Eco Travel

Tuesday is not only the longest day of the year, the solstice, and the official start of summer, but also on of the few days a year that the National Park Service decides to open its doors. One hundred parks across the country will not charge entry fees, so it's the perfect time to take that overdue hike. We took it upon ourselves to find five fantastic free adventures.

With coasts on both the Pacific and Caribbean, Costa Rica is defined both physically and culturally by its 750 miles of parenthetical shoreline. To the traveler, that means not only that there is no shortage of beaches backed by tropical forests, but also that sun-bathing can count as a cultural activity. Whether it's relaxing seclusion or seaside parties, Costa Rica has a beach for any travel type.

The Solar Impulse took its first international flight on Friday from Switzerland to Belgium, the Associated Press reports.

May 6th marks the 3rd annual National Public Gardens Day. Created to bring awareness to the importance of public gardens in promoting environmental stewardship and plant and water conservation, the day will see some 500 events across the country to celebrate America's public gardens.