Do It While You're Young

My best friend, Kristina, and I have been writing Do It While You're Young: The Travel Guide for the Modern Girl for about 5 years. Because you learn something new on every trip, DIWYY has been a work in progress and keeps getting better and better with the more traveling that Kristina and I do. We've also recruited a few other travel writers who contribute frequently reporting their adventures and unique stories from traveling. I wanted to invite you to DIWYY.com for more stories and advice on traveling the world. We're also on Facebook at facebook.com/DIWYY. Happy Travels friends!

Eco Travel: Featured Caribbean Tree House Accommodation

If you've always dreamed of living in a tree house here's your opportunity to try it on for size. 3 Rivers Eco-lodge on the Caribbean island of Dominica is a unique and adventurous place to stay on your next island vacation.

Nestled in the heart of the Dominican rainforest, 3 Rivers Eco-Lodge offers a variety of choices for accommodation. From private cabins, camping areas, dormitories, home stays and even a treehouse in the sky, the independent traveler looking for an alternative experience is sure to not be disappointed.

Electricity and heated rainwater showers are available and provided by the solar panals installed on property.

If you are looking for a true and affordable return to nature, you should definitely check out 3 Rivers Eco-Lodge. Then again, shouldn't nature always be affordable?

Disclaimer: This post sounds like I'm being paid for it! I'm not! It just came out that way!

Geotourism is the new travel trend

Apparently, the newest trend in travel is "geotourism." Just a step beyond ecotourism, geotourism is tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. So instead of staying in a hotel where all the garbage is made into compost and electricity comes from solar panels, geotourism is more about full immersion into a culture.

In an article on Yahoo Travel called Geotourism trend: Authentic travel, the author points out that geotourism is a type of travel that allows travelers to understand the uniqueness of the places they visit. Instead of seeing McDonald's and Wal-Mart, you go to locally based businesses owned by locals employing locals. Excuse me while I get sarcastic here.

Wow! What a concept! That's what travel is in the first place! Basically, it seems to me that all we have done is go full circle in travel trends. From all-inclusive getaways, to theme parks, to eco-travel, to geo-travel. Although, to me geotourism isn't really a trend, I still definitely support the idea of travel to learn more about other cultures and history. I can't get the book Innocents Abroad by Mark Twain out of my head right now. I will try not to be so cynical and realize that I am just being a travel snob. The redeeming aspect of this article is that they listed links to the center for sustainable travel at my favorite magazine, National Geographic. Maybe it's just a form of marketing: buy the new and improved travel with new packaging. Maybe I should be happy if people embrace the idea of "geotourism" as I have always endorsed travel with purpose. If so, get out there and geotravel, people!

One Girl Updates

My business partner and co-author, Kristina, has her new blog up called Frugal n Fabulous. The premise of the site is to create a community to share tips on saving money and making extra money while not sacrificing a comfortable lifestyle.

In other news, our travel business has a new look, Via Via Travel, is revamped and we are getting ready to begin the Caribbean off-season.

I've already booked an eco-honeymoon in St. John, USVI, in September for a happy couple. The couple requested a weeklong honeymoon for under $1500. We found the perfect place for them at Maho Bay at $80 a night. They are going to have a fabulous time!

I'm moving back to St. Maarten!

So, all this talk about the Caribbean on my blog has made me miss the Caribbean. In light of that fact, I have decided to move back to the Caribbean. The Caribbean is home to me, like Texas, and I miss it so much. So starting December 1, this blog, my podcast, One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel, and my Travel Consultant business, Via Via Travel, are all moving back to St. Martin. Yay! I'm looking forward to having a tan again!

Cheap Packing Tips

· Roll your clothes that you don't mind wrinking-underwear, t-shirts, jeans. It creates more room in your bag. Another alternative is to take a zip lock bag and place your clothes inside. Then you can "vacuum pack" it so it takes up less space.

· Layer your clothes longways instead of folding. Your clothes are less likely to wrinkle and you have more space.

· Place a piece of tissue paper between each layer of clothing will help prevent wrinkling.

· Always carry your travel documents, medication, jewelry, traveler's checks, keys and other valuables in your carryon. These items should NEVER be packed in luggage you plan to check.

· Buy small containers to put your shampoo, conditioner and lotion in. You won't need your entire bottle of Pantene for your one week vacation. And, if you run out, odds are there are stores in the country you are in that sell shampoo. Then put them in a plastic or zip lock bag.

· Layer your "breakables" hairdryer, flatiron in between soft items like clothes so they won't get damged during transport.

· Always carry your travel documents, medication, jewelry, traveler's checks, keys and other valuables in your carry on. These items should NEVER be packed in luggage you plan to check.

List of Major Islands in the Caribbean

I've made a list of the major islands of the Caribbean. Keeping the islands straight can be a bit confusing.




Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Aruba
Bahamas
Barbados
Bermuda
British Virgin Islands (BVI-Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, Anegada)
Cayman Islands
Cuba
Curacao
Dominica (not the same as the Dominican Republic)
Dominican Republic (on the island of Hispanola)
Grenada
Guadeloupe
Haiti (on the island of Hispanola)
Honduras
Jamaica
Martinique
Puerto Rico
Saint Kitts
Nevis
Saba (pronounced Say-buh)
St. Bart
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
St. Maarten/St. Martin
Trinidad
Tobago
Turks and Caicos
U.S. Virgin Islands (St. John, St. Thomas and St. Croix)

006-Costa Rica, What is Eco-Tourism to you?

Episode #6

(28 mins) One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

Costa Rica and Eco-Tourism

Via Via Travel

Well, finally, after planning this for three years I have opened my own travel business, Via Via Travel. Right now, the only travel products I'm offering are cruises and hotels in the Caribbean and Central and South America. I also have access to vacation villas in the Caribbean presently. While the business is absolutely going to be organic and ever growing, I plan on branching out into eco-travel, adventure travel, and luxury travel products. And ambitiously, I would like to have my own Via Via Travel luggage line and travel products. Eventually, I'd like to offer tours and packages around the world especially in South Africa-my favorite country in the world. Further services that we presently offer-exclusive hotel discounts, cruise promotions, and reduced rates on car rentals and flight bookings.

Also, look for my friend Kristina and my travel e-book coming out in late November. The book will be available on Via Via travel as well as Kristina's site, Frugal And Fabulous.

I'd love to hear from my readers on what you think about my new website as well as any other questions, comments and concerns.

005-Traveling Around the World

Episode #5 (30 mins) One Girl, Her Backpack and a Passion for Travel

I'm talking about how I got started traveling and where it has taken me over the past three years. I'm discussing a little about how I got started working on yachts and answering some listener's questions.

I want to buy this hotel

El Momo Cottages is a small eco hotel on the magical Caribbean island called Saba. It includes 6 small wooden Cottages, a pool, a breakfast area / restaurant and a nice house to live in for owners/managers including the office, outdoor living room and great terrace. Located on a steep and green mountain with lots of tropical garden and amazing ocean views from everywhere. Only disadvantage are lots of steps. Please check out www.elmomo.com
This is a great place for nature lovers who seek a healthy lifestyle in paradise. Saba has no crime, no mosquitos and has the best climate in the world!