Tracing its history back almost thirteen centuries Bulgaria is one of the few countries in Europe, and probably the world, whose tourism is based more in its villages than its cities. Discovering rural Bulgaria is an incredible experience for any tourist. So unique are the villages here that they seem to exist in some strange timelessness, as if nothing has changed in the last several centuries. People in the lowlands still concentrate on agriculture, and those on the mountains earn their livelihood from raising animals and gathering herbs and fruits.

The hospitality that the locals extend to all tourists is what has made discovering rural Bulgaria so beautiful. Several people open their homes up to serve as guesthouses and bed and breakfast places. While history, culture and warmth are common everywhere in Bulgaria, the villages in every region are different. Even the rural homes look different in different regions. The list of beautiful villages is endless and so here we will concentrate on mostly the mountaintop villages that will take every tourist’s breath away.

Villages in the Balkan Range

Some of the more popular regions in the Balkan range are Bozhentsi, Tryavna, Zheravna, Elena and Koprivshitsa. Bozhentsi is not just a village but also an architectural reserve in the central part of the Balkan Mountains. It is famous for its pre- National Revival Bulgarian architecture that has been very well preserved. UNESCO lists this Bulgarian village as one of its world cultural monuments. To preserve the look of the village, no building that does not fit with the general style of architecture of the village is allowed to be built here. Stone plate roofs, corner fireplaces, wood carved ceilings and verandas are all features of typical Bozhentsi architecture. All streets in this village are lined with cobblestone.

Across a Roman bridge at the east end of the village is a forest path that leads to our next destination—Tryavna. Tryavna is well known for its textile industry. It is home to a hundred and forty museums and cultural monuments. The town square of the village dates back to 1814. The clock tower and the Kivgireniyat bridge are popular tourist attractions. It is in Tryavna that one of the first secular schools of the country was established. The Daskalov house is the more popular of many museums of icon painting and art and wood carving in the region. It houses the famous wood carved suns. Its ceiling is a work of art in its own right made as a result of a bet between two famous wood carvers Ivan Bochukovetsa and Dimitar Oshanetsa. With modern hotels and restaurants Tryavna is the preferred destination for many tourists.

Just twenty kilometers away is Voneshta Voda, a resort known for its mineral springs. Tryavna homes have their own architectural peculiarities. While irregular forms make up the ground floors, wooden bow windows are the marked features of the upper floors. Well cut and neatly arranged rocks cover the roofs. The Central Balkan National Parks has the most vibrant ecosystems in Bulgaria and is accessible from all the villages around. Just north of the Balkans are several monasteries like the Ivanovo Rock Monastery which is under UNESCO protection. Close to Gaborvo is the Etara Architectural-Ethnographic complex which is an open air museum dedicated to Bulgarian customs and craftsmanship.

Villages in the Pirin Mountains

Villages like Melnik and Dobarsko have been declared architectural reserves. Melnik has architecture from the National Revival and the Ottoman periods. One of the more famous wine growing areas of the country, Melnik is home to the famous Melnik wine. At the foot of Pirin Mountain is Bulgaria’s best ski resort, Bansko. But Bansko is not just a ski resort. It is a small town with buildings that date back to 100 BC. Here you can enjoy the annual Bansko Jazz Festival, Just about five kilometers away is the small village of Banya that is famous for its twenty seven thermal mineral springs.

Villages in the Rhodopes Mountains

The birthplace of Orpheus, Rhodopes is also known as the ‘Green Heart of Europe,’ so vast are the old pinewood forests here. Shiroka Laka is a quaint little village with architecturally authentic Rhodopean houses located on both banks of the local river. The houses are all two storey with a small yard that is closed in by thick white walls. All the yards are covered with slab and have a fountain in the middle. Every March, performers perform the Thracian ritual koukeri dance in a festival here. National Revival style architecture dominates the skyline of Dolen. Chepelare is a famous ski resort town on the Rhodopes Mountains. Other scenic villages include Zlatograd, Kovachevitsa and Boukata.

Villages in the Strandzha Mountains

Strandzha mountains has some of the most rare vegetation in the world. Just small treks from the lovely little villages on the mountain can take you to any of these botanically exciting trails. The pagan tradition of fire dancing is performed every June in the southern part of the mountain range. In Brashlyan mountain hiking and nature observation are included in the rural tourism package. Malko Tarnovo which literally means ‘Little Tarnovo’ is a small town just five kilometers from the Turkish border.

Go mountain hopping and discover rural Bulgaria for yourself. It promises to be unforgettable.

Top 3  Rural Holiday Accommodation in Bulgaria:

• Bio-Hotel Moravsko Village – Predela (Bansko)
• Holiday Villa Stresov – Borovets mountain resort (73 km from Sofia)
• Skaviva B&B – Madara (Shumen)

Photo of , Bulgaria, by Boby Dimitrov

The Warsaw University Library, The Agora Building, and Metropolitan all demonstrate a bold commitment to sustainable design rarely seen even in the most progressive cities. The buildings showcase a remarkable blend of technology, aesthetics and function often with a wonderful integration of plant life as an integral part of the architecture.

1. The Warsaw University Library

Designed by Marek Budzyński & Zbigniew Badowski with the landscape by Irena Bajerska, the Warsaw University Library is located east of the city center, falling between the main university campus and the banks of the meandering Vistula River.

The main facade consists of a long and gentle concave curve dominated by green copper and tinted glass. A huge inscription “Biblioteka Uniwersytecka” dominated the top of this curve while 8 large copper panels visualize excerpts from Polish Renaissance writer Jan Kochanowski, Plato, an old-Russian chronicle, Arabic and Indian classics, and from the Bible. To complete the gesture there is a score by composer Karol Szymanowski and sample mathematical formulas engraved on these tablets.

This main street facade is complimented by flanking facades where plants and gardens have grown to dominate the architectural expression. Copper trellises bring vines climbing up the walls, connecting ground to roof garden. A series of hills, ramps and stairs lead the visitor up the side and onto the roof of the building were they are introduced to one of the most magnificent spaces in Warsaw, a 10,000 square meter garden overflowing with colors, textures and smells of flowers and plants, while offering stunning views of the city’s skyline and the gently flowing river. From within and without the building is overflowing with life, making nature a vital element of the building’s expression and thus clearly demonstrating the architect’s aspirations of making a building that is fully integrated into its surroundings.

2. The Agora Building

The Agora Building is also located a bit outside the city center, this time to the south east. Designed by JEMS Architekci - a local firm – the office block contains a magazine and newspaper group and demonstrates the value of how the architecture of a building can promote an egalitarian work environment.This building has grown into a great example of how to combine ecological awareness with innovative design.

The facade consists of a series of wood louvers that act as a sun screen while the seemingly boxlike building has gardens and terraces carved out to both bring natural light into the interior work areas and to provide natural ventilation deep into the structure. Inside, a cascading garden atrium connects the floors and allows for visual connections as well as easy circulation while once again allowing daylight to stream in. Balconies ring the building between the sun screen and the glass curtain wall, giving the workers access the outdoors. Vines have been planted at strategic locations and have slowly grown up the walls to provide a living element in the aesthetics of the building.

3. The Metropolitan

Metropolitan, designed by the world renowned architect Sir Norman Foster, has the most prestigious location of the three being located on Pilsudski Square just outside the historic old town. This building also took the most technological approach to sustainability. Rather than using plants and wood as the main expression, Foster and Partners have opted for a high tech look with sleek glass and metal curtain wall the curves and flows around the site.

A series of vertical stone fins line the facade providing protection from the sun while also serving an important role in the aesthetics of the building – when viewed straight on the building appears to be open and transparent while from the side it becomes a solid stone mass relates to the surroundings. The building wraps around a central plaza with a fountain and planted trees, giving the city a quiet and shaded place for people to gather. It also keeps the building to a manageable depth allowing decent penetration of natural light and ventilation.

These three buildings have not only changed the face of a city but also charted the course into the future of architecture in Warsaw. Most visitors will visit the historic town square, the stalinist tower and other popular tourist destinations but no trip to Warsaw will be complete without seeing these three pillars of a sustainable architectural future.

Top 5 Hotels in Warsaw:

• Mamaison Hotel Regina – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €86
• Polonia Palace Hotel – 4-star Hotel – Room Price:  €72
• Hotel Rialto – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €70
• The Westin Hotel – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €89
• Sheraton Warsaw Hotel – 5-star Hotel – Room Price:  €113

Photo of the  Warsaw University Library by Jussi-Paavo

Enchanted Traveler likes Fondation Maeght, a beautiful Museum of Modern Art is Saint-Paul de Vence, South of France, featuring works by Chagall, Giacometti, Miro, Leger, Giacometti, and many more 20th century masters. If you are on holiday on the French Riviera, do not miss a visit to this charming, picturesque village. A great day trip from Nice, Cannes or Antibes.

Go Green Travel Green shares several tips for reducing the impact of your travels on climate change such as using public transportation, buying local seasonal food, supporting sustainable businesses and more…

To those of  you who dream of a long-term travel abroad but are not sure to be strong enough to face the challenge, Travel Blissful recommends a new ebook by Anil Polat:  Overcoming the 7 Major Obstacles to Traveling the World.

Have Pack Will Travel shares tips on bartering while traveling.  Check out this blog post if you’re going on holiday in Morocco and planning a visit to the famous souks of Marrakech.

Photo of Lisbon, Portugal, courtesy of Hotel Borges

This string of islands, atolls and coral reefs in the middle of the Indian Ocean can seem like a tourist paradise and the islands have capitalised on this in recent years, with the creation of several tourist enclaves.

This type of tourist destination is not usually to my taste as it caters purely for those who want to lie on a beach in the sun, probably with some kind of terrible book, before returning to the hotel bar in the evening.

However, that is not the only attraction of the islands. They have an interesting, if quite strict, interpretation of Islam which I would like to explore, the people sound open and friendly and the cuisine looks delicious. As with any island chain the food is primarily brought from the sea but the tropical location means that in the Maldives the food can be every colour of the rainbow, freshly caught, lightly cooked and delivered to your plate.

The main attraction of the Maldives, however, is the islands themselves and this is what I really want to see before rising sea levels subsume them forever. The shores of the islands and the lagoons are teeming with abundant and rare aquatic life, the water is warm and clear and it is, in short, a scuba diving paradise.

The greatest attraction of the Maldives is also its most fragile. The islands are now faced with a problem because the influx of tourists in recent years has brought money that can be used for conservation and helped spread awareness of the problem in the western world. However, those same tourists have to fly half way around the world to get to the Maldives and are therefore contributing, through the exhaust fumes of high altitude jets, to one of the worst causes of climate change.

This is why I will probably be unable to visit the Maldives for some time. It is possible to get to the islands by boat but it is a difficult and expensive proposition that I am as yet unable to afford. Visiting the islands to admire their fragile habitats while at the same time contributing to their demise would make me feel uncomfortable but I am prepared to wait until I can make the journey in a more environmentally friendly way.

Photo of storm in the Maldives by David Salvatori

Well, this list relates to nations that take the problem of a warming planet very seriously, rather than just their Politicians moaning about it at Global Summits and never taking any practical action. For “Greenies” out there who really do want to save the planet and yet don’t want to forsake their well-earned holidays, here are a few countries worth considering.

1.  Switzerland

You’d be hard pressed to find a nation that isn’t more internationally envied than Switzerland. Their economic policies, political system, and landscape are absolutely world beating, with a wealthy populace still able to support their traditional way of life. While it is possibly the most expensive country in the world bar none, there are an enormous variety of green resorts and hotels as well as a power system which is around 95% derived from hydroelectricity and nuclear power- impressive considering most countries can’t even seem to get 5% of their energy from sources that aren’t directly from filthy fossil fuels.

2. New Zealand

With the great wealth of natural beauty that New Zealand has as its greatest asset, you can see why the government has put quite a lot of effort in protecting it all. While many of New Zealand’s fascinating creatures such as the Flightless Moa, a 12ft high bird hunted to extinction by the Maori Tribes, have already become extinct, there’s still plenty left to see and discover. Eco-friendly travel options include Wildlife Tours on the South Island at Dunedin, where Penguins, Seals, and Albatross, among others, can be seen and learned about, and just off the coast of the North Island is the idyllic little Waiheke Island, where the Crescent Valley Eco Lodge offers eco-friendly accommodation and restaurants serving locally-grown organic produce for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also offer Mountain Biking, Kayaking, and Snorkelling as activities.

3.  Japan

Konnichiwa! Whilst the vast majority of Japan’s population are crammed into incredibly dense, often quite polluted cities, they have consistently led the way internationally for action to combat climate change (for instance, launching the Kyoto Protocol in 1997, at a time where the thought of a warming planet was relatively unheard of and when SUV’s were more fashionable than Beatles haircuts in the 1960s, if that were even possible), and some of their largest super-corporations, have led the way with a real interest in saving the environment, putting massive research into carbon-neutral technologies. But how does that translate into an eco-friendly holiday? Well, Japan, with its complicated language and culture, can seem inaccessible for the non-Japanese tourist, with information hard to come by. There aren’t a large amount of eco-friendly resorts or hotels advertised per se, but if you visit around mid-March to early April, you’ll be able to see the beautiful cherry blossoms that Japan is so famous for, as well as tours of Japan’s mountains and many of its fascinating shrines and temples.

Photo of recycling logo by Pylon757

Spain, with its culture, beaches and favourable climate has been for years an almost ubiquitous tourist trap. But all is not rosy in the land of España. Much of the southern parts of the country are at considerable risk of desertification, from Almeria all the way to Tarragona. Excessive irrigation, inadequate rainfall, and overgrazing are resulting in an ever larger growing area of sandy wasteland. It’s already got so bad that it’s not even cold enough for birds to migrate to Africa for their summer break, and they’re instead choosing to stay in Spain (really). On a rather miserable plus side, it means that in the future, tourists won’t have to travel as far as North Africa to experience the tranquil charms of the desert.

2. Canada

Canada’s amazing forests and natural parks have long been considered incredible destinations by gap year students and experienced hikers alike. However, the Boreal Forest (a scientific term for forest between temperate forest and tundra) has been disappearing at an alarming rate. The Boreal Forest teems with amazing wildlife, such as the Woodland Caribou, Wolf, Moose, Bald Eagle, and Black Bear, to name a few. Of course, all this will disappear with the forests – additionally, disappearance of the forests will add to more CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, as less CO2 photosynthesis can take place, giving Canada’s environmental problem possibly global consequences.

3. Iceland

Iceland’s melting glaciers are a testament to the fact that beauty in its purest form just doesn’t last. Geysers, Waterfalls, Volcanoes, and nearly every form of fierce natural beauty can be found here, although Global Warming appears to be catching up. That’s not to mock Icelandic efforts at combating it though – major attempts are under way here to study and analyse the causes of climate change and how to control it. One plan several years ago was as ambitious as containing CO2 deposits in basalt rocks which are commonly found in numerous parts of the world, a possible ray of hope. What the more long-term plans are remains to be seen. While it’s an expensive holiday destination, it’s surely worth it while everything’s still relatively unspoilt (don’t forget Reykjavik’s famous nightlife, either).

4. Cuba

The Caribbean Island of Cuba shows little sign of political change, with the communist system still having an iron grip on the country. However, the Obama Presidency’s new foreign policy could well shine through some of the ideological feud that has been going on for half a century, and there have been whispers of dropping America’s long standing trade embargo with Cuba. Of course, while American Influence will probably work wonders for Cuba’s pint-sized economy, it’s probably not going to be very good for their ecology, with Cuba’s history of pristine, sparkling beaches and very low traffic density (due to a desperate lack of refined oil) something that is likely to vanish in the wake of increased greenhouse gases which will inevitably accompany their modernization.

Photo of Almeria, Andalusia, Spain, by Cuellar

Blog Action Day is a global initiative which aims at raising awareness and create discussion about an important issue by inviting the whole blogging community to focus on the same topic on the same day.

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Since the 2009 edition’s topic is climate change, this week we’re sharing links to three of our favorite eco sustainability and environment-related web sites:

• “100 Places To Remember Before They Disappear” lists all the beautiful cities and natural sites in the world that you should visit before  climate change makes them too difficult, or even impossible, to access. The list includes popular tourist destinations such as Battery Park in New York, the wonderful water city of Venice, Italy and Paris, France.  In addition to splendid pictures, the web site has a section dedicated to climate solutions, alternative energy as well as water, heat and energy saving tips and ideas.

• For the fans of sustainable architecture and design, Copenhagen X  organizes guided tours around Copenhagen to get to know the different urban areas and cultural institutions of the Danish capital. Visit their very nice web site to find more information on the different walk and bike tours offered, and check out the ‘Sustainable CPH’ section presenting a series of sustainable urban development projects in Copenhagen.

• TreeHugger.com shares tips on how to reduce people’s harmful impact on the Earth. Visit the web site’s ‘Travel + Nature’ section  to find green travel ideas and information on environmental topics as for example the impact of climate change in the Alps or the top 7 green holiday destinations in Canada.

Its forests and reserves are home to some of the rarest plants, flowers and animals in the world. With dense woodlands, like the Laurissilva Forest, on the one hand and the rocky, arid environment of the Ponta de São Lourenço or the Desertas Islands on the other, this archipelago has a uniquely diverse bio-cultural heritage.

The Levadas or irrigation channels that were started with the earliest occupation of the island are Madeira’s greatest tourist attraction. A vast network of more than thirteen hundred miles of channels with about twenty five miles of the network being tunnels, they bring water and electricity to all the people of the island. Along these snaking channels are also some of the most beautiful walking trails. Together, the natural sites and the manmade Levadas, provide the lover of hikes and trails with the best walking holidays in Madeira.

• Vereda do Areeiro

The Vereda do Areeiro trail links the two highest peak of the island. Starting at Pico de Areeiro and crossing the Central Mountain Massif to reach the Pico Ruivo, a hiker would have to negotiate some steep and comparatively difficult areas of climb. This is the only known place in the world where the Zino’s petrel breeds. More typical Macaronesian islands birds, like the Madeira Rock Sparrow and the Firecrest can also be seen here. A high-altitude heath, the trail is also home to several plants that are native to the Madeira Islands such as the Rock Orchid and the Madeira Violet. Closer to the end of the trail at Pico Ruivo is the natural basal rock formation known as the Standing Man.

• Levadas das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco

Levadas das 25 Fontes and Levada do Risco are parallel trails, though at different levels. Both offer a spectacular water views. Levada do Risco, at thousand meters above sea level, is a challenging hike. It reveals a magnificent waterfall which creates a ridge in the rock as it falls horizontally. Levadas das 25 Fontes is the lower trail. It ends at a lagoon that seems to appear magically from behind a rock wall. The upper trail has mostly moorland vegetation including Madeiran Whortleberry while lower down is the much rarer Mountain Mocano. This trail is also the nesting place of the Trocaz pigeon, exclusive to the Madeira Island.

• Levada dos Cedros

Levada dos Cedros is an easier trail and originates on the only plateau in Madeira. It crosses a small volcanic hollow of Fanal which has been deemed an Area of Rest and Peace. Passing through the primitive Laurissilva Forest, this trail encounters several endemic trees in their full splendor.

Madeira celebrates its gorgeous trails climbing up the mountains and going down to the sea with the Madeira Walking Festival. Waterfalls and lakes that seem to appear out of no where, exotic plants and flowers that gather around the channels, and rare avian and marine life make a walking holiday in Madeira an unforgettable experience.

Where to stay in Madeira

• Hotel Estalagem do Vale, São Vicente
• Bed and Breakfast Os Manos, Santana
• Hotel Moniz Sol, Porto Moniz

Photo of Pico Ruivo mountain trail in Madeira, Portugal, by Watz

Travel On The Dollar lists the 5 most pet-friendly airlines of 2009 according to Petfinder.com. The five air companies are United Airlines,  American Airlines, which specializes in transporting zoo animals, the budget-friendly Aitran, JetBlue Airways, which offers full-service for pets, and Continental, which has a Pet Safe program .

Wild Life Photography

Visit Wild Wonders of Europe and take a look at the website’s photo galleries  including pictures of Pollino National Park, Italy, images of tulips and orchards in Crete, Greece, and shots of Avocets flying over the island of Texel, Netherlands

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Top 10 US Aquariums to Visit on a Family Break

The Q Family Adventure Travel Blog reviews 10 fun aquariums for a family trip. The list includes the Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta GA,  National Aquarium Baltimore, Baltimore MD, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey CA, The Florida Aquarium, Tampa Bay FL, New England Aquarium, Boston MA, Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach CA, and more children-friendly aquariums in the US .

Paris Movie Locations

Want to go set-jetting in Paris? Visit Gridskipper and take a film location tours in the French capital including the Pont Neuf, the Louvre Museum, the Canal St Martin and more Parisian landmarks.  And if you are looking for more film sets in Paris, take a look at the luxury Hotel Meurice which seems to be director’s favorite hotel to shoot a romantic movie.

The Feast of Saint Rosalia: Palermo, 15 July

If you are in Palermo, Sicily, next week, do not miss the picturesque Festino of Santa Rosalia. For more information on this traditional event, visit Italy Mag and watch a video of  the celebrations, procession and fireworks display.

Photo of puppy dog at airport security line by - POD -

This UNESCO World Natural Heritage location has everything from the ocean to waterfalls and mountain springs, from golden sand beaches to black sand and pebble beaches, from the densest of forests to the most arid landscape, and mountains to volcanic hollows and sea shore. Home to several rare flora and fauna species, Madeira is one of the most sought after eco-tourism destinations. While walking and hiking are generally more popular ways of exploring the region, giving the tourist ample opportunity to pause and see Mother Nature up close, there is much for the more adventurous too. Madeira’s thrill rides via helicopter, cable car, toboggan and hot air balloon are great ways of catching breathtaking views of this island paradise.

Madeira Helicopter Tours

Every tourist agency in Madeira offers a helicopter ride. It is probably the best way to catch a bird’s eye view of this region. Viewed at their actual scale, the magnificence of the rocky terrain often descending steeply to the coast becomes more evident. A helicopter ride over Funchal, Madeira’s capital city is a great way to see the fabulous port of Funchal. The merging of the blue of the ocean and the green of the mountains is best seen from a helicopter. This helicopter tour also reveals the evolution of Madeiran architecture in the city. Other tours include a flight to the Porto Santo Island and either a semi or complete island tour.

Funchal Cable Car

The steam engine puffing its way up from Funchal has disappeared. In its place is the most modern of cable cars that allow a tourist to glide over this extraordinary island, just high enough to feel like flying and yet low enough that the abundant nature below seems within touching distance. This fifteen minute ride starts at the Almirante Reis Park and ends at the Monte Station near Monte Palace Tropical Garden. As the cable car moves the scenery changes from the urban landscape of the Old Town and the seaside city to the green vegetation of the mountain side with the azure ocean in the background.

Funchal Toboggan  Ride

If the slow ride up the mountain is nice and all, but not your style, why not try the Toboggan ride down from Monte to Funchal. Reaching speeds of almost fifty kilometers per hour, the journey in a wicker sledge is safe but heart pounding. Narrow winding streets whiz past as this ten minute ride comes to its end in the capital city.

Hot Air Ballooning in Madeira

Rise up to a hundred and fifty meters and be suspended above the most beautiful landscape possible in a slow moving hot air balloon for another panoramic view of the bay, the city and the surrounding mountains.

Whether high up in the air or midway between land and sky or kissing the ground at breakneck speed Madeira’s thrill rides via helicopter, cable car, toboggan and hot air balloon will make every tourist’s trip here unforgettable.

Located in the north western region of the country this rural area stretches around thirty four miles across. Numerous eras of glaciations has created this unique geography that has been immortalized in the poems of the Lake Poets, the most famous of whom were William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and Robert Southey. U-shaped valleys that were carved by ice are now lakes bordered by mountains. Its beauty had attracted visitors for ever but organized tourism really began with A Guide to the Lakes by Father Thomas West that was published in 1778 where the Father lists vista points that best showcased the landscape. William Wordsworth’s Guide to the Lakes [later editions were called A Guide through the District of the Lakes in the North of England] published a little more than three decades later made the region even more popular.

Official estimation is that about fourteen million visitors visit the Lake District of England every year, so much so that tourism has become the main contributor to the local economy. The most used guide today, however, is Alfred Wainwright’s Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells. There is an unofficial competition among tourists to see who manages to visit the complete list mentioned in Wainwright’s guide. Everywhere you look it is like a living picture postcard. Scenic beauty, abundant and extraordinary wildlife, a rich cultural heritage and numerous small towns are all reasons why the Lake District is the most visited tourist site in the country.

Scenic beauty

A mix of lakes, mountains, forests, woodlands, and farms give this region a diverse landscape. Each valley, with its own distinct visual, has its own unique way of making the tourist’s trip memorable. The Lake District National Park is the largest National Park in England. It includes England’s highest point which is the Scafell Pike mountain and the country’s deepest point in Westwater Lake. Because of its geography the National Park, and in fact the whole Lake District, is high in humidity. This encourages the growth of Atlantic mosses, ferns and lichen. The green of the pastures here is unmatchable. The hills mirrored in the stillness of the lake waters are a sight to behold. The National Park not only has enough to please the eyes but it has so much for the thrill seeker in the tourists. There are great opportunities for trekking and mountaineering. A plethora of guides offer mapped routes through the district along with an elaborate web of public rights of way. The more adventurous tourist can, with unrestricted access to the forests and fells, make their own expeditions. A swim in the lakes isn’t off the list of things to do either. If a dip is not on your cards, how about sailing or fishing? Windermere Lake Steamer rides have become one of the most popular charged rides in England. Dunnerdale or Duddon Valley in the Lake District National Park was Wordsworth’s favorite place.

Flora and Fauna

The Lake District is home to some species which are not found anywhere else in England. The red squirrel, an omnivorous tree rodent, is common here, in spite of its decreasing numbers all over England. Sundew and Butterworth are two carnivorous plants that exist in large colonies here. The Vendace, the Schelly and the Arctic Charr are three species of fish that are on the rare and endangered list. Limestone pavements, mires, lakeshore wetlands, estuaries and dunes are all key habitats.

Cultural Tourism

With so many artists and littérateurs enthralled with the Lake District cultural tourism is the new trend here. People come to visit the place that strengthened Wordsorth’s Nature philosophy, his idea of the one spirit running through man, nature and God. The daffodils blooming on the shores of the lake Ullswater inspired his famous ‘I wandered lonely as a cloud’. The poet’s childhood home in Penrith and his last resting place in the Grasmere churchyard are both important stops in the tourist’s route. Coleridge’s son is also buried nearby. John Ruskin spent his last years in a home in Brantwood. Beatrix Potter lived at Hill Top Farm and used her home and its surroundings as the setting for her famous children’s books, the Peter Rabbit series. Some theories even suggest that the Arthurian legends’ Grail kingdom of Listeneise was also actually the Lake District.

Towns in the Lake District

It isn’t just the mountains and lakes and fells, the quaint little towns in the Lake District of England are great tourist attractions too. Ambleside has some great place to stay in and eat at. Appleby is a great base for a trip to the Eden Valley. The Bewcastle Cross in Bewcastle is a seventh century artifact. Bowness was a site of the Roman army camp and is closest to Hadrian’s Wall’s western end. Keswick with some of the most beautiful landscapes in the whole district is called the Queen of the Lake District. Kendal is often referred to as the Gateway to the Lake District. An ancient market town, Kendal is located in the heart of Cumbria and has several attractions like the Church of Holy Trinity from the thirteenth century and the twelfth century Kendal Castle ruins. With a charming downtown that has shops, restaurants and pubs and also important museums of the Lake District, Kendal is the ideal vacation spot for the wearied tourist.

So whether you are looking for history or literature or just heavenly peace and quiet, this is your place to be.

Photo of Wastwater Lake, Cumbria, UK, by Ennor

Macaronesia refers to the bio-geographical region off the coasts of Europe and Africa and includes five archipelagoes, three of which belong to Portugal. The term ‘macaronesia’ comes from Greek and means ‘fortunate islands’ and the exotic nature reserves in Madeira are enough proof of the aptness of the name. The combination of Mediterranean and tropical climates combined with the ocean creates the ideal environment for some stunning bio-diversity. As a result Madeira and its islands are a hot destination for Eco-tourism the whole year round. To preserve this primitive nature in its original form the Madeira Islands declared five of its regions to be Natural Reserves: the Nature Reserves of the islands of Desertas and Selvagens, the Ponta de São Lourenço, Garajau Reserves and the Reserve of Rocha do Navio.

Madeira Flora

Much of the forest land in Madeira dates back to the Tertiary Era which makes it the only region in the world to still have extant samples of the ancient forest that, pre-Ice Age, covered most of the European continent. Madeira’s single greatest tourist attraction is the Laurissilva Forest. Considered a living relic, the Laurissilva forest spreads out over fifteen thousand hectares. Home to gigantic trees like the Til (scientific name-Ocotea foetens) and Laurel Tree (Laurus azorica) and minuscule mosses the forest displays a diverse plethora of plant life. Its extraordinary mosaic of plants and flowers offers the tourist the chance to see rare trees like the Brazilian Mahogany and flowers like Birds of Paradise, Azaleas and Anthuriums.

Situated up to thirteen hundred meters above sea level at its highest point to only three hundred meters above sea level at its lowest on the coastal strip of the island, the trees of the Laurissilva forest play an important role in soil conservation. Because of all these reasons the forest has been deemed a Total Preservation Area. Several parks and gardens add to the natural beauty of the region. The Ponta de São Lourenço is one of the last places in the world where Mother Nature has been the sole decorator. The arid climates of the eastern peninsula allows for little more than thistles and Agave plants and yet these flowering bushes combined with the varying colors of the volcanic rocks make this a precious natural landscape.

Madeira Fauna

Rare birds like the long toed pigeon, the Madeira Freira petrel and the Zino’s petrel can be seen in the Laurissilva forest. The stony Desertas Islands have been declared a Nature Reserve for the colony of Monk Seals that inhabit its beaches. The Reserve of Rocha do Navio is a great place to see some great marine fauna. The Selvagens islands offer the perfect nesting environment for several species of marine birds.

The exotic nature reserves in Madeira are not just natural reserves but a bio-cultural heritage that must be preserved for all humanity, present and future.

Photo of flowers in Madeira, Portugal, by Paul-W

And while the process of buying and selling back your bicycle from a shop can be a hassle if you don’t speak the language, it is well worth the freedom and romance you’ll feel whizzing around the Arc de Triomphe or under a canopy of poplars in the Bois du Boulogne on two wheels.There are some streets you’ll want to avoid and certain hilly areas of Paris you may or may not be able to climb depending on your fitness level. These five tips will help you stay out of accidents and find the true Zen of bike riding in Paris.

Tip #1: Learn some useful phrases…

Or at least learn how to say some numbers in French. In my experience, most bike shop owners will give you a fair deal and be upfront about the condition of the bike. But very few will be willing to speak in English to you. I had an experience once where the shop owner, when I returned to sell back the bike two weeks later, pretended not to know me or remember the deal he promised. Once I stopped speaking English and addressed him in my basic French, his memory instantly improved. You don’t have to know a lot, just enough to show them you’re not a naïve American or Brit.

Tip #2: Avoid the following streets and Arrondissements…

Arrondissement means neighborhood in French. Some of them are perfectly conducive to a quiet, peaceful ride, but some of them are like something about of Indiana Jones. The Latin Quarter is tempting, but the narrow streets are usually very crowded with pedestrians and outdoor diners. You don’t want to end up with your head in a bowl of French onion soup. Instead, try a ride through the nearby Odeon district in the streets between the Seine and the Boulevard Saint-Germain. They are relatively level and residential, so you can just enjoy the architecture and feel like you’re in an old movie.

The Quai des Tuileries and the Rue de Rivoli, both on either side of the Louvre, are also straight, level and tree-lined. If you’re in a daring mood, go around the circular streets of the Arc de Triomphe in the Place de Charles de Gaulle and head west down the Avenue Foch to the Bois du Boulogne, to ride through the trails in the forest.

Stay away from the Boulevard Saint-Michel and the Luxembourg gardens. There are too many bus lanes. Montmartre would also be a bad idea, as well as anywhere south of the Trocadero or the Rue de Passy in the 16th arrondissement. The inclines are incredibly steep.

Tip #3: Buy a pair of gloves.

The most common problem that occurs as you’re riding your bike through town is the chain will fall of the chainring. It’s usually a cinch to put back on, but because the chain is covered in grease, you’ll be left with blackened hands and get stares if you go to a café or museum looking soiled. Stuff some gloves in a satchel or backpack and you’ll keep your hands clean and free from injury when a bike malfunction does arise.

Tip #4: Buy a bike with a basket and horn.

Yes, you will look like an old lady, but it truly does come in handy. Unless you plan on racing in the Tour de France, a clunky bike with wide tires and a sturdy frame will pose the least amount of problems and has less of a chance of being stolen when you lock it up outside.

Tip #5: Rubber band the cuff of your pant legs.

If you’re wearing nice pants, the last thing you want is for the cuff to get stuck in the chainring or petal mechanism and tear. That’s why I recommend putting a rubber band around your lower leg or ankle to keep your clothes clean and prevent an accident. You want to get places on your bike, but you don’t want to arrive looking like a homeless person. So keep your trips light, don’t get too sweaty, and, of course, check the weather report. You’ll do just fine.

Photo of Eiffel Tower, Paris, France by Jeff Weston

Paris Food Culture

BootsnAll Travel takes you to a foodie tour of Paris with stops at the Rungis fresh food market, the 200-year-old Au Grand Richelieu bakery, and the Hidden Kitchen underground restaurant.

Hotel Room of the Future

The Sydney Morning Herald presents room number 1014 at the Pullman Paris Bercy Hotel.  Designed by Natasha Froger, this concept hotel room features special key card, mobile phone entry, floating TV set, 3D fabric, see-through shower and more ultra modern amenities.

Paris Hotel for Chocolate Lovers

Hoosta Magazine reviews the Hotel du Cadran. Located in the very heart of Paris, a few steps from the Eiffel Tower, this design hotel boasts a zen-like ambiance and offers a chocolate bar where guests can sample yummy chocolates and desserts.

Eco Shopping Tour

The green friendly Hotel Gavarni recommends taking a Paris eco-chic shopping tour that will make you discover trendy clothing stores, accessories and green cosmetics.

Design Metro Station

On Eye Prefer Paris, see  pictures of the brand new Evry underground station by Richard Nahem, who discovered this design and very colorful Paris RER train station during a visit to the Cathedral of the Resurrection.

Photo of French baguettes in Paris by ….antonio….

Go by plane, train, or coach – not car or boat

Because of all the protests at Airports in the UK recently, many people have got the impression that haring all over the place by cruise liner or green hire car will somehow lower their emission in comparison to flying by plane. While it’s true that airliners don’t do our planet much good, well, neither does any other form of travel particularly, unless you wish to traipse around on a donkey like some ancient prophet. Trains are also fairly emission-low nowadays, what with there being more and more electric ones (and the electricity being generated by greener methods in keeping with the EU’s plan to lower carbon emissions drastically) – so there’s hope!

Only go to local restaurants with locally sourced ingredients – save food miles

You’ve often have to pay a bit more compared to if you just decided to waltz into the local McDonald’s and order a McBoring with Fries, but think of the variety, surprise (hopefully a surprise of the more pleasant variety) that you have coming to you with visiting local, family-run joints that use ingredients sourced from local farms. Not only will you have more fun this way but you’ll also be saving the planet too – most foreign chains use foreign ingredients which have been flown all over the place with planes belching CO2 in the manner of a baby after a meal. Just because you’ve flown yourself to a country doesn’t mean you have to take all your ingredients with you.

Don’t print out your holiday snaps

I don’t know the statistics but I’d hazard a guess that increasingly large numbers of photographs are taken on holiday in the aim of having for a keepsake and sweet little memories to remember but as is often in life, it’s best just to enjoy things as they happen rather than storing up a virtual data bank of every single little moment. But if you are an avid photographer, then save paper by only printing the very best shots out – there’s increasingly less and less need for hard copies as the human race shifts further and further into the digital age. You could also consider investing in a digital photo frame – there are now many low-cost models on the market, and although they’re distinctly gimmicky, you may find it a blessing in convenience.

Turn off and unplug everything before you leave home

Unexciting, yes, but you’d be surprised at how much energy the television and microwave use while on stand-by – there have even been calls in the last few years in the UK to ban the stand-by mode on devices, some take it so seriously. Also remember to turn off any radiators/air-conditioning but ask a friendly neighbour to come round shortly before you get back and power them on again, if it’s in the depths of winter or the pinnacle of summer. Uninteresting but useful.

Enjoy your (green) travels!

Photo of bike wheel and green grass by Vali…

Yes, so we’ve got city tours, beach tours, river tours, cruises, gastronomical holidays (which just means “culturally-based eating” by the way), but what about occupations for one of mankind’s most forgotten parts, his humble legs? Hiking is not only healthy and great for physique, it’s rewarding, exciting, and is almost (provided you don’t stumble off the edge of a craggy rock face) guaranteed to make you live longer, and can be both romantic (lots of “alone time” and forced companionship) and is a great way to shift that flab you’ve been building up – not to mention the fact that it’s pretty cheap as well, convenient for these times of the new depression. You don’t have to bother with so many hotels, tours, restaurants and the like – a bottle of water and some pre-packed sandwiches should be enough to see you climbing every mountain and fording every stream.

So here are some of Europe’s best Hikes:

Tuscany, Italy

Beautiful part of Italy where man and nature co-exist more naturally than osmosis (excuse the lame metaphor) – hills, castles, and farms, with a lovely warm climate, mules, peasants, sunflower fields, world- famous wines, amazing food (gastronomy, I hear you mutter? not at all), what’s not to like?

Tirol, Austria

Ski-Resort in Winter, Walking place in Summer, Austria is highly recommended – this isn’t the first time I’ve sung its praises, and won’t be the last. Despite often being rather humid and sticky in summer, accommodation is not only incredibly cheap but also rather charming, most often being of the Chalet-type with Mountains to gaze at either side when you’re not trying to dash up them. Austria is both magical and slightly unreal – Food’s very expensive here by the way – you’ll really have to pack your sandwiches or risk jeopardizing the Children’s inheritance.

Meteora, Greece

Meteora is an absolutely remarkable part of Greece where, quite simply, there are enormous chunks of rock on top of which monasteries are built upon – originally 20 of them, but only six remain today. Meteora is Greek for “in the heavens above”, and upon seeing these giant fingers of rock, it’s easy to see why. What’s fascinating is that originally the only access to these lofty monasteries was up several ladders lashed together – partly due to theological issues at the time which have thankfully been overhauled with steps cut into the rock during the 1920’s, which probably saved a fair few lives. Fascinating, eh?

Argyll, Scotland

Argyll is a secluded (don’t read as desolate), peaceful county in the west of Scotland. There is fantastic scenery and an amazing view of the strangely titled Loch Eck. It’s considered fairly easy stuff, compared to other hikes, with even octogenarians reportedly pottering about around up there. Also, it’s not too isolated to stumble upon a wee little pub to enjoy a well-earned glass of scotch whiskey at the end of your day.

Thanks for reading and enjoy your travels!

Photo of people hiking in Tuscany, Italy by pinkcanoe

Holiday in the South of France

Europeupclose.com takes you to Narbonne and Carcassonne, two beautiful cities located in France’s Cathar Country. Recommended places include the Chateau de la Peyrepertuse, the Abbaye de Fontfroide, the luxury Hotel de la Cité, and many more wonderful sights.

Hot Beach Spots

Looking for cliff diving and bikini shopping tips? Watch the Bridget’s Sexiest Beaches TV show on Travel Channel. Sexy blond  Bridget Marquardt makes you discover the most beautiful beaches in the world. Next episode on Thurday 19th: Destination Croatia.

Spring Break Trip

Treehugger.com lists 7 green spring break ideas including organic farming and volunteering in rural areas from Turkey to Brazil to Australia. Other eco-friendly places and ideas listed in this travel blog post are Ard Nahoo Eco Cabins in Ireland, Ecocamp in Chile, Guludo Beach Resort in Mozambique, and The Earthwatch Expedition in Canada.

Holiday Nightmares

Looking for a hotel in London? Visit The Telegraph and read an article about the comeback of bedbugs in UK hotel rooms.

Planning a trip to New Zealand? Madtravelmag.com gives useful tips on how to avoid being bitten by sandflies.

Photo of swimming pool area courtesy of Hotel de la Cité, Carcassonne, France. 

How can you travel greener? Here are several easy ways:

1. Choose greener modes of transportation.

Walk, cycle and take the train or bus – they’re the most environmentally-friendly modes of transportation. If you travel by car, rent a hybrid car to reduce your environmental footprint. For longer distance travel by plane, you can purchase carbon offset credits or look for companies which offer them.

2. Reuse hotel towels and bedding.

Every year, around the world, hotels spend enormous amounts of energy and water to daily change and wash towels and bedding. More hotels are adopting environmental programs including reusing towels and bedding. Ask when you check-in at your hotel and offer to reuse them.

3. Support the local community and culture.

There are many simple ways to support the local economy and culture where you’re visiting while reducing your environmental footprint. Dine at locally-owned restaurants which serve local foods and employ local residents. Buy handmade souvenirs by local artisans.

4. Recycle, reduce and reuse on-the-road.

Wherever possible, think about recycling, reducing and reusing while traveling. Many hotels and airports have installed recycling stations for food and beverage packaging so take time to recycle. After finishing reading newspapers, magazines and books, you can give them to fellow travelers or donate them to local libraries or your hotel.

5. Bring your own reusable water bottle.

If you can, bring your own reusable water bottle instead of buying plastic water bottles. Stainless steel SIGG bottles are excellent and stylish additions to your travel accessories.

Photo of Chicago Airport by Idle Type

Carnival Holiday: Want to enjoy the Carnival Season in Sicily? About.com suggests some February festivals including the Carnival of Acireale, Saint Agatha’s feast day in Catania and the Almond Blossom Fair in Agrigento.

Air Travel: Treehugger lists the ‘most popular airline routes that shouldn’t be’.  Amongst this list of 20 unnecessary flight routes issued by Globalization and World Cities Research Network are Marseille – Paris, Rome – Milan and Amsterdam – London, all served by high-speed rail.

Green Travel: On Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site, read an interesting article entitled “Is Eco-Tourism Really Eco-Friendly?”

Solo Travel: Fearless.com gives great tips on how to face your fears when traveling solo.

In terms of recycling, the home of Gaudí is up there with the very best, meaning you will be able to stick to your principles whilst having a great time.

• Recycling Bins

Wherever you head to in Barcelona, whether you want to make a trip to the Nou Camp, check out the La Sagrada Família or just relax on the beaches, you will spot distinctive recycling bins all over the city. In fact, the City Council has managed to get over 7,000 of these appearing all over the place so that you are never far from your nearest recycling point.

They come in three colors: yellow, green and blue, one of which is for plastic, one for cardboard and one for glass. They are all clearly labeled so there should not be any confusion as to which is which, and they work in the same way as they would anywhere else.

• Recycling Bags

But the Barcelona authorities have not stopped here. Not convinced that the recycling bins would inspire people to recycle enough, they have dished out corresponding colored bags to homes across the capital which can be filled out by the occupants and then taken to the bins. It’s all about making the process as easy as possible, and the signs seem to suggest that it’s working.

Back in 2006, over a third of the total waste in the city was recycled, a fantastic figure that suggests things are really on the up. So if you care about the environment, why not head to Barcelona for a holiday and show your support for their efforts.

Photo of recycling bins in Barcelona, Spain originally posted by maych