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THE GREEN MAGAZINE FOR THE GREEN TRAVELLER
Slovenia
EatING IN ASIA
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CHILE
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nature MEXICO SURF
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NATURAL RESERVE OF
AUSTRALIA THENMALA
Peace, nature and quality food
Slovenia
is promoting itself with the brand “I feel Slovenia” this expresses a balance between nature and the diligence of Slovenians; it speaks of unspoilt nature and the will for us to preserve it. Discover why is one of the best natural eco destinies now.
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ANTWERP - DECEMBER 5TH 2012 - MORE IN: WWW.GREENROUTES.COM
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In GR Magazine you will find many different articles about green travel, healthy living, respect for the environment and everything you need to live in balance with nature and with yourself
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ADVENTURE BY
CHILE PASSIONforNATURE by: Annie Koopjes
Located in the province of Quillota, the destination is an ancient city founded in the eighteenth century and has much of the public and private services in Valparaiso. Destiny is a section of the route taken by Charles Darwin, who made several ​​ trips from Valparaiso. Most striking, as indicate their stories, was the Cerro La Campana, which gives its name to this destination. From the National Park, you can visit Hail, Las Palmas de Ocoa and Cajon Grande, the three component sectors. Endowed with breathtaking natural beauty, the park also has a great cultural interest since it was designed to protect native species such as oak and palm Chilean sclerophyllous forests boldos, peumos, lingual, litersv, and quillay maitenes, and wildlife quiques, culpeo foxes, skunks, partridges, hawks, owls and quail. Managed by CONAF, La Campana National Park also has trails and the title of World Biosphere Reserve since 1977. The south of the country is not only characterized by its beautiful islands, irregular reliefs and changing weather conditions, but also for its amazing animal species, for its lush evergreen
Special prices, guides, routes and More INFO in: www.chile.com www.turismochile.com www.ecoturismochile.cl
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forests and the presence of hot spring resorts, ski resorts, national parks and reserves located in the three regions comprising the route. The eighth, ninth and tenth region offer visitors an overview impossible to compare with other parts of the world, given its stunning natural advantages and its historical and cultural stamp, issued primarily by contact with Mapuche.
The exceptionally diverse landscapes of Slovenia have some common
features that link a specific area into a whole. To help you decide which part of the country to visit, and to let you know what to see and what to do there, we havedivided Slovenian landscapes into four groups: the Alpine world, the north-eastern uplands and lowlands, the Karst and the coast. The capital city is where all four groups meet, and is important enough to have been given its own section.
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comfortable stay. It is perfect for a summer holiday, a winter break or a weekend away. Slovenia is famed for its excellent food, accompanied by one of its fine wines. The friendly, hospitable and attentive locals will guarantee you a pleasant stay. You can feel Slovenia.
NATURE
slovenialovesyou oldest vine in the world. You can hear tales of bears, and eat forest fruits that you have foraged yourself on a brief walk out of town. Here you can uncover the secrets of the land, and what lies beneath it. Here you are part of nature.
slovenia natural paradise WHERE TO GO? BY: MARK SCHULTZ I FEEL SLOVENIA
Slovenia is the only country in Europe that combines the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pannonian Plain and the Karst. The changing landscape is constantly surprising, time and again. You can have one eye on the sea, then look in the other direction and be surrounded by high mountains. Heading up into the forests, you can see the green plains below you. From upland meadows your view stretches into river gorges. This proximity of opposites and contrasts is a hallmark of the country. In Slovenia you can still walk through virgin forest, or watch the grapes ripen on the
Slovenia has numerous sites of special natural interest, with features of all four main areas: the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Karst and the Pannonian Plain. It also has a wealth of diverse architecture and urban design. You can truly feel at home in Slovenia’s towns. Slovenia is a land of greenery, which offers great opportunities for activity holidays. Its high-quality accommodation guarantees a
Nature has combined and interwoven great natural riches in this small piece of Europe and granted Slovenia extraordinary variety and diversity that is still well preserved today. Over a third of the country’s territory lies within the Europe-wide network of Natura 2000 protected areas, while other valuable areas have been proclaimed major parks and reserves. Direct contact with nature is possible even on the edges of cities. Centuries ago, over 90% of Slovenia was covered by forest. Slovenia’s trees are still its most important lung, absorbing greenhouse gas emissions. But on their own they are not enough. This is why Slovenia is promoting green tourism, to reduce the environmental impact as much as possible. By behaving appropriately and responsibly, you too are part of this form of tourism. See the Nature – Green Slovenia chapter for advice on what you can do to help preserve green nature.
“You can have one eye on the sea, then look in the other direction and be surrounded by high mountains” Approximately 60% of Slovenia is covered by forests, and over one million new trees are planted in Slovenia every year. Plant diversity is enormous.
Thenmala
Peace on Earth
Thenmala in Kerala, India, is a tourist place near Punalur town, Kollam district in Kerala. Thenmala is the first planned eco-tourism destination in India. The Thenmala dam was built across Kallada River. Thenmala is famous for being the shooting location in Malayalam and Tamil movies. Thenmala attracts foreign and domestic tourists with a host of attractions. Boating approachable both from Trivanon the lake, a rope bridge, trekking, drum and Punalur by road. The mountaineering, biking waterfall called Palaruvi is a prime and a musical founattraction nearby. Also nearby is tain. Thenmala is a deer rehabilitation center where visitors can see deer in a forest setting and have a peep into a traditional tree house used by forest dwellers to escape harm from wild animals. Other places near Thenmala are Kulathupuzha, Anchal, Punalur, Kamukumchery and Shenkottah in Tirunelveli district(Tamil Nadu). Themala is 72 km from Thiruvanathapuram and 16 km from Palaruvi Falls.
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THENMALA Thenmala, an ecotourism centre, is located in Kollam District in the state of Kerala at an altitude of 1,640 ft. Situated in the Kollam - Shencottai Road about 72 km from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram, it is adjacent to the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary and is a short distance away from the Courtallam Falls in Tamil Nadu. Often called as the hills that flow with honey, Thenmala is India’s first planned eco-tourism project which is spread over acres of evergreen forest.
THINGS TO DO This unique eco-tourism habitat lies 500 m above sea level. It offers plenty of adventure and leisure activities with waterfalls, canopy walkway, mountain biking, rock climbing and river crossing, nature trails and picnic spots attracting naturalists, conservationists and adventure seekers. The major attractions are the amphitheatre where local art forms and other cultural programs are perfor-
med. The Musical Dancing Fountain a rhythmic ballet of water, sound and light makes for a beautiful sight. The Lotus Pond has various aquatic plants while the Shop Court is used by local women for selling forest produce and local handicrafts. There is also a deer rehabilitation
(22 km) is on the way to Thenmala from Kottarakkara. The waterfall in Manalar on the way to Achankovil is a natural beauty. The Kumbavurutty Falls has a nature interaction centre. It also has tree houses for children. Boating and bird watching are major activities at the Shenduruney Wildlife Sanctuary.
TRAVELLING TO THENMALA Thenmala is located on NH-208, on the way from Thirumangalam to Kollam. By bus, Thenmala can be
reached from Thiruvananthapuram. Buses are operated by the State Government and are available from the Central bus station every hour. The nearest airport is at Thiruvananthapuram, over 70 km away, which has flight connections to the rest of
“Plenty of adventure and leisure activities with waterfalls, canopy walkway, mountain biking, river crossing, nature trails and picnic spots attracting naturalists, conservationists and adventure seekers” centre where spotted deer and sambar are the main inhabitants. The centre also has a children’s eco-park with treetop huts and swings. The sculpture garden here depicts the relationship between Man and Nature. The eco-trip to the 300 ft waterfall at Palaruvi is managed by the local community. Hanging Bridge, Punalur
the country. The nearest rail head is at Kollam, over 60 km away, which is well connected to different parts of the state. Taxis are available from the railway station to reach Thenmala. Transport arrangements can also be made through the hotel of stay.
best time to visit Thenmala is WHERE The during the winter season, from Deto February. The temperatuTO SLEEP IN cember re during this time ranges from 16 to 30 Celsius. In the summer THENMALA Celsius months (March – May), the tempeTents and dormitories are among the Thenmala popular hotels. Sleeping bags are provided for these types of accommodation. There are also jungle camps, an inspection bungalow at Ottakkal and motels run by the KTDC. While accommodation options can be booked separately, they can also be combined with other activities as part of Thenmala packages.
rature goes over 35 Celsius at times during the day time. However, after sunset, there’s a fall in the barometric readings. The rainy season, from June to September, is best avoided as the region receives heavy rainfall.
By: Eleanor Rigby