Best Ethical Travel Destinations

by Dave (Blogsmith Old) on

While on the subject of responsible travel, I want to be sure to mention the fascinating report released this week by the Ethical Traveler. Executive Director Jeff Greenwald worked with Stanford University researchers to compile the World’s Best Ethical Travel Destinations. The thirteen names that appear on the list ranked high in each of three categories reviewed by the team: ecotourism practices, environmental standards, and social development indicators.

The report starts off by clarifying its interpretation of the terms “ecotravel” versus “ethical travel”, which is helpful to understand before diving into the details of their findings. Thankfully, the results are presented in clear and simple language, providing thoughtful reasons why they think these are the best places for Americans to visit. The big winner here was Latin America: eight developing countries from the region make the list. I was delighted to see two European nations – Croatia and Slovenia – mentioned too. I’m already excited about spending time visiting each of these countries next spring, and will now pay special attention to how I can best respect the natural habitat and people of these countries while traveling through them.

The Glory of Carniola

by Dave (Blogsmith Old) on

I’m especially excited about visiting Slovenia next year when I’m backpacking through Europe. For some unexplainable reason I’m really drawn to this tiny European nation. Maybe because it borders Italy, where all my ancestors are from? Or because I just keep reading such great things about it. So I’ve started to gather bookmarks, links and blogs to learn more. My favorite resource so far is Michael Manske’s blog, The Glory of Carniola. Michael has lived in Slovenia since 2001 and provides daily glimpses of life in Slovenia on his blog. He just wrote a short piece for the San Diego Reader that tells more about his background, plus sheds light on the never-ending confusion between Slovenia and Slovakia. Great place to learn more and fun to read along.

Cycling Laos

by Dave (Blogsmith Old) on

Last night over dinner a friend and I discussed which types of travel adventure trips we would and would not do. He mentioned that he had just read about a group who did a 19-day cycling trip through northwest Laos. We both agreed that this might not be the adventure we’d choose (having limited biking experience), but it sure is fascinating to read about others who have done it. The craziest thing is that one of the four men who went on this tour with Virginia-based Far And Away Cycling only bought a bike two weeks before the trip! But all ten participants biked the 500 total miles, and seemed to have a ball while doing it. The company’s Lost in Time tour of Laos runs again in December 2005 and February 2006. Price is about $1,000, not including airfare. They also run cycling tours in Spain, Slovenia and Corsica.

Eurail Announces New Options for 2006

by Dave (Blogsmith Old) on

For the first time ever, the company will introduce a single-country pass, the Eurail National Rail Pass. Travelers can choose to explore one country from three to 10 travel days (within one month or two) for these nine countries: Finland, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain or Sweden.

Another expanded offering is for the existing Eurail Regional Pass, with seven new combinations to choose from: Austria-Czech Republic, Austria-Switzerland, France-Benelux, France-Germany, France-Switzerland, Germany-Austria and Germany-Switzerland.

Finally, the Eurailpass will now be valid in 18 countries with the addition of Romania in 2006. The complete list includes: Austria (including Liechtenstein), Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France (including Monaco), Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Ireland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland. (The Eurail Selectpass is also valid in Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia & Montenegro and Slovenia.)

As a reminder, don’t forget to check out the bonuses available to rail riders, including discounts on boat crossings, rental cars and a free map when you buy tickets. All these new options will be available for purchase beginning January 1, 2006.

Ljubljana’s Old-Style Euro Appeal

by Erik Olsen on

It’s already been heralded as the new Prague, the place where American expatriates can go to leave behind the trappings of the modern world and find a place resembling Paris in the 20s and Prague in the 80s, where artists and writers congregate at coffee houses and the spirit of old Europe still permeates the air. Ljubljana is the capital of Slovenia, the newish little East European country at the foothills of the Alps that is becoming the must-see city of Europe. In other words, get there before the tourist hordes ruin it.

According to this New York Times piece, Ljubljana’s exposure exploded in 2004 when Slovenia was admitted to the European Union and several budget airlines began flying here, making it an easy weekend trip for travelers weary of Paris or London or Prague, and looking for places their Euros would go a little farther. It is, I am told by a friend who was there recently, and who lived in Prague in the early 90s, a truly wonderful little place. The NYT piece is definitely bullish on it, saying the city “has enough genuine charm to withstand” all the exposure its getting.