eXploreGuru - your travel guide…

Ecotourism benefits the environment, local economies, and visitors by emphasizing responsible travel. From stand-alone activities to ecologically aware resorts, many worldwide destinations offer ways to reduce negative effects on the environment while at the same time enjoying unique travel experiences. (more…)

Planning a trip to France with the kids but don’t know where to go? Looking for theme park excitement in Europe to rival that of America? Then why not visit Paris – not only is it one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but it also has two great theme parks nearby, which kids will love. (more…)

Washington State is known for its beautiful forests and mountains, providing a breath of fresh air, where relaxation comes naturally. Combining the breathtaking beauty of the great outdoors, while also providing quick access to the Pacific Ocean, it’s easy to see why Seattle has grown into such a popular city. What better way to enjoy the Pacific Northwest, then to treat yourself or your family to one of the many fine bed and breakfasts spread throughout the state.

In Washington State you’ll find a lot of bed and breakfasts that are built in the Victorian style, surrounded by evergreen trees amongst lush gardens and rolling hills. The Pacific Northwest is known for its hospitality, so expect a friendly greeting and a warm smile when you arrive, as well as affordable prices. (more…)

Bordered by forests and the grand estuary of the Gironde in Southwest France is one of the world’s most revered wine growing regions - The Medoc. Literally a stone’s throw away from the magnificent city of Bordeaux the Medoc wine growing region stretches up along the Medoc Peninsula for approximately 45 miles. Immaculately groomed vineyards await, steeped in a history of grape cultivation that has led to the production of many vintage red Medoc-Bordeaux wines during the last few centuries.
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Normally when you think Safari you think Big 5. The spotlight or limelight is traditionally on lions, cheetah or elephants. But when do the birds get some of the attention?

With outlandish names like the Chestnut-Vented Tit-Babbler and the Jameson’s Firefinch, just imagine what some of these eccentric buzzards actually look like? What strange frequencies dart from their beaks and why is it that people call them by such far-out names? (more…)

69, 70,71, 72. I am trying to count the Griffon Vulture’s as they glide effortlessly on their 2m. wingspan over the top of the mountains opposite my home.

Earlier I was checking the damage to our vegetable patch as the wild bosr were here again last night and they seem to have taken a shine to my husband’s carrots!
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I recently visited the San Diego Zoo, and it was much more fun than I expected it to be. First off, the price was very reasonable. When you get there you have the option to buy the regular Zoo ticket or the deluxe ticket. I paid around $30 for the deluxe ticket which seemed like a deal to me since I am used to paying around $50 for Disneyland and Sea World tickets. The deluxe ticket is definitely worth the extra ten dollars. It consists of a 40-minute guided tour, unlimited access to the express bus that takes you from place to place, and unlimited access to the aerial tram. (more…)

To get the most out of a wildebeest migration safari you need to know where the best places along the migration route are, the times you need to be in certain areas and who the top safari companies are.

The Best Spots On the Migration Route

Have you ever seen those wildlife documentaries that show masses of wildebeest swimming across a river being shadowed and sometimes dragged under by huge crocodiles or drowning because of the crush and fatigue? (more…)

We’ve all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and a few companies are now offering the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing?

Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales during the cetacean’s annual migration from July to October. This activity sounds appealing, yet there are a number of things to consider. (more…)

Badlands National Park in South Dakota consists of 244,000 acres of sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires. Over 11,000 years of human history can be found within the sod layers while 30-65 million-year-old fossils erode out of the rocks. Known locally to the Lakota Sioux as “mako sica” the area was first called “badlands” by early French trappers due to the difficulty of travel and the lack of water.

Badlands Trivia (more…)