When it comes to family travel, finding an authentic way to immerse your kids in another culture is always a challenge. But if the thought of
sitting on yet another theme park tour bus
rates L for Lame, then a no-holds-barred, cultural adventure
could just fit the bill. As less and less of us are temped by a 'fake break' where our kids are charmed away by nannies and nurtured in a corner of the resort well out of ear-shot, I'm offering a round-up of the best specialist led environmental tours that won't scar and pollute the natural beauty you come looking for - a visit with your kids might even help.
1. South Africa Sacred Sites Hikes
Southern Africa's San Bushman - 'the Khomani'- are genetically linked to
all the peoples of the earth. They are the First People. Yet Southern
Africa's ancient & prehistoric Sacred Sites are being degraded at an
alarming rate. Now The Sacred Site Foundation of Southern Africa (SSFSA) is setting out to protect ancient & prehistoric Sacred Sites
around Table Mountain, the Western Cape & Southern Africa. And they do
this by organising Sacred Site day hiking tours lasting from 2 hours to several days. The Sacred Site Foundation of Southern Africa - led by author & researcher Dean Liprin - is working hard to advise, research, protect, develop and raise public consciousness about the prehistoric sacred sites and heritage of South Africa. The culural hikes are a big draw for visitors interested in more than sundowners and simply topping up their tan.
2. Whale Watching
Whales Worldwide specialises in small group excursions and each whale watching
adventure includes first class accommodation and private transfers as
well as the services of a qualified and experienced guide throughout.
With
over twenty five years' experience of observing marine wildlife Nic Slocum
combines his expertise and passion for adventure, wildlife and
the environment by offering exclusive, fully guided whale watching
adventure tours worldwide. "From
swimming with Humpback Whales off the Dominican Republic or Tonga to
close encounters with Pacific Gray Whales in Mexico or Southern Right
Whales off Patagonia...our sole
objective is to achieve, quite literally that 'once in a lifetime'
encounter." Nic told me. An
authority on the threats facing these unique marine mammals, Nic
Slocum has reviewed whale watching guidelines around the world and
established one of the most comprehensive codes of conduct for boat based
whale watching operations. His education and first-hand knowledge of the animals make
him a simply outstanding environmental and educational leader.
3. Phillipines Home Stays
A new and fast growing homestay network, run by Flip Flop Tours Inc.,
provides adventurous travellers with a front row seat into this unique
and welcoming culture. FlipFlop's aim is to give visitors an experience very different to what they might find in their
own country. For only 600PHP (that's just £9.50 or $15) per night, travellers get
to live like a local, staying with a Filipino family, experiencing
their way of life. Homestays can be booked online and are located in
the islands of Malapascua, Bantayan, Palawan and Bohol around the
Philippines. The
Filipino-New Zealand team who operate Flip Flop Inc. is led by Anna Cleal, who first travelled to the Philippines for
civil engineering work in 2008, and was amazed that so little was known
about this tropical paradise. She has made it her mission to encourage
more travellers to hit the Philippines shores in ways that benefit local
communities. "Often
beach resorts have serious environmental impacts and pop up in areas
where the average income is $1 per day," Anna Cleal told me. "The homestay
program aims to direct money into the heart of some of these
communities, as well as hoping to provide travellers with more of an
experience."
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