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Geotourism

By travelanswerman | October 26, 2009

 “Geotourism” is a new concept, which prohibits anyone to cause any harm to the natural environment where he visits. It is a term defined by National Geographic Society as the “tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place. It’s a destination where you can have an authentic travel experience without harming the place.” Simply said, the places could be a hot tourist destination but the fragile ecological balance of the place should not be disturbed.

Here is the list of the favorite geotourism destinations of Jonathan Tourtellot, National Geographic Society’s Center for Sustainable Destinations, as told to Tim Smight of USA Today:

Ashland, USA: Most historic and appealing small town of US
Ashland in Oregon, USA is a picturesque place in the foothills of the Cascades. Situated about 285 miles south of Portland, it hosts the famous Shakespeare Festival. It is USA’s one of the most historic and appealing small towns. According to Tourtellot, the well-preserved downtown area and surrounding neighborhoods are very charming with beautiful Queen Anna architecture. The colorful array of boutique type shops and restaurants are of prime attraction to both tourists and locals.

Guanajuato, Mexico: A hilly, Spanish-colonial city
Guanajuato is situated 230 miles northwest of Mexico City in the historically renowned silver-mining region. It was founded in 1554. The hilly, Spanish-colonial city bustles with life. The historical significance and the energy of the city provide a nice balance between tourists as well as residents. Many historic buildings of the city have been converted to hotels and restaurants but they bear a taste of history, blended into them. Walking through the narrow streets of the city center provides a unique experience.

Isle of Skye, Scotland: A serene experience
The quiet island, Skye, which retreat of the country’s northwest coast makes Scotland even more adorable. The island gives you the twin pleasure of the dramatic mountain and coastal scenery along with a vibrant culture and social scene. The residents are very protective of the natural environment and the Gaelic culture. The castles, small villages and the wonderful food make it a beautiful and worthwhile experience all through. The drink festival adds further attraction to the place.

Mackinac Island, Michigan: Taste of true Americana
The Mackinac Island is a journey to the past. It is situated in the Straits of Mackinac between Michigan’s upper and lower peninsulas. The place has a rural and scenic beauty that displays authenticity and a relaxed feel. Mackinac Island provides you a glimpse of true Americana. However, the pace has been deliberately kept low, as Tourtellot said. To serve the purpose of keeping the pace low, no cars are allowed. Only foot, bicycle or horse-drawn carriage are used to go around.

Coastal Fjords, Norway: Unspoiled, beautiful Norwegian coastline
The credit of the unspoiled, beautiful Norwegian coastline goes to the rugged terrain and the cool, wet climate. It is always better to avoid the huge summer cruise ships as it does not allow you to experience the fjords. You can enjoy your time much better if you go for a springtime mix of driving, hiking and short trips to the Norwegian coastal ferry line. Your stay at the local inns will turn out to be a unique experience as they serve foods unique to each fjord.

Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia: A semi-wild island
Cape Breton Island is a beautiful, semi-wild island where the locals are part of the place’s attraction. The island is located off the Nova Scotia’s northeastern coast. The places further attracts tourist for its’ scenic drives and unique fishing villages. Every village will provide you a taste of authentic culture. One village may offer you Celtic tradition and the other may have Acadian for you. The best part of the whole process is that tourism, unlike in other places plays a constructive role here. It helps to bring the revenue that is used in preserving them.

Wachau Valley, Austria: Still safe from the evils of development
Uncontrolled development has not yet unleashed its fangs in Austria. It is a place, which appreciates history and looks after its landscapes well. The winemaking region of Wachau presents a healthy competition among villages regarding preserving and promotion of local heritage. It is a lifetime experience to enjoy the scenic beauty from the river cruise on the Danube. Tourists should have some sample of the area’s renowned wines. It will be a huge loss if the tourists do not tour the well- preserved Benedictine Abbey.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico: An archaeologically rich site
The well-preserved remains of the Anasazi city Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon is the next entrant. It is located in the North West corner of New Mexico. Around 900 A.D, it was a home to thousands of Native Americans. Sports arenas, places of worship, a marketplace and cliff dwellings mainly comprise the site. The long, unpaved roads provide you the access to this archaeologically rich site.

Northeast Kingdom, Vermont: A nostalgic image of rural America
The cultural arts community and the beautiful Vermont scenery provide a nostalgic image of rural America. The scenic back roads, the quaint little towns, the hiking in summer and the great skiing in the winter are awesome experiences.

Grenada: Beautiful beaches, forested and mountainous interior
Tourtellot believes that Grenada is one of the last Carribean island countries, which has not yet got crowded with huge, all-inclusive resorts. The beautiful beaches, the forested and mountainous interior are ecologically very rich. The capital St. George is the most attractive historic port town in the Caribbean.

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