This World Nature Conservation Day, see how your travels with Luxury Gold help conserve nature for future generations, through our unique MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences.
Travel is more than visiting fantastic destinations, it is about connection, responsible tourism and leaving a positive legacy. Through our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, we offer the opportunity to see behind-the-scenes of some vitally important projects that are having a real impact on nature conservation. Alongside Local Experts, discover the dedicated work and research taking place, and meet fascinating wildlife along the way.
Preserving the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
A spectacular sight, the thousands of basalt columns tumbling into the Atlantic Ocean that form the fabled Giant’s Causeway have been intriguing visitors for decades. This UNESCO World Heritage site paints an epic picture, and features around 40,000 hexagonal shaped stones, dating back to a volcanic age almost 60 million years ago. The area also boasts rare species, along with more familiar wildlife, and in 1987 it was declared a national nature reserve. A paradise for nature lovers, here you can find a range of seabirds and sea plants in the area.
Legend has it that an Irish giant named Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn McCool) was fighting with the Scottish giant Benendonner, his arch enemy. Fionn built a path of stepping-stones to reach Scotland, which was then destroyed by Benandonner, leaving behind the Giant’s Causeway.
Fast forward to today and an important conservation plan is underway to help reverse the challenges facing this natural phenomenon. Over tourism (and its impacts on communities), the pandemic and climate change all play a part.
During this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience join a local ranger to discover the Giant Causeway’s ancient history, impressive formation and the fantastic folklore that surrounds it. Through this unique opportunity, learn about the nature conservation efforts in place to support the natural habitat and wildlife populations. And, through your visit, know that you are contributing to keeping the site preserved and protected for future generations.
Discover this on: Ultimate Ireland
Saving the Iberian Lynx in Portugal
Join an unforgettable feline MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience in the stunning landscapes of southern Portugal to learn all about the Iberian Lynx, the world’s most endangered feline. In the charming hilltop town of Serpa with its cobbled streets graced by olive trees, red-sloped roofs and white sun-baked houses, meet with experts and hear how the region has implemented conservation programs to protect and re-introduce this vital species to the local area.
Once its natural habitat, the Vale do Guadiana Nature Park has seen the gradual reintroduction of the Iberian Lynx since early 2015. Prior to this, the graceful lynx had disappeared from the area due to direct hunting. Today, the population is booming and a visit to the region offers a unique responsible travel experience to get to know this extraordinary species and to help conserve nature and contribute to its future.
Discover this on: Spain & Portugal in Style
Read more: 4 incredible MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences you can enjoy with Luxury Gold
Protecting the waterfalls of Plitvice, Croatia
One of the most fairy-tale locations you will ever have the delight to see, the cascading falls and colorful lakes of Plitvice Lakes National Park are one of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders.
On this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, explore this scenic wonderland with a Local Expert. As you zig-zag across timber footbridges, admire the views, discover flora and fauna and learn about the Park’s invaluable research work and nature conservation of its native species. Challenges faced by the area include over-construction, over tourism and a resulting decrease in water quality.
The lake system is comprised of 16 named and several smaller unnamed lakes, each one cascading into the next, and ending with the impressive Sastavci Waterfalls. Over thousands of years, waters flowing over the limestone and chalk have deposited travertine barriers, creating natural dams which in turn have created this mesmerising series of lakes, caves and cascades.
Discover this on: Croatia & The Dalmatian Coast
Read more: 9 Reasons to visit Croatia & the Dalmatian Coast – Luxury Gold – Journey Beyond the Ordinary
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Walk among exotic birds, Iguazu, Brazil
Step into an avian paradise of the most exquisitely colored parrots, hummingbirds, toucans and flamingos at Parque das Aves, the only institution in the world focused on the conservation of the birds of the Atlantic Rainforest. See owls, herons, hawks and eagles on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, as you step into the forest, walk among the birds, and discover the fascinating work taking place to conserve nature at this important sanctuary.
Providing shelter for over a thousand birds, butterflies and reptiles from across South America, learn how they are helping reverse the conservation crisis facing these birds and the Atlantic rainforest. With less than 10% of the original Atlantic rainforest remaining, loss of habitat is a great threat to their future, so focused breeding programmes are in place to protect endangered species. Many of the birds in the park have also come from trade and mistreatment.
Enjoy the beautiful surroundings and step out amongst the trees to see these beautiful creatures thriving in their natural habitat, albeit a protected one. Learn from experts all about the different species and the challenges that they face, and how they conserve nature, with your visit contributing to their protection and future.
Discover this on: Classic South America
Read more: 7 experiences to sir your soul in Latin America
Save the Kiwi, New Zealand
As the national emblem of New Zealand, the Kiwi is known worldwide. But sadly this small, flightless bird is under threat of extinction, with just some 68,000 left. An easy target for predators such as dogs, cats and possums the kiwis need all the help they can get. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at the National Kiwi Hatchery in Aotearoa and take a memorable behind-the-scenes tour through this working kiwi nursery and hatchery, dedicated to the conservation of the national icon.
New Zealand’s leading institution for kiwi husbandry, the National Kiwi Hatchery are experts in egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. On your visit learn all about the hatching process and enjoy the delight of newly hatched kiwi chicks. You can also expand your wildlife knowledge as you seek out skinks, geckos and trout amidst the thick foliage of the park.
Over the years, the hatchery has grown to become the largest and most successful kiwi hatching facility in the world, successfully incubating and hatching brown kiwi eggs, helping the North Island population considerably. Through this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience guests are helping to fund the Hatchery and directly contributing to kiwi conservation.
Discover this on: The Long White Cloud
If you are keen to help conserve nature through responsible tourism, take a look at our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences, and read about our sustainability strategy, How We Tread Right. This sets the mandate on sustainability at Luxury Gold, and our sister travel companies, and is anchored to the United Nations’ Global Goals, to measure and address Luxury Gold’s impact on People, the Planet and Wildlife.
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