Ecotourism or ecological tourism is a trend towards preservation that has in recent years taken on global proportions. It's a relatively recent form of tourism typified by being both socially and ecologically conscious, according to Wikipedia. Focusing on many factors including regional plant and wildlife, and native culture, ecotourism is a growing trend. This new form of travel seeks to protect, inform and educate as much as it does to profile or display.

For example: in most countries, it is illegal to remove "found" treasures of ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece or the Roman Empire. In other instances, the protection of underwater habitats is promoted so that coral is not removed (or in some cases, not even stepped upon).

For Prince Edward Island, ecotourism seeks to preserve a natural heritage and a legacy that has endured for tens of thousands of years. With multicolored beaches of white, champagne, pink and red sand, island dunes are home and host to a fragile ecosystem resplendent with plant and animal life. Preservation of dunes means preservation of a rich, natural heritage.

For seaside wildlife so abundantly alive on the island, preservation extends to bird colonies and to protecting the endangered Piping Plover. A North American shorebird, the Piping Plover's light, sandy colored feathers blend into context with sandy beaches and shorelines, its primary habitat.

Ecotourism on Prince Edward Island extends to preservation of its heritage as with Lennox Island, home to a community of Mi'Kmaq people, the original inhabitants of the island. Featuring a community museum and the opportunity to sample traditional native food Lennox Island is an excellent place to see ecotourism in action.

Beyond the sites and sounds of the ocean, the seafood and the golf, Prince Edward Island is steeped in rich heritage. This gentle island awaits your discovery and it deserves the respect and preservation that ecotourism initiatives provide.

When the going gets tough in the real world, you probably dream about a tropical vacation just like anybody else does. Along side with the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, and even Mexico Maui vacations are quite the popular package when it comes to visiting a travel agent. On your Maui vacation, condos are an option for you when it comes to stylish accommodations and you can't get luxuries like that just anywhere. On your Maui vacation, condo rentals can help you achieve your home away from home type of feel but they are not the only option you have when it comes to staying in Maui. Kihei is the busiest tourist town on the western end of Maui, and for that reason many people choose to get hotel rooms, motel rooms, or even vacation condos right near that area. The reason why is that all of the things that are geared for people to have fun take place in the more touristy areas.

Consider the different types of things that you look for in a vacation condo in Maui. Of course you want it to be clean and close to things to see and do in Maui and in Kihei in particular. Many people want a spectacular ocean view free of obstruction by cruise ships or ocean liners and in a nice safe area at that. Taking a vacation is not always the safest thing to do as tourists are targets for thieves. But making sure that your vacation condo is in a good area with secure locks on windows and doors is just one step in making sure that you are safe while on vacation.
Most of the Maui vacation condos in Kihei are situated right near town, which is the prime location for people who want to get in a little shopping on their vacation. it is very easy to spend a whole lot of money on Maui on things you just don't need, or pass the time looking at people or visiting the sights and sounds. Luckily the island of Maui is an island unto itself, so it is rather hard to be too far away from anything.

If you are in the market for a Maui vacation condo, you have to give yourself plenty of time for the search. If you re going to rush into finding these accommodations, it is best that you go ahead and get a regular hotel room for your Maui vacation, as short notices on vacation condos normally don't go over well. When you are looking at a particular condo rental for your Maui vacation, keep in mind that pictures do not always tell the truth. Some photographers are skilled at making rooms look larger, making decks look larger and making ocean views look a lot cleaner and closer than they actually are. It is easy to get duped by looking at pictures of a beautiful ocean view that may or may not be a mile away.

If you are in the market for a Maui vacation condo, whether it be for a timeshare, a week long rental or a Maui vacation condo that you can buy and use for the whole family for years to come, you should definitely talk to a real estate agent while the market is hot for these vacation condos and you might be able to get a good deal. Stop worrying about having your hotel room ready when you want to take your next Maui vacation and check into a condo for yourself. You will be happy that you did.

Aruba is a great location for anyone who enjoys being in the sun, relaxing on the beach, splashing in the water, ore great entertainment. A timeshare can be the perfect way to be able to enjoy such a vacation at a very affordable price. There are many hotels in the area but you will end up paying more for them than a timeshare package.

Aruba is a very popular vacation spot that you will want to visit again and again. Having a timeshare gives you the opportunity to do so. You will also be able to stay where you are familiar. You will find yourself surrounding by a variety of affluent and moderate travelers with many great attractions. This is the place to be if you enjoy the sun and surf.

There are many different Aruba timeshares that you can choose from. It is great to have a built in vacation spot you can enjoy each year. The environment is very lush and tropical and you can dine in fine restaurants on fresh seafood. The beach is a popular attraction too and you will find yourself looking forward to your trip to Aruba each year.

There are many different attractions in Aruba for the entire family to enjoy. Some of the favorites include a submarine adventure that allows you to explore the depths of the ocean. A sailing trip with the Jolly Pirates can be fun too. Many people like to try their skills at windsurfing with the delicate breezes that are known in Aruba.

A timeshare in Aruba is a get option if you enjoy the sun and the water. The people who reside there are very friendly and there is plenty of entertainment and great food to enjoy. You won't regret your decision to vacation there.

All activity at Barbados' cruise ship terminal was at a standstill, along with the eery silence of Bridgetown's streets.

Where were last night's party-goers in St. Lawrence Gap, the "hip" nightclub strip? Where were yesterday's colorful beach vendors and spirited sports enthusiasts?

"Why is it so quiet everywhere?" I asked the hostess who welcomed my sister and me to the cruise ship terminal to board our Wind Surf cruise ship.

"In Barbados we take Sunday's seriously," she said with a smile. None of the terminal's shops will open today. Everyone is either resting, eating a family meal at home, or in church."

Barbados' cruise terminal is one of the Caribbean's finest and (six days a week) busiest port facilities. It was recently renovated to re-create a brilliant island street scene of storefronts and the traditional chattel houses of plantation workers.
The easternmost Caribbean island, Barbados is home to many contrasts. Its West and South Coasts are calm and palm-fringed with warm waters that gently lap onto the golden sands.

On the East Coast, huge Atlantic waves crash along the rugged shore of white sand beaches and limestone cliffs. At Bathsheba Beach, the "Soup Bowl" is the surfers' choice. Crane Beach, with powder pink soft sand and dunes was named by "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" as "one of the ten best beaches in the world". It is not safe to swim there, however, due to the strong currents.

Another of Barbados' unique and famous attractions is Harrison's Cave, a magnificent underground cave of stalactites, waterfalls and pools illuminated by colored lights. Visitors of all ages are fascinated as an electric tram carries them underground.

Meadows of golden sugar cane and historic plantation houses are a short walk away from the bustling port of Bridgetown.

Tours of these houses provide an excellent insight into the life of the island's early European settlers, who established tobacco, cotton and sugar cane plantations.

For an"off-the-beaten" path Island Safari , hop onto a 4x4 Land Rover to form a unique jeep convoy. Then, hang onto your seats all day to see spots inaccessible to tour buses.

Or, rent a taxi to explore the island's natural wonders in air-conditioned comfort. Our expert taxi driver, Patrick Clarke, negotiated the complex network of back roads to places others often miss: spectacular flower gardens; Welchman Hall Gully, a national park that is a birdwatcher's paradise; breathtaking views from the top of Cherry Tree Hill and Gun Hill Signal Station.

While soaking up the views, we had our first taste of flying fish, a delicious national dish and island emblem which can be sampled at almost any Barbadian restaurant.

Some visitors prefer to check out other adventures by discovering Barbados' secrets on horse-back, mountain bikes or on foot.

"Flightseeing" in a helicopter also offers a unique full circuit perspective of the 166-square mile island.

Barbados was a British colony until 1966, when it gained full independence, although it is still a member of the Commonwealth. A great deal of the island's charm comes from that relationship.

For example, cricket is its national sport, with major social significance. You can catch a game of cricket almost anytime–an international match, a friendly game on the beach, in an open pasture or village field. At the end of the match, hang around to join in the celebration!

Since Barbados is a flat coral island, unlike its steep-sided volcanic neighbors, for scuba divers it offers fringes and reefs blossom with healthy sponges, coral and plant life. Wrecks form fascinating habitats for marine life and Barbados has several excellent sites for wreck diving.

You can also swim with the turtles as they feed among the coral. If you are in Barbados at the right time you may even take a moonlight tour to see turtles nesting. Pregnant turtle lay their eggs in the soft sand along the shore. When the baby turtles hatch, they emerge from the sand and quickly make their way to the safety of the sea.

Bubble Adventure is an innovative new dive company that focuses on giving children (including those with disabilities) an opportunity to explore the underwater world either in their own hotel's swimming pool or in the sea.

Many hotels offer other water sports activities including waterskiing, snorkeling, sailing, kayaking, windsurfing, parasailing and sport fishing.

The Atlantis submarine adventure is another underwater adventure that reveals a kaleidoscope of exotic fish and marine life.

For golfers, Barbados offers several luxurious golf courses. The first championship public golf course opened in June 2000 and the five-star Sandy Lane Hotel added two 18-hole courses in 2001 for a total of 45 holes of championship golf.

The island's single greatest natural resource is its warm and friendly people. The Barbadians (also known as "Bajans") are proud and eager to share their rich cultural heritage, inherent in the spontaneity of their music and laughter.

For More Information

Call 1-800-221-9831 or visit http://www.barbados.org

If you are looking for a cost effective way to protect your car, truck, motorbike, or RV from the harsh elements, then you can choose a canopy carport to make your life easier. When you buy a canopy carport you will be choosing great quality, heavy duty material that will last a long time to protect your vehicle.

The canopy carports can also come in different sizes and shapes, with awnings or without, and you can find them just about anywhere. These canopy carports are also very easy to assemble and they are light weight so they can be taken on vacation if needed.

You can find a canopy carport in just about any color you like and you can even get the exact color to match your car. These colors can be red, yellow, white, blue, green, striped, black, and much more.

The canopy carports will also come with all of the accessories and extra bits and pieces that are needed to assemble it like the poles which are made from sturdy aluminum or steel, pegs, pads, and fittings.

Depending on the area that you live in, you may want more from your canopy than other people. Or example you may live in a very rainy , stormy are prone to rain, in which case you will need a canopy carport that has extra side coverage and even doors that will be zipped up.

The canopy carports material is heavy duty and is usually made from canvas or tarpaulin. This canopy carport will also offer UV ray protection is heat protection as they will not hold in the heat like a metal carport would. They are also waterproof and weather resistant.

This type of carport is great for people that are hopeless with construction or even ordinary do it yourself jobs, because you will need no tools to put a canopy carport together. You will get instructions that tell you which leg goes where, where the ball bungies should fit and there you have it, your very own canopy carport.

These are so simple to set up that you can also have some for your employee's cars at the office. This will make them feel a whole lot better knowing that their cars are well taken care of. With a canopy carport structure like this, you can even use it as a tent for parties or weddings. You can host garden luncheons by the pool and have lots of fun.

So, there you have it; canopy carports are the best way of protecting your vehicle and having your own portable entertainment area in one. It costs next to nothing and is very easy to assemble.

You can find a canopy carport at many online stores and carport companies who also offer to set it up for you and will give you advice if needed on designing your own carport. Take a look at a few of these sites before you decide. Make sure that the company is reputable and that they offer a guarantee on the canopy carports that they sell.

One of South Africa's best kept secrets, this group of reefs lies between two and four kilometers offshore and at a depth of twenty to forty meters it is for advanced divers. Only 10 minutes drive south of Umkomaas/Aliwal Shoal.

Landers Reef:

Average Depth 21 - 32 Meters : Big pinnacle, large boulders, crevices and huge gullies with small sand patches in between the reefs, caves and overhangs

Finger Reef :

Average depth 22 - 35meters: Simply the best, untouched, unspoilt reef around!

Butchers Reef:

Average Depth 18 -25 Meters : Boulders, rocks with big crevices and gullies are characteristic of this reef north of Landers. The reef has a wall like formation that is approximately 6 meters high. Tropical fish like Trumpetfish, Geometric Moray Eel, Natal sea catfish, speckled shrimpfish, Batfish and False stonefish are just some of the species found here. There is a resident Loggerhead turtle that sleeps in one of the many caves and overhangs. This reef is also known as the Juvenile Nursery. Many species of hard and soft coral.

Cowry Reef:

Average Depth 19 - 25 Meters : Big boulders scattered around with sand patches in between and ledges with overhangs and small holes in the reef where Triggerfish hide. There are quite a number of different species of Cowry shells on this reef sitting next to or on the big sea sponges. Coral life consists of soft coral like Dead-man's finger, various colors of Polyp coral swinging in the surge, Black coral trees as well as Green Fern coral with clouds of Goldies swimming around it. Also be on the look out for Nudibranchs; various colors and sizes. Hard coral consists of Smooth horned coral and Leather coral.

Outside Landers:

Average Depth 20 - 28 Meters: A wall of reef that run from North to South. On the ledge you can find Pinnacles that form an enclosure for marine life. The boulders create nice swim through's and gullies. Most of the common tropical fish species seen here although this is one of the deeper dives and there tend to be thermo clines here and there. Batfish, Fusiliers, Ragged Tooth Sharks, Nudibranchs and Rock Lobsters are a common sight amongst the many coral species.

Umzamai wall:

Average Depth 23 - 39 Meters: Huge boulders, with big crevices, scattered rocks and gullies to swim through. On the inshore side there is a wall almost 20 meters high with ledges and a cave on the northern side. Large black coral trees, Polyp coral, White and Pink Thistle coral, Green Fern coral and lots more to be seen on this untouched reef. The fish in this area are inquisitive and not used to divers. Big Moorish Idols, Snappers, Triggerfish, Model Tobies, & Boxy's.

The Middle Rhein Valley consists of a 65-km stretch of magnificence castles and vineyards continuously amazing people. It has served as one of the most important transport routes in Europe for two millennia and continues to exchange between the Mediterranean region and the north.

In the Upper Middle Rhein Valley the physical beauty consists of the steep hillsides that vault up from the river, the dense forests, and near the southern end of the landscape lays Lorelei. The combination of the history, architecture, water traffic and beautiful physicality and view of the River make it a place that appeals to everybody.

When many people hear about the Rhein Valley, the first thing that comes to mind is Lorelei. Lorelei is a 435-foot-high slate rock that vaults out of the river marking one of the narrowest and most difficult sections to see. Because of where the area it is located, in history it has been regarded as a treacherous part of the river.

The legend is that there was once a beautiful young woman named Lorelei. She threw herself from the top of the Rhein Valley into the river in despair over a faithless lover. Upon her death she was transformed into a siren and from that time on has been heard singing on the rock along the River, near St. Goar.

Her singing drew sailors' eyes up to hear her enchanting songs during crucial times. The ending result was many boats crashing and men dying because of the very rock that lies on the southern end of the Upper Middle Rhein Valley. It is because of this legend that the rock of Lorelei has become so feared yet so historical over time.

On a brighter note, one of the most beautiful parts is the vineyards that owe their existence to the Rhein River. The vineyards flow past the wide fertile valley of the Baden vineyards, and produce some of the finest quality wine and grapes in the world. Aside from the wine and grapes that are produced, the vineyards put a sense of ease to the soul and provide an enchanting and peaceful feel to the overall essence of the Rhein Valley.

While there are a number of tourist attractions in Germany because of the hundreds of castles that lie throughout, the Rhein Valley has much to offer in a small stretch. From the castles to the historical towns, the Lorelei to the amazing vineyards, this amazing destination has every bit to offer you plus some.

In January, Brad Pitt and wife Angelina Jolie visited Panama to see the construction site and scale model of the building to be inaugurated in 2008 as the Biodiversity Museum, designed by Frank O. Ghery. The Pitts enjoyed lunch and studied the scale model for over an hour, appreciating the different views the building will soon have. Brad and Angelina also explored the Casco Viejo, wandering among the spectacular colonial buildings, and then set off to spend the night in the Anton Valley, located in the country's interior about a two hour drive from Panama City. The national press speculated that Pitt and Jolie considered investing in Panama real estate while touring the country.

In March, Mel Gibson visited Panama, presumably to scout locations for production of his next film. During his five days in Panama, he explored various hotel properties, including Gamboa, Villa Camilla in Azueros, Bocas del Toro, Darien and Playa Bonita, each beach locations or in close proximity to the ocean. It has been rumored that Mel Gibson had a meeting with a real estate agent in Panama, though we cannot say for sure what transpired.

Miguel Bose, the Panamanian born Spanish singer, recently visited and bought a condominium in a luxurious building located in the interior of Panama. The condominium is on the beach and possesses a spectacular ocean view. However, we are not sure if he bought the condo as an investment or for personal use.

Without a doubt, the first months of the year have been interesting for Panama. Though the country is small, in a couple of years it may be more likely to spot a celebrity here than on the streets of Hollywood.

Learn more about Panama Real Estate on Latin America Real Estate TV!