Page 11 - AAA Northampton County – AAA Now! – Summer 2019

TRAVEL WITH SOMEONE YOU TRUST®
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MEMBER APPRECIATION EVENT • MAY 11-24
IT’S TIME TO DISCOVER THE
GALÁPAGOS ISLANDS
By John T. Garcia
You’ve heard of them. You’ve seen documentaries and television specials about them. You know someone who’s been to them. But now it’s time for you to discover the Galápagos Islands for yourself.
Unlike Paris or Hong Kong, many people can’t even find the Galápagos Islands on a map. The islands (there are 21 of them) lie more than 530 miles off the coast of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. They were discovered in the 16th century but gained popularity in the 19th century by naturalist Charles Darwin and other researchers as they came to study the varied flora and fauna on the islands, something that continues today.
Getting to the Galápagos Islands is easier than ever with flights that go straight to the islands. From there you can take tours to visit the different islands as each features some different creatures. Trips can be by small boats or even by small cruise ships, which then launch smaller vessels to get even closer. To protect the environment, every tour is limited by size and time and led by a licensed
guide. In fact, UNESCO named the islands a World Heritage Site in 1978.
Naturally, when people talk about the Galápagos Islands, one of two animals come to mind: either the Galápagos giant tortoise or iguanas. There are at least two types of iguanas found on
the islands, the Galápagos land iguana
and the Marine iguana, the only iguana
which feeds in the ocean. Other animals you might encounter once you make your way to the islands include the blue-footed booby, Galápagos sea lions and the Galápagos penguin and Waved albatross, the latter being the only species which live in tropical climates.
These and many other animals can be researched and learned about at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island. It also is home to
the Charles Darwin Foundation for the Galapagos Islands, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. The Research Station, is open daily and is
free. It recently opened its Marine World Exhibition, promoting its marine and conservation projects as well as offering fun learning tools for children.
Travel unscripted
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Guided foodie and tasting trail
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610-258-2371 • clubadventures.com • AAA Northampton County
Club Adventures powered by AAA Exclusive Vacations is a dba of Member Select Vacations LLC. AAA Exclusive Vacations does not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offer displayed. Rate quoted is based on the following travel dates (Mov is per person, based on double occupancy and is current at time of print. Rate will vary based on departure date and is subject to availability. Unless otherwise specified on the itinerary, air transportation, optional tours, gratuities for tour guides and items of personal nature appropriate travel insurance coverage must be provided prior to departure. AAA Exclusive Vacations reserves the right to change or cancel itineraries, hotels and other components whenever it is deemed necessary. If this occurs, every effort will be made to offer alternate airfare will be quoted inclusive of fuel, taxes and fees. Air is 100% nonrefundable once booked. To receive a full set of Club Adventures terms and conditions, visit clubadventures.com/terms or call (844) 205-6226. Other restrictions apply. CST#2125005-50. TRA.EV.34735
3914 Hecktown Rd., Easton, PA • (610) 258-2371 • northampton.aaa.com
ing Morocco 9/15/19, Cinque Terre 10/8/19, South Africa 9/7/19, Ancient Peru 9/5/19), are excluded from price. Travel insurance is not included in the package price. Proof of dates, hotels or other tour components. If you purchase an air-inclusive program, your 4.19
11
SUMMER 2019
Now!