The economic buzz of green travel creates both practitioners and impostors. Responsible tourism is not a fad. Good operators understand the issues and incorporate appropriate practices as part of their business strategies, not as part of empty eco-slogans.
For earnest travellers it’s hard to decode all the eco-friendly greenwashing and determine what’s really happening to natural habitats and surrounding communities. This is the dilemma for tourists wanting to choose green destinations without contributing to ecosystem degradation or disrupting local economies.
Tourism operators have a choice to make as well. The current model still supports the pre-Internet generation, when tourist information moved as slow as a lingering tropical day. Today, however, the lightening speed of global communications and a newfound sense of social responsibility urge travellers to make conscientious decisions.
Tourists are no longer just carefree and whimsical sightseers; they are savvy consumers. Instead of just grabbing a Lonely Planet guide and heading out, these days tourists log on, read website travelogues, discuss issues on forums and research potential sites like a corporate raider getting ready for a company takeover.
In the climate change age, travellers seek to use their quota of carbon credits on environmentally sound destinations. They don’t want a journey spoiled by unsightly resorts where pipes spew sewage into beachfront waters or plastic bottles, soda cans and wet waste smoulders in a slow burn under a coconut tree.
“Resort operators have to stop thinking they can fool their customers,” professes Yessy Hidajat of Alila Ubud Resort in Bali. “Tourists are very intelligent and they shop around on the web, so nobody will believe if you just claim yourself as green, people have to see it.”
Tourists have ample choices on where to spend their holiday dollars. And the tourism industry is starting to get the message. More and more families and groups choose faraway vacation spots based on a mental checklist that includes preventing pollution, using recycled products, protecting nature and giving back to surrounding communities.
Green travel is about responsibility and taking control. When tourism includes local communities, helps distribute revenues throughout villages and promotes conservation of natural areas, then all parties – private resorts, local authorities and village residents – are in control of their resources.
Throughout Asia, resorts and ecotourism ventures are learning the lessons of going green. They understand that making the effort to be responsible is a winning proposition.
For travellers, now is the time to harness the power of choice into a more powerful green message.
Learn more about responsible tourism and how both travelers and operators can play a role at Wild Asia ‘s Responsible Tourism Initiative.

On paper, teaching English abroad is a pretty sweet option – exploring new cultures, getting paid to travel, notching up awesome stories to tell your mates back home.

But thinking you’re going to do it, and actually, properly getting on that plane are two very different things. So what holds people back? Fear that’s what! Teaching abroad may be great, but leaving everything you’ve ever known (including gravy, Radio 4 and Jaffa Cakes) behind can be a tad daunting. So, to help you turn feeling scared into feeling excited about the opportunities offered by TEFL, here are people’s most common TEFL fears and how to face them:

Fear 1: My students will eat me alive

Kids. A lot of the time they’re cute and well-behaved, but sometimes it feels like the spawn of Satan is sat at the desk in front of you. Lovely Astrid for instance recently had one kid sitting in class systematically breaking pencils in half. Not nice. Adults aren’t an easy option either – while they probably won’t smash up your stationery they can undermine your authority and start taking over your show.

Solution: Be assertive and take a stand, as students (of all ages) can smell fear, seriously. You’ll also feel much more confident about situations, and know how to cope with them better, if you do a TEFL course before you head out.

Fear 2: My school will treat me like dirt

The optimistic part of you is hoping for golden sands, friendly locals and lots of spare time to explore. The less optimistic part of you is imagining a dungeon-esque classroom which you’re locked into 7-days a week and forced to run English corners for the rest of eternity.

Solution: Research! Make sure you chat to people on forums and do a few Google searches of your school before you sign your name of the dotted line. You also need to negotiate with your employer to make sure that your expectations are going to be delivered. Ultimately though, take things you read online with a pinch of salt, as if everyone took everything the read on the internet seriously we’d never leave our houses. Also, if your school isn’t what you hoped it would be, there will be other options while you’re in-country. And if you do feel you need that extra support, a supported internship program like these might be the thing for you

Fear 3: I’ll be alone

All together now… ‘All by myself, don’t wanna be…’

What use is experiencing all these amazing new things if you don’t have anyone to share them with? You could be in the most incredible place in the world, but if you’re sat in a crummy apartment eating instant noodles and watching TV shows you can’t understand you won’t be having the best time in the world.

Solution: Get out there! There are loads of ways to make friends whenever you’re in a new country – start with the people directly around you (other teachers at your school, students) and branch out from there. Emma Foers has some great advice for making friends when you’re new in town. Alternatively, sign up to a supported programme, like the Teach in China internship, where you’ll get a chance to meet lots of other people who are in the same boat as you.

Fear 4: I won’t like the food

Tasty Chinese food

It’s a fact of life – some people just aren’t that adventurous when it comes to food. In fact I had one ex-boyfriend whose entire diet consisted of beige food: cheese, bread, chicken, more cheese. I think he made an exception for bacon. Buut – it has a happy ending folks – he went out to Japan to teach English after uni and is having such a great time that he’s still out there. So I figure if he can get over his irrational fear of tomatoes to fulfil his travel dreams, anyone can.

Fear 5: I’ll be unemployable when I get home

You’re clued up, you’ve got a five year plan, but how does TEFL fit into it? Won’t employers see your swanning off around the world to teach English as rather indulgent? I mean, shouldn’t you have been back at home chained to a desk like they were at your age?!

Got more TEFL fears? Click here to request a free consultation with an i-to-i TEFL expert to chat through them.

*For the uninitiated: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHDMZEw5f7Q”>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHDMZEw5f7Q

What are your TEFL fears? And how did you get over them?

1. Go to ALL the travel agents, just because one travel agent tells you its selling out or this is the best price your going to get does not make it true.

2. Check the travel agents websites. You will be  surprised how many times a holiday will be cheaper on there own websites then what it is in store. Most of the time they will match that price or even beat it.

3. Do you need a package holiday? Yes you get protection when buying them and things like transfers included but holidays can be a lot cheaper when you DIY it (hotel and flights).

4. Look early once you decide where you want to go have a look for your summer holiday early ie December/Jan.

5. Look late! if your flexible there’s a lot of really good offers to have when you go last minute.

6. If your going to book separate BOOK FLIGHTS EARLY. When flights are announced they are at there lowest price normally. The more people that book the more they go up … Get in there early.

7. Ask what other people have paid so you have a fair idea of what the “going rate” is for the holiday you want. Places like our forum are a good place to start (www.clubbingabroad.co.uk/forum)

8. Flight meals, do u need them? if not get rid.

9. Baggage allowance if you know you are going to go over your 15kg limit then pay for the upgrade to ?20 when booking. This will be a lot cheaper then paying the airport rate.

10. Do you need to park your car at the airport? Book early and you could save a fair bit. The same goes with trains … early booking = cheaper fairs.

11. Do you need a hotel at the airport, With some of the budget hotels you could get it booked during one of there offers and get it a lot cheaper.

http://www.clubbingabroad.co.uk – For all things related to clubbing holidays

I am a big Barbeque Nut. So one of my favorite towns to visit on Earth is Memphis, Tennessee. The home of the Blues is also the home of some sweet Memphis BBQ.

There is nothing else quite like sinking your teeth into the smokey goodness of the melt-in-your-mouth ribs at Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous or relishing the Blues-backed tangy sauces on Beale Street. If you live for good barbecue it’s hard to go wrong in Memphis because there is a great restaurant on almost every corner. Your hardest problems you will have will be deciding were to start, where to go next and not wanting to leave.

Here are my can’t-miss picks for Memphis BBQ Heaven if you have a week to eat in the hometown of “the King”.

I’d suggest beginning at the most storied of all of Memphis barbecue restaurants, Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous. You enter the restaurant from an alley that’s full of heavenly smells of smoking pork and customers waiting to get a seat. How can you not love a world famous barbecue joint that’s in an alley? The ‘Vous is known for it’s “dry ribs” that use only a spicy barbecue rub and no sauce. Not to worry if you love barbecue sauce — a cold drink of beer with each bite will work just nicely.

The Rendezvous is in midtown near the world famous Peabody Hotel. Head a couple of blocks south to “The Home of the Blues”, Beale Street, and you will find several more excellent restaurants to try. Sitting right across the street from each other at the entrance to Beale are B B King’s and Blues City Cafe. Both serve tangy sweet, sauce covered ribs and pulled pork with a backdrop of some of the best blues music you’ll ever hear. Both restaurants feature full menus, ranging from tamales to catfish. But who cares — we’re here to eat barbecue!

Up the road a bit, past the Elvis stores, the Blues bars and Fed-Ex Forum, you’ll find Silky O’Sullivan’s. Don’t let the Irish name fool you. Mr. O’Sullivan knows his barbecue. Start your meal with a plate of BBQ Nachos then get down to serious eating with a rack of the ribs. Just be careful with the “Diver!”

Getting out of the city, don’t miss Corky’s and Interstate. Even though both places have gone “chain” and are apt to be full of tourists, both have excellent barbecue and you can pick up a bottle or two of their sauce to take home with you.

On the last night of your stay treat yourself with a trip to the place where the locals go when they want barbecue, Cozy Corner. Michael Stern of “Roadfood” says, “If you have time for just one barbecue meal in Memphis (or anywhere on earth), go to Cozy Corner.” The specialties of this down-home joint are barbequed cornish game hens, barbecued spaghetti and barbequed baloney. All three have to be tried to be believed.

That’s one week’s worth of Memphis barbecue for a normal person to try or about a day and a half’s worth for the true barbecue Fan. But even if you eat barbecue for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you can get your fill in Memphis.

Top Ten lists are a dime a dozen on the web and one that crops up more often than most is travel-related lists with outlandish titles such as Top 10 Places You Must See Before You Die and other such morbid titles. This list is similar however we don’t see the necessity to insert the Before You Die bit, although it would be useful to visit these cities before you shuffle off this mortal coil.

When it came to choosing the appropriate criteria for selecting these cities, many statistics and facts were taken into account, before being readily dismissed in favor of the most crucial method of consideration of all … my humble opinion. So forgive me if your own favourite city is not included. I know how you feel as despite my best efforts to sneak one of my own personal favorite cities Dublin into this list, logic dictated that a Top 10 list would look a bit weird if it had 11 cities.

Now the next hurdle to overcome was to decide whether to categorise the cities on a graded basis from 10 down to 1 or take the lazy way and just sort them alphabetically, suffice to say, the lazy way was the landslide winner.

Bangkok

Bangkok is a massive sprawling city that offers charms galore. Bangkok is dotted with historical palaces and temples that offer a glimpse into the city’s ancient history, yet Bangkok offers much more than beautiful temples and glorious palaces. It comfortably nestles at the forefront of Asia’s most visited cities attracting millions of tourists each year. Majestic sites such as The Temple of the Dawn and The Marble Temple should not be missed. Lumphinee Park offers a diversion from Bangkok’s bustling city streets. Bangkok is a modern city that encompasses a bustling nightlife, supreme shopping experiences, delicious aromas that fill up the senses from the many gorgeous restaurants and marketplaces. Bangkok’s wonderful architecture and soothing climate solidifies its deserved place in this list and indeed why it so frequently crops up on similar lists.

Las Vegas

Well it had to be didn’t it? Surely no list of this nature could be complete without Sin City itself, Vegas. Vegas falls into the category of love it or hate it for most people and with visitor numbers increasing each year it seems most people love it. The Entertainment Capital of the World does not disappoint. Where else can you go for a gondola cruise in the morning, see the Grand Canyon in the afternoon and be back in time to see shows such as Siegfried & Roy, Cirque du Soleil and similar headline acts in the afternoon? Ok it’s not everyone’s cup of tea but it is a city that has to be seen to be believed. Oh, and did I mention you can also gamble there apparently.

London

Ok the weather is not ideal, and the food can be mediocre but no list of this ilk would be complete without including London. It has attractions and sights for people of all ages and is a cosmopolitan city on a grand scale. Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, London Eye, Tower of London is just a few of the majestic attractions in England’s capital city. If it’s good enough for The Queen well it’s good enough for me, just don’t forget your brolly.

New York City

So good they named it twice as the saying goes and there few cities in the world that offer the amount of iconic landmarks and attractions that New York can. Even leaving aside world famous attractions and sights such as The Empire State Building, The Statue of Liberty, and Times Square, New York is such a vibrant pulsating city that it has more than enough to tempt visitors going back time after time. It is one of the world’s great shopping cities, has a nightlife second to none and has often been referred to as one of the world’s great cities. You won’t find an argument here.

Paris

I would like to say it was the romantic side in me that welcomes Paris to this list, but it is not, it is because it deservedly nestles here as it as a European heartbeat of culture, beauty and indeed romance and offers some of the most beautiful and majestic sights on the planet. The Eiffel Tower one of the most famous landmarks in the world proudly stands tall in this city that also is graced by Champs Elysees, Notre Dame and The Louvre. The Louvre is home to The Mona Lisa whose ageless beauty bewilders generation after generation. Paris should not be missed.

Rome

This historic city, known as The Eternal City, has some of the most historical sights in the world such as The Pantheon, The Coliseum and The Roman Forum. St Peter’s Basilica is just one of the many glorious churches in Rome, and is an essential visit while in the city. Trevi Fountain is yet another treat in this majestic city. And no it wasn’t built in a day.

San Francisco

The Bay area of California is home to one of America’s most popular destination retreats San Francisco as well as being one of the country’s most liberal cities. The hilly streets are as familiar as perhaps the city’s most famous landmark, The Golden Gate Bridge. The Bay itself sparkles under the warm sun whilst San Francisco is also renowned for its famous cable cars. The twisty streets in Lombard Street are another essential visit whilst harbor tours often include a trip to Alcatraz, the famous, though now inactive, prison. San Fran is a warm wonderful city with a new treasure each time you come, and no, you don’t need to wear flowers in your hair.

Sydney

Beautiful beaches, breathtaking sights and the famous Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge entwined with the beautiful weather and cosmopolitan cuisine make Sydney an unmissable city. The city is a hotbed of activity and one of the friendliest on the planet. Darling Harbour offers enthralling sights and attractions including museums, stunning hotels and shopping whilst The Rocks provides charm in abundance. Sydney Opera House is one of the most recognisable buildings of modern times and is an essential visit. Sydney has it all culture, arts, scenery, climate, and often tops Most liveable city polls. It’s not hard to see why.

Tokyo

A metropolis city on a grand scale Tokyo is a vibrant almost futuristic city that engulfs one’s senses from the start. Tokyo revels in shrines, museums, temples and the city’s Imperial Palace. Sensoji Temple reigns amongst Tokyo’s enduring sights along with The Meiji Shrine and The Imperial Palace itself. Museums align the streets competing with restaurants and shops of all descriptions. Those seeking a more modern approach have options like Tokyo Tower, Tokyo Dome City and Tokyo Disneyland. There’s truly something for everyone in this great city.

Venice

Many cities claim to be unique, and indeed many are but few can compare to Venice’s quirky charm and decidedly unique canals that transcend across the city. Romantic gondola rides alone do not capture the entire beauty of this marvellous city. St Marks Basilica is a glorious church that often has long lines to visit. It nestles in St Marks Square a wonderful open square with charming coffee shops and is a hive of activity as it is one of the most photographed parts of Venice. Doges Palace, The Bridge of Sighs, and The Rialto Bridge are further landmarks of this extraordinary city.

Find out more…

To read more about these and other cities, including great tourist sites, shopping destinations and accurate street maps, visit Go Street Maps at: http://www.gostreetmaps.com/.

Going to the United States is a very exciting trip. There is so much to do, and so much to see, that it can be a little overwhelming. Follow these five steps in order to better research your trip and make traveling a breeze.
1. Research, Research, Research With so much information on the web, any traveler knows that the first step to any successful trip is doing one’s homework. Use the sites listed below, Google maps, and travel forums and blogs to discuss personalized tips for your intended region. Be sure to know travel times and distances. These travel forums are filled with people who’ve been there before. Ask for their help. Experience is invaluable when it comes to travel.
2. Be Respectful When asking for help online, be respectful of other people’s country. You do not want to mix politics with travel advice. This is not the time to express an opinion. Just ask for help and go about your business.
3. Do Sitewide Searches Using Google is a no brainer, however most do not know of the ‘site:’ function. This powerful operator allows you to search through single websites. So if you have a travel forum or blog and you are looking for an answer regarding ‘Houston Texas’, just Google the following
site:examplesite.com Houston, Texas
Make sure to leave a space after the website you want to search.
4. Be Specific When you do ask a question, be specific as possible. How much will something cost? Will it be hot, or cold? Where can I get a good burrito? How long should I stay? The more specific you are, the better someone can help you.
5. Check Out The Following Sites
hostels.com
amtrak.com
tsa.gov
roomsaver.com
biddingfortravel.com