Thursday, July 9, 2015

Firelight camps

ITHACA, NY (JULY 1, 2015)- They fell in love, they studied abroad, they learned more about the their trades, and now they have started two businesses together. Bobby and Emma Frisch have been very busy over the past few years with starting an eco-supporting boutique hotel and café in the heart of Matagalpa, Nicaragua and now bringing some of the first ever glamping to the U.S., with Firelight Camps in Ithaca, New York. 

For those not familiar, Glamping is a term derived from the two words "glamorous camping". Glamping is also referred to as "glam camping", "lux camping", "luxury camping" and many other similar phrases. Regardless of the specific terminology, the idea is the same; glamping brings the world of luxury into nature in the most seamless way possible. 

Glamping has origins in Africa and Thailand, but is relatively new to the U.S. and Europe. Most people want the feeling of falling asleep under the stars and being in nature without having to sleep on rocks to do it. Glamping allows for just that. It lets guests to be one with nature, while still enjoying the luxury of a bed and pre-pitched tent. Bobby and Emma have brought the idea of glamping to life in the Northeast with Firelight camps. 

"We have always loved how the serenity and relaxing nature of a campfire has brought people of all ages together," said Bobby, Firelight Camps CEO. "That, along with our passion for eco-tourism sparked the idea for Firelight Camps."

They got their start while traveling abroad for their respective skills. Bobby is in business and taught micro enterprise and entrepreneurship to high school students and women in the Nicaragua area during his service with the Peace Corps. Emma is all about food and farming. She has traveled throughout the Northeast U.S., Kenya and the Ecuadorian Andes building farm-to-city relationships for families, schools, universities and hospitals. It was during her time working in Latin America that Emma honed in on her love for cooking, rock climbing and eco-friendly tourism. The couple brought their passions together to start their first hotel and café "La Buena Onda" in Matagalpa and partnered with coffee cooperatives, a local chocolate factory, artisan groups, and outdoor adventure guides to bring eco-tourism activities to their guests. 

While they thoroughly enjoyed their time in Latin America, the couple returned to the states and moved to Ithaca to create a new hotel that would have an impact closer to home. Bobby received his MBA from the Johnson School of Management at Cornell and continued to travel abroad learning more about the eco-tourism industry. Emma worked with Contentment Camping at Bonaroo Music Festival, helping to launch a village of glamping tents for the festival goers, as well as starting a food blog and being a top finalist on the show "Food Network Star". During this time the business plan for what would soon be known as Firelight Camps, was created. 

"We thought the Finger Lakes would be the perfect place to launch Firelight Camps," said Emma. In 2014, Wine Enthusiast voted New York State Wine Region of the Year, of which the Finger Lakes is a major contributor. "Our community is so supportive of young entrepreneurs, and there was a wealth of knowledge and resources here to help us build the camp. The Finger Lakes is one of the oldest and most vibrant food and farming regions in the country, and is quickly becoming known as an agritourism destination. It's also home to an astonishing number of waterfalls and lakes, which is a huge attraction for outdoor lovers."

Bobby and Emma brought their passions together to create something entirely new and with that, glamping in the Finger Lakes region was born. Firelight Camps opened its first year with six tents and a small lobby tent, but has now expanded since growing in popularity. There are currently 15 safari styled tents with hardwood floors, a king or queen bed, furniture inspired by camps around the world and a covered porch. Guests can also enjoy the camps bathhouse, lobby and lounge where a locally-inspired continental breakfast is served, happy hour featuring Finger Lakes wines, beers, ciders and spirits, bocce ball and a phone charging area. The Bistro at La Tourelle, John Thomas Steakhouse and August Moon Spa are located on the property. Many of their guests take waterfall hikes in their backyard of Buttermilk Falls State Park. All of these amenities as well as the beautiful areas of the Finger Lakes and Greater Ithaca, allow for guests to enjoy a new style of camping without roughing it.
It is a great place to visit and check out they provide awesome outdoor experience
To find out more about Firelight Camps or book your next weekend get away and camping trip visit firelightcamps.com


Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Wine tour in Norfolk

Tour and Taste Your Way Through New York's Hidden Wine-Country!


NEW YORK, NY (JUNE 30, 2015) - Bust out of the bustling cityscape and into Long Island’s wine country for the perfect day getaway! New York City based tour companies Take Me Out NYC, and Like a Local Tours have teamed up and created this one-of-a-kind experience for wine tasters and adventurers alike called the North Fork Wine Tour

This new tour is less than a two-hour drive out of the city and allows locals and tourists to explore the beautiful grounds and wineries of North Fork, located on the northeast part of Long Island. Home to over 30 vineyards, this region is a wine lover’s paradise. The tour is brand new to the industry and will make its premier this upcoming July. 

So what can a wine-connoisseur expect along the way? Much more than your favorite vino! Tour-goers on the North Fork tour will receive the perfect balance of area history, relaxation, wine and culture, with fun and off-the-beaten path stops. In addition to tasting authentic regional wines, guests will also have the chance to visit a family fun farm, charming shops, taste authentic local goat cheese, and visit quaint seaside villages where they can shuck their own oysters on the tour! All expenses are included including transportation to/from NYC, breakfast, lunch, snacks, and even free spa gifts!

When asked about the collaboration, both tour companies shared their vision and excitement in teaming up. “To us, this tour is not just a ride out to the vineyards, it’s much more than that. We wanted to create an experience that brought in the culture of the North Fork, while also really emphasizing relaxation and some fun along the way!” said Lauren Beebe, owner and founder of Like a Local Tours. “People will feel like they’re seeing it all. They’ll leave this tour feeling like they aren’t just visiting the region, but actually understand it! That, and they will be pampered, and wined and dined to the max!” 

For Take Me Out Tours, this endeavor allows the hip nightlife tour company to branch out into a new industry, day-tours. Currently, TMO is known for being the #1 nightlife destination in New York City by trip advisor. The company is excited to add a new offering and mix it up a bit with the North Fork Wine Tour, no pun intended!

For both businesses, this tour is the first that brings them outside of the Big Apple. “When we decided to collaborate together, we felt branching out of the NYC market gave us a great opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to the typical day-tour experience,” said Ori Mor, owner and founder of Take Me Out Tours. “Since we both have worked only in New York City when it comes to tours, we were able to bring our own unique spin that is very different than what the typical wine tour would be in the North Fork area. There’s no doubt about it, this tour is going to be unlike any other wine country tour you’ve experienced. I think our company names say it all. We want to make you feel like a local and take you out for a tour you’ll never forget, and that’s what we intend to do!”

For those interested in embarking and experiencing North Folk with Take Me Out Tours and Like a Local Tours, you can book your wine adventure  you can go to   booking  or  booking  tours start July 18th 2015 its fun and it be a lot of fun for people looking for something to do more on the tours

ABOUT LIKE A LOCAL TOURS
Like a Local Tours is a New York City based, operated and highly-curated tour company that specializes in creating stylish, buzz-worthy walking tours all over the city, from downtown to Brooklyn. For more information please visit us  here 

ABOUT TAKE ME OUT TOURS
Take Me Out Tours NYC is a New York City based and operated tour company. providing customers with walking tours exploring the city. With a strong emphasis on local nightlife and drink quality, the company offers a VIP service that caters to its guests. For more information please visit us
 here 
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