Peter Greenberg: Greek Island Vacation
By: Peter Greenberg | Source: AARP.org | 2009-01-22
'Don't Go There!'
Peter's newest book, "Don't Go There! The Travel Detective's Essential Guide to the Must-Miss Places of the World," is about all the places you should avoid—from high-crime areas to polluted vistas. Is there any place you'd like to warn people not to visit? Send Peter a message here. And order the book now—AARP members save 10 percent at Borders.
What is the name of the island off Greece that is included in the "blue zones" where people live healthy beyond the age of 90? How can I find a family to live with in Greece while discovering the islands? I would rather live local while vacationing.
–Betsy, White Marsh, Md.
"Blue Zones" is a project started by the Quest Network Inc., which studies the regions of the world where people live the longest, healthiest lives. Included in these Blue Zones are the island of Sardinia, Italy, the Japanese island of Okinawa, a community of Seventh-Day Adventists in Loma Linda, Calif., and the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. There is no island off Greece that is included in the Blue Zones, but I believe the island you may be thinking of is Sardinia, which is located off Italy’s western coast.
There are a few options that allow you to live with a local family when traveling to Italy, or anywhere else around the world. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, or WWOOF.org, is an international network that helps people share more sustainable ways of living. In return for volunteer help, WWOOF.org hosts offer food, accommodations, and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
Another option is to look for home-stay facilitators. Homestayweb.com allows visitors to rent rooms from local families to better learn the local culture and lifestyle. Another Web site to check out is Servas, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping people get to know one another through travel.
There’s also the option of doing a language-immersion course. Sunstudies.com provides Italian courses for adults in Sardinia. Located in Posada, they offer a wide variety of activities outside the classroom and accommodations.
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