Eco Holidays http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:25:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 en 10 Things To Check Before Heading Out On The Horses http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/10-things-to-check-before-heading-out-on-the-horses/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/10-things-to-check-before-heading-out-on-the-horses/#comments Sun, 07 Mar 2010 09:20:02 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=504 Going on a riding holiday can throw up a few uncertainties for you.

Rather than just book anything and turn up with just your suitcase, you really need to consider a few important things before cantering off along the beach!

So the following 10 tips might answer a few of your questions:

1) The Horses:
Make sure that someone you can trust has either been there themselves or has seen or heard about the horses used.  You really don’t want to be funding an organisation that doesn’t care for their horses as you would care for your own.

2) The Human:
Make sure that you haven’t over estimated your ability and comfort zones!  Could you really sit on a horse for hour after hour crossing mountains or rivers?  Can you keep up with everyone else if they are going to be galloping up hills and around the edges of volcanoes?

It’s not just the horses that have to be fit for these adventures!

3) The Weather:
It wouldn’t be a bad idea to check the weather for your destination as people do better in certain environments - and getting wet isn’t any fun either.

Will you get sunburnt the higher you go up a mountain?  Will you get sand blown on your eyes if you are cantering across a desert?  Will it be raining or misty when you head through the cloud forest?  Make sure you are prepared for it all…..

4) The Facilities:
Depending on where you want to go riding, there will be different facilities - and you need to be happy with this - as rather than releasing in a nice hot bath after 6 hours racing through the wilderness - you might only get a warm shower and a night in a tent!

And, make sure the clothes and toiletries you pack take this into account to - and throw in some extra first aid supplies too!

5) The Agenda:
If you are going to spend your money on your perfect holiday, then make sure you only settle for what you want rather than something that looks ‘ok’.  For example, if you want to ride from one accommodation to the next every day rather than returning to the same place day after day, then don’t settle for something else because the rooms are nicer or the price is cheaper.

You might only get one holiday like this for a year or 2, so spend the extra and get what you want out of it.

6) The Room Mate:
Is your accommodation going to be for just you, with a friend or with a complete stranger.  Maybe it is is bunk beds shared with everyone!

Check these things out in advance - as for a small amount extra you could plan alternative arrangements before you arrive.  However, if you don’t realise this until you arrive - it could be too late to make changes.

7) The Food:
If you have dietary requirements that stray from the ‘I’ll eat anything’ rule, then make this clear when booking your trip.

Most companies can be flexible with food and make vegetarian options almost as standard, but never assume anything and make sure you check the alternatives or nearby restaurants you could use instead!

8) The Equipment:
It is always recommended that you take your own riding hat, as although these will be supplied by the riding centre, they may not be certified to your home countries high standards if you are riding abroad - but even riding at home could mean wearing a hat that isn’t quite the right size, but was the best fit at the time!

Your own riding clothes and gloves are essential for your own comfort, but crops, reins and spurs may or may not be accepted.

9) The Insurance:
It might be worth checking out the riding centres insurance policies with regards to any injuries to the horse.  If you are riding a horse when it becomes injured, are you free from all costs - or should your insurance cover this? 

Have you even checked that your holiday insurance covers horse riding without exclusions?

10) The End Result:

 Make sure that this is really what you want to spend your money on!  There will be a lot of things to consider on a vacation like this, so make sure that you want to even start with a long trip, especially if a) you have never used this company before, and b) if this is the longest horseback trip you have been on in a while!

Use your holiday time and money wisely, and you can make even a great holiday even greater!

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/10-things-to-check-before-heading-out-on-the-horses/feed/ Fancy A Free Day Out On An English Country Estate? http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/fancy-a-free-day-out-on-an-english-country-estate/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/fancy-a-free-day-out-on-an-english-country-estate/#comments Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:04:00 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=497 That’s exactly what the National Trust in the UK are offering to everyone who fancies it!

They are opening up all their sites for 2 days this month with no entry fee - that’s a saving of up to £15 a person at the larger sites, so well worth investigating.

Check your diary for Saturday the 20th of March and Sunday the 21st - and make sure they are free!

Many of the larger properties have huge grounds for you to explore - and some even have their own deer herds…..

There are great lakes, hidden follies, secret churches, trout-filled streams, rose gardens, miles of glass houses and acres of woodland walks - and that’s just a few of the things you can find with the National Trust.

And the fact that they have properties all over the country means that you don’t need to travel too far to make the most of their offer either.  You could be just a few miles away from something magnificent!

So, here are a few of the best sites, and the normal price for 2 adults and 2 children under 16 - kids under 5 are usually free (but do check for exact prices for your group before you go!).

Wakehurst Place - West Sussex: (Family: £22.70)

This huge landscape is also the home of Kew Gardens Millennium Seed Bank, and also has plants from around the world in distinct gardens.

A family could spend hours walking through the pine woodlands or along the scary limestone ‘wall’ where trees have grown almost out of the very rock itself!  There are great water worlds and a few bird hides too.

The Japanese garden is a delight and there is a wonderful walled garden to explore for the adults - and of course you can all marvel at the amazing challenge of collecting every single seed from every single plant from every country in the world!

Stourhead - Wiltshire: (Family: £18.30)

This world-famous 2,650 acre landscape is set within it’s own valley and has miles and miles of chalkland trails - including 2 iron age hill forts - and has a view over 3 counties.

With a huge lake, classic temples and follies with many rare and exotic trees to discover, this could be a great place to wear out the kids whilst learning about some unusual and totally native plants and habitats.

St Micheal’s Mount - Cornwall: (Family: £21.75)

Take your kids to the most amazing place on the south coast - well actually, just off the south coast - this place is an island.

However, there is no boat involved - you have to walk across the sea floor at low tide to get to the island - and be off before you get wet feet!

There is a cobbled causeway (covered in crabs and seaweed) leading up to the gates of this property, and plenty of nooks and crannies to explore inside.  A castle with narrow passages dominates the island and the house, monastery ruins and church can fill the rest of your day.

Have a look at all their sites on the website and see if something appeals to you and your family - you need a voucher for the free admission - so don’t forget to print it out before you go!

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/fancy-a-free-day-out-on-an-english-country-estate/feed/ Top Tips For Keeping Your Dog Walking Eco Friendly Adventures! http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/top-tips-for-keeping-your-dog-walking-eco-friendly-adventures/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/top-tips-for-keeping-your-dog-walking-eco-friendly-adventures/#comments Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:53:18 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=493 Your dog walk in the woods could be doing the ecosystem serious damage!

Dogs are the cause of a lot of damage to wild areas, cause the deaths and injuries of many mammals, birds and fish and can actually be responsible for making species locally extinct!

Don’t forget that domestic dogs are not part of the natural habitat, they are a pest to the natural way of things.  Wild animals see them as a predator and run away, and predators can pass on or catch viruses and other illnesses off our pets.

And of course - there are far to many of them in one place!  If a piece of woodland becomes a busy dog-walking site - then it will be goodbye to the wildlife.

So, here are a few tips to help make sure that your dog doesn’t become an eco disaster in your local woods and heaths, or to wild places you visit on your holidays.

1) Loiter Around The Car Park
By hanging around the car park when you arrive in a wild area, you will know exactly when and where your dog relieves himself and then be able to clear it away and most poo bins are located here too.  Dog feces in woodlands isn’t a natural or beneficial thing, and it can spread diseases to wildlife, other dogs and to humans.

2) Carry An Airtight Container
Always have poop bags and an airtight container in your car, so that if there isn’t a poo bin at the site (which is likely in remote locations) you can take yours away.  And don’t pick up your dogs feces in a plastic bag and then leave it there!  This is even worse than not picking it up in the first place!

3) Train Your Dog:
By making sure that your dog responds to your basic commands instantly, you can really enjoy wild places without the worry of your pet injuring or killing wildlife.  If you can see your dog is stalking something, you can instantly give your command and the situation is over.

4) Use A Long or Extending Leash:
If you are not sure of your ability to control your dog, then make sure you keep it on a lead.  That way they can still experience the scents of wildlife without any risk to it, and you can explore an new environment too.

5) Plan Your Route:
By making sure you visit the information board of the place you are visiting, you will be able to see the best or recommended route for dog walkers.  These routes don’t mean that you can only go that way, they mean that if the hundreds of dog walkers all went the same route, then other paths, delicate habitats and wildlife-filled locations are less disturbed.

6) Learn About Local Species:
If you know when certain wild animals are migrating through an area, when ground-nesting birds are at risk and when young animals are first exploring their new home - you can avoid taking your dog there.  If you (along with a high percentage of other dog walkers) could limit their access during these times - species could be encouraged and saved from needless harm.

7) Stick To The Paths:
If you head off anywhere you want, you could be damaging delicate plants or scaring off other animals.  The paths are usually there as they are the best route to use, and sticking to them will limit your impact on the environment.  Once you trample a route - others might follow - making it permanent.  But it could pass close to a badger, fox or other nest area that will no doubt have to be abandoned if the ‘people’ traffic increases.

Dogs and wildlife can exist in harmony - but it is up to their owners to make this happen.  So it’s down to you!

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/top-tips-for-keeping-your-dog-walking-eco-friendly-adventures/feed/ WWF Earth Hour 2010 - Another Chance To Get Involved! http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/wwf-earth-hour-2010-another-chance-to-get-involved/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/wwf-earth-hour-2010-another-chance-to-get-involved/#comments Thu, 18 Feb 2010 12:56:15 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=488 March 27th 2010 will be the 4th Earth Hour across the globe - and you can get involved in something big!

After the reportedly pointless Copenhagen meeting last year, we need to try a different tack - and I think the Earth Hour is certainly getting results.

Not only is it so easy for you to get involved and make it even more of a success than last year, but it is also an opportunity for you to learn more about the tireless and endless work of the World Wide Fund for Nature (the WWF) and to keep up-to-date with global wildlife news and activities.

The Challenge:
Earth Hour is as simple as turning off your lights for an hour - that really is all you need to do to be a part of this global movement. 

Of course, you sitting in the dark for 60 minutes isn’t much fun and it only involves you - so why not make a night of it with your friends and family.  The more people that are at your event the bigger the impact:

  • If they are with you then they don’t have their lights on at home either.
  • They will know more about Earth Hour so can pass on the word.
  • They will know more about Climate Change and so could lower their impact.
  • They will have so much fun that they might organise their own event next year, inviting more people!

There are also massive events being organised across the world and in major towns and cities that you could become a part of too.  And there is even a video competition for Earth Hour this year - you need to create a short video that the WWF can use to promote Earth Hour on the website - and you could win £1000 for your efforts as well!

The Results:
Although turning off your lights for an hour at 8.30pm local time will help visually show the cause - you should really Sign Up on the official WWF page so that your numbers can be counted towards the global targets and be used in official figures.

The numbers of people involved has been steadily rising - and this year they are aiming for 1 billion to join in!  So make your actions count, and be a part of this.

Only 37 days left to sign up - so get organising!!!

Read a related article from WWF’s 2009’s Earth Hour.

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/wwf-earth-hour-2010-another-chance-to-get-involved/feed/ Should You Order That Hollandaise Sauce When Travelling? http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/should-you-order-that-hollandaise-sauce-when-travelling/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/should-you-order-that-hollandaise-sauce-when-travelling/#comments Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:23:22 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=485 Eating out when abroad needs a little extra caution than when eating at home!

You can’t always trust other peoples cooking and levels of hygiene especially when you are in a different country - as they have different levels of acceptable practices.

Even if you find a restaurant that seems clean out front and has other customers in there you can still act with caution on certain foods as they are more likely to cause your tummy a problem!

Ask For It Rare!
If you are ordering steak that is ‘well done’ how do you know that it wasn’t an old steak that had already been cooked some other time, and by overcooking it for you, you will never know!

Monday Munchies!
The first day of the week will normally mean that ‘fresh’ ingredients like fish will not be that fresh as there are not usually deliveries over the weekend.

And most of the popular ingredients and wines will have sold out over the busy weekend so may not be available on the Monday leaving you to eat what wasn’t so popular!

The Food Of Love?
Ordering oysters may be romantic or ‘exotic’ but the bacterial gut infection you are likely to get from eating them is neither!  People who have to deal with the result of their consumption never do!

I Don’t Like It!
Never send something back to the chef just because you don’t like it.  If the chef has made a safe and hygienic meal for you and you personally think it is too spicy or whatever - you can’t expect him to accept responsibility for it.

And asking him to cook it for you again or if you order another dish, he may not be too pleased to serve you up his best - and the waiters will get the brunt of his comments about you!

Wash Your Hands!
If you are in a pretty decent restaurant, but the toilets are disgusting - think about what hygiene they expect in their kitchens!

Some smaller cafes and out-of-the-way places don’t even have toilets - so just look at the people going in and out of the kitchen and think if you would like them to touch your food and plates!

And The Sauce?
It is well known that sauces and gravies can be used to cover up the appearance of foods, so do be careful when ordering creamy or stew-like dishes.

And the Hollandaise sauce and others that need refrigerating back home could really let you down abroad.  And many sauces are not made to order so have been stored somewhere and in something.  Can you be sure of the hygiene of either?

Bon appetit!

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/should-you-order-that-hollandaise-sauce-when-travelling/feed/ Help Put A Stop To Animals Being Used For Entertainment http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/help-put-a-stop-to-animals-being-used-for-entertainment/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/help-put-a-stop-to-animals-being-used-for-entertainment/#comments Sun, 07 Feb 2010 17:25:37 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=482 Last time you went on holiday - did you inadvertently encourage animal ‘tourist attractions’?

Sometimes it’s a fine line between having the opportunity of seeing a rare or unusual animal and having that animal abused or used in some way that isn’t natural or has caused the death or injury of others of the same kind.

You probably think that it is easy to tell the difference - but not always.

Take for example the dolphins used in ‘friendly dolphin events’ across Mexico and many other countries.  Yes, they are in a nice beach-side enclosure, seem ‘happy’ enough to swim around you and are fed by the keepers - but were they wild caught?  And separated from their family pod?

What about ‘pets’ in hotels and lodges around the world?  Yes we have parrots and lizards as pets back home, but were theirs taken from the wild at the cost of the parents - or the habitat itself!

The Obvious Ones:
However, sometimes it’s all too obvious that an animal is suffering.

A monkey chained to a tree, a bear made to dance or small donkeys made to carry tourists around a historic site!

These are the ones that need to be dealt with - but the frightening part is that these cruel acts are only to be found because they are making someone a lot of money.  And that means that there are tourists across the globe that are paying local people to show them or photograph them with (maltreated) exotic animals.

Think about it - if a local man traps a young bear and spends months training it to dance to music but no-one gave him a single penny for his troubles - I doubt if he would bother to do it again.

And if every tourist visiting that historic site told the man with the donkey that they would not pay to ride one of his donkeys as they could only really carry the weight of a child - do you think he is going to keep buying more donkeys and standing around in the street for days on end for nothing!

What Can You Do:
There are plenty of organisations out there who are striving to protect these animals and to try to stop their abuse and you could help them to achieve their goals.

The International Primate Protection League would like to help stop abuse of monkeys and apes with their campaigning and the rescue of mistreated animals.  They can send you a small form that you can complete if you ever see monkeys or apes being abused, containing details on location, time, date and possibly with photographic evidence to help them identify the species and the abuse.

You can of course just donate to their efforts without ever seeing an abused animal - and your donation will help make sure that you never do!

Donkeys have got someone fighting their side too with The Brooke amongst others, that are trying to make sure that donkeys, asses and mules used to help people make a living are kept in god health and looked after.

Because equines help to earn a living for their owner - they are sometimes put though a hard time or made to work through injuries just to earn more money.  So, to make sure that these animals are still helping their owners without getting hurt or abused, charities like the Brooke give advice and support to their owners to help them make better use of their resources (and less stress for the donkey!).

It’s not just these species that are used, I have seen baby anteaters, baby elephants, tiger cubs and even sloths that have been waved infront of tourists to try to make some money.

Have you paid to see one of them?

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/help-put-a-stop-to-animals-being-used-for-entertainment/feed/ Check Your Car For Basic Safety Before Heading On Your Holidays http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/check-your-car-for-basic-safety-before-heading-on-your-holidays/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/check-your-car-for-basic-safety-before-heading-on-your-holidays/#comments Mon, 01 Feb 2010 18:43:27 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=477 Use the MOT test requirements to check your car’s road worthiness for your vacation!

The annual MOT car test for cars covers a whole list of things to check that make your car safe to be on the road. So you can use this before heading off on a long journey like a vacation to make sure that you and your family will be safe.

Obviously, there are parts of the MOT that are not something you can check - like you cars emissions - but that isn’t a safety feature anyway…….

So here is a quick checklist of things to do or look out for on your car before heading away from home (and away from car mechanics, garages and motor stores!):

Seat Belts:
Make sure that all seat belts fit securely into their holders even if you are not planning to use them - as you may need them at some point! Make sure that when sharply pulled they jam up as they should. And all seats should be able to be secured in the upright condition to allow the seat belts to work properly.

Mirrors:
All the mirrors in your car are clean and not cracked. It is not illegal in the UK to drive with a damaged or missing passenger mirror, but obviously inhibits your ability to drive as normal, and could cause you to look behind you when driving to check for other cars.

Boot & Bonnet:
Both of these need to be able to close securely as do all the doors on the vehicle - which also need to open freely as well for exiting the vehicle safely.

Lights:
Check that all your lights are working either with a friend watching in the evening, or by reversing close to a window or mirror in the dark to see that everything is in order. If someone can’t see you are braking or want to turn left or right, they could come right into the back of you!

Windscreen:
Obviously there needs to be nothing on this that restricts your view forward and the windscreen wipers need to clean the entire windscreen and the washer fluid must exit freely. Obviously, a large crack in the windscreen on the drivers side is very dangerous - and that a small crack left untreated could cause the entire pane to crack at any time!

Tyres & Steering:
Your tyres have a minimum tread allowed before they are illegal and too little tread will mean that they will not grip the road safely, especially in difficult weather. So make sure that they are fully inflated as per your guide book and that they have ample tread depth.

If tyres are not properly inflated they will make steering a little bit harder and will also damage the tyre itself and the frame itself. Steering can also be a problem if there is too much ‘pull’ to one side or the other when driving at speed, so make sure this is all checked before you head off on the motorways.

Brakes:
It goes without saying that your brakes need to be responsive to touch otherwise your vacation could be cut very short indeed - so judge for yourself if they could do with being checked before you head off - as a car loaded up with people and belongings can take a lot longer to stop at speed than and empty one!

And finally…..

Recovery Services:
Ideally before you set out on a long journey or if you drive regularly, you should make sure that you a a member of a roadside and recovery company. That way if anything you can’t check for above goes wrong - someone will be at hand to help fix it or to take you to a garage that can!

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/check-your-car-for-basic-safety-before-heading-on-your-holidays/feed/ The OutDoors Show 2010 - For All Your Adventure Needs http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/the-outdoors-show-2010-for-all-your-adventure-needs/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/the-outdoors-show-2010-for-all-your-adventure-needs/#comments Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:11:38 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=471 All your outdoor and adventure needs and resources under one roof!

And it will actually be filled with real life adventurers who have travelled to the North Pole, the South Pole, across the Sahara and having rowed the Atlantic! Including Ranulph Fiennes, Simon King and Ben Fogle.

Not only will you be able to listen to these great explorers talking about their inspirations and future plans - you will be able to indulge in some activities you have been meaning to get around to for some time!

And as the Outdoors Show is at the end of March this year, you have plenty of time to research the types of travel and outdoor experiences you want to find the most our about - therefore making the best use of the resources available.

What’s There?
Well, if you have ever wanted to use a climbing wall - you won’t be short of opportunities here, there is also abseiling, slacklining (a bit like tight-rope walking but with a wobbly flimsy line to walk on instead(!)) and even using crampons for some ice climbing too!

And it’s not all about far flung destinations - and for those who like to stay closer to home you can enjoy the careers zone focussing on your 5-year plan (basically seeing what type of things employers you like the look of are looking for in a new recruit and aiming for them with courses and real-life experiences).

Add to this the Wilderness section, where you can get hands on advice about bush-tracking, cooking, and camping whether you are at home, in the Arctic or the desert!

Many UK tourist boards will also be found pitching the outdoor appeal of their part of the country to you!

If you are like me, then you will be wanting the opportunity to take advantage of some of the retail offers - I am looking for new walking boots and a nice fitted waterproof coat.  So, I can find out the best styles and prices beforehand - and hope to get a great deal at the show!

Why Go?
Well, if you have any sort of adventure in your heart and need a tiny bit of a push to really get excited - then there could be no better place.

Yes, there are other travel shows going on around now but this one should really get to the ground roots of eco adventures.  Other will talk only of far-flung places, whereas this show is all about advenutres at home as well.

The UK is a great country and can appeal to all sorts of people - and so why not find out what landscapes and cultures we have here before heading across the world to see what they’ve got!

And, you might just meet someone famous along the way…….

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/the-outdoors-show-2010-for-all-your-adventure-needs/feed/ Visit a Tropical Rainforest In The UK Filled With Butterflies! http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/visit-a-tropical-rainforest-in-the-uk-filled-with-butterflies/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/visit-a-tropical-rainforest-in-the-uk-filled-with-butterflies/#comments Thu, 21 Jan 2010 14:35:36 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=467 Get away from the snow and step into a heated haven - filled with free flying butterflies!

RHS Wisley in Surrey, England, is cramming it’s huge glasshouses with butterflies from around the world to make a magical spectacle of colour.

The huge glasshouses cover an area the size of 10 tennis courts, according to their website, and it is already filled with wonderful temperate, tropical and desert living plants.  All these plants are arranged on different levels, with a root section underground for you to explore as well.

With waterfeatures, orchids, ferns, cactus and passion flower curtains - the glasshouse will be a perfect habitat for butterflies to reside.  They will be able to act as though they were in their natural habitats, so you will see them chasing each other around, feeding, and just resting on leaves - basking in the sun (hopefully).

There will be species from all over the world - including the huge Blue Morpho, one of the largest butterflies in the world which flies like a piece or fine tissue paper on a gentle breeze.  A real sight to behold.  I recently saw them flying free whilst in Costa Rica - and it is certainly something I want to see again!

The Theme:
Butterfly Conservation (a UK charity) are helping to arrange this event in Wisley, and it’s focus is to be on native species here in the UK.  There will be experts from the charity on site to answer your questions and help you to identify species that you have seen in your gardens over the past year.

There will be displays throughout the centre, filled with information on plants that butterflies need to lay their eggs on, plants that the young caterpillars feed on and all sorts of tips for vreating a wildlife haven for them in your own back yard.

Butterflies make up a really important part of your gardens ecosystem, with the caterpillars feeding a whole host of garden birds and their spring chicks, and the adult butterflies are essential pollinaters for many British plants - not to mention a lovely sight in the wilflower meadows!

It won’t be long now until the spring brings out some early butterflies, and they want to encourage you to be ready for them.  So there will be recommended plants to help them feed, plants to help them breed, and plants for their offspring to eat!

It’s also the time of year to start paying attention to the garden again - as things you plant now will be in full flower for the summer - perfect for these chaps!

The Site:
RHS Wisley is a huge outdoor wonderland with plenty to do outside of the glasshouses. So, if you only spend an hour or two inside - there will be plenty to keep you busy across the rest of the extensive site.

There is the never-ending orchards, the fruit gardens, vegetable plots and greenhouses and many many more sights to get you inspired for your own eco adventures back home.

The library, garden centre, field trials (row upon row of magnificent plant varieties hoping to achieve accreditation), landscape sculptures, the ornate water features, rock garden, maze and woodland paths. It is going to be a fun packed day out.

And the more people you go with - the cheaper it is to get in, and kids uner 6 are free anyway - so get your friends and family together and book a great day out with a difference!

Last time I went, I didn’t make it around in one day - so what a great excuse to go back!

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]]> http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/visit-a-tropical-rainforest-in-the-uk-filled-with-butterflies/feed/ Take a Week On Horse Back To Reduce Your Carbon Footprint! http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/take-a-week-on-horse-back-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/ http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/take-a-week-on-horse-back-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint/#comments Sat, 16 Jan 2010 16:52:37 +0000 Catherine http://www.ecoholidaysandadventures.com/?p=461 Take a break in the countryside and leave the car at home - 4 legs is all you need!

There are thousands of places across the globe that specialise in horse riding holidays where you turn up and saddle up!

Some are only a few days long and others can last a week or two.  Others just keep coming back to the same place every night, and others trek across vast wildernesses like Patagonia, Canada and Mongolia.

You can do it for pleasure, to learn a new skill or to raise money for charity - but you can do it!

Eco Friendly Transport!
You can cover more distance on a horse when you want to explore and they don’t churn out dangerous emissions and use up valuable gas!

Once you have arrived at the farm or ranch, you can relax and slip into a different world for your vacation.

Instead of sight-seeing in a town or city where you have to drive around to get to anything, you can just walk outside of your lodge and meet your partner.

Even if you want to travel many miles, it will only cost you a few swigs of water to get you there and back!

Reach Those Difficult Places:
Also on horseback you will be able to travel to those places where 4 heels just can’t fit, like up a mountain pass to see a magnificent sunset, or down steep valley sides to get to the isolated waterfall.

And being high up offers you views you might not see on your own 2 feet!

Horse trails use up far less land than car trails - and no trees need to be pulled down to make a road, or habitats destroyed to cater for wider vehicles.

Riding through the landscape therefore has much less of an impact than other forms of transport and it gives you the opportunity to enjoy the whole experience more - as you don’t need to watch your step - the horse does that!

You can watch the landscape change colour in the sunlight, observe the colourful wildlife and birds pass you by - even if they are behind you.  Just hold on to the saddle and enjoy the ride!

Next Holiday?
So next time you are thinking of taking a short break close to home, or farther afield - why not consider a horseback one?

You don’t need to be an experienced rider either - unless you are hoping to ride up an active volcano - there are plenty of riding centers that take on complete beginners right up to regular riders.  Just make sure the school know your real level before you book.

I once went on a ride for the day and when we started galloping along the beach the chap behind me started making a lot of noise!  When we all stopped to find out what happened he said he had only ever walked on a horse before.  He put down that he was ‘experienced’ because he had ridden a horse that was walking loads of times!  He wasn’t experienced in the right sense - and it nearly lost him his saddle!

So, Tally-Ho I say!

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