0 Justin Urbas - Where To Go On A Gorilla Trek In 2017

Of all the wildlife explorations possible in Africa, one of the most beguiling is the observation of mountain gorillas in Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park. The number of observers is restricted—only 56 allowed per day so as to not overwhelm the seven habituated gorilla families—and the experience is as authentic as it gets: visitors trek up to the gorillas’ habitat and watch them from a safe distance in their forest home. What has been lacking so far, though, is a truly upscale lodge as the base of operations but that will change on June 1 with the opening of Wilderness Safaris’ Bisate Lodge just outside of the park.

The location itself would be notable enough even without its proximity to the park headquarters for easier early morning entry for the trek. Located within an eroded volcanic cone, the lodge’s elevation lends straight on views of three mountain peaks: Mount Bisoke just in front, Mount Karisimbi, the highest volcano, to its side and just beyond,  the rugged peak of Mount Mikeno over the line in the Congo.  Surrounding the lodge, which will be reachable by a funicular,  is a thicket of indigenous trees such as Hagenia and mountain bamboo which Wilderness Safaris is working to restore, bringing back birds, butterflies and mammals in the process.

More at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriewerner/2016/12/22/where-to-go-on-a-gorilla-trek-in-2017/#24a48ff84f8d

0 Travel Tips: Top 5 Mistakes People Make When Traveling

Sonia's coming at you guys and gals with another great travel tip - How to avoid the most common mistakes people make when traveling.

0 Naughty Travel: How 'Libertine Tourism' Is Becoming A Growing Industry

First, we're not talking about sexual tourism, which is linked to prostitution and illegal practices in most countries according to all dictionaries definitions. While its raison d’etre is certainly related to sex, “tourism libertine” or “naughty journeys” is a way of traveling that's finding a lucrative niche in the tourism industry.

"Neither classical tourism nor sex tourism linked to prostitution, libertine tourism could be defined as the sector that is interested in libertinage, that is to say the joyful pleasure of the body,” Wikipedia says. “Libertines and swingers who practice group sexuality, free and not paid, can frequent tourist establishments reserved for them through travel agencies specialized in these tourist services.”

Cruises, trains, palaces, villas, chalets, hotels, B&Bs and even campsites are among the growing choice of establishments specializing in licentiousness. They include programs for long stays, weekends or just “an evening of escape,” as described by one travel agency in the sector.

More at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/ceciliarodriguez/2016/12/10/libertine-tourism-how-naughty-travel-is-becoming-a-growing-industry/#2c05e2937746

0 Justin Urbas - Rare Van Gogh Watercolor Acquired By Dutch Museum

There is some good news for Vincent van Gogh lovers. A painting thought to be the last known watercolor the artist produced in the Dutch town of Nuenen was recently acquired by the Het Noordbrabants Museum in The Netherlands. “The garden of the vicarage at Nuenen” rendered in the autumn of 1885, “occupies an important place in van Gogh’s oeuvre,” the museum said in announcing the addition of the “exceptional” work to its permanent collection.

Van Gogh (1853-1890) lived with his parents in the vicarage, or rectory, at Nuenen for nearly a year and a half, and the garden behind it was one of his favorite spots and where he produced a number of artworks, according to the museum.

More at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyamohn/2016/12/09/rare-van-gogh-watercolor-acquired-by-dutch-museum/#757b207d6fc6

0 Justin Urbas - 10 Adventures and Activities in Mauritius

Recently I joined an intimate team of iambassador bloggers from all across the globe and spent a week venturing into every nook and cranny of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. The overall goal was to unlock her secrets, to listen to her people and come back with a better understanding of her heart and then share what we discovered.

One of our sub-goals was to find adventure other than sun tanning on the beach and lounging beside the hotel pool. Of course there’s absolutely nothing wrong with spending your vacation days doing either of those activities, but we wanted to delve a little deeper. These are just some of the things I got up to:

More at: http://thetravelmanuel.com/adventures-and-activities-in-mauritius/

0 Justin Urbas - The London Hotel Where Ideas Come To Life

Founded in 2004 as a private members club for the creative community near Covent Garden in the center of London, The Hospital Club added fifteen boutique rooms for members and outside guests in 2015. But this is no mere hotel. Yes, there are meeting rooms, four bars and lounges, and an award-winning sustainable restaurant on site. But this is the place to come when you're feeling inspired and ready to shoot that talk show, record that album, or film that rom-com, as additional facilities for members and hotel guests include a two-floor, square-foot music and television studio with a floating floor, lighting rig, green rooms, loading bay, and more state-of-the-art gear than you've ever heard of. And, of course, a screening room where you can invite your pals to watch your new masterpiece.

More at: http://www.forbes.com/sites/fathom/2016/12/03/review-hospital-club-london/#1ab34b511f1c