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01/14/11--05:00: Ten great things to do in Yellowstone during the winter (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Hiking, Skiing, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Ecotourism

As many travelers know, Yellowstone National Park is one of the most spectacular natural wonders in the entire world. It deftly blends beautiful landscapes, fascinating geothermal activity, and an amazing abundance of wildlife to give a unique experience that has to be seen to be believed. During the summer months, the park is warm, lush, and green but overrun with tourists. Last year the park set a number of attendance records, which can, at times, bring traffic jams and crowded accommodations to Yellowstone. But in winter, the park is a whole different place, and for those adventurous enough to visit, it delivers a whole new level of adventure and fun. Here are ten great things to do in Yellowstone in the winter.

Enjoy the Wide Open Spaces
Yellowstone averages about 3 million visitors per year, but most of them arrive during the summer months. In fact, the winter only sees about 100,000 visitors in total, which means it is far easier to find a place to stay and you won't have to battle long lines while taking in the sights. The place is so quiet that you might set out on a trail and not see anyone else all day long, which is likely to only happen during the quiet days of winter.

Go Snowshoeing in the Geyser Basin
in terms of winter sports, snowshoeing is one of the easiest to pick up. If you can walk, you can probably snowshoe. Strap a pair of snowshoes to your feet and head out for a hike through Yellowstone's famous Upper Geyser Basin, where you'll not only be treated to eruptions by Old Faithful, but a number of other fantastic geothermal anomalies. This region of the park has the highest concentration of geysers and hotsprings, and even during the winter they spew steam and water from the ground. Besides Old Faithful, you'll also find the Castle, Daisy, Grand, and Riverside Geysers, all of which have fairly predictable intervals to their eruptions. Snowshoes help you to navigate through the deep winter powder and allow you to get up close and personal to these amazing hot spots.

Continue reading Ten great things to do in Yellowstone during the winter

Ten great things to do in Yellowstone during the winter originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/15/11--05:00: Flip winter the bird with a great adventure travel contest! (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, South America, Guatemala, Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Central America

The holidays are long past, you're back at the daily grind, and the country has been dumped on with way to much snow. Admit it, you're sick of winter already and could use an adventurous escape. Fortunately, I've got just what you need in the form of a travel contest that will let you flip the bird at winter.

Adventure travel company Sacred Rides has joined forces with GoPro Cameras, to send one lucky winner, and a companion, on a week long mountain biking holiday through Central or South America. The winner of the Flip Winter The Bird Contest gets to choose between Mexico, Guatemala, Chile, or Argentina as their destination, and then they'll be off to explore the many great singletrack options that the country has to offer. The various options include mountain biking of course, but in Mexico the trip will also offer regular yoga workouts as well. In Guatemala, the riders will get a taste of Mayan culture, while a visit to Chile gives them a chance to surf the Pacific Coast. Argentina makes it a multi-sport adventure by adding whitewater rafting to the itinerary as well.

To enter the contest, simply go to this page and fill out the form. Those entering must be at least 18 years of age and entries are being accepted until the end of the day on February 11th.

Sacred Rides is a travel company that specializes in organizing mountain biking excursions across the globe. Besides offering rides at the destination in this contest, they also offer trips to Peru, Canada, Eastern Europe, and more. If you're looking for a unique cycling adventure for your next vacation, perhaps a sacred ride might be in order.

[Photo credit: Andy Armstrong via WikiMedia]

Flip winter the bird with a great adventure travel contest! originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 15 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/16/11--05:00: Is Prince Harry going to the North Pole? (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Hiking, Skiing, Europe, Russian Federation, United Kingdom, News

British Prince Harry has always had a bit of an adventurous spirit. The young man has served his country in Afghanistan and is currently training to become an Apache helicopter pilot. But if the 26-year old has his way, he may be off on an adventure of entirely different kind, as he is currently training to go to the North Pole on foot with a group of disabled vets.

The expedition is called Walking with the Wounded, and features four soldiers who were injured in the line of duty for their country. They'll be joined by two other army officers and a polar guide, who will be tasked with getting the entire team safely to 90º North. According to AOL News, Harry is Patron for the expedition and is keen to join the trek himself, provided he is granted a special leave from his military duties.

The plan is to get underway in late March, setting off from a remote point in Siberia. From there, the team will simply head north until they reach the top of the world. But this is a trek that is fraught with peril as North Polar explorers must deal with extreme cold, inclement weather, miles of desolate terrain, and ice that is continually breaking apart do to climate change. Not to mention the chance encounter with a hungry polar bear.

The expedition is expected to take about a month to complete, with the team hoping to arrive by April 23rd. That's cutting it mighty close for Harry however, who will be expected at his brother William's wedding, which is scheduled to take place on April 29th.

It'll be a few weeks before the prince knows if he'll be allowed to go on this journey or not, but I for one hope he gets the chance. This sounds like an expedition for a good cause and a true adventure of a lifetime.

[Photo credit: Walking with the Wounded]

Is Prince Harry going to the North Pole? originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/17/11--11:00: National Geographic Student Expeditions expands offerings for 2011 (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Hiking, Learning, Festivals and Events, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Spain, Costa Rica, United States, New Zealand, Camping, Ecotourism, Central America

The National Geographic Student Expeditions program has announced a number of great new excursions for 2011, giving young travelers even more choices for what to do with their summer break. New destinations added this year include Barcelona, Spain, New Zealand, and Yellowstone National Park, amongst others. There is even an option to travel to Costa Rica to work on a new community service project this year as well.

Nat Geo's Student Expeditions program is designed to give high school students an educational and immersive travel experience that they probably wouldn't be able to have anywhere else. The program sends them off to some amazing places around the world, while packing a healthy dose of adventure and education into the itinearary. They'll also have the opportunity to interact with some of National Geographic's experts and team leaders to further enhance the journey.

The trips range in length from about 10 to 21 days in length and are offered in more than 60 destinations across the globe. While on location, they'll stay in two unique and interesting base camps and explore the surrounding landcapes with their guides and NG experts, while taking part in any number of hands-on activities.

One of the most unique elements to these expeditons is that the students are given "On Assingment" projects that allows them to learn more about a particular subject with which they might have an interest. Those areas of study include photography, culture, arachaeology, conservation, filmmaking and more. These project turn an already amazing travel adventure into a learning opportunity unlike any other.

To find out more about the program go to ngstudentexpeditions.com where you'll find a complete list of destinations available, bios on some of the National Geographic experts that conduct these trips, and blog entries and video from previous expeditions. There is also ore information on the On Assignment projects and a form for requesting the 2011 catalog. There is also an online application for those who already know where they would like to go, which can be found by clicking here.

If you would like to find out more information on the program, Nat Geo is conducting a free webinar tomorrow evening, January 18th, from 8-9PM EST. You can register to attend that virtual event by filling out the form located here.

National Geographic has partnered with Putney Student Travel, a company that as more than 60 years experience in the field, to help design the Student Expeditions program. Between these two great organizations, you can bet that students will have an unforgettable travel experience.

National Geographic Student Expeditions expands offerings for 2011 originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 17 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/18/11--06:00: Travelers stranded in Punta Arenas, Chile due to strikes, road blocks (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Activism, South America, Antarctica, Argentina, Chile, Transportation, News, Travel Health, Cruises, Travel Security

Thousands of travelers were left stranded in Punta Arenas, Chile over the past few days due to protests, general strikes, and road blocks throughout the region. Unrest exploded in the area late last week when the Chilean government announced plans to raise the price of fuel by 17%, which caused riots in the street and closed off traffic both in and out of the city. Strikes and protests were also underway in the nearby town of Puerto Natales. Both cities are located in the far south of the Patagonia region of the country.

Punta Arenas is a port city with a population of about 155,000 and is a major launching point for tourists cruising the Southern Ocean off the coast of Antarctica each year. During the high season, which is currently in full swing, thousands of foreign visitors pass through the city as they come and go from their various cruise ships. Those arriving back to port over the weekend were greeted with violence in the streets, protestors carrying signs, and a virtual stand still to all travel.

Reports from the city indicate that many shops and cafes have been closed for the past few days, and food is in short supply. The airport has been closed as well and road blocks have made it difficult for travelers to leave by ground vehicle to other destinations. Some made plans to go by bus to Argentina to seek passage back to their home countries.

There has been some encouraging news however, as protesters have agreed to allow the passage of some vehicles on the roads and there are indications that the airport would begin to open for limited traffic as well. As a result, travelers were expected to slowly start to filter out yesterday and today, finally getting the opportunity to begin their journey home.

This story is another good reminder that anything can, and will, happen when we travel in foreign countries. Some of the visitors to Punta Arenas have been stuck there for as much as four or five days and while most have places to stay, food has certainly been in short supply. Hopefully normal air travel will resume today and they can finally begin to head home, but it sounds like it has been quite an ordeal for foreigners, who have been caught in the crossfire between the government and the local population in Chile.

[Photo credit: South Atlantic News Agency]

Travelers stranded in Punta Arenas, Chile due to strikes, road blocks originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/19/11--05:00: The best little gear shop in Montana (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Biking, Hiking, Skiing, Gear, North America, United States, Ecotourism

When it comes to buying gear for our various outdoor adventures, most of us are restricted to making purchases from speciality retailers such as REI or big box sporting good stores like Sports Authority. But if you happen to live in a town with a locally owned gear shop, you probably have witnessed first hand just how different the experience can be. Often those shops create a sense of community with their clientele and deliver a different level of customer service than you get with the larger retail stores. Such is the case with a great little gear shop located in West Yellowstone, Montana called Freeheel & Wheel.

West Yellowstone is a sleepy little town of about 1200 residents that sits on the edge of Yellowstone National Park. You wouldn't typcially think that such a small place would be home to a good gear shop, but then again, West Yellowstone isn't like most towns its size. Its location puts it smack dab in the middle of some of the best outdoor environments on the planet, with plenty of rivers to paddle, mountains to climb, and forests to hike, all within a short distance. The town bills itself as the "snowmobile capital of the world," but it also offers great cross country skiing and mountain biking along the Rendezvous Ski Trails, and it is home to one of the few biathlon courses in the entire country.

Located right on Yellowstone Avenue (where else?), Freeheel & Wheel isn't an especially large shop, but that doesn't stop them from offering plenty of services. You'll find a nice selection of outdoor clothing from companies like Patagonia and Prana, not to mention a variety of mountain biking and nordic skiing gear as well. There is also a full service bicycle repair and ski tuning shop inside too, and a fantastic coffee bar that has enough options for any caffeine fiend.

Continue reading The best little gear shop in Montana

The best little gear shop in Montana originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/20/11--05:30: Wear a bathing suit, get a free lift ticket at the Canyons ski resort (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Skiing, Festivals and Events, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, News

The Canyons ski resort, located not far from Park City, Utah, opens another portion of their multi-million dollar renovation project today when they unveil their new Ski Beach gathering area, complete with deck chairs and lifeguard stands. To commemorate the opening, they're also offering free lift tickets to anyone who shows up to the event wearing their bathing suit.

Over the past few months, The Canyons has been slowly rolling out a number of new enhancements for their guests, including launching the first heated ski lift in the U.S. back in December. Other enhancements have included 300 more acres of skiable terrain, improved snowmaking capabilities, and a new direct-connect gondola to speed skiers along their way more quickly.

Ski Beach is yet another one of these enhancements that has been designed to improve the experience of guests to the resort. In addition to the deck chairs and lifeguard stands mentioned above, the new gathering area has plenty of food and beverage outlets as well. While lounging on the "beach," you'll be able to dine on house-made doughnuts and build-your-own hot chocolates from the Chocolate Bar and gourmet hot dogs and cocktails from the Umbrella Bar, amongst other offerings.

The official grand opening event takes place from 3-5 PM local time today, with complimentary food and beverages for those in attendance. Additionally, anyone who shows up in their bikini, board shorts, or other swimwear, will be awarded a complimentary lift ticket to ski for free at a future date. I can't think of a better reason to shed those thermal layers and have a little fun.

The Canyons features more than 4000 skiable acres and over 180 trails to run. There are five lodges on site and a number of fantastic eateries as well. With the winter just getting into full swing, there is no time like the present to plan a ski vacation for the months ahead.

Wear a bathing suit, get a free lift ticket at the Canyons ski resort originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/21/11--05:00: Winners of the "Ultimate Mountain Gig" contest announced (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Skiing, Festivals and Events, Blogs, North America, United States, Hotels and Accommodations

The Canyons ski resort announced the winners of their Ultimate Mountain Gig contest earlier this week, selecting not one, but two, applicants to fill the role as their official ambassadors for the remainder of the 2011 ski season. The contest, which was announced last September, gave skiers and snowboarders an opportunity to compete for a job that offered $40k in salary, a full season ski pass, plenty of gear, and room and board at the Waldorf Astoria that is located on site at the Park City, Utah resort.

The co-winners of the Ultimate Mountain Gig are former Olympic ski racer Kaylin Richardson and ex-British soldier Andy Campbell. Richardson has been a member of the U.S. ski team for ten years and has won four Alpine National Championships and competed in two Olympic games. Campbell served his country in a variety of locations, including Iraq, but was paralyzed from the waist down in a climbing accident in 2004. That hasn't slowed him down one bit however, as he still scuba dives, skis and paraglides all over the world.

Campbell and Richardson were selected for the gig from a pool of 450 applicants. The pair have already gone to work for The Canyons, writing about their experience at the Ultimate Mountain Gig website. Over the next four months or so, they'll be helping to promote the resort by writing blog posts and producing video diaries about their experiences. I'm sure they'll also find plenty of time to hit the slopes and interact with the guests too.

[Photo credit: The Canyons]

Winners of the "Ultimate Mountain Gig" contest announced originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/22/11--05:00: Endurance athlete to run across Chile's Atacama Desert (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Activism, Hiking, Blogs, Photos, South America, Chile, Ecotourism, News

Canadian endurance athlete and adventurer Ray Zahab is in Chile this week where he has just launched an epic long distance run across the Atacama Desert, a place that is renowned as the driest environment on the planet. Zahab is making the attempt as a challenge to his own abilities, but also as part of an educational outreach program with the hopes of delivering an ongoing message to students about the importance of biodiversity to the health of the planet.

All told, the run will cover approximately 750 miles, starting in the northern part of the desert and heading south. Ray hopes to complete the expedition in a little over two weeks and will average more than 43 miles per day on foot. (That's a marathon + 17 miles each and every day for those keeping track at home!) All of his gear will be carried in a backpack, along with the 8 to 10 liters of water that will be necessary for each day. A support team will make strategic water drops along the route, so that Zahab can count on a fresh supply when needed.

Along the way, Zahab will use satellite communications technology to interact with school children in classrooms all over the world. As part of the impossible2Possible program, a non-profit organization that seeks to educate and inspire young people through adventure, he'll reach more than 16,000 children to deliver a message about threats to the environment. The desert will make for a stark contrast to a similar expedition that he conducted last year in the Amazon Jungle.

Zahab is no stranger to these kinds of challenging adventures. He has already run across the Sahara Desert, traveled to the South Pole, and set a speed record for traveling the length of Russia's Lake Baikal on foot, a distance of nearly 400 miles. On each of those journeys he was joined by his partner Kevin Vallely, who was to be included on this expedition as well. But just days before the start an illness in the family forced Vallely to pull out, leaving Zahab to run the desert solo.

Caught in the rain shadow of both the Andes Mountains and the Chilean Coastal Range, the Atacama Desert is considered the driest place on Earth. The region averages just 1mm (.04 inches) of rain per year, and many areas have not seen rain throughout recorded history. One study suggests that river beds in the Atacama have been dry for more than 120,000 year, which gives you an indication of what Ray will be up against over the next few weeks.

You can follow his progress at AtacamaExtreme.com where he'll be posting daily progress reports and updates from the field.

Endurance athlete to run across Chile's Atacama Desert originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/23/11--05:00: Skier sets South Pole speed record (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Skiing, Antarctica, Norway, Ecotourism, News

Norwegian explorer Christian Eide has set a new speed record for traveling to the South Pole on skis, smashing the previous record by more than two weeks and setting a new standard for Antarctic expeditions to follow.

Eide set out from Hercules Inlet, located along the Antarctic coast, on December 20th of last year and proceeded due south towards the Pole, a journey of more than 700 miles. Averaging 29 miles per day over some of the harshest and most extreme terrain on the planet, the skier completed the trip in just 24 days, 1 hour, and 13 minutes, battling whiteout conditions and subzero temperatures along the way.

The previous speed record was held by American Todd Carmichael, who made the same journey back in 2008. Carmichael completed his expedition in 39 days, 7 hours, and 49 minutes, which at the time seemed like a very impressive accomplishment. Eide's new speed mark raises the bar substantially, and is likely to be a record that will remain unbroken for years to come.

To further put Eide's accomplishment into perspective, when explorer Roald Amundsen, who was also Norwegian, became the first person to reach the South Pole back in 1911 it took him 58 days to make the journey. He also had the benefit of doing so by dogsled. Now, a century later, we have modern day explorers covering the same distance in less than half the time and under their own power no less.

We've come a long way in a hundred years.

[Photo credit: Christian Eide]

Skier sets South Pole speed record originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 23 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/24/11--05:00: 2011 Tour d'Afrique heads toward Sudan (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Biking, Festivals and Events, Blogs, Africa, Egypt, South Africa, Sudan, Ecotourism

The 2011 edition of the Tour d'Afrique got underway last week when more than 40 cyclists from all over the world set out from Cairo, Egypt on a four month long epic ride through Africa. The annual event has become a favorite amongst adventure travelers looking for a unique way to experience that continents cultural and natural wonders, while also challenging themselves physically along the way.

Each year, the Tour begins in Egypt and heads south, passing through ten countries along its well planned route. The riders spend 95 days in the saddle, with 23 rest days scattered across the schedule as well. Factor in 2 days of travel by ferry and you have 120 days of adventure that eventually culminates at the finish line in Cape Town, South Africa. All told, the journey covers nearly 7500 miles with the cyclists averaging roughly 77 miles per day.

Last Sunday, the riders hit the road for this year's edition of the Tour, rolling past the Great Pyramids of Giza before heading out into the Sahara Desert for their first few days of the ride. Over the past week, their route has taken them to the shores of the Red Sea, past sprawling sand dunes, and along the fabled Nile River, all the way to Aswan. Once there, they boarded a ferry for a long ride across Lake Nasser, departing on the other side in Sudan, where they'll continue their ride today. For updates on their progress so far and througout the entire Tour, check out the offical blog of the event.

The Tour d'Afrique has become the premiere adventure cycling tour in the world, but it is a little too late to join the 2011 edition, at least for the full ride. Cyclists can elect to take on various stages of the Tour, which offer a much shorter, and less expensive, but just as adventurous option for cycling in Africa. These segments are roughly 18 days in length and include such options as "The Gorge," which runs from Khartoum to Addis Ababa or the "Masai Steppe," which connects Nairobi to Mbeya. For an overview of the available stages, click here.

If you missed this year's Tour but are interested in riding in 2012, keep an eye on the official website for announcement about the future of the race. Even though the riders just got underway, next year's edition is already in the planning stages.

[Photo credit: Kristian Pletten]

2011 Tour d'Afrique heads toward Sudan originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/25/11--05:00: Discover France offers Tour de France cycling tours (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Biking, Festivals and Events, Europe, France, Ecotourism, Luxury Travel

Cycling fans who have ever wanted to experience the challenge and glory of riding in the Tour de France are in for a real treat this year. Discover France Adventures, a company that specializes in cycling and hiking tours, has announced a host of itineraries that will put you on the same route as the professional riders, and in some instances, just hours behind those competing in the race itself.

The tours offer two levels of difficult, moderate and challenging. These options allow cyclists of all skill level to enjoy the ride at their own pace. Competitive riders will want to go for the higher level of challenge, while those out to take in the French countryside, while still getting the TdF experience, will want to take on the moderate difficulty level.

Discover France has nine unique Tour de France itineraries available, including the Alpes VIP Tour which puts cyclists on a route between Montpellier and Grenoble that features climbs up Mont Ventoux, Croix de Fer, and the legendary Alpe d'Huez. This tour is scheduled to take place from July 16-23, and will end in time to have the riders in Paris to watch the Tour winner roll down the Champs Elysees in the Yellow Jersey. Details on the moderate version of this tour can be found by clicking here and the challenging version can be found by clicking here.

Similarly , the Pyrenees VIP Tour offers more alpine climbing in a completely different mountain range. This ride also runs from July 16-23 and features a route that wanders from Clermont Ferrand and ends in Toulouse. One of the highlights of this offering is a ride into Luz Ardiden on Bastille Day and also puts riders in Paris in time for the finish. Sign up for the moderate version of the Pyrenees Tour here and the challenging edition here.

Check out the Discover France website for a number of other Tour de France options, including some for the non-cyclists who simply wish to experience one of the premiere sporting events in the world. There are also plenty of other tours for the adventurous traveler as well, and for those who have already visited France in the past, there are some unique and non-traditional ways to experience the country in a whole new way.

As a cyclist and avid fan of the Tour de France myself, these tours are a dream come true. The thought of making the challenging climb up Alp d'Huez, perhaps the most well known mountain in the history of the race, is an amazing opportunity. Viva le Tour!

Discover France offers Tour de France cycling tours originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 25 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/26/11--05:00: The race to save Babylon and the future of tourism in Iraq (chan 1315308)

Over the past couple of weeks, CNN.com has been running a series of special stories entitled "Inside the Middle East" that has looked at a number of issues that that region faces in terms of luring visitors to the various countries there. One of the more interesting of those stories focused on efforts in Iraq to save the ancient site of Babylon while building a skill set for locals which could allow them to create an infrastructure that would eventually draw travelers to the country.

Babylon was once a thriving city-state found inside ancient Mesopotamia. Its origins can be traced as far back 3000 BC, but its real rise to prominence took place around 600 BC when Nebuchadnezzar came to power. The city was also home to the fabled Hanging Gardens of Babylon, which were one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. Over the centuries, a number of conflicts and disasters, including major earthquakes, took their toll on the city, which fell into disrepair and was eventually just an unrecognizable ruin in the desert.

Back in 1983, Saddam Hussein himself started reconstruction of the ancient site, but he took little care to protect the ancient artifacts and structures that were in place there. In fact, it is believed that there are a number of important relecs still buried under the reconstructed structures at the site. But now, a more careful and deliberate reconstruction effort is underway - one that is backed by $2 million from the U.S. State Department and is being overseen by the World Monuments Fund. That effort is seen as vital to not only salvaging Iraq's ancient history but also building the future of tourism in that country.

Continue reading The race to save Babylon and the future of tourism in Iraq

The race to save Babylon and the future of tourism in Iraq originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/27/11--05:00: National parks announce fee free days for 2011 (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, Festivals and Events, Europe, United States, Camping, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, News

Over the past few years, it has become a tradition for the National Park Service to waive entry fees into the national parks several times a year. Those fee free days have become extremely popular with frugal travelers, who take advantage of the lack of an entry fee to enjoy some of the best natural wonders that America has to offer.

Earlier this month the Park Service announced their fee free days for 2011, giving us all a number of great opportunities to enjoy "America's Best Idea" on the cheap. Several of those days, Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday weekend, have already slipped by, but here are the remaining fee free days for the year.

o. April 16-24 (National Park Week)

o. June 21 (First day of summer)

o. September 24 (Public Lands Day)

o. November 11-13 (Veterans Day weekend)

In all, there are 14 days remaining in 2011 during which you can gain entry into more than 100 national parks for free. To see a complete list of which parks will be waiving their entry fee on those days click here.

Knowing the available dates well in advance allows us to plan ahead and select which parks we would most like to visit during the fee free days. For example, in April many of the parks are still on the cool side, but it is an excellent time to visit Big Bend in Texas, before it becomes too hot. The first day of summer seems the perfect excuse to drop into Denali, located in Alaska, while September is great for visiting Yellowstone. As for November, how about stopping by the Everglades for one last tropical escape before the winter snows start to fly across much of the country.

Whether they're free or not, the national parks are fantastic destinations all year round. But it never hurts to get something for free!

National parks announce fee free days for 2011 originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 27 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/28/11--05:00: National Geographic jumps into the adventure travel arena (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Climbing, Hiking, History, Learning, Paddling, Skiing, Festivals and Events, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Tanzania, Bhutan, Mongolia, Nepal, United States, Chile, Camping, Ecotourism, News, Luxury Travel

The very name National Geographic evokes images of adventure and thoughts of exciting journeys to far away places. The iconic Society has probably done more to inspire travel than any other single entity ever. Several generations have grown up gazing at breathtaking images in the organization's popular magazine and reading about daring explorers on those beautiful, glossy pages. Now, in what seems like a long over due move, Nat Geo is throwing its hat into the adventure travel ring, announcing 11 unique trips that will offer a compelling mix of cultural and physical activity with some of the most stunning scenery on the planet as the backdrop.

The aptly named National Geographic Adventures have itineraries that are sure to appeal to any adventure traveler. For instance, they offer a 15-day trek through the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan that takes you to the 23,997-foot Chomo Lhari - the most sacred mountain in the country. If you prefer your trips keep you closer to sea level however, then perhaps the 9-day Alaska excursion would be more to your liking. That trip features sea kayaking and whale watching in Glacier Bay National Park. Meanwhile, backpackers will likely be enthralled with the 14-day hike through Chile's stunningly beautiful Patagonia region. Other itineraries take travelers to Everest Base Camp in Nepal, on safari in Tanzania, and across Mongolia on horseback.

Each of the itineraries has been specifically crafted with the help of a National Geographic expert, who has applied their knowledge of the various regions to create a series of trips that are unlike any other. Those trips come with an activity level rating, with easy, moderate, strenuous, and "ultimate challenge" options available. Accommodations range from luxury tents to quaint mountain lodges and inns, and the group size is capped at just 16 to ensure the best travel experience possible.

To find out more about these new adventure travel options, click here, and for the full line up of trips from Nat Geo, check out the National Geographic Expeditions website as well.

National Geographic jumps into the adventure travel arena originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/29/11--05:00: Traveling from Africa's lowest to highest point (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Biking, Hiking, Blogs, Africa, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Cruises

Traveling through Africa is always an adventure, but a British man, fresh from a stint in the Peace Corps, has found a way to add even more excitement to a journey through the wildest continent on Earth.

Last week, Kyle Henning set out on a journey that he has dubbed as Low2High: Africa. His adventure started at Lake Assal, located in central Djibouti, which has the distinction of being the lowest point in Africa at 508 feet below sea level. From there, he got on his bike and has started an 1864 mile long ride that will pass through six countries, eventually ending up in Tanzania at the base of Mt. Kilimanjaro. If all goes according to plan, Henning will then trek to the Kili's summit, which is the highest point on the continent at 19,340 feet.

While this sounds like a fantastic way to visit East Africa and make one of the world's great treks on Kilimanjaro, Henning isn't doing it purely for the adventure. The young man is also hoping to raise funds for the New Day Children's Center in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. The center provides food, clothing, and education for children that would normally be left to fend for themselves on the city streets. Henning has set a modest goal of raising £2,500 (roughly $4000) and as of this writing he has already managed bring in about £888.

You can follow Kyle's trekking and cycling adventure on his blog, where he is already sharing stories and photos from the road. While he's been traveling for more than a week already, he still has a long way to go, and plenty to see and do. Judging from his early entries however, he seems to be having the time of his life meeting locals and seeing the landscapes. Can we ask for anything more out of our travel than that?

[Photo credit: Kyle Henning]

Traveling from Africa's lowest to highest point originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 29 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/30/11--11:00: Underwater explorers seek lost New Zealand wonders (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Oceania, New Zealand, News

A team of underwater explorers has begun a search of Lake Rotomohana in New Zealand to discover the fate of a natural wonder that has been missing for nearly 125 years. The group will use high tech equipment, including submersible vehicles, to map the bottom of the lake to determine what has become of the fabled Pink and White Terraces, which were popular tourist attractions until they were destroyed during an eruption of Mt. Tarawera in 1886.

The recently got under way when scientists first began the mapping process and the torpedo shaped submersibles were dropped into the water to aid in that process. They hope to discover if any portion of the Pink and White Terraces, which have been described as the "8th Wonder of the World," remain intact under the surface of the lake.

Until they were destroyed in the volcanic eruption, the Terraces were New Zealand's number one tourist attraction. Many visitors from Europe made the journey to the country in the 1880's just to gaze upon the amazing site. The Terraces were created by geothermally heated water, containing high amounts of silica, spouting out of geysers. As that water flowed down the slopes, the silica was left behind, giving the terraces their pink and white color.

On June 10, 1886, Mt. Tarawa violently erupted, spewing ash into the sky and sending hot mud into Lake Rotomohana. That mud covered the terraces and altered the surrounding landscape, causing the water in the lake to rise and changing the geothermal activity in the region forever.

New Zealand tourist officials, as well as local Maori leaders, are interested in knowing if any portion of the terraces still stand. They'll have to wait for up to 12 months however, as that's how long the scientists on the research team believe it'll take to complete their survey.

Underwater explorers seek lost New Zealand wonders originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 30 Jan 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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01/31/11--05:00: Nepal declares 2011 year of tourism (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Climbing, Arts and Culture, Hiking, Festivals and Events, Asia, Nepal, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, News

The tiny Himalayan country of Nepal is making a major push to attract visitors this year, as they've kicked off the 2011 Tourism Year campaign hoping to lure travelers with their vast natural wonders, that include the tallest mountain in the world in Mt. Everest.

The overall goal of the program is to raise awareness in countries across the globe of everything that Nepal has to offer. The country is famous for its fantastic trekking and climbing throughout the Himalaya Mountains of course, but also offers plenty of cultural immersion, complete with a heavy Buddhist influence. For those looking to for something other than a mountain experience, there is also the Chitwan region, which offers a tropical rainforest setting and plenty of wildlife to view as well.

While Nepal has set a goal of luring more than 1 million visitors from around the world into it's borders in 2011, the Tourism Year program is squarely aimed at neighboring India. Officials hope to draw more than 300,000 travelers from that country alone, and an organized marketing campaign is already underway in ten cities along the border between the two nations.

Nepal's economy is highly dependent on the tourism trade, and these efforts show just how important it is to the government there. If they hope to bring in more visitors however, that government is going to have to remain stable. One of the challenges of traveling in the Himalayan country is the political unrest has, at times, made some regions unsafe, and general strikes in Kathmandu can bring that city to a halt, with travel in and out at a stand still.

Still, those issues aside, travelers who do make the journey are in for a treat. Adventure travelers will especially love hiking in the mountains and those looking for a healthy dose of culture won't be disappointed either. Kathmandu can be noisy and chaotic, but head out into the countryside and you'll find quaint villages, beautiful temples, and friendly people who love to welcome visitors from abroad.




Nepal declares 2011 year of tourism originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 31 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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02/01/11--05:30: Adventure travel company accused of killing 100 sled dogs (chan 1315308)

Filed under: Activism, North America, Canada, News

Yesterday a disturbing story made its way out of British Columbia, Canada, where an adventure travel company has been accused of killing more than 100 sled dogs last April after suffering a poor travel season. The incident first came to light when a former employee with the company made a claim for workman's compensation based on his suffering Post Traumatic Stress after he was ordered to kill 70 dogs. That number was later raised to 100 by the company in question.

According to this story, adventure travel company Outdoor Adventures Whistler is under investigation for animal cruelty following the alleged event, which took place around April 21-23 of last year. The report says that the dogs were shot to death then tossed into a mass grave, the site of which is now being investigated by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Reports seem to indicate that the travel company suffered a poor season last winter with very few travelers electing to take their tours. As a result, they fell on hard times economically, which forced them to make the decision to kill their sled dog teams rather than finding alternate solutions.

Animal lovers should use caution when reading the full story on this incident. Some of the descriptions of what happened is a bit disturbing to say the least. This report underscores a bit of a dark side to some kinds of travel, where animals can be seen as a commodity used for profit, then discarded when they are no longer useful. Obviously not all adventure travel companies, or even dog sled tours, operate like this, but it helps to underscore the need for researching who we choose to travel with.

This is a sad story and if the allegations are found to be true, I hope those involved are held responsible for their actions.

[Photo credit: Zeledi via WikiMedia]

Adventure travel company accused of killing 100 sled dogs originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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02/10/11--05:30: National Geographic announces adventurer of the year (chan 1315308)

Last week National Geographic announced the winner of their 2011 "People's Choice" Adventurer of the Year, handing the award over to Spanish mountaineer Edurne Pasaban who claimed the most votes in an online poll of Nat Geo readers. The 37-year old Pasaban become the first woman to summit all 14 of the world's 8000+ meter peaks by successfully climbing both Annapurna (8091 meters/26,545 ft) and Shishapangma (8013 meters/26,289 ft) in a span of just a few weeks.

The full list of honorees was announced back in December and an online poll was conducted to determine the favorite amongst readers. Pasaban, who comes from the Basque region of Spain, beat out a host of other explorers to take home the award. Other nominees included Ed Stafford, who made headlines for walking over 4000 miles along the length of the Amazon River and Jessica Watson, the Australian teen who sailed solo around the world.

Climbing all of the world's 8000 meter peaks is considered the ultimate challenge in mountaineering. The list includes some of the most difficult and deadly mountains on the planet, including Mt. Everest and the legendary K2. A select few male climbers have achieved the feat, but Pasaban became the first woman to join that very elite group. Korean climber Oh Eun-sun claimed to be the first, reaching the top of her final peak just weeks before Pasaban. But questions remain as to whether or not she actually topped out on one of the mountains, which has put her claim into dispute.

Conquering those peaks and winning this award didn't come without sacrifice however. Pasaban suffered frostbite and has lost parts of several of her toes. That is but a small price to pay for mountaineering immortality.

[Photo credit: Ferran Latorre]

Continue reading National Geographic announces adventurer of the year

National Geographic announces adventurer of the year originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 Feb 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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