If you’re thinking about a trip, an environmentally responsible holiday can give you the chance of a lifetime to visit endangered species, exotic climates without impacting the environment.

You may be thinking that ecotourism means a boring holiday, but the reality is far from it, as many eco holidays are filled with excitement from start to finish, except you’re holidaying in nature.

Perhaps one of the most traditional examples of eco-tourism is Safari.  Many safaris operate on a strictly leave only footprints, take only photos approach which is the mantra of the eco-tourist.

However, it’s not all Safaris.  You could be involved in a ten-day elephant trek in India, actually riding elephants as you make your way through dense jungle.  It certainly beats watching a movie and riding a tour bus!

There are eco friendly destinations in so many countries and whilst initially the idea of an eco-friendly tour may not be appealing, the fact is as soon as you start to live like a ‘local’ your perceptions change.

As more and more people undertake the vacation of a lifetime, it’s providing many with memories that stay with them for the rest of their lives.

From working on dive boats and surveying coral reefs to trekking along the Himalayas you can see things with an eco-tour that you would never otherwise get a chance to enjoy.

Madagascar, India, Nepal, Thailand, Australia, Brazil and even Poland are all examples of countries which have plentiful destinations for the aspiring eco tourist.

But whilst an eco friendly holiday may sound great in theory, it’s only really suitable if you can put away the luxuries for a few weeks and get back to basics.  Everyone likes to think they can, but can YOU really switch off from technology?

If so, then the time is now!

One such city is San Antonio, Texas, which is working towards a more fuel efficient, socially aware, and self-sufficient function as a city whole. A large part of this effort is being headed by Councilman Justin Rodriquez, who has created Green San Antonio (http://greensanantonio.org), a website dedicated to creating more citizen knowledge on the precautions and changes necessary to achieving these goals.

While still under heavy construction, this website is the homepage for the mass effort Councilman Rodriquez is trying to encourage, and is hoped to spark further movement, as issues such as alternative fuel, mass transit, recycling, and global warning become increasingly important to out evolving society. It teaches the message that sustainability is the future of San Antonio, and that it’s not too late to turn back the effects of a damaged environment.

But this isn’t the only website on the we dedicated to this purpose. Build San Antonio Green (http://www.buildsagreen.org/) is a great website that provides a wealth of information on becoming more environmentally friendly, as well as several programs, such as the San Antonio’s Residential Green Building Program, which works to educate officials and builders on the benefits of green building, and focuses on creating new, green structures for residential use.

Besides these fantastic features, they also have a rebates on alternative products, such as solar water heaters, business incentives for company green efforts, frequent workshops, a collection of informative articles, and weekly podcasts. All of this is brought to you in association with an impressive list of partners, including CPS Energy, VIA metropolitan Transit, the San Antonio Water System, and other businesses dedicated to San Antonio green efforts.

If you are looking for ways to get directly involved yourself, there are several civilian groups being hosted throughout the city, each dedicated to creating a more self-sustainable city, and promoting the same message to other states. Visit Salsa’s webpage (http://salsa.net/peace/water/index.html), which gives you links to groups like the Alamo Group of the Sierra Club, the Esperanza Environmental Justice Project, and the Friends of Commanche Lookout. Be sure to check out there government contacts section, which gives you the names and numbers of ranking officials who can help bring your cause out into the open, and who have the power to make changes needed for a better future.

San Antonio green projects are located all over the city, and are a perfect example of the way that environmental awareness is hitting the forefront of the social scene. If you are interested in saving our planet, and in creating a sustainable, environmentally conscious San Antonio, visit any of the sites above, and get involved. We can create a better world for our decedents, and save the planet, before it’s too late.

Here is are our top 10 hiking holidays around the world:

1. Biebrza National Park, East Poland.

Poland is renowned for its vast areas of unspoilt natural landscapes, and Biebrza is its largest National Park, and has been  made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the late 1970s. This area has over 500km of beautiful and breathtaking hiking trails, and over 130 kayaking routes along the rivers and lakes. This is a fantastic area for anyone who is interested in wildlife, as it is home to hundreds of rare and protected species, including over 200 native European bison that have been literally saved from extinction. A lot of the park is so wild it is inaccessible, and it is advised that hiking parties are supervised by a local guide, as conditions can be challenging in some areas. Accommodation is available at the main Hunter’s Lodge or in several dedicated camping areas, and the park has a central train station, connecting it to the surround areas, including the capital Warsaw which is just a 3 hour journey away.

2. Mont Blanc, The Alps

The Alps are a magnificent mountain range straddling Italy, France and Switzerland and the highlight of any hiking trip in this is the world famous ‘Tour du Mont Blanc‘, which circles Western Europe’s highest peak. If you are interested in hiking then this is one of the classic routes, and stretches across a simply stunning area of natural beauty, with glaciers, peaks, forests and alpine meadows. There are also plenty of excellent hotels and lodges to stay in during your tour, with wonderful cuisine and fantastic local wines to sample.

3. Corsica

Corsica is the perfect island for hiking trips, as it has a diverse and beautiful landscape from stunning rocky mountainous regions to beautiful sandy Mediterranean beaches, and some excellent accommodation along the routes and delicious cuisine for you to sample. It is also a sleepy little place with few vehicles, so the roads are quiet and safe for travelling on foot. If you are in good shape then the highlight of any hiking tour in Corsica is the famous mountain route known as GR20, which takes in some stunning scenery and spectacular views.

4. Alicante, Spain

This mountainous province is an area of outstanding natural beauty, with dramatic peaks and valleys, all of which sweep down to that gorgeous Mediterranean coastline. The climate is hot and sunny for most of the year, and walking along the traditional footpaths and mule tracks up in the mountains is a pleasant way to cool off and enjoy the beautiful landscape.

5. Matterhorn, Switzerland

The Matterhorn Circuit in Switzerland is another one of the classic hiking treks, and takes in a challenging but stunning route across lush alpine meadows, dense forests, rocky ridges and glacier crossings. This circuit follows ancient paths once used for trade, and passes through several distinct regions including the Germanic High Valais and Italian Val D’Aosta, all the time keeping the great Matterhorn Mountain itself in view.

6. Lake Garda, Italy

This is a lovely area which combines rocky mountains, beautiful clear waters and quiet sandy coves, all in a mild, pleasant climate. There are several different levels of walking routes around this beautiful place, from leisurely to challenging, which take you through lemon and olive groves, alpine meadows, lakeside villages and sandy shores.

7. Machu Picchu, Peru

The Inca Trail in Peru is another famous route, and one of the most popular trails in South America. It begins at the stunning Urubamba River and traverses mountains, forests and ruined Inca settlements before ending at the famous lost city of Machu Picchu. If you still want more you can also extend your trip by taking side tours into the Inca capital of Cuzco, or an off road guided trip deep into the Amazon rainforest.

8. The Great Wall, China

This route is steeped in culture and history, and makes for a truly unforgettable hiking holiday. The wall is semi ruined in places, but still traversable and these areas are much less busy than the main, restored parts. As you walk the route you really get a feeling of the scale and magnificence of the ancient Chinese Empire, as well as seeing glimpse of modern day life in the many small villages and settlements you pass by.

9. Nile, Egypt

If you are interested in a leisurely walking holiday, or have members of your party who are not keen on long, difficult hikes then is the perfect destination. You can take a relaxing cruise down the Nile, stopping off to take short walking tours of the main sites such as the Great Pyramids at Giza. All your accommodation and food is ready waiting for you when you get back, where you can enjoy the beautiful sunsets and lush landscapes from the comfort of your cruise boat deck.

10. The Grand Canyon, USA

The Western US states have some stunning national parks, and their diverse and dramatic landscapes attract hiking enthusiast from all round the world. The Grand Canyon Park is one of the most popular destinations for hiking holidays, with its spectacular steep gorges carved out from the rock by the great Colorado river.

This trip is very similar to all school trips that are organized by educational institutions today with various purposes in mind. The trip is being organized as a week-long trip within a wildlife sanctuary. The aim is to get these students to have a feel of living in the forest, camping out under the stars, learning a few survival recipes and generally having a lot of fun.

There are a few things that these children have to know about before embarking on a trip such as this:
• To be able follow instructions carefully – failure to do so might result in a lot of confusion that could sometimes prove to be very costly.
• To be able to chip in with all the chores that are to be done, in order to ensure that the camping experience goes on as smoothly as possible.
• To develop a lot of tolerance towards the actions and inactions of his team members so that the trip can be a learning experience.
• To be able to foster a team spirit and ensure that this is kept going right through the camp.
• To be willing to learn a lot of survival techniques that will not only help each individual, but also ensure the safety of all the boys who are at the camp.

The whole idea of going on a camp like this is to make children aware that there is a world out there waiting to be explored and understood. These children are brought face to face for the very first time, with the bounty of nature, within a wildlife sanctuary. They have never come across such an amazing number of plants, trees and small creatures. Above all, they learn to respect the territorial aspect of all this flora and fauna and understand for the first time that co-existence is a must at all levels.

Since this kind of travel is a very rare opportunity, parents are eager to give their kids the chance to explore, discover and enjoy all that the sanctuary has to offer. The experience of being on their own in the wild will certainly help these fifteen year olds to enjoy the company of others and appreciate the natural wealth that they observe. Hence travel such as this can be a very enriching experience.

But this isn’t a leisurely hike, or a small camping trip. Trekking your way across the Inca Trail is a grueling, difficult journey in many places, and you need to be prepared for what you find there. So, here are a few tips, tricks, and just things you need to know before you run off to join the hikers who have made this one of the most popular trails on Earth.
No Going Solo. Perhaps you were expecting a one man journey into the wilderness, facing the odds on your lonesome and coming out the other side victorious after days of nothing but your wits to thank. But I’m afraid that dream bubble is about to be popped. Due to regulations by the local government, the Inca Trail cannot be faced without a guide, and so a local is going to be with you more or less at all times. Don’t worry, though. After that first day, you will be happy for the company, trust me.
Be Fit. I don’t just mean able to do a power walk a few dozen times around the local Elementary school’s track. If you are going to follow the Inca Trail you will need to do some physical preparation first, and while it isn’t exactly scaling Mt Everest, it’s hard enough in it’s own right. So take some time for the 6 weeks or so before your trip just to make sure you are really as able bodied as you like to imagine.

Expect Pampering. The trail itself is hard, and the measure above will be needed. However, that doesn’t mean you won’t be treated well in the meantime. Your guide will also act as something like a porter, and the trail is littered with locals who will be looking to pamper the hell out of you during your journey. This is more or less an attempt by the local government to increase the regions wealth through tourism, so you will have to tolerate it. But I have a feeling all you ‘roughin’ it’ tough guys will actually enjoy it, despite the grumbling. After all, who doesn’t like a little TLC after a hard day of hiking?

Checkpoints. They are a pain, but at the end of your hike as you make it to the ruins, there will be some time spent with other trekkers and guides who are all trying to be the first to get to the checkpoints. It’s irritating, competitive, and once you reach your final destination at the end of the trail, totally worth it. The view is breathtaking, and you will be so glad that you went through the trek itself just for those first moments of witnessing the ancient city that has been shrouded in mystery for centuries.

You can discover Ecuador playing the young naturalist Charles Darwin, who searched these islands and created his notorious Theory of Evolution of species by natural selection.  It is not easy, as the archipelago spreads over 220 km  and consists of 13 main islands, 6 smaller islands and 107 rocks and islets. On all these islands there many endangered species  as seals, fregates, iguanas, sea lions, whales, marine turtles. 170 years ago when Darwin searched the islands, there was practically no human there. Today, there are 40 000 people living on the islands. All these inhabitants, together with the mass tourism do a lot of harm to the animals and plants of the Galapagos Islands. Nevertheless, the animals are still fearless against humans.

The islands are situated on the both sides of Ecuator, but the weather is not very hot as expected, due to the Humboldt current, which is chilling them. Once at a few years El Nino brings hot weather and heavy rainfall.

You can reach the islands by plane, landing in airport of Baltra Island. The plane tickets from the mainland Ecuador costs 400 $. You can also reach the Galapagos islands by sea, in the ports Puerto Baqueiro Morena or Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz islands. There are 70000 tourists coming every year on Galapagos Islands. They enjoy excellent conditions for surfing and can also discover the wildlife in the natural parks ( daily fee is 100 $) sleeping in the hotel Orca in San Cristobal for 90 $ a night. Organized multiday cruise ship cost 4230 bringing you in the most remoted parts of the islands.

Here are a few tips for you to consider when you are planning a backpacking tour in Spain:

* Language – you will need to be able to organise transport, hotels and meals as you travel through the country, so you must be able to speak some basic Spanish, so that you can communicate with others quickly and efficiently. Don’t just assume that you will be able to find someone who speaks English to deal with, especially if you are travelling in more remote regions. Go online to find lots of websites to help you learn basic Spanish, such as at www.studyspanish.com, and also buy a proper language guide to take with you so you will have a resource to fall back on when you are out and about.
* Culture -Spain has a rich cultural landscape, and it will enhance your experience if you find out more about it before you leave, as this will give you more idea of what to expect as you travel through the country and help you to avoid making any obvious cultural blunders. Researching Spain will also give you ideas for your holiday plan, such as places to visit and things to do and researching local customs will help you interact with people more successfully as you travel.

* Transport - backpackers use a lot of public transport as they travel through the countries they are visiting, mainly because it is usually cheap and efficient. Travelling by train is relatively easy in Spain, but it can be expensive depending on the journey you are making. The high-speed AVE train from Madrid to Seville will take you quickly from on side of the country to the other, but local train services can often be slower than the buses. The Spanish bus system is extensive and is the only way to get to the more remote areas if you do not have a car. Buses are usually very reasonable and much cheaper than trains, and services are reliable and well used. You may also want to rent a car for part of your trip and this is easy to do in Spain with plenty of main European hire car companies operating in most large towns and cities.
* Luggage – as you travel you will be carrying your own luggage, so it is important to pack only essential items. Shoes are heavy and bulky so limit yourself to just two pairs, one for walking and the other for going out in the evenings, and take plenty of socks so that you always have a clean dry pair to wear. Hostels can sometimes be low on good bedding so take a warm blanket or large shawl, and this will also be handy for when you are travelling overnight on trains and buses. A small first aid kit is essential, as well as a sunhat, sunglasses, waterproof coat and a torch, and it is also a good idea to have a bit of plastic sheeting packed in case it rains and you need to protect your luggage whilst you are walking or waiting for transport. Always remember to safeguard your belongings at all times and do not leave them unattended.

There are some wonderful walking and cycling trails around the world, and these sorts of holidays can be an excellent way to enjoy the unique and stunning scenery each destination has to offer. Here is a list of the top 5 most beautiful hiking and biking trails across the globe:

5. Corsica – this island is reputed to be the birthplace of Napoleon and Christopher Columbus and is a beautiful Mediterranean paradise with a unique mix of both Italian and French heritage. The landscape is rugged and wild with a stunning coastline, and though it is a popular tourist destination the island has firmly retained its natural charm and identity. The benign climate combined with the varied landscapes makes this an ideal spot for walking and cycling holidays, and spring is an excellent time to visit the island as the gorgeous red cistus flowers and white asphodels all burst into bloom at once, covering the island in a blaze of colour. There are some good paths for walking, but the terrain is often hilly and rocky, so most tracks are of a moderate difficulty and you will need some good strong walking boots. Cycling trails have some steep climbs in places, but the varied landscape makes for a very interesting and engaging ride, and you will be able to make as many stops as you like along the way to sample the wonderful local cuisine.

4. Krkonoše National Park, Czech Republic – there are plenty of walking trails around the beautiful Krkonoše National Park, which creates a natural border between the Czech Republic and Poland. Krkonoše contains some of the Czech Republic most stunning scenery and wildlife, and was proclaimed a national park in 1963. There is a wonderful 14km trail around the peak of Cerna Horna (the Black Mountain) and neighbouring mountain ranges, with breathtaking views of the beautiful spa town of Janske Lazne in the foothills. Cable cars will take you up to the top of steep mountainsides, and there are several mountain lodges to stop off in for a breather as you follow the trails. The Czech Republic is also very popular for its cycling tours and recently a whole host of ancient hiking trails have been updated to provide a wonderful route now called ‘Greenways’ which stretches over 250 miles from Vienna to Prague, and follows the Dyje and Vltava rivers. There is some truly lovely scenery along this route, with miles and miles of unspoilt countryside and various historic towns, churches and even castles along the route.

3. Kondalilla National Park, Australia - this national park is a lush rainforest paradise and offers some of the most beautiful walking adventures in the world. There are also plenty of cycling tracks around the forest pathways and just a short distance away is the popular Coastal Track that takes you round the lovely beach town of Noosa, which has some of the most stunning coastal landscapes in Australia. Throughout the various walks you will have the opportunity to see some of Australia’s unique wildlife, including koalas, kangaroos, kookaburras and the beautiful rainbow lorikeets. The difficulty of the walking and cycling trails varies, and the coastal trails are moderate, with some different terrain such as hills, sand and rocky paths. Most of the guided walks around the park are at least 12km (7-8 miles), so you should be comfortable walking this distance and have the appropriate equipment such as sturdy shoes, hat and a backpack for food and drink supplies. This area is subtropical and in the height of summer the weather can be intense, and this is the reason why most of the guided walks are only available from autumn through to spring. At night it can get very cool, so if you are intending to go out on one of the night walks then warm clothes are recommended.

2. New Zealand - These islands in the Pacific ocean have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, with miles and miles of lush green pastures, rugged coastlines, sandy beaches and even volcanoes. Hiking varies from moderate to difficult, and North Island has some challenging routes up into the Waitomo caves and through the volcanic landscape in Rotorua. New Zealand is also culturally rich and as you walk around the islands you can learn more about local Maori culture. There are also some fantastic cycling routes around New Zealand, and one of the most popular is the famous Central Otago Rail Trail. This trail follows the old Maniototo rail line, which ran from Clyde to Middlemarch, and is steeped in history with many old gold mining outfits and small towns dotted along the way.

1.France – one of the best places in the world for combining cycling and hiking holidays, France has a varied terrain that will suit all fitness levels. The Dordogne region is excellent for moderate hiking, with a stunning rural landscape that has barely changed for centuries. The combination of natural beauty, charming villages and wonderful food is irresistible, and has visitors returning year after year. There is a wonderful walk that follows the old Pilgrim Routes of St James, which starts in the charming medieval towns of Figeac. This route is dotted with some beautiful villages and amazing landmarks, such as megaliths, castles and caves. This walk ends at another lovely medieval town, Sarlat La Caneda and is a moderate trail, with some hilly areas. If you take a guided walk you should be prepared to hike from anywhere between 14-28 km per day, so ensure that you choose a tour that will suite your fitness levels (some tours also organise local taxis to shorten the walk in places and make it accessible for less able walkers). You can also cycling along the St James route, and there are many other cycling tours across France, including some challenging routes through the French Alps and around the foothills of Mont Blanc.

These 1000 acres were once the home of the Squamish and Musqueam Native Americans, and several totem poles stand in their honor.
Spend a day (or longer) in the Park and enjoy watching and photographing over one hundred species of wildlife including friendly raccoons and squirrels. Birds abound, including Canada geese, ducks, grouse and swans.
If flowers are more to your liking, several gardens await to delight your eyes and your nose. In the spring, Ted and Mary Greig Rhododendron Garden is a bed of colors. Later in the year, a formal rose garden in full bloom is a gift to the senses.

As you stroll through the park, take a break at the Vancouver Aquarium. Watch the dolphins and sea lions at play and visit the whales. Thousands of species of sea life populate the aquarium. A five-and-a-half mile long sea wall follows the coast and makes for an invigorating walk.
Stanley Park is a popular spot for tourists and Vancouver natives alike. Over eight million visitors enter the park every year. It’s truly a place to relax, have fun and admire the scenery.

 your holiday break this year is to join a volunteer project. There are hundreds of different projects around, from lending a hand in cleaning up local parks and nature reserves, to travelling to third world countries to give aid and support to those living on and below the poverty line.

Projects that you and your friends can get involved with include volunteering for conservation projects on the various RSPB reserves. This involves a number of different tasks, and with depend on the level of your groups skills, and the type of reserve in your area, but previous groups have helped to build pathways and resting spots along nature walks, painted murals to cheer up RSPB visitor centres and car parks, and cleared ground of bracken to encourage the growth of native plants. You can go to the RSPB website or contact your local reserve to set up a volunteer project, but you may need to provide some of your own materials such as protective gloves or paints, so make sure you factor this into your budget along with travel and food expenses when you are in the planning stages. 

I got contacted by Michael Dennis, Volunteering Development Coordinator from RSPB regarding this article and he told me that it’s not the standard practice to ask volunteers to provide their own materials or equipment and they reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
He also asked me to include the following paragraph about RSPB:

A popular way of contributing to conservation work is the RSPB’s Residential Volunteering Scheme. You can stay on one of 40 reserves throughout the UK, for a period from a week up to a year, helping out with all the work that goes into running a reserve – from planting reed beds or cleaning hides, to talking to visitors or helping in the shop. It’s a great way to gain practical work experience, meet new people, explore new areas, help the RSPB’s conservation work, or simply make good use of your spare time while keeping fit in the great outdoors. If you can’t commit to a specific block of time, but would still like to get involved, there are hundreds of other volunteering opportunities with the RSPB. Visit the website at www.rspb.org.uk/volunteering and join the 13,500 other people already giving their time and energy for birds and wildlife conservation.
 

If you are interested in travelling to new places then there are a number of projects organized by charities around the world that are in need of volunteers to come and give their support. Conservation projects include tropical rainforest preservation in places like the Barra Honda National Park in Costa Rica, or sea turtle and coastal protection along Mexico’s beautiful coastline. If you have a background in medicine then there are also some very worthwhile medical projects that are run abroad, which need qualified volunteers to provide key healthcare in remote and very poor areas of the world. You can find out more about these sorts of projects on websites like www.projects-abroad.co.uk, or you can go to individual charity and volunteer organisation homepages such as Oxfam, WWF and the Red Cross to see what projects they currently have on offer.