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Oh boy! It may be chilly outside, but an adrenaline-fueled experience can keep you cozy and warm in the winter. From soaring through the thermal currents to snuggling down on a bed of ice, here are five heart-warming experiences to push your limits, and body temperature. Hold on to your Avid Grom R2D2 helmet… Read the rest of my nonsense on Burton Girls! 

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I love nothing more than dressing the part, especially when my outfit comes with a harness and a hawk….Birds of prey say hello to Paragliders…. Parahawking (possibly the best sport ever after dating) was pioneered in Pokhara, Nepal by Scott Mason and two friends, Adam Hill and Graham Sunders-Griffithsin in 2001. Two months into a world tour Scott Mason met Adam, the owner of Frontiers Paragliding, and the idea took off… literally. 

Bridging the extensive training of bad ass birds and the experience of flying, crazy kids like me can Parahawk by day and set up shop at Maya Devi Village by night - a traditional lakeside guesthouse in Pokhara. It’s home to some of the worlds largest raptors like Himalayan Griffon Vultures, White Backed Vultures, Red Headed Vultures, Cinerious Vultures, Egyptian Vultures plus Steppe Eagles, Bonellis Eagles, Black Eagles and even Peregrine falcons… similar to a bar full of broads in NYC. 

So snag your very own Egyptian vulture and soar over Lake Fewa, Nepal. Just don’t fall in love… these aren’t the type of vultures you bring home to the parentals. 

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I’ll be the first to admit that travel is not the most eco-friendly hobby to have (Coachella = planes, cars, shuttles) but travel can be responsible, and not just in the hardcore voluntour-kind-of-way. In honor of Earth Week, here are my mean, green travel dreams for 2011…

1. Roadtrip… in a Tesla
From America’s West to the Amalfi Coast, it’s no surprise that road tripping is on my to do list. So it’s a good thing that Tesla creates electric cars that are actually… well, electric. On the road since 2008, Tesla Roadsters are more upscale, more varied and, quite frankly, just plain cooler than the traditional idea of an electric automobile. 

2. Eat, drink and buy local… in Nicaragua
Don’t be tempted by Starbucks and snow-globes! Support the surrounding community by stocking up on local snacks and souvenirs. There’s no better way to learn about a country than through its’ local traditions, crafts and of course, food, and this year I’m in need of Nicaragua (the best gift I got this year was this pack of presents from a friend in Nicaragua). Providing exclusive access to one of Central America’s lesser-known ecological treasures — the Indio Maiz Biological Reserve — Rio Indio Lodge has the benefit of being near both the rain forest and the Caribbean on the Costa Rica–Nicaragua border… a perfect place to fill my stomach, and suitcase. 

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Since 2003, Club Sportiva has offered the Exotic Car Experience, which grants everyone their God-given right to drive an Aston Martin past lustful gazes in California. It’s true: the world’s greatest sports cars (and Bentleys and Aston Martins) are just waiting to be driven through California Wine Country or down the coast. Choose your class of car — including Lamborghinis, Porsches and more — and set off on the weekend drive of a lifetime. Here’s five reasons why you should say yes, and press…. the petal to the metal, duh.

1 Chilling in Carmel Valley
Carmel Valley has some of the most beautiful stretches of road in the United States (and some of the most beautiful residents, naturally). So if you’re embarking on one of the most legendary drives in the world…you should really be driving one of the most impressive cars. Club Sportiva has been making that ambition a reality for drivers since 2003, with an eye toward bringing luxurious autos to a mass audience.
 

 2 Getting to pretend you’re a celeb in a Cribs-worthy ride. 
The power of a serious engine revving is no joking matter. I think it’s safe to say I caught the bug at Skip Barber and am now a full blown car-a-holic. With three classes of cars to choose from, there’s something for everyone —  the Connoisseur Collection, the Elite Collection and the Enthusiast Collection. Details: Porsche 550 Spyder Replica, Lotus Elite, Bentley Continental Flying Spur, Ferrari F430 Coupe, to name a few….

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And I thought I was a daredevil…. Park City skiier Andrew McLean, 48, is the first person to ever ski down a moving iceberg. While climbing the big-ass ‘berg off the coast of the Antartica, 1000 miles South of Argentina, McLean came within inches of the icy ocean in nothing but a wet-suit. “I was skiing conservatively compared to normal obviously, you don’t want to take a plunge in those waters.” said McLean. “It was something I had wanted to do for a long time - so it was a massive adrenaline rush and I’m really pleased it went well.” Went well? That’s a slight understatement don’t ya think?

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oundup of my favorite things this week… follow it, don’t judge it.

Photographer. @Joao Canziani. 
He captured my attention on the pages of Travel & Leisure with transporting photos from Manaus to Manhattan. His photos are emotional, poignant, beautiful and well, sexy. But I guess that’s not surprising …. he’s Peruvian by birth, Canadian by bred and a womanizer by fate. Inspired by Helmut Newton and Nadav Kander, named as one of PDN’s 30 Young Photographers to Watch and on my “let’s grab a drink” list, Canziani’s got his lens pointed in the right direction. Oh, and he tumblrs. Dreamy. 

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sunsurfer: Canoeing Glacier Bay, Alaska via humoronearth

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Let’s just say it: The best gifts are gifts of experience. Period. Be it snowboarding the best trails in Japan or cruising on a yacht to Dubai, crossing an adventure off your bucket list is a gift worth getting. So in honor of a Very Jetset Holiday, here are my must-have moments. 

Tis’ the season to make our members smile…

1. The unparalleled rush of adrenaline you’ll get from driving more than 100 mph in someone else’s car at Skip Barber Racing School in Atlanta, Palm Beach & Laguna Seca.For 35 years, Skip Barber has operated a fully integrated system of racing and driving schools on more than 20 of the most prestigious tracks in North America. Whether you’re a wannabe professional racer, a sports car enthusiast or just an everyday driver in need of some help, the inspiring instructors at Skip Barber Racing Schools will teach you how to take on the road in some of the world’s most high-performance vehicles. Check out our video…

2. The unimaginable feeling of watching a five ton African Elephant stomp towards you on the refreshingly down-to-earth Kenyan adventure with Extraordinary Journeys. Let’s not forget the personal moments you’ll share with iconic Maasai and Samburu warrior guides as you track down the Big Five. 

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oundup of my favorite things this week… follow it, don’t judge it

Safari. Shamwari Game Reserve.

The guestbook at the 49,000-acre Shamwari Game Reserve boasts a review from Brad Pitt: “The people are as fantastic as the animals majestic. Enjoyed the food chain. Many thanks.” Celebrity clients aside, Shamwari is famous for being one of South Africa’s most successful private conservation initiatives, a shining example of how responsible tourism can make a difference. This combination of romantic eco-tourism and conservation is what makes a Shamwari stay so special. Booking into one of the five-star lodges feels positively philanthropic. After all, if you’re going to invest in a safari, why not help out a feline friend or pachyderm family in the process?

Do yourself (and someone else) a favor and head to Shamwari with Jetsetter.com

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