• Travel,  WorldWide

    ‘Adventure Travel’ Is Booming Amongst Middle-Aged Women

    Women make up over half of the bookings with adventure travel companies, according to data from the Adventure Travel Trade Association. A global study of 1,000 women found that adventure travel was the most sought-after type of travel among those over age 50. To get some inspiration, here are a few trip offerings from top adventure travel companies. You’ll start to notice that a trip doesn’t have to be as physically challenging as you might expect, it may simply include an outdoor activity that is out of your usual routine.

    • Fly-and-Cruise Antarctica: Avoid the turbulent waters of the Drake Passage and reach Antarctica faster by booking an early season fly-and-cruise expedition through Adventure Life. Begin the eight-day trip in Punta Arenas, Chile, then fly two hours to King George Island, board the Magellan Explorer and cruise among the icebergs, penguins, seals, and whales of the white continent. https://www.adventure-life.com/antarctica/cruises/13000/classic-antarctica-air-cruise
    • Trekking Amalfi and Capri: Experience the pure magic of Italy’s Amalfi Coast and the enchanting nearby island of Capri on this seven-day hiking tour offered by Tourissimo. The fragrant lemon groves and vibrant flowers, the gentle breeze of the Mediterranean Sea, the verdant woods, and the picturesque towns perched on cliff slopes will captivate guests, much like the Sirens’ song that lured Ulysses’ sailors in Homer’s “Odyssey.” https://www.tourissimo.travel/amalfi-capri-positano-hiking
    • Mountain Bike Canyonlands: Utah’s 100-mile White Rim Trail loops in and out of a multi-colored array of spires, arches, buttes and mesas carved by the Green and Colorado Rivers. Guests spend the majority of this four-day mountain biking and camping tour with Escape Adventures riding the famous off-road route, while detouring to admire hidden slot canyons, natural rock arches and ancient Puebloan ruins. https://escapeadventures.com/tour/utah-white-rim-mountain-bike-tour/

    • Spain Gravel Riding: Join The Cycling House on a seven-day tour of world-class roads or less-traveled gravel paths surrounding the beautiful walled city of Girona, Spain. Girona has become a cycling mecca thanks to the many professionals who call it home between grand tours, and gravel riding there has grown tremendously in recent years, with miles of dirt roads ready to be explored. Enjoy cycling routes along the rugged Costa Brava, through farmlands and vineyards, and into the foothills of the Pyrenees, as well as accommodations in a large villa, chef-prepared meals with authentic Spanish ingredients and a few favorite local restaurants. https://thecyclinghouse.com/
    • Historic Arizona Ranch Stay: Located north of Phoenix, the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has been hosting travelers for more than 100 years. Explore the cactus forests, slot canyons, sandy washes and rocky ridges of the Sonoran Desert and the Hassayampa River on a guided horseback ride or UTV tour, try cattle work, sport shooting or archery, or go for a hike, then unwind with a swim in the pool or a cold drink in the adobe lodge. https://www.kayelbar.com/

    • Amazon Autumn Adventure: Experience the astounding biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest during a stay at Ecuador’s Sacha Lodge. The 5,000-acre private ecological reserve surrounding the lodge is home to more than 600 bird species and other wildlife, providing guests an up-close opportunity to learn about the rainforest from naturalists and native Quechua guides. https://www.sachalodge.com/

    • Puglia Cycling Tour: From the Adriatic Sea to the Trulli of Alberobello, enjoy stunning scenery and world-class cuisine on a seven-day cycling tour of Italy’s Puglia region with Tourissimo. Bordered on two sides by the Ionian and Adriatic seas, Puglia is the sliver of land that stretches along Italy’s heel, offering some of the best riding, food and wine in the country. https://www.tourissimo.travel/puglia
    • Yellowstone Horseback Fly Fishing: Travel by horseback into Yellowstone National Park’s interior and cast for trout on seldom-fished streams guided by the experts at Flying Pig Adventures. Whether it’s for a few hours or a full day, a family or a group of friends, Flying Pig will handle all the details for a unique Yellowstone fishing excursion. https://www.flyingpigrafting.com/flyfishing-montana

    • National Parks by RV: National parks saw huge crowds over the summer, but fall is a wonderful time to visit for less traffic and pleasant temperatures. Blacksford rents fully stocked luxury overland adventure vehicles with all-inclusive pricing that provides unlimited miles, bedding, kitchen and bath supplies, Wi-Fi, a free annual pass to the national parks and 24-hour roadside assistance. https://www.blacksford.com/
    • Jackson Hole Glamping: Wyoming’s Fireside Resort offers twenty-five luxuriously outfitted tiny house rental units designed by Wheelhaus just a short distance from Grand Teton National Park and the Jackson Hole ski slopes, making it the perfect place to stay for a fall getaway or winter ski trip. https://www.firesidejacksonhole.com/

    • Fall Galapagos Adventure: Fall is one of the best times of year to visit Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, particularly when it comes to wildlife and weather. The Finch Bay Galapagos Hotel has joined forces with Scalesia Galapagos Lodge to offer a new weeklong program that includes day trips aboard the yacht Sea Lion, glamping in luxury tents on Isabela Island and visits to remote locations that highlight the incredible diversity of the archipelago. https://www.scalesialodge.com/
    • Fall in Big Sky: A visit to Big Sky, Montana, and stay at The Wilson Hotel offers the opportunity for fall adventures in Yellowstone country. With elk bugling and pockets of aspen trees turning golden amid the green forest, hike, and mountain bike the trails surrounding town, fish the Gallatin River or take one last tour of Yellowstone National Park’s natural wonders before roads close for the season. https://thewilsonhotel.com

    • Alaska Northern Lights Adventure: On Gondwana Ecotours’ eight-day Alaska Northern Lights Adventure, guests will get a dose of local culture by day, then photograph the aurora borealis at night. Highlights of the tour include dogsledding through snowy forests, taking curling lessons from locals, enjoying a meal with homesteaders, soaking in a geothermal hot spring, learning how to photograph the aurora borealis, snowshoeing on private land, having tea with a family of reindeer herders and more. https://www.gondwanaecotours.com/adventure-tours/northern-lights-tour-fairbanks-alaska/
  • WorldWide

    NEW Amazon Birding Tours on Private Ecological Reserve

    Sacha Lodge, an easily accessible 5000-acre private ecological reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon, is thrilled to announce an array of NEW private birding itineraries. Of the 1,600 bird species registered in Ecuador, 600 have been seen at Sacha Lodge. For avid bird watchers, Sacha Lodge will provide specialist filed guides who know the best spots for the hard-to-find species and can easily identify them by sight and sound. Guests will spot an average of 60 distinct species of birds per day. Highlights of the new birding itineraries include the only Canopy Exploration Crane in the Amazon, nighttime expeditions, the Yasuni Parrot Clay Lick, the 940-foot-long Canopy Walk, the 360-degree panoramic Kapok Tower, and more. Itineraries can be found here. For more info, visit https://www.sachalodge.com/.

    Birders rejoice at the tremendous diversity of avian species found at Sacha Lodge. The lodge’s location in upper Amazonia among various habitats makes it an ideal environment for even the rarest birds. What was once a trip only for true adventurers and explorers has become accessible to everyone. Travelers no longer need to rough the elements of the rainforest to be immersed in the world of colors and calls of hundreds of Amazon birds. With itineraries designed to highlight the most popular species around the lodge, even the least experienced birders can spot these winged creatures.

    Sacha Lodge is located on the broad meander plain between the Napo River and the Aguarico River, which offers a wetland environment of blackwater inlets, oxbow lakes, and palm-rich swamp-forest. This is ideal for birds since it provides the perfect balance of diverse fruits and insects for their diets and makes for ideal nesting in all levels of the sturdy trees of the rainforest. The trails and boardwalks traverse swamp forests and varzea (seasonal floodplains), which allows visitors to go deep into otherwise inaccessible parts of this pristine jungle environment.

    The crown jewel of Sacha’s birding experience is the 360-degree panoramic Kapok Tower, the Canopy Walk, and the Canopy Exploration Crane. Just a few years ago, these towers and cranes did not exist at Amazon lodges, meaning that beyond the sounds, birders were left to their imaginations as far as what these canopy-dwelling birds looked like. Sacha Lodge was among the first Amazon lodges to build a tower into the canopy and is the only lodge with a Canopy Exploration Crane, providing exclusive access to a part of the rainforest that is still largely undiscovered.

    Some of the rarest bird species expected to be seen at Sacha Lodge include Zigzag Heron, Scarlet-Shouldered Parrotlet, Lanceolated Monklet, Collared Puffbird, Rufous-headed Woodpecker, Short-billed Leaftosser, Dot-backed Antbird, Ochre-striped Antpitta, Chestnut-belted Gnateater, and Orange-crested Manakin.

    In addition to birds, bats, tiny pygmy marmosets, and giant otters call the reserve home, a space six times the size of New York’s Central Park. Creatures of all shapes and sizes live happily around the lodge – look out for Lucy the Caiman on her morning patrol and the families of monkeys chattering by the rooms. With luxurious beds, hot water showers, ceiling fans, and bug-proofed windows, Sacha Lodge offers spectacular nature experiences with all the amenities of a luxury resort. Watch giant otters duck, dive, and call to each other as you eat breakfast; caimans glide under the walkway as you head back to your room; monkeys chatter outside your balcony; and giant sloths hang on trees by the cabins.

    About Sacha Lodge: Located in the largest private reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon, Sacha Lodge includes 5,000 acres of pristine rainforest. Not only does this provide a vast conservation area, free from mining, drilling, hunting, and logging; it offers guests an incredible and authentic Amazon experience. Set on the tranquil Pilchicocha lagoon, the lodge is a beautiful base to spot monkeys, river otters, three-toed sloths, a multitude of reptiles and amphibians, and hundreds of species of birds. Adventures can be done on foot, by boat, or up in the treetops via the Canopy Walk, the Kapok Tower or the Canopy Crane. https://sachalodge.com/

     

  • Eco,  Fashion,  Gift Guide,  Los Angeles,  New York,  WorldWide

    Voice of the Vanishing puts its money where its mouth is with sustainable activewear that directly saves endangered species

    It’s time to swap fast fashion for activewear with an environmental edge. Voice of the Vanishing is the clothing line that serves as a catalyst for ending wildlife extinction. Where designers combine on-trend, effortless looks with eco-friendly, high-quality materials made in the US and unique graphics, Voice of the Vanishing delivers on its mission daily to save near-extinct wildlife.

    “It has always been my passion to support brands that make an impact. Voice of the Vanishing is such a special project in that it puts customers in control of how they too make an impact. We’re not just green fashion, we’re an activewear company putting the future first; putting half of our profits into Ark 15 so that treasured wildlife can overcome endangerment, one garment at a time,” said Jared Turner, CEO of Voice of the Vanishing.

    The Vanishing Women’s Hoodie

    Simple and effortless with elegant detailing, this Hoodie truly expresses the urgency of saving critically-endangered species all over the world.

    Always Earth-first, this hoodie is made of 100% organic cotton.

    Note: Organic yarns will have some small marks (specks) that are visible. These marks are caused by the seeds and plant matter in the fabric. These are normal and are an inherent trait of organic fabric.

    Made in the USA.

      • Set-in ribbed collar
      • Shoulder-to-shoulder taping
      • Unisex Classic design
      • Side seams
      • Blind stitching on sleeves and bottom hem
      • Satin neck label
      • Machine wash cold. Do not bleach. Tumble dry low


    What is Ark 15?
    Ark 15 is a Voice of the Vanishing initiative that steers the brand’s resources to save 15 species found on the critically endangered species list. Critical endangerment classifies animals that will be completely wiped out in the next few years if nothing is done. So, Voice of the Vanishing is doing something by donating 51% of its profits to support the animals on its list. The money is donated to conservation organizations around the world to develop nature reserves, combat poaching, spread awareness and more.

    Ark 15 includes: Blue-Throated Macaw, Malayan Tiger, Black Rhino, Forest Elephant, Cross-River Gorilla, Brown Spider Monkey, Bornean Orangutan, Hawksbill Turtle, Kakapo, North Atlantic Right Whale, Northern White-Cheeked Gibbon, Panama Golden Frog, Philippines Eagle, Pygmy Three-Toed Sloth, and the Sunda Pangolin.

    • Through each purchase of Voice of the Vanishing’s sustainably sourced, ethically manufactured activewear apparel, customers support reputable organizations on the front lines of species preservation. Voice of the Vanishing specializes in women’s, men’s and vintage kids’ styles with all the staples, from tees to hoodies and accessories.

    To shop Voice of the Vanishing, check out their online shop. For more information about Voice of the Vanishing, visit them online and follow on Instagram.

     

  • Technology,  WorldWide

    Wacom Accelerates the Advancement of the Creative Technology Industry with the Expansion of its Best-in-Class Cintiq Pro Product Line

    Wacom continues to make history as part of its 40th anniversary by announcing the expansion of its elite Wacom Cintiq Pro product line: the Wacom Cintiq Pro 17 and Wacom Cintiq Pro 22 join the Wacom Cintiq Pro 27 as the industry standard bearing digital pen displays for professional creatives in cutting-edge creative fields that demand the most advanced technology.

    TOKYO and PORTLAND, Ore. and DÜSSELDORF, Germany, Oct. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — In keeping with 40 years of technology leadership, Wacom, the pioneer of digital pen technology, announces the Wacom Cintiq Pro 17 and Wacom Cintiq Pro 22, two additions to the Cintiq Pro family. These new pen displays share the same revolutionary technology of the recently introduced Wacom Cintiq Pro 27: the most advanced color-accurate displays capable of producing 1.07 billion colors, an industry leading refresh rate of 120Hz which can lower pen latency, and the fully customizable Pro Pen 3.

    Wacom Cintiq Pro 22: The Perfect Digital Pen Display for Artists

    Wacom Cintiq Pro: The Centerpiece of the Advanced Professional Creative Studio

    The color critical workflows of today and tomorrow such as VFX and CG, as well as professional animation, illustration, design and photography and the desires of students and teachers in creative education, provide the foundation for the new Cintiq Pro 17 and 22. The Cintiq Pro 22 features a 21.5″ screen for those who need more screen real estate while the Cintiq Pro 17 offers a more compact 17.3″ display. Both 4K resolution displays are capable of displaying 1.07 billion colors, and feature sublime color coverage including: 100% Rec. 709, and 99% DCI-P3 coverage – the color gamuts used most frequently in Video, Film and Broadcast production. Both products are also Pantone® and Pantone SkinTone Validated meeting the Pantone standard for accurately displaying the entire range of human skin tones. In many cases, with this level of accuracy, the need for a second color reference monitor is eliminated from the color-critical workflows of today and tomorrow.

    The Cintiq Pro 17 and 22 also feature HDR Gamma support. They are equipped with HLG (hybrid log-gamma) and the PQ (perceptual quantization) curve for displaying and editing HDR (high dynamic range) video content. The optimized gamma curves render images to appear truer to how the human eye perceives the real world compared to SDR (standard dynamic range).

    Why Wacom Cintiq Pro is the premium digital art tool.

    For the Premium Touch: Pro Pen 3, ExpressKeys, Multi-touch Gestures

    Wacom’s 40 years of partnership with artists led to the finely tuned tactile experience of the Cintiq Pro line, which ensures an ergonomic, intuitive experience. The fully customizable Pro Pen 3 allows artists to change the grip size, button configuration and weighting of the pen based on their unique needs. Both displays have eight ExpressKeys along the back edges of the displays, which artists can customize according to their preferred shortcuts. And for artists who wish to have even more control and customization in their workflow, the Cintiq Pro 17 and 22 both come with multi-touch support, allowing artists to program specific gestures as shortcuts or develop virtual buttons for added workflow efficiency. Pros who want to further customize their desk set-up can purchase separately a Wacom stand specifically designed to enhance the creative experience or attach their Cintiq Pro to compatible 3rd party arms or stands.

    “The Cintiq Pro product family was developed in partnership with artists, game designers and video producers who are pushing technology forward. We watched artists work; we asked what they needed and what they hoped for. We integrated their desires and the needs of their intensive workflow into the Cintiq Pro line for a pen display that meets their needs today, and exceeds their desires in the future,” says Faik Karaoglu, Executive Vice President for the Branded Business Unit at Wacom.

    Wacom’s innovation continues to set the pace for the industry and to enhance the workflows of professional creatives. To address the challenges of remote working in a creative environment, Wacom is blazing a new trail with Project Mercury. Currently in limited preview, Project Mercury will radically advance working with professional pen tablets and pen displays on supported remote desktop connections. Visit wacom.com to become a tester and learn more.

    Wacom Cintiq Pro product line featuring the Wacom Cintiq Pro 17, 27 and 22.

    Prices and availability
    In the US, the Wacom Cintiq Pro 17 will be widely available in retail, including Amazon, Best Buy and the Wacom estore for $2,499.95 starting October 19, 2023. The Wacom Cintiq Pro 22 will be priced at $2,999.95 and available for retail purchase including Amazon, Best Buy and the Wacom estore in December 2023.

    In Canada, the Wacom Cintiq Pro 17 will be widely available in retail, including Amazon, Best Buy and the Wacom Canada estore for $3,379.95 CAD starting early November 2023. The Wacom Cintiq Pro 22 will be priced at $4,049.95 CAD and available for retail purchase in December 2023.

    Wacom Technology Services, Corp. Logo. (PRNewsFoto/Wacom Technology Services, Corp.)

    About Wacom

    Wacom’s vision is to bring people and technology closer together through natural interface technologies. This has made it the world’s leading manufacturer of interactive pen tablets and displays as well as of digital styli and solutions for saving and processing digital signatures. The advanced technology of Wacom’s intuitive input devices has been used to create some of the most exciting digital art, films, special effects, fashion and designs around the world and provides business and home users with their leading interface technology to express their personality. Founded in 1983, Wacom is a global company based in Japan (Tokyo Stock Exchange 6727) with subsidiaries and affiliate offices around the world to support marketing and distribution in over 150 countries. For further information about the products of Wacom, see also www.wacom.com.