Posted November 11, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Located along Australia's Western coast, the small town of
Walpole attracts people year-round to explore its beaches, forests, and wilderness. Let your wild side loose without losing your wallet in the surrounding
Walpole-Nornalup National Park, as you walk above towering trees, dine next to a river, and stay in a chalet with resident kangaroos.
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Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk: If you want to touch the sky, this is the place to do it: 125 feet in the air above the
Valley of the Giants in the national park. Not for the faint of heart, the Tree Top Walk winds its way through the canopy of the tingle "giants," far from the safety of the ground below. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly planted on the soil, you can opt for the Ancient Empire Boardwalk, which meanders around the base of the enormous trees. Admission cost is relatively low, rounding out at $8 AUD at last check (about $7.25 U.S.; check
XE.com for current exchange rates).
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Bow Bridge Roadhouse: On the banks of the Bow River in the Valley of the Giants, you'll find a one-stop shop for all of your needs and hunger pangs. The Bow Bridge Roadhouse wears many hats, serving as a restaurant, post office, grocery store, and gas station. Try one of its popular hamburgers and dine in the picnic area overlooking the water. Or if you're in need of caffeine, the Bow also makes espresso drinks to go.
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Walpole Wilderness Resort: Come stay away from it all at the Walpole Wilderness Resort, located on 170 acres of karri and tingle forests. Here, you can watch the resident mob of kangaroos play before you retreat to a chalet equipped with a kitchen, wood fireplace, private heated spa, and gas barbie. If you feel like exploring the surrounding area, the resort has several trails for you to wander at will. Rooms start at $149 AUD per night.
To search for flights and compare prices to Albany, which is home to Walpole’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockPhoto.com/Pajara Thongjaj)
Posted November 10, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Not far from Mendocino County, you'll find a small town that's big on the ocean, but not on high prices. In Albion, you can dive for abalone, dine on local dishes with a French twist, and stay at a historic inn overlooking the water.
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Noyo-Pacific Outfitters abalone diving: Saying "diving for abalone in Albion" may be a tongue twister, but it's also a must-do activity for any visit to the California Coast. Feel the invigorating rush of searching for the elusive mollusks as you dive from a kayak or the beach. If you're unsure about how to dive for abalone, Noyo-Pacific Outfitters offers a two-hour guided trip with an experienced diver for $150. However, if you think you can handle it on your own, you can rent the proper equipment for $25 all day.
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Ledford House Restaurant: Sitting high above the water on a bluff in the Albion Headlands, the Ledford House creates Provencal-inspired dishes with California produce. The menu changes monthly based on seasonal products and the chef's whim, almost guaranteeing you won't have the same meal twice. Most entrees cost between $20 and $30, but you can save money by ordering from the small-plates menu, which features items such as duck pate with lavender jelly for $12. The restaurant is open Wednesdays through Sundays, and you can listen to live jazz music as you enjoy sweeping views of the ocean.
Stay
Fensalden Inn: Once serving as a stagecoach stop, the Fensalden Inn still offers weary travelers a place for rest and relaxation. The hotel sits on 20 acres of land 400 feet above the ocean, and you can wander through a meadow with deer or read a book by your room's fireplace. Be sure to have a drink in the Tavern Room, where the ceiling is still marked by bullet holes dating from the inn's livelier days. Rooms start at $149 per night, and include breakfast.
To search for flights and compare prices to San Francisco, which is home to Albion’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo iStockphoto.com/Astrida Valigorsky)
Posted November 9, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Known as New Zealand's Garden City, Christchurch makes being green look oh so natural. Come witness the area's wildlife with an eco-minded tour company, stay in a house designed to be kind to the environment, and shop at a certified organic grocery store. Best of all, you can go wild without overspending.
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Elm Wildlife Tours: Located outside Christchurch in Dunedin, you'll find a tour operator with an eco-friendly heart. Elm Wildlife boasts a negative carbon footprint, since its self-planted forest absorbs more carbon than its tours create. Come along on the Peninsula Encounters half-day tour, where you'll travel to the Otago Peninsula to view the Hooker's sea lions and blue penguins in their natural habitat. Tours cost 89 NZD (about $65.50 US; check XE.com for current exchange rates).
Stay
GreenSpace: GreenSpace goes to great lengths to offer guests a comfortable place to stay while preserving nature. From the solar water heating system to the plantation timber flooring, the entire house is eco-friendly. Choose between two rooms that come with cotton bathrobes and cruelty-free toiletries. Daily breakfast is made with ingredients picked from the hotel's own organic garden. Rooms with breakfast start at 115 NZD per night.
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Seven Fields Organic: As the first certified organic retailer in Christchurch, Seven Fields sells items right from the farm such as fresh meat, salsa, nuts, and dried fruit. Prices depend on the item, but you can create a picnic lunch for less than you'd spend at a restaurant.
To search for flights and compare prices to Christchurch, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Tourism New Zealand)
Posted November 6, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Berkeley is an innovator in making the world a better place, and it's easy to experience how it does so first-hand. Take in a bit of culture at a theater that runs on solar power, dine at a restaurant opened by one of the pioneers of the local food movement, and then learn how to make your life more eco-friendly at a home improvement store. Best of all, there are ways to cut costs if you're on a budget.
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Shotgun Players: As the first completely solar-powered theater in the country, the Shotgun Players brings a little sunshine and culture to Berkeley. Watch the talented actors light up the stage during one of the theater's many performances, including acts like Beowulf or Macbeth. Ticket prices vary, but if you can swing by during a show's first week, you can pay whatever you can afford.
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Chez Panisse: Alice Waters helped jumpstart the local-foods movement by opening Chez Panisse in 1971. Rooted in the idea that all food should be organically and locally grown, the restaurant's prix-fixe menu changes nightly to highlight the best of the season. The main restaurant offers two seatings per night, priced accordingly for each day of the week, starting at $60 on Mondays. The upstairs cafe, where you can watch your dishes being prepared in the open kitchen, offers a more affordable a la carte menu that also changes daily, starting at about $18.
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Ecohome Improvement: Carrying a range of recycled, renewable, and regionally-made goods, Ecohome Improvement can turn any home into a greenhouse. Even if you're not looking to paint or redecorate your abode, you can still learn a thing or two about making your surroundings a bit more eco-friendly. Prices depend on the items, but the knowledge of how to make an earth-loving home is priceless.
To search for flights and compare prices to San Francisco, which is home to Berkeley’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(iStockphoto.com/ Rafael Ramirez Lee)
Posted November 5, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Most people visit Flagstaff as a stop on their way to the Grand Canyon. However, if you make it your prime destination, you'll find a city filled with a vibrant history and a hip atmosphere. You can spend the day exploring an ancient civilization's way of life at a nearby pueblo, and then quench your thirst on local brews. And at the end of the day, rest your head in a historical hotel where criminals and starlets once slept.
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Wupatki National Monument: Walk in the footsteps of an ancient tribe at the Wupatki Pueblo, which is the largest pueblo within the park and was once home to nearly 100 people in the 1200s. Hike the self-guided half-mile trail to witness the achievement of a determined tribe who thrived in an area without abundant food or water. Entrance to the park costs $5 per person, and is good for seven days at both Wupatki National Monument and the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument. Download the Wupatki trail guide for a history of the pueblo and things to look for along the path before setting out.
Drink
Beaver Street Brewery: Brewing beers since 2001, Beaver Street Brewery is the place to go in Flagstaff for a cold one. The bar offers two seasonal beers alongside its four traditional drafts throughout the year. Enjoy a Rail Head Red ale, the local favorite, while sitting at the bar or outside in the beer garden beneath the San Francisco Peaks. Happy hour specials are available everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the brewery's Brews and Cues pub next door.
Stay
Hotel Monte Vista: Located just one block from Route 66, the Hotel Monte Vista has served as an oasis for weary road warriors. Bank robbers and major Hollywood hitters have graced these halls, rubbing shoulders with the everyday traveler since it opened in 1926. With the downtown shops, restaurants, and attractions right at the front door, the hotel is an ideal jumping-off point for a Flagstaff vacation. Stay in one of the rooms named for the celebrity guests who spent the night, such as the Clark Gable or Humphrey Bogart. Rooms with a private bath start at $70 per night.
To search for flights and compare prices to Flagstaff, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockphoto/Garrett Dauphars)
Posted November 4, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Outdoor enthusiasts come to Big Sky year-round for sports, wildlife, and the mountainous landscapes, but those who yearn for the quiet seclusion of a lodge also find it appealing. And with package deals that incorporate the thrill of nature with the comfort of a cabin, it's the perfect time to start packing. Once there, you can meet rescued grizzlies and wolves during the day, and enjoy good eats and local brews at night.
Stay
The River Rock Lodge: With easy access to skiing, fishing, and nearly everything outdoorsy, this western-style hotel can't be beat as a place to hang your poles, rod, or boots. For the skiing enthusiast, the lodge offers a special package starting at $174 per person, which includes an all-day lift ticket to Big Sky or Moonlight Basin, one-night accommodations, and continental breakfast. If a day outdoors isn't your cup of cocoa, you can also sit next to the warm fireplace in the lobby and relax.
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The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center: This wildlife preserve near the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park invites you to experience these creatures up-close-and-personal. Many of the animals at the center ended up here because they were injured, abandoned, or became too comfortable around humans. You'll learn all about their lives through educational videos and museum artifacts, then watch as the grizzlies interact with each other, or possibly listen as the wolves howl. The $10.50 admission helps keep these animals fed and cared for, and the nonprofit organization always accepts donations.
Eat
Black Bear Bar and Grill: If you're hungry like a wolf, or a bear for that matter, then stop by the Black Bear for a hearty hamburger or a Philly cheese steak. The bar has the largest selection of microbrews around, including drafts of the locally brewed Lone Peak. So grab a seat and enjoy a pint while gazing at the mountain for which it was named. Every night has some sort of drink or dinner deal.
To search for flights and compare prices to Bozeman, which is home to Big Sky’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: The River Rock Lodge)
Posted November 3, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Telluride attracts ski enthusiasts and adventure junkies throughout the year, but the slopes really heat up when the weather cools down. However, after you've spent most of the day playing outdoors, you can experience a town that seems worlds away from the afternoon adrenaline rush. Wander through a bookstore filled with amazing adventures, or warm your tummy with a hot-from-the-oven slice of pizza. And once your heart rate has finally slowed, you can return to your historical lodging for a dip in a roof-top hot tub with a mighty view.
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Between the Covers Bookstore and Espresso Bar: Between the Covers tempts you to come in from the cold with hot beverages and insightful literature. From Hemingway to Rick Steves, this nifty bookstore overflows with fictional worlds and local Telluride guidebooks. You can also combat the whipping winds with a cup of hot cocoa by your side. Books are priced accordingly, but it's free to browse.
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Baked in Telluride: There's nothing like the scent of fresh baked breads, pizza crusts, and pastries to wake you up in the morning, noon, or night, and Baked in Telluride is a surefire eye-opener. Taking inspiration from far flung destinations around the world, owner Jerry Greene's menu includes New York-style pizzas alongside Nepalese samosas. Sandwiches start at $5.79, but don't miss the Thursday Thanksgiving special each week for $12.99.
Stay
New Sheridan Hotel: For more than 100 years, the New Sheridan Hotel has been a hotspot for weary snow bunnies. The Victorian-style hotel greets you with its historic charm and modern amenities, including roof-top hot tubs with sweeping views of the San Juan Mountains. During your stay, you'll enjoy a complimentary breakfast, well-stocked drink pantry, and home-baked chocolate chip cookies. Rooms start at $129, depending on the season.
To search for flights and compare prices to Telluride, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: Telluride Tourism Board)
Posted November 2, 2009 by Jamie Moore
Think east coast Florida and images of sandy beaches come to mind. But Jacksonville is also blessed with an ecosystem of salt marshes, creeks, and the scenic St. Johns River. You can easily spend a weekend or more exploring the largest urban park system in the country. Paddle the salt marshes in a state park, catch scenic sunsets from a riverside B&B, sip a fancy martini at the Landing, and never even miss the ocean.
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Kayak Amelia: Between the ocean and IntraCoastal Waterway lies a magical salt marsh ecosystem that Jacksonville's beach-bound visitors never see. Paddle the creeks on a guided tour ($55) with Kayak Amelia and you'll learn about ecology, history, and the dolphins and manatees that live in and around Amelia Island State Park. Kayak Amelia also leads bike eco-tours in other nearby state parks.
Stay
House on Cherry Street: Jacksonville's most picturesque sunrises might be over the ocean, but its best sunsets are on the St. Johns River. This charming riverside B&B is an ideal place to end the day. From the dock you can see herons gliding over the water and snowy egrets swooping back to their roost. Downtown attractions are only a short walk away. Antiques grace the inn's two guest rooms, $105 or $115 per night, which includes a full breakfast and afternoon tea.
Drink
Twisted Martini: Girls flaunting tans and guys flexing brawn flock to this swank martini bar at the Jacksonville Landing. Along the St. Johns River, high style and designer cocktails are standard issue at Twisted Martini. You can even get bottle service and VIP treatment in a specially designated chic lounge, but instead save the cash and opt for daily happy hour specials.
To search for flights and compare prices to Jacksonville, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockPhoto/Purdue9394)
Posted October 30, 2009 by Kate Hamman
Across the Charles River from downtown Boston, you'll find a city with a green conscience. Discover Cambridge's eco side without spending a fortune. Dine on organic and vegetarian pizza at a local cafe, shop for environmentally friendly gifts, and stay at a hotel that rewards those who drive a hybrid.
Eat
Veggie Planet: Veggie Planet makes you feel good about what you eat by creating vegetarian pizzas from organic dough that comes from a nonprofit bakery doubling as a homeless service provider. You can also order homemade soups, salads, and desserts. At night, part of the cafe transforms into a folk club, where Joan Baez has played. Pizzas start at $5.95 for lunch and $10.24 for dinner, and a portion of the profits is donated to organizations working towards social change.
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Greenward: Selling a variety of fashionable and functional home goods, gifts, and other fun knick-knacks, Greenward makes being stylishly green a snap. The shop requires that every product meets its criteria for eco-modern standards, meaning it must be either handmade, recyclable, made from recycled materials, biodegradable, organic, energy-efficient, or educational. You can find wrapping paper made from recycled papers, books on green topics, jewelry, baby clothes, cleaning supplies, and handbags. Even the floors are made from cork. You can spend a little or a lot here, but the real value is in the knowledge that every penny helps make a difference.
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Hotel Marlowe: Thanks to Hotel Marlowe's EarthCare program, you can sleep easy knowing you've played a part in taking care of the environment. This boutique-style hotel incorporates green practices throughout, including adding in-room recycling bins, conserving energy and water, and using environmentally friendly cleaning supplies. As a guest, you can help yourself to the honor bar, filled with organic snacks and beverages. Rooms start at about $161, and you can save $20 if you arrive in a hybrid vehicle.
To search for flights and compare prices to Boston, which is home to Cambridge’s nearest major airport, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockphoto.com/ Jorge Salcedo)
Posted October 29, 2009 by Kate Hamman
With most of the country using hydro-power and geothermal energy, Iceland places a major emphasis on preserving the environment. Come to this European island, where you can see sweeping views of its capital city, Reykjavik, from atop a geothermal water facility, drink pure vodka made from spring water, and stay in the heart of a glacier. Plus, you can find ways to afford the high life.
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Perlan: Situated high above Reykjavik on Oskjuhlid hill, you'll find the Perlan, or pearl, of Iceland. This massive glass dome sits atop geothermal tanks that provide water storage and environmentally safe energy to the city and its surrounding area. Head to the outdoor observation deck for free, or spend a little extra money to dine at the spinning restaurant that makes a full rotation every two hours. The upscale menu features a choice of gourmet and Icelandic dishes, including marinated tenderloin of venison, and you can order a la carte or from the four-course prix fixe for 6,990 ISK (about $57.50 US; check XE.com for current exchange rates).
Drink
Reyka Vodka: Reyka Vodka is not only the first and only liquor to be distilled and bottled in Iceland, it also happens to be one of the only "green" vodkas in the world. Several natural elements play into the spirit's production, including pure glacial spring water from a lava field, pollutant-free air, and geothermal heat. The distillery is located in the small town of Borgarnes, about 50 minutes outside Reykjavik, and doesn't offer tours at this time. However, you can still sample the vodka at Cafe Oliver in downtown Reykjavik. Or, you can order bottles online for about $23 for 750 ml.
Stay
Hotel Hellnar: At the heart of the Snaefellsjokull Glacier, about two-and-a-half hours from Reykjavik, you'll find the first Green Globe 21 certified hotel in Iceland. Hotel Hellnar adheres to environmentally friendly practices such as reusing and recycling waste, conserving water and energy, and using eco-products throughout the property. The hotel offers twenty country-style twin rooms. You can enjoy a glass of organic wine and dine on organic cuisine as you take in the views of the Glacier or Mt. Stapafell.
To search for flights and compare prices to Reykjavik, please use our price-comparison tool.
(Photo: iStockPhoto/ Lukas Hejtman)
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