Metaphysical Tourism

Western visitors looking to explore their spiritual side might want to consider a trip to Egypt's pyramids. Colorado Springs native Sahri Billiger, leads groups of Americans to the pyramids to find and connect to this spiritual energy.

She explains the group's purpose in her own words.

"When the advanced civilization of Atlantis fell more than 30,000 years ago, the accumulated knowledge of the ancients — sort of a spiritual Library of Congress — was placed on the site of the Great Pyramid. These modern travelers were there to make that wisdom accessible to all mankind. But to harness the energies required for this task, their spirits would temporarily have to leave their bodies," says Billiger.


Ethan Tourdes-Whitehall explores this travel phenomenon in his article featured in the New York Times.

?More than a mere sales gimmick, spirituality tours are taken very seriously by their participants, who are commonly pantheistic, choosing to believe in truths of every religion rather than just one. They also invoke the whole panoply of New Age beliefs, finding power in crystals, aromatherapy and, of course, pyramids. They are home inspectors, copywriters and managers, but also mediums, psychics and shamans. Ms. Billger, who is 62, worked in sales for companies like Xerox and Honeywell before becoming a spiritual teacher and healer."


"In Egypt, metaphysical tours are a thriving business, bringing in about 5,000 visitors a year, according to Mohammed Fayed, whose company, Guardian Travel, organized Ms. Billger’s tour. The price, usually a few thousand dollars per person, includes the expense of securing private time at the Great Pyramid and the Sphinx — sometimes thousands of dollars a group for an hour. Mr. Fayed’s business grew 45 percent from 2005 to 2006, and he expects another double-digit increase this year."

Granny Goes to Greenland

Connie Maria Westergaard and her adventurous grandmother Birthe say that “ for most of their lives, they have dreamt of going to Greenland."

While this pair is far from the first to travel to the location, the fact that Birthe was so adamant about making the trip at age eighty, makes one stop and wonder. What is so exciting and alluring about Greenland that made the senior woman leave her cozy home, in exchange for several days in the freezing cold.

According to the lively duo, Greenland has much to offer and greatly compensates for its occasional bitter winds.

First there are the stunning sunsets that light up your skin and fill your soul. Birthe and Connie arrived in Ilulissat on the West coast of Greenland. Although it was March and two degrees Fahrenheit, the shining sun, glistening snow, and unearthly sunset, made up for any chills they felt.

Something else especially fun about vacationing in Greenland, is the chance to go dogsledging in the mountains.

“Grandma and I get ready for the ride of our lives, and an absolute ‘must do’ if you visit Greenland during Winter. Today we are going dogsledging, and wearing three layers of clothes, warm boots and seal skin outfits on top to keep us warm during the next two hours.

Soon we are driving at top speed across the frosty, glittering snow, while passing mountains on both sides. The area surrounding Ilulissat is hilly ground. Thus we experience the dogs running in front of the sledge, when it goes uphill, and behind the sledge acting as brakes, when it goes downhill.

Although it is a bumpy ride, it tickles your stomach when the sledge jumps over the big rocks. I must admit I am a little worried about Grandma, who is convinced she got the most speed-crazy driver of them all. We have to hold on tight in order not to fall off the sledge, and at times it gets rough. However, afterwards grandma has no regrets. That was an old dream come true back there, she says. “

Source: Connie Maria Westergaard

Queenstown, New Zealand

Thinking of where to go for summer? Why not spend some time in beautiful and exciting Queenstown, New Zeland? According to Marie Javins, “Queenstown is synonymous with adventure sports -- jet boating began here in the 60's, and commercial bungee jumping was invented here.”

In addition to the adrenaline rush the activities in Queenstown will give you, people also come out to the area to just sit back and get away from it all. “The natural scenery around Queenstown is stunning, easily making it the number one destination in the South Island.” Also, there is a relaxing and natural setting to enjoy by Lake Wakatipu. An experience by the Lake is precious because if the calm of the water won’t put you into a state of bliss, then the fresh air you will breath from the Remarkables and Eyres mountain ranges, (at the foot of the lake), will rejuvenate you.

Queenstown is consistently mentioned among the top destinations in the world by travel magazines. The hotspot has been called the "adventure capital of the world" because it has every imaginable outdoor activity, but since there is so much available to non-thrill seekers, it’s the ideal getaway.

One other interesting fact about the territory is that it offers some fairly unique activities to participate in. One of these quirky pleasures is grabbing some pals, “renting a car and then ditching your underwear; and in that order.”

Queenstown has a road called the Crown Range Road, also known as “The Bra Road". Your drive will come complete with “some breathtaking panoramas, an authentic 1845 gold rush pub (the Cardrona Hotel), and a length of fence displaying underwear. Passing motorists leave their unmentionables on the fence, and so can you.”

Queenstown is a travel Mecca for backpackers and luxury travelers and if you are interested in taking a trip down (or up there), know that although summer and winter are the “star seasons” to visit, the area is a gorgeous and a aswome experience all year round.

Source: Marie Javins www.GoNOMAD.COM

A Green Getaway Mixed with the Local Culture of Belize

Three years ago, when Jeff Pzena set out to the Punta Gorda Farmers' market to buy what he thought were almonds but turned out to be cacao beans; an idea was born. Pzena teamed up with Chris Crowell to develop a resort that would incorporate the important cultural activity of chocolate-making in an environmental sustainable setting for visitors of Belize. In Belize, the cacao bean which was once used as the currency for the ancient Mayas is still an important medium for cultural exchange in Belize among local farmers. In learning about traditional techniques and visiting local farmers, the pair came up with the Cotton Tree Lodge set in the southernmost region of Belize.

“Our program is all about exposing guests to this and about the reverse — exposing the farmers to people from another culture,” says Pzena.

The Cotton Tree Lodge boasts of solar power use, an organic garden and a reforestation program that plants teak and mahogany trees. The resort has also created a composting system with flush toilets and a self-contained reservoir that uses banana plants to return nutrients to the soil.

But the lodge is more than just an eco-friendly resort; it also offers guests a hands-on experience in its traditional chocolate-making workshops. They involve everything from picking fruit from cacao trees and drying the beans with local Maya farmers to cooking chocolate and discussing fair trade with members of the Toledo Cacao Growers Association.

As if all that isn't enough, Cotton Tree is also working with Sustainable Harvest International to establish a demonstration farm to introduce the neighboring community to agricultural practices that have lower environmental impact, like organic pesticide-free growing and smokeless stoves for roasting cocoa beans.

The Cotton Tree Lodge opened on January 1st of this year in Toledo, Belize. The double occupancy rooms start at $198 a person including all meals and activities. To learn more about the lodge visit: www.cottontreelodge.com

By, Melissa Vitti

Tintagel, England King Arthur's Legend Lives On

Tucked away on the corner of southwest England stands remarkable stone cliffs at the sea's edge. This historical site is Tintagel where myths and poems claim King Arthur was originally conceived at the fortress of a Cornish Duke. Whether he was conceived here or lived here for sometime remains in debate, but there is no question that the midevil castle was in fact built at Tintagel by Richard, Earl of Cornwall a younger sibling of Kinh Henry III. If you visit the region today the crumbling stone barriers and doorways are still visible.

The penninsula-like area is connected to land by a deeply eroded path. Ambitious travelers are enthused by the challenging dirt hike and long flights of wooden stairs that spiral around the cliffs. For the curious traveler, you can tour what is believed to be the inner courtyard of Richard's castle. There lies a sandy inlet where ships were once loaded with cargo.

Because of the harsh sea weather, a mixture of lime and sand is applied to the walls for protection against the elements. "You can tell the way the weather has been beating at this," says Robert Tremain site supervisor. "The elements are always there. It's the natural erosion from the sea and the storms," he says.

Looking across from the southern cliffs, there is a huge chasm at the coastline, pounded by frothy waves, and buildings on the horizon in the nearby village of Tintagel, where pubs and guest houses line narrow streets. This region's history is rich to say the least.

Artifacts unearthed in the area suggest it was an outpost on the fringes of the Roman Empire at one time. Pieces of wine jars and other luxury wares from Spain, North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean could mean a king or prince frequented Tintagel.

A wall built from dirt, rock and timber indicates it may have been a stronghold in the Dark Ages.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the area became famous for its slate quarries, which employed local men.

"Generations of visitors, including writers such as Dickens and Tennyson, have traveled to Tintagel to see the place reputed to be a cornerstone of the Arthurian legend. For today's visitors, its natural splendor may be just as rewarding," says Daniel Lovering of USA Today.


By, Melissa Vitti

Vancouver gets ready for 2010 Olympics

The Winter Olympics of 2010 may be three years away, but the city of Vancouver is already anticipating its arrival. On February 12, the city unveiled a clock that stands 20 feet high outside Vancouver's Art Gallery to count down to the very second when the 17 day celebration will begin.

Since the announcement the city has been deeply invested in its preperation for the games. The Games' construction budget of $580 million includes a new speed-skating oval in Richmond, south of the city, and improvements to existing sites such as on-mountain conditions at Whistler, site of the alpine events. To accommodate the 5,000 athletes and officials, 10,000 members of the media and hundreds of thousands of spectators the city has invested $3 billion more to expand transportation, highways and hotels.

BC Place Stadium where the opening and closing ceremonies will take place has over 55,000 seats as well as an inflatable Teflon-coated roof. This 24-year old venue is considered the largest air-supported domed stadium in the world. BC Place will most likely get a touch up before the torch is lit. The hockey events will take place next to BC Place at General Motors Place better known as The Garage where Vancouver's NHL team the Canucks call home.

For snow junkies that can't wait for the Olympic Games to begin they can catch a preview of what's to come at Cypress Mountain. With five chair lifts at 1,710 vertical feet visitors can scope out where the snowboarding events will take place. The halfpipe is not built yet, but you can still drop by runs like Fork and Gully which will eventually host the parallel giant slalom. The free-style events will take place on the southeast flank of Black Mountain. The slope is currently closed to the public, but a new chairlift and nine new runs are set to open next season to give an up and close look of what’s to come.

The Vancouver Organizing Committee is also overseeing the building and renovation of projects in the area including a new speed skating oval in Richmond and a curling facility in Cambie among other projects. The Games have also helped fast-track a number of other construction projects designed to accommodate visitors. Besides the new luxury hotels, the new 19-kilometer light-rail link between the airport and downtown continues on schedule in its development. In addition, the Sea to Sky Highway is in the midst of a $600-million upgrade that should ease the sometimes tedious trip to Whistler. Vancouver is sure to sparkle by 2010 and we look foward to the results.

By, Melissa Vitti