Making life a holiday with interesting vacation and adventure ideas.

Project FeederWatch is a winter-long survey of birds that visit feeders in North American backyards, nature centers, community areas, and other locales. Participants count the highest numbers of each species they see at their feeders, from November through early April, and help scientists to track the broad-scale movements of winter bird populations and long-term trends in bird distribution and abundance.

Project FeederWatch is operated by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Bird Studies Canada and anyone with an interest in birds can participate. There are FeederWatchers of all skill levels and backgrounds, including children, families, individuals, classrooms, retired persons, youth groups, nature centers, and bird clubs.

The new season starts soon, so if your resident in North America, join up for the 2007-2008 season, which begins November 10. It can take several weeks for FeederWatch kits to arrive, so don't wait to sign up.

Labels: birds, Birdwatching, Canada, FeederWatch, North America, survey, U.S.A.

Latest consumer research from Mintel looking at changing trends in the leisure marketplace, indicates that Britain is becoming a nation of cycling enthusiasts. During 2006, biking-mad Brits went on an exhausting 450,000 two wheeled holidays, with some operators experiencing as much as a third increase in bookings on 2005 figures.

"The growth of independent travel is creating a new breed of holidaymaker, who is resourceful, adventurous and hungry for a taste of authenticity away from the crowds. Cycling is a great way to explore the hidden secrets of a region, enjoy intimate contact with local culture and an opportunity for travellers to feel good about benefiting local economies," comments Richard Cope, Senior Travel Consultant at Mintel.

Mintel believes that the greatest future scope for the cycling holidays market lies in combining biking with mainstream holidays. Operators could re-brand more holidays as "cycling-plus" trips, offering cycling interspersed with other experiences such as R&R, spa, walking, boating and other hobbies. "Whilst Britons cycle less than many other Europeans, we take more frequent holidays and cycling breaks have enormous potential. These do not have to be the preserve of cycling clubs and the Tour de France-emulating hardcore. Cycling holidays will also appeal to families, sightseers, and those simply seeking relaxation and escape from the crowds," explains Richard Cope.

Mintel has provided key insight into leading global trends for over 35 years. More information is available on their web site

Browse cycling holidays in our listings from around the world.

Labels: 2007, cycling, holidays, Mintel, survey, vacations

This should give you guys food for thought over the upcoming holiday weekend. According to a consumer survey conducted by the UK's Bradford and Bingley, one in five British women wouldn't mind swapping their husbands for someone else.

The company also found that more than half of the people over the age of 35 wish they had travelled more. Now does this mean that a tenth of over 35s can save their marriage by going on a tour or that a tenth of over 35s who go on a tour, might come back with a different partner.

Whatever, it is clear that people enjoy the adventure of travel and it becomes a source of regret if every opportunity is not taken to experience as much of the world as possible.

Labels: 2007, regrets, survey, travel

For the fourth year in a row Italy placed first in 2006, as the single most popular destination for package tours booked through members of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA),with Rome ranked as the top city. California and the National Parks were cited as the hottest destinations for those seeking domestic package vacations.
In another survey aimed specifically at those with a special interest in photography, conducted jointly by USTOA and Popular Photography & Imaging magazine (Pop Photo), most photo buffs wanted to go to Hawaii, followed closely by Alaska, and Australia. Members have recommended the best places to shoot at these destinations as:

Haleakala National Park on Hawaii?s Maui Island,
Denali National Park in Alaska,
and the Australian Outback or Tasmania.

Labels: 2006, Alaska, Australia, Hawaii, Italy, package, photography, survey, USTOA, vacations