Rocky Mountaineer

The Rocky Mountaineer follow in the tracks of Canada’s early rail pioneers and other incredible journeys.

A U S T R A L I A

A U S T R A L I A

executive summary by darmansjah

GREAT OCEAN ECO LODGE- a Located in the ground of theconservation Ecology Centre in Victoria, the Great Ocean Ecolodge also borders Great Otway National Park, which protects swaths of eucalyptus forests, thundering waterfalls, and windswept heathlands that end at dramatic cliffs above the churning ocean. Its five elegant rooms overlook grassy fields where wild kangaroos come to feed and play. “This is one of the best ecotourism experiences in the country and is the embodiment of tourism igniting a conservation ethic among guests,” says tony Charters, former president of Ecotourism Australia. Look for koalas feeding and dozing in the treetops, help care for injured and orphaned wild life, or set out on the 64-mile Great Ocean Walk, with fresh supplies provided daily by the lodge staff. 5 rooms; from $360, including continental breakfast.

J O R D A N

J O R D A N

executive summary by darmansjah

THE DANA BIOSPHERE RESEVE- a gold and crimson desert carved by ancient wadis-is the backdrop for Feynan Ecolodge, owned by Jordan’s Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature Glowing candles handmade by local women illuminate rooms and interior courtyards decorated with traditional handicrafts. The midday heat of summer encourages early morning and late afternoon activities such as mountain biking and trekking; during the winter months, fireplaces fed with charcoal mad of crushed olive pits, a renewable and readily available resource, keep things warm and cozy. Bedouin hosts lead activities like making flatbread over an open fire an exploring 4,000-year-old copper minis that existed in the time of the Roman Empire. 26 rooms; from $110, including breakfast and Dana Reserve entrance fee.