 Adventure Tours:

  1. Aquatic Adventures: Living the Dream Divers, Seven Mile Beach, Cayman Islands
  2. Heart-Stopping Heights: Hang Gliding Interlaken, Interlaken, Switzerland
  3. An Enormous Excursion: Patara Elephant Farm, Chiang Mai, Thailand
  4. A Trip on the Zip: Selvatica Canopy Expedition and Adventure Tour, Cancun, Mexico
  5. The Wall Less Traveled: The Great Wall of Jiankou – The Great Wall Hike, Beijing, China
  6. Temperate Trek: Desafio Adventure Company, La Fortuna de San Carlos, Costa Rica
  7. Rapid Rush: Jackson Hole Whitewater, Jackson Hole, Wyoming
  8. Slippery Stroll: Exit Glacier Guides, Seward, Alaska
  9. Fearless Fun: The Legendary Black Water Rafting Co., Waitomo Caves, New Zealand
  10. Deep-Sea Delights: North Shore Shark Adventures, Haleiwa, Hawaii

Image courtesy of TripAdvisor.

A Maldives Villa

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Bedroom at Velassaru, Maldives.

Fancy a luxury beach villa adventure?  Then you might like the luxury, private island resort of Velassaru, Maldives and its new Water Suite.

Designed in May 2011, the Water Suite villa offers modern design, privacy and panoramic views of sun, sea and skies of the Indian Ocean.

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Water Suite Deck.

The Water Suite is perched on stilts over lagoon waters.  Villa guests can leap into the water and swim or snorkel.

An outside terrace has a gazebo, infinity pool, an outdoor rain shower, private dining area and a sun-lounging veranda.

The suite’s amenities include a large bedroom with a king size bed, ensuite bathroom with oversized bathtub and an indoor rain shower.

While the living area has glass floor features, a bar area, wine chiller (with a selection of wines and champagnes), home theatre system, iPod docking station and espresso machine.

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A private butler service will cater to guests 24 hours a day.

Daily breakfast and bespoke dining experiences are also available in the villa upon guest request.

For more info, visit the Velassaru, Maldives site.

Images courtesy of Velassaru, Maldives.

Redefining The Safari

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Canoe safari on the Zambezi River.  Photo credit: Zambezi Safari & Travel Co., Ltd.

Abby Jeffords, from Glamping Hub, wrote this guest post on safari travel.

The safari, to many, is the original form of glamping.

It is where roughing it meets simple pleasures such as pre-erected tents, cozy cots, fresh water showers, food service and daily outdoor activities.

Meaning “long journey” in Swahili, safaris began as big game hunts.  Over time, safaris slowly started to incorporate more contemporary activities such as photography and birding.

Eventually, the game hunts diminished and safaris became a profitable form of tourism.

The main purpose of safaris is to allow travelers the opportunity to experience the wildlife of Africa up close and personal.

Today, however, the world of safaris has expanded and transformed into a genre of travel that encompasses more than just wild game drives and dusty tents in the African wilderness.

In fact, safari company Zambezi Safari & Travel Co. Ltd. has identified 13 different types of safari to whet the appetite of any adventurous traveler.

Here are three of the more unusual safaris:

  • Canoe Safari: On this tour, professional guides take you slowly down the Lower Zambezi River, where some of the finest game and birds can be viewed as you meander by the scenic, unspoiled shores of Zimbabwe. Spectacular sunrises and full service encampments are in store in this safari adventure.
  • Special Interest Safari: Perhaps you would like to immerse yourself in the world of primates in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest. Or visit the shipwrecks on the Skeleton Coast. Or witness the bat migration in Kasanka National Park. Or roam the deserts of Namibia. Special interest safaris take you to unfathomable places and expose you to the most incredible wildlife exhibitions.
  • Bush and Beach Safari: Get the best of both worlds with safaris that take you from the calm and serenity of the African coastline to the wild and untamed landscapes of the interior. With typically one week on the beach and one week on safari, these combination trips are perfect for honeymooners looking for romance and adventure.

Find out about the other ten safari types via Zambezi Safari & Travel Co. here.

For more info on glamping safari options, visit Glamping Hub’s Africa Accommodations page.

This is a Guest Post.

Mobile Travel Essentials

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The One For All car charger.

Adventure or RV traveler?  Chances are you’re always challenged by keeping your wireless devices juiced on the road.

If you’re in the UK, check out the One For All car charger, available at TomTom, which will convert your car cigarette lighter into a charging station.

This car charger has seven tips for your mobile phone, MP3 player, PDA, digital camera or game player.

While The One For All in-car power socket converts the cigarette lighter into a 220V mains power point.  This connection can be used for hair dryers and hair straighteners and laptops.

Another mobile travel accessory is the TomTom high-speed multi-charger which offers a 1.2 amp USB charging port for mobile phones or MP3 players and a 2.1 amp port to speed-charge high power USB devices including the iPad or iPhone. The company says the charger will charge up without impacting the other port’s charging capability.  An additional feature is a third port for powering 12V in-car devices like DVD players.

If you don’t have access to power sources, the One For All Universal Travel Power Packkeeps will keep your mobile devices charged.  Once pre-charged, this 1050 mAh battery will give up to 100 hours of extra power (standby time).

For more info, visit the OneForAll or TomTom sites.

Images of TomTom.

Buying A New SUV?

MERCEDES BENZ 2012MY M CLASS 1y 1307635241MR Buying A New SUV?

Mercedes-Benz Debuts 2012MY M-Class.  Photo credit: PRNewsFoto/Mercedes-Benz USA.

Planning to sell your car and buy a SUV for adventure travel?

If you’re considering sell my car London to Los Angeles and love luxury, then you likely fancy the new M-Class SUV from Mercedes-Benz.

The company says the all-wheel-drive SUV has more contemporary styling and includes LED daytime running lights and taillights, chrome roof rails and optional panorama sunroof.

This SUV’s interior features include a standard 7-inch display screen; electromechanical steering; optional climatized cupholders; PARKTRONIC with Active Parking Assist; multicolor ambient lighting and entertainment and telematics systems.

The 2012MY M-Class has new direct-injection powertrains.  The ML350 BlueTEC is powered by a V6 turbodiesel with 240 hp, 455 lb-ft of torque and 19-inch wheels.

A gasoline-powered ML350 4MATIC features a new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 generating 302 hp, 273 lb.-ft. of torque and 19-inch wheels.

The seven-speed automatic transmission has a more fuel-efficient torque converter; friction-optimized bearings; a transmission oil thermal management system; low-friction axle drives and electromechanical steering.  All these features contribute to reduced fuel consumption for drivers.

Many adventure travelers will likely favor the SUV’s safety systems – ATTENTION ASSIST drowsiness detection system, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Active Blind Spot Assist.

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Camping Near Ngorongoro Crater

EssentialTravelzebras Camping Near Ngorongoro Crater

EssentialTravelimage2 Camping Near Ngorongoro Crater

Top: Affectionate zebras; Bottom: The vast Ngorongoro Crater – bird’s-eye view. Photo credits: Brett Perlstein.

Kerri Prissman wrote this sponsored post on camping near the Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania.  She writes for Essential Travel, providers of travel extras, travel information and travel news.

The Ngorongoro Conservation area is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site the Ngorongoro Crater.

The Ngorongoro Crater is the world’s largest surviving volcanic caldera (a cauldron-like feature) having erupted over 3 million years ago.

The crater floor is often said to resemble a natural enclosure, protected by the 600-meter high natural wall. The area’s volcanic mass provides for the most breathtaking grasslands and resembles a gigantic hole in the ground stretching 172 square miles.

The fertile environment, home to spectacular flora and fauna, provides a majestic breeding ground for wildlife such as lions, elephants, zebra, wildebeest, the famed black rhinoceros and many more. Complementing the array of wildlife, are the famous pink flamingos which sit along the rim of the Soda Lake and are visible so far as the eye can see.

The Circle of Life

The foot of the crater closely resembles the setting for the opening scene of The Lion King. Descending into the crater, you can observe the perfect co-existence of all the animal and plant species and become more aware and respectful of the sheer beauty of life’s seemingly endless cycle.

Simba Campsite

A variety of accommodation packages are available, ranging from beautiful and expensive luxury safari camps to budget-friendly camping sites.

The most well-known of the budget camping areas is the Ngorongoro Simba Campsite, which is built on the rim of the crater and offers campers the unique and privileged experience of awakening to a 360 degree view of the crater. It is often this closeness to nature that provides a more meaningful experience in the wild.

The Simba Campsite welcomes families and is a bustling hub for overland tours and travelers. Its amenities are by no means 5-star, but its aesthetic offerings far outweigh the lack of luxury.

Practicalities

Ngorongoro safari tour packages are offered in conjunction with Serengeti and Lake Manyara Tours.

Lake Manyara is home to the famous tree-climbing lions and the Serengeti Plains are celebrated for its endless and vast beauty and the great Wildebeest migration.

Travel to Arusha, a rustic town in Tanzania, where the safari tours begin their voyages. Many safari experts contend that no matter what time of year you choose to go, there will always be an abundance of game life within the crater grounds.

The rainy seasons (April-May) do pose road difficulties with slippery mud and a more dense terrain. It may be in your best interests to book your trip in conjunction with the Wildebeest Migration for the best game viewing experience.

This is a Sponsored Post.

Glamp Sites In California

CaliforniaElCapitansafaritent Glamp Sites In California

Safari tent at El Capitan. Photo credit: Steven Lam/El Capitan Canyon.

Abby Jeffords, of Glamping Hub, wrote this guest post on glamping in California.

Every year, over 3,000,000 travelers visit California from all corners of the world.

California is home to some of the most popular tourist destinations (e.g. San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego) and the third largest landmass in the United States.

CaliforniaElCapitanHappyCamper Glamp Sites In California

Happy Camper Chardonnay at El Capitan Canyon. Photo credit: El Capitan Canyon.

California has rugged mountains, miles upon miles of pristine beaches, soaring cliffs, massive redwoods, fertile valleys, wide rivers, sprawling vineyards and steaming hot springs.

It boasts some of the finest national parks including Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Death Valley.

Whether you are pining for sun, aching for snow, longing for the spray of the ocean, or craving the cool shade of the forest, California can satisfy you.

California has an endless variety of glamp sites that will make you want to get up and go glamping.

Here are a few California glamp sites:

  • Treebones Resort is located in Big Sur, California, about sixty-five miles south of Monterey off of Highway 1. An eco-conscious glamping retreat, Treebones offers 16 luxury yurts, five secluded campsites, and an unique human nest, all with spectacular views of either the Pacific Ocean or the surrounding mountains. Their cozy lodge provides guests with access to a refreshing pool and spa and a first-class restaurant that serves delicious, locally grown and organic food.
  • Big Basin Tent Cabins is located in Big Basin Redwoods Park in the beautiful Santa Cruz mountains. A perfectly casual, family-style getaway, Big Basin offers dozens of cabins along a winding forest road, each with it’s own driveway, fire pit and picnic table. Inside the cabins, you will find at least two large beds and a wood stove to keep you warm on chilly California nights. You will need to bring your own bedding and food, but there’s no better place to explore the redwoods, hiking or strolling among some of the tallest, broadest and oldest trees in the country.
  • El Capitan Canyon is located about 20 miles north of Santa Barbara along the Pacific shoreline. Quaint and luxurious cabins provide guests with cozy quarters and access to the wild landscape of the coast. Find harmony with nature while relaxing in style. Hike along the beaches, explore the canyon, charter a whale-watching boat, pamper yourself with a massage, or visit some of the state’s finest wineries.

For more California glamping getaways, visit Glamping Hub.

This is a Guest Post.

A Summer Safari Holiday

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Kenyan elephants.

Africa’s dry season is a great time to see wildlife in their natural environment.

From May to October in Southern Africa and July to October in East Africa, the Big Five are easier to see around water holes without long grass, say The Adventure Company and Imaginative Traveller.

These travel companies are now offering special summer safari trips for wildlife-lovers.

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An African lion.

Here are a couple of their African safari holidays:

  • Waterfalls & Wildlife, Zimbabwe – 12 days.  This tour offers the “best of Zimbabwe and eastern South Africa with beautiful landscapes, world class game reserves and diverse cultures…..Heading into South Africa, the tour takes in Kruger National Park on a night time game drive, Blyde River Canyon, the largest green canyon in the world and God’s Window, offering awe-inspiring views over the Kruger Plains.”
  • Tanzania Trails – 8 days. “Covering around 15,000km², the Serengeti Plains support the largest concentration of plains animals anywhere in the world with the nearby Ngorongoro Crater offering opportunities to see wildlife including the endangered black rhino.”

For more info, visit the Imaginative Traveller.

Images courtesy of Imaginative Traveller.

Global Tours & Activities Apps

ViatoriPhoneApp Global Tours & Activities Apps

The Viator Tours and Activities App for iPhone.

Travel company Viator has launched two apps to help travelers find the best travel experiences and prices.

The Viator Tours and Activities App for iPhone and the Viator Ultimate Experience GuideSM for iPad offer the latest information and mobile e-vouchers for paperless confirmation.

Each app gives users access to Viator’s tour and activity portfolio from private, after-hours tour of the Vatican and Sistine Chapel to surfing lessons on Sydney’s Bondi Beach to a 4×4 desert safari in Dubai.

The company says local tour operators are hand-selected and vetted for quality, value and service.

The iPhone app features include:

  • What Can I Do Today? Search activity categories are ‘family friendly,’ ‘tours & sightseeing,’ and ‘shows, concerts & tickets’ or date, time and hotel pick-up locations.
  • What’s Near Me? The app maps attractions near the user’s current location.
  • Top Attractions: Some 3,000+ attractions worldwide have been geo-coded so users can browse top local options, tours and activities.
  • Deals and Discounts: Users can scan exclusive deals in each market.
  • Reviews and Photos: Traveler reviews, ratings and photos can be read and shared through the Viator apps and website.
  • Wishlists and Sharing: Favorites can be shared via Wishlists or email and social media such as Twitter and Facebook.
  • 24/7 Phone support: Users can click and access a Viator agent 7 days a week.

The iPad app features include:

  • World Navigation by 3-D Globe for 100 cities;
  • Customized City Guides;
  • Original Content by Experts and
  • Booking of Tours and Tickets.

The iPhone and iPad apps are available for download from the App Store.

For more info, visit the Viator site.

Image courtesy of Viator.

How To Survive In The Wilderness

WildernessNaturalPathways How To Survive In The Wilderness

A family learns wilderness survival with Natural Pathways.

Looking for a wilderness survival course?

If you’re traveling or living in the UK , Natural Pathways is offering Discovery Basic Survival in the Kentish woodland.

The three-day course covers basic and essential skills of Wilderness Survival, Bushcraft and Nature Awareness.

Course skills will include:

  • Shelter building;
  • How to build and light a fire;
  • Water collection – where to find it, how to make it drinkable;
  • How to move easily and silently through woodland;
  • Wild foods and foraging;
  • Identifying plants and trees and how to use them;
  • How to make valuable utensils and their uses;
  • Native cooking methods;
  • Animal behavior;
  • Cordage – how to make string and cords from plants in the forest and
  • Nature awareness and how you relate to the environment.

Natural Pathways designs courses for people from all walks of life from walkers, backpackers to children and teachers.

For further info, visit the Natural Pathways site.

Image courtesy of Natural Pathways.