Emerald Monkey EcoLuxe Resort

To accommodate a traveler's desire to vacation in luxury without abandoning their environmental beliefs, eco-resorts are springing up all over the world. Situated on 85 unforgettable tropical acres in the Caribbean Seas, you will soon have a chance to book an eco-friendly getaway at the Emerald Monkey EcoLuxe Resort on Shepherd Island – an extension of Bocas del Toro – an island close to the mainland of Panama. Mirroring the architectural style of residences in Bali and French Polynesia, the Emerald Monkey will offer 206 villas providing an exquisite gateway into living on a tropical island. For the ultimate experience in relaxation, romance, and luxuriating in refreshing waters, the 5-star resort will offer two private beaches, private marina, scuba diving, and infinity-edge saltwater pools. The local lagoon is perfect for snorkeling, fish gazing, or trying your hand at rediscovering sunken Balinese artifacts. Eco-Friendly Features The Emerald Monkey is making a commitment to ecological preservation and sustainable living by attempting to establish the "first zero-carbon footprint community in the world." Hydropower (river water) will serve as the primary source of energy for the island. Using saltwater pools will eliminate the need for harmful chemicals, like chlorine. Pesticides will not compromise the onsite organic fruit and vegetable farm. Other features include sustainable materials for the construction of buildings and the use natural mountain spring water. 5 Things to Do at the Emerald Monkey The Emerald Monkey promises guests first-rate amenities with no shortage of activities or attractions for enjoying the tropical climate of the Bocas del Toro Archipelago, which is comprised of nine islands, 51 keys, and more than 200 islets. The mixture of blue Caribbean waters, rolling hills, prehistoric boulders, and constant reminders of a luxurious, luscious tropical setting effectively encourages guests to relax and release. To pique your interest, the Emerald Monkey is planning the following things to do on the island:

• Explore the vibrant colors of an onsite butterfly farm.
• Rejuvenate the skin, body and mind at a full-service spa
• Dine at a five-star restaurant with the resort's organic produce
• Browse goods at village shops and restaurants
• Wander about tropical gardens – following inviting stone trails

Preferred Hotels & Resorts (a well-known hospitality company) will guide the Emerald Monkey through the world of eco-luxe properties. With a scheduled opening date of late 2011, construction for the resort is already in the works. The first phase will consist of building homes featuring spacious verandas and outdoor seating with a guest choice of saltwater plunge pool or a meditation courtyard. If you are interested in owning a piece of paradise, the Emerald Monkey sells 1/10th shares whole and fractional ownership residences that allow stays for up to five weeks per year. The starting price for one fraction is $74,353. From one- to three-bedroom villas, whole ownership prices are between $563,284 and $1,348,619. Another perk of investing in the Emerald Monkey is a Panamanian law that exempts residence buyers of properties like Emerald Monkey EcoLuxe Resort from paying property taxes for the first 20 years of ownership. Image Credits: Emerald Monkey

New Blueway Brings Eco-Tourism to Southern Mississippi

The Old Ft. Bayou Blueway opened to the public last Saturday with hopes of bringing natural recreation options, as well as economic boosts, to the Gulf Coast area.  The new Blueway offers a tranquil and scenic route through the Mississippi bayou with convenient access to local businesses.  

Designed for paddle sports, the Old Ft. Bayou Blueway is the first designated waterway of this type in the Gulf Coast area.  Unlike other American Blueways, this particular trail is rather short and provides an opportunity for single-day water recreation rather than overnight wilderness excursions.

Eco-Tourism?

Natural recreation that promotes ecological education without disturbing local plants and wildlife is always a good thing - but can the Old Ft. Bayou Blueway really be considered an eco-tourism destination?

Until area businesses adopt their own green policies, eco-tourism is probably not the right term to use.  

Gulf Hills Resort marks the beginning of the Blueway trail and plans to benefit from the additional tourists it brings.

"It's new business. We're going after that eco-tourism. So, now you can kayak, you can canoe, you can do everything from Gulf Hills," Resort Manager Donna Brown was quoted to say.  

Traditionally a golf resort, the hotel offers luxurious accommodations and amenities - including the new 3 bedroom, 4 bath Love Me Tender Love Me suite - but doesn't yet promote any eco-friendly features.

Local food favorite, The Shed BBQ & Blues Joint, is another business easily accessed from the Blueway and marks the end of the route.  Live music and delicious southern food is available, but The Shed doesn't really cater to an eco-tourism agenda.  

Over time, the Old Ft. Bayou Blueway may bring a greener economy to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, especially with plans to expand the Gulf Coast Blueway system.  For now, the Blueway is simply an excellent opportunity to take in the natural beauty of the Mississippi bayou and enjoy outdoor exercise - but it can't be considered an eco toursim destination.

Source: WLOX

WWF Eco Tours

Although the World Wildlife Federation (WWF) is better known for direct work with conservation programs, I learned today that it also offers a variety of very exciting eco-tours! On WWF trips, you can travel with a group of fellow nature and wildlife enthusiasts to one of many destinations in the United States or abroad. The trips are led by expert naturalist guides, assisted by WWF staff and local guides in some places. Tours center around exploring interesting bioregions, or in some cases searching for one specific animal or event. Besides fostering a lifelong appreciation for nature and preservation, these tours are designed with sustainability in mind. For example, smaller ships are used to conserve fuel, materials are printed on recycled paper, and each trip is carbon offset completely. (This doesn't include your airfare to the departure location, but you can learn more about how to deal with that here.) Best of all, part of the fee for each trip goes directly to the fund's other conservation projects. Trips like this require some advance planning, but luckily the selection of destinations available for 2010 looks broad and interesting. Options include tracking Monarch butterflies in Mexico, whale-watching in California, snorkeling in Thailand, an Indian wildlife tour, several African safaris, and much more.

Sundance Resort

With breathtaking natural scenes, refreshing ski adventures, and gorgeous accommodations, the Sundance Resort serves as a sanctuary for people who love the great outdoors, cherish the arts, and wish to preserve the awe-inspiring existence of Mother Nature. With the help of a notable film personality, this unforgettable eco-getaway located in Park City, Utah has developed a celebrity status of its own. It all started in 1969, when Robert Redford (actor and environmentalist) bought a local ski resort and a great deal of the surrounding land. After ignoring the whispers of New York investors to transform the canyon into a wave of hotels and condos, Redford chose to create a haven for nature lovers, outdoorsy folks, and the artistic community – the end result being Sundance. Today, the Sundance Resort offers six distinct choices in luxury accommodations for visitors: Standard Rooms (450 square feet) A queen bed with full private bathroom and separate vanity area are included in rooms located in the Mandan region of the resort. Studios (450 square feet) Found in the River Run region, guests are treated to a queen-sized bed, full private bathroom, gas fireplace, and mini-refrigerator. Sundance Suites (700 square feet) Presenting a cozy bay-style floor plan, queen-sized beds are paired with a full private bathroom. Other features include stone fireplace, kitchenette, and small sitting area. Mountain Suites (900 square feet) Guests are treated to a private master bedroom accompanied by a fully equipped kitchen, living room, dining area, stone fireplace, and deck or patio. Mountain Lofts offer the same luxuries with the addition of a loft with ladder access. Mountain Homes Offering 3-, 4-, and 5-bedroom luxury, private homes dotting the mountain located above the resort, each dwelling is equipped with its own unique floor plan and features. For example, Pine Haven offers three levels of mountain and river views with access to flatscreen televisions and a master suite Jacuzzi tub. With Southwestern décor, step onto natural-rock floors of the Aspen Ridge to further explore the four bedrooms and bathrooms, two living rooms, and five fireplaces. The Cuckoo's Nest allows guests to enjoy the comforts of a lap pool in the summertime and sauna during the winter season. Eco-Friendly Policies The Sundance Resort upholds a commitment to the environment by embracing an assortment of green business practices. Just some of the policies and features associated, includes:

• An onsite art studio that produces organic soaps for guests
• Supported green purchases
• A linen reuse program
• Free mass transit for pass holders
• Education regarding the local environment

Interesting Fact: Does 'Sundance' sound familiar to you? Robert Redford is responsible for not only establishing the Sundance Resort, but also creating the Sundance Institute, Sundance Cinemas, the Sundance Channel, and the Sundance Film Festival, which gives independent filmmakers a chance to make their mark in the industry. To date, the festival is one of the largest of its kind in the world. Photo Credits: Sundance Resort