Support Walking, Biking

Walk Score needs your help to create more walkable neighborhoods. Please sign the petition to support walking, biking, and transit--the 2009 Transportation Bill

The 2009 Transportation Bill is a once-in-a-decade opportunity. Walk Score will hand-deliver the list of supporters to Congress on foot, on bike, on bus, and on subway.

Is Green Travel Disappearing?

Will travelers be looking for green lodging given our global financial woes?

The shrinking economy has some saying green was just a fad we can no longer afford. Travel writer, Paul Mansfield of Telegraph Media says, "It would be nice to think that the economic shock will usher in a period of sustainable travel. But my bet is that green will suddenly no longer be fashionable, as people demand the right to spend their limited money as they wish. Expect the term "green" to disappear overnight from many brochures.

And business travelers may be quick to abandon sustainable practices. Commenting on the results of a recent Business Travel World survey which shows a whopping 76% of CFOs plan to cut travel, editor in chief, Betty Low, said: “’Green’ initiatives seem to be disappearing from the corporate landscape as quickly as they arrived. Only last year companies were at pains to publicise their environmental policies which could include anything from using environmentally friendly taxi companies to sustainable sourcing. Since the onset of the credit crunch, however, many of those same companies are becoming increasingly concerned about their own sustainability and consequently such policies seem to have moved down the agenda.”

But TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel community, recently announced contradicting findings. The results of its annual travel trends survey of more than 3,000 U.S. travelers show travelers appear to be going lean and green by visiting national parks, hiking, and engaging in adventure activities. A greater amount of Americans said they will be environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2009, and more plan to visit eco-friendly hotels in the coming year.

The green trend may be evident in their choice of transportation -- 22 percent said they'll go biking while on vacation this year, compared to 13 percent, last year. Forty-seven percent of travelers plan to go hiking this year, up from 43 percent, last year. Read more about the TripAdvisor survey results…

Readers of this blog also contradict that green is vanishing. They still plan to travel green according to the survey we ran in October. The majority, 91.8 percent said that all other things being equal, they would make the socially responsible choice or "go green even in tough times."

And being green is still what Eco Luxury prospects and guests report is the best feature of our properties. Findings indicate a need to clarify that when we say "luxury," we mean taking it easy, not stuff. But otherwise, respondents say going green hasn't vanished in a haze of economic self-preservation. In fact, taking care of the planet may be the very path to take to care for ourselves.

Red Hot Rate Drop in Hawaii

Rates Slashed for Hawaii Vacation Rentals
By Conde Nast Traveler(Concierge.com)
The nightly rate for this Oahu vacation rental home that sleeps 10 has dropped to $120 per person. That's a remarkable price for a top-notch beachfront house in a central location. Tempted by those dirt-cheap air fares to Hawaii and dropping vacation rental prices over the holidays, read more...
The Perrin Post Travel Blog:... - http://www.concierge.com/cntraveler/blogs/perrinpost

No rate specials yet, but a new website just launched featuring green lodging in Hawaii, http://www.bigisland.org/ecotourism.

Toxic At Any Speed

VOCs from indoor air pollution don’t just make you sick at home or in a hotel, your car may also cause respiratory irritation or worse.

See how bad your car might be at HealthyCar.org, better yet, find one that is low toxin. Here’s what they recommend to reduce exposure:

Reduce Your Exposure

· Since heat and UV-rays accelerate the breakdown of toxic chemicals, we recommend that car owners use solar reflectors and park in the shade whenever possible.

· Car owners should ventilate their cars before entering them by opening doors and rolling down windows.

· Car owners can also reduce exposure by spending less time in their cars. We recommend walking, riding a bike or using public transportation whenever possible. This also helps reduce tailpipe emissions.

“As environment-friendly Martha Stewart might know, that new car smell is not a good thing. In fact, inhaling the fumes from your new car can be toxic and are created from a literal soup of chemicals such as arsenic and formaldehyde, which can take years to completely be "out-gassed" from your new car's interior materials.” Read more

Secret Florida: Laid Back Luxury and Romance

If you think Florida is all golf courses and palm trees, you haven’t explored St. Augustine. While I have been known to poke fun at Florida, I can’t get enough of “The Old City.” Whether you love romance or adventure, you need look no further than this playground. Just a short drive from Orlando or Jacksonville airports, it sits on a sound where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Matanzas at two inlets.

For the big picture view of how the city is laid out and a taste of the natural wonder, start off with a sunset cruise with sweeping city and harbor views from the Schooner--Freedom--a 72-foot tall ship. Departs from the City Marina next to the Bridge of Lions. Or for more exercise, walk up the 219 stairs at the St. Augustine Lighthouse for views you’ll never forget. Beats a Stairmaster any day.

St. Augustine was founded in 1565, long before Jamestown, the English colony in Virginia and 55 years before Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock. One of it’s many claims to fame is it is the oldest European settlement in North America. Of course the Hopis were here long before the Spanish. With no cars allowed on some of the historic streets, the town is a walker's dream, full of quaint nooks and crannies to explore, quirky museums, unique shops, and art galleries with everything from Dr. Suess to work by local artists.

You can paddle 20 different runs to Anastasia Park or Crescent Beach from the Matanzas River where you can kayak or canoe alongside dolphin and manatee while bird watching, fishing or just reconnecting with yourself and the natural beauty.

Bald eagles nest from October to March and wright whales can be seen blowing as mothers and calves migrate from colder waters. Or catch Sea Monsters, a new film from National Geographic at the World Golf Hall of Fame and IMAX Theater.

New restaurants mean even world-traveling foodies can make mouth-watering discoveries and lasting memories. One such spot opened this summer. Fifth generation Chef Jean Stephane Poinard moved from the famed culinary region of Lyon with his charming, wine-making wife, Valerie, their children, and their sous chef to open Bistro de Leon. The name is a clever nod to the culture-combo. And when you're ready to recover from indulging in their baked goods and sauces, the revitalizing food of Present Moment Café offers an creative counterpoint across the tracks on King Street.

95 Cordova is an elegant spot to hit for a late dessert and quiet jazz. Don’t be afraid to wander in dressed in your touring clothes. Located in the Casa Monica Hotel where guests stroll through in everything from wedding attire to shorts, the gracious servers treat you the same in a business suit as in your coverup and bathing suit.

For a few laughs and an entertaining spin on accurate history, end another evening with a trip on Ripley's Ghost Tour. While many guides offer ghost outings, Ripley's includes a camera, an EMF meter and a spooky trip into the Ripley Museum after hours. You'll also find professionally trained guides give more fact than mythology with Ripleys. Believe it or not.

The St. Augustine Wild Reserve offers tours for small groups to see their rescued exotic pets, mostly big cats that didn't make Siegfried and Roy or other Hollywood pussycats.
See the EcoLuxury website for links to all the sites mentioned, suggestions for when to go, and how to save money. Caution: you’ll find no listings for tourist joints where you might overpay for the view and mediocre food. We figure you can find those on billboards and in hotel lobby brochures. We don’t get paid for advertising, we do it as a courtesy to our vacation rental guests.

Hit The Hay

Sleeping in a barn on hay, a new way to travel cheap and eco. Or is it? Read more...

Eco-Friendly And Recession Ready

Here's some link love from the newsphere and blogshere on saving green, yours and Mother Nature's:

Making a Home Greener, Healthier, and a $$ Saver

Save money on doctor bills, make your home healthier. Green Bedrooms Help Allergy Suffers

Tax Breaks for Going Green

Five Ways to Green Your House for Under $100 (And save money!)

Cut back on pesticides and irrigation and save big. Green Your Landscaping for Less

Save money and cut waste on vacation.

Travel Green Without Sacrificing Style Tips

Recession-proof travel tips: find cheap gas on the road, booking tips and more.

Study Shows Travelers Growing Interest in Vacation Rentals

The first comprehensive study conducted by an independent source validates the growing interest in vacation rentals.  In uncertain economic times travelers indicate vacation home rentals offer significantly more value than hotels, timeshares, and resorts. This is evidenced by the fact that vacation rentals have become a $24 billion dollar industry in just a few short years.

The Home Away sites rank as the most-trusted and visited, surpassing all other vacation rental sites by a significant margin.  Home Away, the largest vacation rental marketplace owns VRBO and VacationRentals.com.   Our guests love HomeAway because they offer a vacation rental guarantee—for FREE.  We list our green vacation rentals with Home Away so guests can relax when they take advantage of up to $5,000 in coverage.  All you need is our property number, 159004/Sedona or 193216/St. Augustine and the link on the home page of Home Away.

And no, I don’t get paid for promoting Home Away.

 

 

Red Hot Rate Specials

WINTER GETAWAY TO DELRAY BEACH, FL $990 USD Jan 3-10, 2009. The Dover House Resort on A-1A. One bedroom unit with kitchen and pool all for less than a hotel. Contact us for details, this is a rental not available through the resort.

Delray Beach is a walkable town, rated "Very walkable" by Walk Score. Park your car and you won't have to drive it again on your vacation. Clean beach with blonde sand, not developed, all buildings are across the street. This charming "Village By The Sea" has a New England feel, if you splashed New England with color and a little salsa.

SAVE ON AIRFARE. Airfare costs dropped in the Orlando and San Francisco markets, check major airlines. Cheaper than driving. Some fares as low as $89.

Joe The Plumber? Survey Says...

The early results of my survey about this blog indicate readers want to know more about how to save money going green and more green freebies. No one mentioned Joe the Plumber. Phew.

Ask and you shall receive.

Terra Furnishings is holding a drawing to give away cool home accessories (think “Free Holiday Gift” or keep it for yourself). Enter here. Don’t wait, last entry must be in by Halloween.

The face? McCain says he made it because he couldn't figure out which way to get off the stage. Odd to me that this photo made front page news in five European countries that I could find, maybe more?

Why Are Wild Places Important To You?

The Women Protecting Wilderness project invites you to help create a “wilderness quilt” of women's voices by submitting your photo and a 2-3 sentence statement about why wilderness matters to you. Learn More

Baby Dolphins Make Helix Toys

This isn't a new age fantasy or a dream I had after watching Lord of the Rings, this is real. Dolphins blow silver donuts or air-core vortex rings-- some as large as a basketball rim.

Dolphin researcher, Don White writes, "The young dolphin gives a quick flip of her head and an undulating silver ring appears, as if by magic--in front of her. It stands erect in the water like the rim of a magic mirror or the doorway to an unseen dimension. She is an artist, sculpting in the water, for the pure joy of it. Read more

Orbitz Gets Greener Rental Cars

Online travel giant Orbitz Worldwide announced a partnership with Fox Rent A Car, an independent rental company that specializes in airport rentals of hybrid and fuel-efficient vehicles. Fox Rent A Car rents hybrids including Honda Civic, Toyota Camry, Toyota Prius and Toyota Highlander SUVs.

Can I Get Your Opinion? The Coffee Is On Me

Coffee coupon to say thanks for answering my survey.

If you haven't take a minute or two to give me your opinion and enter the drawing for the free movie, click here.

I'll announce the winner of the DVD by November 1.

Safari Soiree

If you're in St. Augustine, join me Sunday, 5 PM at the Casa Monica Hotel to raise money for the local Wildlife Reserve.

Mufasa here enjoys playing with a pumpkin around this time of year. He's one of the many Hollywood pussycats and exotic pets who've found a home at the nonprofit reserve. He will not be at Casa Monica on Sunday. But you can see him on Saturdays, with a reservation and $25 donation.

Founder of the Reserve, Deborah Warrick began rescuing wolves in the 80s and now has her hands and cages full. Join us for a silent auction of golf packages, wildlife art and more. Tickets $55.

If you can't make it, donate online, check the wish list, or volunteer here.

Take a Short Survey, Win a Mini-Vacation

Can I get your opinion? Answer my brief survey about travel and enter to win a DVD here. I'll enter you in a drawing to win a copy of a newly released film by Emmy Award winning director, Jan Nickman called Living Temples which takes you on a journey to feel nature's beauty and the importance it plays in our lives. Order your own from ThirdPlanetProductions.com.

The survey is at this link http://survey.constantcontact.com/survey/a07e2duq03ffmjwefyl/start

Slowly But Surely Green?

American Airlines plans to acquire 42 new Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This shows me the power of the consumer. It's actually a big deal because Boeing designed the 787 Dreamliner from the passenger perspective, thinking that people will book travel based on the plane.

I realize many of you won't fly anymore because it isn't green. But many of us have to fly to see ailing family or conduct business. If you have to, it's good to go as green as you can and as comfortable as this Dreamliner with improved air and water purification systems, as well as new humidification techniques and lower cabin pressure, which are expected to reduce passenger fatigue.

For the environment, the 787 advanced engine design provides a quieter operation, with an expected noise footprint 60 percent smaller than other aircraft of similar size, benefiting those in the air as well as those on the ground. The plane's lower overall weight and improved design means we also will reduce our impact on the environment by burning less fuel. The 787 aircraft also has the largest overhead bins in the industry – approximately 30 percent larger than comparable aircraft bins. The large 19-inch windows are designed to make the cabin feel more spacious.

Travel For Peace

Travel can be more than a vacation. It can be used to achieve social change.

Louis D'Amore, founder of The International Institute for Peace Through Tourism(IITP), believes tourism can foster world peace. IITP is hosting their first European Conference: Bridging The North-South Divide Through Sustainable Tourism Development" October 21-25, 2008 in Leeuwarden, Netherlands. If you are interested in learning more visit the IITP website or read an interview with Louis D'Amore at http://ecoclub.com/news/067/interview.html and check out what ODE had to say about him here

Croctober? Time to Luxuriate

Slow cooking is perfect for a fall evening meal in Sedona or a staycation weekend. And now you can save even more eating in with this coupon for a crock-pot rebate. Or get your out your own or one from Goodwill (I found a super clean one there for $9) and cook some one dish recipes from Cooking.com. Better yet, share your fave recipe or slow cooking site here...

Hummingbirds Headed South

We love hummingbirds, especially the ones that fly around Sedona. That's why we call our house, "Casita Colibri," Little House of the Hummingbirds.

Each fall thousands of Ruby-throated Hummingbirds migrate from Canada through Mississippi to their winter home in Mexico and Central America. Moving like a river of birds, they traverse the fields and woods and then make a non-stop 500-mile flight over the Gulf of Mexico.

Vital to our ecosystem as pollinators, 9 species are Critically Endangered, 14 Endangered, 19 Near Threatened, and 6 Vulnerable, totaling 48 species worldwide.

Hummingbird habitat is being lost to development and fragmentation, as forests give way to logging, and crops. All of these changes can impact hummingbird populations. The status of the Ruby-throated population is robust, however, and bodes for a spectacular migration in Mississippi, where the little birds are already arriving.

8,100 people gathered to watch the Ruby-throated Hummingbirds fly over Mississippi, the largest crowd ever gathered at Strawberry Plains Audubon Center for the ninth Hummingbird Migration Celebration. Hummingbird banders tagged a record 281 birds over three days and recaptured one adult female that had been banded at the center on Sept. 9, 2006.

"Hummingbirds may be small in size, but they are mighty in their impact as ambassadors for nature and conservation," said Madge Lindsay, executive director of Audubon Mississippi. "When you see one of these fragile looking birds up close, you can't help but be inspired by the amazing diversity of life on our planet. It is breathtaking to think that a creature weighing a tenth of an ounce can survive such a perilous, long journey."

Tips for attracting hummers to your backyard from Audubon here.

Photo by Bill Stripling