Travel deals, hotel bargains, travel news | Theme Park Mom

The Riviera Maya eco-friendly resort, Hacienda Tres Ríos, received its second consecutive Green Globe Certification for distinguished sustainable tourism practices that preserve the environment.

After undergoing extensive review by Green Globe International and meeting the highest ecological standards of development, procedures, and operations, this 273-room, all inclusive luxury resort received the Green Hotel Certification. The Green Globe certification is an indication to travelers that a resort implements environmental safe practices.

“Not only did we receive recertification, but we did it with an incredible 95% compliance. I know of no other hotel in the world that has achieved such a high grade so soon after opening,” said Gabriel Santoyo, Chief Environmental Officer of Tres Ríos. Santoyo directed the practices that have enabled the resort to achieve this international recognition.

Romarico Arroyo Marroquin, Vicepresident of Development and financing of Tres Ríos received the Green Globe Certification from the Latinoamerican President of Green Globe Mexico, Romeo Dominguez, during a special ceremony in Hacienda Tres Ríos Resort Friday morning. Arroyo Marroquin emphasized the significant effort involved in ensuring that the group’s most luxurious resort meets strict environmental quality standards in Mexico and abroad.

“Tres Ríos started as an ecological park. From that point forward, we have continued to follow new and established standards of protecting the region’s extraordinary beauty and diversity in a manner that allows our guests to reconnect with nature while enjoying the Mexican hospitality and endless luxury that we offer. Hacienda Tres Ríos is the best example that sustainability and tourism are compatible and we are convinced that this is the right way to be responsible,” said the Mexican entrepreneur.

The President of Green Globe Latinoamerica, Romeo Dominguez, acknowledged “the intelligent and responsible use, and enduring respect of the ecosystems on Tres Ríos’ property.

“It is remarkable to see a luxury beach resort apply such high standards for the sound management of its natural resources — 120 plant species and 90 animal species — and for its training programs that benefit both employees and the community,” said Dominguez, who manages the sustainable tourism network and green business travel with a presence in 50 countries.

Since its opening in November 2008, Hacienda Tres Ríos has become a model for sustainable tourism in Mexico and the world when it was recognized by the Mexican government, through the Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), and when it was invited to share its sustainable tourism practices at world-renowned tourism fairs in London, Spain, and Berlin.

Hacienda Tres Ríos is recognized by major environmental organizations worldwide, such as Green Globe, the Rainforest Alliance, and Sustainable Travel International, and its success story has been presented at major exhibitions in Germany and London.

Nestled within 326 acres of rainforests, mangroves, and coastal dunes, Hacienda Tres Ríos is an eco-friendly resort built 9+ feet (2.8 meters) above sea level on stilts that allow for natural river flow. The resort was creatively designed to reduced electricity consumption from air-conditioning by 38% and from lighting by 70%. In addition to using 100% biodegradable products and recycling 100% of solid waste, the resort’s custom-designed operating systems reduce water consumption by 40%. At the forefront of sustainable tourism development, Hacienda Tres Ríos offers luxurious guest experiences while protecting the region’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. For more information, visit http://www.haciendatresrios.com/.

FIDO Friendly magazine presents its Top 10 Destinations to enjoy the changing of the leaves with Fido.

Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania
Known to many as the “honeymoon capital of the world,” Pennsylvania is home to 127 tree varieties, so early fall reveals a glorious blanket of ambers, purples, oranges and more. Pack a picnic and take Fido to the Delaware River area where eagles soar, a rural countryside graces the landscape and sightseeing is at its most spectacular finest. State parks and wineries galore are scattered throughout this section of the state. Check out www.800poconos.com/ for more things to do while the leaves change color.

Lake Champlain, Vermont
Complete with its own seven-day fall foliage calendar, www.scenesofvermont.com/, Lake Champlain is one of North America’s best places to fish. Instead of walking or riding through fall foliage, the waters of the lake invite a boat ride amidst historic lighthouses and forests of fall foliage. The Fido-friendly resort of Basin Harbor Club and Resort is located right on the lake. While in Vermont, check out Dog Mountain in St. Johnsbury. Situated on this glorious land is 400 acres of nature, leaves and the famous Dog Chapel.

Blue Ridge Parkway
Spanning 469 miles and connecting the Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks, this scenic drive is riddled with nature areas, trails and plenty of overlooks to pit-stop and take in nature’s beauty. Explore your inner hiker and take Fido to Grandfather Mountain along the parkway in Linville, North Carolina. Of special interest is Blowing Rock in the town of the same name. A 4,000-foot cliff overhanging a river gorge, check it out at www.theblowingrock.com.

Shenandoah Valley and Washington D.C.
Spend some time exploring Washington D.C. with Fido (including hiking Arlington National Cemetery together) and then head over to the nearby Virginian Shenandoah Valley. Located 90 miles west of the Capital Beltway, Shenandoah National Park features over 500 miles of trails and close to 200,000 acres of land. Take the scenic route and let Fido sniff the aromatic pleasures gracing the grounds along Skyline Drive. This 100+ mile road meanders throughout the length of Shenandoah National Park.

Acadia National Park in Mount Desert, Maine
In 1947, a fire destroyed many spruce-fir trees in this historic park and left behind pockets of space for the rich colors of fall to showcase themselves. Considered to be one of the best views in the state of Maine, the top of Cadillac Mountain at 1,532 feet is the highest point along the north Atlantic seaboard. Fido is welcome to color gaze with you. The “peak” season is generally considered to be mid-October but this varies. Certain lakes and trails prohibit Fido but the majority of Acadia welcomes the canine variety.

Aspen, Colorado
Though images of ski slopes and powder hounds, Aspen is not only king of snow. Rich yellow-gold leaves glisten on the aspen trees at their peak every fall. The John Denver Sanctuary is small yet rich in beauty and the nature Denver sang about in so many of his songs. Behold the quaking aspen tree of North America while visiting Denver. Listen closely when autumn’s breeze shakes the leaves and they “quake” and shimmer in the wind. Backpack through San Isabel National Forest where over a million acres of mountains are sure to take both yours and Fido’s breath away.

Wisconsin’s Great River Road
Located in the western region of the state, this area winds 250 miles along the shores of the Mississippi river. Quaint towns pepper themselves along the route for plenty of sightseeing, leaf peeping and Fido pit stops. Steamboats including the Delta Queen may pass by, as visitors are welcome to 50 local parks and beaches. The road generally parallels the river but where it does sway from it, vistas and spectacular farmlands are abundant. Learn more and check the fall color forecast at www.travelwisconsin.com/fallcolor_report.aspx.

Catskill Mountains of New York
Located in New York’s Hudson Valley and within 100 miles north of the city, nestled away is this beautiful mountainous region harboring vibrancy and golds galore. During the last two weeks of September and up until mid-October Fido is sure to “start spreading the news” in this historic region. Harvest festivals, farmers markets, orchard picking and craft fairs line the charming towns that surround the Catskills. Often called “America’s First Wilderness,” there’s enough here to do to make a complete week’s vacation out of it. There is a unique leaf identification and peak peeping map here: http://nylovesu.co.uk/index.cfm?PID=154136.

Washington County, Maine
Looking to the trees and wishing to escape the tourists? Head over to Washington County for a tranquil natural fortitude. Regionally, the birch, oak, aspen, maple, and ash trees produce a vibrant array of burnt oranges and fiery reds. Also famous for being the world’s largest blueberry producer, take home a few quarts and sample the pies and pancakes while visiting. This area is generally the first place the sun rises each morning on US soil. Washington County is comprised of 85 percent woodlands, 8 percent lakes and 4 percent bogs, so one can imagine the bountiful beauty gracing the landscape in the autumn months.

Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Yee haw meets dog paw and Fido’s ready to hit fall trail. Nature’s spectacle displays her glory at McKittrick Canyon, one of the most prized locations in the entire state. Enchanting in this region are the leaves plus the cacti. Rock enthusiasts rejoice at Permian Reef. Trees of the region include Alligator Juniper, Ponderosa Pine and Velvet Ash. Guadalupe Peak is the highest point in all of Texas at 8,749 feet. For those less inclined to high the 80 miles of trails, a 4×4 road runs through the park for scenic driving.

Hotel Felix Chicago, 111 W. Huron St., has received the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification for commercial interiors from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), making this the first hotel in Chicago to earn this prestigious environmental status.

The LEED Green Building Rating System is the preeminent internationally recognized building certification system for designing and constructing the world’s greenest, most energy-efficient and high performance buildings. Designed by Chicago-based Gettys, whose design and procurement team is largely staffed by LEED Accredited Professionals,
Hotel Felix Chicago meets LEED standards for its adaptive reuse of an existing urban structure, convenient access to public transportation, and the use of green materials throughout, such as recycled content in the corridor and guestroom carpet, bamboo and cork flooring in the public areas, low volatile organic compound paints and wall coverings and Forest Stewardship Council-certified millwork.

Hotel Felix Chicago‘s eco-friendly ideals extend beyond its design; with free parking for hybrid vehicles, no bleach use throughout the property and the serving of complimentary fair-trade coffee. Additionally, the hotel recently installed wind turbines on its roof to study the potential of further reducing its carbon footprint by generating its own renewable energy.

“Participating in this comprehensive certification process supports our core philosophy and commitment to lessen our environmental impact,” said George Jordan, area general manager for
Hotel Felix Chicago. “We’re honored to have achieved LEED Silver certification status and we will continue to extend our green values to our guests through our daily operations.”

Hotel Felix Chicago is an exceptional contemporary-style reinvention of a historic 1926 apartment hotel located in the heart of one of Chicago’s most thriving neighborhoods. The 225-room boutique property opened in April 2009 after its extensive redevelopment, which was executed to meet LEED certification standards. The hotel’s design boasts impressive energy savings in heating and air conditioning costs with its in-room motion sensor system and in electricity costs with the use of florescent lighting throughout the property. This year, over one million gallons of water will be saved through the property’s water reduction program.

San Diego, CA – Innovators and leaders in providing Adventure Travel since 1997, the company specializes in customizing the best honeymoons while exceeding the expectations of even the most discerning traveler. They carefully select small distinctive properties, activities and locations where you will find less people, experience more culture, and indulge in the luxury a honeymoon deserves.

“One of the reasons couples choose Adventure Honeymoons is our unique ability to combine expertise in adventure travel with our interest and knowledge of honeymoons”. said Roseann Iovine, President of Adventure Honeymoons.

Adventure Honeymoons fills the often neglected but active honeymoon market by offering a dynamic selection of destinations, packaged with adventure options sure to please newlyweds looking for that little bit extra. “Almost 90% of our trips are personally designed by experienced adventure consultants who work with the couple every step of the way” said Roseann Iovine, President of Adventure Honeymoons. Popular adventures include diving the Great Barrier Reef, exploring majestic New Zealand, hiking the Inca Trail in Peru, or simply indulging in a luxury Fiji Honeymoon.