Waitakere Ranges, New Zealand. Photo credit: TIME Unlimited Tours.

Leah Prendergast wrote this guest post on exciting women travel destinations.

Are you a woman and solo traveler?  There are so many exhilarating, empowering and beautiful holiday and mountain destinations around the world.

Here are 5 Exciting Travel Destinations For Women:

New Zealand

Rock Climb in New Zealand: The gorgeous mountain landscape of New Zealand offers rock climbing opportunities for beginners and experts alike. Professional tours and outfitters can guide you safely up even the craggiest of cliffs, and the more independently-minded woman can always head off with a group of friends to make their own adventure.

Uganda

Hike with Gorillas in Uganda:  Support conservation efforts by taking a guided tour of the Ugandan rainforest, deep into the habitat of Mountain Gorillas. Basic journeys are usually three days long. Longer tours can also take you into Chimpanzee territory and the most scenic locations in Uganda.

Baja

Track Gray Whales: Every year, gray whales descend on Baja, California as part of their annual migration. It’s here that they mate, give birth, and frolic through the winter months. Rented boats can take you near these gentle giants as they tend to their calves. A quick trip around the peninsula will find you in the waters of even more species, such as the humpback and blue whale.

Australia

Watch a total eclipse in the Australian Bush: 2012’s total eclipse will be best visible in the Australian wilderness. Take advantage of the rugged beauty of an Australian holiday, combined with an event you’ll never forget. Group viewing parties will ensure a safe trip into the countryside and optimal viewing locations for the total eclipse.

Rio de Janeiro

Hang glide in Rio de Janeiro: You haven’t truly appreciated the splendor of a holiday destination until you’ve seen it from the air. Hang gliding is an adrenaline rush that every woman should experience at least once in her life. The forests and beaches of Brazil make a perfect canvas for your aerial exploits and other enjoyable activities on the ground.

This post was brought to you, in partnership with HostelBookers.com, a travel booking company providing cheap accommodation all over the world (including cheap hotels in Los Angeles).

Bioclimatic home on Tenerife, Canary Islands. Photo credit: Tenerife Tourism Corporation.

Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, is emerging as a sustainable and responsible island destination.

The island’s tourism corporation was recognized with an AITO Affiliates Green Award for its sustainable tourism efforts.

Playa la Troya, Tenerife. Photo credit: Tenerife Tourism Corporation.

“Despite its popularity with tourists, about half of Tenerife is covered in national parks and it is extremely important to us to protect both the land and the seabed of our beautiful island,” says Carlos Alonso, Tenerife’s Minister for Tourism and Vice-President.

The Tenerife Island Government’s sustainable tourism initiatives include:

• Developing new trails in natural areas;
• Protecting whales and dolphins;
• Conserving traditions and local customs via food festivals, exhibits and activities and
• Supporting local island businesses.

In 2010, the island’s Institute for Technology and Renewable Energy launched a village of carbon-free homes to explore using natural energy in architecture.

Tenerife is working towards generating more than half of the island’s energy through natural energy resources including solar and wind.

For more travel info on the island, visit the Tenerife tourism site.

Winter in Heidelberg, Germany. Photo credit: Heidelberg Marketing GmbH.

From the beautiful beaches of the Baltic Sea to the historic city of Hanover, there is so much to be explored in Germany.

Whether you want your next holiday to be focused on partying, culture, nature, or history, you’ll find it all in this dynamic and diverse country.

Cut back the cost of your trip and buy travel money before you go and be as flexible as you can with your travel dates.

Here are some of Germany’s travel destinations:

Rugen Island

Germany’s largest island, Rugen, boasts 574 km of beautiful coastline that stretches through the blue waters of the Baltic. Connected to the mainland by the Rugendamm Bridge, Rugen Island is accessible by both rail and road. Each summer Germans flock to the island to enjoy the dazzling beaches, lush foliage, national parks and nature reserves.

Dachau

For many, Germany’s history is overshadowed by the events of the Second World War and it was at Dachau, the first Nazi concentration camp, that many of these horrific events occurred. History buff or not, a visit to Dachau is as disturbing and eye-opening as it is compelling and fascinating. From Munich, take the S-2 train to the centre of Dachau town, then take the free shuttle bus to the camp.

Heidelberg

Romantic and picturesque, Heidelberg is at once a vibrant, lively university city and a charming baroque old town. Unless you’re here to study, make the most of beautiful Heidelberg and spend your days exploring the magnificent Castle, which dominates the city’s skyline and is the main draw for the tourists, as well as the Altstadt, which is home to spectacular architecture and fantastic views.

Rhine Valley

Often referred to as ‘The Romantic Rhine,’ the Rhine Valley is an area of breathtaking natural beauty which stretches to roughly 80 km2. The Valley is perhaps the most well-known area of the Rhine River, running between the cities of Mainz and Bonn in western Germany. Best seen aboard a cruise, a trip along the Rhine is a truly magical experience, laden with lush mountains and stunning castles.

This is a Sponsored Post.

Popular mountain resort Val d’Isère, France.  Photo credit: Val d’Isère Tourist Board.

Stunning alpine resort Val d’Isère, France is one of Europe’s most popular mountain destinations.

Every winter, many mountain travelers head to the French resort for all inclusive luxury ski holidays.

Like so many mountain destinations, the resort has a lively summer mountain scene with green landscapes, views of France’s oldest national park, exciting activities and events.

Says Val d’Isère Tourist Board:

“Summer in Val d’Isère truly is a feast of nature and a dream destination for walkers, mountaineers, cyclists, fishing enthusiasts and nature-lovers alike as the Vanoise National Park, Iseran Mountain Pass and Ouillette Lake unveil peaks, valleys, rivers and lakes that could only be imagined during the snowy winter months.”

Skiers and boarders can go summer skiing on the Pissaillas glacier which offers 7 slopes of 17.5km of ski runs.

The resort’s summer events include traditional fêtes, classical music concerts and international archery and cycling championships.

Here are some other Val d’Isère summer highlights:

• Tarentaise Ice Scramble:  Along the pathways of Espace Killy, this is the highest Scramble race in Europe.  The race features two courses from 32 – 65km and gradients of 2500 – 4900m +/-.

• Sports Park: The recently renovated Sports park in Val d’Isère features tennis courts; a riding arena for the equestrian center; covered golf practice tees; a beach volley pitch and a solarium at the aqua fun leisure center.

• Summer Bonus Card: This Val d’Isère card offers travelers benefits including unlimited use of pedestrian lifts, a guided mountain hike, free activities in the Sports Park and other discounts.

This is a Sponsored Post.

C’an Picassa, a farmhouse in Son March valley in the Pollenca hills, Mallorca.

Love island mountains? If you’re traveling or living in Europe, the island mountains of Mallorca are now recognized by UNESCO.

The Spanish island’s Serra de Tramuntana Mountains have been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.

Mallorca’s northern coast.

Serra de Tramuntana Mountains, with their high peaks, rocky cliffs and valleys of olive and citrus groves, stretch 90km from Andratx in the south-west to Pollenca in the north of the island.

A popular walking and cycling destination, these mountains are credited for their landscape, history and culture.

Their scenic trails wind through sheltered woodland and towns.

The region is known for its charming villages, colorful flora, fauna, birds and sea views.

Island accommodation specialists Mallorca Farmhouses offer self-catering villas, fincas and country cottages near to or with views of the mountains.

Each Mallorca Farmhouse property includes a private pool, welcome pack and maid service.

One of these properties is C’an Picassa, a three-bedroom farmhouse in the Son March valley in the Pollenca hills.

The farmhouse sleeps six and features large grounds, sun and covered dining terraces and outdoor BBQ.

For more info, visit the Mallorca Farmhouses site.

Images courtesy of Mallorca Farmhouses.

Ceilidh dancers mark the launch of the Outdoor Capital of the UK’s ‘ActiVacations’ in Scotland.

Lochaber, in the Highlands of Scotland, has been recognized as the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Recently, the Outdoor Capital of the UK’s ‘ActiVacations’ were launched by ceilidh dancers at the summit of Aonach Mor in the Nevis Range.

Lochaber is kn0wn for its beaches, coastline, islands, glens, mountains and forests and icons Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain, Glencoe and the Scottish Sea Kayak Trail.

The concept of ActiVacations combines the demand for activity holidays and ‘staycation’ trend with action-packed holidays for gentle walkers to adrenaline junkies.

Says Marian Austin from Nevis Range, Mountain Experience:

“From the summit to sea, the area is blessed with an incredible landscape which not only allow visitors to take part in a huge variety of outdoor activities on land, in the air and on the water, but for them to undertake them in some of the most dramatic Scottish locations imaginable.”

The Outdoor Capital of the UK offers a new website where travelers can create their own personal itinerary combining accommodation, events and activities.

Here are three ActiVacations:

• West Coast Waters: An excursion in Mallaig and the Small Isles including Rockhopper sea kayaking, white water rafting with Highland Activities, cross-country mountain biking at Nevis Range and luxury self-catering accommodation at Sunnyside Lodge.

• Treat The Teenagers: High adrenaline activities including quad biking and paintballing with Highland Activities, canyoning with Vertical Descents and a high wire adventure course at Nevis Range.

• Panoramic ActiVacation: Discovering Glen Spean and the Great Glen including a wildlife photography workshop with Nevispix, a scenic 4×4 safari with Highland Activities, a Segways tour with Glencoe Activities and entry to No Fuss Events’ 5km run.

For more info on ActiVacations, visit the Outdoor Capital of the UK site.

Image courtesy of the Outdoor Capital of the UK.

Playa de Troya, Tenerife.

Want to combine your beach and mountain holidays?  These days,  the Internet is full of holiday deals to the Canaries, the Balearic Islands, and many other seaside destinations.

For those who love mountain holidays, this is a bit frustrating as it’s hard to find similar packages to the Alps or the Pyrenees. To solve this problem you can book a holiday at a resort close to mountains.

Then you can travel your destination cheaply and still stay in a lovely hotel.  When the rest of the hotel guests head to the beach, you can take your backpack and boots and go mountain hiking.

In the Mediterranean, this approach will work well as many resorts are close to stunning mountains.

Here are a few destinations in the Mediterranean which will allow you to combine beach holiday packages with hikes in the mountains:

• Tenerife in the Canary Islands is a very popular destination, especially for families on cheap package holidays. If you come here, you can climb the volcano Teide, which stands at over 3,700 metres. It is one of the highest mountains in Spain and it has some gorgeous views over the rest of the island.

• Crete, Greek Islands is another very popular destination for beach goers, yet it should be just as good for mountain lovers: the White Mountains are incredibly beautiful, while you can also see the famous gorge of Samaria. You can have a great time in these peaks while everyone else is tanning on the beach.

• Andalusia is the most popular part of Spain for beach goers yet it is also great for hiking. Indeed, if you go a bit inland you will find a stunning range of mountains. The mountains are not that high, though they make for excellent hiking.

So if you love mountains, but are jealous of beach goers and their great holiday packages, take heart.  Holidays to the Mediterranean islands can lead you to some amazing mountain hiking.

Image courtesy of Tenerife Tourism Corporation.

This is a Sponsored Post.

Take a mountain hike in Tajikistan.

The world has plenty of hidden travel destinations waiting to be discovered by mountain travelers.

While you may have heard of these destinations, the beauty is that a lot of other travelers haven’t.

Nicaragua is known for its volcanic mountain range.

Here’s a quick guide to some unique travel destinations for mountain travelers and adventurers:

Comoros Islands

The Comoros Islands are located off the east coast of South Africa. The scenery is beautiful, and the untouched sandy coastlines stretch for miles. For mountain travelers, the island has an active volcano, Mount Karthala, to explore but don’t get too close to the peak – locals reported seeing lava at the tip of the peak in 2006.  Remember that it’s a devoutly Islamic region so alcohol and skimpy bathing suits are a no-no for everyone.

Tajikistan

A Persian-speaking country in Central Asia, remote mountains, breathtaking scenery, and ancient cities make Tajikistan a destination with the perfect mix of both beautiful nature and culture. Despite civil unrest in years past, Tajikistan is now safe and a destination for adventure travelers. Try out a 15-day hike through the beautiful Fann Mountains. There are also the Pamir Mountains, and there are plenty of mountaineering tours available in the region.

Nicaragua

The largest country in Central America, Nicaragua is a destination for those who love lakes, volcanoes, national parks, nature reserves and the Caribbean, all in one place. For mountain travelers, the Nicaragua volcanic mountain range runs parallel to the Nicaragua Pacific coast. You’ll find sweltering mud, lava pools, smoking fissures as well as natural springs and crater lakes. The Black Ash Mountain Cerro Negro in Nicaragua is the most well-known.

Suriname

Suriname is a small, independent country located in South America north of Brazil. In the country’s southern region, you’ll find tropical rainforests and savannah, while the north is more densely populated. It’s also got its fair share of interest for mountain hikers too. The Wilhelmina Gebergte mountains form part of the long mountain range that divides the east and west of the country.  To get there, you can easily find cheap flights to most major countries in South America, and from there you can make your way up to Suriname.

These hidden mountain travel destinations are ideal if you’re already traveling through a continent and can add them to your itinerary.  So rather than following the rest of the Aussie population and booking more flights to Thailand with your mates, consider an alternative destination.

This is a Sponsored Post.

National Parks Highway.

Colorado is a stunning summer mountain road trip destination.

The Rocky Mountain state has 54 mountain peaks topping 14,000 feet, natural hot springs, four major rivers, lakes and reservoirs and nine national parks and monuments.

National Parks Mesa Verde.

UK travel company Bon Voyage Travel and Tours has created a new 13-day guided tour of Colorado.

Arriving in Denver, the mile high city, guests have an evening of culture and dining and shopping before they head to ski resort town Aspen in the Elk Mountains.

In the summer, Aspen offers many summer activities including jeep tours, hiking, biking and art galleries and boutiques.

Then the tour heads to Glenwood Springs at the confluence of the Roaming Fork River and the Colorado.  Glenwood Springs is known for the world’s largest hot springs swimming and the Yampah Spa Vapour Caves.

The next stop is Grand Junction, home of Colorado’s fine wines and the National Monument.

Guest can tour the region’s vineyards, sample wines and learn about wine making.

Then they head to the historic town of Telluride, famed for the first bank robbed by Butch Cassidy.

En route to Cortez, they can visit Mesa Verde National Park and learn about the ancient Pueblo people.

National Parks Garden of the Gods.

A short drive away is the historic mining town of Durango where guests can experience the Durango-Silverton narrow gauge railroad through the Rockies.

The last stop is Colorado Springs and its must-see attraction, the Garden of the Gods where guests can hike, bike, drive or even segway.

A visitor center highlights the area’s geology and cultural history with a HD theatre and 30+ free exhibits.

Back in Denver, guests can sample the latest from the city’s microbreweries and shop at Cherry Creek Outlet Mall.

For more info, visit the Bon Voyage site.

Images courtesy of Colorado T0urism Office.

A traveler revels in Antarctica. Photo credit: Aurora Expeditions.

Dreaming of an Antarctica adventure?

Travel company Aurora Expeditions is launching new Fly/Sail options to the Antarctic Peninsula and South Georgia.

The new trip departing South America has been designed to reduce sea time and increase time at Antarctica.

Aurora Expeditions specializes in ship-based adventures and small, low-impact groups to Antarctica.

Popular Antarctica adventure activities include sea kayaking, camping, photography, climbing and scuba diving.

Need to inspire your spirit of adventure for an Antarctica trip-of-a-lifetime?

Here are 15 fascinating facts about Antarctica via Aurora Expeditions:

1. “It’s the best place in the world to find meteorites.”

2. “One of the biggest icebergs ever broke free from the Ross ice shelf in Antarctica in 2000.”

3. “During the feeding season, a full grown blue whale eats about 4 million krill per day, that’s 3600 kg every day for 6 months.”

4. “Antarctic fish have lived at between +2°C and -2°C for 5 million years (-2°C is the freezing point of sea water, below zero because of the salt).”

5. “The largest land animal in Antarctica is an insect, a wingless midge, Belgica antarctica, less than 1.3cm (0.5in) long.”

6. “In 1981 a swarm of krill was tracked by US scientists that was estimated at being up to 10 million tonnes.”

7. “Antarctica is the only continent with no indigenous species of ants.”

8. “Antarctica is the coldest continent on earth, as the lowest temperature recorded here was -89o C.”

9. “The ‘Dry valley’ region on the continent has been bereft of rainfall for 2 million years.”

10. “If Antarctica’s ice sheets melt, the level of the world’s oceans would rise by 60 to 65 meters.”

11. “At the deepest point, the ice in Antarctica is around 3 – 4 km thick.”

12. “Antarctica is the windiest continent on earth.”

13. ‘The water of the Antarctica is so cold that nothing can rot here.”

14. “Owing to the chilly water in Antarctica, codfish have antifreeze in their blood to save them from freezing.”

15. “The ice cap at Antarctic contains 29 million cubic kilometers of ice.”

For more info on Aurora’s Antarctica’s adventures, visit the company site.

Image courtesy of Aurora Expeditions.