Peloponnese turtle conservation holiday, Greece

Planet

This trip is all about sea turtle conservation! It proves that tourism can be a significantly important tool for conservation, by respecting wildlife and biodiversity in every possible way! Specifically:
* You will become a conservationist yourself when participating in this project!
* Included in your travel package is a donation to the sea turtle protection society of Greece. Both when you visit the Sea Turtle Rescue Center and when you later volunteer on the beaches!* Wildlife species are not harvested, consumed, displayed, sold, or traded.
* No captive wildlife is held – no healthy turtles at least UNLESS the sea turtles are injured or sick (in case of the Sea Turtle Rescue Center)
* The trip supports and contributes to biodiversity conservation, including natural protected areas and areas of high biodiversity value.
* Interactions with wildlife, considering cumulative impacts, do not produce adverse effects on the viability and behaviour of populations in the wild. Any disturbance of natural ecosystems is minimized. No turtle swimming or turtle petting
* Information about and interpretation of the natural surroundings is provided to tourists in the area, as well as explaining appropriate behaviour while on the beaches where turtles nest. When you volunteer for the sea turtle protection society YOU will be the one raising public awareness on these issues!
* For most of this holiday you stay in 1 spot: the coastline of the South Peloponnese
* The necessary transfers are group transfers, in a minivan.
* When volunteering you will mostly just walk. Because the long stretch of beach is right in front of the accommodation!
* For optional excursions possibility to use the public transportation (bus) or rent a bike.
* The food is mainly locally sourced, seasonal and fresh. Olive oil (produced on the premises) is used in the food too. Plenty of vegan, vegetarian options available.
* Lodging is in a camping with a “back to nature” concept - with minimal electricity and power use.
* Guides are local, thus reducing his/her need to travel.
*For most of this holiday you stay in 1 spot: the coastline of the South Peloponnese. The necessary transfers are group transfers, in a minivan. When volunteering you will mostly just walk. Because the long stretch of beach is right in front of the accommodation! For optional excursions possibility to use the public transportation (bus) or rent a bike.
*The food is mainly locally sourced, seasonal and fresh. Olive oil (produced on the premises) is used in the food too. Plenty of vegan, vegetarian options available.
*Lodging is in a camping with a “back to nature” concept - with minimal electricity and power use.

People

One of our core values is to celebrate a Diversity of Place & Culture whilst delivering you rich and authentic experiences at an affordable price. It is done because we are 100% local. Expect authentic experiences such as local traditional cuisine and local traditional architecture in an area untouched by mass tourism! * so the operator of this tour is a small, local independent tour operator business
You support the community in the following ways:
* Information about and interpretation of the local culture, and cultural heritage is provided to travellers by locals
* Your tour leader is local, offering local knowledge and expertise
* Local services and goods are purchased and offered, following fair-trade principles.
* Supporting local small entrepreneurs to develop and sell sustainable products that are based on the area’s nature, history and culture (including food and beverages, crafts, performance arts, agricultural products, etc.). The owners of the camping produce and sell their own top olive oil on the premises.
* Purchasing policies favour locally appropriate and ecologically sustainable products, including building materials, capital goods, food, beverages and consumables.
* The camping in the countryside is family-owned. This is also where the research centre of the charity is located during the Summer months. The setting of the campsite is basically an olive grove.