Press Release:

Deepdale Backpackers and Camping have just been awarded the Gold Award by the Green Tourism Business Scheme, the highest award available.

Since Deepdale Backpackers opened five years ago, they’ve won awards for both the environmental nature of the business and the quality of the product they provide. These awards include the Tourism in Norfolk Sustainable Tourism Award, Food and Farming Industry Award for Rural Regeneration and the Best Rural Retailer Diversification Award.

Being awarded the Gold Award by the Green Tourism Business Scheme confirms the environmental status of Deepdale and bench marks them against over 1400 businesses in the United Kingdom.

The customers of Deepdale have always been involved with the green sides of the business, from recycling their rubbish to getting involved with the annual conservation weekend. In fact many customers come back year after year because Deepdale makes such a big effort to reduce their impact on the environment. In 2007 Deepdale supplied over 29,000 bed nights in the hostels, on the campsite and in their tipis.

To win the Gold Award, Deepdale had to be inspected and to keep the Gold status the facilities will be inspected regularly to check they are moving forward with their green policy, installing new technologies and continuing to reduce the carbon footprint of the business.

All businesses wanting to be graded under the Green Tourism Business Scheme, must also first be graded for the quality of their product by Quality in Tourism. This means that the business isn’t just green, but also provides a quality service. Deepdale Backpackers and Camping have received 4 stars in this scheme, and would have 5 stars if there were carpets in the bedrooms. However the managing partner, Alister Borthwick, points out, “Why would we want to cover the beautiful floor boards we have upstairs? And we have underfloor heating, so the floor is always warm.”

“Burnham Deepdale is home to one of the country’s best backpacker hostels,
around which activities pool.”

Lonely Planet – Great Britain Guide

The Green Tourism Business Scheme has been running since 1997 and is the largest and most established scheme of its type in the world. The scheme is recognized by UK national and regional government as a crucial part of its drive towards sustainability. Their aim is to build on this strong position and ensure that the UK remains at the forefront of sustainable tourism in the future.

Deepdale has been working with environmental organizations, from advisers to installers, for many years. In fact Jason Borthwick, the other partner in the business, now offers consultancy with his company Earthly Ideas.

To celebrate the Gold Award and Earth Day, an international day about the environment, Deepdale is holding the North Norfolk Coast Earth Day Event on 22^nd April, in the grounds of Deepdale Backpackers and Camping. This event will run from 10am to 4pm and is FREE to attend for the general public and businesses who would like to meet installers, pressure groups, advisors or have a look around the eco friendly facilities of Deepdale Farm.

Companies wishing to exhibit at Deepdale on 22^nd April are more than welcome. If they visit www.deepdalefarm.co.uk/earthday they’ll find all the information they need.

For more information on the facilities at Deepdale Backpackers and Camping and the eco friendly aspects of the business please visit www.deepdalefarm.co.uk or call into the site in Burnham Deepdale, approximately half way between Hunstanton and Wells-next-the-Sea on the A149 coast road.

Related: Burnham Deepdale, England: Eco-friendly get away

It’s that time of the year when New Orleans and other cities along the Gulf Coast partake in the leftover pagan ritual designed to get “it” out of your system before having to sow the fields. Now it just seems to be the day before Ash Wednesday that is an awesome world-class festival.

To New Orleanians Mardi Gras is when forgotten about acquaintances come out of the woodwork and act like best friends or family members just to couch-surf (i.e stay for free) for this great event. It’s when people you’ve never wanted to see naked and people you would pay money to see naked -as evidenced by Joe Francis making a mint on Girls Gone Wild- willingly put their business out out on the street as normally as ordering a drink.

Mardi Gras, if celebrated right, means that you’ll awake on Feb. 6th as though it was all a wonderful and sometimes freighting dream; however, if you don’t party correctly then you could wake up in the Orleans Parish Prison holding center. Either way you’ll have had a great time and, most likely, be slightly hungover.

If this is your first time doing Fat Tuesday then take heed and remember these 7 Mardi Gras tips. If you’ve been through this before then this will be a nice refresher course.

Welcome to Mardi Gras 101: 7 things to remember

• Tip 1. Don’t urinate in public. You’ll see people doing it, and finding a bathroom can be a real pain, but peeing in public is now a lude felony in the Crescent City.
• Tip 2. Unless it is a dire emergency, DO NOT BOTHER THE POLICE! Which means: do not pet their horses; don’t ask them for directions; DO NOT GET INTO A FIGHT and expect them to take your side. The NOPD is under extreme stress this time of year, and they will throw you in jail and not let you out until ASH WEDNESDAY. By the way, did I say that bail is pretty expensive? People think they can talk themselves out of their predicament but that won’t work because, well, you are drunk and your going to jail is cash in hand for NOLA.
• Tip 3. Don’t talk to anyone who wants to discuss “where you got your shoes,” or any other odd riddles or seemingly benign challenges (i.e.bets) such as “I know where you’re from”. These apparently friendly chaps are scam artists and their purpose in life is to get your money. If approached, just ignore them and keep walking into the crowd. This may be particularly challenging for you friendly people who want to talk to the locals about New Orleans, but trust me and just move along.  Answers: “Where you got your shoes”: On your feet; “I know where you came from”: From your mother. I know these questions are silly, but it’s best to not even engage these guys whatsoever.
• Tip 4. See the parades, they are truly impressive and wonderful. Many people stay on Bourbon, or in the Quarter, but parades haven’t gone through these areas since the 60’s, due to the floats’ sizes and the small streets. Most parades can be caught on Canal, St. Charles, or Lee Circle.  For more info www.nola.com/parades lists parade routes and times for all krewes (i.e. clubs of sorts that sponsor the parades).
• Tip 5. Buy a package on Bourbon or other balcony areas. These packages run between $200 and $2000 per person, all with different offerings such as set entertainment, balcony access, buffets with world-class cuisine and most importantly, open bar. It may seem like a lot to spend, but these options can actually be a very economical deal. Just do the math: divide your food and drinks by $200 and then add a premium location and easy access to a toilet, priceless. To find a package that’s right for your budget and your interests call French Quarter Phantom Tours at 504-666-8300.
• Tip 6. Don’t pick up beads off the ground because it’s considered a huge faux pas and will single you out as a tourist. Moreover, the ground is filthy thus making your chances of getting a Staph infection pretty good.
• Tip 7. Show your Tips! That is, treat your bartenders and wait staff well. This season is a big for them and they work themselves to death this time of year. Plus, the bars are terribly crowded, so to set yourself apart from the competition (i.e. others pushing, shoving and yelling for a drink) it is a pretty wise strategy to attract your server with a few bills.  As the old saying goes, “attract more bees with honey than vinegar.”

Where ever you go and whatever you do, I hope you all have a safe and happy Mardi Gras.  I hope I see you here in the Big Easy!

Happy Travels,

Sarah L.

Happy Travels

Hello Travelers!

It’s Fashion Focus week in Chicago, which means you can get your fill of models, designers and – of course – socialites looking for the next hot look.  Partnered with the City of Chicago, Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and numerous other retailers, business groups and focused players, this year’s event is features numerous shows throughout the week, including Fashion Focus presented by Macy’s, free on Friday October 12^th.  Work your magic, get spotted, and try to snag an invite to any of the numerous parties sure to fill the city….. Get more information at http://www.fashionfocuschicago.com/ 

Not so much on the mini skirts and silver-lame dresses?  Try the Chicago Film Festival, premiering the potentially inflammatory film “The Kite Runner” this week.  Starring young Afghan actors, the movie has already stirred controversy in topic alone (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/6992751.stm), leading the producers to hire former CIA operatives and a diverse team of international relations experts to determine the safety of the film’s release.  Catch it here before it gets banned.  More information on the Chicago Film festival is here: http://www.chicagofilmfestival.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CIFFSite.woa/wa/pages/Home 

Then again, you could just stay local: catch some free pool at the Gingerman, 3740 North Clark Street, while gazing at the now-shuttered Wrigley Field and remind yourself: “there’s always next year.”

Happy Travels,

Tai

Recommended sightseeing tour:  Fat Tire Bike Tour.  Tour meets daily at 11:00 am and 16:00 / 4:00 pm daily at Piazza Sant Jaume.

Recommended budget accommodations:  HelloBCN Hostel, Kabul, Alberg Palau, Hostel New York.

Get tickets to a futbol / soccer / football match:  Barcelona is playing Zaragoza on August 26th and you can get tickets delivered to you hotel for as little as 50 Euro.  Visit http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/football/barcelona.htm for more information.

Other helpful Barcelona links: http://www.barcelona-tourist-guide.com which has other recommendations for accommodations and how to navigate Barcelona.

Que tengas buenas tiempos!

This year’s fest is taking place from Saturday 22nd to Sunday October 7th and is the 197th edition of the original 1810 wedding festival. 

Average price of a liter of beer is expected to be between 7.50 and 8.00 Euros

There are 14 “tents”.  Each with a certain style.  Do your best to explore a bunch different tents because you’ll  have a much richer experience.

Excellent sight seeing tour:  Mike’s Bike Tours

Recommended accomodation:  Euro Youth Hotel

Fantastic information source: http://www.oktoberfest.de/en/02/content/

Enjoy Yourselves!

Humantla, Mexico- In the 53rd addition of the Huamantlada, one man was killed and 24 others were injured- click here for video but BEWARE it is graphic! The be a bullfigher (torero) for a minute festival is held every year on the 1st Saturday after August 15th in Humantla, which is a city 170km (100 miles) south of Mexico City.  The bulls are let go in the city square for about two hours, participants get their ego on and jump in with their red capes and play bullfighter.  Sounds like a party!  Make your plans for  August 16, 2008 which will be next year’s addition.

Happy Travels

Place: Main square in Buñol, Spain.  Just west of Valencia

Why you want to go:  the chance to smear 240,000 lbs. of tomatos on 30,000 people while wearing protective goggles.

Logistics:  Buñol is pretty small and does not accommodate very well with its one hotel.  Staying in Valencia and traveling over to Buñol for the event is the best option.  Whereas Valencia is not on a lot of travelers radar it is a very good destination and well worth a visit, especially during this event.

Place to stay:  Try Home Youth Hostel.  As of the time of this post on August 14, 2007 they still had rooms and beds for between $22 for a bed in a dorm to $30 for a room.

Happy tomato fighting and let us know how it goes.

iKangaroo