You can travel and help support the National Parks system at the same time! Book your trip at NationalParks.org and Expedia will donate 50% of its profits to the National Parks Foundation!

Vero Beach Hotel and Spa, Vero Beach, Fla.: This Green Seal-certified beachside resort not only makes great efforts to save water and energy, but also rewards guests for doing their part, including offering parking discounts for hybrid vehicles
verobeachhotelandspa.com
772-231-5666).

Read about 10 other eco-friendly destinations below:

http://www.centredaily.com/2010/09/08/2195607/eco-friendly-travel-destinations.html#ixzz1KHCfk5hA

Why not visit Iowa? Look at this cool B&B.
Mandolin Inn Bed & Breakfast http://www.mandolininn.com
The Inn gets its name from the unusual leaded and painted glass window on the first landing of the grand oak staircase. The window pictures Saint Cecelia, patron saint of musicians, holding a mandolin. From the glazed tile roof of the turret to the mosaic floor of the veranda, every aspect is richly detailed and beautifully crafted. Begin your day with a gourmet breakfast as sumptuous as the room in which it is served. The dining room of the Mandolin Inn is thought by many to be the most magnificent in Dubuque. An artist has painted a fantasy forest above the oak paneling. The beveled glass china cabinet stretches from floor to ceiling on one wall. The superb fireplace, detailed with Italian tiles, rests in the corner.Pampered visitors relax at day’s end in the parlor or music room. In fair weather you may enjoy refreshments on the veranda. Our guest rooms are meticulously decorated and a perfect place to kindle (or rekindle) romance. Each room is uniquely furnished and decorated with beautiful period antiques. For year-round comfort, all rooms are provided with queen sized beds (one room with a King-sized bed), down comforters and central air conditioning.Telephone, wireless internet access, cable television, VCR/DVD, radio, books and stereo are accessible to all guests. Within walking distance of the Mandolin Inn are three colleges and numerous cultural attractions, shops and restaurants. During your stay you are within easy driving distance of a myriad of sites and activities which are sure to be of interest. Some of these are: the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens; indoor waterpark; Crystal Lake Cave; the fabulous National Mississippi River Museum; Mississippi River Cruises; Riverboat gambling; Greyhound racing; The Dubuque Museum of Art; Horse Drawn carriage tours of historic Dubuque; Fenelon Place Elevator – the world’s shortest, steepest scenic railway for magnificent views of the Tri-State area; Park Farm Vineyards and Winery; the Dyersville Antique Toy Museum; the Field of Dreams movie site; and historic Galena and its multitude of antique shops and art galleries. Golf, downhill and cross country skiing are available, along with the Heritage Bike and Hiking Trails and the Shenadoah Horseback Riding Center.

My husband and I would like to take a trip to CA this year and travel up and down the coast. Does anyone have any suggestions for a great B&B near Napa or Monterey? Also, recommendations for eco-friendly establishments are always appreciated! I’m starting my research now – so any tips or advice you can share with me and our group will be greatly appreciated!

I’m back from Namibia and loved every minute that I was there! Plan a trip for your family today. Namibia is the first country in the world to incorporate environmental protection into its Constitution. From this commitment many Community Based Tourism options have sprung forth, each providing real monetary and social benefits to the local communities who provide them, and ultimately a more authentic Namibian experience to the tourists who visit. Come discover local habitats and wildlife or celebrate traditional cultures, rituals and wisdom. Leave knowing your tourism dollars will have a real, sustainable impact on environmental and wildlife conservation. Learn more by logging onto:
http://www.namibiatourism.com.na/Community-Based-Tourism/

Cheryl is about to embark on a trip to Namibia. Can’t wait for her to return and share her pics.

Are you looking for pristine rainforests, adventure, exploring, mountain streams, wildlife viewing and world-class birdwatching all within reach of a gourmet restaurant and luxuriously appointed cabins? Sounds to good to be tru doesn’t it! The Lodge is in Honduras and is Honduras’ premier nature lodge. The Lodge at Pico Bonito. They have a bilingual guide staff and a beautiful butterfly sanctuary and the Mayan ruins of Copan or nearby coral reefs are close by. Whether you want time for just relaxing or you want a vigorous hike through the rainforest or an exhilarating whitewater rafting trip or a boat ride through a mangrove wilderness – The Lodge at Pico Bonito Honduras is the place for you. Log onto http://www.picobonito.com for more information and have fun!

Going to Maui but don’t know where to stay? Try these three fabulous accommodations:
The Kapalua Villas – An exclusive Golf Getaway
Aston Kaanapali Shores – A beachfront escape
Kaanapali Beach Hotel – An authentic Hawaiian Home
Have fun and take your sunscreen.

A towering waterfall cascading down a lush canyon wall. A white sand beach with the sparkling blue Pacific beyond. A giant humpback whale breaching near a catamaran’s bow. A serene sunrise over a volcano’s immense crater. A fire-red sunset glowing over an ancient tropical island. Where is this place of natual wonders where memories last a lifetime? MAUI! For more information visit http://www.visitmaui.com

9 Tips on how to travel green…
1 – Offset your carbon emissions
2 – Pack Light
3 – Travel Slow
4 – Reuse linens and towels more than once in hotels
5 – Take the Train
6 – Rent a hybrid or compact car (or no car at all)
7 – Sail, don’t cruise
8 – Buy Local Products
9 – Stay at a Green Hotel
See the entire article at http://www.bootsnall.com/articles/09-01/9-tips-how-travel-greener.html