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Alaska
The Majestic Alaskan Scenery
Alaska is quickly becoming a popular American destination
for luxury cruising and adventure travel alike. Outdoor
enthusiasts will especially appreciate the unspoiled
arctic scenery, amazing wildlife and unique culture
that Alaska has to offer. look at our Alaska
Guide.
Both traditional and small ship cruise lines offer voyages
through the inside and outside passage where you can
enjoy whale watching, spectacular rugged coastlines
and glacial scenery from the ship’s balcony. Shore excursions
showcase the diverse animal and plant life throughout
the state and provide a chance to visit popular sites
like Denali National Park and the Kenai Peninsula.
In addition to the icy scenery Alaska is known for,
green fields and forests are home to brown and black
bears, wolves, moose, mountain goats and over 200 species
of birds. The many parks throughout Alaska are perfect
destinations for backpacking, hiking, mountain
biking and camping, while costal areas offer ample
opportunities for canoeing, kayaking, fishing,
and rafting.
Antarctica
Antarctica is the perfect destination for adventure
travel and offers amazing scenery and an abundance
of wildlife, much of which can be seen nowhere else. For
many, the appeal of Antarctica is its remote location.
For others it is an opportunity for learning and to personally
experience the last true wilderness on earth.
Cruises to the South Pole offer breathtaking views and
tours through the continent’s glaciers, hot springs, and
scientific bases. In addition, smaller touring vessels
allow visitors to view Antarctica’s wildlife and icy waterways
up close and personal. Some of the animals you can expect
to see in Antarctica include humpback whales, seals, penguins
and migrating seabirds. Resilient plant life is another
highlight of an Antarctica expedition.
The touring season in Antarctica runs from October
through March. While most people choose to visit Antarctica
by boat, aerial tours as well as hiking and trekking
trips through the arctic mountain ranges are available
as well.
Belize
One of the newly discovered destinations for ecotourism,
the Central-American country of Belize offers a plethora
of rainforests to explore. Nature-lovers will appreciate
the rural feel of the country, while beach-goers will
enjoy Belize’s many “cayes” or islands
located just off the coast.
Belize is an ideal destination for travelers fond of water
sports. Costal resort towns offer sailing, windsurfing
and fishing.
In addition, Belize's long barrier reef is the longest
reef in the western hemisphere, boasting some of the best
diving and snorkeling anywhere.
Further inland, adventure travelers have miles of rainforest
to explore. Wildlife sanctuaries throughout the country
are home to exotic birds, jaguars, pumas, armadillos,
crocodiles, and more. Mayan ruins are interspersed with
the jungle terrain and many of these historical sites
have recently been restored.
Costa
Rica
If you are looking for an adventure
destination that offers miles of coastline, unspoiled
rainforests, and exotic wildlife, Costa Rica is the
perfect destination. Bird-watch for macaws and toucans
in one of the many national parks, visit an active volcano,
or enjoy the unspoiled tropical beaches.
From rustic jungle lodges to luxury resorts, Costa
Rica offers the ideal accommodations for every traveler.
The capitol city of San José features great shopping
and urban flair, including gourmet restaurants and museums
showcasing the country's rich history, architecture, and
art.
For the active Adventure
traveler, opportunities for surfing, snorkeling,
hiking and kayaking abound, while visitors looking to
lounge will appreciate Costa Rica's secluded sandy beaches
and leisurely river tours.
Galapagos
Islands – Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands are known as a living natural
history museum due to the abundance of indigenous plant
and animal life on the volcanic island chain. Located
600 miles off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are
best seen by boat. Small and large cruising vessels
shuttle visitors from island to island for an up-close
encounter with the natural world.
The remote and long-uninhabited Galapagos Islands are
home to a large variety of birds and animals, including
marine iguanas, giant tortoises, sea lions, pelicans,
and penguins. Most of the animals are unafraid of predators,
making swimming with sea lions, whales and dolphins commonplace.
A vacation
to the Galapagos offers great opportunities for snorkeling,
scuba diving and sea kayaking. Guided nature tours offer
visitors a living ecology lesson while hiking expeditions
to the islands’ many active volcanoes showcase the stark
and rugged landscape the Galapagos are known for.
New
Zealand
The Majestic Mountains
of New Zealand
Explore the sights of the South Pacific by visiting the
island nation of New Zealand. From the urban center of
Auckland
to the country’s remote mountain ranges, islands, and
glaciers, New Zealand is an action-packed destination.
Adventure travelers will relish New Zealand’s abundant
sporting opportunities. Try out bungee jumping, go “tramping”
(hiking), see the sights on horseback, swim with dolphins,
or embark on a fishing or whale watching expedition
- there is plenty to see and do in New Zealand. Movie
buffs will appreciate the “Lord of the Rings” guided
nature tours, which showcase the majestic scenery and
remote locations used to film movie trilogy.
Surrounded by water on three sides and boasting seven
green volcanoes, the city of Auckland
is known for both nature and culture. The city’s many
museums, galleries, restaurants and upscale boutiques
are complimented by miles of walking and biking trails,
stunning coastal scenery and boating activities.
Machu
Picchu, Peru
Step back in time by visiting the Peruvian ruins of
Machu Picchu – the lost city of the Incas. Nestled in
the Andes Mountains, the massive, well-preserved ruins
date back to the 1400’s and are considered the best
known and most spectacular sight in all of South America.
A guided tour through this ancient city reveals remnants
of homes, temples, irrigation channels and other clues
to a civilization gone by.
Further into the Andes Mountains,
the modern city of Cuzco is home to Inca ruins, museums,
and churches. The city is also a starting point for many
of the Andes climbing, trekking and backpacking expeditions
popular with adventure travelers.
The Amazon jungle below, which occupies half of Peru,
is home to a diverse variety of plant and animal life.
Monkeys and birds, enormous trees, dense vegetation
and meandering rivers are some of the highlights of
Peru’s vast rainforests. Jungle treks, boat cruises,
and lodges all offer visitors a chance to experience
the Amazon.
Prague,
Czech
Republic
For an urban adventure you will not soon forget, consider
visiting the Czech Republic and the capitol city of
Prague. This post-Soviet destination blends Eastern-European
energy and Western-European style, while the rural areas
offer ample opportunities for caving, cycling, and hiking.
Off the beaten path, Moravian wineries, Bohemian spas,
and quaint villages cater to foreign visitors. In addition,
Medieval castles and museums abound.
Prague’s stunning architecture is the highlight of the
city. Amazingly, the country escaped the bombing of World
War II and as a result, many original structures dating
from the 1400’s are still standing. The Charles Bridge
(recently featured in the movie “Mission Impossible”)
showcases Prague’s famous architecture and sculpture,
while modern day artisans set up shop on the bridge daily,
playing instruments and selling their wares. Other historical
highlights include old town and the colorful “golden alley”
as well as the ornate town hall clock tower.
South
African Safari
Imagine rolling through the African bush in a four-wheel
drive vehicle, binoculars in hand, on the lookout for
wild lions, zebras, antelope and elephants. This is
the experience of the South African Safari. Whether
roughing it at a state-run campground or relaxing at
a luxurious private lodge, the numerous nature reserves
throughout South Africa offer everyone a taste of the
exotic.
South Africa has 17 national parks, and more than 300
game and nature reserves, all open to the public. Kruger
National Park is one of the most famous wildlife parks
in the world. It is over 100 years old and boasts the
“big five” – lions, leopards, elephants, buffalos and
rhinos – as well as cheetah, giraffes, hippos, antelope
and a wide assortment of birds. Travelers interested in
going “off-road” can trek with park ranger guides on wilderness
trails and learn the basic elements of game tracking and
orienteering.
Safari lodges catering to foreign tourists specialize
in providing authentic wildlife experiences with a touch
of class. Lodges feature thatched roofs, mosquito nets
and open-air dining; some even offer tree house-type
accommodations.
Switzerland
If you are looking for splendid mountain scenery, quaint
European villages, gorgeous turquoise waterways and
terrific skiing, then Switzerland is an ideal vacation
destination. The majestic Alps are the primary landmark
of the country and provide plenty of opportunities for
hiking,
rafting,
winter
sports, or just enjoying the alpine scenery. Think
window boxes overflowing with spring blooms, snow-capped
mountain peaks, cozy chalets, and blue skies throughout
the year.
In addition to Switzerland’s pristine mountains, lakes
and rivers, the cosmopolitan cities offer great restaurants,
five-star accommodations, high-end shopping, and all the
luxuries of modern Europe.
The country also boasts a number of excellent museums
as well as architecture dating from the early 1400’s.
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