The lobby is two stories tall, all glass, with a sweeping view of Nicollet Commons Park, the Minnesota River Valley, and the Minneapolis skyline.

In addition to the theatres, the Center has a 2000 sq. ft. art gallery, meeting rooms and a large rehearsal room.

There is additional space for banquets, special events and receptions.

Presentations at the Burnsville PAC include cultural events, dramas, comedies, dance, and musical acts from local arts organizations and national touring artists.

Their Mission Statement sends the right message – “The Burnsville Performing Arts Center is dedicated to: fostering the growth, development and appreciation of the performing arts through the presentation of the broadest possible range of cultural, entertainment and artistic activities and events; providing a home to the community’s major performing arts groups; serving as a community center for the visual arts, business and educational meetings and presentations and providing economic stimulus for the benefit of the residents of Burnsville and the surrounding region.”

There are many performances scheduled for this summer and if you want to experience some great entertainment and fun, visit their website at http://burnsvillepac.com/bpac-home.html . 

Subway Construction

Most major cities have subway systems–New York, LA, Chicago, Washington. In the early years of the twentieth century, when the river trade was flourishing and it ranked in the top ten largest cities in the nation, Cincinnati decided to build one for itself. The major impetus was the draining of the Miami and Erie Canal, along which the subway would be built.

The idea really originated in 1884, when the Cincinnati Graphic printed an illustration showing trains chugging along underground, in an old canal bed covered with a new street. After their remarkably brief golden era, canals quickly became even more of a nuisance than they had been when they were bringing in trade. Many were partially drained; whatever water there was ended up breeding mosquitoes and disease. The muddy canal bottoms were used as refuse dumps. Since the Miami & Erie cut right through the heart of the city, it was a particular eyesore in Cincinnati.

Subway Map

The plan was made in 1912 to build a sixteen-mile rapid transit rail system in a loop around the city, with a branch going underground and heading downtown. It surfaced at Brighton and Saint Bernard and ran aboveground along the Ohio River.  Despite several delays, the two-mile underground portion of the subway was completed by 1923. Inflation had destroyed the projected budget and caused the rail loop to be reduced in size.

In 1926 Mayor Murray Seasongood took control of the transit project from the county and gave it to the city, then estimated another $10 million needed to be spent to see it through to completion. Central Parkway, which was built atop the underground tunnels, opened in 1928, and that seemed to be all the transit Cincinnati residents wanted at the time, especially with such a steep price tag for finishing the project.

Subway platform in the '20's

Of course in 1929 any consideration of paying the millions evaporated when the stock market crashed and the country plunged into the dark depths of the Great Depression. Proposals came and went in the 30s, but none were implemented. One idea was to run trolleys through the tunnels, but the trolley cars were too long for the subway’s bends. Another proposal, made by City Manager C.O. Sherrill in 1939, was to use them for automobile traffic, but the cost of the plan was too high.

A 1948 study finally mothballed the Cincinnati Subway for good, though efforts to do something with the tunnels have been constantly ongoing for more than half a century. Ideas have included a bomb shelter, a shopping and nightlife district, a massive wine cellar, and more rapid transit. The latest proposal is for another subway.

The subway project was scrapped without a single train ever having run. The debt incurred by the project wasn’t fully paid until 1966, at a cost of $13 million–in addition to the lives of several workers.

Subway Platform Today

Over the years Cincinnati grew in different ways, but not nearly as quickly as the subway’s conceivers had hoped. Today it’s only the third-largest city in the state. I-75 was built, destroying a large segment of the underground passage. But one of the Queen City’s best-kept secrets is the fact that sections of the original subway still remain–including all four of the stations put in during initial construction.

Subway Entrance Today

Story Courtesy of www.forgottenoh.com/subway

Newport on the Levee                                                           

One Levee Way
Newport, KY 41071
1-866-LeveeKY

A jewel on Northern Kentucky’s riverfront, the Levee features 12 restaurants, over 20 unique shopping venues, a comedy club, a live blues club, a live cabaret, 20 stadium-style AMC movie theaters, the Newport Aquarium, street performers, live bands and an excitement that has made the Levee one of the top entertainment and shopping destinations in the region. Rated the No. 1 Shopping/Mall Attraction for Families in the United States by Zagat, May 2004.
Hours: Sept. 1 through Memorial Day — Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Memorial Day through Sept. 1 — Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Findlay Market

Race & Elder streets
Cincinnati, OH, 45202
513-665-4839

One of the oldest open-air marketplaces in the nation, Findlay Market has been in continuous operation since 1852. It is famous for its fresh produce and meats.
Hours: Wednesday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Monday & Tuesday. (Contact individual vendors for availability on these days).

Jungle Jim’s

5440 Dixie Hwy.
Fairfield, OH 45014
513-674-6000

Six acres of food under one roof — it’s not a supermarket, it’s a zoo-permarket! An international mecca, Jungle Jim’s offers thousands of imported and national brand groceries: 10,000 wines, 1,000 beers, 1,600 cheeses, 1,000 kinds of hot sauce, one full acre of produce (including organic and international). If it’s edible, you’ll find it here! And with the addition of a new Starbucks, Fifth Third Bank, U.S. Post Office, and Cincinnati Bell inside the store, Jungle Jim’s is truly a Food Lover’s Paradise.
Hours: Open daily, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Kenwood Towne Centre                                                         

7875 Montgomery Road
Cincinnati, OH 45236-4344
513-745-0205

Just 12 miles north of downtown Cincinnati, Kenwood offers shoppers everything from fine fashion to home furnishings amidst more than 180 stores. The Center’s appealing mix boasts such retailers as The Cheesecake Factory, Williams-Sonoma, Aveda, Bebe, Build-A-Bear, Chico’s, L’Occitane, MAC Cosmetics, Pottery Barn, Sharper Image, J. Crew and Coach. The area around Kenwood also boasts some of Cincinnati’s finest shopping. Across Montgomery Road, Sycamore Plaza hosts 15 stores including a Barnes & Noble, Lazarus Furniture Gallery, Toys ‘R Us and Staples, and several popular restaurants.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. 

Hyde Park Square                                                                

2643 Erie Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45208

The corner of Erie and Edwards Streets and surrounding side streets make up a high-traffic shopping district. You will find art galleries, apparel, restaurants and boutiques. Nearby Hyde Park Plaza, Rookwood Pavilion and Rookwood Commons offer a combination of upscale and discount shopping.
Hours: Vary by merchant.

MainStrasse Village                                                                

605 Philadelphia St., Second Floor
Covington, KY 41011
859-491-0458

Cincinnati loves to celebrate its German heritage with annual festivals and special events, but nowhere is that heritage as well preserved as in MainStrasse Village across the river from downtown Cincinnati. The five blocks that make up the village are a restored 19th century German neighborhood with shops and restaurants in renovated buildings joined by cobblestone walkways. At one end stands the glockenspiel Carroll Chimes Bell Tower, which plays a 43-bell carillon hourly. In the center is the Goose Girl Fountain, a bronze portrayal of the Grimm fairy tale. And throughout the village are more than 50 quaint stores and fine restaurants. Stops include Wertheim’s restaurant for German cuisine and Dee Felice Cafe for Cajun fare and entertainment. Also watch for special festivals: Maifest in May, Goetta Festival in June, Oktoberfest in September and a Christmas Open House in late November.

Mt. Adams

One of Cincinnati’s premier neighborhoods, Mt. Adams boasts more than a century of fine shopping, dining and entertainment. Specialty shops in Mt. Adams include the Gilded Age, with art, antiques and other unique gifts, and Studio 23, a gallery offering classes and merchandise in all painting and drawing mediums. Other unique opportunities await along St. Gregory Street.

O’Bryonville

Some of Cincinnati’s better antique stores and galleries can be found on the 2000 block of Madison Road west of Hyde Park: Federation Antiques, English Traditions, Treadway Gallery, Treasures, Gartell’s Antiques, and two fine art galleries.

Shake It Records                                                                                             

4138 Hamilton Ave.
Cincinnati, OH 45223
513-591-0123

If your taste in music runs to the alternative, you won’t want to miss this unique music store in Cincinnati’s Northside neighborhood. Shake It Records currently carries approximately 30,000 CDs and 8,000 pieces of vinyl ranging from inconspicuous 1950s R&B to old school blue grass.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

Tower Place                                                                            

28 W. 4th St.
Cincinnati, OH 45202
513-241-7700

In the heart of downtown Cincinnati, Tower Place at the Carew Tower offers shopping, dining and entertainment opportunities. Tower Place’s dozens of stores include shops unique to Cincinnati and trusted favorites like Ann Taylor, The Gap, and Bath & Body Works. Tower Place is connected to the convention center and most downtown hotels via the skywalk.
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m.

Don’t forget to stay the night at the LivINN Hotel in Sharonville to extend that shopping experience.

Mall of America

It’s the biggest mall in the country and attracts 40 million visitors annually, and is one of the largest tourist attractions in America. But it’s so vast that it never seems too crowded. As well as over 520 stores, there’s the Nickelodeon Universe theme park, an aquarium and several other permanent and temporary attractions. The Hiawatha Light Rail goes to the Mall of America, assuming that you think you’ll be able to manage all your purchases on the train.

Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

Best known for local, independent stores and cafes selling produce, baked goods and groceries from around the world, the Midtown Global Market also has several stores selling art, jewelry and clothing from Norway, India, Kenya and more.

Gaviidae Common Mall and Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

Downtown Minneapolis’ shopping is centered on the Nicollet Mall. A varied selection of independent and chain stores, mainly lifestyle and fashion stores, inhabit the lower levels of the skyscrapers, and with many luxury retailers gathered inside art deco mall Gaviidae Common.

Nicollte Mall

The flagship Macy’s store is at 700 Nicollet Mall. (Note to visitors: many locals still refer to this store as Dayton’s, after Macy’s long-gone predecessor.)

Rosedale Center, Roseville

Just north of St. Paul in the city of Roseville, the Rosedale Center has plenty of stores to keep mall rats happy for hours. Parking is usually easier than at Mall of America and it has many of the same stores, so it’s my choice when I need to go to a chain store.

Malls in Edina: The Galleria

The Edina Galleria is an indoor mall with many designer and luxury stores and boutiques.

Maplewood Mall, Maplewood

Another convenient option for St. Paulites and the eastern suburbs, the Maplewood Mall is one of the Twin Cities larger malls with plenty of department stores and chain stores.

Burnsville Center, Burnsville

Shoppers in the southern suburbs do their mall shopping at the Burnsville Center. This mall has lots of programs for shoppers like free mom-and-baby exercise classes, and military discounts at several stores.

Minneapolis St Paul

If you are planning on shopping for an extended period of time, don’t forget to stop by any of our 3 LivINN Hotel locations in Burnsville, Maplewood or Fridley and relax for a night or two!

Minnesota State Fair Aug 25th - Sept. 5th 2011

This is nothing against the Car Show – but come on, guys the Minnesota State Fair just can’t be topped. All I want right now is some of that sweet corn and Sweet Martha’s cookies. Delectable’s that can’t be found, or topped, any where else.

But enough about cars and lets talk about food.  You haven’t tasted genuine American cuisine until you’ve eaten your supper on a stick.

Candied apples and corn dogs have long reigned as the most famous of all stick foods, and for good reason: Handles on hot dogs and caramel-soaked apples make it easy to eat and much less messy. But the Minnesota State Fair has raised the food-on-a-stick shtick to a veritable culinary art form

This year’s offerings include (but by no means are limited to): pizza on a stick; hot dish (as Midwestern casseroles are called) on a stick; alligator sausage on a stick; chocolate dipped nut roll on a stick; fried fruit on a stick; frozen key lime pie on a stick; salmon on a stick; and fried pickles on a stick.

The best thing I found to eat: walleye on a stick.

Walleye on a stick is an impaled 2-inch-wide rectangular fillet. Mild, sweet, lightly fried and falling into big juicy flakes, it proved to be one of the best things I would sample all day.

Walleye on a Stick

I tried corned beef and cabbage on a stick, which I wouldn’t recommend. The Reuben on a stick was marginally better: a thick dark rye crust (deep-fried, of course) enclosing bits of sauerkraut and pastrami. It was better with the Thousand Island dressing served on the side.

Not all the food at the fair was served with sticks, on picks or on toothpicks, and there were a few side trips during my stick stalking.  The deep-fried cheese curds — served by the basket, not on a stick — were another favorite.

The State Fair is a truly Minnesota experience and everyone, young and old, should come out to this fantastic get-together.

Aside from food, there is plenty to see for people of all ages.

Summer Traffic Jams

Summer, of course, is all about roadtrips. Here are some helpful* tips, tricks, and observations to remember before you hit the road. (Note: I might define “helpful” different than you do.)

1. The more you drive to your destination, the greater your chances of experiencing a freak disaster that the local newspaper will describe as “unprecedented” and “once in a lifetime.” My suggestion: Don’t buy any newspapers while on vacation.

One Lane Bridge

2. On a rural road with very little traffic, you can expect to meet an oncoming car at every one-lane bridge, even if no other cars are on the road for miles. You might as well just plan on stopping as soon as you see a “ONE LANE BRIDGE” sign.

3. If you see an excellent parking spot that isn’t occupied, it’s probably too good to be true. Make sure it isn’t a handicapped parking spot with faded paint and no sign.

4. When looking for a restaurant in a tourist town, try to figure out which places are the most popular with the locals, as these are often the best choices. Counting the number of in-state license plates in the parking lot can be a good clue. However, if you stand out like an obvious tourist, be sure to check your bill carefully to make sure you aren’t being overcharged, since out-of-towners make such excellent rubes.

5. For penny-pinchers that plan to visit many national parks, the “America the Beautiful” Annual Pass can be a good deal. At a cost of $80, it covers entrance fees to national parks, national forest recreation areas, national wildlife refuges, and more. If you play your cards right, you can use it for multiple roadtrips during the year. However, read the fine print carefully. Like the IRS tax code, the rules and regulations are hideously complicated.

6. In a major work zone on a busy interstate, it’s safe to assume that at least one lane will be closed, often with little warning. Also, the exit you intend to use has been “temporarily” closed by construction for the next 5 years. 

Road Construction Ahead!

8. The next rest area, which you desperately need to visit, is closed for renovations. Bank on it.

Summer travel can be fun for the whole family.  Just remember to plan ahead and have water in the car and maybe a cooler filled with ice and cold drinks.  Any hotel you stay with will be happy to let you fill your cooler from their ice machine.  Take advantage of that.

Have a great trip!!  Are we there yet?

Meals

Make sure that you experience some of the local cuisine at your destination of choice.  If you live in a “fly-over” state (like Minnesota), I would encourage you to try some seafood when vacationing in coastal areas.  A nice seafood meal may run you $50 or $60 but when else are you going to have the opportunity eat fresh caught ocean swordfish?

Money Saver:  Pick a hotel that offers a continental breakfast. This will save on average $10 per day, per person.

Lodging

When making your lodging choice, make sure that you are doing more than simply booking the least expensive room on your favorite internet travel site.  Often times the least expensive hotel is priced that way for a reason.  Trip Advisor has travelers’ reviews for you to read, and I suggest that you do.  If you are traveling with your kids you will want to ensure that it is a place that they will enjoy.  If you are planning on doing some recreational activities, the expense of a higher-priced hotel may pay for itself if you participate in their on-site recreational activities such as boating or parasailing.

Money Saver:  Select 3 hotels that you would like to stay at and then make it a game to see which hotel offers the best deal.  Sites like Priceline, Hotels.com, Expedia, and Bing Travel can aid you in ensuring a great room rate.  That being said, no one will fight for you as hard as you will – call the hotel and put your powers of persuasion to work.  Also, remember that members of AAA and AARP receive discounts at most hotels.

Tours and Guided Expeditions

Before slapping down your credit card to take advantage of what seems like a great deal, check out their equipment and ask others about their experience.  Often times for just a few more dollars you can get a better outing utilizing upgraded, cleaner and safer equipment.  I made the mistake of going with the cheapest vendor in Colorado for a “Jeep Mountain Trek”.  We made it to the top of the mountain; however we were crammed in like sardines and I think the jeep we were in was straight out of WWII.  Later the same evening we were talking to another couple who did the same type of tour during the day.  It turned out that for a total of $20 more, they rode in a newer style jeep, had a great lunch and were even able to access parts of the mountain that we did not because of their equipment.  Their guide even took an extra hour to ensure that they saw some wild game.

Money Saver:  1.) Get together with other families or tourists looking to do the same activity and negotiate a group discount.  2.) Purchase your activities in bulk from the same reputable vendor.   Many places offer discounts when you purchase your activities at the same time.  For example:  If you want to go deep-sea fishing, rent a jet-ski and go parasailing, see if you can’t get one of the activities for free when you book everything through one company.

Souvenirs

Trinkets come in all sizes and prices; however, just like at home, a $5 t-shirt is not going to last very long.  Instead of buying a lot of little things that you may or may not care about, try purchasing just a couple of nicer items that you will treasure for years to come.  Even consider shipping a piece of paradise home.

Money Saver:  Put your powers of negotiation to work.  If a street vendor, or even a small shop, is asking $50 for a sweat shirt, try offering $25 and see where it goes.  Although you may not be comfortable negotiating for items like this, many vendors are more than happy to engage in a negotiation with you..

Camera

I have often set out on a trip with a disposable camera, only to be devastated by the poor picture quality upon returning home.  Digital cameras allow you to instantly see whether or not you caught that amazing sunset or if your kid gave you a real smile.  Splurge a bit on ensuring that this trip will live on through your pictures.

Money Saver:  If you do not have a decent digital camera, perhaps your phone does.  Many new smart phones are equipped with pretty decent cameras.  If you do decide to use the camera on your phone, practice with it at home to ensure that the photos you take on your trip are of the quality you expect.

Tipping

I am a big fan of gratuity.  Most people in the hospitality industry rely on tips and take care of those who express generosity through the act of tipping.  You may get exclusive access and unprecedented service by simply sliding your bellman a five dollar bill.  If you frequent the bar, a nice tip can actually save you money as your bartender may be empowered to serve you complimentary beverages or make a reach for the top shelf.

Money Saver:  Tip hotel staff at the beginning and end of your stay, no need to tip everyone that smiles your way, or to tip after every act of service.  The exception to this rule is the housekeeping staff; leave them a little every day.  Not only ore you doing the right thing, but you will also be assured that your room is taken extra special care of.

Target Field
Target Field is a baseball park located in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the home ballpark of the Minnesota Twins, the city’s Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise. It is the franchise’s sixth ballpark and third in Minnesota.

Target Field Home of the Minnesota Twins

The Twins moved to Target Field for the 2010 Major League Baseball season after 28 seasons at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. This new ball park is truly a fan’s stadium, meaning that there is not a bad seat in the house. Not only can you see a great game, but the ball park also boasts some of the best eats around, not to mention the best catcher in the game!

Lake Calhoun & Lake Harriett
Just minutes outside of downtown Minneapolis are both Lake Calhoun and Lake Harriett. This chain of lakes is the crowning jewel of the many beautiful urban lakes in town. On Calhoun you will find regionally renowned Thomas Beach where you can enjoy some swimming, sunbathing or some good old fashioned people watching. Across from the beach you will find the Bakken Museum, home to some great hands-on learning experiences for the kids. On Lake Harriett you will be able to enjoy great live, free, outdoor music all summer long. All around both lakes there are great walking and biking paths. For those looking to do some fishing, both lakes have an abundance of small fish, perfect for the young or young at heart. When the time comes for food, your options include one of the many barbeque pits for the chefs within, or you also can enjoy some of the best fish tacos around, right on Lake Calhoun.

Minnehaha Falls
In southeast Minneapolis the Minnehaha Creek displays its magnificence in the form of a beautiful waterfall. At the Minnehaha Park you will also find great bike rentals and amazing walking paths. For those looking for a bit of a longer journey, you are able to follow the creek all the way down to where it meets up with the Mississippi.

Minnehaha (laughing water) Falls

Once you make it down to the Mississippi you are able to enjoy some decent shore fishing as well as see some amazing views of the city, the river and the dam.

Nicollet Mall
In the heart of downtown you will find an amazing shopping and business corridor, Nicollet Mall. This outdoor, pedestrian friendly, section of downtown Minneapolis is a mecca for entertainment, shopping and dining. On one end of the mall you have Orchestra Hall accompanied by Peavey Plaza, an outdoor stage for musical and entertainment acts of all kinds. All throughout Nicollet Mall you will find unique shops and awe inspiring sky scrapers, not to mention home of the best chefs. The mall begins to taper off at the IDS building, featuring the Crystal Court. The IDS building is the tallest building in Minneapolis. On Thursdays throughout the summer the mall is also home to the best famer’s market around.

Grand Old Day
Located in St. Paul is historic Grand Avenue. On Sunday June 5th you will find the largest one day festival in the Midwest. This year Grand Old Day will begin with a charity walk / bike event, followed by an art fair. The day will go on to feature several parades, A family fun zone, a battle of the bands and more food and drink vendors than should be in one place at one time. Once the sun goes down, things really start to heat up with 5 stages featuring musical acts from across the country. This one day festival is a great example of the great Minnesota summers.

Aquatennial
Known to locals as the best days of summer, this 9 day event has something for everyone and many things for most.

Aquatennial

The Aquatennial’s schedule of events includes everything from fireworks to milk carton boat racing and a little of everything in between. The locations of the various events are throughout Minneapolis and demonstrate just what a beautiful city Minneapolis is. Most of the events are centered near natural and historic landmarks such as the chain of lakes and the stone arch bridge. With the final schedule of events still pending, I am already looking forward to planning my time around, what is always the best time of the summer.

Art and All That Jazz Festival
The 8th annual Art and All That Jazz Festival in Burnsville (a southern suburb of Minneapolis) is the region’s premier jazz attraction. This summer the festival will take place on August 19th and 20th on the grounds of the Performing Arts Center in Burnsville. This year the festival will feature Mike Stern, Dave Weckl and Randy Brecker. In addition to the great musical acts that the festival will feature, there will also be tons of family entertainment including a musical instrument “petting zoo”. All of the day time events are free and are guaranteed to please all members of the family.

The Food Network TV show Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives specializes on ferreting out these gems for you.  Their host and his team search out one of a kind and often unusual restaurants and give a run down on the owners of the establishments and their menus.  The menus are often quirky and sometimes downright strange but I have always found the food in these joints to be excellent.

Here are a few of my favorites in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area from that have been featured on the show.

Donatelli’s.  2692 East County Rd E  White Bear Lake MN  55110 (http://donatellis.com)

Very authentic Italian fare. They make their own pasta and the marinara sauce is fantastic.  Well worth the drive.

The Modern Café   337 13 Ave Northeast, Minneapolis MN  55413 (www.moderncafeminneapolis.com)

1940’s diner interior with a unique and fun menu.  Great specials available in the eatery that is right in the heart of Minneapolis.  Try the housemade French fries with herb mayo.

Al’s Breakfast    413 14 Ave Southeast, Minneapolis  MN  55414

Old time counter type of place where you often have to stand and wait as the seating is so limited.  It is worth the wait as the chef/owner (a James Beard award winner) will impress you with his interesting takes on the old standards.  Try his whole wheat, honey pancakes.

Kramarczuk Sausage Company  215 East Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis MN 55414  (www.kramarczuk.com)

This restaurant and bakery make dozens of different sausages from around the world.  It also boasts a fantastic cafeteria style restaurant featuring European cuisine.

There are quite a few other eateries that have been featured on the show and I encourage you to fire up your laptop while traveling and have a look.  You will be pleasantly surprised.

Ecotourism is defined as a form of tourism that strives to minimize ecological or other damage to areas visited for their natural or cultural interest.  In every day terms that basically means that you spend your time working to help or save animals or ecosystems that have been damaged or are in danger of being lost forever.  There are many options available for ecotourism and a great site to get you started on your research is The International Ecotourism Society. 

Since we are a fan of warm weather destinations we were immediately drawn to the opportunities available in Costa Rica.  The tropical Central American destination offers examples of both the best in sustainable tourism and what could replace it.  “Costa Rica is not all eco,” says Martha Honey, co-founder of the Center for Responsible Travel and former executive director of The International Ecotourism Society. “But the ecotourism revolution in Costa Rica has been really profound. It … still remains the best example in the world of successful ecotourism.” Today, though, that record is threatened by the growth of international hotel chains and plans for another international airport, which could transform the Osa Peninsula and push out its eco-lodges.

According to Yale’s Alice Henly; “Despite covering 0.01 percent of the world’s landmass, Costa Rica’s rainforests and coral reefs are home to close to 5 percent of the planet’s biodiversity. The country boasts 500,000 (and counting) different plant and animal species. Roughly a third of the size of New York state, this small country has coasts on two oceans and six active volcanoes, creating many different microclimates, variable weather (sun and showers seem to swap places every few minutes), and a wide range of ecosystems.”

The following is a short excerpt from Henly’s experience in Costa Rica.  This particular story put my family and me on edge to experience this amazing country as soon as possible.  ” During the four days I stayed at Lapa Rios, I began to appreciate first-hand the rich, diverse beauty of our surroundings. I swam underneath a waterfall. I surfed at a volcanic black sand beach. I hiked through the rainforest, watched howler monkeys swing through the trees, and held a baby green iguana, thanks to one of Lapa Rios’ wildlife guides. But I had the most fun walking hand in hand with Sweetie, the matriarch spider monkey, meeting and feeding animals at the Osa Wildlife Sanctuary.”

It is my hope that we all can take part in these amazing and important travel destinations.  However, if you are not looking to go this far there are other ways that you can travel responsibly.  Conserving energy is perhaps the easiest way that we can have a positive impact on our planet while traveling.  Here are a few tips taken from The International Ecotourism Society to help ensure that when you travel you are doing so while leaving the smallest carbon footprint possible.

Energy-Saving Tips for Travelers

1. Fly Wisely:

Air travel is often the most energy consuming aspect of your travel. Plan your trip so that you minimize air travel, and choose, whenever possible, to stay longer in a destination instead of making many short trips.

2. Travel Light:

Pack only what you need, and don’t bring things that will become waste. By reducing the weight of luggage travelers can significantly cut green house gas emissions.

3. Book Responsibly:

When choosing your hotel, tour operator, or other service providers, select ones that have good sustainability practices. Look for information on the company’s environmental initiatives; strategies, save energy and minimize waste; involvement in sustainable tourism certification program. A good place to start your search is Ecotourism Explorer.

4. Unplug Before You Leave:

Turn off lights and unplug household appliances that can be left unplugged while you are away.

5. Unplug While You Are There:

Turn off all the lights and air conditioner/heater when you leave your room, and unplug unnecessary appliances.

6. Choose Greener Ways To Get Around:

Utilize public transportation (bus, train, city car, etc.) and alternative modes of transportation (walking, bicycle, non-motorized vehicles, horse, camel) as much as possible. It’s a more sustainable way to get around, and also a healthier and more enjoyable way to get to know the place you are visiting.

7. Eat Local:

Reduce your ‘food miles’ by choosing local. Visit a local farmer’s market, shop at a locally owned grocery store and choose locally owned restaurants that buy local. Locally produced foods are a tastier and more sustainable option.

8. Save Water:

Use the minimum amount of water needed for a shower/bath, don’t let water run while shaving, brushing or washing, and check if the hotel has a linen reuse program – if so, reuse your towels and bed sheets by placing the card to indicate you don’t wish to have them washed every day, if not, request hospitality staff not to change them every day.

9. Charge Your Trip Sustainably:

Whenever possible, utilize options that do not require batteries. Buy rechargeable batteries for your essential travel items such as cameras, razors, and flash lights.

10. Offset the Unavoidable Footprint:

Contribute to a credible carbon offsetting program to support conservation, renewable energy, and other energy saving projects.