Volun-Tourism is one of the fastest growing sects of international travel. Unfortunately, corporations profiting on this burgeoning market have become common. Those looking for travel volunteer opps should seek out groups that are well organized, accept volunteers of varying time commitments, don't charge high participation costs, and most importantly, are non-profit groups putting the majority of resources back into their assisted communities. … [Read more...]
LAN Peru, SFO-LIM, Nonstop
SAN FRANCISCO GATEWAY INAUGURATED LAN Airlines and its affiliates fourth US gateway offers the only nonstop service from San Francisco to South America Pablo Yunis of LAN Airlines and Michael McCarron, SFO Director of Community Affairs inaugurate the new San Francisco to Lima, Peru route with ribbon cutting ceremony at SFO. LAN is hosting the Golden Gateway Facebook Contest with a change to win two TR Premium Business Class tickets … [Read more...]
The Alternative to Inca Trail
It isn't lined with Inca stones, it is a rough mountain path, but in many ways it takes you to a much deeper, more real Peru. You may not see ruins three times a day but you go through two magnificent lost cities and some genuine untouched Quechua villages, not to mention the most incredible mountain views. What's more - this trail is not for everyone, it is for those who can take it. The trail takes you from Cachora village (three quarters of … [Read more...]
The City of Arts and Sciences
So the new list of today's Wonders of the World is about to come out. I found it bizarre that the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia wasn't one of the contenders. Machu Picchu, Petra, Taj Mahal, the Great Wall, all undoubtedly wonders of the world, but how about thinking a little outside of the box? Does a Wonder have to be ancient? This contest is an exciting project amongst the now enormous travelling community on the planet, but it does … [Read more...]
The Ultimate 2007 Top 10 Travel To Do List Share
(Santa Monica, CA) The annual year end polls have been tallied. All the magazine reader surveys conducted. And the hottest travel blog's have been monitored and the results for the Ultimate 2007 Top 10 Travel To Do List are in! Here's the Top 10 things that travelers want to do in 2007: 10. Independent travelers want real in 2007! They want to participate in real and authentic adventures--they want to trust strangers in strange lands! 9. … [Read more...]
Planning Your First South America Vacation
South America presents a beautiful world with a wide range of unique landscapes. Choosing a place to visit is quite difficult with highlights like Machu Picchu, the Perito Moreno Glacier, regions like Patagonia, Pantanal and Amazon and cities like Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. This article is written to serve as an introduction to some of the best places to visit in South America and how to combine the best highlights in one trip. Each … [Read more...]
El Salvador, Part 1: The Trip
El Salvador was almost an accident. I was on my way from the South to the North of Mexico when the proximity of the Guatemalan border sucked me in. Guatemala was nice but my time was very limited and the terrain didn't allow to go too far off the Great Central American Dope Trail. The Lonely Planet felt particularly evil on that trip. Everyone was on the way to that village where turtles lay eggs, their noses buried in the book. I suddenly … [Read more...]
The G.A.P Top 5: ‘Undiscovered’ Destinations
"These gems are all fascinating in their own right, and surprisingly undiscovered. Nicaragua is (according to some!) destined to become the next big thing in travel. I can't disagree, the great weather, beautiful beaches, volcanoes, and fantastic cities are just a hop away from North America, yet the destination remains relatively undiscovered. Further south, is a place I became enchanted with - Peru! The ancient, mystical site of Choquequirao … [Read more...]
The G.A.P Top 5: Places of Independence
1. Yukon, Canada There's nothing you know like your own backyard, and even if it's 7000 km away from home it's still more familiar than Mexico, which is closer. Canada's Yukon, east of Alaska and north of British Columbia, has attracted independent types since frontier days. I like trekking in the mountains, which there are lots of (the last ice age missed this part of the continent) and the long light in the summertime. I don't recommend … [Read more...]
The G.A.P Top 5: Travel Memories
This was enormously difficult for me. First of all, choosing a top five is never easy. Ranking was totally out of the question! And then condensing days and days of vivid and rich experiences into a little summarized blurb was near impossible. I could go on and on but here are 5 of my fondest travel experiences. Montezuma, Costa Rica Body-surfed for breakfast after having watched the spectacular sunrise through my tattered tent door then … [Read more...]