Staycations are hot this summer

Above: Boston at sunset. Taken from a friend's roof deck. It's always fun to crash friends' houses in different areas of town - just be good and bring a host gift.

When I started my own business my budget was tight, so there was no chance of a big vacation in a far-away exotic place. When I took time off I would venture into Boston or take the bus to NYC for an urban day off, and travel up to VT and NH for hiking and fresh air. I have recently learned that the high price of gas (and therefore air travel) has affected tourism in the US. Staycations, vacations close to home, are in.

After googling staycations I was surprised to see how much chatter is happening about this subject. It really is hot this summer, so there are many resources and opinions out there. The article in the Globe today by Nicole Wong instigated this blog entry and below are some of D2E's favorite local attractions.

D2E list of Boston area stuff-to-do
- Walk Boston
Check out this website to find events that involve walking and Boston. The group has a higher mission to make Boston more walkable, and while doing this they offer some fun Boston walks. It is well worth checking out.

- Boston Public Library
Julie visited the library last night and saw two great exhibits. One on WWI posters and the other was called Movingline. According to Julie it is well worth the visit. The library offers something for everyone, at every age, so definitely check out their website. You will be pleasantly surprised.

- The New England Aquarium
What would a tourist day in Boston be like without a stop at the aquarium? My husband and I like to go on late night urban bike rides and we always stop at the aquarium to say hello to the seals. They are definitely distant relatives of Lucy, our labrador.

- Lobstah!
A few weeks ago my husband and I decided to explore the north shore after work. We had never been to Gloucester and wanted to check it out. While driving around we discovered The Lobster Pool in Rockport and loved having our steamers outside while the sun was setting. If you want to stay in metro Boston, there are plenty of options.

- Urban Bike Rides
Get out your bike, your helmet and tour the city. Check out Boston Bikes to see what the city has going on. And Urban Adventours will take you on a guided tour with other bicyclists. If you do not have a bike, you can rent one from Urban Adventours - so no excuses!

For a more comprehensive list, visit the City of Boston's website. It is amazing how much this city has to offer.

Planet Tran

Last week I traveled to Colorado Springs. It was my first time traveling alone and had an early flight. I wanted to make sure I would reach the airport on time and have everything under control. My past experiences with cabs haven't been the greatest. Once my cab arrived late and nearly made me lose my flight. On another occasion my cab showed up in an SUV and had another passenger inside. Since this was my first time traveling alone I didn't want to anything to go wrong, I wanted to go with a vehicle that was reliable and eco-friendly (if there was such a thing) and there was...it's called Planet Tran!



Planet Tran uses Toyota Prius Gas Electric Hybrid vehicles as taxis. These cars rely on battery power when running at low speed or when the car is stopped for up to 15 minutes. Planet Tran's mission is to start a livery service based exclusively on the Hybrid electric gas Toyota Prius. With Oil prices on the rise these vehicles are the way to go. Planet Tran's vision is "an urban transportation infrastructure that utilizes the most efficient transportation technology available." If a cab drives on average 50.00 miles a year a driver could save $3.850 in gasoline costs per year by switing to a hybrid vehicle.

These fuel efficient cars look slick and are eco-friendly. The driver (Matt) was punctual to the minute, he was standing outside the car, greeted me, carried my luggage to the trunk, opened the door for me and was very courteous the entire drive to the airport. Apparently Planet Tran is known for having drivers that are pleasant and knowledgeable. Best of all their rates are reasonable considering the cost of the car. A Ford Crown Victoria costs $7,000-$10,000 while a Prius ranges between $21,500-$26,000.

A trip from Harvard Square to Logan Airport cost me $40, which is $5-$10 more than a regular cab that consumes more gas and carbon emissions. Think about this next time you need a ride to the airport.

Sustainably Yours
Nathalie Zegarra

Volunteer Vacations

I know there are a lot of people like me out there. I love Boston half the year, but whine and complain about the cold, dreary other half. It’s around this time that I start daydreaming about equatorial climates and checking flights on Expedia and Travelocity (which both offer carbon offsets!).

Many people want to escape on a packaged tour or cruise, to avoid spending hours planning and booking when they work full time. Fortunately, several organizations offer packaged options that are also environmentally and socially responsible, for those who head south of the border for more than just beaches and bars.

The Earthwatch Institute, Crooked Trails, and United Planet are three examples that offer "voluntourism" trips to exotic destinations, but with the opportunity to join projects tracking dolphins, protecting nesting sea turtles, building homes, surveying coral reefs, and with other conservation and philanthropic missions.

If you're a student and some of these might be out of your league, lots of universities organize volunteer vacations during winter and spring break, which are fun and economical alternatives. I met one of my best friends on a trip to Assateague Island National Seashore, where we installed fence to protect endangered bird nesting areas.

Check out this site on "VolunTourism."