Travel Tips for the Ultra Chic From Our Travel Diva, Ava Adventure travel ... in style! To all the Tortoisettes out there, this one's for you! Naturally you want to look your fabulous self during your ultimate road trip so we're spilling our secrets to help you look like the glamorous road warrior you are. Here are some helpful tips on staying beautiful and comfortable on you next adventure. Dry Shampoo: This is amazing stuff and you just need a tiny bit to sprinkle at the roots. Forget heavy shampoo/conditioner bottles, they will only weigh you down. If you're on a longer trip, consider trial size packets for one time use mid-trip to revitalize those gorgeous locks as well. "Yes to Cucumbers": Makeup removing and cleansing towelettes. These are refreshing and you will smell and feel delicious! Scented dryer sheets: If you need to use clothing more than once (which you should be, we are camping after all!), pack your clothing with some dryer sheets in between to keep your clothes smelling fresh. Roll them up with them after uses. Dry, static hair? No problem - just swipe with one of these and calm those locks down! Cotton knit sundress: is a good staple for your travel wardrobe, especially if your trip offers you a city stop and a night out on the town. A hat: Maybe even two. Keep the sun off your face with a big floppy sunhat; the ones that you can crush without consequence. Also great for bad hair days. Sea salt deodorant: Awesome and natural! Works on everything..underarms, stinky shoes, fabric, etc. Unfortunately it does nothing for those corny driver jokes, ha! Carry minimal makeup: Allow your skin to go Au Natural. Maybe a little tinted moisturizer with an SPF. And don't forget your regular sunscreen which is a must! Burt's Bees lip Shimmer: Fantastic to add a little color and moisture for those pouty lips. A Cotton pashmina: Mine has a million uses ... Sunbathing wrap, shoulder coverup for those sunny hikes or an extra layer around the neck for those chilly campfire nights. With these tips you're sure to be a smash on the trail, in a hot springs or by the campfire. Guys - all you need to do is bring chocolate ... Bars of chocolate to share with the ladies for some instant friends!

Ten Things to Bring on an Adventure Vacation

Spring is here and with it comes dreams of warm weather, the promise of summer, and travel to new and exciting places. Preparing for a journey can be daunting at times, so here's a handy list of some items that you may not have planned to take, but probably should.

1. Loop wallet/Money belt – Need we say more about this? Keep your valuables secure at all times with this hidden pouch.
2. Pillow case – Pillows are bulky and can take up a lot of space, but you can bring the case and then fashion a pillow out of clothes. Or, use it to add an additional layer on a questionable offering in your not-so-luxury accommodations.
3. Notebook/pens – Sure you think you'll always remember the details of your trip, but this handy item will guarantee you'll still have the name of that sweetie you met in D.C and are planning to reunite with in San Francisco.
4. Day pack – For those times when you want more than what's in your wallet.
5. Sleeping bag liner – If you've ever been to a hostel besides the Green Tortoise, this needs no explanation.
6. Novel – be it electronic or print, this will help on those long flights when you end up sitting next to someone not particularly interesting.
7. Flashlight/Headlamp – You're snuggled up, ready to snooze and suddenly remember you've forgotten something in your luggage. No worries, you wont be fumbling around in the dark when you have this along.
8. Sewing Kit – Repair a hole in your trousers, the loose button on your favorite shirt, or a rip in your day pack, this kit might just save you more one than it costs! Be sure to include safety pins and a larger needle for bigger jobs.
9. Floss – Not just for your teeth, the super-strong fibers can be used to tied things together or used with a needle for a quick, heavy-duty repair.
10. First aid kit – Treat minor wounds on the spot, blast a hangover headache, or solve an indigestion dilemma without ruining your day. Antibacterial cream, painkillers, bandages, antiseptic and indigestion remedies are among the important items in your kit.

Ready for an adventure, but not quite sure where to go?  Check out some destination ideas at Green Tortoise Adventure Travel, or call 415 956-7500 and we'll be happy to help plan your next holiday!

Spring is for Travel!

Easter Vacation

Still scrambling to make holiday plans?

Upcoming Baja and Mexico Tours: Fri, Mar 29 - Sun, Apr 07 9-Day Baja Tour

It's beginning to look a lot like springtime ...

Hammock swaying in the gentle ocean breeze, hummingbirds hovering over desert wildflowers, warm sea waters bathing you as you go for a leisurely swim ...

Wait, this isn't what your spring holidays will be like?

Well, it can be! The Green Tortoise still has space on the upcoming Baja Beach Daze 9-day trip!

Escape the cold weather, the candy tooth-ache, and the brunch blahs. Come to Baja where the sand, sun, and sea will rejuvenate your spirit and will create memories that will last a lifetime.

You'll meet new friends to have adventures with, share some incredible gourmet meals together and maybe even form some new holiday traditions!

Come by yourself or bring your loved ones ... either way, you'll be following your dreams of travel and adventure!

Contact us and book your spot today - 415 956 7500 Ext 1. We will be happy to help you!

Top 10 tips for Winter Travel

Getting there and away may be more complicated than you imagine during the winter months. Winter storms, ill tempers and heavy luggage stuffed with overcoats and boots are just a few details that can cause delays on any leg of your journey. While many airlines will allow a free change in your itinerary due to weather conditions, the simple task of changing a flight can take an hour or more on the phone. And your new flight may not be so pleasant (think jam-packed with travelers desperate to reach their destination after a canceled or delayed flight).



So why go at all during the winter? Outdoor activities, visiting family or just plain getting out of town can be an alluring reason to travel during the frosty months. If you've decided to take on the challenge of winter travel, here's a few simple tips to help keep your journey a smooth one.

1) Know the weather. It seems simple enough, but check the weather of your destination AND all of your connecting cities.

2) Check your flight status early and often. Also check for notices that the airline puts in their website. Often there are special offers to switch flights well in advance of an approaching storm.

3) Do NOT wait until the day of the storm to switch flights. Be proactive and take care of the details as early as possible.

4) Use the internet to do as much as possible. Wait times on the phone can exceed an hour during foul weather. If possible reserve your seats early.

5) Consider alternate transportation if you cannot reschedule. Trains or buses can be an excellent alternative.

6) Pack smart - bring your large overcoat on board with you. It makes more room in your luggage for other items, and you'll be prepared for weather when you arrive. You might consider wearing your bulkiest shoes for the same reason . .

7) Take advantage of free luggage services. If your airline offers free checked baggage, great! If not, ask at the gate if there is an option to "gate check" your luggage. The airline may offer early boarding as a reward for this convenient way to offload your roll-away.

8) Be prepared for the delays that may occur. Books to read, games for the kids, meals and/or snacks are all a good idea to bring. Remember you could be "stranded" at an airport for 24 hours!

9) Take your vitamins. Preparing yourself physically for your upcoming travel should be high on your list. Start weeks in advance so your immune system is in tip-top shape by the time your trip comes around. It is flu and cold season after all . . .

10) Inform your family or friends of any changes in travel plans or flight status. No sense in having others worry.

Fit for Travel

Enjoy a Healthier Adventure!

For many people maintaining a steady weight while traveling is difficult -- location changes, sleep pattern disruptions, climate variations, and tempting foods can all help pack on pound after pound during a vacation.

Taking off a week from working out wont break the scale, but any longer than that may allow those dastardly fat cells to set up camp on that flat belly. Here are a few tips to keep you healthier on your vacation and help you avoid bringing back an unwanted souvenir.

1. Rest. Your days can be packed with non-stop excitement, but leave plenty of time to get in 8 hours a night. You'll have energy the next day to experience even more fun!
2. Limit alcohol. Not only are alcoholic beverages packed with calories, but studies show that chemical changes happen in your body that will increase the size of your gut.
3. Water. Water will help you to feel full and might help you eat less. It also has no calories (unlike sugary sodas and "hydration" drinks).
4. Ditch the "All You Can Eat" syndrome. Avoid piling your plate to the sky with food and grubbing down quickly so you can pack in a second helping. Instead think "All You Should Eat" and go easy on the serving sizes.
5. Stay active. During long drives, do crunches, squats, push-ups or isometric exercises (contracting your muscles without moving). Make it a point to walk, hike or swim daily or as often as possible.

Chasing Waterfalls ...

Yosemite National Park in California has the world's highest concentration!

June is a fantastic time to explore waterfalls. Warmer weather and sunny days encourage a dip in the pools below a waterfall, while the water flow is still high enough for some spectacular sightseeing. (The term "fall" is used to indicate a sheer drop waterfall; "falls" is used when there are multiple drops.)

Yosemite National Park in California has a highest concentration of major waterfalls in the world. From any point in Yosemite Valley, you can see a waterfall -- in some places you can view as many as FOUR!

Bridalveil, Vernal and Nevada falls are the most popular, while Upper Yosemite and Ribbon are among the world highest. At 2425 feet (739 m) from the top of the upper fall to the base of the lower fall, Yosemite falls ranks 5th highest in the world!

Waterfalls form by erosion; centuries of fast flowing water carrying rocks and other debris, course along a path causing rocks to flake off and recede. With some of the most dramatic waterfalls, valleys and sheer vertical cliffs were formed by glaciers. The rivers run into these valleys and plummet to the valley floor below creating a breathtaking display.

With two- and three-day tours departing every week, getting to Yosemite is easier than ever -- just hop on one of our Yosemite adventures if you are in San Francisco, or contact us and let us help plan your trip.

Cheap Eats! How to chow down while traveling on a budget.

Boston and San Francisco are bustling U.S. cities, each with a local charm and personality that escapes most highly populated metropolitan areas. Situated on harbors with chilly sea water, they have distinctive skylines and scenic bridges over bays, rivers, and deltas.

Unfortunately they both also have inexplicably high prices during this downturned economy.

So what do you do when you are traveling on a budget and want to chow down on some local food without emptying your bank account and selling off your luggage?

Cheap eats.  Many restaurant-bars run specials on weekdays -- an invitation to fill yourself with satisfying food and socialize with other patrons.  But while $2 Taco Tuesdays are a great bargain, beware of the temptation to wash them down with a couple of drinks.  Beer, wine, mixed drinks and sodas may be especially high priced to offset the food cost.  Plus you may end up spending more than you thought if those tacos are mere morsels that require a dozen to fill you.

A better option is to look further than the popular tourist areas.  Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco for example, is a must see, but eat before you go or you'll be subject to average food at above average prices.  A better bet is to visit "the mission" first where a number of locales serve burritos as big as your head for a fraction of what you'd pay on the waterfront.

Chinatown is another option -- numerous small restaurants offer amazing cuisine for just a few bucks.  Both Boston and San Francisco have a Chinatown, by the way.

If you have the time, seek out the restaurants near the colleges and universities.  Pricing and portion size will likely be scaled to fit the college-sized budget and appetite.  If your hostel or hotel has a refrigerator, save half your meal for the next day . . . unless you can eat it all on the spot, that is!  

As always a little research goes a long way.  Websites such as chowhound, Yelp, tripadvisor, and urbanspoon have numerous suggestions and reviews from users that have discovered food nirvana and want to share their knowledge.

If you don't have time to get online, try these local favorites:   Galleria Umberto (Hanover st North End, Boston) stuff yourself with divine pizza and other Italian specialties for under $5.

El Farolito (Mission district, San Francisco) for burritos as big as your head -- and other Mexican fare. 

Happy travels and Bon Apetit!

To get to Boston and San Francisco, check out our USA Expedition Cross-Country Adventure. See both coasts and everything in between on this trek across America! Happy travels ... and Bon Apetit!