Smithsonian Magazine Introduces EvoTourism – An Evolution World Tour

In the January 2012 issue, Smithsonian Magazine is introducing Evotourism^™. The word isn’t in the dictionary. But they think it’s worth adding to the lexicon because it describes a new kind of travel.

evo•tourism (ē vō toor’ iz’ əm) n. travel intended to promote awareness of evolution.

The article celebrates ten desinationa that span 300 million years and six continents. The destinations include:

• Kangaroo Island, Australia – Where the Wild Things Are
• Foraminifera Sculpture Park, China – 330-Million-Year-Old Organisms
• Wadi Hitan, Egypt – Whales Walked Here
• The Cradle of Humankind, South Africa – Human Evolution History
• Jurassic Coast, England – A Fossil Treasure Trove
• Mendel’s Garden, Czech Republic – Where Modern Genetics Was Born
• Ashfall Fossil Beds, Nebraska – The Prehistoric Pompeii
• Isle Royale, Michigan – A Fight for Survival
• Galápagos Islands, Ecuador – Where Darwin Found Natural Selection
• Mount St. Helens, Washington – Life Begins Anew

Of these, the last two are destinations visited by small ships (which, of course, excites us at Sunstone Tours & Cruises).

Amazon Rainforest Destruction on the Decline in 2011

As reported by International Expeditions, the work of the WWF and many other organizations in fighting for more than 40 years to preserve the rainforests seems to be paying off. Forest loss in Brazil fell to the lowest levels since the government began tracking it in 1988. MongaBay.com reports that only about 2,400 square miles of forests were cleared in 2011, which is down 10.9 percent from last year’s losses.

Free, Live, Online Presentation: Springtime Voyages on the Mississippi River

Enjoy the awakening of springtime on the river with the Great American Steamboat Company. Gliding along at a stately pace, your mind has time to wander—back to a time when life was slower and more genteel, when mighty rivers served as America’s natural highways and an elegant paddlewheel steamboat was the epitome of travel.

Tips for the First-Time Birder

Recent years have seen birdwatching emerge as one of the most popular nature travel activities. Yet while some vacationers are eager to catch a glimpse of our feathered friends, simple mistakes can make a birding adventure an exercise in frustration.

Fortunately, there are a few things that amateur birdwatchers should keep in mind whenever they enter the brush in search of an elusive species.

2011 Holidays Aboard Small Ships

Many people settle down with family during the holidays to catch up, and reconnect with loved ones. For a small group, the holidays are a perfect time to explore and experience the world.

Small ship cruises have been busy this holiday season, exploring diverse areas of our world, from the southern reaches of Antarctica and the South Pacific, up to the unique Galapagos Islands and Central America, and further to Europe and America’s southern Atlantic coast.

No Single Supplement Fee on Select 2012 Galapagos Cruises from International Expeditions

Galapagos Blue Footed Booby

Solo travelers looking for savings can take advantage of no single supplement ($1,200 savings) on eight Galapagos adventures offered by International Expeditions. The single supplement fees will be waived on International Expeditions’s February 3 and 17, March 16 and 30, May 11 and 25, and October 12 and 26, 2012 Galapagos Island cruises.

On the 10-day Galapagos Islands cruise, solo travelers join a group of like-minded guests aboard International Expeditions’ 32-passenger yacht M/V Evolution. This immersive expedition navigates to captivating islands, where the small group size allows for easy access to the wildlife and far more personal attention than guests find aboard larger cruise ships. Onboard, guests sail in comfort with spacious accommodations, fine cuisine and a host of amenities including an observation deck (perfect for whale watching) and canopied bar, plus complimentary snorkeling equipment, wetsuits and kayaks.

Celebrate in the New Year with an Authentic Pisco Sour

A Pisco Sour

Celebrating New Years and looking for a different cocktail to ring in the new year? Look no further than an authentic Pisco Sour, a claimed national drink of both Chile and Peru.

Pisco is a clear, fermented brandy that has been distilled from fresh musts of Muscat grapes in copper alembic stills since the Spanish conquest, and is considered part of Peru’s cultural heritage. This liqueur is also the national spirit of Chile, although each country has a distinct history and uses Pisco for different cocktails.

Here’s a Pisco Sour recipe from International Expedition’s Amazon River tour Expedition Leader, Jorge Salas. The frozen Pisco Sour is a happy hour staple on their Amazon River cruise aboard, La Amatista.

Love Santa? Visit the North Pole in 2012

Visit the North Pole summer of 2012 with Quark Expeditions

Just can’t get enough of the North Pole this holiday season? Be one of only 250 people to stand at the top of the world in 2012 by visiting the North Pole with Quark Expeditions aboard their latest nuclear icebreaker, 50 Years of Victory.

This one-of-a-kind, 14-day itinerary travels roundtrip from Helsinki, Finland (via mandatory chartered flight from/to Murmansk, Russia (additional)) to the actual North Pole. You’ll travel in style, sailing onboard 50 Years of Victory, one of the world’s most powerful icebreakers. You’ll transit the Arctic Ocean, crushing multi-year ice pack in the processes. A complimentary helicopter ride affords an aerial view of the progress being made.

American Safari Cruises to Return to Molokai in January

Great News! After reporting that the American Safari Cruises ship Safari Explorer was running into protests on Hawaiian sailings, we’re happy to report that resolution has finally been made with the protesters and concerned residents.

Quark Expeditions Obtains Ship for Speedier Antarctic Sailings

Quark Expeditions recently announced an addition to its fleet. Currently the 189-passenger Le Diamant, the ship will undergo an extensive refurbishment and be renamed Ocean Diamond. The ship will begin service in November 2012 for the Antarctic 2012-2013 season.

The Ocean Diamond will be one of the fastest in the Quark Expeditions fleet. Able to cruise at 15.5 knots, she will reduce the ocean travel time, providing passengers an additional 12 hours to spend accessing all of the wildlife, rugged beauty, and adventure activities an Antarctic expedition has to offer.