  From an African safari to an adventure around the Galápagos Islands to an expedition into a colder regions, wildlife and adventure travel take adventurers all over the globe into a variety of climates and landscapes. When I first started brainstorming the types of travel I would write about this year, I placed wildlife and adventure travel into different categories, but I found too much overlap. The fact of the matter is that wildlife travel requires a certain level of an adventurous spirit, and adventure travel almost always includes a wildlife component. Most importantly, both foster an appreciation for the natural environment of a destination. Wildlife & Adventure Travel includes a vast array of activity paces that range from easy (ex. light nature walks on fairly easy to manipulate terrain) to strenuous (ex. hardcore trekking that require long hours, rough terrain, and physical feats), and travel styles that range from super luxurious amenities to the most basic, no frills of accommodations. There is something for everyone. A few examples of Wildlife & Adventure Travel may look as follows:
When done right, wildlife and adventure travel can be some of the most beneficial use of our tourist dollars as it relates to conservation efforts as well as social and economic equality in visited destinations. The signs for traveling responsibly with this type of travel are pretty clear. The adventure should have a clear educational component highlighting local culture, social empowerment, and wildlife conservation efforts, and all aspects of the tour should be in partnership with the local communities. The IRDNC illustrates a perfect example of an organization that has worked with local indigenous communities in remote regions of Nambia to successfully assist in conservation efforts.
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  As a travel advisor who prioritizes traveling responsibly and who is both certified and specialized in active and adventure travel, I tend to shy away from the All-Inclusive resort market in the Caribbean since these resorts can be some of the most exploitative and unsustainable forms of tourism. I wrote a more specific blog post on the evils and harmful nature of all-inclusive tourism HERE, but today I want to highlight an exception.  Xcaret was created to blaze a trail for sustainable tourism in the Riviera Maya region of Mexico. The origin tale is that the renown Mexican architect, Miguel Quintana Pali, found himself enamored with the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Riviera Maya region and purchased 12 acres to build a country home for himself and his family in the 1980’s. Upon surveying the property, Pali discovered beautiful architectural features, cenotes and underground rivers, within the landscape, and he felt compelled to share these hidden gems with the public. In the 1990’s, the eco park, Xcaret, opened its doors. Groupo Xcaret boasts at being 100% Mexican owned and operated. Mexican culture, history, ecology, food, arts, and entertainment are highlighted throughout. All resources are locally sourced, and one of the only Michelin rated Mexican chefs who lives and works in Mexico is employed at Xcaret.  Today, Xcaret comprises of three gorgeous, 5 star resorts located in this Riviera Maya region outside of Playa Del Carmen - Hotel Xcaret Mexico, the family friendly resort that opened in December of 2017; Hotel Xcaret Arte, the resort for guests 16+ that opened in July 2021; La Casa de la Playa, the adult-only boutique-style resort that opened in December 2021. Xcaret refers to itself as an “all-fun” inclusive (more than an all-inclusive) that includes airport transfers, a variety of top notch dining at each resort, drinks, and entrance into more than 10 experiences including Xcaret’s several eco-theme parks, activities, tours, and dinner shows. This can be a vacation to relax, eat and drink well, and enjoy a variety of entertainment and adrenaline inducing activities. I do not get any form of compensation for this. If you have any further questions or would like to book a stay at this amazing resort, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will guide you through all of the nuances of booking a perfect Xcaret vacation. Some of the All-Full Inclusions:  XCARET Welcome to the best of our country at Mexico’s Majestic Paradise with more than 50 natural and cultural attractions for the whole family. XENSES. Have fun at the 14 attractions and more than 50 fantastic scenarios that will put your senses to the test, from flying to a journey through different ecosystems in darkness.  XPLOR Glide by the tallest zip-lines in Riviera Maya on a great adventure. Swim or paddle a raft through rivers below the surface, drive an amphibious vehicle, and take an unparalleled underground expedition. XENOTES. Discover four beautiful cenotes on this exclusive tour and have different activities on each one, such as assisted rappel, zip-lines, kayak  XEL-HÁ Visit a natural wonder of the Riviera Maya where you can float by a river that flows into an enormous inlet, besides having unlimited snorkel, food, and beverages.. XOXIMILCO. The best Mexican party in Cancun is waiting for you. Tour on a Mexican gondola by the park’s canals while dancing to live music and enjoying a traditional dinner and open bar.  XPLOR FUEGO. When the night falls, the torches light up at Xplor Fuego for an adventure amid the jungle, flying above the treetops and descending to caves and underground rivers. XAVAGE. Take an adventure with six original activities. From driving a Monster Truck by a circuit full of obstacles to paddle a raft on whitewater rapids.  As of this January 2023, Pirate’s Life Vacations will be entering into the 10th year of operation. As a mom who loves to travel, I began my career by specializing in family travel, and naturally, I mostly booked theme park vacations. To be frank, I settled here because it was an easy gig and a great way to help friends plan these unnecessarily complicated vacations without having to charge anyone. (Since travel agents get paid commission by suppliers at no up charge to the client and these vacations are contained with a somewhat inclusive cost structure, I didn’t feel a need to charge any fees.) This proved to be a win for all until I decided that it was time to make my business mean more to me and reflect my personal values. Personal travel with my family of four has always included a variety of adventures appropriate for our wants and needs at different stages of our lives. Each of us are active individuals who enjoy stepping outside of our comfort zone and everything we know in search of authentic flavors and experiences, so every 2-3 years, I have tried to prioritize a large, family travel vacation with smaller, less cumbersome trips for the years in between. I have always been of the mindset that the best gifts I can give my children are the experiences that help them identify their place in our global community, but in order for these travels to have meaning, I designed each of our adventures to be appropriate for the ages of my kids and stages we were at the time of each trip. I wanted to capture their natural sense of wonder, awe, and adventure. A child’s abilities, stamina, and interests vary greatly from 6 to 16, so my goal was to create an experience that was in tune to where they were at the time.  Families with young children (5 years old and younger): This is a great time to explore the natural world. Discover new environments with textures they might not otherwise be exposed to, and make sure they have time to explore it. Spend time at the beach, the mountains, a lake, etc… Kids also are often enamored with animals, so a visit to an aquarium or zoo. Take a nature walk and/or check out a natural preserve. I was always a fan of disrupting our daily routines during our trips from time to time, but keep in mind that you may want to preserve them for the sanity of all involved. Keep your days somewhat flexible.  Colosseum in Rome. Families with school-age children: The world is your oyster at this point. When my son was in 3rd grade, he wrote a series of reports on a variety of world sites that he found interesting. I decided it would be fun to incorporate some of these into an European adventure. What is a better playground than Old Pompeii? Where is it best to learn about the gladiators than Gladiator School followed by a family tour geared for the kids of the Roman Colosseum? I’m a teacher at heart (former teacher), so we always paired these types of vacations with books - fiction and nonfiction. There are quite a few fun, kid books that incorporate destinations and historical context. I’ll elaborate more on this at a later point. This would also be a great time for a safari that caters to the needs of a family with children. For this age, I would recommend a VERY considered itinerary with some time to explore or a small group tour that specializes in family travel with children.  Snorkeling in Floreana - Galapagos Families with teens and young adults:
At this point, you may have established travel habits with your family and have an idea of what you might want to do next. You may have general family interests that shape what you like to do. Are you a cultured family that enjoys art, theatre, concerts, and museums? Are you a family who would enjoy an authentic travel experience in a less trodden community? Does your family enjoy adrenaline-inducing activities - zip lining, snorkeling or SCUBA, white water rafting, skiing, etc..? Would you prefer an expedition experience with nature as the forefront? An expedition cruise can include lighter to moderate activities, such as hikes or nature walks, kayaking adventures, etc… Small group tours can incorporate the activities and destinations that interest everyone. Most of these that don’t cater to families with small children have a minimum age of 12-16. |
AuthorThis is my journey as I navigate the world of sustainable travel for myself and my business. Archives
April 2024
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Angela Barzizza-Young, CTA
Certified Travel Associate Specializing in Responsible Travel (330) 552-8945 |