Sinking down into the Silfra Crack – a world class dive site that allows divers to descend into a crack between the American and Eurasian continents – you’ll find yourself swimming in glacial water so pristine you can not only see through it with unparalleled clarity, but also drink it, should you have the desire.

Try snorkeling or diving in Iceland with the team from Dive.Is and find yourself transported to a realm straight out of a fantasy. The glacial waters are a Caribbean-like crystal blue, while emerald green sea grasses sway in the currents ­ all wedged within volcanic fissures and lagoons.  The lagoons alter their look each day as geothermal activity causes the black rock to shift, grind, and pop into new formations.

Led by Tómas J. Knútsson and Tobias Klose, Dive.IS also offers dive training. There are day trips or week long excursions involving a mixture of diving and land trips to some of Iceland’s more remarkable sites.   It’s a fantastic experience for snorkelers and divers looking for an adventurous alternative to tropical diving.  ­ Chris Chesak

For More Information visit: www.dive.is or call them in Reykjavik at +354- 663-2858.

Join International Expeditions next spring as they continue their long tradition of supporting conservation projects with a new trip to Peru March 1-9, 2008: Pharmacy from the Rainforest – Global Perspectives in Healthcare.  Part of their “Classroom Earth” series of educational trips and workshops, this expedition leads travelers into the Peruvian rainforest to hike, bird-watch and cruise the Amazon all while learning about traditional medicines of the jungle.

From Iquitos, the largest city in the Peruvian rainforest, you’ll journey by boat down the Amazon into the jungle where, among other activities, you’ll witness firsthand a shaman’s healing ceremony and enjoy the view from the world famous Canopy Walkway System. 

Although this trip is structured like a tour, the educational component is top notch: regular interactive sessions are led by an established group of medical doctors on topics such as Global Climate Change & Health; Rainforest Remedies and their Historical Impact on Healthcare; and Hallucinogens, Herbs and Healing.  The University of Washington, a program sponsor, can also provide educational credits for healthcare professionals such as pharmacists and nurses.

Optional activities we certainly wouldn’t want to miss: piranha fishing and nighttime jungle explorations by foot and boat!

Trip Cost: Approximately $2300
For More Information see www.ietravel.com; or call toll free (800) 633-4734 (USA/Canada) or (205) 428-1700.

Feed The Rat
We discovered Feed the Rat - www.feedtherat.com through a reader in Geneva, Switzerland, and were immediately hooked.  Feed the Rat is a “community of skiers, climbers, paddlers, base-jumpers, mountain-bikers, cave-divers, surfers, snowboarders and adventurers from most of the other arenas.”  The website is a log of their activities and also a great resource for people planning their next out-there adventure.  If you’ve always wanted to plan your own expedition – polar, desert, mountains – you name it -  look into their Expedition Consultantcy Service. They’ll help you organize and execute your dream expedition.

Matador
Matador - www.matadortravel.com is “a place to share travel stories & photos, meet people in the places you're going, get info and advice from experts, become a paid travel writer, collaborate with local organizations, and get inspired everyday with articles about sustainability and world culture.”  Whew.  That’s a lot, eh?  Still in beta version, Matador’s easy-to-navigate site already delivers on the inspiration and is well on its way to building a very cool community of global citizens. Check out their Map feature to see where Matador writers are hanging out – everywhere from Kazakhstan to Madagascar.