Many times, when you travel a long distance, you want to grab every adventure you can while you are that far away. That’s what happened when we planned our family vacation this summer. Traveling with my husband, 10-year-old daughter and friends of the family, we decided to make it a double adventure and see Machu Picchu and then the Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador.

The Ancient Inca Ruins & Machu Picchu
If you were to ask us what we enjoyed most about Machu Picchu, it would be virtually impossible to decide.  For example, the hike to the Sun Gate above Machu Picchu was up steep hills and narrow paths which made it much more exciting than your average hiking trip.  At the same time, I loved walking the market at Pisac where the local Indians meet to sell their wares, clothed in beautiful bright colors with babies strapped to their backs. Our first night in Lima, Peru was at the Country Club Hotel, an historic hotel located in one of the most exclusive residential and commercial districts in Lima, San Isidro. The hotel is considered a national monument and is decorated with over 300 pieces of original artwork of both classical and Peruvian Colonial styles. It’s like staying inside a museum and was an amazing place to start off our adventure.

The following day we flew just over an hour to Cuzco, which sits at an altitude of 11,200 feet, and started our tour of the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Our guide drove a Mercedes mini-bus for the one-hour ride from Cuzco to the colonial town of Pisac, where we toured the Inca ruins and colorful marketplaces. After that our route followed the meandering Urubamba River through verdant farmlands still in use today for the production of maize, fruit and vegetables for the city of Cuzco.

During our time in the Valley, we visited the village of Ollantaytambo, considered to be the best example of Inca city planning. The massive fortress at Ollantaytambo with its steep terracing occupies a highly defensible position on a rocky promontory above the village.  Every foundation was made of ancient stones and everywhere you look you could see antiquity.

We spent a night in an adobe bungalow at the beautiful Hotel Sol y Luna, and the next morning we boarded a glass-enclosed Vistadome train to travel the 90-minute journey to the village of Aguas Calientes below Machu Picchu. From here we took a 20-minute bus trip up the switchback road to the legendary “Lost City of the Incas” – Machu Picchu.

We took another guided tour of the ruins at the citadel of Machu Picchu. We hiked to the Sun Gate to see the sun rise over the mountains and trekked several hours to see the Incan Bridge, which is cut right into the cliff wall and was used as a secret entrance into Machu Picchu.

We had lunch at The Sanctuary Lodge with its sweeping vista views of the citadel. It’s the only hotel situated adjacent to Machu Picchu. The hotel is set high in the mountains. Both the citadel and this hotel are surrounded by a lush cloud forest. This city was lost to history until it was discovered in 1911, by American explorer Hiram Bingham. Today, it is considered one of the most renowned examples of Inca architecture still in existence.

We didn’t stay at the Sanctuary Lodge, but we enjoyed our night in Aguas Calientes below the mountain. While there we spent the night at the Inkaterro Pueblo Hotel, where 85 quaint houses resemble a typical Andean town surrounded by the rich ecosystem of the jungle which comes right up to the hotel.

After that, we returned to Cuzco on the train and stayed at Monasterio del Cuzco, a former monastery dating to 1592, situated right beside the lively Cuzco central square.  This amazing hotel is an attraction in itself, with all the feeling that you are in an ancient monastery. The walls are filled with beautiful tapestries and art from centuries ago. You could actually feel the hushed tone when you entered, giving you an impression of how the place must have originally felt. The atmosphere was unlike any of the other hotels in which we stayed.

We spent our last day in Peru visiting Cuzco, where we had more tours of ancient sites like the Cathedral, which dates back to the time of the monastery-turned-hotel, and put our hotel experience into an interesting context. We also visited Koriacancha, where the most revered Inca temple, the Temple of the Sun, has actually been built into the colonial Church of Santa Domingo.

On To The Galapagos Islands

After that we traded our mountain climbing for sea legs and headed to Ecuador’s largest city Guayaquil. After a brief stop, we took a 90-minute flight to embark on the National Geographic Endeavor, an expedition ship designed for discovery and active exploration throughout the Galapagos Islands. The Endeavor is a small expedition ship; originally a fishing trawler built in 1966, and converted to carry passengers in 1983. It has 56 outside cabins and accommodates 96 guests. The accommodations on the ship were tight, but comfortable and the service was wonderful and the food was great.  However, when you are taking a trip like this, it’s not about the ship, it’s about the adventure.

I would like to take just a moment to praise the ten guides on board the ship. They were so incredibly well informed about the islands and the wildlife. We learned so much about the history, the birds and the marine life on the islands that we felt like we were fully prepared for our excursions on land.

During the 9-day expedition at sea we stopped to explore eight different islands. Our ship was not allowed to dock at any of the islands so each day we took Zodiac boats. Some of the landings were wet landings, meaning you had to wade into the island, while others were dry and we would disembark onto rocky coasts.

On the first stop we went to North Seymour Island, a tiny uplifted seafloor which is home to sea lion colonies and blue-footed booby nesting colonies. It was quite a treat to walk along a beach and see a large rock in the distance only to find, once you got there, it was really a sea lion basking in the sun. The animals were so familiar with people on these expeditions that they allowed us to come very close. The animals are protected on the islands and have no fear, so they feel totally at home around you.  The island is host to one of the largest populations of blue-footed boobies in the world which offered us the chance to view their fascinating courting rituals. The males dance, showing off their bright blue feet, make noise and display their wings and feathers to try and attract a mate.

Every island we visited had another amazing thing to see. In one direction there were 100-year-old turtles on the beach and, in another, marine iguanas that looked like small dinosaurs and, in others, seemingly every kind of bird imaginable.

Off the coast, we were able to swim, kayak and snorkel and on board ship, we were treated to great presentations that taught us about the studies and work of Charles Darwin. On board our trip we had Pulitzer Prize winner Jonathan Weiner and his wife, who is also an author.  Mr. Weiner won the Pulitzer for his book, “The Beak of the Finch,” about evolution and scientific discovery and he could really speak with authority about Darwin’s work. His wife was a wealth of information about Darwin’s personal life, so the combination of the two really gave a us a great picture of Darwin’s work and life in the Galapagos while we were sailing between these islands.

While these fascinating educational presentations were being offered on board the ship, the children were kept entertained with a host of activities designed specifically for them. This allowed everyone in the family to fully enjoy the voyage.

It was a fantastic two weeks. This definitely isn’t your typical beach vacation, but for families who want to experience culture and nature it’s a vacation you will never forget.

If you decide to take an adventure like this, take every bit of advice from your travel agent or vacation planner. That’s what we did and everything was perfect and special. We had private guides that took us on each leg of the trip and we stayed at the most magnificent hotels and ate wonderful local food.

With a trip like this the guides make all the difference. You will get so much more out of the trip if you get a local English-speaking guide to make your trip worry-free and to explain what you are seeing each step of the way.

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About Author:  Elaine Osgood is CEO of Atlas Travel International, a travel management company out of Milford, MA.  For information about Atlas Travel or for assistance planning your own trip to South America visit their website at www.atlastravel.com.

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Club Med has just announced a  7-Day Weekend sale which must be booked by 10/31/11 and is valid for travel all winter long through to April 13, 2012.  Guests pay the usual price for a three-night stay, but stay and play for seven nights.  The sale package starts at $870 per person for loding, all meals, all beverages (beer, wine and cocktails), most resort activities and classes.  Day camps for kids including the very popular Circus Camp are also included.  Properties participating in the sale include Club Med properties in Cancun, Ixtapa, Punta Cana, Florida, the Bahamas, Turks & Caicos, Martinique, and Guadeloupe.

Get all the details about the Club Med Resorts and pariculars about the sale at ClubMed.us

An example of this is the Amazon river cruise in Peru, which offers a very hands-on, up-close experience, taking in the sensational wildlife and scenery. Typically lasting 7-15 days, with a select few lasting a month or longer, river cruises are hugely popular among those who like to approach life at a slower pace, sailing calmly and exploring tranquil riverside towns. A river cruise is generally in common sight of land and there are very frequent stop-offs, giving you new places to explore at regular intervals.

The most common river cruises include trips along the Amazon, the Yangtze, the Rhine, the Seine, the Nile, the Volga, the Danube and the Mekong.

A majority of the cruises have a wide range of onshore/onboard activities, including visiting local landmarks and guided tours to cultural historic sites and museums. Tour guides also offer running commentary whilst you sail the rivers. You will notice that some river ships resemble a 5-star hotel, with excellent entertainment facilities, casinos, saunas, steam rooms, gyms and first class dining options all available onboard. All-inclusive options vary from ship to ship, and with over 30 river cruise operators currently offering voyages along inland waterways, there is a great deal of choice for all different budgets.

Viking River Cruises offer a wide range of elegant, comfortable ships, with spacious accommodations and excellent all-inclusive packages. With Viking, everything from your meals to enrichment lectures are typically included in the initial price. Choose from cruises around Europe and Ukraine or as far afield as China and Vietnam. You will be taken care of by the personally recruited, English speaking staff, with 99.8% of their passengers commenting that Viking’s staff had met or exceeded their personal expectations.

Now you know a bit more about what river cruising is all about, it’s up to you to decide which river you feel suits you best. Whether it’s a stunning safari River Nile cruise or a sumptuous cruise surrounded by vineyards and castles on the River Rhine… The choice is yours!

Happy Cruising!

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About the Author: Ellis Green writes on behalf of LoveCruise.co.uk, a London based cruise consultancy offering advice, discounts and 1st hand experience of the cruise industry.                                                                       ______________________________________________________________

Brazil (Mardi Gras Carnival)

If lavish carnivals are your thing then head down to Brazil where the world famous Mardi Gras carnival will be taking place on 5 March. Here Rio de Janeiro comes alive with people dancing in the streets all day and night. Extravagant parades feature colorful floats and costumes that surround you as everyone dances to the rhythm of a Samba beat. Come together with the locals to celebrate this African-American tradition and leave all your worries behind.

Tips for planning a trip to Brazil Carnival:

• Book your accommodation early! This carnival is one of the most popular and biggest ones of its kind so make sure you book your hotel in advance to avoid disappointment.
• The carnival can become quite crowded so beware of your valuables and only carry the essentials.
• Plan which area of the city you wish to stay in and research the area beforehand. Make sure you are able to navigate yourself safely around the city. The safest areas are on the southern side of Rio so try to secure a hotel in these areas.

India (Holi)

Dance to the rhythm of the pulsating drums of India where Holi is celebrated to welcome in the arrival Spring each year. Paint the town and yourself in colors as positive energy spreads throughout the towns and cities. Holi takes place in late March so why not immerse yourself in the colorful festivities.

Tips for celebrating Holi in India:

• Wear old clothes which can be easily thrown away as they may become permanently stained.
• Apply oil or cream all over your body before you partake in the celebrations. This will help protect your skin from any harmful chemicals and allow you to wash off the colors easily afterward.
• Don’t apply colors near open wounds, eyes, nose, ears or other sensitive areas.

Italy (Carnevale d’Ivrea Orange Throwing)
This messy 3 day event takes place in the in the town of Ivrea, Italy and sees people throwing oranges at each other. Legend has it that back in the 12^th century the Duke of the area started a tradition whereby he was allowed to spend the night with each newly married woman in his province. One young woman refused and chopped his head off, which started a revolution! The oranges therefore symbolize the head of the unfortunate Duke. Carnevale d’Ivrea takes place every year in late February and consists of 9 brightly costumed teams who attack each other with citrus fruit.

Tips for attending Carnevale d’Ivrea:

• Wear a red cap if you do not wish to partake in the festivities. This shows the locals that you are just there to watch so you don’t get attacked by the oranges.
• If you wish to take part in the action you’ll need to join one of the teams, which is easy to do, simply volunteer.

After this cold, drab winter, we know these fun Spring festivals are just what you need to put some laughter back in your life!

Article contributed by the travel experts at Holidays Please.  Contact them to arrange your Spring trip to one of these wonderful festivals.

Calling all age conscious vacationers – Costa Rica invites you to pay less the older you are!  Now this is a Costa Rica vacation deal I could grow to love..

This age-adoring offer is available at any of the six environmentally friendly properties run by Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality which develops and manages magnificent resorts with a commitment to social responsibility.  The unique properties include, Latitude 10 Beach Resort, Lapa Rios EcoLodge, Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation, Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort, The Harmony Hotel and Jicaro Island EcoLodge in Nicaragua.  Even if you can’t skip away to Costa Rica right now, take a look at these properties – they are really exceptional.

So join Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality in celebrating life in Costa Rica.  Exalt in the pleasures of age and show off those grey hairs with pride.  For once, you’ll be thrilled to be as old as you are!

Sea Palace St. Maarten

Can a week’s vacation get any cheaper than this? I’ve just been reading Arthur Frommer’s Blog (great resource of top travel info), and learned about this insanely great sale.  A full week’s vacation in a resort rental apartment (studio, 1 bedroom or 2 bedrooms) for a mere $199 per week. That’s not per person folks, it’s per unit for a full 7 days.  And these are not some flea bag properties, they are from the apartment rental division of Wyndham Hotels – Endless Vacation Rentals.  There are resort properties located all across the USA, Caribbean, Mexico and Europe!  I just can’t stop using !!!! this is such a great deal.

Here’s the main catch…. this is a “blowout” sale on the Wyndham Vacation last minute site.  You only have until 4pm on Friday 5/21/10 to reserve your vacation at this amazing price, and travel must take place within 30 days.    Can’t get away for a full week?  No problem, check out early (the price is still worth it)…. or split the booking with some friends and each stay a few days…that would be a vacation for $100!!!!

Now if you just can’t carve out some vacation time in the next 30 days, this is a site you should definitely bookmark and keep an eye on.  The last minute page always offers properties at amazing rates that are available for travel within 30 days. The standard rate right at the moment would be $349 per week for a studio apartment, up to $399 per week for a 2 bedroom – still a fabulous deal.  I think this is going to be my new go-to site for booking quick getaways.

Here’s my suggested strategy for cashing in on these offers:

Strategy #1
Pick a few locations from the destination list
Look for available frequent flyer seats and grab them
Go back to the Wyndham site and book the apt rental

Strategy #2
Select a destination that is served by a low cost airline (JetBlue, Southwest, Spirit, AirTran etc) and look for a great airfare.  Combine that fare with a one week rental from the Wyndham site.

Strategy #3
See a great airline sale…freeze some seats, check the Wyndham last minute site for an apartment rental.

Make your friends incredulous with envy…”You paid WHAT for  your vacation????!!!!!!”  You have to love it when that happens!

Based in Sao Paulo Brazil, the moving hotel charts adventurous courses through Brazil, Chile and Argentina, visiting areas on and off the traditional tourist map.  Journeys can last from 1 week to 22 days and offer the ability to unpack once and enjoy a comfortable nomatic journey through some of the world’s most spectacular scenery.  While living space is modest,  some upscale adventures are offered along the way like hot air baloooning, horseback riding, off road rally and more surprises.  The top deck is furnished like a railway car with reclining seats and tables, while the rear is divided into 28 sleeping platforms.  Whenever the ‘hotel’ is parked, a huge canopy opens up on the side  to form a congenial kitchen and dining area.

Have a look at the Exploranter website to get an upclose look at what the adventure is all about.  AND tune up on your Spanish because it appears their English translation is not functioning at the moment :-<