1. Research Tour Operators: Start by researching reputable tour operators that specialize in eco-friendly and sustainable travel. Look for certifications like Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) or membership in sustainable tourism organizations. Read reviews and testimonials to gauge their commitment to sustainable practices.
2. Understand the Definition of “Eco”: Different tour operators may have varying interpretations of what constitutes an “eco tour.” Clarify what sustainability means to them – it could involve reducing carbon emissions, supporting local communities, promoting biodiversity conservation, or all of the above. Ensure their values align with your expectations.
3. Destination and Activities: Consider the destinations and activities offered by the eco tour. Are they in line with your interests and preferences? Whether it’s wildlife encounters, cultural immersion, hiking, or volunteering, choose a tour that aligns with your passions and allows you to experience the best of the natural and cultural wonders of the region.
4. Group Size and Impact: Ask about the maximum group size for the tour. Smaller groups often have a lower impact on the environment and provide a more intimate experience. Ensure the tour operator follows responsible tourism practices such as minimizing waste, respecting wildlife, and supporting local economies.
5. Local Guides and Community Engagement: Inquire about the involvement of local guides and their knowledge of the region. Local guides offer a deeper understanding of the culture, environment, and community, enhancing your experience. Also, check if the tour supports local communities through initiatives like fair wages, community projects, or conservation efforts.
6. Accommodation and Transportation: Find out about the eco-friendly practices of the accommodations and transportation used during the tour. Look for accommodations with green certifications or eco-initiatives like waste management, energy conservation, and water-saving measures. Similarly, opt for transportation methods that minimize carbon emissions and support local transportation services when possible.
7. Cost and Value: Consider the cost of the eco tour in relation to the value it provides. While eco tours may be slightly more expensive due to their sustainable practices, ensure that the price aligns with the quality of experiences, services, and environmental contributions offered by the tour operator.
8. Flexibility and Itinerary: Understand the level of flexibility in the tour itinerary. Eco tours often embrace the unpredictability of nature, so be prepared for potential changes due to weather conditions or wildlife sightings. Additionally, ensure the itinerary provides a balance between exploration and downtime, allowing you to fully appreciate the destinations and activities.
9. Pack Accordingly: Pack eco-friendly essentials for your tour, such as reusable water bottles, toiletries, and eco-conscious clothing. Respect the natural environment by minimizing waste and adhering to Leave No Trace principles during your tour.
10. Embrace the Experience: Finally, approach your eco tour with an open mind and a willingness to learn and engage. Embrace the unique opportunities to connect with nature, support local communities, and contribute to the preservation of our planet.

By considering these factors and booking an eco tour that aligns with your values and interests, you can embark on a sustainable travel experience that not only enriches your journey but also helps protect the environment and empower local communities. Happy eco touring

World Eco Travel, is one of the most reputed and prestigious platforms that offer exceptional travel experiences that combine adventure, culture and ecological awareness. Contact Us

The post Booking Eco Tours: What You Need to Know? first appeared on World Eco Travel.

A rafting adventure is an ideal way to celebrate the coming spring but do manage your comfort and body heat as best possible?

Things to Take into Consideration

The reality of rafting is that you’ll likely be soaked…almost all the time. Water will splash onto you, into the raft, and soak most items you take along. Also, the water will still be very cold even though it’s not the dead of winter anymore. If you don’t plan appropriately for these unique conditions, you’re in for lots of discomfort and can even put your health at risk. 

Also, with rafting you’ll often walk on rough terrain—in and out of the water—so along with planning how to stay warm, think of protective wear to prevent injuries. Here’s a list to help you pack like a pro. 

How to Dress for Spring Rafting Adventures

The market caters well to all these categories. You’ll be glad you invested some money in your attire once you realize the difference it makes in terms of convenience, safety, and warmth.

Layers

For rafting in springtime, you need multiple layers to be optimally prepared for everything the river will bring your way:

• Underwear/bathing suit: We suggest starting off with a bathing suit under all other layers. You’ll be prepared when wanting to take a swim AND in the absence of dressing rooms, they make it easier to add or take off other layers without feeling awkward because others are around. Pick one that’s comfortable and won’t hamper movement. 
• Base layer: This is the layer that will be against your skin, so make sure it’s comfortable and made of non-abrasive fabrics. The purpose of this layer is to help keep your body warm, which wool, fleece, or various synthetic fabrics do well. Even if they get wet, they can still keep you warm, unlike some other natural fibers like cotton. A practical option is long underwear, preferably tight-fitting to allow more mobility once you’ve donned all your layers. 
• Water-repellent layer: The most common option for this layer is wearing a wetsuit. A wetsuit can be water-repellent, but it doesn’t keep all the water out—rather it absorbs moisture and then helps to warm it up to match the temperature of your body so you don’t feel as cold. Such a suit can also prevent excessive heat loss. As a bonus, this thick layer helps protect your body if you should fall and hit rocks or other objects. 
• Additional layer for warmth: Staying warm is a priority so wearing a wool sweater over your wetsuit is common practice for many experienced adventurers. Remember, if you pick the right fabric it will help keep you warm, even after it’s soaked. 
• Splash layer: Now you can add a layer to minimize the amount of water reaching your body. You can wear a traditional raincoat, but a specially designed waterproof splash jacket with features like elasticated cuffs to prevent water from running inside will be a wise investment. 

Of course, over all these layers, never forget to add your PFD (personal floatation device) in the form of a life jacket.

A Change of Clothes

Even with all the right gear to keep you as warm as possible, once you’re done with the rafting for the day, you’ll want to get into dry clothes as soon as possible. So, pack a change of clothes and keep it in a waterproof bag.

Also have a bag for all your wet clothes, for easy transportation. 

Headwear

When keeping warm is a priority, remember that you can also lose body heat through your head. This makes it smart to wear something like a neoprene cap underneath your helmet. Because it’s not bulky, your helmet will still fit comfortably, but you’ll retain some heat.

Footwear

Remember, with water splashing into the boat, your feet will be wet all the time you’re on the water! So, when picking out footwear, warmth and protection are equally important and here again, it’s smart to opt for multiple layers.

At times you may need to get out and walk on the riverbed. A quality set of booties that provides some protection if you should stub a toe is vital but even a pair of tennis shoes can work, as long as they offer good grip. 

In addition, wear wool socks for warmth and comfort before putting on your booties, so you don’t lose feeling in your feet because of the cold. 

Note: when selecting your booties, pick a size big enough so there’s room for additional layers of socks.

Eyewear

Consider every part of your body for your next outdoor adventure, including your eyes. You want comfortable glasses that will keep the splashing water from your eyes at least to some extent, but you also need to guard against the sun’s harmful rays.
When reflecting off the water, the bright light makes it difficult to see, but you also risk cornea damage. Therefore, when wondering what to give preference sunglasses providing full UV protection are always the way to go.

Things to Avoid

Even by just avoiding a few common mistakes, you can make your next spring river rafting experience a time to remember with fondness:

• Cotton: Cotton sounds like a good idea because it’s a good insulator, but many people don’t realize that only applies when the fibers are dry. Once they’re soaked, cotton layers will lead to lower body temperatures, which could be disastrous in the outdoors. This is why wool and synthetic fibers are so popular with water sports pros.
• Sandals: With sandals or flip-flops there’s no protection for your toes when walking on the riverbed. Also, it’s more difficult to keep feet warm in open shoes. 
• Jeans: This fabric is heavy and uncomfortable to wear when it gets wet.
• Valuables: It’s best to leave jewelry and wallets behind, and if you need to carry keys or a phone with you, make sure it’s in a waterproof bag. 

Have respect for how nature will affect you in the outdoors and prepare accordingly, so you don’t put your health at risk. Better planning means more fun!

The post Dressing Guide: What to Wear for Spring Rafting? first appeared on World Eco Travel.

Madeira, with its stunning landscapes, mild climate, and vibrant culture, is a captivating island that offers a delightful year-round holiday experience for travelers seeking natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

The People

Kind and generous, just like every Portuguese person, the people in Madeira know how to welcome everyone in a very special way. Used to receiving visitors on their island, the madeirenses have a long and powerful background on how to host.

When in Madeira, don’t worry about the language, just learn a few basic words like olá (hello) or bom dia (good morning). Showing them that you care and know a little bit of their language will make them smile. Anyways, people in Madeira will always help their tourists using the English language.

The food

This is probably the most interesting thing. How can such a small island have such an interesting and luxurious gastronomy?

That’s not difficult to answer. In fact, as Madeira is surrounded by water and benefits from good weather all year, it is also an exotic island. The fruit is tasty, the main dishes are flavourful, and they even have their own alcoholic drink that you can’t leave without trying. Some of their must-tries are:

• The Espetada: made with beef cubes and easy to find in restaurants;
• Limpets: a delicious specialty cooked in a frying pan that go well with a cold beer;
• Prego em Bolo do Caco: made with steak and a traditional kind of bread (bolo do caco);
• Cozido: an intense and comforting dish, a stew made with pork, sausages and vegetables;
• Octopus: being in the middle of the Atlantic ocean has these perks – a delicious octopus very easy to find in restaurants;
• Poncha: an alcoholic drink made with cane brandy, honey, lemon and sugar.

These are only some examples, but Madeira has got a lot more and it is not difficult to really enjoy any of these dishes or drinks.

The most beautiful landscapes

Famous for having very beautiful landscapes, Madeira is always a surprise for the eyes. It doesn’t really matter if you have already seen any of the pictures online, because once you actually get there, you will be amazed by its sumptuous landscapes.

Some of the most popular and that you can’t really miss are Pico Ruivo (the highest peak of the archipelago); Cabo Girão; Paul da Serra; and the impressive Laurissilva Forest, which was UNESCO classified as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

The perfect weather conditions provide dense vegetation that covers the island with wonderful colours. Besides, the island is home for some impressive birds like the red-legged partridge, the madeira chaffinch or the western barn owl. Perfect for bird watching, Madeira has obviously a lot more to explore.

The traditions

The traditions do give more personality to the island and here people really make an effort to transform these special occasions into something amazing.

• New Year’s Eve: Madeira becomes especially interesting during New Year’s Eve. In fact, this is when the island receives a lot of tourists because they want to see the amazing fireworks and how people celebrate it;
• Carnival: another great event is the Carnival taking place in the capital, Funchal;
• The Flower Festival: it happens during May and it attracts visitors from all over the world, who come to see the beautiful carpets of colourful flowers in the most important streets of Funchal.

A special tour

Our Madeira Island Tour is a nice way of spending your holidays in Madeira. As we do care about our visitors and are fully interested in giving you nothing but the best, with this 6-day tour, you will be able to:

• Start by visiting Funchal and its most famous arteries and spots;
• Visit the west side of the island and check some natural beauties like Porto Moniz, Câmara de Lobos, Cabo Girão, among others;
• Visit the east side full of grandiose mountains and valleys;
• See the hidden corners of Madeira with a spectacular views from Pico dos Barcelos;
• And, of course, you couldn’t leave the island without trying some of the delicious dishes.

It is practically impossible to explain how beautiful the archipelago is, but once you visit Madeira Island, you will definitely understand why this is the so-called ‘pearl of the Atlantic’. Madeira has a strong culture and diverse gastronomy that go beautifully with its dense vegetation. For these reasons and more, make sure you spend some days on the island.

The post Living the Soul of Madeira: Once-in-a-Lifetime Holidays first appeared on World Eco Travel.