Eco-Travel

By Susan Seliger

Does this happen to you? Once you start dreaming about exotic places you’d love to escape to – natural wonders of the world where there are no malls or tinsel or shopping lists – you just can’t stop. There are so many things you haven’t done yet in life — like a safari on the Serengeti in Tanzania or swimming with the sea lions in the Galapagos or a trek to the Amazon and Machu Picchu – just puckering up to say Machu Picchu puts me in an adventurous state of mind.

Well, stop dreaming – Natural Habitat Adventures has come to the rescue. This eco-conscious company is offering, not one but FIVE,  big vacations for two – one every year for five years – to the most exciting natural destinations in the world. Beyond those mentioned in my dreams, they’ve also got trips to walk with the penguins in Antarctica and the Falklands as well as a trip to Manitoba to schmooze with the polar bears.

I’ve entered – and so can you – every day up until the deadline, Feb. 28, 2009. Hope to see you there – if not, give the sea lions a smooch for me. Start clicking.

Photo credit: Llama in Macchu Picchuu: from Nurse healthwriter blog

By Susan Seliger

This eco-friendly cruise couldn’t come at a better time. The recent cold snap along with the chilly, lonely feeling I get when I look at my retirement savings (what retirement savings?!) has put me in the mood for a trip to a sunny place. Though in this economy, I probably wouldn’t turn down a free, seven-day cruise even in the summer.

In addition to an eco-friendly cruise ship, and vegetarian feasts on board, you’ll also be treated to daily spa treatments along with yoga and meditation classes. The perfect antidote to financial angst. Dust off your mantra — I’m thinking of trading in my current one: It’s only money for an updated version: Yes, you Om.

But hurry up—not much time. The deadline is nigh. The sponsors of this cruise contest – Yoga Journal and Earth® Footwear – are giving you until 11-30-08 to try your luck. Go on — click – you don’t even have to buy a lottery ticket.

By Susan Seliger

Eco-luxury is fun any time anywhere. Especially in Mexico – where Polartec is offering a Grand Prize of a free trip for two to the Hotelito Desconocido eco-luxury resort. The hotel, 60 miles South of Puerto Vallarta, has luxurious vegetation, 150 types of birds, white sandy beaches protected by the Sierra Madre mountains and two 100% organic restaurants.

And if you don’t win that, you get a jacket — which is waaay better than a T-shirt because this jacket is a very hip 2009 North Face Denali jacket made from Polartec^® recycled-content fabric. You may not think of Polartec – those hi-tech fabrics for outdoor gear — as being natural and eco-friendly but the company is making a big push into recycling. Don’t be put off by the three-question quiz you have to take to enter – it’s fun and you may even learn something new about carbon emissions in the process. Go to Polartec Eco-Champion contest.