6 Ways To Be A Sustainable Traveler

When you consider all of the current global sustainable tourism issues, it certainly seems like a monstrous task for any traveler to take on to help. That said, if we all take small steps to lessen our personal footprints, we will ultimately make a difference. Recently, I connected with Sustainable Travel International, to find out what travelers can be doing to be more sustainable. They believe that “travel and tourism can protect the world’s natural and cultural riches and create economic opportunity,” and they create tools to enable self-directed sustainability for the travel and tourism industry.

One thing to note is that sustainable travel tips vary heavily by destination. In order to be a green traveler, the most important tip is to do your research. Making informed travel decisions can make a huge difference, travelers just need to know what they should be aware of before planning a trip and going to a destination.

Here are several practical and easy tips from Sustainable Travel International that are marked under six categories. These can all be used as a starting point towards being green. We usually only think about the environment when it comes to sustainability, but it also includes your impact on people, animals, and cultures.

1. Minimize Waste And Pollution

Woman cleaning up a beach and collecting washed up garbage.

CREDIT: ISTOCK.COM / ROIJOY, COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

Travelers continue to overuse the earth’s resources that we depend on, creating excess waste and pollution. Small islands and developing destinations lack sufficient waste management infrastructure and are also highly vulnerable to climate change. Travelers can take small actions such as avoiding the use of disposable plastic products. More specifically, you can bring reusable water bottles and refuse plastic shopping bags and straws. Also, it’s important to do your research to know how to properly recycle and dispose of waste, you can always ask the locals when you arrive to make sure you know how it works. While it may not always be an option, try to use public transportation, or explore destinations by foot or bicycle. If you need to use a car, try to rent a biodiesel, hybrid-electric, or fuel-efficient model. While travelers sometimes can’t avoid flights to get to a destination, they can consider choosing the most direct route and packing their bags as lightly as possible. Considering the majority of carbon emissions caused by tourism are due to air travel, you could also consider which airlines you fly with and what they are doing to help. Some airlines, such as United Airlines, has a program to use cleaner fuels and take measures to reduce fuel consumption – such as using newer planes.

2. Conserve Natural Environments

Visitors enjoy an overlook of Maya Ruins and Copan River Valley in Honduras.

CREDIT: ISTOCK.COM/MILEHIGHTRAVELER, COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

Travelers have a huge opportunity to protect our planet’s natural surroundings and resources. To better understand how to help, do your research and stay on top of knowing what issues are affecting the environments you are visiting. Overall, tourists tend to consume far more than locals and many destinations struggle with limited natural resources. For instance, any travelers heading to Cape Town, South Africa, should already know about the water crisis and be careful with their water use. Also, Sustainable Travel International recommends that you visit protected areas as the fees you pay to use them support local efforts to conserve them. Rules and regulations in these areas are there to protect the environment, wildlife, local communities, and you. If you hire a local guide, you’ll not only learn about the local environment, but you will also provide incentive to local communities to invest in environmental conservation. If you do not hire a guide and venture on your own, make sure you “leave nothing but footprints” as you explore, be mindful of your surroundings and of course, don’t litter. Make sure any business you spend your money on is eco-friendly and supports conservation efforts. Research is key here as a lot of businesses claim they are green, but may not necessarily be taking realistic actions to help.

3. Support Local People

Woman in national clothes sells the products of her weaving in Otavalo, Ecuador

CREDIT: ISTOCK.COM/XENI4KA, COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

Travelers should be mindful of where they’re spending their money and ensure that it goes to locals and benefits the local community. Unfortunately, tourism can contribute to economic leakage and human rights violations. Therefore, travelers should make sure to support businesses that employ locals, you can do this by eating locally and dining in restaurants that use local ingredients. Or, visit a local market – a great way to get to know locals and enjoy a foodcation. You should also buy locally, you can purchase souvenirs from local artisans as it will encourage the preservation of their cultural heritage. Most importantly, treat locals with respect. If you book an adventure and need to cancel last minute, it could throw off their entire day’s earnings. Also, if you’re a photographer, be respectful of snapping photos of locals without their permission, always ask first.

4. Respect and Preserve Culture

Sellers and buyers in the fish market in Stone Town, Zanzibar, Tanzania

CREDIT: ISTOCK.COM/MIROSLAV_1, COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

Traveling offers an amazing opportunity to learn about and celebrate other cultures. Of course, travelers play an important role in preserving these cultures. Therefore, it’s important to respect and celebrate traditions, and be aware of cultural norms that could touch on dress code, language, food etiquette, and general behavior. Many gestures have different meanings in different cultures, be sure to learn from locals on what’s appropriate before visiting religious and cultural sites. Be mindful when visiting heritage sites and do not touch artifacts, go during off-peak hours to offset any strain on over-tourism and potential lack of infrastructure.

5. Prioritize Animal Welfare

Lion watching at Ngorongoro

CREDIT: ISTOCK.COM/CENERI, COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

Many travelers are animal lovers, but they may lack awareness on tourist activities that actually harm the animals they care about. Prioritizing animal welfare can mean a lot of different things. Firstly, it’s important to choose ethical experiences and do your research to know what tours and attractions cause suffering to animals or allow travelers to interact with animals in abusive ways. Sustainable Travel International recommends you steer clear of common culprits such as elephant rides, lion petting, tiger selfies, and dancing monkeys. You should also make sure to only visit attractions that do not capture animals from the wild and provide adequate living conditions. While traveling, be aware of what you’re eating as well, and make sure you’re aware of what species are endangered or threatened. If you’re spending time in the water, make sure you wear reef-safe sunscreen as many chemicals in sunscreens can cause coral bleaching. You should also make sure to not touch, disturb, or feed any wildlife as this can alter their natural behavior and effect their ability to survive. Lastly, when shopping, make sure you’re not purchasing souvenirs that are made from animals (turtle shells, ivory, coral products, etc).

6. Give Back

Volunteers conducting trail maintenance in Torres del Paine National Park

CREDIT: TORRES DEL PAINE LEGACY FUND / PROJECT EUDAIMONIA, COURTESY OF SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL INTERNATIONAL

If you’re looking to give back, make sure your contribution is in fact making a positive difference. Firstly, as mentioned within all of these tips, make sure you do your research on any volunteer experiences to ensure they are ethical. Besides joining volunteer groups such as cleanup events, you can donate supplies. To browse destination-specific supply lists, visit Pack For A Purpose, and bring items that have been specifically requested by local organizations. You can also support local nonprofits to fund the specific destination you’re going to, or support global nonprofits such as Sustainable Travel International, that help on a global scale and focuses on using tourism to advance conservation and combat human welfare issues.

Of course, this is just a short list of everything we could be doing. If travelers are mindful of their impact and take the above into consideration when they travel, it will make a huge collective difference.

100 Ways to Be Less of a Colonialist Jerk When You Travel

Repeat after me: It is never OK to take pictures with smiling, barefoot children. Even if it’s for your Tinder. Especially if it’s for your Tinder.

Comment: Changing face of travel

Source : Travelweekly

At last year’s Travel Convention, the rise of US companies offering quick and easy routes into selling travel was identified as one of the biggest threats to established UK agents.

In a panel I moderated, Alistair Rowland, group general manager for specialist retail at The Midcounties Co-operative and Abta board member, warned that allowing such firms to gain legitimacy would be a “dangerous scenario”.

Roll on five months and one of the largest of these firms – InteleTravel – has been granted Abta membership two years after it first applied.

The news will undoubtedly ruffle feathers among agents who warn that such companies fail to offer sufficient consumer protection and create sales forces that lack the expertise to properly serve their customers.

However, Abta insists InteleTravel has met strict criteria around its code of conduct and has focused heavily on training for its 1,800 UK agents.

In the US, schemes derided as “card mills” caused a furore when they emerged in the 1990s, blurring lines between established agents and newcomers.

But InteleTravel will point to the fact it is now an accepted and respected member of the US travel trade.

Abta says there is a long history of disruption in the UK industry and many of its larger members with homeworking divisions already recruit people with no travel experience – just not at the scale of InteleTravel.

But it is clearly anticipating scrutiny of its decision by posting the rationale for its approval on its website.

One thing is for sure. The decision won’t be the end of the debate.

The Most Expensive Cities in the World

a large body of water with a city in the background

In the past few months, a number of rankings have appeared, determining everything from the best cities in the world for expats to the best country in the world. Yet another survey has recently been released: The Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2019 Worldwide Cost of Living rankings, which proclaims Singapore, Hong Kong, and Paris the world’s most expensive cities—the first time that three places have shared top billing.

The annual report, which ranks 133 cities based on a twice-yearly survey, collects more than 400 individual prices across more than 160 products and services—including food and drink, clothing, rent, transportation, utility bills, private schools, domestic help, and recreational costs—to arrive at the overall cost of living. A glimpse at some of the intel: In Paris, a two-pound loaf of bread costs $5.66 on average; in Hong Kong, a two-piece business suit will run you an average of $1,874.65. In Singapore, which had topped the “most expensive city” list for five years in a row prior, a women’s haircut averages $96. (For comparison’s sake, in the world’s “cheapest” city, Caracas, Venezuela, that same haircut would cost $1.77.)

Though the list is dominated by Asian and European cities, New York and Los Angeles cracked the top ten after being jointly tied for 39th place a mere five years ago. The reason? Sharp currency appreciation, or a stronger U.S. dollar, which means that U.S. cities have become more expensive globally. In fact, all but two U.S. cities rose in the list’s greater rankings this year, with the highest climbers being San Francisco (25th up from 37th previously), Houston (30th from 41st), Seattle (38th from 46th), and Detroit and Cleveland (joint 67th from joint 75th).

Interestingly, the report notes that certain regions are typically more expensive for certain things: In the U.S., for instance, domestic help and utilities remain expensive. Asian cities, meanwhile, tend to be most expensive for groceries, while European cities are hit hardest by household, personal care, recreation, and entertainment costs.

A full list of the most expensive cities can be found below.

1. Singapore

1. Paris, France

1. Hong Kong

4. Zurich, Switzerland

5. Geneva, Switzerland

5. Osaka, Japan

7. Seoul, South Korea

7. Copenhagen, Denmark

7. New York, New York

10. Tel Aviv, Israel

10. Los Angeles, California

The Venetian’s $450K Package Includes a Private Jet and Diamonds

a large building: Venetian, las vegas, palazzo, resorts

The Venetian is giving “the world” to its luxury travelers with a four-night $450,000 package. The “Want The World” package pulls out all the luxury stops in some outrageous ways.

Travelers who book the package will arrive in Vegas by private jet, be picked up by a Maybach car and whisked away to the Venetian.

They’ll receive a VIP check-in experience and be taken to the hotel’s presidential suite which includes a private, personal butler on-hand at all times. The suite comes with its own workout room, cedar-wood sauna, game room and baby grand piano.

With the package, guests will be able to enjoy a crystal-encrusted magnum bottle of Moet Champagne and munch on a cake adorned in a 2.5 total carat ruby and diamond necklace and a matching 2.47 carat Burma ruby and diamond ring from Bellusso Jewelers all in their comfortable monogrammed red silk pajamas.

They may even want to pair the cake with a red velvet cake batter CrazyShake from Black Tap with a 5.5 carat diamond bracelet or with the Forbidden Love Cocktail, a 21-year-old Japanese blended Suntory Hibiki whiskey with gold flakes and served with caviar.

The package offers more pampering like an in-suite champagne pedicure and diamond massage, as well as a four-course custom dinner served in the suite and a two-hour salsa dancing lesson. And when brunch rolls around, guests will enjoy the “24K Brunch and Bubbles” by Yardbird which includes a 24k gold-dusted chicken n’ waffles and Cristal mimosas.

If all that wasn’t enough, guests will have a personal photographer to document the entire experience so they can show their friends just how glamorous their stay was with this luxury Venetian package.

Why Finland Is Consistently the Happiest Country on Earth

a boat is docked next to a body of water: Jetty on a sunny summer day neat Helsinki, Finland

If you’re feeling low, it may be time to book a trip to Finland.

The results of the seventh annual World Happpiness Report have revealed that residents of Finland are the happiest in the world — for the second year in a row. But it’s not something inherent in Finnish DNA, according to the researchers.

“It’s true that last year all Finns were happier than rest of the countries’ residents, but their immigrants were also happiest immigrants in the world,” John Helliwell, co-editor of the report and a professor of economics at the University of British Columbia, told CNN. “It’s not about Finnish DNA. It’s the way life is lived in those countries.”

And that same sentiment can be extended to countries geographically near Finland. Despite winters without much sunlight, Scandinavian residents are the happiest in the world, according to this report. The following most happy countries were Denmark, Norway, Iceland and The Netherlands.

The report, which is produced by the United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network, ranks 156 countries around the globe based off of “how happy their citizens perceive themselves to be.” Categories considered include wealth, life expectancy, social support, freedom to make life decisions and levels of government corruption.

While Scandinavia may have reason to celebrate, the rest of the world is not so happy. According to the report, world happiness has fallen in recent years, largely driven by a significant decrease in India. Emotions like worry, sadness and anger have increased throughout Asia and Africa in that same time.

The U.S.’s ranking in the survey slipped from 18 to 19, which researcher credit in large part to rampant “compulsive pursuit of substance abuse and addictive behaviors,” including consumption of digital media and gambling.

“We are living a moment of transition to a new age and this generates a sense of uncertainty,” Andrea Illy, Chairman of illycaffè and Member of the Board of Fondazione Ernesto Illy, which co-sponsored the study, said in a statement. “Social happiness is therefore even more relevant, in order to give a positive perspective and outlook for the present and for the future.”

Get a glimpse of unspoiled Italy and explore the region of Puglia

Trulli Valley

Itria Valley, known also as Trulli Valley, is most famous for its peculiar architectural structures called trulli. These stone huts are characterized by their cone-shaped roofs and whitewashed walls. They were once the homes of peasants, but today they’re a symbol of the whole Puglia region.
Trulli can be found all over the valley, but some of the most popular places to find them are villages of Locorotondo, Cisternino and Martina Franca. The town of Alberobello has the most famous collection of trulli. In fact, the town consists entirely of trulli houses, 1,500 to be exact, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander around trulli-lined streets and enjoy this unique place, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. To get an authentic sense of what’s it like living in these domed huts, you can even spend the night in a trulli.

Slide 3 of 12: At first glance, this magnificent city might remind you of Greece. Sitting on a hilltop, this charming town is famous for its whitewashed houses and maze-like alleys, hence the name the White City. Its shimmering architecture creates a dramatic contrast to the surrounding greenery. And just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, this town features astonishing views over the water. Get lost in the city's lovely, narrow streets and feel the dolce vita vibes everywhere you turn!

3/12 SLIDES © neonshot/123RF

Ostuni, The White City

At first glance, this magnificent city might remind you of Greece. Sitting on a hilltop, this charming town is famous for its whitewashed houses and maze-like alleys, hence the name the White City. Its shimmering architecture creates a dramatic contrast to the surrounding greenery. And just a few kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, this town features astonishing views over the water. Get lost in the city’s lovely, narrow streets and feel the dolce vita vibes everywhere you turn!

Slide 4 of 12: This spectacular network of caves stretches several kilometers underground, making you feel like you're on a journey to the center of the Earth. Considered to be the most important and largest karst complex in Italy, these caves are a truly spellbinding sight. Take a guided tour and admire the impressive stalactites and stalagmites, incredible underground landscapes, and canyons hiding inside. Also, a huge underground performance happens here all year round called Hell in the Cave. The show represents the first part of Dante's Divine Comedy and it's a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind experience.

4/12 SLIDES © Giuseppe Masci/123RF

Castellana Caves

This spectacular network of caves stretches several kilometers underground, making you feel like you’re on a journey to the center of the Earth. Considered to be the most important and largest karst complex in Italy, these caves are a truly spellbinding sight. Take a guided tour and admire the impressive stalactites and stalagmites, incredible underground landscapes, and canyons hiding inside. Also, a huge underground performance happens here all year round called Hell in the Cave. The show represents the first part of Dante’s Divine Comedy and it’s a truly extraordinary and one-of-a-kind experience.

Slide 6 of 12: Gargano is one of Puglia's most beautiful areas, renowned for its majestic cliffs, steep hills and beautiful coastline. Known as the "spur" of boot-shaped Italy, it's famous for its diverse landscape, with golden beaches and impressive coves on one side and the lush forests of Gargano National Park and Umbra Forest on the other. Its small towns feel like corners of paradise surrounded by crystal blue sea and bursting with old-world Italian charm. Slip away from the crowds, stroll around cobbled streets and feel the relaxed energy of the local culture. Also, the area is perfect for diving and hiking enthusiasts!

6/12 SLIDES © Yuriy Brykaylo/123RF

The beaches of the Gargano Peninsula

Gargano is one of Puglia’s most beautiful areas, renowned for its majestic cliffs, steep hills and beautiful coastline. Known as the “spur” of boot-shaped Italy, it’s famous for its diverse landscape, with golden beaches and impressive coves on one side and the lush forests of Gargano National Park and Umbra Forest on the other. Its small towns feel like corners of paradise surrounded by crystal blue sea and bursting with old-world Italian charm. Slip away from the crowds, stroll around cobbled streets and feel the relaxed energy of the local culture. Also, the area is perfect for diving and hiking enthusiasts!

Slide 7 of 12: This unusual castle is characterized by its octagonal shape with towers supporting each corner. The geometrical design of the fortress makes it unique, so it's no surprise it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The masterpiece of medieval architecture sits on a green hill, dominating the surrounding low-lying countryside. Get a guided tour to find out more about the castle's rich history and immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere!

7/12 SLIDES © staraldo/123RF

Monte Castle

This unusual castle is characterized by its octagonal shape with towers supporting each corner. The geometrical design of the fortress makes it unique, so it’s no surprise it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The masterpiece of medieval architecture sits on a green hill, dominating the surrounding low-lying countryside. Get a guided tour to find out more about the castle’s rich history and immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere!

8/12 SLIDES © kanturu/123RF

Monopoli

Situated on Adriatic coast, the fishing port of Monopoli is lovely town with rich history. The city’s name comes from the Greek word monos polis, which means singularly unique. Monopoli definitely stands up to its title, with glorious fortified sea-front walls, a 16th-cenury castle, a lovely harbor and a charming, historic city center full of white-washed churches and narrow alleys. The town is usually not crowded with tourists, allowing you to get a sense of the real Puglia. For a glimpse of local life, go to the city’s port and watch fishermen coming in with their small boats or repairing nets as they sit along the seafront promenade.

Slide 9 of 12: Who needs to fly to the Maldives when you've got golden sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water in Puglia? The beach at Pescoluse is nicknamed the Maldives of Salento and as soon as you get here you'll realize why. Stretching for miles and surrounded by sand dunes, its Caribbean-like clear water is heaven for sunbathing, swimming and watersports.

9/12 SLIDES © Yuriy Brykaylo/123RF

The Maldives of Salento

Who needs to fly to the Maldives when you’ve got golden sandy beaches and crystal clear blue water in Puglia? The beach at Pescoluse is nicknamed the Maldives of Salento and as soon as you get here you’ll realize why. Stretching for miles and surrounded by sand dunes, its Caribbean-like clear water is heaven for sunbathing, swimming and watersports.

Slide 10 of 12: The capital of Puglia is a true gem, often overlooked by tourists coming to the region. It might not have the attractive baroque architecture of Lecce or the stunning beaches of Gargano, but it doesn't lack impressive nature and historic attractions. Wander around medieval streets in the Old Town, known as Bari Vecchia, where you'll find great places to refresh yourself with a cup of Italian espresso and lots of historic monuments. One of the most famous landmarks in town is the Basilica di San Nicola where the remains of St Nicholas are being kept. To feel like a true local, get up early in the morning and visit the town's old port, known as Porto Vecchio, and buy a fresh catch of the day.

10/12 SLIDES © kanturu/123RF

Bari

The capital of Puglia is a true gem, often overlooked by tourists coming to the region. It might not have the attractive baroque architecture of Lecce or the stunning beaches of Gargano, but it doesn’t lack impressive nature and historic attractions. Wander around medieval streets in the Old Town, known as Bari Vecchia, where you’ll find great places to refresh yourself with a cup of Italian espresso and lots of historic monuments. One of the most famous landmarks in town is the Basilica di San Nicola where the remains of St Nicholas are being kept. To feel like a true local, get up early in the morning and visit the town’s old port, known as Porto Vecchio, and buy a fresh catch of the day.

Slide 11 of 12: Translating to Cave of Poetry, this natural wonder is one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world. The 30-meter-wide sinkhole is surrounded by a stark, rocky landscape and the blue-green water of the Adriatic. An unforgettable experience is guaranteed here, but for a peaceful swim arrive early in the morning as it gets really crowded around noon. This amazing natural formation is also a major draw for adrenaline junkies who enjoy leaping from the high cliffs into the clear waters. It's also a hub for scuba divers from all around the globe who swim from the sinkhole through an underground cave to get back out to the sea.

Grotta della Poesia

Slide 12 of 12: This seaside town is the perfect place to get a glimpse of unspoiled Italy. When translated, the city's name means beautiful city, and it doesn't disappoint! Sitting on the Ionian Sea, the town features a beautiful beach and historic city center. Surrounded by water and ancient walls, this city will win your heart with its laid-back, easy-going atmosphere, fresh seafood and narrow paved streets. The town was once part of ancient Greece, so it's a must for history buffs. With its picturesque Old Town that can only be reached by a 16th century bridge, maze of alleys, majestic fortress and towers, Gallipoli will make you feel as if you've stepped back in time. Also, the town is famous for its fish market and excellent seafood in restaurants, delivered fresh by local fishermen every morning. Don't forget to try sea urchins here, because they're a specialty of Gallipoli. — Translating to Cave of Poetry, this natural wonder is one of the most beautiful natural pools in the world. The 30-meter-wide sinkhole is surrounded by a stark, rocky landscape and the blue-green water of the Adriatic. An unforgettable experience is guaranteed here, but for a peaceful swim arrive early in the morning as it gets really crowded around noon. This amazing natural formation is also a major draw for adrenaline junkies who enjoy leaping from the high cliffs into the clear waters. It’s also a hub for scuba divers from all around the globe who swim from the sinkhole through an underground cave to get back out to the sea.

Gallipoli

This seaside town is the perfect place to get a glimpse of unspoiled Italy. When translated, the city’s name means beautiful city, and it doesn’t disappoint! Sitting on the Ionian Sea, the town features a beautiful beach and historic city center. Surrounded by water and ancient walls, this city will win your heart with its laid-back, easy-going atmosphere, fresh seafood and narrow paved streets. The town was once part of ancient Greece, so it’s a must for history buffs. With its picturesque Old Town that can only be reached by a 16th century bridge, maze of alleys, majestic fortress and towers, Gallipoli will make you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time. Also, the town is famous for its fish market and excellent seafood in restaurants, delivered fresh by local fishermen every morning. Don’t forget to try sea urchins here, because they’re a specialty of Gallipoli.

A Look Inside Under, Norway’s Underwater Restaurant

a close up of a rock next to a body of water

When we first reported about Under, Europe’s first underwater restaurant, in 2017, we were wowed by the renderings: They showcased a periscope-like concrete structure submerged along Norway’s southern coast with diners sitting in front of a 36-foot-wide acrylic window with direct access to the sea life outside. But at that point, that was all they were—renderings. There was no menu, no news as to when Under would open, or even if it would come to fruition. But now, interested travelers can finally make reservations, and the underwater restaurant will officially start serving diners in April after a soft launch this month, Reuters reports.

The space, designed by Oslo- and New York-based architecture firm Snøhetta, takes diners on a physical journey underwater. First, you walk from the coast along a 40-foot bridge out the restaurant’s wood-paneled entrance. Then, you make a pit stop in the mezzanine bar for a glass of champagne before finally heading down a grand staircase to be seated 16 feet under sea level in the concrete-walled dining room. “Part of it is allowing people to have a deeper relationship with the ocean,” Snøhetta’s co-founder Craig Dykers told the Wall Street Journal. “Humans are mostly made up of water. We’re tremendously connected. Being in the restaurant will take us back to our ancient history.”

But the concrete tube isn’t just meant for the diners’ enjoyment: in an effort to attract sea creatures like mussels to settle into its nooks and crannies, the architects left the exterior in its raw form. It offers an opportunity to study the jellyfish, cod, and mackerel that make these Norwegian coastal waters their home. According to the Wall Street Journal, marine biologists will be studying fishes’ reaction to light from the ocean-floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room when the restaurant is not serving dinner. But the soon-to-form colonies on the restaurant’s exterior serve another purpose: they purify the water, making it more appealing for other fish to settle in and easier for diners to see out. Don’t worry—they’re not only relying on mollusks here to keep the water clear. The restaurant sends divers into the sea twice a week to clean that enormous panoramic window so you can actually see through it, it told WSJ.

If you’re intrigued by the architecture alone, be ready to fork over a bit of dough for your meal: the 18-course, seafood-heavy meal with wine pairings at Under will cost 3,700 krone (about $430), or 2,250 krone ($260) without wine. A sample menu hasn’t been released, but you’ll be in the capable hands of Nicolai Ellitsgaard, who previously worked at Traveler-fave Henne Kirkeby Kro in Denmark. The 40-seat restaurant has also already filled up all of its online reservations through mid-August, so be sure to book a table first and then start setting flight trackers to get a great deal. Since the restaurant is off the coast of Båly, about a five-hour drive south of Oslo, we’ve just got one thing to say: summer road trip, anyone?

Under, Europe’s First Underwater Restaurant, In Photos

a group of people in a room: The dining room at Under is submerged 16 feet below sea level.

Much of the light in the restaurant comes from sunlight filtered through the ocean, giving the space a blue-green tint.

a room filled with furniture and a lamp: The rest of the natural light comes from a window in the sea-level champagne bar (pictured)

The restaurant will offer an 18-course meal for $260, without wine.

a chair sitting in front of a wooden table: SnÃ¸hetta custom-designed all of the furniture, which was made from locally sourced oak, the Wall Street Journal reports.

a bridge over a body of water with a mountain in the background: Guest must walk among the waves, across a 40-foot bridge, to get to the entrance.

a group of shoes on a wooden table: Chef Nicolai Ellitsgaard is pulling from local ingredients to craft his menu, Under explains on its website.

a waterfall with a mountain in the background: The concrete exterior was left raw to develop mussel colonies.

a crab in the dark: It's safe to say you can expect a lot of seafood on Ellitsgaard's menu, pulled from local waters.

Get paid to travel this summer, but there’s one unique catch

One travel company is offering six people the adventure of a lifetime; to travel across a continent on an all-expenses-paid trip worth £8000 (€9316) this summer. The days will be spent having unique new experiences and capturing content. There’s only one catch; Instagram’s audience gets to dictate their next move.

Smiling young lady using cell phone against urban bridge at dusk — The experiment will see Instagram users casting votes on what the travellers should do next. Image by d3sign

Launched by travel company Busabout, The Great Travel Experiment will see successful candidates capturing videos and images while travelling. Every day holiday decisions will be in the hands of other Instagram users, from choices like whether to skydive or white water raft in Switzerland or whether or not to eat a deep-fried insect in Bangkok. Through the use of interactive polls on Instagram Stories, audiences will have their say in each and every moment of the winners’ global adventures.

Succesful applicants will travel through the USA, Europe or South East Asia. Image by Thibault Vr / EyeEm

The six winners will travel in pairs through either the United States, East Asia or Europe. There are two positions available in each destination, including an Instagram storyteller (someone who is confident in front of a lens and passionate about sharing tales from the road), and a videographer who has a flair for filming and editing engaging content. All successful candidates, no matter what their chosen position, will be required to get involved in the challenges set by Instagram’s audience. “We’re looking for adventure-loving-up-for-anything individuals. With the Instagram audience dictating their every move, the ideal candidate will be a fearless, charismatic storyteller that can show how being flexible and spontaneous creates better travel experiences,” Busabout managing director, Duncan Robertson told Lonely Planet Travel News.

The southeast Asia and USA itineraries both last for six weeks over the summer, while the 11-week European itinerary hits the hotspots across the continent, culminating with beer and pretzels at Oktoberfest in Munich. All six content creators will be paid £200 (€232) each week on top of the trip.

The Great Travel Experiment is open now for submissions. Applicants can select their chosen position and preferred destination and are asked to record a 60-second video showcasing the best bits of their own hometown. Candidates can apply as a pair or singly. Entries are open until 8 April, before a shortlist is selected for a public vote.

4 Amazing Pueblos Blancos of Colombia

Source : Connectedhorizons.co.uk

In recent years, Colombia has been a very common destination on the backpackers radar. The country’s relatively cheap prices and great variety of landscapes – from wild jungle to pristine beaches – have always been the perfect match for seeing the best of Colombia even for those on a tight budget. Nevertheless, those travelers who opt to stir away a bit from the most touristy destination and pay a visit to the less-known Pueblos Blancos will be greatly rewarded.

The Pueblos Blancos is a category of small villages (usually isolated) that the Colombian government has listed as being crucial to the country’s cultural heritage. That said, these villages also happen to be the most gorgeous and unique in their own way!

Currently, there are 17 villages on the list scattered all over the country and after visiting some of them here’s the list of our 4 Top Favorites!

1. Santa Cruz de Mompox (Bolivar)

Among the ones we visited, this was undoubtedly the pueblo that took us more by surprise. At the time, we were traveling to Mompox from Rodadero (a small beach department of Santa Marta) and the journey that was supposed to last 6hrs ended up being a hellish 10hrs night ride. Thankfully, even at night the village seemed perfectly safe and – it may sound weird – kind of welcoming. Anyway, the next day we we spent it visiting town and we literally fell in love with it.

Gorgeous architecture, lots of nature, a river nearby and plenty of very friendly locals made our stay better than we could have ever expected. Whether you’re planning for a short half-day or more days stop, there’s no way you won’t enjoy spending sometime around here. And did we mention that during our stay we met just ONE tourist ?

2. Barichara (Santander)

Not so far from the adventure town of San Gil, this village is a popular stopover for all those planning to see/hike the breathtaking Chicamocha Canyon. Even though Barichara is a well-known destination along the tourist route, the presence of tourism thankfully doesn’t spoil the undeniable beauty of the place.

The colonial architecture, a beautiful cemetery and overall a friendly atmosphere are just some of the town’s highlights. But should that not be enough, the surroundings of Barichara offer plenty of outdoor activities from hiking to paragliding and even walking on a part of the ancient Inca Road.

3. Jardin (Antioquia)

If you’re looking for something truly Colombian then don’t hesitate to visit Jardin. This little village somewhere halfway-through Medellin and the coffee triangle, is the one place in Colombia where we actually managed to see some real colombian lifestyle. On top of that, the village boasts some beautiful colorful houses, plenty of hiking trails in the surroundings coffee plantations and the only national reserve for the rare bird species Gallito de Roca.

If you can make sure to be there during week-days to make the most of it as on weekends loads of people from surrounding towns come over to take a break from their jobs. TIP: If you wanna visit the national reserve for the Gallito de Roca, make sure to head there – just on the village outskirts – as early as 5am in the morning to get the best results.

4. Villa de Leyva (Boyaca)

After sometime traveling throughout Colombia, it was in Villa de Leyva that we experienced the first cold mountain weather, long forgotten from our days in Europe. During our time in the town, finally having a chance to walk and hike around with sweaters was a big relief from the overwhelming heat of Tayrona. Villa de Leyva – or as many locals refer to it VDL – is the perfect place to relax, sip over some tasty artisanal beer and take a break from the backpacking routine.

That said, the old part of the town feature some great pre-colonial architecture (similar to an ancient borgo) and a huge plaza once used as a marketplace. Nowadays, even though the town is pretty touristy, finding cheap accommodation and places to eat is pretty easy, making a great stop also for budget-travelers.

Whether you decide to visit some of these towns or any other in the list of the Pueblos, we’re 100% sure you won’t regret it. There has not been a town in the list that we visited that didn’t let us down: from the North to the deep South of Colombia every new town was a new and beautiful discovery.