Quick, Catch the Tigers in Rajastan…
Before they’re Extinct
One of the best places in the world to see
tigers is Rajasthan in Ranthambore, where the
world's population of wild tigers has fallen to
as few as 3,200, more than half of which live in
India.
If extreme efforts are not undertaken, the big
cat may be extinct within our lifetime—possibly
in as soon as a dozen years. (Compare this
number to the 100,000 tigers that lived in India
in 1900 and you can see just how drastically
things have changed in thethe past two
centuries.) Their habitats have been reduced 93
percent, and though there are reserves across
Asia, most are small and have no corridors
between them for the normally far-roaming
felines. It's estimated that a tiger a day is
killed for use in
Chinese traditional medicine.
The Tahuamanú Rainforest
Peru was and is one of the prime destinations
when it comes to tropical beauty.The magnificent
rain forest in the Madre de Dios region holds
some of the last old-growth stands of mahogany
in South America. But illegal logging is
depleting the rainforest—and the U.S. is
responsible for buying 80 percent of the
mahogany. A single tree can create as much as $1
million worth of furniture. Loggers build roads,
allowing farmers and hunters to enter, further
crowding the indigenous people and destroying
the delicate ecosystem. In nearby areas, gold
mining has released mercury into the air and
water. Parrots and macaws feed off of the
world's largest salt lick. They share this
pristine wonderland with endangered creatures
like giant armadillos, ocelots, jaguars, and
giant otters.
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The Yangtze River Basin
It's too early to know the exact impact of the
creation of
China's
massive, $24 billion Three Gorges Dam, but many,
including the Chinese government, have
acknowledged that the Yangtze Basin region is in
danger of losing its most distinctive marine and
animal life. Deforestation has occurred from
clearing land for displaced farmers, and the
reservoir has flooded villages, farms,
factories, and mines, adding to the Yangtze
River's existing pollution from shipping,
industry, agriculture and raw sewage. Landslides
have also happened, and seismologists wonder if
the water pressure above two fault lines might
result in a disastrous earthquake. Exotic
creatures like giant pandas, dwarf blue sheep,
Yangtze finless porpoises, and Siberian cranes
call this region home—along with some 400
million people.
Lush
Tropical Oasis in Rain-Forest Hillside
A shuttle descends through a soaring mountain's
tropical spread as sunlight filters through
emerald trees until the dense forest opens onto
a stretch of pebble beach. Flocks of scarlet
macaws glide above the Pacific as guests bask in
seclusion, lounging on sun beds or grabbing
refreshments from the snack bar. Villa Caletas
gives travelers easy access to these secluded
oceanfront sands via complimentary, hourly
shuttle jaunts. The resort, inspired by tropical
Victorian architecture, is nestled 1,150 feet
above the Pacific's Nicoya Gulf, and boasts a
friendly concierge desk staff ready to book
everything from a relaxing massage at the
on-site spa to tours of the Costa Rican rain
forest. All that for less than $1,000 for two.
Housed in a four-story building with its own
first-floor community pool, Villa Caletas'
junior suites Superior welcome lodgers with
vibrant walls and plush, prismatic furniture,
reflecting the resort's tropical surrounds. Each
suite connects to a private terrace overlooking
the forest and bay, where a private jacuzzi
proffers a setting for a romantic soak under the
clear night sky or a beginner-friendly game of
Marco Polo.
Also part of the Villa Caletas complex, the
Zephyr Palace mansion embodies luxury as
bartenders serve drinks by the column-bordered
infinity pool and social activity converges on
the art gallery. The African suite boasts
lion-head wall sculptures and a mural of
grasslands and Mount Kilimanjaro, and in the
Royal suite, upholstered walls covered in fine
woods lend a European flair.
Jacó, Costa Rica: From Beach Town Stretching to
Dense Rain Forests
Swaddled by lush forests and fronting the
Pacific Ocean, Villa Caletas segues seamlessly
from luxury to wilderness in a matter of
minutes. The many species of tropical birds
alone in nearby Carara National Park make hiking
through the area worthwhile, along with
river-fed marshlands and a hyacinth-studded
lake. High above the canopy, other explorers
prefer to experience Costa Rica’s forests with
an adrenaline rush courtesy of a zipline tour.
Just south of Villa Caletas, the town of Jacó
bustles with activity as the landlocked locals
of Central Valley flock to the long stretch of
beach and visitors hit the glut of restaurants
and shops. Consistent ocean swells beckon to
surfers, who take to the waves along with
sport-fishing enthusiasts busy reeling in big
game such as marlin, yellowfin tuna, and
Poseidon's car keys. Come evening, crowds pack
into the open-air dance hall right on the beach
beneath retro lights and a dangling mirror ball,
as Jacó’s pulse quickens with the thumping
tracks of nearby discotheques.
Back at the hotel, a variety of French and
Central American dishes unveil themselves to
guests throughout the day. Casual noshers watch
the sun dip below the horizon in the Greek
amphitheater of
Anfiteatro Sunset Restaurant & Bar
while enjoying Peruvian-style ceviche on the
outdoor patio. Open on weekends,
Mirador Restaurant
leverages glass walls, elegant drapery, and
white tablecloths to set the stage for fine
dining from a vast gourmet menu. Fresh seafood
and Asian fusion fare can be found in both Jacó
and Herradura—also close to the hotel—though
ambitious foodies drive about an hour east to
Costa Rica’s capital of San Jose. The city
thrums with Latin culture with popular
restaurants, museums, and historical
neighborhoods filled with gallery-style
boutiques.
Substantial 10% Increase in Tourism in 2011
In Corfu, the northernmost of the Ionian
Islands, the ancient city of Paleopolis
occupies a prime spot on the Kanoni Peninsula
amidst lush wooded grounds and a view of the
sea. Surrounded by ancient walls, the ruins of
ancient Corcyra (Kerkyra, or Corfu) lie
just four kilometers south of Corfu town and the
site is open to visitors free of charge
year-round. A walk around the grounds reveals a
number of sites for visitors, including the
St. Eufemia monastery, an old open-air
theater still used today, a congress center, a
Byzantine church, and ancient Roman house, and
the famed Mon Repos villa -- the summer retreat
of Greece's former royal family that today hosts
the Paleopolis Archaeological Museum -- as well
as the ruins of a temple dedicated to Zeus’ wife
Hera, a Venetian fountain and what remains of
the 5th century BC Doric temple built in honor
of Apollo.
Mon Repos,
a major attraction for visitors to this day, is
a neo-classical summer home built by Sir
Frederick Adam, the second British High
Commissioner, for his native Corfiot wife in
1831.
It remained a summer house for the Greek former
Royal family until 1967 before passing to the
Municipality of Corfu, which carried out major
restoration works inside and out. Important
archaeological sites from Paleopolis surround
Mon Repos, and the mansion was converted into a
museum to display its
artifacts.
The exhibits are well presented and informative,
giving a fascinating picture of the house and
the area, its history and ancient culture.
Moreover, on the western part of Greece, an
undated photo by Dive Guide Greece released on
Tuesday (8/10) shows a diving scene at Melissani
cave, Kefalonia Island, located below Corfu,
also on the Ionian Pelago. Clear water, teeming
marine life, caves and shipwrecks attract more
than 250,000 scuba and free divers to Greek
waters each year. The
increase in tourist arrivals in Greece in the
first half of the year neared a two-digit
number, with arrivals up 9.95 % the period
January-June against the same period in 2010,
with the most popular destinations being the
islands of Rhodes and Kos, according to figures
released on Tuesday by the Federation of Greek
Tourism Enterprises (SETE).
According to figures supplied by G. Tzanakis of
ANA-MPA, coming from the main airports
throughout the country, foreign arrivals in the
6-month period reached 6,458,612 compared with
5,874,144 in the same period last year. The
biggest increase in foreign arrivals was
recorded on the island of Rhodes, with 28.2 %,
followed by the island of Kos, with 26.2 %,
while substantial increases were also recorded
in Heraklion 14.4 % and Hania (Crete) with 8.52
%, and Thessaloniki with 11.77 %.
From Norway to Cyprus, with Love
Now under Cyprian ownership, Cyprus-based Louis
Cruises', the MV Louis Majesty spent 17 years
cruising U.S. waters, first as Majesty Cruise
Line's Royal Majesty before joining NL as its
Norwegian Majesty. How does the 1992-built ship
look today? You may want to take a look at the
beauty of the vessel as it has been transformed
under its new owners, Louis Cruise, a Cypriot
firm which has Genoa, Italy as its base for its
excursions to Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean
Sea destinations. Because of its Majestic looks,
the ship has retained the name ‘Majesty.’
The new cruise line, with head of Operations for
North America Nicholas Philippidis, also has
offices in Florida and just concluded a
presentation in Orlando on the beauty of is
proud new vessel.
When the ship joined the Louis fleet, there was
less demand for gambling, so half of the Monte
Carlo Casino, which fronts a suite of public
rooms on aft Majesty Deck, was converted to a
one
Hundred and six-seat lounge for smokers, that is
if there are so may at one time on the ship.
More:
Imaging Luxury: Five nights in Cancun for under
$500 -- High five! Book an all-inclusive
getaway at the 4-star Omni Cancun
with a flight for as little as $499. You'll also
get an upgrade to an ocean-view room. Travel
between August 10 and December 15.
For Vacation Package Bookings, advertised price
does not include certain government-imposed
taxes and fees, such as the September 11
security fee up to $10, PFCs up to $18, segment
fees up to $4 per flight segment, and applicable
U.S. departure taxes up to $85. Infant Taxes
Infant taxes are not pre-collected. These taxes
will be payable to the airline carrier at the
airport on the day of departure. For Hotel Only
Bookings Final price includes all applicable
resort taxes and fees. While reasonable effort
has been made to ensure the accuracy of the
information on this website, JetSetVacations.com
does not assume responsibility for any errors or
omissions.
The beachfront hotel Omni-Cancun
Now is the time to eExplore Spain's Costa del
Sol translated into the "Sunny Coast," stay five
nights and pay only $825 for the entire stay-and
airfare to boot. Prices listed here for this
trip do not include US and Foreign government
airport taxes and fees of up to $290, depending
upon the package, including the September 11
Security Fee of $2.50 per US enplanement, up to
$10 per round-trip; passenger facility charges
of $4.50 per segment, up to $18 per round-trip;
federal domestic segment fee of $3.70 per
segment; travel facilities tax of $8.20 per
direction; immigration fee of $7; customs user
fee of $5.50; APHIS user fee of $5; and
international transportation tax of $16.30 per
arrival or departure.
The Great Wall of China -- great savings. Gate1
is offering a 14-day tour of China, complete
with flights, transfers, 25 meals, upscale
hotels in 4 cities, and guided tours all under
$2,000.
Travel through December 2012.
Himalayan Glacier is Awaiting Your Trek
Since the establishment of the Company in 1992,
the Himalayan Glacier Trekking (HGT) has
been continually growing as a leading adventure
travel operator for adventures in the Himalayan
region. They provide international quality
services from Kathmandu, also operating in
Bhutan, Tibet as well as India. We have been
helping travelers from around the world discover
the natural beauties and cultural treasures of
Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan & India for over 19 years.
In 2010,a North American office was established
, located in Charlotte, NC. The agent handles
everything from world famous treks to
Everest Base Camp Trek
to completing the
Annapurna Circuit Trek
, even a spiritual tour of Tibet or Bhutan and
climbing to the highest point on earth , Mount
Everest. The agency is committed to maintaining
a high level of ethical standards, and their
loyal, highly experienced staff-base provides an
edge over the tough competition.
With os well as Nicholas Philippidis of Louis
Lperations based on the ground in Nepal, Tibet,
Bhutan & India combined with their experienced
team of local guides, they have become a global
leader for adventure travel in this region..
Cuba-No Longer Out of Bounds
As the walls between Cuba and the USA started to
crumble, starting with the Obama administration
loosening restrictions on Cuban-Americans
visiting home and sending money, a controversy
has arisen.
Established and respected U.S. tour companies
such as upscale
Abercrombie & Kent
recently began selling cultural tours to bring
American vacationers to the Communist island,
still off limits to the average tourist. A&K's
trips -- due to start about now, and those of
Vantage Deluxe World Travel,
just to name two, sold out fast and more
departures were added.
Celebrity Cruises' launches the m/v Silhouette
HAMBURG, Germany -- Fast-growing Celebrity
Cruises unveiled yet another new ship late last
month, the 2,886-passenger Celebrity
Silhouette,. What's it like to be on board?
It is the epitomy of luxury, beauty and
convenience for a diversified shipload of
travelers.