REI delivers new adventures for 2011

by Kraig Becker on

REI Adventures, the travel arm of the popular outdoor gear retailer, has announced a number of new adventure travel offerings for 2011, opening up a host of new destinations and exotic locations.

The company has offered a wide variety of adventure experiences in the past, allowing travelers to trek, backpack, and cruise their way to remote corners of the globe. But new for this year are ten cycling adventures, allowing the active traveler an opportunity to see some amazing places while on the back of a bike. Amongst those trips are a 12 day journey from Saigon to Angkor Wat and a six day ride that challenges riders to conquer the slopes of the Pyrenees in France.

Other new offerings include two Alaskan cruises to go whale watching along the Eastern and Western Coves, a seven day backpacking trip through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, and a four day bike ride through Death Valley. REI has also added a new trek through the Himalaya with a lodge to lodge hike to Mt. Everest that is about as luxurious as you can get in the Khumbu Valley.

With these new offerings, REI Adventures now has more than 140 different trips in their catalog, with adventures on each of the seven continents. As you might expect from REI, their travel philosophy is an environmentally friendly one, offering up trips that are carbon neutral. They also take sustainability very seriously, patronizing local guides, lodges, and restaurants when ever possible.

Each of these new trips is ready to book now, with plenty of departures available through 2011. It’s never too early to start thinking about your 2011 travel plans.

Wanderfly.com beta invites for Gadling readers

by Meg Nesterov on


We hate to break it to you, but there’s only a week left in summer. Why not get a jump on planning your fall and winter travel? Wanderfly, the new travel-planning and booking site we reviewed earlier this month has just unveiled a spiffy new beta site and is offering free invites to check it out to the first 500 Gadling readers to sign up.

What’s new and improved on the beta site?

– The search functions have improved: you can search by airport, and within specific countries. You can also modify your preferences as you browse results should you decide you want to add the great outdoors to your beach and culture vacation or want to move your trip forward a month.
-Results are better too, with more accurate recommendations and enhanced destination info, including new photos and Google Maps integration.
– Better communication and sharing with Facebook Connect to see where your friends are and ability to save and email itineraries to friends or to yourself.

Want to start searching for your next trip destination? Sign up for access here with code gadling and let us know what you find in the comments!

Real-life “Mary Poppins” takes over at London’s Athenaeum hotel

by Melanie Nayer on

A nationwide search for Britain’s best nannies resulted in three real-life Mary Poppins-like ladies who are now available to watch your little ones next time you’re in London.

The Athenaeum, hailed as one of London’s most family-friendly five-star hotels, went in search of the best nannies. A panel consisting of the hotel’s Kids Concierge, six-year-old and 10-year old, and actress Lynda Bellingham, star of “Calendar Girls” interviewed all the nannies and choose three who fit the job description: “Must be fun, creative and caring; practically perfect in every way!”

Now through September, the Athenaeum’s three “Fabulous Nannies” will look after and entertain the children of guests on weekends and evenings, leaving the parents free to enjoy London on adult terms. The hotel is offering up to three hours of complimentary nanny services for guests with the Family Fun Package through Sept. 30, 2010, that starts at $450 for a Deluxe Room, $799 for a Suite, with a three-night minimum. A second room or suite of the same type is offered at a 50 percent discount. Also included:

  • Daily full English Breakfast for two
  • Complimentary meals for children under 12
  • Picnic lunch for the family
  • Free Babysitting (three hours)
  • Complimentary transfer from any London airport
  • Complimentary snacks and soft drinks from the mini bar
  • Complimentary Wi-Fi

The only thing cooler than taking the kids to London is letting them play with Mary Poppins! If the kids start telling tales of tea parties on the ceiling or jumping across chimneys, it’s OK to believe them…

Costa Rica Marriotts celebrate non-stop flights from New York with $101 rates

by Melanie Nayer on

Marriott Hotels and Resorts of Costa Rica found a way to celebrate the tri-state New York area. Residents of New York, Connecticut or New Jersey can stay at any of the participating Marriott Costa Rica hotels starting at $101 a night through Dec. 31, 2010. Why? Because they like you, and because Marriott is celebrating the recent launch of American Airlines’ direct flights to San Jose from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Those of you looking for deals to Costa Rica will save up to 40 percent off room rates under the “Residents Rate” promotion (code: N9R).

Guests will receive deluxe accommodations for two at Los Suenos Marriott and Costa Rica Marriott (both 5-star hotels) and at the Courtyard by Marriott San Jose Escazu. Los Suenos Marriott stays ($101/night) include free use of the free-form pool with private coves and water activity areas as well as lighted tennis courts and fitness center. Those staying at the Costa Rica Marriott ($119/night) will get complimentary use of the two outdoor pools and a whirlpool, three tennis courts, nature trails, and fitness center. Stay at The Residence Inn by Marriott San Jose Escazu ($112/night) and you’ll enjoy a Studio Suite with a fully equipped kitchen and separate living area, complimentary high speed internet, complimentary grocery shopping service, complimentary laundry service, complimentary breakfast, and complimentary use of the full-service business center.

If you need help deciding which Marriott to chose it’s helpful to know that both Los Suenos and Costa Rica Marriott have brand new luxury spas and the Marriott Los Suenos also has a golf-course located in the Costa Rica rainforest.

Visit a baby sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica

by Meg Nesterov on


It’s been a long week, take a few minutes to enjoy some cuteness. Sloths may not typically come to mind as a cute animal, but I’m sure after you watch this video, you’ll come around. I first saw a sloth at the New York Times Travel Show (part of a Busch Gardens exhibition) and immediately fell in love with their cuddly, sleepy, smiley oddness. This video was taken at the Aviarios Del Caribe sloth sanctuary in Costa Rica, home to over 100 sloths and managed by sloth “whisperer” Judy Arroyo, who probably never complains about a long day at the office.

Visit the sloths up close in Costa Rica near San Jose; the $25 tour includes a canoe ride through the Estrella River Delta and optional jungle walks. There’s even a hotel on site if you want to sleep with the sloths (you’d think with all the sleeping sloths do, there’d be a pillow menu)! If you want to help support the sloth cause further, there’s an adoption and volunteer program.

Need more animals to get you through Friday? Enjoy Lonely Planet editor and Gadling favorite Robert Reid’s take on animals who travel; I’ll nominate the sloth for “slow travel.”