This month we celebrate the glories of Mother Nature with articles on gardens and nature's beauty throughout the world – both ones that have been masterly crafted by people and those created randomly by nature. If you prefer your nature wild and untamed – Botswana’s Okavango Delta, the national parks of the United States or the cloud forests of Costa Rica – our hosts can help you explore nature in its elemental glory.For those of you who enjoy the handiwork of man, we have dozens of tour hosts, museums and gardens where you can feast your eyes on native and transplanted flora and fauna – trimmed, hedged and molded to fit human ideals.Whichever path you take into this wonderful world of plants and animals, remember that we are all interdependent. If we abandon tending to the needs of our environment and the creatures with which we share this planet, nature will in short order cease providing us with the clean air, water and the food we need to survive.Responsible and eco-friendly tourism is essential in assuring our existence. When making your travel plans, please look for companies that give back to their communities and follow basic guidelines for sustainability. Together we can make a difference.
This month's tour hosts review:National Parks and Conservation Association Pick of the Month Location: United States
Specialty: Multi-day guided tours through the parks
Why We Like Them: Encompassing all of America’s national parks, the National Parks and Conservation Association is the top pick for travelers wanting to explore a variety of the nation’s natural treasures in one trip. Founded over 80 years ago, the Association displays eco-tourism’s principles at their best. Offering a great educational experience for nature lovers young and old, the Association’s mission of ensuring that future generations will have the ability to discover the wonders of our diverse geography and the natural glories our country, makes it a natural choice for the month’s Tour Host Pick.
Eco Africa Botswana
Location: Botswana
Specialty: Luxury mobile photographic and general interest safaris
Why We Like Them: Raised in the safari business, Roger Dugmore combines his love of photography with his knowledge of Botswana to create wonderful experiences for camera fans and general nature lovers. Eco Africa Botswana’s mobile safaris allow travelers to get closer to the animals in their native habitat than lodge-based options. Offering both set-departures and custom designed mobile safaris, the company’s all-inclusive journeys are sure to please.
Adventure Photography
Location: Western United States
Specialty: Wildlife photography tours
Why We Like Them: Cathy and Gordon Illg have been photographing wildlife for over 20 years. Their tours lead the determined photographer to places of remarkable beauty where you can get up close to the animals in their own habitats. Seasonal tours visit meadows, forests, beaches and deserts, and include wildlife refuges, national parks, the open plains and the majestic Rockies.
Article: Beauty & the Beasts
Red Rock -n Llamas
Location: Utah
Specialty: Llama treks into the red rock canyons of Southern Utah
Why We Like Them: Explore the wonders of Southern Utah with expert guides and friendly pack llamas. A deluxe camping experience where travelers can learn about the geology of the canyons and mesas, as well as the flora and fauna, archeology and history of the region, make this a wonderful adventure for nature lovers. Offering a different destination each month, Red Rock allows hikers of all skill levels explore and discover the ecology of the area.
Article: Escalante Canyons Explorations
Yawanago
Location: Belize
Specialty: Educational tours exploring the beauty of Belize and Guatemala
Why We Like Them: Besides exploring the archeological wonders of the country, Yawanago includes visits to the abundant natural delights of the region. Their 12-day tour includes Mayan ruins and other archaeological splendors, as well as wildlife and marine reserves. Discover one of the world’s most biologically diverse regions with a small group of intrepid travelers, and savor the beauty of the local people as well as the land.
Article: An Intrepid Tour of Belize’s Wild Gardens
Chicago Botanic Garden
Location: Midwest United States
Specialty: 26 separate themed gardens
Why We Like Them: 2.2 million plants on 385 acres allow visitors to discover the garden’s collection of flora and fauna in a naturalized setting. Enjoy an English walled garden, a Japanese garden, native plants, a prairie setting and even a section of the Skokie River that has been developed to demonstrate options for natural methods to enhance urban waterways. Every season has it own special blooms and the garden has a fantastic web site that lets visitors virtually explore a wealth of garden types and plants from around the world.
Church House Tours
Location: Dorset England
Specialty: Unique accommodations and local day tours
Why We Like Them: Accommodations in an 18th century thatched house with a wonderful old world garden and personalized day trips to the surrounding area are the highlights of a visit with Paul and Susy Wilson, proprietors of Church House Tours. Tour options include The Ocean and The English Seaside, The Wye Valley and Secret Gardens, or have Paul and Susy custom design a journey for you.
No Upcoming Events Added! Please Stay Tuned. Thank you.
