What's on the Travel News Menu for YOU Today?

1. Many senior travelers are seeking out the best ultra violet sun protection they can find, mindful of skin sensitivity that comes with age. Check out these stylish UV protected hats and parasols that do the trick.
2. Venice is a fascinating city whether wandering its streets, bridges and squares or exploring its famous canals and other waterways. Learn the latest news, including a barging vacation that offers front row seats at two of the cities most colorful, historic regattas.
3. A reputable sea turtle conservation organization is now matching interested eco-volunteers with rewarding turtle conservation projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, Tobago, and Guatemala
4. Already attracting younger, active seniors, a long-established cycle tour company is offering the first inn-to-inn cycling tour in Tibet .... from Lhasa to the Everest Base Camp. Not too challenging any more!
5. Happy 50th Birthday, Alaska! With plenty to celebrate, the state's tourism attractions, tour/cruise operators and accommodators are bristling with discounts and special events to research for 2009.

Anti-UV Sunhats and Sun Umbrellas

Since the 2002 launch of Soleil Chic, www.soleilchic.com, and its product line, Lynn’s stylish, lightweight anti-ultra violet (UV) sun umbrellas and sun hats have caught the attention of many publications and broadcasters as well as celebrities who have purchased the products. “Our goal,” she emphasizes, “is to provide the best sun protection for the many people who need or want it without compromising quality or design. Not surprisingly, close to 95% of our clients are between 40 and 75+ in age.”

Made of UV repelling fabrics, each product is available in a variety of colors. Special fabric blocks 97 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and is recognized by NASA for its proven sun protective qualities. The one-size-fits-most hats allow adjustment of the fit at the inside back of the hat. There is an adjustable chin strap to use on windy days which may be otherwise tucked away. Both hats and umbrellas come in a variety of colors that make the current interest in skin protection an unself-conscious trendsetter for older men and women. The umbrella fabric is treated with Durable Water Repellency to be used in light to moderate rain. As one male client reports: “I no longer worry about what people might think about a man carrying a parasol; it makes too much sense to me to have my shade with me. If it’s good for the beach, it's good for the street."

Holistic skin therapist, Carmina Cuity-McGee writes about Soleil Chic hats and umbrellas, "As a skin care professional, I see the ravages of sun-damaged skin everyday. The number of new skin cancers I see in my practice is alarming. This is a ‘must-have’ health accessory." Feedback about the hat from a birdwatcher is both practical and enthusiastic: “It is perfect for birding. The brim is wide-enough to cover my entire face and the back of my neck but supple enough not to interfere with my binoculars. And I can keep it in my car without worrying about crushing it." There is free shipping on US orders over US$60.
Images courtesy of Soleil Chic.

Experience ALL of Venice: Colorful Historic Regattas, a Luxury Barging Holiday, Drinkable Water Fountains and No More “Flying Rats”!

Venice is in the news for several reasons that visitors will appreciate. In 2008, the city launched a pilot initiative to reduce waste in a country that is the world's biggest consumer of mineral water. To cut down on bottled water consumption in Venice, tourists are given an empty water bottle with the message "Don't throw me away, re-use me!" and a map indicating the 122 fountains flowing with pristine water from the city's aqueducts, inviting them to quench their thirst directly from the source. Venice was chosen for the launch of the scheme due to its obvious links with water and its role as a tourist center. There are plans to take the project to Italy's other major cities.

Visitors to Venice have a special taste of ancient tradition and the excitement of two colorful races held each year in May and September. Those clever enough to book a Go Barging six-day/seven-night Venice and its waterways cruise around either race date will enjoy all the pageantry and highly-charged competition from front row seats on the deck of their luxury barge, La Dolce Vita, strategically moored in the Grand Canal. Each year, Go Barging dates are adjusted to guarantee participation in these events.

The Vogalonga Regatta in late May follows a racecourse virtually unchanged from Renaissance times, a thirty- kilometer canal route through the most beloved and picturesque parts of the Lagoon of Venice. Five hundred boats and nearly 1,500 participants meet on race day to sing hymns to St Mark and Venice before the event. Dating from 1315, the Regatta Storica is made up of two parts: the historic parade and the all-important rowing races. The climax of the event is the champions’ race on two-oared ‘gondolini’, that is light, very slim gondolas. Winning in Canalasso, as Italians call the Grand Canal, is still today the greatest wish of every racer.

For 2009, the Regatta Storica Go Barging cruise itinerary, runs from September 6 to 12. The cruise starts at US$3,000 per person based on a six-passenger charter, including air-conditioned accommodation, ensuite staterooms, gourmet meals, fine wines, an open bar and all shore excursions. La Dolce Vita is the only hotel barge to cruise the peaceful River Brenta, intimately exploring Venice’s waterways, history and smaller islands throughout the Venetian Lagoon. Enjoy our Travel with a Challenge feature article with more information and additional images illustrating the cruise route.

And the “flying rats” of Venice? The pigeon population of famous St Mark's Square has been reduced from an estimated high of 20,000 to barely a thousand as authorities claim victory. Very simply, vendors have been banned from selling grain to tourists to feed the birds. Pigeons were eating away at centuries-old statues and buildings by pecking at nooks and crevices to reach for scraps of food that had lodged inside. Their highly acidic droppings also damage brickwork and marble.

"Just a few months after the feed ban most of the square is free of the birds which have moved off to find food on the islands," said Renata Codello, Venice's superintendent of architectural and cultural heritage.

Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteers Find the Perfect Vacation Match

Respected conservation organization SEE Turtles is now offering a free volunteer placement service at www.seeturtles.org that matches interested volunteers with sea turtle conservation projects in Mexico, Costa Rica, Tobago, and Guatemala.

Watching a green sea turtle gracefully meander through the water or witnessing a horde of leatherback sea turtle hatchlings scramble to the ocean may be one of the most joyful experiences in life. Sea turtles are among the earth’s most ancient and fascinating animals: they have been a mainstay in six of the world’s seven oceans for millions of years, they can travel thousands of miles and live to be 80 years old. When they come ashore to nest, there are unforgettable and intimate opportunities to interact with them while participating in their conservation.

All seven species of sea turtles are threatened or endangered, and three, the Leatherback, Kemp’s Ridley, and Hawksbill are listed as critically endangered. The Leatherback population in the Pacific Ocean was once the world’s largest, but has declined dramatically primarily due to human exploitation, commercial fisheries, and loss of nesting habitat.

The SEE Turtles volunteer program creates opportunities for volunteers to participate in turtle conservation efforts right alongside expert biologists and sea turtle researchers. Volunteering on a sea turtle conservation project generally involves tracking and tagging turtles, night patrols of the nesting beaches, and helping researchers collect data. Many projects also include shifts in the egg hatcheries where the eggs are protected from poachers and animals. In addition to meaningful project work, volunteers have time to explore the rainforest, visit local towns, or simply enjoy a refreshing ocean swim and relaxation on the beach.

Researchers collect data on a green sea turtle at Tortuguero Beach on Costa Rica’s east coast.

Working with sea turtles is a memorable way to spend your vacation time. As Lindsay Andrews, a recent volunteer attested, “It was definitely hard work walking the beach in the middle of the night but it paid off when we caught our first glimpse of the leatherback's speckled face under moonlight. They are majestic creatures and it was humbling to be in their presence. We felt incredibly grateful for the opportunity to assist them in some small way. I'll carry that first glance of the Leatherback with me forever."

For more information and to apply, visit www.seeturtles.org and click on the link to the volunteer matching form. Applicants will be asked to submit their preferred destinations, dates of travel, budget requirements, desired accommodations, and other criteria. SEE Turtles will then match volunteers to partner organizations and projects that best fit their preferences. No prior experience working with sea turtles is necessary and volunteers do not need to be able to speak Spanish. Volunteers should be in reasonable physical condition and are asked to contribute at least a week of their time.
Images by Neil Osborne.

The active travel company with an off-beat name, Pedalers Pub & Grille, offers experienced cyclists a chance to pedal in style to the base of the planet's highest peak, spectacular Mt Everest. The new Road to Everest tour is the first cycling tour in Tibet to forsake sleeping under canvas for the comfort of a bed and hot shower each night which is sure to make it a more attractive option for older adventurers.

Departing on 16 September 2009, the 17-day Road to Everest tour takes guests to regions surrounding Lhasa, capital city of Tibet, exploring ancient temple complexes and remote hot springs. It then rolls south along the newly paved Everest Highway to the Everest Base camp, where guests may be treated to magnificent views of Chomolungma (the Tibetan name for Everest which means 'Goddess Mother'). So far, all the guests who have signed up are in their 50s and 60s. Yes, you can!

"We are taking advantage of the newly paved Everest Highway and the scattered hotels along its route, to offer a comfortable, well-paced exploration of Tibet,” says Tom Sheehan, founder and managing director. “Being able to ride lightweight road bikes and relax at night in a bed helps lessen the impact of the altitude. Breaking from the tradition of mountain biking and camping, we hope to open the doors to more cyclists and adventurous travelers." He notes that most days involve cycling 40 to 50 miles, plus a vehicle shuttle to keep daily exercise to an enjoyable and safe level.

Accommodations on the trip range from very nice hotels to quite simple, but clean guesthouses, with guests enjoying the best that each stop has to offer. Meals are taken at local restaurants featuring both Tibetan and Han Chinese cuisine for variety. And in the PP&G tradition, trip guides are cyclists from the region, who know and love the areas where they lead tours. Except for international air, this cycling adventure is all-inclusive of accommodations, most meals, professional local guides, sightseeing and cultural activities, plus airport transfers at US$4,495 (double occupancy) with a single supplement of $475. The trip starts and finishes in Lhasa, Tibet.

Annually, PP&G offers multiple set departures and custom trips to 18 exotic destinations in Asia, the South Pacific and Alaska. The company has been conducting cycling tours of these regions since the 1980's and is known for creating spontaneous, up close and personal cultural encounters along its well-researched cycling routes. National Geographic Adventure magazine selected PP&G as one of the "Best Adventure Tour Operators" for 2009. www.pedalerspubandgrille.com.
Images courtesy of Pedalers Pub & Grille.

Alaska Celebrates 50 years of Statehood with Great Travel Deals

With so few months of warm and sunny weather, it's not surprising that Alaska becomes a prime spot for tourists during the summer. Typically, however, the rise in visitors also means a rise in prices, but this year as the state celebrates the 50th anniversary of its statehood, you can find a slew of deals to make your visit worthwhile.

Major cruise lines operating from Vancouver and Seattle are offering huge discounts on their cruises and cruise/land tours. Other specials and discounts include 50% off resort and hotel rates, even free train rides for those turning 50 in 2009. The state’s largest city, Anchorage, has definitely bought the theme with its designated 50th anniversary webpage, listing many special events plus 50 suggested ways to explore the state. The Alaska Tourism Board has also released statewide specials, including discounts on packages and tours (two-for-one Princess Rail tickets in May and June), hotels, transportation, and activities. Check the complete list.

Over 1.5 million people will visit Alaska this year, the vast majority arriving by 2,000+ passenger cruise ships that visit only a handful of Alaska’s largest ports and natural attractions, mainly because of their size. As an alternative, small-ship cruises offer a more intimate way to experience Alaska: the up-close, casual and personal way. Check out our Travel with a Challenge feature article that demonstrates how Cruise West delivers just such an experience, carrying 78 to 138 guests up narrow channels and into secluded waterways, positioning overnight in ideal spots and pausing to catch every spectacular display of scenery and wildlife. Sail in the company of naturalist guides and a small number of people who share a passion for exploration and discovery.

For the independent-minded explorer, the Alaska Marine Highway System (AMHS) of ferries may be the answer. Read our story about two senior women who sign on for a one-week ferry trip to the tip of the Aleutian Islands (next stop Siberia!) where they visit small to tiny communities, observe spectacular wildlife and meet the local people who are committed to this remote lifestyle.

Or if you’re looking for senior-friendly adventure on the most accessible glacier in Alaska, a NorthStar Trekking helicopter flies small groups far into a silent, beautiful ice-land to explore the immense and amazing Mendenhall Glacier. The experience makes you feel very small yet bold, as you will read in our article about this adventure. The face of this vast glacier actually encroaches on the city limits of Alaska’s capital, Juneau, which is another unique piece of Alaska’s culture and colorful history. This memorable city and its sights are featured in our insightful Juneau story about the only seat of government in the mainland US with no conventional road access.

Consider these Alaska facts …. Alaska is one of the most unique environments on earth with more miles of coastline than all other 49 US states combined. It also borders two oceans, and is wider (including its chain of islands strung out across much of the North Pacific Ocean) than the entire continental United States. Its land surface is more than twice the size of Texas, yet only 600,000 people living in the entire state. Glaciers cover approximately 29,000 square miles or 5% of Alaska. This is 128 times more than in the rest of the US. There are an estimated 100,000 glaciers in the state, the most visually accessible being dozens of tidewater glaciers. What better excuse than a 50th anniversary year to choose one of many ways to visit Alaska?