Happy holidays from the SustainableTrip.org team! Here are some quick tips for sustainable holiday travel:

• Trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation are the most energy-efficient way to travel.
• If you're traveling by plane, try to take a direct flight--in addition to being more convenient, it uses a lot less fuel.
• Carbon offset programs are an easy way to help mitigate the impact of your trip.
• If you just can't get around driving, make the effort to travel during off-peak times and take your car for regular maintenance before your road trip. Changing oil, properly inflating tires, and driving the speed limit can make a huge difference in fuel efficiency.

See you in 2014!

This entry was posted on December 20, 2013 at 1:30 PM and has received 2480 views. There are currently 2 comments. Print this entry.

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All over the world, Catholics are preparing to celebrate Holy Week. This holiday involves prayer, fasting, devotion, and, in many countries, traditional parades. It is a great time of year for travelers in Latin America and other regions to enjoy an authentic cultural tourism experience!

A "procession" is an organized religious parade of people on a journey, usually as an offering to God, the Virgin, or the saints. The processions are inspired by biblical passages, so participants are dressed in costumes from the Roman era, and they carry images of Jesus and the Virgin, among others. During the journey they may go quietly, sing hymns, or chant prayers.

The processions can begin during Lent and be held every Sunday until Easter. Starting on Palm Sunday, there are sometimes daily processions, but the largest and most elaborate parades are from Holy Thursday until Easter Sunday.

Spain, Argentina, Peru, and Guatemala are world renowned for their colorful and moving processions. However, the processions of Guatemala are said to be the best of America, especially those of the colonial city of Antigua.

During Holy Week, the narrow cobblestone streets of Antigua are filled with domestic and foreign tourists who travel there just to appreciate these acts of devotion. But there is another element that makes them unique in the world: the beautiful carpets of sawdust the Guatemalan Catholics carefully produce to decorate the route the processions will pass.

The carpets display impressive Maya and Roman designs and others inspired by nature, which are made using colored sawdust, flowers, fruits, vegetables, pine and other materials. Families, neighborhoods, and entire guilds organize themselves to decorate the streets outside their homes and churches, combining their talent and effort and pooling money to buy the materials and molds needed to create the carpets.

Depending on their length and difficulty, the preparation of a carpet can take a few hours or even full nights and days. Some carpets in Antigua may be nearly a kilometer in length.

Seeing Antigua converted into an artists' studio is a visual feast for visitors who wander through the streets capturing the images of the creative process and the final works. The life of a carpet is short, making it even more special.

The start of the procession marks the carpets' greatest moment of splendor, but also their end. The crowded streets fill with white incense, followed by the group of people with special clothing and prayers or chants, while the strongest carry very heavy litters bearing the precious images. Everyone marches slowly on the beautiful carpets that have patiently awaited this moment. Within minutes, only remnants of the colorful tapestries remain, and a cleaning crew sweeps up the waste to leave the streets clean again.

In a few hours on another street of Antigua, the process is repeated again and again until Holy Week ends.

This entry was posted on March 19, 2013 at 3:34 PM and has received 743 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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In February, the beautiful colonial city of Granada, Nicaragua, is filled with verse, metaphor, music, dance, and folklore. More than 100 national and international poets from around the world come to the city to celebrate the renowned Granada International Poetry Festival with local residents and hundreds of tourists.

The festival has been held since 2005 as a meeting place for poets from all corners of the planet, whether they are well-known, beginners, or fans. According to its website, the event is open to all languages of the world, embraces all streams of thought, and celebrates all literary traditions.

For a week, the parks and squares of Granada and its neighboring villages become a stage where poets recite their works to the public. There are also workshops for young poets and writers as well as literary roundtables and panels.

In addition to the literary arts, the city is full of all kinds of cultural- celebrations during the festival. The evening recitals culminate with concerts and dance performances that allow tourists to enjoy the age-old beauty of this city and learn more about Nicaraguan culture and life.

One of the event's most prominent and special attractions is the Poetic Carnival. Granada's streets are crammed with troupes representing the different folk traditions of the country. Every year these troupes accompany the poets in a kind of funeral that symbolically "buries" negative ideas that are enemies of culture and poetry. Some of the negative ideas buried in previous events were deceit, falsehood, forgetfulness, and indifference.

The troupes and participants make a procession behind a horse-drawn hearse, followed by a colorful float that stops at every corner along the route so the poets can climb aboard and read their poems to the crowd marching with them, accompanying the joyful "funeral."

In addition, the festival presents a gift to beautify the city every year: new sculptures dedicated to the most important Nicaraguan poets in the renowned Poetry Park.

This event is internationally recognized and it has positioned Granada as a major destination for cultural tourism in the region. For the past nine years, this festival has brought together more than 1,000 poets from 106 countries and has been attended by more than 450,000 people.

This year, the festival will be held from February 17 to 24.

Would you like to have this cultural experience in one of the most beautiful colonial cities of Central America? Then venture out to visit the festival and discover Granada: see its historic landmarks and travel on horseback to its ancient corners, use a boat or kayak on majestic Lake Nicaragua, visit the islets of Granada or go trekking on Mombacho Volcano.

Visit our directory for a list of sustainable accommodations and tourist services in this wonderful city of Nicaragua.

This entry was posted on February 5, 2013 at 10:06 AM and has received 861 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

Need some last minute gift ideas for the traveling adventurer in your life? Fear not -- we've got you covered.

1) Reusable water bottles and/or water filters

There's no need to waste money or natural resources by buying disposable water bottles with these nifty water solutions. Reusable water bottles are handy for everyday use as well, whether you're going to work, class, or are just running errands. Portable water purifiers, such as an ultraviolet light purifiers or packs of chlorine dioxide tablets are perfect for backpackers and anyone traveling in the developing world, where you can't always drink the tap water. There are even water bottles with built-in purifiers for the ultimate convenience factor!

2) Travel towels

According to The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Douglas Adams' cult classic novel), a towel "is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have." Well, that goes for adventurers on planet Earth as well -- from camping, to lounging on the beach, to a long day of city exploration, a towel can be an indispensable tool. Many hotels charge extra to rent towels for the beach or pool, and some hostels don't provide towels at all. Aside from the obvious uses, towels can also be used to shield your head from the sun, to cover a questionable-looking bus seat or hostel pillow, or as a cushion. Quick-dry, antimicrobial, and UV protective fabric makes towels like these a thoughtful and infinitely useful gift.

3) Solar charger

Break free from the grid! Use a portable solar charger to juice up your cell phones, mp3 players, and digital cameras. This gift idea is especially great for trekkers who might not even have access to an outlet for days at a time.

4) Compression packing bags

Originally designed for storage purposes, travelers have caught on to the convenience of compression bags for their packing needs. Pressure valves on these plastic bags suck all the air out, shrinking your clothes and other items to a fraction of their size to make the most of your suitcase/backpack space. But be wary of weight restrictions on flights, as the more items you pack into your bag, the more it will weigh.

5) Portable coffeemaker

No one wants a travel buddy suffering from coffee-withdrawal grouchiness! There are several types of portable coffeemakers, mostly geared towards campers, that are perfect for those who are only functional after their morning cup o' joe. Coleman makes a highly reviewed drip coffeemaker that can go right on a camping stove. There are also French press-style coffeemakers that come in a variety of sizes, including a portable mug that you can drink right out of as soon as your coffee is ready.

6) Travel apps

Why not buy your loved one a travel app or two for their mobile device? There are so many different kinds of apps for travelers out there, from games to prevent boredom on long flights to language translators. Other travel apps include trip itinerary organizers, currency converters, free Wi-Fi finders, flight alerts, and databases with maps of every kind (city maps, rail maps, park maps, ski resort maps, and more).

7) Basic medical kit

A lightweight basic medical kit can be crucial in a pinch. Get one that is small with a soft container that will fit easily into a purse or backpack. If you're not in a major city, chances are there aren't convenience stores on every corner. Simple items like Band-Aids, Neosporin, bug bite cream, antiseptic wipes, and over-the-counter medicines for common ailments (like minor pain, allergies, indigestion, congestion, and heartburn) will be worth their weight in gold if the situation calls for them.

8) Donations

Does your traveler already have all the gear they could ever want? Make a donation in your loved one's name to a nonprofit organization that is working to help a destination he or she loves. If they bonded with a local community, there are many organizations doing great work for underprivileged communities, such as helping children get an education, advocating for women's rights, protecting local wildlife, and promoting fair treatment of workers in the tourism industry. If your traveler was awed by the beautiful natural environment they visited, consider donating to an organization that is working towards preserving that special place!

This entry was posted on December 19, 2012 at 5:04 PM and has received 1196 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

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Millions of people travel for the holidays every year. Many families take advantage of the time they have off from work or school to go on vacation during the holidays, often seeking warmer weather. For whatever reason you choose to leave home this holiday season, there are many ways you can help protect the planet while you travel!

Transportation

Trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation are the most energy-efficient way to travel. If you're traveling by plane, try to take a direct flight--in addition to being more convenient, it uses a lot less fuel. You can also participate in a carbon offset program that will help mitigate the impact of your trip. And if you just can't get around driving, make the effort to travel during off-peak times and take your car for regular maintenance before your road trip. Changing oil, properly inflating tires, and driving the speed limit can make a huge difference in fuel efficiency.

Lodging

Going on vacation for the holidays? Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America are all popular destinations for those looking to escape to warmer climates during the cold winter months. Do your research and book at a hotel that has made a commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the local community. Remember - all of the hotels, tour operators, and other tourism businesses in the SustainableTrip.org directory have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability with clearly outlined environmental and social initiatives (described in every listing's "Making a Difference" section).

Happy Holidays from the SustainableTrip.org team!

This entry was posted on December 17, 2012 at 2:11 PM and has received 1372 views. There are currently 4 comments. Print this entry.

Millions of people travel for the holidays every year. Many families take advantage of the time they have off from work or school to go on vacation during the holidays, often seeking warmer weather. For whatever reason you choose to leave home this holiday season, there are many ways you can help protect the planet while you travel!

Transportation
Trains, buses, and other forms of public transportation are the most energy-efficient way to travel. If you're traveling by plane, try to take a direct flight--in addition to being more convenient, it uses a lot less fuel. You can also participate in a carbon offset program that will help mitigate the impact of your trip. And if you just can't get around driving, make the effort to travel during off-peak times and take your car for regular maintenance before your road trip. Changing oil, properly inflating tires, and driving the speed limit can make a huge difference in fuel efficiency.

Lodging
Going on vacation for the holidays? Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central America are all popular destinations for those looking to escape to warmer climates during the cold winter months. Do your research and book at a hotel that has made a commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the local community. Remember - all of the hotels, tour operators, and other tourism businesses in the SustainableTrip.org directory have demonstrated their commitment to sustainability with clearly outlined environmental and social initiatives (described in every listing's "Making a Difference" section).

Happy Holidays from the SustainableTrip.org team!

This entry was posted on December 22, 2011 at 12:00 PM and has received 1380 views. There are currently 6 comments. Print this entry.