Gadling

Vagabond Tales: How To Pay Off The Police While Traveling

Kyle Ellison — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, North America, South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Uruguay, Central America, Travel Security

Let's face it: things happen while you're traveling. Although many travels go off without a hitch, occasionally there are unforeseen hurdles, which simply need to be navigated. Sometimes this can be as minor as your bag ending up in Hamburg when it's supposed to be in Berlin, as unlucky as contracting swine flu in Mexico, or as downright scary as ending up in a knife fight in a back alley in Spain (more on those stories another time).

Of all the travel inconveniences I've experienced over years of vagabonding, however, the one which happens with undoubtedly the most frequency is being cornered into paying off the police. Sometimes this is my fault, sometimes it's someone else's fault, and other times it's nothing more than rampant corruption. Either way, I've paid off the police enough times while traveling to warrant mentioning it with some authority.

One thing I want to set straight, however, is that I have never intentionally bribed the police, because that, I believe, is illegal. In every situation where money has exchanged hands between myself and an officer of the law the idea was proposed to me without my offering it first. I don't by any means condone corruption because it's one of the largest social cancers plaguing much of the developing world. Nevertheless, when staring down the barrel of a sticky situation there is often too little time for letting your morals get the better of you.

It's worthy of mentioning that all of these situations occurred while driving vehicles in Latin America. If the idea of confrontations with police officers doesn't rank high on your list of travel plans, perhaps my number one rule of advice would be avoid operating vehicles in Latin America.

If your bucket list includes a surf safari across Central America or driving the length of Highway 1, however, I offer this mini-survival guide for navigating an awkward situation in places where the lines of justice and extortion are frequently blurred.

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Vagabond Tales: How To Pay Off The Police While Traveling originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 May 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cheesey Street Foods Of Latin America

Laurel Miller — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, North America, South America, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, Budget Travel, Central America

With the possible exception of Argentina, most people don't associate Central or South America with cheese. Like all of Latin America, these countries are a mix of indigenous cultures, colonizing forces, immigrant influences, and varied terroir, climatic extremes, and levels of industrialization. They possess some of the most biologically and geographically diverse habitats on earth. As a result, the cuisine and agricultural practices of each country have developed accordingly.

The use of dairy may not be particularly diverse in this part of the world, especially when it comes to styles of cheese, but it's an important source of nutrition and income in rural areas, and a part of nearly every meal.

While writing a book on cheese during the course of this past year, I tapped into my rather obsessive love of both street food and South America for inspiration. As I learned during my research, the sheer variety of cheesey street snacks from Mexico to Tierra del Fuego are as varied as the ethnic influences responsible for their creation. Read on for a tasty tribute to queso.

Arepas: These flat little corn or flour cakes from Colombia, Venezuela and Panama may be grilled, baked, boiled, or fried. They're usually stuffed or topped with a melting cheese, but may also feature meat, chicken, seafood, egg, or vegetables.

Anafres: Essentially Honduran nachos, composed of giant tortilla chips, refried beans and melted cheese. Named for an anafre, the coal-fired clay pot the dish is served in.

Pupusas: This Salvadorean staple is similar to an arepa: a thick, griddled corn cake stuffed with meat, cheese-usually a mild melting variety known as quesillo-chicarrones (pork cracklings), or queso con loroco (cheese with the buds or flowers of a vine native to Central America).

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Cheesey Street Foods Of Latin America originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: a road trip from Rhode Island to Costa Rica

Jessica Marati — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Stories, North America, Costa Rica, United States, Video, Camping, Budget Travel, Central America

"In the fall of 2004, three friends were given a choice: get a job to pay off student loans and settle down, or fix up an abandoned pop-up camper and take a drive from Rhode Island to Costa Rica."

It's a pretty easy decision, at least for us here at Gadling. The boys of Gnarly Bay Productions apparently agreed, and they documented their trans-continental adventures in //finding forever//, a highlight video posted two years ago on Vimeo but recently rediscovered by our friends at the Nomading Film Festival.

The short film showcases snapshots of life on the road, from time-lapses of the natural splendor of the Americas, to cut-away shots of laughter, breakdancing, headstands, surfing and drinking. At times, the guys play up the "bro" factor a bit too hard, but otherwise, it looks like they had a great adventure. If you need motivation for your next road trip, take a peek.

Now about those student loans...

Video: a road trip from Rhode Island to Costa Rica originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 17 Mar 2012 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 best places to live for avoiding world conflict

Elizabeth Seward — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Seychelles, Bhutan, Iceland, Switzerland, Canada, Costa Rica, United States, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, News, Central America, Caribbean

Expatify.com asked the question, "Where would you be the safest if World War III broke out tomorrow?" The answers arrived in a post titled "10 Best Places to Live for Avoiding World Conflict." Irrelevant as it may seem to you, the claws of conflict affect a revolving roster of nations. The knowledge of where not to go because of conflict, or better yet, where to go to avoid it, can be useful if you're planning to live, or even just spend some time, abroad. According to this article, countries that make the safety cut are: Switzerland, Costa Rica, Papua New Guinea, Canada, Seychelles, Finland, Tuvalu, Iceland, Bhutan, and New Zealand. Most of these choices make sense to me, based on what I know, but the undeniably gorgeous Seychelles seems like a somewhat uncertain choice. News stories covering the Somali pirates swarming the Seychelles area are prevalent. To be fair, I'm not convinced Somali pirates are a current threat for World War III. What are your thoughts? Where would you move in order to be as far removed from world conflict as possible?

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10 best places to live for avoiding world conflict originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hilton launches "Authentically Local" programs in the Caribbean and Latin America

Libby Zay — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Hotels and Accommodations, Central America, Caribbean

Can a mega-corporate hospitality chain with 3,750 hotels provide authentic local experiences to travelers? Select Hilton Worldwide hotels are giving it a shot with the just announced "Authentically Local" packages. Available through the end of the year in the Caribbean and Latin America, the packages are aimed at introducing travelers to local cultures and languages through experiences such as dinners featuring local flavors, dance lessons in the local style, destination and tour suggestions hand-picked by locals, and more. There is even the opportunity for hotel guests to choose wearing a "language immersion pin" that identifies them as someone hotel employees will only speak to in the local language.

Options under the new package include tasting conch at the British Colonial Hilton Nassau in the Bahamas, learning rumba at the Hilton Cartagena in Colombia, snorkelling in the clear waters at the Hilton Curaçao off the coast of Venezuela, or touring the Mercado Municipal when staying at the Hilton São Paulo Morumbi in Brazil. The hotel chain also says culture consultants will be avialable at each participating property (full list after the jump) to help guests learn about the most celebrated experiences in the destinations.

So, is Hilton's new initiative to help travelers partake in authentic experiences when staying at their hotels a way the chain is reaching out to the community, or is it just a marketing ploy? It could go either way, but no matter what it's nice to see more travelers will be learning about local cultures.

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Hilton launches "Authentically Local" programs in the Caribbean and Latin America originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The world's most ethical tourism destinations

Jessica Marati — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Mauritius, Latvia, Serbia, Bahamas, Costa Rica, Dominica, Palau, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Ecotourism, Consumer Activism

Each year, non-profit organization Ethical Traveler conducts a survey of the world's developing nations, analyzing their progress toward promoting human rights, preserving their environment, and developing a sustainable tourism industry. The study, run by Ethical Traveler's all-volunteer staff, factors in country scores from databases like Freedom House, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, and the World Bank, then dives into actions that governments have taken to improve circumstances within their countries in the previous year.

The top countries are celebrated in Ethical Traveler's annual list of the Developing World's Best Ethical Tourism Destinations, with the hope that increased tourism will help those countries continue to improve. "Travel and tourism are among the planet's driving economic forces, and every journey we take makes a statement about our priorities and commitment to change," they say. "Ethical Traveler believes that mindful travel is a net positive for the planet. By choosing our destinations well and remembering our role as citizen diplomats, we can create international goodwill and help change the world for the better."

This year's list includes Argentina, the Bahamas, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominica, Latvia, Mauritius, Palau, Serbia, and Uruguay. Explore these countries more in the slideshow below.

Gallery: The world's most ethical tourism destinations

[Flickr image via Lisandro M. Enrique]

The world's most ethical tourism destinations originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New airport terminals, once delayed, prep for opening this year

Chris Owen — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Business, North America, Liberia, Costa Rica, United States, Airlines, Airports

New airport terminals can add time-saving features to existing facilities, bringing the latest in technology and security. If and when they open. Local and worldwide economic conditions caused projects to be delayed or shelved for a while. Now, several new facilities are preparing to open and new projects are being approved, signaling a brighter future to come.

The long anticipated and twice delayed inauguration of a new terminal at the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, capital of the northwest province of Guanacaste, is happening this week.

"Costa Rica will be in a very advantageous situation, since we will have the best secondary airport in all of Central America, and perhaps one of the best in Latin America," Transport Minister Francisco Jiménez told Ticotimes. "This will be a very important part of the development of the northern Pacific region."

The airport will have the capacity to provide service to 1,500 passengers during peak hours and boasts security upgrades, temporary holding rooms for detained passengers, and dormitories for people in the process of being deported. Said to be the answer to notorious Liberia airport lines that sometimes stretch outside of the terminal, the new facility will be a welcome addition.

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Space Tourists: a cinematic journey to the ISS (w/ Audio Interview)

Stephen Greenwood — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Asia, North America, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, Costa Rica, United States

Space Tourists airs tonight on the Documentary Channel at 8pm & 11pm

When Anousheh Ansari boarded the International Space Station on September 20th, 2006, she became the first self-funded female, the first Iranian citizen, and the fourth human overall to enter the Earth's orbit as a coveted 'space tourist'.

After building and selling a large telecom business, Ansari had decided that she would pay over $20 million USD to take a ride on the Russian Soyuz TMA-9 and orbit Earth as a crew member of the International Space Station for 8 days. While training as a backup for Daisuke Enomoto, who failed to meet the required medical qualifications, Ansari was notified that her lifelong dream would be fulfilled - with only one month remaining before liftoff.

Meanwhile, without Ansari's knowledge, a charismatic Swiss filmmaker had begun to collect material for a documentary that explored the peculiar circumstances of the Russian space tourism industry. Gathering footage at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia and at the Baikonur Cosmodrome (the Soyuz's launch facility), filmmaker Christian Frei began to lay the foundation for what would become the first documentary to uncover a highly exclusive and secretive world.

The finished product, Space Tourists, debuted in the US at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival. Thought it never had an overwhelming reception in North America, it is arguably one of the most fascinating travel-themed documentaries to have been produced in recent years and a must-see for anyone with a sense of adventure or a distant dream of venturing to space.

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Space Tourists: a cinematic journey to the ISS (w/ Audio Interview) originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 25 Dec 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world

Jessica Festa — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Cambodia, India, Israel, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Health, Consumer Activism, Middle East, Central America, Women's Travel

Cars, trains, buses, and planes aren't the only way to get around a country. From the Bamboo Train in Cambodia to the Rail Cart in the the Philippines to the Couch Bike in Canada, here are ten unique modes of transportation from around the world.

Chicken Bus
Guatemala, Central America

While variations of the chicken bus can be found in many different countries (this reminds me a lot of taking the tro-tro in Ghana, Africa), this vehicle is used not only to transport people but also livestock, hence the name. These U.S. school buses are very eye-catching as they are colorfully painted and decorated. When taking one expect cramped conditions, as chicken buses tend to be packed to capacity, and hectic driving at Nascar speeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 best eco-friendly hostels in the world

Jessica Festa — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Hiking, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Ethiopia, Philippines, Iceland, Ireland, Spain, Canada, Costa Rica, United States, Australia, Argentina, Uruguay, Hotels and Accommodations, Camping, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Consumer Activism, Central America, Women's Travel

While you can usually expect an inexpensive stay at a hostel, not all of these accommodations are alike when it comes to being sustainable and green. For your next trip, why not stay somewhere that will not only give you a social experience on a budget, but will also be good for the planet? Check out this list of the 10 best eco-friendly hostels around the world.

Portland Hawthorne Hostel
Portland, Oregon

The Portland Hawthorne Hostel offers a clean, safe accommodation in the Hawthorne District of Portland, Oregon. The hostel has free breakfast, cheap bike rentals, and is a short walk from Mount Tabor and Luarelhurst parks. Not only that, but this hostel does its part in being eco-friendly. One of their biggest draws is their ecoroof, a "green living roof of vegetation and soil". The project is low-maintenance and self-sustaining and is being encouraged by the city due to its ability to soak up stormwater and return it to a natural water cycle (water that is not soaked up usually becomes full of sewage and dirt and negatively affects aquatic habitats). Along with the ecoroof, the hostel makes use of green cleaning products, recycling and composting, and gives guests arriving by bicycle a discount of $5 per night.

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10 best eco-friendly hostels in the world originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 05 Nov 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Japan wins World Rafting Championship

Kraig Becker — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST

Filed under: Paddling, Festivals and Events, Japan, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Costa Rica, Ecotourism, Central America

As we mentioned last week, the World Rafting Championship took place in Costa Rica over the weekend, with 48 teams (29 men, 19 women) competing against one another on a wild stretch of the Pacuare River. The competition, which began on Friday and finished on Monday, consisted of a variety of events that rewarded teams for their speed, agility, and endurance on the water.

After four very long days on the water, the Japanese men claimed victory over the field with an impressive showing all around. They finished ahead of the Czech and Slovenian squads who were two and three respectively. In the women's competition, it was the Czech Republic that took home the crown, with Japan finishing second, and the Netherlands in third. Both the American men and women finished in seventh place.

To win the WRC, teams compete in four distinct rafting disciplines, earning points for how they place in those individual competitions. The team with the highest score at the end of the four days is then declared the champion. On the fist day of the event, the teams take part in the Sprint, during which they simply try to cover a certain length of the river in the fastest time possible. Day 2 brings the Head-to-Head competition, during which the teams are paired up tournament style based on their standings following the Sprint. Teams that win advance in the bracket, while losers are eliminated, until a Head-to-Head champion is crowned. The third day of the competition brings the Slalom, during which the teams navigate around a series of flags as quickly as possible, and the final day is the reserved for the Down River, a long distance test of endurance.

While crowds at the WRC don't exactly rival those at the Super Bowl, there was an enthusiastic and dedicated group of fans from across the globe on hand. The "stadium" wasn't bad either, as the Pacuare is a wild and beautiful river, surrounded by lush rainforests and towering mountaintops. It served as the perfect backdrop for event.

Congratulations to the winners.

Japan wins World Rafting Championship originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 12 Oct 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gadling gear review: Sierra Designs Jive Jacket

Kraig Becker — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST

Filed under: Paddling, Gear, Costa Rica, Gadling Gear Review, Central America

There is an old adage amongst outdoor enthusiasts that says "there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad gear." I had the opportunity to see that adage in action this past weekend while attending the World Rafting Championship in Costa Rica, where afternoon thunderstorms are a common occurrence. We're not talking a light drizzle either. We're talking torrential downpours that reminds you exactly why they call it a rainforest. Fortunately, I remembered to pack my trusty Jive Jacket from Sierra Designs, which proved to be an excellent choice for this adventure.

Hikers, backpackers, and adventure travelers will find a lot to like in this jacket. With its high quality, waterproof zippers, adjustable cuffs and hem, and patented water-rappelling fabrics, it is clear that the Jive was designed by someone who has been caught in an unexpected squall while out on the trail a time or two. And little touches like a helmet-compatible hood and zippered pit vents shows that Sierra Designs knows and understands its target market very well. Pockets designed to be accessible while wearing a backpack, and an interior pocket for keeping your most important items dry, underscore this point even further.

While using the Jive in Costa Rica, it seemed that it had been tailor made for that environment. Not only did it keep me dry in one of the hardest rainstorms I'd ever seen, it was also highly breathable, something that is much appreciated when you're traveling through a steamy rainforest. I was very impressed with how well the jacket managed to keep the rain out, while not becoming unbearably warm to wear, something that has eluded a lot of rain jackets in the past.

Continue reading Gadling gear review: Sierra Designs Jive Jacket

Gadling gear review: Sierra Designs Jive Jacket originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The World Rafting Championship is underway in Costa Rica

Kraig Becker — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Paddling, Festivals and Events, Costa Rica, Ecotourism, Central America

The World Rafting Championship begins tomorrow in Turrialba, Costa Rica, where teams from 35 countries are already busy preparing to compete against one another in a variety of races. Both male and female competitors will challenge each other, not to mention some of the wildest whitewater on the planet, over four days of events that will culminate with a new champion being crowned next Monday.

Over the past few days the teams have been arriving in Turrialba, a small jungle town located not far from San Jose that is a popular destination for whitewater adventures. They'll spend some time getting acquainted with the course, and tomorrow's opening ceremony will officially kick-off the event, with the races beginning on Friday. Those races consist of the Sprint, Head-to-Head, the Slalom, and the Downriver, with each team earning points based on their placement in those individual competitions. At the end of the Championship, the team with the highest score will take home the trophy.

The rafting competition takes place on the Pacuare River, a fast-running and pristine waterway that has its origins on nearby Mt. Chirripo. The stretch of river that the teams will be running includes Class IV+ rapids that pass through a lush jungle environment that is home to a variety of wildlife, including monkeys and jaguars, as well as an amazing array of colorful birds.

By all accounts, Turrialba and the Pacuare are an adventure traveler's paradise, with plenty to offer visitors. I'm looking forward to seeing it for myself, as I'll be attending the Rafting Championship for a few days, and will get the opportunity to experience it first hand. Look for updates not only on the event, but also the amazing destination that is hosting it, very soon.

The World Rafting Championship is underway in Costa Rica originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Key to Costa Rica offering 10% discount on Fall tours

Jessica Festa — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Arts and Culture, Learning, Costa Rica, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Deals, Central America

Key to Costa Rica is offering a 10% discount on tours going to Costa Rica now through November 30, 2011. The focus of these tours is eco-tourism, with itineraries being planned by green travel consultant Beatrice Blake who has not only lived in Costa Rica for 13 years, but has been advising travels since 1996. For those who may not be familiar with eco-tourism, it is a type of travel, usually to a protected or fragile area of land, that is low-impact on the Earth and is meant to educate travelers, provide money for ecological programs, and give insight into the culture.

Travelers have the option to create customized Costa Rican tours or choose from one of the Key to Costa Rica trips, such as Enchanting Costa Rica, which includes bird watching, hiking, visiting an organic coffee farm, and lodging in traditional-style thatched roof cabins. Trips include itineraries for active families, children, nature lovers, and bird enthusiasts. There are also tours specifically for those who want to experience Slow Travel as well as those wishing to volunteer in the region.

Key to Costa Rica offering 10% discount on Fall tours originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 01 Oct 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Scared to visit Mexico? How about Panama?

Chris Owen — Sat, 25 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Panama, United States, Hotels and Accommodations, Central America, Travel Security

News reports of ongoing crime and attacks on travelers in Mexico have land vacationers looking for alternative destinations and cruise ships headed in the opposite direction. Sure, those beheadings, murders and shootings are happening in remote areas of Mexico for the most part, but stories of such activity combined with travel warnings by trusted sources are enough to shift our focus elsewhere.

A look farther south, past Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua finds the welcoming and relatively-safe-compared-to-Mexico nations of Costa Rica and Panama.

Checking in first with the US Department of State for travel warnings or alerts, Costa Rica has the higher rating of the two.

"Adventure tourism is popular in Costa Rica, and many companies offer white-water rafting, bungee jumping, jungle canopy tours, SCUBA diving, and other outdoor attractions. U.S. citizens are urged to use caution in selecting adventure tourism companies." says the Department of State, adding "The Government of Costa Rica regulates and monitors the safety of these companies, and registered tourism companies with operating permits must meet safety standards and have insurance coverage."

Still, the murder of an Argentinian tourist on Thursday raises the question of security and safety for tourism in the Central American country which receives every year more than 2 million visitors.

It seems there is danger anywhere if we look hard enough.

Continue reading Scared to visit Mexico? How about Panama?

Scared to visit Mexico? How about Panama? originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 25 Jun 2011 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Are you ready for a once in a lifetime cycling holiday?

Kraig Becker — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Egypt, Kenya, Madagascar, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Laos, Nepal, Thailand, Vietnam, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Costa Rica, United States, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecotourism, Middle East, Luxury Travel

Pedalers Pub and Grille may sound like a place where you'd stop for some grub after a long day riding your bike, but in actually, its an adventure travel company that specializes in cycling holidays to some of the best destinations on the planet. To celebrate their 25th anniversary, the company has just announced a new tour that will take riders on an eight month, six continent odyssey that will truly be a once in a lifetime experience.

The trip will begin with a "get acquainted" ride through Vermont, which will give everyone who signs up for the tour a chance to get to know one another before the real excitement begins. That shakedown cruise will also give travelers an opportunity to work out the bugs of the trip, such as learning what to carry with them on their daily rides, how to pack and unpack the bikes, and how to endure the rigors of the open road.

From there, the route will take cyclists across Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, and Central America, before eventually returning to the United States. In all, they will ride will through nearly 30 countries, including Ireland, France, Italy, Egypt, Kenya, India, Nepal, New Zealand, Peru, Costa Rica, and more. They'll average anywhere form 45-60 miles (80-100km) per day on mostly paved roads with the occasional dirt track as well.

The Once In A Lifetime Tour won't get underway until June of 2012, which gives you plenty of time to save your pennies. With a price tag of $95,000 the trip doesn't come cheap, but that price does include all accommodations, most meals, all transportation costs, guides, tours, and even a custom built bike.

If you happen to have $100k and 8 months of free time coming your way, you may want to consider joining this trip. If nothing else, it sure seems like it'll live up to its name and truly be a once in a lifetime experience.

[Photo credit: Pedalers Pub and Grille]

Are you ready for a once in a lifetime cycling holiday? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 25 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Take a photographic adventure with National Geographic

Kraig Becker — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Morocco, Bhutan, Costa Rica, United States, Ecuador, Ecotourism, Central America, Luxury Travel

Fans of National Geographic have long been drawn to the magazine's fantastic photos, with many of us wishing we had the skills to take similar shots ourselves. Now, National Geographic Expeditions is offering us the opportunity to go on a photographic adventure while building and honing those skills along the way.

Nat Geo Expeditions is the travel arm of National Geographic, offering up some excellent adventure travel opportunities to a number of far flung places. But they also offer aspiring photographers the chance to take part in photography workshops held throughout the country including New York, Washington DC, Tuscon, and Santa Fe. Those workshops range in length from 4 to 7 days, and will teach you everything you need to know about using that fancy digital camera that you bought, but never got around to learning how to operate. For dates and pricing on those workshops click here.

Perhaps even more exciting however are the Photo Expeditions that Nat Geo has to offer. Those trips are 8-12 days in length and will send you off to some amazing places where you'll learn everything you've always wanted to know about photography. Destinations include Alaska, Bhutan, Morocco, Costa Rica, and the Galapagos Islands. Much like the workshops, these trips are designed for photographers of all skill levels and are led by National Geographic photographers with years of experience in the field. They also happen to add healthy doses of culture and adventure to the mix. For more information on the Photo Expeditions click here.

For someone who loves to snap photos (like me!), but wishes they had a firmer grasp on the technical aspects of the art (also like me!), these workshops and expeditions are fantastic opportunities to learn from an expert. So whether you use a point and shoot or a high-end DSLR, a National Geographic photographic adventure is sure to be a fantastic experience.

[Photo Credit: National Geographic Expeditions]

Continue reading Take a photographic adventure with National Geographic

Take a photographic adventure with National Geographic originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 23 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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AeroMexico cabin crew stops drunk pilots from flying home

Scott Carmichael — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Airlines, Airports

Cabin crew members of an AeroMexico flight stopped their flight deck colleagues from entering the cockpit when they suspected the pair were under the influence of alcohol. Local police were called and performed a breathalyzer test. The co-pilot tested positive, but the pilot refused to cooperate.

Since no spare flight crew was available in Costa Rica, the flight was delayed so a replacement crew could be flown in. The 101 passengers were compensated for the delay and made their way to Mexico City 24 hours later. According to a local newspaper, the pilots had been partying seven hours before their flight.

AeroMexico apologized for the incident and will be investigating the behavior of the pilots.

Gallery: Ten pilots you don't want in your cockpit

[Photo: Flickr/So Cal Metro]

AeroMexico cabin crew stops drunk pilots from flying home originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Black Tomato launches Epic Tomato, an ambitious new adventure offshoot

Alex Robertson Textor — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Antarctica, Mali, Namibia, Uganda, China, Indonesia, Jordan, Nepal, Iceland, Norway, Canada, Costa Rica, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Bolivia, Chile, Guyana, Middle East, Central America, Caribbean

For years Black Tomato has delighted old travel hands with its inventive, bespoke itineraries to various corners of the globe. The company is especially good at showcasing beautiful destinations not yet well-known to most travelers beyond the surrounding region. Among others, Belgrade, the Carpathian foothills, the Kuronian Spit, and Bhutan have all been embraced by the company.

This morning, Black Tomato launched Epic Tomato, which showcases a selection of hardcore adventure experiences to very hard-to-reach places. These adventures are scheduled for lengths of between four to 21 days, and are grouped into five categories: Polar, Desert, Jungle, Mountain, and River. They are all led by serious expert guides, some with SAS (British special service) military backgrounds.

Bolivia's Apolobamba mountain range, Mali's Dogon region, the Star Mountains of Papua New Guinea (see above), the Mosquito Coast of Honduras, and East Greenland are just a few of the destinations reached by Epic Tomato tours.

Epic Tomato's frankly epic experiences don't come cheap. At the bottom end of the scale, three adventures come in at £5995 ($9660): 14 days in Papua New Guinea's East New Britain and Duke of York Islands; a 21-day trek in Tibet and Nepal; and eight days in Chilean Patagonia. At the very high end: 12 days on Canada's Ellesmere Island for £67,495 ($108,720).

Black Tomato launches Epic Tomato, an ambitious new adventure offshoot originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 26 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The Springs in Costa Rica

Elizabeth Seward — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Costa Rica, News, Central America, Luxury Travel

The Springs in Costa Rica is a luxury resort. With a backyard view of the Arenal Volcano, this resort boasts both hot and cold springs one thousand feet above the Arenal Valley. Although the enchanting destination deserves some attention on its own, having some media-bewitching stars present on the grounds doesn't hurt The Springs' reputation.

If you watched the most recent episode of The Bachelor 2011, make no mistake: Bachelor Brad and his ladies were living it up at The Springs. With eighteen pools (eighteen, not eight), many of them fed by hot springs, these single ladies are certainly wishing he'd put a ring on it thanks to this luxurious resort vacation.

Find out more about The Springs by visiting their website. And if you're into the idea of vacationing elsewhere in Costa Rica, just peruse the Costa Rica listings here at Gadling.

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The Springs in Costa Rica originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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