We usually save the “it’s summer somewhere” stories for the horrors of mid-winter, but since much of the eastern United States has apparently been turned into Seattle, we’re thinking some of you may have forgotten what a genuine sunny day looks like.

So we like the Seychelles’ online tourism campaign, which includes just about all you need to convince someone to go to the Seychelles—a continuously updated webcam focused on Mahe Island’s Beau-Vallon Beach, a 3-mile-long, Northwest-facing stretch of idyllic white sand that looks to be beach heaven on earth.

The beach cam, along with another focused on the Seychelles’ bustling Victoria Market, is updated every 15 seconds, so you can pretty much just sit there and drool through the entire work day. Watch long enough and you might even see some pirates.

Related Stories:
· The Seychelles Webcam [Official Site]
· Seychelles For Everyone Now, Not Just Royalty [Jaunted]
· Prince William Sneaks To Seychelles [Jaunted]

[Photo: Oliver Cochard-Labbe] ]]> BS 2009-06-25T09:22:17-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/15/94213/3345

Last time we checked in with the Seychelles, Prince William was jetting off there to meet with girlfriend Kate Middleton (now the presumed princess-elect) beyond the reach of the British paparazzi. But just royalty won't pay the bills, so now they're gunning for your dollar, whether or not you're hounded by photographers.

The Indian Ocean islands will launch their "Affordable Seychelles" campaign this week to promote trips for the rest of us. Rather than face an estimated 25 percent drop in revenues this year, the national tourism office is forging ahead with promotions on affordable hotels and package trips. So seriously are the Seychelles taking this initiative that they brought out Vice President Joseph Belmont just to introduce the new director of tourism marketing.

Of course, one might argue that the affordable Seychelles never went anywhere, with websites like Seychelles Secrets promising to reveal the islands' real deals. But we won't fault the country's being proactive until the inevitable moment when we find the properties on offer not so affordable.

Related Stories:
· Seychelles launches ‘Affordable Seychelles’ campaign [Agence de Press Africaine]
· Prince William Sneaks To Seychelles [Jaunted]
· Tourism Board Travel: Sri Lanka Is Safe, Minus The Tourism [Jaunted]

[Photo: Guillaume Paumier] ]]> egw 2009-03-17T13:58:07-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/3/9/105937/0146

Here, kitty kitty! It takes a lot of patience and a little luck to spot a lion in the wild on safari in Botswana, but all that hardship becomes worth it once a pride rolls into view.

The Chicago Sun-Times sent a writer to Southern Africa where he spotted a lioness, impalas, hippos and African fish eagles, all while staying in tents in the gorgeous Okavango Delta. The company that showed him these wonders? Wilderness Safaris, an ecotourist outfitter practicing minimal-impact camping on their trips through Botswana and other southern African countries.

We couldn't find a current rate for Wilderness Safaris' "Safari for all Seasons," but the company is offering a seventh night free if you pay for 6 nights. Not very recessionary, but if you're going to go on safari, best to do it in a way that when the economy improves, it'll still be there for the rest of us.

Related Stories:
· Delta force: Searching for lions on African safari [Chicago Sun-Times]
· Rhino Travel: Kenya is Back in Black [Jaunted]
· Amazing Race 7 Hotel Report: Botswana Safari Lodge [HC]

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On August 1, 1970, the ferry boat Christena foundered and sank off the Caribbean island of St. Kitts, victim to two open hatches and a passenger roster which packed the ship to nearly twice its official capacity. Nothing can erase the memory of the 233 Nevisians killed in the accident, but SCUBA divers will soon get the opportunity to explore the site of the Christena.

Scuba Safaris, operating on Nevis, already offers trips to explore another local wreck, the River Taw (a coastal freighter sunk in 1985 now covered in tube sponges) with single-tank dives starting at $65. Official packages for the Christena memorial dive haven't been posted yet, but the trips are expected to focus on the wealth of wildlife which has sprung up in the wake of the disaster -- the sea renewing itself and healing the ecosystem.

Related Stories:
· A Haunting Story (Remembering the Christena Disaster) [The Anguillian]
· Dive Into Nevis History [DiveNews.com]
· Scuba Courses [ScubaNevis.com]

[Photo: Harvey S. Cohen] ]]> egw 2009-03-02T16:26:14-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/25/93015/6608

As the Northern Hemisphere prepares for the arrival of spring, parts Southern await the harvest. The vines just starting to bud here are ripe for the picking in Argentina, where the annual Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in Mendoza celebrates those all-important first fruits.

Anytime is a good time to visit Mendoza's back-country wineries; it's basically the Napa Valley of South America. But during the fiesta nacional, which begins Saturday, the vines are blessed in the Benedicion de las frutas, and a queen of the vines is elected from among the local lovelies. And don't miss the Carrusel Vendimial, a combination dance and parade that fills the streets on March 7.

Oh yeah, and if you don't like all that pageantry, there's also plenty of wine available. We hear.

Related Stories:
· Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia schedule [Mendoza.gov.ar]
· Active Travel: Horsing Around on Beautiful Back Roads [Jaunted]
· Wine Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Dr Vino]]]> egw 2009-02-25T15:31:11-05:00 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/18/03830/6443

Make way for the pants-wettingly awesome: A Maui ranch has laid claim to holding the islands' longest zip line, and if you dare, go there!

At 2800 feet, Piiholo Ranch's new zip line is almost one-third longer than the one the teams in the last "Amazing Race" finale took. Soar over the tropical forest at 40 miles an hour with up to 4 friends after you've climbed a suspension bridge over the canopy. Sure looks gorgeous in the photos -- if only we could bear to look down!

All the fun you can stomach starts at $140 per person for a two-hour tour.

Related Stories:
· Zipline Tour Adventures [Piiholozipline.com]
· Amazing Race 13: "You Look Like Peter Pan" [Jaunted]
· Sandestin Resort Gets a Zip Line But Is That Enough? [HC]
· Summer Vacations With An Edge: Zip Lining In Texas [Jaunted]

[Photo: Piiholozipline.com] ]]> egw 2009-02-18T10:48:10-05:00 20.8332680 -156.28912 http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/10/214144/067

Wash that winter right out of your hair with a trip to western Australia's sandy beaches. This is the last good month of the season for windsurfing, so whether you're a novice or a pro, Perth wants you.

The harbor in Perth shields it from the most violent currents of the Indian Ocean. Safety Bay, despite its name, more for people who have windsurfed before, but try Pelican Point at Matilda Bay for an easy approach. Windforce Windsurfing School will give you three days of beginner weekday lessons for $150 (about $100).

We pulled up a round-trip fare of $1215 from Los Angeles to Perth on Qantas, but you could probably go for much cheaper by flying to Sydney or Melbourne and snagging a discount fare.

Related Stories:
· Windsurfing and Julia Roberts in Mexico [Jaunted]
· Five Reasons to Visit Perth [Jaunted]
· Perth Hotels [HC]

[Photo: asterbat]]]> egw 2009-02-11T16:16:03-05:00 Search Jaunted string http://www.jaunted.com/search/