As you may be able to tell, we pride ourselves  on our awesome photography skills here at Evolve. We have unreal images taken all over the world as we travel the globe on our student trips. Whether its the desert sunset in Morocco, fresh powder in Chile, or simply the greatest pics of kids foolin’ around in between scheduled activities, we have enough material for about a million great photo albums. But. Maybe it’s not just our skills that make the pictures so awesome. Maybe its the landscapes that are acting as our canvases that really make the shot. We recently came across a top ten list of iconic locations for photographers to go. And, well, here’s a sampling:

Antarctica

Machu Picchu, Peru

Taj Mahal, India

Oh, oh, it’s magic, ya knowww…… Looking at this hotel, it seems it couldn’t have been more appropriately named. Getting the title of one of the top ten unusual hotels in the world, this  ”four-star hotel has been lovingly carved and architecturally curated by mother nature herself.” Featuring a waterfall, yes a waterfall, springing from the top and a drawbridge, we cannot wait to go for a visit. It’s located in the heart of the Huilo Huilo Nature Reserve in Chile… check it out!

Evolve Snow Camps will be hosting an incredible Ski/Snowboard Weekend for soon-to-be-grads across the GTA from March 2-3, 2013. All profits from this event will be donated to Amani Children’s Home in Tanzania through Grads Go Global, an organization dedicated to youth in East Africa, that we are proud to partner with. This overnight ski and snowboard trip is open to students in grades 11 & 12 and will be filled on a first-come first-serve basis.

Event Date: March 2-3, 2013
Location: Horseshoe Resort
Sign Up deadline: February 18, 2013
Payment: Cheque made out to Evolve Tours

Bus Pick Up and Drop Off   Schedule:

South Pick up: 8:00AM Drop Off: 1:30PM (2140 Avenue Road – Armor Heights Community Centre)
North Pick up: 8:30AM Drop Off: 1:00PM (341 Thornhill Woods Dr – Thornhill Woods P.S)

Packages:

All packages are based on Quad occupancy. You can choose your roommates. If you cannot fill a room, other people will be added to your room.

Standard Package: $160 per Student (Based on quad occupancy) $320 per Student (double occupancy)
The standard package offers two queen size beds or one king size bed with a pull out sofa and small sitting area, Each room features a three piece bath with glass stand-up shower and hand held rain slide bar.

Standard Package No Lift Ticket: $140 per Student (Based on quad occupancy) $320 per Student (double occupancy)
The standard package offers two queen size beds or one king size bed with a pull out sofa and small sitting area, Each room features a three piece bath with glass stand-up shower and hand held rain slide bar.

Deluxe Package: $180 per Student (Based on quad occupancy) $360 per Student (double occupancy.
The deluxe package offers a sunken sitting area with cozy electric fireplaces and well-appointed bathrooms that boast oversized tubs. These rooms offer two queen size “Valley Dream” beds or one king size bed with a pullout sofa.

Included: Coach bus transportation, day lift ticket (Saturday March 2), accommodations

Not included: Meals, ski or snowboard equipment, night ski pass

Equipment rentals costs (for those that need rentals)
Rentals package is another $35 + tax per. (all day rentals)?Night only (3:30pm – close) Rental package is $25 + tax per.

* Rentals are to be paid in person by each individual student.

About Grads Go Global and Amani Kids:

For over 10 years, Amani Children’s Home has been dedicated to the protection of Tanzania’s most vulnerable population: street children. Over the past decade Amani, which means “peace” in Swahili, has rescued hundreds of children from the perils of life on the streets, where they face numerous dangers including malnutrition and abuse. Amani provides healthy food, education, counseling and medical care for every street child who turns to them for help. When possible, children are reunited with (extended) families.  Grads Go Global was founded in Toronto in 2011 by a group of students and activists committed to improving the lives of those less fortunate, and with Evolve Tours, is proud to support Amani Children’s Home with the proceeds from this event.

Grads go Global – www.gradsgoglobal.com
Amani Kids – www.amanikids.org

We like to get very creative with our travel plans, and let others stick to the creative travel gear.

Here are some nifty travel fun ideas that are on our wishlist (feel free to suggest others!).

Sleeping bag suit- stylish AND useful!

Pocket Shower- good for camping!

Solar Powered Charger- oh yeah

Clear Canoe and Kayak- sweet!

Photo Diary: Veluwe National Park

Whilst the Netherlands may be primarily known for windmills, jazz cigarettes and the Amsterdam red light district, what might not immediately come to mind are glorious National Parks. Setting out to show there is another side to the modern and urbanised country of The Netherlands, the scenicVeluwe National Park in the province of Gelderland.

Located about 20km’s from the small city of Apeldoorn, Veluwe National Park is a favourite of dutch day-trippers. Being a well known naturally forested area, with tall peaks that reach a lofty 110m high, the Veluwe is also considered the Himilaya’s of Holland. That last fact isn’t true at all. The facts are, the Netherlands is an impressively flat country, perfect for riding bicycles. Of which, at Veluwe park there are around 1700 – freely available – allowing you to explore the many roads, tracks and paths at the your leisure.

Traveling means coming into contact with mountain views you never thought possible.  It means having that, ‘am I dreaming?’ moment.  It can mean looking at a site and feeling like you are in a movie. When you hear about a place, listen to someone retelling details of somewhere crazy to visit, you never really know until you roll up yourself. Coming upon the Labassin Waterfall Restaurant is just like that.

Next time you’re in San Pablo City, Quezon Province, Philippines, and you’re looking for some local fare for lunch you are going to get a whole lot more then you bargained for if you visit this restaurant. Not only will you get a traditional Filipino meal and a relaxing afternoon, but you’ll be served while seated in a waterfall.

Surrounded by “almost untouched nature,” it is located beneath a manmade dam where you’ll hear falling water in the background, get jungle views and eat with water running over your feet.  When you are finished with your meal, feel free to relax under the falls, lying flat on your back and thinking one of those “is this heaven?” thoughts.

Check out www.evolvetours.com and our wonderful array of carefully chosen trips to amazing locations where these moments will enter into your every day.

“It’s a Thursday afternoon and I am face to face with a grizzly bear. And, for some reason… I’m not scared. Then I see it, there’s another, larger one, coming right for the first. The smaller one opens its mouth wide and goes in to bite, the larger one reaches back with its large paw (about the size of three human hands) and its sharp claws and goes straight for the smaller one’s neck. Laughter erupts from the crowd. “How sweet! They’re such brothers… always wrestling!”

I am in Grouse Mountain, an amazing spot on ‘the peak of Vancouver.’ The steep climb to the top of Grouse Mountain is appropriately called the Grouse Grind and, along the way, you pass by their wolf refuge (although most people skip the trek and take a cable car ride up and down the mountain!). Their grizzly bear refuge, where I’m hanging out, is closer to the top. Not only do they provide a spacious, safe area for rescued animals but they also have lumberjack shows (for laughs), personalized workshops (for student learning) and, one of their crowned jewels — their Feast House. In the Feast House, a Squamish Elder meets with groups and tells them about his culture, customs, and interacts with the kids. The elder considers the Feast House, which is a large wooden structure that often is just lit by a small fire in the center and lit up masks on the walls when you enter, his second home. With this much beauty (the views are unbelievable), wildlife, and activities, we’d like to make this our second home too.”

-A note from a staff member on a recent visit! Keep your eyes out for our newest trips to Vancouver for younger groups, very active groups and everything in between

Thinking a trip to Costa Rica is in order? Well, you should! A relatively cheap travel destination, Costa Rica has beautiful rainforests, white sand beaches, waterfall hikes, and an abundance of wild life. Use your visit to explore, check out the biodiversity and perhaps do some service work (our Evolve Costa Rica trip includes the opportunity to plant gardens to help provide food to local children).  Plus, you can improve your Spanish skills and take amazing pictures. Here’s a little know-how to get you going:

Pura Vida- Costa Ricans have been using the term Pura Vida (“pure life”) since the 1950’s as a greeting, farewell, and everything in between. It reflects the vibe of the country.

Rain Forest- Costa Rica’s forests fit primarily into three groups—rainforests, cloud forests and topical dry forests—and they’re all freakin’ unbelievable. In some parts, where roads have to cut through places with dense forest populations, they’ll string a line across overhead for monkey crossing!

Volcano- People are constantly visiting Arenal Volcano, even though it’s one of the most active in the world! See lava flowing and enjoy the natural hot springs. You can hike, bike, and zip-line to see the views.

Surfing- With 700 miles of coastline, 50 famous surf breaks, and some of the longest rides in the world, surfing is key to the tico lifestyle. Make sure to grab a board while their and check out skill-appropriate breaks.

The #London2012 Olympics showcases years of preparation, honing of skills, thousands of hours of practice, focus, time, money, effort, and training all for that one moment, that one chance to showcase your skills to the world….. and yes, I am talking about the Opening Ceremony. From a huge blow up Voldemort, an ode to a texting generation, a focus in on Mr. Bean and yes, a sky diving queen these opening ceremonies were certainly entertaining. If you missed ‘em, not to fear. Look at the link below.  And,  In case you’d like to check out the Olympic host city (without having to go through qualifying rounds) check out our new trip to Britain and Ireland.

>>>>>Check out an overview of the London Olympics here<<<<<<