Green getaways! Learn about eco-friendly trips at this travel expo

By Alex Rush

For your next vacation, think green.

That’s the message travel website EscapeMaker is sending when it hosts an eco-friendly vacation destination expo on Sunday at Skylight One Hanson.

There’ll be wine tastings from New York vineyards, farm-fresh food samples, live music and dozens of weekend getaway deals for the outdoorsy sect.

“It’s a fun way to be conscious of the environment and improve our way of life,” said Park Slope resident and expo participant Ed Fondiller, founder of the Catskill-based Total Tennis, whose eco-friendly camp features meals made from an organic farm and grounds lit by solar panels. 

Plus, like the other facilities and farms featured at the expo, it’s located only a day’s drive or train ride from Brooklyn, so your trip will leave a minimum carbon footprint.

For people who want to travel green without spending green, the Expo is raffling off trips that include a zipline adventure tour upstate and an overnight stay at the lakeside Mohonk Mountain House and Spa.

And if a getaway to a mountain house with a geothermal heating cooling system isn’t enough to drive the green message home, Expo attendees can also take part in a green market quiz game and recycling workshop.

“Recycling seems basic but there are certain items many people aren’t sure what to do with,” said Amanda Gentile of GrowNYC, which runs greenmarkets in the city. “For instance, milk cartons actually go in the glass and metal bin – not the paper bin.”

So even if you don’t book a trip to the Meditation Barn in Vermont, you’re guaranteed to walk away from the Expo with something useful.

EscapeMaker’s Green Getaways at Skylight One Hanson [1 Hanson Pl. near Flatbush Avenue in Fort Greene, (718) 230-0400], April 30 from 11 am to 5 pm. Tickets $10 in advance, $12 at the door. For info, visit www.escapemaker.com.

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Babies on the brain

By Meredith Deliso

Brooklyn — your babies have come a long way.

And on March 13, the borough gets its very own baby accessory show for new and expectant parents: the A Child Grows in Brooklyn Baby Expo at the Toren tower in Downtown.

The day-long affair will feature seminars, workshops and products from some of the best the borough baby business has to offer.

“This is the best of the best,” said Karen Connell, expo organizer and founder of the blog, achildgrows.com (pictured with her children). ”These are all the Brooklyn vendors we love. A new parent wouldn’t know these companies.”

Among the Brooklyn businesses heading to the expo will be bra fitter Iris Lingerie; children’s clothing designer Dressing Em; Park Slope boutique Bump Brooklyn, which will be bringing comfortable yet stylish maternity; and, of course, Babeland, for much-needed sex ed.

In addition to products, the expo will be heavy on information, too.

“I’ve been to baby shows across the nation for years, and they’re fun, but very product-oriented,” said Connell, who has two children under 5. “I really wanted to do something where parents were getting genuine, authentic information.”

As such, the expo will feature seminars on greening your home, what baby gear to buy and when, and raising a good sleeper — which, not surprisingly, is one of the most popular so far, said Connell.

Between seminars, you can get a manicure, learn CPR, test baby slings and a new tandem stroller by Kingerwagon — “It’s perfect for city dwellers who can’t get through bodega doors otherwise,” said Connell — take in a maternity fashion show, learn how to make baby food, and get a primer on installing a car seat.

There’ll even be a Brooklyn school consultant.

A Child Grows in Brooklyn Baby Expo at Toren [150 Myrtle Ave. at Flatbush Avenue Extension in Downtown, (917) 723-3616], March 13 from 11 am-4 pm. Tickets $35 ($60 for two, in advance). Kids are free. First 250 registered families receive a gift bag valued at over $100. For info, visit www.achildgrows.com/expo.

Photo by Tom Callan

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