If you’re among the population that dreads bouncers asking for your ID (rather than feeling flattered) and consider beer pong tournaments legit weekend entertainment, chances are, you’re already clued into the allure of Cancun as a holiday destination.

The rest of us, however, may need a little convincing.

Amanda Pressner investigates the grownup side of this Mexican destination.

On recent travels to Guatemala’s Maya ruin of Tikal and to the Maya ruins of Chichen Itza, Coba and Tulum in Mexico, Meg Pier was impacted by seeing fresh paths being cleared for ancient archeological ruins—realizing how progress in developing sustainable tourism can make a real and meaningful difference in local communities.

Jeff Morgan is co-founder of the Global Heritage Fund, which seeks to save the Earth’s most significant and endangered cultural heritage sites in developing countries and regions, through scientific excellence and community development.

If following the crowds isn’t your thing, booking a cruise-ship shore excursion may seem like an exercise in futility. Lynn Langway explores how to break away from the masses and arrange an independent shore excursion.

At midpoint on a Caribbean cruise, more than a few passengers may be ready for a shore excursion that features something other than beaches and blenders.

That’s how my husband and I felt on a recent one-week cruise to the Western Caribbean.

Whale-watching season is here, but that doesn’t mean you have to break the bank on an expensive charter boat. In many cases, you can spot whale migrations for free.

Florida’s Everglades National Park has been damaged by urban pollution over several decades. In light of two promising environmental restoration projects, Lynn Langway investigates active adventures and scenic beauty in an underappreciated American national park.

It’s a sparkling Sunday morning in the Florida Everglades, and 16 alligators have congregated for some serious sun worship at the base of the Shark Valley observation tower.

You won’t need to hunt as hard as Captain Ahab to find whales in and around the South African seaport of Hermanus; in fact, you won’t even have to leave dry land.

This picturesque town, located about 69 miles southeast of Cape Town, is the center of South Africa’s well-named Whale Coast, which draws hundreds of the magnificent mammals each year between July and November.

The Southern Right Whales migrate from Antarctica to the sheltered waters of Walker Bay to mate, give birth, and raise their calves in deep waters that run near the shore, making Hermanus one of the world’s best places to see the leviathans without getting wet.

It’s no secret that 2009 was a crazy year in the world of travel.

From an attempted terrorist attack on Christmas Day to the launch of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the year had more than its share of big travel stories.

But what does 2010 hold for travelers? We gazed into our crystal ball to bring you the top travel stories of 2010.

On December 19, 2009, Peter is broadcasting his radio show from the Viceroy Snowmass in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Featured guests from the second hour include:

Carolyn Spencer Brown, editor in chief of Cruise Critic, analyzing the hottest cruising trends for 2010;

Michelle Higgins, Practical Traveler for The New York Times, sharing her picks for ski resorts with the best family values that will keep you and your kids happy;

Heidi Zuckerman Jacobson, director and chief curator of the Aspen Art Museum, discussing how the museum has grown into a showcase of international art with incorporating local works;

Mark Ovenden, author, broadcaster and public transit aficionado, talking about his enlightening book, Paris Underground: The Maps, Stations, and Design of the Metro;

Auden Schendler, executive director of sustainability at Aspen Skiing Company and author of Getting Green Done, offering practical tips to help travelers go green and talking about sustainability projects that can make a difference;

 

 Cruising Trends, Kid-Friendly Ski Resorts, Aspen Art & Eco-Travel - Hour 2 - PGW Radio: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download