Summer Hotspot: Hawaii’s Big Island

by Elizabeth Seward on

With summer temperatures that rarely climb over 90 degrees and just as infrequently drop below 70 degrees, Hawaii’s Big Island is an automatic summer hotspot in terms of climate. But aside from the perfect weather, the Big Island brings plenty more to your vacation experience for summer 2012. There’s a lot to explore on the Big Island. Volcanoes, waterfalls, various shades of sandy beaches, trails and numerous other outdoor activities make the Big Island a big win for nature lovers. With increased flights for 2012 from the Continental US to Kona, it’s now easier than ever to get there. Alaska & Hawaiian Airlines began daily non-stop service from San Jose and Oakland, California to Kona.

The Big Island is the biggest island within the Hawaiian Islands. Spanning 4,028 square miles, The Big Island, formally referred to as Hawaii Island, is bigger than all of the other Hawaiian islands combined. Home of five volcanoes, this island is the go-to spot if you want to see lava in action. Waterfalls are abundant and beach sand comes in white, black, green, gray and several shades in between. Adventurers flock to the island for hiking, biking, backpacking, camping, surfing and snorkeling (and these activities are just the beginning of a long list).

Other summer 2012 incentives for visiting the Big Island:

Summer Hotspot: Havana, Cuba

by Jessica Marati on

Havana‘s crumbling mansions, cobblestoned streets and vibrant salsa beats have long been a mystery to Americans kept off Cuba‘s shores by historic trade bans.

But in the past year, travel to Cuba has become much easier, starting with the lifting of certain restrictions by the Obama administration last January. That move was followed in April by a new set of Treasury Department guidelines, which makes travel easier for journalists, religious and educational groups and people-to-people exchanges. And now, even non-affiliated Americans can visit Cuba through new authorized tours from companies like National Geographic Expeditions and Friendly Planet Travel.

But with the loosened restrictions come the traveler’s fear that Cuba’s unique atmosphere will become distilled (read: ruined) with the inevitable onslaught of American tourists. If the Havana you envision doesn’t include a McDonald’s in the Plaza des Armas, this summer is the time to plan a visit. And with new, chartered flights from 12 US cities, travel to Cuba has never been easier.

Art lovers will particularly be drawn by the 11th Havana Biennial, which runs from May 11 to June 11. With a focus on “non-Western art,” the Biennial will bring together more than 115 artists from 43 countries. The festival has traditionally aimed to represent concerns and conflicts in the developing world, and this year’s event will explore the relationship between visual productions and the social imaginary – that is, the way artists imagine their surroundings and express themselves through cultural and historical references. With Cuba in such a state of transition, the Biennial will offer a unique opportunity to explore the country’s rich history, conflicted present and unforeseen future through art. Who knows what Cuba will be like for the next one?

[Flickr image via Anton Novoselov]

AAA Releases Data On Top Summer Travel Destinations

by McLean Robbins on

Easter has come and gone and, at least for much of the East Coast, spring seems here to stay – and summer vacations are just around the corner. A recent AAA travel agent survey shows that despite rising fuel costs, vacation loyalists are still planning summer trips to destinations near and far.

According to AAA data, top summer vacation destinations include Orlando, Honolulu, Rome, London and Anaheim, California. Orlando consistently holds the top vacation destination spot.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) forecasts that more than 17 million vacationers will cruise the world’s waterways in 2012, one million more than last year. AAA Travel sales data shows significant increases in cruise bookings for the summer family vacation season and throughout 2012 and into 2013. Recent cost cuts have made these trips more affordable than ever. Caribbean and Alaska cruises take the top two spots, with the Bahamas, Europe and Bermuda rounding out the top five.

In terms of “exotic” vacations, AAA says travelers are looking into China, Peru, The Galapagos, The Amazon and India.
Are any of these spots on your list?

[Image via AAA]

Summer Hotspot: Montreal, Quebec

by Jeremy Kressmann on

Hungry for some culture this summer? Skip the jet lag, high exchange rates and long museum lines in Europe for one of North America’s most cosmopolitan and best warm-weather destinations: Montreal.

The charms that contribute to Montreal’s growing cultural reputation are already evident year-round, ranging from its cosmopolitan European-style cafes, a top-notch range of award-winning restaurants and a lively music scene. But summer is truly when Montreal comes out to shine, a time when May-August average temperatures hover in the 70’s and international-quality music festivals like MUTEK and Jazzfest draw partiers from around the globe. Design-conscious bargain hunters will find plenty to like in Montreal too. The city was named a UNESCO City of Design in 2006, and bursts at the seams with design-centric accommodations like Hotel Gault and fashion boutiques in the newly resurgent Old Montreal.

Those looking to add in a dose of the great outdoors won’t be disappointed either. With Montreal’s wildly successful Bixi bike-sharing program now in place at more than 5,000 locations city-wide, it’s easier than ever to pedal out for an exploration on the city’s 300+ miles of bike lanes and trails. For a more casual outdoor experience, stop by Montreal’s sprawling Mount Royal Park with a picnic lunch and just enjoy the warm weather.

Best of all, Montreal is still a relative bargain for budget-seekers. Compared to the Euro (currently $1.30:1), the Canadian Dollar still trades at a more wallet-friendly $1:1. Meaning you can spend those extra travel savings on a few more bottles of Quebec’s delicious La Fin du Monde Belgian-style brew, produced in nearby Chambly, Quebec.

[flickr image via madabandon]

5 student travel programs that are hiring this summer

by Jessica Marati on

Want to get out of town this summer? Leading a student travel program may just be your ticket. The requirements vary from program to program, but often include foreign language proficiency, in-country experience, previous work with adolescents, a keen sense of adventure, and a whole lot of patience.

There are dozens of programs out there, but this list is a good place to start. Plus, we know they’re looking for summer leaders.

People to People
The Program: Founded by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1965, People to People’s mission is to promote cultural understanding and world peace among middle and high school students. Programs focus on cultural exploration, leadership, and sports.
Cool Itineraries: Road to the Himalayas in India, South African Adventure, Modern and Ancient Civilizations in Italy, Sicily, and Greece.
Leader Requirements: Teacher leaders must be 21 or older, with preference given to educators and students majoring in education.
How to Apply: Step one is to create an account on Compass, P2P’s leader hub. You’ll then need to complete an online application, which takes around 30 minutes.Putney Student Travel
The Program: Geared toward high school students, Putney Student Travel’s summer trip offerings emphasize education and cultural engagement. Trip themes include community service, cultural exploration, global awareness in action, language learning, and summer school. Putney also coordinates National Geographic Student Expeditions, which include explorational expeditions, field workshops in subjects like photography, and community service projects.
Cool Itineraries: Cultural Exploration at Kilimanjaro, Community Service in Ecuador and the Galapagos, Excel educational courses at Oxford and in Tuscany.
Leader Requirements: They vary from program to program, but generally include a college degree, relevant language proficiency, and travel experience in the target country/ies. The program is selective, and reading through former leader profiles can help you get a sense for whether you’d be a good fit.
How to Apply: Complete the online application and upload your cover letter and CV. Putney starts accepting leader applications for summer employment each December, and interviews are held between January and April.
Note: I previously led for this program, and it was awesome.

Travel for Teens
The Program: TFT offers a wide array of trips focusing on cultural exploration, language learning, and community service, as well as a number of “specialty” trips that involve activities like photography and surfing.
Cool Itineraries: Fiji Service and Adventure, Language in Paris and the South of France, Thailand Photography.
Leader Requirements: Leaders must be least 21 years of age; commit to at least two summers; have experience working with teenagers, particularly in a camp environment; have experience living, traveling, or working in the target country/ies; and possess foreign language fluency, particularly in Spanish, Italian, French, Mandarin, Thai, and German.
How to Apply: Complete the online application and upload your CV and a photo.

Westcoast Connection
The Program: Specializing in “teen tours”, community service programs, language learning, pre-college enrichment, and family adventure trips, Westcoast Connection focuses on both personal and group experiences, with an emphasis on fun.
Cool Itineraries: Major League Baseball Madness Tour across the East Coast, Midwest, and California; Israel Experience; Global Adventure in China.
Leader Requirements: There aren’t any concrete requirements for employment, but Westcoast emphasizes teamwork as a key leader attribute. Available positions include Trip Director, Food Director, and Trip Leader/Specialist.
How to Apply: Complete the online application.

Where There Be Dragons
The Program: With longer itineraries than most of the other programs, Where There Be Dragons emphasizes immersion in physical and cultural landscapes through experiential education, active pursuits, service learning, and language programs. Youth Programs are focused in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.
Cool Itineraries: Cambodia: Studies in Development and Peace, Jordan: Arabic Languages and Cultures, Senegal: The Warm Embrace of West Africa
Leader Requirements: The ideal applicant has unique in-country experience, relevant foreign language skills, experience leading groups and/or working with teens, dedication to education, experience in a relevant field, and a Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician certification.
How to Apply: Complete the online application and upload your CV.

[image via Putney Student Travel]