Sporty holidays or getting into shape while on holiday

There seems to be so much sport on the news over the last couple of weeks with the Olympics and all sorts of events to motivate us so I thought I'd explore some novel things to do for sporty types. With our lovely presenter Elaine Crowley on Midday doing Celebrity Operation Transformation everybody seems to be on the move and working that body.
In case you haven't realised she's no stranger to working out and is incredibly fit - No1 Bootcamp is just one of the places where she has stayed and you can stay there too

Basic details about the camps  & pictures 

No 1 Boot Camp runs Europe's most popular super-healthy weight loss retreats. Its main camp is on the beautiful North Norfolk coast in England, close to the Queen's Sandringham estate. Elaine Crowley has been to the Norfolk camp along with lots of celebrities including Arg from The Only Way Is Essex (pic included).

Gee Leary is the No 1 Boot Camp head trainer - very hunky. He looks like a movie star. Picture included. 

No 1 Camp has a second camp in Ibiza which runs from March till October. It is very popular with celebrities such as Ireland's Nadia Forde. Two pictures included of her at camp. Other pictures of celebs at the Ibiza camp include Ashley Roberts from the Pussycat Dollars, Vanessa White from the Saturdays, Binky Felstead from Made In Chelsea. No 1 Boot Campers hiking and doing yoga on the beach as well as the beautiful Ibizan coastline near the camp.

Ethos of the camp

No 1 Boot Camp aims to help clients lose weight fast. Average weight loss is around 1lb a day - so we aim for most campers to lose at least half a stone in their first week. We cater for all levels of fitness - from the seriously out of shape to super-fit gym bunnies who want to hone their fitness.

Almost all our trainers are ex-Military so their routines are based on the science which informs Army/Marine physical instruction. It is tough but the trainers are well aware they are dealing with paying clients so they go easy on the shouting.

The aim is to lose weight but also instigate long-term lifestyle change so that ex-boot campers go home with lots of good habits they can keep up at home.

Prices

Prices for the Norfolk camp start at  €1,000 for a shared room, going up to  €1,900 for the most luxurious single room. 

Prices for the Ibiza camp start at €1,500 for a shared room week, going up to €2,900 for the most luxurious single room. 

Full prices here (in £s)

http://www.no1bootcamp.com/index.php?page=dates_and_prices

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Check out the Irish Travel Agents Association website for a selection of late deals and specialised holidays
http://itaa.ie/

Cycling Holidays at Kanes Travel

Tel: 0433 334500

www.kanestravel.ie

·         We work with Velo Vercors (www.velovercors.com) who offer a one stop cycling holiday in the Vercors alps of France.

·         Prices as follows for Sportive challenges

·         We can tailor make a package at any time of year to suit groups or families or particular interests and abilities.

ALL RATES are Price Per Person based on 2 sharing a room in a gite or B&B. Include some evening meals, breakfasts, Transfers on arrival and departure, Transport to Sportive, accompanied rides. See cyclosportive page for full details.
7 nights         3 night weekend
Vercors Challenge (May)	Euro699	Euro459
L'Ardechoise (June)	Euro749	Euro489
La Dromoise (Sept)	Euro699	Euro459

The Vercors offers superb Alpine training for the Etape or the Marmotte. The 3 local sportives we support are well organised events that attract a wide range of cyclists' and have a buzz and atmosphere similar to Top Amateur and Professional races. They are on closed or marshalled roads giving much greater safety than UK sportives. Local villages embrace the events offering support and a warm welcome for all the riders with local town bands, animations and a festival atmosphere. There are regular feed and drink stops and a buffet at the finish. Timing chips will also be given to record an accurate time and place. We will be supporting riders on the following local events and offer weekend and weekly packages priced on a per person rate on a shared basis in our gites or B&B.  

At Cullentragh Lodge, Velo Leitrim offer you the opportunity to enjoy the comforts of their Irish home which they have lovingly restored. Experience staying in an original classic Irish stone cottage complemented by eco credentials, luxurious interiors and stunning views. An ideal base to discover everything the hauntingly, beautiful County of Leitrim has to offer. 

Whether you come to cycle, walk or simply chill out, Cullentragh Lodge, with its spectacular views across the valley and the peaceful surroundings will leave you with wonderful memories.

Their hand chosen bike routes will lead you along quiet, low traffic roads, along rolling hills, Loughs, Waterfalls and the Wild Atlantic Way. And if you don't want the hassle of bringing your own bikes they can arrange bikes to be ready and waiting for your arrival.

The  location offers a great choice of being in Leitrim but just a stone’s throw from the Counties of Cavan, Donegal, Sligo and Mayo in the Republic and Enniskillen across the border. It offers the best of country living with its abundance of lakes, rich landscape and incredible fauna and flora as well as being situated only 35kms from The Wild Atlantic Way with its many sandy beaches and Top Surfing locations

weekly rental of lodge is €925 for six people

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Enjoy a deluxe hiking holiday in Madonna di Campiglio, a beautiful resort in the Dolomite Mountains.- last minute deal with Topflight is good value

Madonna di Campiglio is one of the most beautiful destinations for walkers, hikers and groups alike. Explore scenic mountain trails, spectacular landscapes and some of the most beautiful paths in the Dolomites. You will be based in the luxurious 4-Star Superior Hotel Cristal Palace, a beautiful Alpine-style hotel.

the dolomites

ABOUT THE 4-STAR SUPERIOR HOTEL CRISTAL PALACE

Stay at the elegant Hotel Cristal Palace in Madonna di Campiglio during your deluxe hiking holiday. Hotel Cristal Palace boasts stunning Alpine-inspired architecture, along with a beautiful wooden interior. The rooms in the Cristal Palace are luxurious, comfortable and spacious while the facilities are of the highest quality.

After an activity-packed day of hiking, guests can unwind in the beautiful panoramic restaurant and bar. Enjoy spectacular views of Madonna di Campiglio and the Brenta Dolomites.

You will be spoiled for choice by the range of treatments at the Cristal Energy SPA, with a vast range on offer. Enjoy a relaxing swim in the heated indoor pool, or perhaps indulge in a massage treatment, and recharge your batteries.

www.topflight.ie for more details - September 10th departure €849
01-2401784

YOUR PACKAGE INCLUDES

 Return Flights from Dublin
 Return Transfers by Luxury Coach
 7 Nights Half Board Accommodation at the 4-Star Superior Hotel Cristal Palace
 A FREE 6-Day Dolomeet Card / Lift Pass (worth up to €85)
 5 local guided hikes, with two private guides for groups of up to 40 people
 20kg baggage allowance  All taxes

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The Novel Traveller is notoriously not sporty even though I love adventure and chance to do something daring but even I could be tempted to go healthy while on a cruise and two of my favourite cruislines are offering healthy options. Going on a cruise doesn't automatically mean that you are going to put on a few kilos and I love the idea of losing weight, toning up and getting all sporty in a different country everyday?

Celebrity Cruises

1)     Yoga on The Lawn Club at Sea

·        Pull off your best downward facing dog or sun salutation while taking in the serenity of the turquoise seas. Celebrity Cruises guests can take to the real grass lawn on the top deck and enjoy a yoga class while sailing into idyllic destinations such as the Greek Isles, Turkey and Italy

·        The mind-body yoga workout features T-Spheres to help stretch and flex out of the workstation slump or texting crouch. The pressure-point experience facilitates unwinding with quiet, precise movements that corrects poor body alignment, increases flexibility, relieves mental stress and promotes restorative sleep

·        Costs from

2)     AquaClass information

·        For the ultimate health and fitness enthusiast, Celebrity Cruises serene AquaClass® Staterooms are the holiday of choice. Located comfortably close to the AquaSpa Relaxation Room, the Solarium and the Persian Garden, each room offers a beautiful balcony and some in-room extras to help guests relax. AquaClass® Stateroom extras include a plush bathrobe and slippers, an aromatherapy diffuser, pillow menu and additional toiletries including shower gel, facial spray and lip balm. Daily deliveries of bottled water and teas are made, with an enhanced room service menu on offer designed with health-conscious guests in mind

·        Guests will have access to a Personal Spa Concierge, who will arrange AquaSpa® treatments for them, and guests can also take part in Celebrity Cruises special programme of wellness classes like meditation and yoga

·        Celebrity Cruises offers an exclusive AquaClass® guests restaurant for breakfast and dinner, Blu offering “clean cuisine”  

3)     Kayak, Snorkel, and Beach Experience (George Town, Grand Cayman

·        Enjoy three fun adventures on one tour with kayaking, snorkeling and relaxing at Seven Mile Beach. You'll receive snorkel gear and a two-person kayak at the water sports complex on Seven Mile Beach. Then paddle toward the official Governor's Residence and snorkel among the abundant tropical fish and coral formations at Governor's Reef before paddling back. Enjoy complimentary rum or fruit punch and spend an hour enjoying the beach facilities

·        Costs from $59 USD per child and $84 USD per adult

4)     Reventazon Whitewater Rafting (Puerto Limon, Costa Rica)

·        Grab a paddle and hit the river for a fast, fun, and unforgettable ride down these legendary rapids. The Reventazon River has hosted the World Rafting Championships. Now, it’s your turn. Rumble down an easy to maneuver section of the river thats perfect for kids, families, and all types of adventurous souls. Zoom over swirling rapids. Enjoy the natural beauty that surrounds you and have a blast on this funfilled adventure down the river

·        Costs from $99  per person

5)     Cozumel 12 Metre America'S Cup Regatta (Cozumel, Mexico)

·        Be part of Americas Cup history as you sail the fastest "Twelves" ever built. Designed to do one thing race in Americas Cups the 12metre class was retired following Dennis Conner’s win in 1987 at the helm of Stars and Stripes. Very few people have had the privilege of sailing aboard these classic mega yachts. Now you can be one of them as you experience the thrill of racing in the original Dennis Conner’s challenge

·        Costs form $114 per person

6)     Mayan Frontier By Horseback and Ecolounge Beach Break (Cozumel, Mexico)

·        Saddle up and ride through the natural wonders of the island of Cozumel. Horses are assigned and instructions are given at Rancho Buenavista. You'll ride through the rainforest passing original Mayan ruins, replicas and caves dating back 1,500 years. Your guide explains Mayan history and customs as you trot along the trails. After this mystical experience, you'll arrive at a beautiful beach where you can relax, swim and enjoy the amazing Caribbean breeze

·        Costs from $60 per child and $99 per adult

Package

Join Celebrity Cruises’ (www.celebritycruises.co.uk; 0800 441 4054) Celebrity Equinox on a 12-night Ultimate Caribbean fly/cruise from €2,189 per person (based on two adults sharing an interior stateroom).
Price includes return flights from Dublin, transfers, one-night pre-cruise accommodation and a 10-night cruise departing from Ultimate Caribbean Cruise departing from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) and calling at George Town (Grand Cayman), Cartagena (Colombia), Colon (Panama), Puerto Limon (Costa Rica) and Cozumel (Mexico) for an overnight stay before returning to Fort Lauderdale for the flight home.

Price is based on 19 January 2016 departure.

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MSC offer The perfect cruise for wellness & fitness enthusiasts

The new Wellness Experience - powered by Technogym, gives you the privileged access to state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a comprehensive one-on-one health assessment, a personalized fitness program and a selection of healthy food and drink options to choose from. We’ve partnered with Technogym, the world’s leading wellness company, to bring this new experience exclusively to the 

MSC Cruises’ ships starting from Summer 2017.

Further customize your vacation based on your own personal desires and interests by booking the new Wellness Experience – part of the existing Inclusive Experience categories that guests can choose when booking their cruise.

The personalized experience features cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art fitness facilities, specialized food & beverage offerings, exclusive shore excursions, and access to MSC Cruises’ Master Trainers certified by Technogym.

Discover the wellness category that best suits your goals

As soon as you book the Wellness Experience, you’ll be invited to compete the Aspiration Finder™ - the first-ever scientific questionnaire developed by Technogym’s Research Department – which helps MSC understand your wellness motivations and match you with one of the following wellness categories. The result of the questionnaire is a personalized Aspiration Map, which forms the basis for the individualized program.

ONBOARD CONSULTATIONS AND HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

Receive a one-on-one appointment with a MSC Master Trainer, who will conduct an assessment consisting of body scale analyzer test combined with an in-depth consultation. You’ll also receive a medical check-up with the MSC Doctor, which will include a blood pressure test, electrocardiogram 

ACCESS TO THE MY WELLNESS APP

Receive complimentary access to the MSC Cruises-only version of Technogyms’ award-winning mywellness app. This app tracks your movement & assigns a daily movement target, includes info from your personalized training program and allows you to see fitness class schedules 

Starting price on inside cabin for wellness package is €949pp on the newest ship MSC Meraviglia with €300 add on for flights!!

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To find out more details about cruise prices and offers contact www.cruiseholidays.ie

So Tune in to TV3 tomorrow for Travel Tuesday to hear all about these fab options to get fit this autumn

On Reflection, Celebrity Cruises are the perfect family holiday - especially for teens!

On Board Reflection Miami

I'm standing under a cloudless sky on the top deck of Celebrity Cruises Reflection, as the towers on Miami Beach recede into a balmy haze. Granddad, Granny, my teen and tween are in their cabins unpacking their bags so they can make the most of every second on the ship and we've been through the first world dilemma of whether to go for the drinks package or not.

Perfect seclusion on the balcony

One of the great treats about cruising is travelling to different destinations without having to pack or unpack to do it. It's my father's first cruise and I'm confident we've the perfect balance for all three generations on board. Celebrity ships offer a five-star-experience, best described as modern refined luxury. The carpets have a deeper pile than normal and features like extra large showers and curved corners on the beds show that every little detail has been thought through with care.

Tiered balconies provide great privacy at stern of ship

Being cruise veterans my kids know the importance of the first day meet-up in the teen zone. Kitted out with table tennis, video games and a mini stage the teens huge social area is open all day and supervised until late at night and the best part is there are no tacky cartoon characters reminding the teens that they are kids. They move between the grass lawn on the upper deck and the hideaway on deck seven, yet seem to go practically unnoticed by the majority of the guests. There's great comfort as a parent to know there are only so many places they can be.

Beautiful St Thomas

Our first day is at sea giving everyone time to get their bearings and giving me time to try out the spa. The Persian Gardens are a luxury with hot beds looking out to sea and an array of spa rooms. It's well worth joining for the week and complimentary for Aqua Class passengers. I go for a manicure at Canyon Ranch SpaClub and enjoy the unspoilt ocean view as my feet are transformed with a French polish. As well as the usual entertainment of theatre, comedy and casino, the art on celebrity is a big draw and Granny and I decide to view the exhibition at a wine event. There's no pressure to purchase but it is tempting, instead we decide to try our luck at the casino.

Volleyball match between guests and officers

The fine dining option offers delicious options and just the right size portion. I manage to enjoy my food without putting on too many extra pounds. But it's Granddad's birthday and the waiters make a fuss of him when they bring out a beautiful chocolate cake inscribed with his name. As they sing happy birthday to him, I know we will all remember this moment with joy for years to come.

Our first port of call is San Juan in Puerto Rico. Immediately the relaxed rhythm of the Caribbean fills our souls as we step into the colonial past and charm of this island paradise. The city has all the modern trappings, including a CVS store and KFCs but my daughter heads straight for the stalls selling traditional sweets made from plantains and nuts. Our guide takes us through a brief history of the old town and past statues of the colonial past and Spanish architecture. Next stop is the bar where the Pina Colado was invented and they make Virgin cocktails for the kids. We have a salsa class before leaving this beautiful island and I know that I'll be back.

St Maarten

Our itinerary takes us to the neighbouring island of St Thomas the following day. This beautiful island has all the ambience of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' including the famous Blackbeard's castle. We take a taxi from the ship and are left at the town centre among dozens of jewellery stores, even Tiffany & Co have a branch on this island. Not to be distracted we walk the 99 steps up hill to Blackbeard's Castle and enjoy the spectacular view on the way. The Caribbean is full of interesting characters and one young man in his 80s stands by a viewpoint and offers to take a photo for a dollar tip − we couldn't resist an offer like that! The local market is great for the kids, as they find trinkets and souvenirs for their friends at home.

Shopping St Thomas

St Thomas is stunning, but the kids want to get back to the ship early to meet their pals. It's not a bad call as I find myself enjoying the half-empty ship, especially in such a beautiful setting. Granddad can't wait to get his cabin with all day sunshine on his tiered balcony he gets to sunbathe in peace. Our Tour America agent advised us when booking about the large balcony and suitability for sunbathing which she got spot on. Granny and I are invited up to the heli-pad deck to have a glass of champagne with the senior officers and to our delight a giant sea turtle puts on a display in the water below as we pull away from the shore.

Qsine restaurant

That evening we eat at Qsine, in one of the speciality restaurants which incur a small supplement. The kids have fun showing Granddad how to use the iPad menu. Some of the dishes are accompanied by a video cartoon, with 'Disco Shrimp' possibly the most entertaining as well as delicious. Incredibly my son passes on dessert because he's too full but my daughter orders the cupcakes which are prepared with tiny icing bags for her to decorate herself, much to her delight.

Pool at night

Later I go with Granny and Granddad to the theatre to see the illusionists show. Entertainment on board is thrilling, something that's missing from other luxury brand cruises with less guests on board. The Beatles Show is on par with Let It Be, showing in the West End. Equally enjoyable is sitting on my balcony, reading my book and sipping a glass of wine. Carlos our room attendant refreshes the ice bucket daily and brings canapés each afternoon. I've grown so fond of him and little niceties like a chocolate on my pillow every evening!

ST Maarten

Day four and we wake in St Maarten. The skies are cloudy but in typical Caribbean fashion the sun breaks through after an hour. We take a bus tour that passes famous Orient Beach, but are too early to see the naturists. This unique island is divided in two and shared by the Dutch and the French. Three currencies are accepted but the dollar is the best to use. We loved the bustling French capital with yummy aromas from the patisseries and cafes. But the highlight is our stop at Maho Beach, noisiest in the Caribbean, where aircraft almost clip the holidaymakers as they come in to land at Queen Julianne Airport. The YouTube clips I've seen don't exaggerate.

Maho Beach waiting for the airplanes

We still have two more days at sea to enjoy and I feel panicked at the thought of returning to real life. My kids have made new best friends, and Granny and Granddad are talking about where they would like to cruise to next. Teens adore Celebrity because unlike other cruise ships they aren't reminded that they are children at every turn. In fact it was easy to forget that the kids were with us. 

Granny, Grandad and Mark and Nicole

We disembarked reluctantly and returned to the beautiful Biltmore Hotel in Miami where we stayed the night before our cruise and last stop before our flight back to Dublin. The Three Generations agreed on 'Reflection' our Celebrity Cruise was the best holiday ever.

Tour America package details

Miami & Western Caribbean Fly/Cruise fr €1469 per person

Return flights to Miami, All taxes and charges

2 Nights Miami

7 Night on board Celebrity Reflection - Inside stateroom

Based on 2 adults sharing

Date of departure: 17 Nov 2016

Our Ref: 512587

CTA:

www.touramerica.ie

Phone: 01 8173558

Join Celebrity Cruises’ (www.celebritycruises.ie); 1800 932 611*) Celebrity Summit on an eight-night Eastern Caribbean fly/cruise from €1,849 per person (based on two people an interior stateroom).

 Price includes return flights from Dublin, transfers and a six-night cruise departing from Cape Liberty (NJ) and calling at Philipsburg (St Maarten), Charlotte Amalie (St. Thomas) before arriving in San Juan (Puerto Rico) for the flight home; meals and entertainment on board the ship and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

 Price based on 16 October departure.

 For more information or to book call 1800 932 611* or visit www.celebritycruises.ie

* Calls cost 7 pence per minute plus your network access charge 

www.biltmorehotel.com

Ponant L'Austral sails up the Liffey

The Five Star luxury cruising ship L'Austral boarded guests from Dublin Port on May 9th to take a tour of Ireland and the UK for the next few days. Five Star cruising is very much like staying in a small boutique hotel with refined luxury, yet being a smaller ship means that the possibility of exotic destination are endless.

I spoke with Stephen Winter, the International Sales director, who flew in from Paris to tell me more about the company. Ponant is a French company and French styling and cuisine is at the core of this brand. Relaxed elegance is insured on these ships and with a fleet of five and in operation for twenty years it is growing steadily and offering something different for the much-travelled cruise passenger. Catering for the active retired, average client age is 60, but with destinations such as the Antarctic, River Amazon and transatlantic to South Africa this brand offers experiences for the young at heart.

I had a peek at the cabins and the four treatment rooms in the spa and was convinced that I would be more than entertained on this cruise ship. Many clients take back to back cruises as the ship itinerary changes often without repeating its course.

Fine dining room with Haute Cuisine

Treatment Room

Owner's suite on board L'Austral

These cruises are not cheap but then again the experience is something uniquely special and perhaps worth saving for. Booking early means making huge savings and as there are only 130 cabins, cruises book up often years is advance, so it's a good idea to plan ahead.
The ship has a small swimming pool and plenty of areas to lounge and sunbathe
If like me you have a dream to reach the Antarctic someday then this is one way of doing it in style. With 26 Zodiac dinghies on board there's plenty of room for all the guests to get up close and personal with the wildlife on one of earth's last remaining wilderness, I wonder what Shackleton would have thought!

For more information see http://en.ponant.com/

Royal Caribbean are teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund

It's good to see a travel company working with the environment. This is a positive step in sustainable tourism. Well done Royal Caribbean!

The partners will set measurable and achievable sustainability targets that will reduce Royal Caribbean’s environmental footprint, raise awareness about ocean conservation among the company’s more than five million guests, and support WWF’s global oceans conservation work. 

The targets announced today focus on supply chain sustainability and emissions reductions through 2020. Royal Caribbean and WWF are also working together to develop targets aimed at strengthening the company’s sustainable sourcing strategy and its destination stewardship and sustainable tour operations platforms.

“Our mantra at Royal Caribbean is ‘Continuous Improvement,’ and this partnership with WWF represents a great opportunity to make a big step forward in meeting our special responsibility to protect the oceans,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “It is also gratifying to see that our determination to make a meaningful difference is shared by our employees and our guests. This new partnership aligns all of us at RCL with WWF’s mission to conserve the world’s oceans. Together we are setting aggressive goals and together we will start implementing them right away.”

“The threats that are facing the ocean are greater than ever – in the last 30 years, some ocean wildlife populations have declined by nearly 50 percent. If we are going to reverse the downward trends, we must take serious steps to repair, restore and protect the oceans,” said Carter Roberts, WWF-US President and CEO.

“This initiative centres on two core concepts: first, committing to specific and measurable targets to reduce carbon emissions, increase sustainable sourcing and build destination stewardship; and second, comprehensively engaging their millions of travellers to learn about the ocean and then act to help save it."

Royal Caribbean Cruises and WWF jointly developed new 2020 environmental sustainability targets for the company that include:

Carbon Emissions 2020 Target:

·         Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020.

Sustainable Seafood 2020 Target

·         Responsibly source 90% of its wild-caught seafood by volume from MSC certified sustainable fisheries, fisheries in full assessment for MSC certification, comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), and/or sourced from International Seafood Sustainability Association (ISSA) member companies.

·         In North America and Europe operations, responsibly source 75% of its farmed seafood by volume from ASC certified responsible farms, farms in full assessment for ASC certification, and/or comprehensive aquaculture improvement projects.

·         In addition, by June 30, 2016, RCL will set specific traceability goals with targets for obtaining MSC and ASC chain of custody.

In addition, Royal Caribbean and WWF have agreed to develop and announce new targets by June 30 that will address destination stewardship. As part of this, WWF and RCL will collaborate to strengthen RCL’s destination sustainability assessment and selection process.

Royal Caribbean also will financially support WWF’s global ocean conservation work through a $5 million philanthropic contribution during the partnership, and will collaborate with WWF to build global awareness about ocean conservation issues among its millions of passengers.

The organisations made their announcement at an event in Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines that is home to a model community-based ecotourism program. At the event, RCL also made a separate, $200,000 donation to WWF Philippines in support of conservation programs in the Donsol area.