Asia's Ten Most Holy Sites for Family Travelers

Families are traveling farther from home than ever for unique spiritual and cultural experiences. As Americans become more interested in the religions of the world, long-time tour operators like Asia Transpacific Journeys are organizing guided trips to visit the major holy sites and better understand their significance. With their long history in the region and cultural expertise, you can be sure their guides will ensure that neither you nor the kids will be inappropriately dressed or exhibit other behavior that might offend your hosts.

From the holy Hindu city of Varanasi in India, to the world’s largest Buddhist monument in predominantly Muslim Indonesia, to the Emerald Buddha in Thailand, here is the company's list of the top ten temples, shrines and places of worship in Asia in terms of their impact on tourists.

1. TAKTSHANG MONASTERY (Bhutan) - Bhutan’s most iconic temple and sacred spot, this monastery clings dramatically to a cliff 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Travelers can join locals in hanging Buddhist prayer flags after checking with monks to make sure the date is auspicious.


2. VARANASI (India) - It is said that a ritual cleansing in the holy waters of the Ganges at Varanasi absolves the believer of all sins, enabling a higher birth in the next life. Millions of Hindus make their way here annually.


3. SHWEDAGON PAGODA (Myanmar/Burma) - Sheathed in gold plates and topped by a 76-carat diamond, the great golden dome that rises 322 feet above its base in Yangon is Burma’s most sacred site, visited by Buddhist worshippers and monks daily.


4. DAMBULLA (Sri Lanka) - The most impressive of Sri Lanka’s cave temples, Dambulla is a UNESCO World Heritage site consisting of five caves with over 6,000 square feet of painted walls and ceilings, creating the largest continuous series of paintings in the world.

5. BOROBUDUR (Indonesia) - An absolute must if visiting Indonesia, the reclaimed ninth century ruins are the largest Buddhist monument on earth, and one of the original seven ancient wonders of the world.


6. PASHIPATINATH (Nepal) – The largest temple devoted to the Hindu god Shiva in the world draws devotees from all over the Indian subcontinent. Visitors are likely to witness a fascinating cremation ceremony on the holy Bagmati River.


7. PAK OU (Laos) – A natural cave with more than 3,000 Buddha statues left behind by worshiping kings, merchants and farmers over the centuries, this mystical pilgrimage site is accessible by boat only.


8. DHARAMSALA (India) - The capital of the Tibetan government in exile, Dharamsala is the residence of the Dalai Lama and frequented by pilgrims and visitors from around the world who wish to study Tibetan Buddhism.


9. WAT PHRA KAEW (Thailand) – Located in Bangkok’s Grand Palace and also known as the “Temple of the Emerald Buddha,” this spectacular pilgrimage site is the place where all Thai monarchs have worshiped since it was retaken from the Burmese in the late 18th century.


10. SARNATH (India) – This sacred site near Varanasi, where Buddha is said to have preached his first sermon after achieving enlightenment, draws pilgrims from around the world.


If these destinations sound as intriguing to you as they do to us, get in touch with Asia Transpacific Journeys and let them help you plan a special tour. Founded in 1987, it is the travel company of choice for organizations such as the American Museum of Natural History the World Wildlife Fund, the Harvard, Yale and Princeton alumni associations, as well as individuals, their families and friends.

See Royal Wedding at Westminster Abbey in Legos

Think your family has gone crazy about the Royals?

To celebrate the British Royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton, four British adults have built a giant scale replica model of a wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey, featuring a whopping 180,000 bricks and a congregation of nearly 400 LEGO minifigures.

The impressive 1 x 2.5-meter model took the four builders, all members of the Brickish Assocation, eight weeks to construct.

Weighing in at over 60kg (that's more than 132 lbs), it features 200 different LEGO elements, including nearly 1,000 arches. All of the windows are built from transparent bricks, representing the spectacular stained glass at the Abbey.

Don't rush out to the store just yet -- the special bride and groom minifigures were created from exclusive prototype elements at LEGO Headquarters in Billund, Denmark.

It's hard to beleive, but just look at the photos:

The bride and groom will enter Westminster Abbey here.

400 spectators will be able to watch this wedding 

 

at Westminster Abbey.

The Brickish Association members and family worked for 8 weeks.

Great way to measure the kids' growing patterns!

We hope this is preserved in one of the Legolands for future inspection!

Why We Love Big Sur and California's Highway 1

Just in time for the tourism season, California's Scenic Highway 1 officially reopened April 21, 2011 following a March 16, 2011 slide and road closure south of Carmel.  On this route which sees nearly four million visitors each year, you may have heard of some of the favorite stops below, or read about the area's dozen hotels.

For family adventurers, Big Sur packs in hundreds of miles of hiking terrain, resident wild animals and all things oceanic.  Its seamless blend of rustic yet revered lands have made "El Sur Grande" home to a long list of artists, poets and craftspeople since the area was first settled in the 1870s.  For nature and auto enthusiasts, and anyone embarking on the classic family road trip, the trek through Big Sur is a rite of passage.

Thanks to the See Monterey.com  for sharing their pick of Big Sur's top 10 attractions.

Point Lobos State Reserve
Noted as "the crown jewel of the State park system," this is the stop for hikers, birders and divers.  At 25 miles north of Big Sur and home to 250+ animal and bird species, the 544-acre park packs plenty of punch.  Try the ocean-front Perimeter trail or just park and hit the key points including Cypress Grove, home to one of two naturally growing strands of Monterey Cypress in the world, Bird Island, Whaler's Cove and China Cove – with its dramatic sparkling jade-green waters framed by hanging Cliffside gardens.

Bixby Creek Bridge
One of the most photographed features on the West Coast, this architectural marvel linked the world to Big Sur in 1932 at a cost of $10 million.  The 714-ft. long bridge is one of the top ten highest single-span bridges in the world and has debuted in Play Misty for Me, as well as a number of television programs and car advertisements.  It also is center stage for the annual Big Sur Marathon every April.

Point Sur Lighthouse Station
Go off-road for a seasonal moonlight hike/tour at this State Historic Landmark set on a volcanic rock 361 feet above the Pacific.  Located in Point Sur State Historic Park , the lighthouse has been in operation since 1889 and is the West Coast's only complete turn-of-the-century light station open to the public.  The lighthouse and nine other buildings, including a complete blacksmith and carpentry ship, are viewable by guided tour.

Pfeiffer Beach
Hard to find and even harder to forget, this pristine beach is a rare opportunity to get up close with Big Sur's shoreline with dramatic offshore rocks and an unusual purple sand, from manganese garnet particles that have washed down from the hillside.  This is nature at its naked best, especially at sunset.  A sharp right turn on the only paved road past the Big Sur Post Office (Sycamore Canyon Road) heading south on Highway 1 delivers a two-mile windy road, from there a walking path opens up to this hidden gem.

Nepenthe Restaurant
Set 808 ft. above the crashing surf, this classic redwood and glass outpost was once home to author Henry Miller, doubled as a dance floor in the film Sandpiper and was a gift from Orson Welles to actress Rita Hayworth in 1944.  Today, travelers find Nepenthe's lure irresistible, with views to infinity as the sun slips into the sea.  An open-pit fireplace, meandering decks and dishes like local Castroville artichokes and the signature Ambrosia hamburger paired with a substantial wine by the glass program ensure an ethereal stay.

Henry Miller Memorial Library
The funky library, tucked deep in a redwood grove along Highway 1, offers a variety of books by Miller and his contemporaries, a sculpture garden, alfresco stage for performances and plenty of Big Sur character.  Henry Miller spent eighteen years (1944-1962) living in Big Sur while turning out some of his finest work, including The Rosy Crucifixion, a three-volume epic about his life with his second wife, June; and Big Sur and the Oranges of Hieronymus Bosch , the story of his life in the region.

McWay F a lls
Located in Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, this slender yet dramatic 80-ft. fall is a brief one-mile round trip jaunt via the Scenic Overlook/Waterfall trail.  The falls flow year-round and are one of only two in the region that are close enough to the ocean to be referred as "tidefalls" with its delicate sand landing.  Along McWay Creek, the path leads through a tunnel under Highway 1 and emerges with a spectacular grand panorama of the Big Sur coast.

Esalen Institute
Once home to a Native American Esselen tribe, the institute sits on 27 acres of spectacular Big Sur coastline with the Santa Lucia Mountains rising sharply behind.  In 1962, Esalen was founded as an alternative educational center devoted to all things "human potential." Today it is better known for its blend of East/West philosophies, workshops and breathtaking grounds blessed with natural hot springs. Baths are open to the public from 1:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m.; $20.  Guestrooms are sometimes available independent of workshops.

Limekiln State Park
For a true Raiders of the Lost Ark adventure, visit this magical site.  Cutting deep through towering redwoods along several lush creeks line four 100+ year old lost limekilns, used for quarrying limestone in the 1870-1880s. The Park combines crashing Pacific with an opportunity to trek through some of the oldest and largest redwood groves in Monterey County.  Cut down to the beach thereafter for prime views or sunbathing.

Jade Cove          
Named after the smooth, waxy stone frequently found here, Jade Cove offers an inside look at the riches of Big Sur.  Two miles south of Sand Dollar Beach, the Jade Cove Trail quickly descends from the bluffs to the beach with a number of rocky coves.  Scout about for treasures while soaking in the dynamic mixture of land and sea.  Note: regulations for collecting apply.

Whale Watching
Highway 1 also boasts several vantage points from which to view the migratory path of the California Gray Whale. Between late November and early February, these giant mammals swim south to the warm waters of Baja California, Mexico, where they breed and birth their calves. The whales often travel together in large pods, and their trademark spouting makes these huge creatures easy to identify. Then, from late February through early April, the migration reverses itself.

Trip Planning Information for Monterey and Highway 1
Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor, Highway 1.  The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 40,000 acres of premium vineyards, 24 golf courses and over 250 lodging properties. For families, the Asilomar Conference Center is a top value resort that's popular with reunion groups.

San Diego Hotels Pre-Summer Sale - $129 Family Packages

There are some top value hotel deals to be found in those luscious weeks between the chilly gloom of spring and the breathless heat of summer. And chances are, your kids may even be out of school to take advantage of them.  Here are some picks from San Diego, California, where families enjoy the oceanfront Mission Bay area almost as much as the charming Old World feel of the Coronado peninsula. With these packages, you can have your choice.

Pool at the Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego, California

At the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina, they're offering a Spring Break Package only through April 30, 2011 that includes spacious waterfront accommodations, a $25 spa credit, tasty s'mores kit and 20% off four tickets to the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo's Safari Park, SeaWorld San Diego or LEGOLAND California. During this period, the hotel is offering free spring break activities for kids including SeaWorld Character visits, poolside games and movie nights, scavenger hunts and s'more marshmallow roasts. Rates start at $269 per night. For reservations, call 619-224-1234 or visit their site.

The landmark Hotel del Coronado in charming Coronado is offering the School's Out Package that includes accommodations with the option of receiving 50% off a second room, if needed, and one daytime activity for each night booked. Activities include private s'mores on the beach, a three-hour surrey bike rental for up to four people, Kidtopia Camp for two children and full-day poolside cabana rental. The School's Out Package is available through June 30, 2011, and some blackout dates may apply. Rates start at $279 per night (a savings of $90 - $125 per night). For reservations, call 800-HOTEL-DEL or visit the link.

The Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay are offering an Escape to Paradise Package that includes 50% off the cost of a second night. Reservations must be made for two consecutive nights, and the 50% off discount can only be used once. The Escape to Paradise Package is available now through May 31, 2001, and some blackout dates may apply. Rates start at $129 per night at the Bahia Resort Hotel and $149 per night at the Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa. For reservations, call 800-422-8386 or visit their sites.

The luxurious Grand Del Mar Resort in Del Mar is offering a Family Fun Package for the rest of the year that includes accommodations, Children's Menu dining for up to two children ages 8 and under at the Amaya restaurant or poolside and a four-hour program for up to two children ages 5 to 12 at the resort's kid-friendly Explorer's Club. The Family Fun Package is available now through December 31, 201l, and some blackout dates may apply. Rates start at $465 per night, and a connecting guestroom is also available for 50% off the package rate. For reservations, call 888-314-2030 or visit the site.

The waterfront Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina on Harbor Island is offering a Come Take a Break Package that includes accommodations with a private balcony and San Diego Bay marina or downtown views; a choice of four San Diego Trolley Tour passes or 4 tickets to the San Diego Zoo; a free in-room movie nightly; two-hour bicycle rentals for two adults and two children (helmets included) and free meals for kids ages 12 and under with the purchase of adult meals. The Come Take a Break Package is available now through December 31, 2011 depending on availability, and some blackout dates may apply. Rates start at $199 per night. For reservations, call 877-734-2726 and ask for the Come Take a Break Package or visit their website.

And if you're based in San Diego for any length of time, look into the top value Southern California CityPass, which offers 29% off family tickets to Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld and more.

Nassau Resort Adds $100 Credit and Free Night to Bahamas’ Fly Free Promotion

In an unusual confluence of good deals, families dreaming about a summer tropical getaway can take advantage of the Bahamas’ $300 Instant Air Credit promotion and a new offer now available at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. The trick here is it must be booked by May 9, 2011.

If you act now, though, you can combine the island nation’s free airfare offer (actually a $300 credit towards flights) with the hotel’s Sunsational Savings package.

With this new combined package, guests who book a flight and a minimum four-night stay at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort by May 9 -- remember, for travel April 24 through December 22, 2011 -- will receive:

• 4th night free
• $100 food and beverage credit for stays up to five nights or $200 for stays of six nights or longer
• Complimentary non-motorized water sports including snorkeling, sailing and wind surfing

And, last but certainly not least, vacationers booking this package will get a $300 instant air credit. You can see the rules (lots of fine print) about this credit, valid for $300 per room with a 4N minimum booking, when you visit the hotel’s booking page.

If you’re not families with this resort on Cable Beach, please read this family review of the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. The “Love Your Family” program offers complimentary daily and nightly activities for kids and adults. Also nearby and available to guests are the Crystal Palace Casino and Cable Beach Golf Club.

To book the Sunsational Savings package in conjunction with the $300 Instant Air Credit offer, travelers should visit www.sheratonnassau.com/Free-Companion-Airfare and use promo code BAH300F.

Posh Four Seasons Vail Spa Sale & More Specials from $197

Four Seasons Resort Vail Lobby

With a record amount of snowfall this year, and ski season lasting through April 24, 2011, there’s no time like the present to visit Four Seasons Resort Vail. But, even after the mountain has closed, the town of Vail abounds with events and activities for all ages. Four Seasons Resort Vail is navigating the pre-summer season with significant specials on guestroom rates and The Spa.

Spring Spa Specials: Mother - Daughter Alert!

Now through May 31, 2011, The Spa at Four Seasons Resort Vail (named in the Conde Nast Traveler May 2011 "Hot List") is offering specials including the Spring Relax & Renew package, which has two options. The first is a 50-minute ginseng facial, a 50-minute Swedish massage, and a spa lunch. The second is a 50-minute Swedish massage plus a moisturising manicure and pedicure and a spa lunch. Each package is value-priced at $250 and if you book two or more regularly priced 50-minute treatments (they're at a $50 discount, too), you girls will receive a super-soft, complimentary Four Seasons logo bathrobe.

Four  Seasons Resort Vail Spa Pool

Springtime at Four Seasons Resort Vail

Enjoy springtime savings at Four Seasons Resort Vail by reserving the Stay Longer - Third Night Free package. With rates starting at just $197 per night after the complimentary night is applied, this package offers a great value. Available through June 2, 2011.

For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/vail/

Disney Breaks Ground on Shanghai Disney Resort

It's been a long time coming, but on April 8, 2011, the Walt Disney Company and Shanghai Shendi Group, its joint venture partner in China, announced that they had broken ground on the Shanghai Disney Resort. This will be Disney's second China themepark; the first, Hong Kong Disneyland, opened in 2005 and by all accounts has not been financially successful.

The groundbreaking ceremony, which paid homage to the culture and people of China, followed approval for the project from the Chinese central government in Beijing.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of The Walt Disney Company,” said Robert A. Iger, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company. “Our Shanghai resort will be a world-class family vacation destination that combines classic Disney characters and storytelling with the uniqueness and beauty of China. Working with our Chinese partners, the Shanghai Disney Resort will be both authentically Disney and distinctly Chinese.”

Traditional Chinese drum music, a female soloist singing in Mandarin, a 50-voice Shanghai children’s choir and Mickey Mouse dressed in a traditional Chinese costume were on hand to mark the occasion. Following the entertainment and remarks, Iger and Staggs were joined by Shanghai Party Secretary Yu Zhengsheng and Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng to officially break ground on the project.

The Disney company dates its involvement in China back to the 1930s, when the first animation screened there. More than a thousand employees in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou currently manage a variety of publishing, broadcast, mobile, web and retail businesses, as well as Disney's English language program, "Disney English," which launched in 2008. Nearly 24 hours of Disney television programming is now available in China every week, reaching 300-360 million people each month.

The Shanghai Disney Resort, slated to open in approximately five years, will be located on a 963-acre (3.9-square-kilometer) site in Pudong, Shanghai, with additional room to expand in the future.

Plans are for a Shanghai Disneyland, a Magic Kingdom-style park that will blend classic Disney storytelling and characters with all-new attractions and experiences tailored specifically for the people of China. At the heart of the park will be an interactive Disney castle, with entertainment, dining and performance experiences that will be unique to Shanghai Disneyland. The park will also contain other large-scale entertainment venues, indoor and out, that can be used for various purposes throughout the year.

At its opening, the estimated US$4.4 billion resort will have two themed hotels, a large retail, dining and entertainment venue, recreational facilities, a lake and associated parking and transportation hubs. An 11-acre green space at the center of the theme park will differentiate Shanghai Disneyland and reinforce the themes of sustainability and nature that will be integrated throughout the park.

The investment will be split between Disney and the Shanghai Shendi Group with Disney holding 43% of the shares of the owner companies and the Shanghai Shendi Group holding the remaining 57%, per financial statements made to the press.

photo courtesy of http://www.qdkfqsz.com/disney-in-shanghai

Virtual Reality Art Projects for Philadelphia Arts Festival

As you can see from the above photo, lots of cool stuff is going on in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania over the next month.

The virtual artwork seen above ("Miro Alien Chest-Burster" by Jon Rafman) will be placed "virtually" at the top of the "Rocky Steps" at the Philadelphia Museum of Art as part of the VPAP Augmented Reality exhibit.

The squiggly alien will be joined by a giant squid floating above the Schuylkill River waterfall, a faceted rainbow above the Delaware River and 22 other pieces of virtual art throughout the city when the VPAP@PIFA Augmented Reality exhibit opens on April 7 as part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA).

Local and international artists have created 25 unique AR (augmented reality) art works that will be geo-tagged to specific locations around Philadelphia and visible via a free Layar App that can be downloaded to iPhone (3GS and above) and Android operating systems. Families will then be able to experience this emerging art form by viewing in-the-round "artworks" using iPhone and Android phones when standing at the sculpture's real-world location. AR is a fascinating new media technology that has a growing influence on our social and commercial interactions.


To complement the VPAP@PIFA Exhibit, a free panel discussion titled Augmented Reality Check: Seeing the Future Now will be held on April 26 at the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s Van Pelt Auditorium. The panel of experts including cutting-edge artists, software developers, gaming specialists, sociologists and social historians will discuss the future of augmented reality and how it may play into our everyday lives. The discussion will be followed by an interactive demonstration and virtual art tour that blurs the line between the real and the virtual.

The walking tour and demonstration will include site-specific AR content developed by artists and designed to interact with locations and landmarks along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. They promise to define all acronyms so you don't go crazy!

Some more geek info for the nerds in your family:

The VPAP@PIFA Exhibit was organized by Breadboard and the Virtual Public Art Project. Breadboard is a hybrid program at the University City Science Center dedicated to exploring the intersection of art, science and technology. The Virtual Public Art Project (VPAP). Augmented Reality or AR interlaces the physical real-world environment with virtual computer-generated imagery in real-time.

VPAP is an augmented reality platform for the public display of digital works of art and the first mobile augmented reality outdoor art experience of its kind.

All the fun is part of the Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA), and there are many more fun family activities in Philadelphia once you recover from this amazing exhibit.

Cheap New Hampshire Vacations - Volunteer, Learn, Do Good

With the economy improving, you may be tempted to open that wallet for a special summer vacation. But don't forget about the many wonderful volunteer vacations available to you and your family. Here are some spring and summer voluntourism ideas -- many at no or very low cost -- in the northeast state of New Hampshire that will turn the spotlight on fun ways to learn, give back and be environmentally conscious. Many are appropriate for younger children who want to help out, too.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Family Adventure Days at Cardigan Lodge, Alexandria - Located in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, The Appalachian Mountain Club offers its Family Adventure Days program. The escorted program includes a hike to the summit of Mount Cardigan, guided hikes to study beaver ponds and waterfalls, pond studies, star walks, guest speakers and group campfires. The Appalachian Mountain Club’s Family Adventure Days at Cardigan Lodge run Friday-Monday from June 24, 2011-September 5, 2011.
    * Get out, get dirty and give back! – Each year, the AMC depends on more than 2,500 trail volunteers who contribute their time, energy and enthusiasm to the Trails Program.  In a typical year, participants from near and far volunteer approximately 18,000 hours building 1,200 feet of bog bridging, and helping maintain 1,500 miles of trails.  Work Parties are one to three day programs that provide the opportunity to learn, practice, and refine trail work skills, explore new mountains, and begin to understand the intricate workings of trail maintenance.  Volunteers don’t need to be experts to join, and can bring the whole family.

Northern Forest Canoe Trail (NFCT) Waterway Work Trip, Errol – Working with the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge, last season the NFCT worked to mitigate erosion and impact on the shores of Umbagog Lake. This season, after helping clear debris and spread woodchips on the trail, volunteers get the opportunity to experience a great camping location and paddling and wildlife viewing opportunities on Lake Umbagog, the Magalloway River and the Errol rapids. Meals are provided.  August 12-14, 2011.

Star Island Spring and Summer Volunteer Weekends, Rye, NH – Located off the coast of Portsmouth, Star Island has been a haven for artists, religious retreats and educational conferences.  Star Island also hosts annual Spring and Summer Work Weekends during which participants can help maintain the infrastructure on the island by assisting with construction, building maintenance and landscaping.
    * Spring Work Weekends – Visitors can help reawaken Star Island from its winter slumber and spend a beautiful spring weekend on the island.  There are five spring work weekends in late April, May and early June.  Volunteer opportunities include:  kitchen staff, housekeeping, painting, gardening and landscaping.
    * Island Volunteer Programs – Throughout the summer, Star Island offers volunteer programs to support the island staff.  Programs for the season include Rutledge Marine Lab, Vaughn Cottage museum and library, massage therapy and first aid station.

FARMS AND FARMSTAYS

Stonewall Farm, Keene, NH – Stonewall Farm is a nonprofit working farm and educational center whose mission is to connect people to the land and to the role of local agriculture in their lives. Set in a scenic valley, the farm consists of pastures, fields and woodlands and is open, free of charge, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.  Opportunities are available for gardening, farming, and sap gathering.
    * Farm and Forest Exploration:  Dairy Barn Operation (May 7) – This visit makes for a perfect family trip to the farm; Stonewall Farm is Keene’s last dairy barn in operations, and guests will learn what it takes to care for the cows, milk the cows and provide milk to the community.
    * Farm and Forest Exploration:  Wetland Wonders (June 4) – Visitors are invited to join the educators at Stonewall Farm for a weekend of Family Programming.  This is a program for all ages, in which participants explore the wetlands that surround the farm.

D Acres of New Hampshire, Dorchester, NH – A non-profit farm committed to providing people with an educational center that researches, applies and teaches skills of sustainable living and small-scale organic farming. D Acres offers workshops that focus on gardening, woodworking, cooking, food preservation, animal husbandry, sustainable forestry, and ecological construction methods.
    * Volunteer Days – The last Sunday of each month is Volunteer Day at D Acres.  “Get your hands dirty” working in the gardens, on the trails, or building with earthen materials with the D Acres crew.  10am to 4pm; hearty farm lunch included.

WILDLIFE AND CONSERVATION ENRICHMENT

New Hampshire Audubon, Concord, NH – NH Audubon, dedicated to the conservation of wildlife and habitat throughout the state, offers a variety of programs for people of all ages.
    * Family Programs – Designed to meet the needs of family members of all ages, the NH Audubon Family Programs provide exciting and engaging activities to educate, inspire, and just have fun.
    * Adult Programs – NH Audubon’s adult programs provide year-round opportunities for enrichment and exploration in a wide variety of subject areas, from birding and snowshoeing to photography and crafts.

Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, NH – Through live animal exhibits, natural science education programs and lake cruises, SLNSC has educated and enlightened visitors for more than 40 years.  Some of SLNSC’s programs and events include:
    * Science Center Lake Cruises – Visitors can experience the beauty of Big Squam Lake on a guided tour on a canopied pontoon boat to learn about the natural forces that created these lakes, the wildlife that makes them so special, and the people who have enjoyed these lakes for over 5,000 years.
    * Learn to Identify Birds –Learn to identify the huge variety of birds that fill the woods, meadows and wetlands each spring.  Each trip explores a different habitat in the Lakes Region.
    * North Country Moose and Bear Excursions –Visit a special place where mother black bears graze on a salad of flowers and berries while their cubs frolic nearby, then as dusk approaches  guests visit a moose ‘hot spot’ for sighting these giants as they feed along the roadside in New Hampshire’s North Country. 

Blue Ocean Society Beach Cleanups, Portsmouth, NH – Beach cleanups are a great way to get involved in protecting the marine environment, while also getting some exercise. On beach cleanups volunteers spend 1-2 hours collecting trash from a local beach, and then record findings so participants also get to contribute to the Blue Ocean Society’s long-term study on marine pollution. Cleanups include a short presentation on their research efforts and ways people can help protect the marine environment.

Thanks to the New Hampshire Division of Travel and Tourism Development for sharing these ideas. For visitors looking to travel “green,” there are many eco-friendly properties throughout  the state. Visit  www.visitnh.gov for more information.