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Look at a map of the Western Downs, an area of roughly 126,000 sqkm to the west of Brisbane and you’ll find an impressive collection of highways as it is the hub for the road network travelling north/south and east/west in Queensland.

Nine highways run through the region if you include the Carnarvon Highway, which starts at Mungindi on the southern border and leads north to the Carnarvon National Park above Injune, the Barwon which runs between Goondiwindi and St George and is named after the Barwon River, a main tributary of the Darling River, as well as the Moonie and Balonne Highways which are part of the Adventure Way.

The Great Inland Way enters the Downs from the south at the tiny town of Hebel, population 28, home to a welcoming pub and the tearooms at the Crafty Yum Yum Café. Like the rest of the Downs, the land around the little township stretches leisurely to the horizon, sometimes framed by trees or dotted with lonely specimens who stand tall alone. The Hotel opened in 1894 and was a Cobb & Co stopover. The original village store, built three years later also remains and local legend also reckons the Kelly gang used the town as a hang out.

Travel north to St George and 45km out of town watch the left for the signs to the Nindigully Pub, Queensland’s oldest hotel which still stands in its original condition and location on the banks of the Moonie River. The pub’s licence was issued back in 1864 when they brewed their own beer and rum. It’s still a great place to for a quiet ale, even on days when special events like the Nindigully Pig Races and New Year’s Eve aren’t taking place.

The highway continues on to Surat, the town from which the last scheduled Cobb and Co coach left before stopping forever at nearby Yuleba. This historic run is commemorated at the Cobb and Co Changing Station, a local landmark which is home to a museum, art gallery and 25,000 litre fresh-water aquarium.

Nearby Roma and the surrounding countryside were first explored more than 150 years ago by Sir Thomas Mitchell. The unofficial capital of the region dates back to 1867 when it was named after Lady Diamantina Roma Bowen, the wife of the Governor at the time.

This thriving rural town has plenty to offer the modern day visitor but history still plays a major role and one of its most popular attractions is the Big Rig, a fascinating tribute to Australia’s oil and gas industry which includes a spectacular night show. This is a rich agricultural and farming area, and grapes have been grown here for many years. In fact, Queensland’s oldest winery, Romavilla has been producing table and fortified wines since 1863 and proudly continues to do so.

Even the trees are historic. The Avenue of Heroes is a heritage listed avenue of 138 bottle trees within the town which were planted as a tribute to soldiers from the district who lost their lives in World War 1. Mt Abundance Homestead outside town was the site of the first settlement in the region and was built in 1860. Visitors are still welcome.

Follow the road north and you’ll go right past the Carnarvon National Park, home of the spectacular Carnarvon Gorge with its ancient rainforest and some of the finest Aboriginal Rock Art in Australia.

The Adventure Way is the link between Brisbane and Adelaide and includes two State highways as it passes through the Downs, the Moonie Highway, a 285km stretch of road from Dalby to St George and the Balonne.

As can be assumed by it’s name, the Moonie Highway passes through the tiny town of Moonie which was the site of Australia’s first commercial oil field. It opened in December 1961 and despite being a relatively small field is still operational today. At St George the highway becomes the Balonne for 300km to Cunnamulla, mostly following the Balonne River.

The Warrego Highway is the 744km stretch from Brisbane which enters the Downs at Dalby and leaves it past Roma at Mitchell on its way to Charleville. At the township of Miles between Dalby and Roma you’ll find the Miles Historical Museum and  more than 20 old buildings in a recreated township. Miles was originally known as Dogwood Crossing and like many of settlements in the area was established on a track blazed by Ludwig Leichhardt.

Another historic experience waits outside the town at Possum Park where accommodation is offered in historic underground bunkers and restored troop carriers.

The Leichhardt Highway, named after the explorer, begins in Victoria and enters Queensland at Goondiwindi and then heads north east across the state to the Capricorn Coast. Travelling north, take a left turn at the tiny settlement of The Gums and you’ll come to Glenmorgan and Monty’s Garage, a 1940s style auto garage which is now a Vintage Car Museum. While in town railways buffs should visit the End of the Line display in the Glenmorgan Railway Station. Gardeners and naturalists will also enjoy a visit to the nearby Myall Park Botanic Garden, one of Australia’s oldest collections of arid and semi-arid native plants and the birthplace of the Grevillia plant “Robyn Gordon”.

Goondiwindi, locally known as Gundy, is the start of the Gore Highway which runs for 210km from the Western to the Darling Downs through a rich patchwork of farming landscape. The area around Goondiwindi was settled in the 1840s by pastoralists and by the middle of that century had become an important administrative and commercial centre. The town is still most famous as the home of champion racehorse, Gunsynd, affectionately nicknamed the ‘Goondiwindi Grey’.

Mastering The Art of French Cooking, Volume One (1) (Vol 1)

Ingredients

# One 6-ounce piece of chunk bacon
# 3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
# 3 pounds lean stewing beef, cut into 2-inch cubes
# 1 carrot, sliced
# 1 onion, sliced
# Salt and pepper
# 2 tablespoons flour
# 3 cups red wine, young and full-bodied (like Beaujolais, Cotes du Rhone or  Burgundy)
# 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 cups brown beef stock
# 1 tablespoon tomato paste
# 2 cloves mashed garlic
# 1/2 teaspoon thyme
# A crumbled bay leaf
# 18 to 24 white onions, small
# 3 1/2 tablespoons butter
# Herb bouquet (4 parsley sprigs, one-half bay leaf, one-quarter teaspoon thyme, tied in cheesecloth)
# 1 pound mushrooms, fresh and quartered

Cooking Directions

Remove bacon rind and cut into lardons (sticks 1/4-inch thick and 1 1/2 inches long). Simmer rind and lardons for 10 minutes in 1 1/2 quarts water. Drain and dry.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

Sauté lardons in 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a flameproof casserole over moderate heat for 2 to 3 minutes to brown lightly. Remove to a side dish with a slotted spoon.

Dry beef in paper towels; it will not brown if it is damp. Heat fat in casserole until almost smoking. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and sauté until nicely browned on all sides. Add it to the lardons.

In the same fat, brown the sliced vegetables. Pour out the excess fat.

Return the beef and bacon to the casserole and toss with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.

Then sprinkle on the flour and toss again to coat the beef lightly. Set casserole uncovered in middle position of preheated oven for 4 minutes.

Toss the meat again and return to oven for 4 minutes (this browns the flour and coves the meat with a light crust).

Remove casserole and turn oven down to 325 degrees.

Stir in wine and 2 to 3 cups stock, just enough so that the meat is barely covered.

Add the tomato paste, garlic, herbs and bacon rind. Bring to a simmer on top of the stove.

Cover casserole and set in lower third of oven. Regulate heat so that liquid simmers very slowly for 3 to 4 hours. The meat is done when a fork pierces it easily.

While the beef is cooking, prepare the onions and mushrooms.

Heat 1 1/2 tablespoons butter with one and one-half tablespoons of the oil until bubbling in a skillet.

Add onions and sauté over moderate heat for about 10 minutes, rolling them so they will brown as evenly as possible. Be careful not to break their skins. You cannot expect them to brown uniformly.

Add 1/2 cup of the stock, salt and pepper to taste and the herb bouquet.

Cover and simmer slowly for 40 to 50 minutes until the onions are perfectly tender but hold their shape, and the liquid has evaporated. Remove herb bouquet and set onions aside.

Wipe out skillet and heat remaining oil and butter over high heat. As soon as you see butter has begun to subside, indicating it is hot enough, add mushrooms.

Toss and shake pan for 4 to 5 minutes. As soon as they have begun to brown lightly, remove from heat.

When the meat is tender, pour the contents of the casserole into a sieve set over a saucepan.

Wash out the casserole and return the beef and lardons to it. Distribute the cooked onions and mushrooms on top.

Skim fat off sauce in saucepan. Simmer sauce for a minute or 2, skimming off additional fat as it rises. You should have about 2 1/2 cups of sauce thick enough to coat a spoon lightly.

If too thin, boil it down rapidly. If too thick, mix in a few tablespoons stock. Taste carefully for seasoning.

Pour sauce over meat and vegetables. Cover and simmer 2 to 3 minutes, basting the meat and vegetables with the sauce several times.

Serve in casserole, or arrange stew on a platter surrounded with potatoes, noodles or rice, and decorated with parsley.

There are few regions in Australia which combine ancient landscapes with aboriginal history like the Flinders Ranges, which are found just over 200km inland from Adelaide. If you are looking for the adventure of a lifetime, then look no further than this remote, diverse and breathtaking destination. There are plenty of sealed roads for the car hire traveller, and there is always a fantastic spot to set up and enjoy the scenery.

Port Augusta is known as the gateway to the Flinders Ranges. What is unusual about this city is that the main highways which enter South Australia from Western Australia, Northern Territory and New South Wales all meet here, so it really is a central hub for more reasons than one. It is a perfect base to enjoy all that the city and surrounds has to offer. A great attraction for the family is the Wadlata Outback Centre, offering interactive displays and a thorough history of the area, perfect for your pre Flinders experience. Before you leave, visit the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens, an ideal place to understand more about the vegetation and animals in this region. It is great for a relaxing stroll with guided tours available.

North from Port Augusta is Quorn. It is the typical outback town and it is from here that you can visit Warren Gorge and the Dutchmans Stern Conservation park. The Pichi Richi Railway has been protected and is now open to tourists, a favourite with children. The incredible historical buildings are quite a contrast to the surrounding outback landscape, with art galleries and museums adding to the culture of this town. The Kanyaka Ruins are also worth a visit just out of town.

There are some walking trails to the south of Quorn which will take you on a number of walks to Devils Peak. There are panoramic views of the entire area from here, and you can often see the Waukarie Falls. Come prepared though, as you can choose from an eight hour or six hour bush walk to the peak and back.

One ‘must see’ town is Hawker, known as the most beautiful of the Flinders Ranges. You can access the Flinders Ranges National Park from north from here, so it is ideal as a base if you would prefer to be close to the shops and conveniences. Once you have entered the park, you will discover Wilpena Pound. This is a tourist destination in itself, with plentiful wildlife including emus and kangaroos, and an extensive visitor centre which is worth a visit to learn more.

Often indescribable, the Flinders Ranges National Park is simply breathtaking, with incredible mountainous scenery, vegetation and all types of animal species that will keep you captivated. There are walks for all fitness levels, including a walk to Rawnsley Bluff, and another to Wilpena Lookout. The bush walk to Ferntree Falls is just as beautiful as the destination, and if you are quiet enough you will come across some local wildlife or hear a chorus of birdlife in the trees.

Although longer and more challenging, Wilcolo Creek bush walk, which take five hours, includes amazing scenery and take you on a circuit that will bring you to face to face with wildlife, panoramic views, winding creeks and undiscovered terrain.

For the more adventurous, the Brachina Gorge Geological Trail has been mapped out to trace the geological history of the region. These maps can be picked up at the Wilpena Pound Visitor Centre. The Bunyeroo Gorge is a mild and enjoyable walk for the family and takes about two hours. If you take the creek through the Heysen Range you end up at waterholes and cliff faces that will take your breath away, and is also a great spot for a relaxing picnic.

This area is also the end of Australia’s longest bushwalking trail, which covers the beauty of the South Australian landscape close up. The Heyson Trail begins at Cape Jervis and ends at Parachilna Gorge, and visitors come from all over the world to experience amazing bushwalking in the Flinders Ranges.

October 25, 2009
- Some thoughts about travel and climate change

October 25, 2009
- This is a must see when in London. A great ferry ride up the Thames and then you can actually stand on the Greenwich meridian with a foot “either side of time”

October 25, 2009
- Definitely agree, Venice does not smell and it really is a must see.

Sure, the old adage says a man’s home is his castle, but for most of us, that doesn’t mean it’s really a castle, as in turrets and towers and tapestries and huge tracts of land.

However, even we commoners can bed down like royalty while on holidays as plenty of former castles now offer lodging, where you can pretend to be king or queen for a day – or a fortnight!

Ashford Castle
Ireland
This impressive castle dates from the 13th century and looks exactly as you would imagine a romantic Irish castle to. Guests enjoy fine dining, activities on the estate’s grounds and impeccable service. Situated on a lake in the midst of woodlands, visitors feel transported to another, more refined time; however, Galway lies a mere 30 minutes away.

Borthwick Castle Hotel
Scotland
Those longing for historical accuracy and authenticity, rather than strictly luxury, will relish their stay at Borthwick Castle. Visited by Mary Queen of Scots and besieged by Oliver Cromwell in 1650 (the scars remain), the castle has been authentically restored (but with modern conveniences). And like a proper castle, it comes with a ghost or two.

Dromoland Castle Hotel
Ireland
Able to host conferences as well as individuals, Dromoland Castle provides personal and exquisite service to its guests. Mere minutes away from Shannon Airport, the battlements and turrets set the stage for stepping out of real life and into your own fairytale. Whether you come for business or pleasure, you won’t want to leave this luxury hotel.

Glenapp Castle
Scotland
Topped by a crenellated tower fit for Rapunzel, Glenapp gazes out over the Irish Sea – as do most of its guests. The castle began offering accommodations in 2000 after a six-year restoration. Warm, attentive service combines with high-quality appointments throughout to create a memorable visit. Visitors will come away enchanted and longing to return.

Glin Castle
Ireland
In the FitzGerald family for more than 700 years, Glin Castle now extends its hospitality to the public. This romantic escape delights guests with an intimate yet opulent atmosphere, and careful attention is paid to their every need. Enjoy such noble pastimes as archery and croquet, and watch for the 29th Knight of Glin, who lives on the estate.

Inverlochy Castle
Scotland
Nestled below Ben Nevis (the U.K.’s highest mountain) and overlooking lochs, Inverlochy has garnered praise from no less than Queen Victoria, who declared she “never saw a lovelier or more romantic spot.” Guests here agree with her. The sumptuous accommodations and dining and varied activities on the estate reinforce the feeling of royal treatment.

Thornbury Castle
England
The real deal, Thornbury satisfies even the most persnickety Anglophile’s dreams. Upscale, elegant and ancient, the castle’s history dates back to around AD 940, and Henry VIII and Anne Boylen stayed here. Guests today can enjoy the oldest genuine Tudor gardens in England, sporting activities on the estate, impeccable service and historic quarters.

Waterford Castle Hotel & Golf Club
Ireland
Even the approach to Waterford Castle (via ferry and tree-lined drive) sets this world-class retreat apart. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing sojourn or participate in estate activities on this island sanctuary, and immaculate service is a given. The turreted castle dates back to the 12th century, with a mix of period furnishings found throughout.

Castle on the Hudson
New York
Not quite where you would expect a castle, but if you still want royal ambience, head up to the Castle on the Hudson. Although only built in 1897, the atmosphere it brings to mind predates the founding of the USA. Guests, however, will appreciate the contrast of a modern and state-of-the-art fitness centre and heated outdoor pool.

And for something completely different …
Kemi Snow Castle
Finland
If ancient stones and turrets aren’t to your liking, skip over to Lapland to the opposite end of the spectrum at the Kemi Snow Castle. Built by local architects and builders, this castle changes each year but always turns snow and ice into dramatically lit parapets, sculptures, bar, chapel and guestrooms. Oh and state-of-the-art sleeping bags provided!

The countdown is on for Christmas and I thought this an appropriate time to discuss Santa and whether he really could be classed as the world’s greatest traveler.

Santa commenced his current career when he was Bishop Nicholas of Smyrna (Izmir) in what is now Turkey during the 4th century AD. The tradition started when in order to give joy to poor children he would throw gifts in through their windows. Since then business has grown substantially and the territory has expanded to cover the whole world.

Based for a while at the North Pole, Santa moved in 1925 to Korvatunturi in the Finnish Lapland, where there is better feed for his eight reindeer. He travels on a daily basis to Napapiiri, near Rovaniemi, where he has his main office, and spends the day listening to what children want for Christmas.

The internet has impacted on the way Santa receives the requests from children for gifts with a lot more request by email and less by regular mail now. This has assisted the elves with their processing of the requests, and the mass production of the most popular toys.

The current economic climate has had an affect on the demand for some of the more expensive gifts, however Santa believes that over a period of time this will change. “I have seen it all before, and these economic times tend to be cyclical,” he said.

Despite the advent of jet aircraft, Santa – the worlds’ greatest traveller, has not had any change in his mode of transport. It is still the same eight reindeer that haul him and his sleigh full of gifts around every country in the world every year on the night of the 24th December.

It is more in the nature of the gifts that Santa has noticed the big changes having gone from simple hand-made wooden toys early in his career to far more sophisticated electronic toys now. That, and the decline in the number of new houses that are being built with a chimney, his traditional means of access to the home. One change that he has enjoyed however has been the variety of different beers that are left out for him. They help to keep his nose nice and red, although he thinks that Rudolph may also have been sampling some of the treats left for him.

Let me know your thoughts on whether you agree that Santa is indeed the world’s greatest traveler?

October 11, 2009
- There is something about setting your own rules for where and when you want to go.

October 11, 2009
- The great people you can meet when you but step out your front door.

October 11, 2009
- They really do make some great cheeses.

Liechtenstein has been in the news far more often these days than this little principality is accustomed. A place where discretion and quality are best friends, Liechtenstein offers a surprising array of activities for those who have seen it all before. Fine diners and winers will be especially well catered for, literally, in the exceptional restaurants serving the freshest of fare to guests accustomed to the best in the only country in Europe named after its owners, The Princely House of Liechtenstein.
Virtually unknown outside the country, Liechtenstein wines are very fine, indeed. The scale of production is low due to the small size of the vineyards—no industrial grape growing here—which means the quality vintages are snapped up by the locals before they ever have the chance to make it to the export market.
Torkel is the principality’s finest dining experience. The official name of Torkel is The Princely Restaurant Torkel. It is owned by the prince, as are the vineyards. The restaurant is set up in a 700-year-old wine press, last used in 1958. The surrounding vineyards are of the same age and still yield some of Liechtenstein’s finest wines, appropriately accompanying some of the country’s finest dishes inside Torkel. With a charming service staff and the intimate ambience despite the hulk of the press centre stage, eating here is like eating at your friend’s grandmother’s house. The small number of tables ensures careful attention and any one of the other guests may be of the type read about in newspapers for one reason or the other. All enjoy the food; how Mr. Burger elicits such nuanced, delicate flavour from Central European stalwarts like trout, potatoes, and dill is a divine mystery. That’s why people come here.
Liechtenstein’s capital, Vaduz, is tiny, but it offers some excellent diversions in the form of the first-class Liechtenstein Museum Of Art and the National Museum Of Liechtenstein, which offers an interesting and surprisingly diverse array of exhibits.

For those looking for something different, there is Falknerei Galina, located in the village of Malbun; owner Norman Vogeli is a dedicated falconer who shares his love for raptors with visitors to his hotel/restaurant. Unlike other places, the birds are not on exhibit, thus minimising their contact with humans. Galina is the only falconry in Europe to offer offsite experiences; it is possible to arrange a private outing into the countryside high in the beautiful landscapes of Liechtenstein’s Alps and yourself be the person in charge of the birds. The golden eagle is the most sought after for this very special experience, though the cakes served in Galina’s restaurant are enticing enough without the additional attraction of birds.

October 11, 2009
- Absolutely amazing photo – and you thought getting to work was difficult!

September 27, 2009
- I think just about every person could come up with their own 50 best.Subscribe to our RSS or an email and I will update you whenever we put a new a new dish in our World Recipe section.

Some surviving from the 9C the wonderful faces of the Angkor civilisation and Bayon Temple

With our guide Prea and driver Trom we were given a wonderful backstage view of the wonderful temples of Angkor.

The area is a UNESCO site and you can see why when you visit – between the ever encroaching jungle and the hordes of tourists who tramp over the ancient stones it definitely needed someone to take care of it. Probably because the jungle had engulfed the temples is why so many are still in such great condition today, that and the huge amount of work that has been done by archaeological teams.

Apart from the jaw dropping sight of Angkor Wat (the most well known of the temples)at sunrise or sunset there are many other temples to discover including the red temple or ladies temple Banteay Srei. This temple was built in the 10thC and only ‘rediscovered’ in the early 20thC. What is absolutely amazing are how the intricate carvings and reliefs have been preserved – it really just stops you in your tracks when you see the often delicate carvings that were crafted 11 centuries ago.

Also on our visit we were invited by our guide to a special performance by young Cambodian girls who had been trained in the ancient art of Apsara dancing.

Once performed only for royalty now everyone can view the wonderful Apsara dancing

This traditional dancing also comes from the time of the Angkor civilisation where is was performed only for royalty. When the Khmer Rouge were in control of Cambodia many of the teachers and dancers were killed but now they are once again flourishing and this time for everyone to see.

Visiting the temples of Angkor is a true travel experience and I for one will certainly be going back again.

Have you visited Angkor? Please let me know what you thought of the temples and their history.

photo credit: Didts

The dessert was named after the Russian ballet dancer Anna Pavlova who visted both Australia and New Zealand in the 1920’s. A wonderful dessert made mostly during summer and a great accompaniment for Christmas lunch or dinner and outdoor Bar B Q’s.

INGREDIENTS

2 egg whites

1 1/2 cups of castor suger

4 tablespoons boiling water

1 teaspoon of vanilla

1 teaspoon of cornflour

1 teaspoon of vinegar

Place all ingredients in a bowl and beat at high speed for 15 minutes or until stiff.

Using either either a pizza tray or other ovenproof round platter spread mixture evenly over platter making a slightly raised edge around the outside of the tray.

Bake at 200C for 10 minutes and then at 150C for a further 45 minutes.

Leave in oven to cool.

Fill with cream and your favourite fruit (my favourites are strawberries, kiwi fruit and passionfruit)

TIP: Rub the cut side of 1/2 a lemon round the inside of your mixing bowl before beating egg whites. Besides removing any grease, the acid encourages the whites to expand in volume.

September 27, 2009
- These are the most wonderful books and especially so if you are an armchair traveler.

September 27, 2009
- For more insights into Yellowstone visit http://ourgenerationtravel.com/north-american-countries

September 27, 2009
- Thank goodness it doesn’t occur very often but it certainly puts a different perspective on things.

September 27, 2009
- Beer is of course the main thing on the menu at Oktoberfest but there are also some other wonderful things to experience there.

What’s here for you?

• discover new travel experiences
• share your travel experiences
• meet likeminded travelers
• get access to great products that will enhance your traveling experiences

Here I hope you will find travel experiences that will become part of your life journey – remarkable, inspiring and culturally enriching.

If you would like to contact me directly with any ideas or thoughts just email me at  anne@ourgenerationtravel.com

photo credit: BMigulski

Queens is not just a multicultural community of working-class immigrants who staff the fine hotels and boutiques of Manhattan; a lot is going on there, from excellent ethnic restaurants to good-time parties and a raging club scene.  Besides being home to the US Open tennis tournament and other major sporting events, Queens offers much to the regular subway rider who dares take the 7 across the East River. Cinema lovers make the crossing to catch a weekend film screening at Astoria’s excellent Museum Of The Moving Image.  Astoria is New York’s place to be for movies, with both Silvercup Studios and Kaufman Studios situated next to the Movie Museum.  This is not strictly a film museum; moving images relate to film, television, and even video games, and all three genres have their places in the very imaginative exhibits.  The Museum also offers demonstrations of sound editing, film editing, and other aspects of what goes on behind the scenes of filmmaking.  You will never hear Titanic the same way again.  If you love movie locations, On Location Tours offers a visit to many familiar New York TV and movie locations and runs the extremely popular Sex And The City Tour that has become a female bonding experience like few others.

Staten Island, the forgotten child in the borough family, is closer to New Jersey than Manhattan and it certainly doesn’t feel very New York-like, but it too has attractions worth a ride on the (free) Staten Island ferry, which in itself is worth the journey because it affords the best view in town of the Statue of Liberty.  If you miss China while in New York, Staten Island is the place to go.  The Chinese Scholar Garden at the Staten Island Botanical Garden was created by a team of horticultural experts brought from China and is a tranquil retreat from city life; in the warmer months, people spend the entire day here.  Delve a little deeper into the heart of the island and you will find the small and very unexpected collection of the Jacques Marchais Museum Of Tibetan Art, housed in a recreated Tibetan monastery, perched on a hill just off Lighthouse Avenue.  All of this can be visited by local bus, look for the visitor information maps as you hop of the ferry.

The Bronx, named after Dutch settler Jonas Bronck when New York was still New Amsterdam, has its share of surprises, too.  While The Bronx Zoo and New York Botanical Gardens are already famous for their outstanding exhibits, there are other little gems which are not as well known but certainly still worth the subway or bus ride, like City Island and the Hall Of Fame of Great Americans.  City Island is an enclave of New England within New York and if you are a seafood lover this is the place to be and be seen especially during the weekend.  The Hall Of Fame Of Great Americans, which is on the grounds of the Bronx Community College, is the hall of fame that led to all other halls of fame.  This simple display of 98 bronze busts placed in an open-air, white-marble colonnade overlooking the Harlem River represents the inspiration that these leaders gave to the greater community of America.

They maybe the forgotten boroughs but if your really want to ’see’ New York then a visit to Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx and there hidden gems will certainly complete your Big Apple experience.

photo credit: Jeremy 白杰瑞

Qutang Gorge
The Qutang Gorge, also called Kui Gorge, starts at Baidi City, Fengjie County, Chongqing Municipality in the west and ends at the Daxi Town, Wushan County Chongqing Municipality in the east.

Although it is only eight kilometers long – the shortest among the Three Gorges, it is widely known for its magnificent mountain peaks seemingly reaching to the clouds and masses of rolling and roaring water bursting over shoals and rocks.
Kuimen, or Kui Gate, is also known as Qutang Pass, the door for The Three Gorges. Here the river is flanked by sheer cliffs on both sides and it is the gate through which the Yangtze River flows throughout the Three Gorges from the Sichuan Basin.

The Qutang Gorge is rich in historical sites, for example, Bellows Gorge, Rhinoceros Watching the Moon peak, Baidi City, Star Observing Pavilion, and Red Armor Tower.

Wu Gorge
Wu Gorge is named after Mt. Wushan, famous for its deep valley and quiet beauty. It is 45 kilometers long, extending from the mouth of the Daning River in Wushan County, Chongqing in the west to Guandukou in Badong County, Hubei Province in the east.

Noted for its deep and serene scenes, the Wu Gorge is full of zigzags, weird peaks, rising mists and beautiful sights. As the river cuts through the Wushan Mountains, its roaring currents change their directions constantly.

Peaks in the Wu Gorge are often capped by fog or clouds in various shapes, and there is a famous poem describing its beauty, “one who has seen the ocean thinks nothing of mere rivers, the cloud of Wushan is my only cloud”. Wu Gorge is famous for its beautiful scenery, “night of the Ninghe ferry”, the 12 peaks represented by the Goddess Peak, Badong Shennong Stream and Lesser Three Gorges.

Xiling Gorge
The Xiling Gorge stretches from the estuary of the Xiangxi Stream in Zigui County to Nanjin Pass in Yichang, with a total length of 76km. It is the longest of the Three Gorges and is located entirely within Hubei Province.

This gorge is divided into parts. The Xiling Gorge abounds in grotesque rocks, gorges, scenic spots, and numerous legends. The vivid Lantern Shadow Rock, Lantern Shadow Gorge and Fairy Bridge, Three Travellers’ Cave and Jiuwan Stream make visitors reluctant to leave.

The climax of the Three Gorges tour is undoubtedly the Three Gorges Project, the largest water conservancy project ever built in the world, and home to the world’s biggest hydro power station.

When the project is finished, it will be the most important project functioning as a backbone in the flood control system to protect the areas in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. It has ten comprehensive functions of flood control, power generation, navigation, freshwater aquiculture, tourism, ecological protection, environmental purifying, south-tonorth water transfers and irrigation.

Major cities in the three gorges area are:
Chongqing
Located in southwestern China, Chongqing is the fourth municipality directly under the jurisdiction of the Central Government. Known as a city in the mountains, Chongqing is surrounded by mountains on all sides, and buildings in the urban area rise and fall with the terrain.

Chongqing is a modern city with the Great Auditorium of the People and Three Gorge Square in it. There are attractive Dazu Grottoes on the World Cultural Heritage List, Fengdu Ghost City, Yunyang Zhangfei Temple, Shibao Village of Zhongxian County and Fengjie Baidi City.

Wuhan
As the capital of Hubei Province, Wuhan is located in the centre of the central part of China and eastern Hubei Province, where the Han River joins the Yangtze River. The Yangtze River and Hanshui River divide Wuhan into three parts – Hankou, Hanyang and Wuchang, generally knowns as Wuhan’s Three Towns.

Wuhan connects the east and west, channels the norths and south, and links rivers and seas with its developed water, land and air traffic. Wuhan is noted for East Lake and Moshan and the (the Mill Hill) Mountain scenic areas. Wuhan is also a famous historical and cultural city with numerous historical and cultural heritages such as the Yellow Crane Tower, Guiyuan Temple, Ancient Lute Terrace (Guqintai), and the Qingchuan Pavilion.

photo credit: juanRubiano

There are four language skills: reading, writing ability, knowing how to listen and ability to speak. All those things must be developed in order to achieve the ability to understand and express yourself in authentic communication situations. Travel in Rome and staying in Italy for a medium period, can give the opportunity to learn the Italian language together with the history and culture of one of the greatest civilizations of all time.

The Colosseum – the most important monument of ancient Rome, built in 75 A.C. and opened in 80 A.C., the area of about 19,000 square meters was organized into four orders, each of which could contain up to 70,000 spectators. At centre stage was the emperor, who with a single gesture could decide the life or death of the many gladiators who fought there.

Roman Forum – The Roman Forum was built in the sixth century B.C., on swampy land that was drained by the sewerage system. In a short time it became the centre of political and social life of ancient Rome, enriched century after century by new buildings, statues, temples and courts. From Via Salaria (parallel to the Via dei Fori Imperiali) you have access to this incredible archaeological area, almost a city within the city.

Circus Maximus – This huge structure was used as an entertainment arena with shows such as exciting  chariot races, much loved by the Romans. The building was able to accommodate up to 250,000 spectators and is one of the oldest in Rome. Other places to visit are Domus Aurea, Pantheon, Terme di Caracalla, Ara Pacis Augustae, Piramide Cestia, Castel Sant’Angelo, Circo di Massenzio, Cloaca Massima, Ludus Magnus and many others. The most important squares of Rome are : Piazza di Spagna, Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Venezia, Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Barberini.

It is very easy to find good accommodation in Rome: Bed & Breakfasts and hotels are the most popular housing but you can also find accommodation with host-families or in backpacker accommodation where you sleep in single or double rooms and have free use of the bathroom and kitchen.

Rome is located in the centre of Italy, 20 minutes from the sea. It has two airports: Leonardo da Vinci (Fiumicino), located 32 km from the city centre and Ciampino, 15 km away. The main railway station in Rome is Termini Station, located in the heart of the city. There are two subway lines and many bus-lines. There are many Italian language schools, with a wide choice of courses and of course is only one of many Things To Do In Rome.

Start spreading the news.  New York, the big apple, the city that never sleeps – whatever you choose to call it – is in its element right now, making it the prime time to visit.  Lapping up global praises as a fast, furiously fun, electrifying city, New York isn’t holding back, giving visitors a taste of the high life with everything it’s got.
Spend a few hours in the heart of  New York and you can see why it is frequently described as a city unlike any other.  After all, where else does hot fashion trends emerge at breakfast only to be deemed outdated by lunch or a dose of culture can be easily acquired during a lunchbreak by way of museums, art galleries or simply strolling along 42nd street passing by the United Nations, the Theatre District and Times Square.  It is a place where a city tour of famous sites can take days and perhaps most uniquely, where you can get anything you want, anytime you want, delivered right to your door.
Some say what makes a great city is its people and New Yorkers would be the first to agree.  Being hip is almost a full time job and water cooler jargon can turn into the new lingo chattered across the globe.  Spend enough time in New York and you’re almost guaranteed to become a millionaire, with a cute spoodle to boot.
If you only have a few days to spend in New York, you’ll most likely only experience the tip of the iceberg, so be sure to have a clear idea of what you want to see and do before arriving so you can hit the ground running, literally.
New York is very much a walking city and taking in the sights and sounds by foot is a great way to explore famous landmarks and even come across a few hidden ones, but taxis are abundant and easily available for those that tire easily.
Even though some may say visiting the Empire State Building, Rockefeller’s ‘Top of the Rock’ and cruising past the Statue of Liberty are on the hilt of the most touristy things one could do, seeing them is a must for New York virgins.  Take in a day tour or pre-purchase a New York City Pass or New York Pass for additional benefits and discounted entry into most of the top attractions.
The City Pass also includes discounted entry onboard Circle Line ferries which operate full-commentary cruises along the Hudson River past New York’s famous skyline and its most famous resident, the Lady in Green.
From the lower Hudson and East Rivers, the daily cruises onboard “Miss New York” includes spectacular views of the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and the city’s world famous bridges and buildings.  History buffs, or for those that can spare additional time should take the effort to sail to Ellis Island and explore the Immigration Museum, or stand at the foot of the Statute of Liberty with a trip to Liberty Island.
Aside from the main attractions, a lot of what happens in New York is by chance, being in the right place at the right time goes a long way, but a few handy hints on where these ‘right places’ are always helps.
If you are not fortunate to know any New Yorkers to steer you in the right direction, keep your eyes pealed for posters around town displaying what’s on in the world of street entertainment where attendance is mostly free.  Hang around the theatre district after catching a show and a swarm of ticket sellers for everything from comedy clubs to plays will offer last minute discounted entry into venues.
New York is also home to some of the trendiest bars, cafes and restaurants across the globe.  A great place to start the evening is the hip meat-packing district, made famous from being coined in a number of recent TV shows and movies.
Packed with clubs, boutique hotels and hidden bars, this area is easily accessible to most budgets, tastes and social trends.   But it’s the old style of New York that brings out the real glitz and glamour, and an example of that is the 70 year old institution, Tavern on the Green.  Billed as an “experience like no other”, the restaurant has been embraced by locals as a place to see and be seen.  Located in the heart of Central Park, a trip to the restaurant of yesteryear would be incomplete without a fairy-tale horse and carriage ride ending.

September 7, 2009
- A must see on any visit to Rome are the Vatican Museums, amazing paintings and tapestries and of course the Sistine Chapel

September 7, 2009
- A collection of wonderful travel experiences – great for those armchair travellers.

At the end of a rutted dirt road, our guide unlocked the gates to the old Edwards’ estate, and we drove onto the property. We were on Kangaroo Island and now that it was dusk, the light was incandescent and, all around us, animals were beginning to stir.

We walked across a huge paddock covered with tall grass and there, set against the sky, were dozens of kangaroos, some nearly six feet tall, other joeys hugging the sides of their mothers, and not one of them afraid of us.

A 30-minute flight from Adelaide, Kangaroo Island is full of animal life, koalas, echidnas on the roadside and wallabies everywhere.

On the island there is a tour company run by Craig Wickham that certainly lives up to its name – the Exceptional Kangaroo Island. You get to walk right onto the beach at Seal Bay and receive lots of other access that make seeing Kangaroo Island with them well worth your while.

For lunch, it was King George whiting on the Bar B Q. Another day we went to Andermel Marron Farm where we tasted marron, the world’s largest farmed crayfish, and drank wine from one of Kangaroo Island’s 28 vineyards. We were introduced to honey made by the world’s only pure strain of Ligurian bees, originally brought from Italy to the island in the 1880s.

In between sightings and tastings, as we criss-crossed the island from top to bottom, Craig regaled us with tales of growing up on a 2,500-acre sheep station on the island’s north shore that his parents ran for Sir James Holden, owner of Holden cars.

Now, two generations later, on the 100 acres of the station that remain, Sir James’ grandchildren, Rachel and Nick Hannaford, run Lifetime Private Retreats. Part luxury hotel, part haute fantasy, Lifetime consists of three architecturally amazing villas, overlooking Snellings Beach, a perfect white beach which creates an outstanding contrast to the turquoise sea.

When you arrive at Lifetime, you step into another world. Nick, a celebrated event planner, and Rachel, a yoga teacher and chef who has cooked for superstars like Mick Jagger and the Dalai Lama, have pulled out all stops in creating this magical place. Dinner could be a Middle Eastern feast, served beneath the bowers of a gigantic fig tree or paella in a shack on the beach with a fire blazing.

If five-star hippie chic isn’t your style, Kangaroo Island also offers simpler accommodations. The Kangaroo Island Wilderness Resort, at the entrance to a national park, has a terrific restaurant, wine list and al fresco dining among the wallabies. The rooms are spotless and spacious.

Kangaroo Island is just far enough off the beaten track to provide some wonderful surprises and a very unique travel experience.

photo credit: ricardo.martins

It certainly is a poor man or woman who cannot find a few eggs, a couple of potatoes and an onion in their cupboard!

The ever-practical Spaniard realized this and thus created their marvellous “tortilla” – an easy-to-make dish that could be savoured by rich and poor alike.

Not only cheap to make, the tortilla or Spanish omelette, is immensely adaptable: you can eat it hot or cold, depending on the weather and your mood; you can enjoy a small slice as a “tapa” (snack) in between meals; or, accompanied by a multi- coloured mixed salad and crusty, fresh Spanish bread, you have a marvellous main meal!

Should unexpected guests come knocking at your door … just whip out the ever-adaptable tortilla, pour them a glass of smooth, Spanish wine and they are bound to be delighted!

Unlike the better-known French omelette, which should be made quickly and over a high heat, the Spanish omelette needs to be cooked more gently, so that the middle is not too runny.

The French omelette is best eaten straight away and always hot. Its Spanish counterpart, on the other hand, improves if left to rest for at least five minutes before eating, keeps well for a couple of days in the fridge, and can easily be re-heated in the microwave, unless you prefer it cold.

As with the French omelette, the Spanish tortilla is made in a frying pan (preferably non-stick) but, unlike the French version, both sides need to be browned. For this reason, it is possible to buy special tortilla frying pans – a sort of double pan which allows you to swish the omelette over to cook the other side!

Most people prefer the traditional method of placing a plate on top of the pan, turning the tortilla out and then returning to the pan to cook the underside. But the simplest method is to place the frying pan under the grill to brown.

Whichever way you choose to prepare it, once cooked, leave it to cool a little, cover with a large plate, then gently ease out the omelette. It should be circular, about an inch-and-a-half thick, and it is usual to cut it in slices or wedges.

Having said that, you can divide it into small cubes, pop cocktail sticks on top, and serve along with other “bits and pieces” as an aperitif.

Spanish recipes for tortilla vary from region to region – also what you have in the fridge and what you fancy! You can replace the potato with, say, spinach, leave out the onion, add a bit more garlic, etc, etc. Just use your imagination!

Below is a recipe for traditional potato-and-onion tortilla.

Tortilla or Spanish Omelette

Ingredients:

Olive oil. 1 large onion, chopped. 1 clove garlic, crushed with 1 teaspoon salt. 2 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and diced. Black pepper. 6 eggs, beaten.

Method:

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan.

2. Add onion, garlic/salt, pepper and potatoes.

3. Gently fry until golden-brown and potatoes slightly softened.

4. Tip potato-and-onion mixture into bowl containing beaten eggs.

5. Stir and transfer to large frying pan containing clean oil.

6. Cook over low heat for 10-15 minutes.

7. Transfer pan to preheated hot grill until top is browned.

8. Carefully tip onto plate and slice as you would a cake.

The Oosterdam in port

Below is one of my cruising adventures to the Mexican Riviera onboard the wonderful Oosterdam.

I guess the above and anything else DAM was the catchcry for the Mexican Riviera cruise on Holland America Line’s the Oosterdam.

Classic, cultured, sophisticated and wonderful service probably sums up the Oosterdam. From the subdued navy and white on the outside to the elegant decorations and jaw dropping Waterford crystal globe centrepiece in the Atrium, and roomy comfortable staterooms on the inside the Oosterdam is class all the way.

The check in was reasonably smooth and efficient.  Greeted by staff at the ship’s entrance you were immediately made to feel at home and after a quick guided tour we settled into a great buffet lunch at the Lido restaurant – the start of many gastronomic delights during the week.

The combination of 3 days sailing and 3 days in port was great, giving the best of both worlds – plenty of time to experience Mexico and its culture and to make the most of the ship and all it had to offer whilst cruising.

Booking of shore excursions was our first piece of ‘work’, the hardest part was deciding what to do in our 3 ports of call.  I opted for going out of town in Cabo San Lucas to Todos Santos, a charming oasis town and mission. Added to this an authentic Mexican lunch at the Hotel California (the inspiration for the Eagles’ well known song).

Second port of call Mazatlan my favourite, and here again I experienced the genuine Mexico visiting the Sierra Madre mountains and the villages of Concordia and Copala ( very unique with its cobble stone streets and colonial lamp posts).  This tour also gives you the chance to see local artisans working and of course to purchase some of their wonderful offerings.

Puerto Vallarta our third port and the most well known to tourists had a wonderful ‘old town’ area and here I decided to try my hand at some Mexican cooking on the ‘Taste of Mexico’ tour. Our tour took us firstly on a walk through the town itself and then to a restaurant where we made and then ate our lunch – very good I must say!

Onboard ship you could either find a corner all by yourself or otherwise occupy your whole day with the many activities on offer.  I became a bit of a bingo fanatic ( I had not been to a bingo game in about 40 years) urged on by Tina who on one occasion actually was calling out BINGO for me when all my numbers came up. Another of the favourite activities were the Trivia sessions, we made up a team – (Team Oz of course), but struggled a bit when it came to questions like “ name the running back who was MVP for the finals in 1983?” Our first question was “what is a running back? They did however in one session ask questions about cricket and New Zealand so we scored 2 points there. For the more serious gamblers there is a casino, there are many bars to sit and savour the view, have a drink or listen to a great tune in the piano bar, a library and games room, a huge internet café so you can keep in touch with family and friends, a gymnasium with an awesome view for the fitness fanatics( I stuck to the walking track on the promenade deck), there were the art auctions and art history talks, tours of the ship’s kitchen and cooking demonstrations – amazing, and the 2 indulgence areas, the Green House Day Spa – bliss, and the Dam Signature shops – bliss for me but not for the credit card.

Children are not forgotten with Club HAL. The club caters for 3 – 12 year olds and offers all sorts of wonderful entertainment, the kids absolutely love it and it also gives Mums and Dads a chance to have some time out as well.

The other highlights on the Oosterdam were the wonderful staterooms – large and cheerful with excellent furnishings and extremely comfortable beds and a room attendant who delighted us with his animals made using bath and hand towels, dinner in the Vista Dining room with exceptional staff who really ‘made’ the cruise with their interaction with us and magician’s tricks, dining in the 5* Pinnacle Grill again with fabulous staff, top class entertainers in the Vista Lounge including the Oosterdam’s show cast, Las Vegas magicians, comedienne and Australia’s very own virtuoso piano and vocal entertainer Shelly White(we became Shelly’s very own cheer squad, Aussie style- Oi, Oi, Oi).

Holland America Line definitely has the wow factor , I found the Oosterdam to be one of the best cruise ships I have sailed on. And, knowing that all the HAL fleet are very similar in style and fit out and offer the same wonderful experience there are obviously lots of places around the world left to cruise to.

Had a great cruise experience? I would love to hear from you about your adventure please leave a comment below.

As mentioned before I always travel when possible in the off season and my visit to Prauge was no exception. Yes it was cold but the gems of experiences that were found made up for any inconvenience 10 fold.

When visiting it is so important to be nearby the ‘old town’ – there is history in every step you take and every monument or building that you look at. Our stay was at the the very quaint Charles Bridge B&B situated just off the Charles Bridge(middle bridge in picture) and right at the foot of Prague Castle in ‘lesser town’. The B&B was a former merchant’s house circa 1357 (about the same time as the bridge was built) and a trip down to the cellars showed us the storage area where the boats would pull in laden with all the merchant’s goods. It was an easy stroll across the bridge to the ‘old town’ and even closer in ‘lesser town’ on the castle side to fabulous little restaurants and shops.

The off season it was, and cold it was but it was also just before Christmas and treat of treats are the fabulous Christmas Markets and associated concerts, gluweine, really cheap tickets to a performances of Handel’s Messiah and Beethoven and Mozart classics, and standing in Wencelas Square singing “Good King Wencelas” and other favourite carols.

An absolute must do is to hire a local guide. We had 2 guides in our time there and both were fabulous, they give you information that you just don’t find in a guide book or by going it alone – where to eat, best places to shop and the extra bits of local history that you wouldn’t otherwise know.

There are also a number of personally guided tours to other areas in the Czech Republic like the spa town of Karlovy Vary and the beautiful castles of Karlstejn and Cesky Krumlov.

If you have the chance to go, take it as you won’t be disappointed and if you are fond of a little beer you can get an original Pilsener and of course Budweis which both originated in the Czech republic and take home some Bohemia crystal to sit on the mantel or in your display cabinet.

If you have had other Prauge, Praque or Prague moments please leave a comment it will be great to hear from you.

September 7, 2009
- This festival comes with a warning “wear swimwear or clothes that you don’t want to keep”

September 7, 2009
- If you haven’t been to New Orleans then pack your bags as it is a wonderful city with lots of history.

September 7, 2009
- This is an amazing place with entire villages living on the lake – including schools and your original 2 storey floating basketball court

August 24, 2009
- A great way to see the world is by traveling to movie locations

Over the next 10 weeks I want to give you an insight into my favourite top 10 travel experiences in no particular order (so far). I would love to hear from you about your favourite destination/s so please feel free to leave your comments below.

#1 The Colosseum in Rome

Steeped in history, the Colosseum

I am an avid history buff and from reading in a text book about the Roman empire, the emperors,the Christian slaves, the gladiators and chariot races to actually standing in and on that history is just amazing.

To step on the same steps that those citizens of Rome did way back in 82 AD was just spine tingling. The photo above shows the partly recreated floor of the Colosseum and underneath you can see the narrow alleyways and rooms where the lions and tigers, Christians and Gladiators were housed.

One of the other things I try to do when traveling is to do so in ‘off peak’ times. This saves you money but more importantly there are less people around and if you go when the gates first open, then you are more than likely like I was, to be the only person there.

Then you can just close your eyes and imagine the scene – the sound of thousands of people yelling, the emperor and his entourage sitting pompously in prime position overlooking the gladiators doing battle with each other or perhaps against wild animals, swords clashing and screams of terror and pain amongst yells of ‘live’ or ‘die’.

There are also wonderful exhibits to see within the walls of the Colosseum and many nooks and crannies to explore and of course many photo opportunities(including locals dressed in costume trying to make a few extra euros).

Well that is #1 – the Colosseum. Maybe you have been too and have a different story to tell so please leave your comments below.

Everyone has heard of ‘fast foods’ but have you heard about ‘slow foods‘? Just like the experience of travel slow foods is the experience of savouring food.

Slow Foods is a non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life, the disappearance of local food traditions and people’s dwindling interest in the food they eat, where it comes from, how it tastes and how our food choices affect the rest of the world.

Let your taste buds do the walking as you are immersed in the ecogastronomic wonders of the two regions – Piedmont and Emilia Romagna. You will experience Barolo wine, the legendary white truffle of Alba, porcini mushrooms, parmesan and prosciutto. Add to this beautiful hotels, stunning walks, fascinating history and culture, plus exceptional food and wines and you have the makings of a remarkable travel experience.

Following is what you can expect to be included on this small group journey

* 8 nights beautiful accommodation (3 different hotels)
* An experienced and knowledgeable guide who will look after your every need and bring this stunning area to life
* All meals including wine.
* Gourmet meals in a variety of superb restaurants, including several award winning establishments.
* Support vehicle, enabling you to walk as little or as much of the trail as you please
* Transport to/from Genoa in air-conditioned minibus
* Comprehensive pre-trip information.
* Luggage transported for you so all you need to carry is a small backpack with water etc.

photo credit: _Zeta_

The Walking Part
Shortest day: 6.3km/4miles
Longest day: 11.2km/7.1miles

There are 5 half-day walks offered on the trip. You walk on farm and woodland tracks, through vineyards and along quiet tarmac roads. Day 3’s walk is on a well graded mountain path. Although the walks are relatively short it is recommended you wear sturdy walking boots, with good ankle support.

The Weather Part:
Average daytime temperature: September 20°-25°; October 13°-21°
Monthly rainfall average: September 70mm; October 150mm
Average sunshine: September 6hrs/day; October 5½hrs/day

If you have experienced or would like to experience the slow food movement please leave your comments below, I would love to hear your stories.

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August 24, 2009
- Wonderful country and locals and certainly welcome the experience seeker.

August 24, 2009
- Beautiful all year round Hawaii has much to offer both the seasoned and first time traveler.

August 24, 2009
- Ayutthaya is the ancient capital of Thailand and there are still many ancient treasures on display

August 24, 2009
- Italy has to be one of the places to have on your bucket list and Rome just drips history

If you love walking and enjoy the fresh air and scenery these Ramblers Holidays are just made for you!

On an inimitable Gourmet Guided Walking holiday across the Victorian Alps you leave the car behind and follow in the footsteps of some of the early visitors to this area(the explorers, the gold diggers and the first European settlers) as you experience a magnificent continuous guided walk across the legendary High Country of Victoria.

There is a unique 10-day itinerary which takes you, on foot, from Falls Creek to Mount Buffalo. In the past, travellers stayed in huts but on this itinerary you will stay in fabulous hotels and mountain lodges, dine on delicious cuisine and sample the wonderful wines this area has to offer. There is also a 6-day Ramblers Holiday’s itinerary which has been designed for those with less time to spare.

Escape the summer heat and breathe the mountain air of the Alpine and Mount Buffalo National Parks.

What is included in these Ramblers Holidays?

• Services of experienced and knowledgeable guides who will look after your every need and bring this stunning area to life.
• All meals including wine.
• Gourmet picnic lunches each day and snacks en route.
• Dinner in a variety of superb restaurants.
• Support vehicle, enabling you to walk as little or as much of the trail as you please.
• Transport to/from Albury in air-conditioned minibus.
• Comprehensive pre-trip information.
• Luggage transported for you so all you need to carry is a small backpack with water etc.

8 days of walking on the longer trip, including 3 optional days. 4 days walking on the summer break. Some mountainous terrain. Significant ascents/descents. Small paths and woodland tracks, unsealed roads, quiet tarmac roads. Optional easy boulder-hopping on Mount Buffalo.

The tougher days are balanced with easier days and rest days. The walking is fairly rugged in sections so sturdy walking boots, with good ankle support, are recommended. Walking poles would be an advantage, especially on steeper sections.

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There is a unique tour which will take you into the Canadian wilderness, home to some of the largest predators on the planet. Here amongst the breathtaking scenery of British Columbia you can discover grizzly bears as they feed on migrating salmon , search for orca whales, black bears, pacific white-sided dolphins, minke whales and bald eagles.

Then you will head east to Churchill in Manitoba, “the polar bear capital of the world”, to view these magnificent bears. This is really a first hand experience as the party is restricted to 16 which means plenty of room on the Tundra Buggies in Churchill (which normally take from 21 to 38 people).

Following are some of the special activities you will be able to experience.

* 4 nights at Knight Inlet Lodge during salmon spawning where you will witness one of the largest concentrations of grizzly hears in B.C.
* Exclusive use of the Tundra Buggy in Churchill for a maximum of 16 people to view the majestic polar bears.
* Marine excursions (weather permitting) to view seals, sea lions, porpoises, dolphins, orcas and possibly minke and humpback whales.
* Knight Inlet is one of the largest fjords on the B.C. coast with spectacular scenery and over 200 species of bird.
* October is the only time you can combine trips to see both grizzly bears and polar bears.
* Town and area tour Churchill on the shores of the Hudson Bay and includes a visit to the Inuit (Eskimo) museum and Parks Canada Interpretation Centre.
All in all just incredible opportunities for wildlife viewing & photography.

August 13, 2009
- Just west of Sydney and a beautiful part of the world with all forms of accommodation

August 13, 2009
- Even Dubai is susceptible to the economic downturn. The pace at which buildings were going up had to start slowing eventually.

If you are a book worm in general a great place to head is the historic Langham Hotel in London. If you are an Agatha Christie fan then Brown’s Hotel in Piccadilly might be your pick.

Just for you after their great refurbishment they now have a ‘book butler uk‘ service. When you make a booking, you can advise your preferred reading material and a selection will be available to you on your arrival.

The hotel also makes recommendations from authors who have in fact been past guests at the hotel including Oscar Wilde, Somerset Maugham and Arthur Conan Doyle (the Langham London was mentioned in one of his Sherlock Homes books).

Brown’s Hotel has also had a face lift. One of their famous guests was Agatha Christie. A copy of her book (most of which was written whilst in residence at the hotel) ‘At Bertrams Hotel’ will be found in every guestroom.

August 9, 2009
- Is the road trip making a comeback?

August 9, 2009
- Wilderness at its best in wonderful Tasmania, Australia

August 9, 2009
- Great information for technology on the move

August 9, 2009
- One of the beautiful cities of the world and a great access to many other areas of Italy

July 27, 2009
- A UNESCO world heritage area Halong Bay is peaceful and relaxing you can experience more of Halong Bay at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slV2MGkU0qI

July 27, 2009
- Apart from the beautiful sunsets of Hawaii there are some really interesting non touristy places to experience.

July 27, 2009
- Definitely some interesting insights for when you want to explore a city.

July 27, 2009
- These are some of the great experiences that you can have when you delve into the unheralded parts of a town or city.

July 27, 2009
- These are cities definitely worth the experience – for some it maybe go as soon as you can.

One of the most amazing continents on earth is South America especially areas like Quito, the Amazon and the Galapagos Islands. There are many ways to experience these great places and below is a basic itinerary that you may wish to follow to really explore these wonderful places.

In Quito you can enjoy guided sightseeing with a local guide of the Legislative Palace and the 16th-century San Francisco Monastery, La Cempania Church, the workshop and Museum of Oswaldo Guayasamin and the Equatorial Monument. You can also take an extra excursion to Cotopaxi National Park via the Chiva Express coach train.

After this you can fly from Quito to Coca, which is part of the Ecuadorian Amazon, to experience the abundance of wildlife. Do this  through guided walks and dugout canoe excursions by naturalists; visit a parrot clay lick; canopy walk and butterfly house.

Next, fly over the Pacific to Baltra Island to embark on a four or seven night cruise. During your cruise you will visit the Charles Darwin Research Station and visit amazing sites throughout the Galapagos Islands escorted by a local naturalist.

This is just a glimpse and there are of course many other options for you to explore.

I hope you enjoy this article from www.ourexplorer.com who can set you up with local guides in many travel destinations.

A jovial group of 15 British weekenders meander through the narrow streets of Temple Bar in Dublin seeking out the next “traditional” Irish bar. In Bangkok, it’s an elbow-jabbing scrum around the Emerald Buddha at the National Palace as tourists from dozens of nations jostle for the perfect photo opportunity. In Cancun, Mexico, thousands of students on Spring Break swarm in and out of beachside pubs and hotels in a collective mass.

Where can you enjoy an alternative travel experience which does not require you to share it with busloads of other tourists? The answer: through the local wisdom of your very own private tour guide.

A tour guide enables you to experience their destination in a unique way, through the eyes of a local professional. Below, some of OurExplorer’s clients illustrate the value a professional tour guide can provide any independent traveler.

Firstly the proactive Stuttgart tour guide – Torsten Pasler – who brought Janet Stefko through an emotional journey as she traveled transatlantic to trace her European family heritage – “Torsten went over and above, BY FAR, in any expectation we had for the day. Torsten took the time to do some “homework” in locating people & places without any request of mine. He made this day a day full of memories that have touched deeply the hearts of my family and I.”

New Zealand based travel writer Yvonne van Dongen decided on a recent return visit to Buenos Aires – Argentina – that she would experience the city in a more personalized way: ” I spent an entire day with this engaging tour guide and for the first time in Buenos Aires I stopped looking at my feet (avoiding the broken pavements and dog droppings) and started looking up at the detail in the buildings exterior and inside on the ceilings.”

Suyi Lam of Singapore, seeking a rural adventure, traveled to Sabha in Malaysia with 2 other friends. Their main interests were island hoping across the crystal clear water, exploring the sandy beaches and hopefully to conquer Mount Kinabalu. http://www.ourexplorer.com/tour-guide-grace-leong-1665.aspx [Sabha tour guide - Grace Leong - did not disappoint making the trip a huge success - "I would have given a 10 star if I could! We totally enjoyed our trip so much! Extremely informative and resourceful!"

Gerald and Pat Cook from Atlanta in the USA arrived in Egypt by cruise liner on their first and probably last Mediterranean trip. Keen to break away from the large group tours to ensure they crammed the most in, they hired the services of Luxor tour guide Mohamed and were "able to see about five or six additional sites that the group didn't see….."

From discovering family roots to finding that gem off the beaten track experience, private tour guides facilitate you to see your overseas destination through the eyes of a local. So before you jet off on your next holiday check out in advance some tour guide resources e.g. OurExplorer.com and see how you can be a local in a foreign land.

July 19, 2009
- There are certainly some wonderful places to visit that are off the beaten track and pedal power is a great way to see them.

July 19, 2009
- Tonle Sap is an enormous lake about an hours drive from Phnom Penh. There are a number of floating communities on the lake and river. This is well worth a visit. Check out this other post on Cambodia. http://www.ourgenerationtravel.com/31/angkor-wat-tour-combodia/

July 19, 2009
- New Zealand is a spectacular place to visit, especially the South Island. A must see is Milford Sound by boat – amazing scenery and lots of wildlife.Visit this post http://www.ourgenerationtravel.com/34/aircruise/

Virgin Atlantic is working with UK footwear and accessories company Worn Again on an innovative new project – which will see the airline recycling aircraft seat covers to create desirable new fashion accessories and
environment friendly products. The collaboration has contributed to Worn Again developing a range of unique bags by recycling disused materials such as car seat belts, bicycle tyres and aircraft seat covers.

The Worn Again Virgin range, which includes the ‘Ollie’ wash bag, the ‘Sherman’ male messenger bag, ‘Lydia’ and ‘Romero’ ladies handbags are available now. The bags include an ‘Ingredients’ label which lists the all the materials that make up the bags – such as Virgin Atlantic seat covers, car safety belts, Glastonbury tents and bicycle tyres.

Lysette Gauna, Creative Director for Virgin Atlantic, commented:
“Virgin Atlantic is committed to taking practical steps to make its business as sustainable as possible. From investing in new technologies, to lobbying the aircraft manufacturers, through to championing new ideas – we believe that actions speak louder than words. This is a fun and creative way to recycle our waste and we are sure these fabulous limited edition bags will be very popular as well as giving people the chance to own a little piece of Virgin Atlantic history.”

Cyndi Rhoades, Director, Worn Again, commented:
“We’re pleased to be partnering with such a pioneering global brand as Virgin Atlantic at a time when environmental issues are at the top of corporate agendas. For us, it is a great opportunity to offer a design-led and innovative solution to waste, with the end product being the ultimate ‘eco it bag’.”

Waste reduction is a big focus for Virgin Atlantic. The airline has successfully reduced the waste it produces in its offices and ground operations significantly and continues to work hard to reduce the waste its produces in the air. The airline has set itself a very ambitious target to reduce the waste it sends to landfill from its aircraft by 50% by 2012.

A total of 2000 limited edition bags has been produced with materials from approximately 1000 seats. The materials were donated by Virgin Atlantic to Worn Again following the refit of its economy cabin.

Sustainability, being eco friendly, being a tru green needs to become our way of life.

Six hundred forty thousand years ago, a volcanic eruption with a magnitude greater than the eruption of Mount Saint Helens in 1980 formed the area now known as Yellowstone National Park. Travel to the park which is considered by many National Park vacationers as the Crowning Jewel of the United States’ National Park System, these days is easy. The land known as Yellowstone, was the first National Park protected by law in 1872 by then President Ulysses S. Grant and many natural wonders can be found within the confines of Yellowstone.

Old Faithful is without a doubt the most well known natural attraction in Yellowstone National Park and arguably the most well known attraction in the United States’ National Park System. Sixty percent of the world’s geysers are located in Yellowstone Park. The largest number of geysers is located in the Upper Geyser Basin. In fact, over one hundred fifty geysers are located within a one square mile area in the Upper Geyser Basin. Yellowstone naturalist staff are able to predict the eruption of at least five of the major geysers in this small area including Castle, Grand, Daisy, Riverside, and of course Old Faithful. Many other smaller geysers may frequently erupt in this area as well. You can also view numerous hot springs and a recently developed mudpots.

The Old Faithful Inn is a great place to stay while visiting the Upper Geyser Basin and Old Faithful. The lobby of the hotel features a sixty five foot ceiling, a huge fireplace, and railings made of lodge pole pine. Three hundred and twenty seven rooms await you or if you prefer cabin-style accommodations, your best bet is Old Faithful Lodge. The lodge features a cafeteria, gift and coffee shops. A popular resting place for visitors is the Knotty Pine Porch, it provides a great view of Geyser Hill and is the oldest building at Old Faithful. This building was built for F. Jay Haynes as a photo studio in 1897.

Venture into the Mammoth area and you’ll notice the red-roofed, many-chimneyed buildings that make up part of historic Fort Yellowstone. Fourteen years of poor management of Yellowstone led officials to turn management of the National Park over to the United States Cavalry in 1886. For the first five years, the Cavalry, lived in Camp Sheridan but, after five bone chilling winters the soldiers built the more permanent post known as Fort Yellowstone.

Yellowstone National Park Travel, prior to 1903 was by way of the train to Cinnabar, Montana then  into horse-drawn carriages to  the park. Eventually the railway extended all the way to Gardiner and people then entered the park through the immense stone gateway, known as the Roosevelt Arch. Designed by Robert Reamer, a renowned Yellowstone architect, the arch was designed for coaches to travel through as they entered the park. During construction, President Theodore Roosevelt was visiting the park and took the opportunity to lay the cornerstone of the arch which now bears his name. The top of the arch is inscribed with the words “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people” a quote from the Organic Act of 1872 which enabled the legislation for Yellowstone National Park.

Other Must See Sites in Yellowstone National Park include the Engineers Office, built by the Corps of Engineers; the Scottish Rite Chapel and Capitol Hill, the former site of Superintendent Norris’ headquarters.

The Kite Hill cemetery is a great place to visit and contains the graves of early Yellowstone settlers and employees. Another landmark designed by architect Robert Reamer is the Reamer House. Reamer House is a beautiful example of Prairie-style architecture.

Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef have been shortlisted for inclusion in the new seven natural wonders.

Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are two of the 28 finalists shortlisted for consideration to become one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, in a new global vote. A selection process organised by the New7Wonders committee, in partnership with the United Nations, has narrowed down the top 28 finalists from 441 nominations to make up a new seven natural wonders list.

Uluru in the Northern Territory and the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, have been shortlisted amongst other natural wonders including Milford Sound in New Zealand, the Cliffs of Moher in Ireland, Galapagos Islands in Ecuador, the Grand Canyon in the United States, and Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. “A place among the ultimate New7Wonders of Nature would be a stunning achievement for our nation’s iconic natural wonders,” said Rick Allert, Tourism Australia’s Executive Chairman. “We thank everyone who has played a part in ensuring Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef have made it through to this third and final stage… in the running for the ultimate accolade.”

The selection process had previously cut the list from the initial submission of 441 sites in 222 countries to 77, which has now been reduced to just the shortlist of 28. Now that a shortlist has been revealed, the organisers are calling for individuals to vote online for their list of seven through webportal new7wonders.com. Voting is expected to continue throughout 2010 and into 2011. “It’s been a stunning process to watch so many of the world’s iconic natural wonders in the public spotlight and we are delighted to see both Uluru and the Great Barrier Reef are through to the third and final stage,” Tia Viering, New7Wonders Foundation Spokesperson. “They’re up against the world’s best – it’s certainly going to be an exciting two years as we see which sites the public choose as the official New7Wonders of Nature.”

All votes are monitored and each individual is allotted one vote.

July 19, 2009
- Vanuatu is a great getaway! This photo of the sailboat has Iririki Island in the background, a lovely 3.5* resort on it’s own island. There are many other choices of accommodation,  and great snorkeling and diving opportunities abound.

Steamed Fish With Five Tastes

Ingredients:

500g Fillet of any kind of fresh water fish

10g Saffron

10g Ginger

5g    Salt

2      teaspoons of soya oil

2      teaspoons of olive oil

Black pepper to taste

Pinch of Dill

1      teaspoon of lemon juice

Slice fish into bite size pieces.

Combine saffron,grated ginger, salt, pepper and dill with oil.

Marinate fish pieces in combined ingredients for at least 1 hour.

Place marinated fish pieces in steamer  and cook until tender.

Drizzle lemon juice over fish pieces and serve with salad

Throwing some more your way, some of the greatest travel qoutes of all time.

“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
″A traveler without observation is a bird without wings.” – Moslih Eddin Saadi
“When we get out of the glass bottle of our ego and when we escape like the squirrels in the cage of our personality and get into the forest again, we shall shiver with cold and fright. But things will happen to us so that we don’t know ourselves. Cool, unlying life will rush in.” – D. H. Lawrence
“To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.” – Freya Stark
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – Mark Twain

If you are of the baby boomers generation or just love history this is one of those experiences that has to go on the bucket list. There are so many wonderful ‘moments’ along the way and you certainly get to see a diverse cross section of American culture. From ’standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona’ to the Arch in St Louis and meeting wonderful characters like Eddie Edwards who opened the “Pig Hip” restaurant at Broadwell, Illinois in 1937 and who remembers well the numbers of people who traversed Rote 66, you will find many fabulous experiences.

Have you travelled Route 66 the mother road?

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• Cruisin’ Route 66 from Okla. to N.M. (abcnews.go.com)
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Hanoi in Vietnam held many special charms and non more so than a one on one cooking school with their top chef Miss Anh. Miss Anh is known as a master chef and displayed on the walls of her restaurant/cooking school are many awards garnered both within Vietnam and internationally for her wonderful Vietnamese cuisine.

The first part of the cooking school was a visit to the local market to buy all of the ingredients and produce that was going to be used for our meal.

I hope you enjoy the video and can imagine the many aromas that the colourful markets conjour up. If you have been to a cooking school or would love to go please leave a comment below.

WARNING: Don’t watch this whilst hungry!

Do you want to escape and really experience China?

Do you want to enjoy the benefits of traditional Chinese Medicine, relaxation, and exercise routines, whilst visiting some of the most important sites of China along the way?

Do you want to spend time in small towns and big cities taking Tai Chi, Qi Gong, and Kung Fu classes?

Do you want to learn about traditional Chinese medicines, massages, and herbal remedies, and enjoy bike rides and mountain hikes?

You can, and have a journey that renews the mind, body and spirit.

Some of the highlights include – learning about traditional medicine in Hong Kong, uncovering the secrets of Chinese massage in Yangshuo,  Practicing Tai Chi with the locals in Xi’an, learning Kung Fu from the experts in Shaolin, and cycling through the Beijing hutongs.

Have you had a great experience in China? I would love you to share your story so please leave a comment below.

Email gday@ourgenerationtravel.com to create your China Experience

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photo credit: exfordy

The excitement is mounting as you catch your first glimpse of the herd of elephants and know that this is just the start of your amazing adventure on safari in Zambia.

Starting in Livingstone you can spend the day exploring this interesting colonial town or do some shopping at the local craft markets.

The next day you travel with your guide and driver to Victoria Falls where you can sit and sip a cool drink just a stone’s throw from the mighty Falls and  hear the thunderous roar of water as it rushes into the mighty Zambezi.

On the third day travel by road upstream to the lovely Islands of Siankaba. Here you can stay in a secluded chalet which is located on one of two untouched islands in the middle of the mighty Zambezi River and at night you can really enjoy the sunset as you cruise up the mighty Zambezi.

The next day, one of the most interesting options is to travel by vehicle to visit the local village and school. This is a wonderful cultural insight into the Zambian way of life and for a real experience you can return to your lodge by canoe.

On day five you transfer across the river by boat into Botswana and continue on to the Muchenje Safari Lodge. With an estimated 45,000 elephants in the area Chobe is reputed to have the highest concentration of elephants in Africa. Later in the day you get to experience your first safari looking for ‘big game’.

The next day you get to safari in the early morning looking to catch sight of the game especially around the waterholes in Chobe National Park. For lunch hop on board the boat which takes you on a stunning cruise down the Chobe River. At night after returning to the lodge you get set to partake in dinner under the stars.

1

1. “Your true traveler finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. It is the symbol of his liberty-his excessive freedom. He accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure.” – Aldous Huxley

2. “All travel has its advantages. If the passenger visits better countries, he may learn to improve his own. And if fortune carries him to worse, he may learn to enjoy it.” – Samuel Johnson

3. “For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

4.“One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller

5. “Traveling is a brutality. It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance. Nothing is yours except the essential things – air, sleep, dreams, the sea, the sky – all things tending towards the eternal or what we imagine of it.” – Cesare Pavese

June 30, 2009
- Chris Guillebeau is definitely one person who experiences travel.Tag along as he sets off on this year’s big journey. Chris has written a great book about getting the very best out of any travel experience Click here to view more details

June 23, 2009
- Gary Arndt is another experience seeker travelling the world. Here we catch up with Gary in Luxembourg.

June 23, 2009
- Chris Guillebeau makes a last minute trip to the Cook Islands. Read on to see if this is where your next travel experience will be. Want to catch up on some great reading? Click here to view more details

June 23, 2009
- Chris Guillebeau is a young man with phenomenal insight and you will learn a lot from his travel experiences and views on the world. Chris has some wonderful books to share! Click here to view more details

Just waiting to be found!

I’m taking a break this week from showing you one of our Favorite Places so I can share with you one of the resources we use to get to those places.
This book is for the traveler who likes to see interesting and under-visited places around the U.S. There are over 1,000 destinations spread from Maine to Hawaii and Alaska to Florida.

This handy guide is organized by state. Within each state you will find an updated map, a list of the unique sites and lots of colorful pictures. Plus, there is a good description of each place with all the necessary information. We are preparing to hit the road this week, heading east from California. I’ve looked through each of the states we plan to visit and I’ve scouted out some great places along the way.

To give you an idea of how unique this book is, I picked a state right in the middle: Missouri. There are 24 Off the Beaten Path places in the state. Here’s a sample:

* Squaw Creek National Wildlife Refuge – a bird lover’s paradise (warblers, avocets, snow geese, bald eagles)

* The YouZeum – interactive exhibits about your body and health

* Jefferson Farm and Gardens – showplace on the importance of farming and horticulture inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s garden at Monticello (67 acres)

* City Museum in St. Louis – This museum is devoted to the eccentric and surreal with exhibits both inside and outside.

I hope you get the idea with just a few examples. I didn’t even mention the Laura Ingalls Wilder Home and Museum or Mark Twain’s Historic site or the Winston Churchill Memorial and Library. Every state has its own unique set of places to visit. These are good vacation destinations or day trips if you live nearby.

We have used this guide for years but now they have a new, up-dated Third Edition. Keeping this guide up-to-date is one of the things I like about it. Be prepared, it is a big book, over an inch thick, and heavy. We are selective on what comes along with us as we travel. This one makes the cut. On the Contents page is a quote of Mark Twain’s that I find so appropriate for Off-the-Beaten-Path Travelers.

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. . . Explore. Dream. Discover.”

What are your Favorite Places that are Off the Beaten Path? Find Margot at http://joyfullyretired.com

1. “Our battered suitcases were piled on the sidewalk again; we had longer ways to go. But no matter, the road is life.” – Jack Kerouac

2. “He who does not travel does not know the value of men.” – Moorish proverb

3. “People travel to faraway places to watch, in fascination, the kind of people they ignore at home.” – Dagobert D. Runes

4. “A journey is like marriage. The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it.” – John Steinbeck

5. “No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow.” – Lin Yutang

This is a great article written by Jennifer Jefferies an international speaker on work life balance, who is also a dedicated practitioner of aromatherapy. Jennifer describes how to use aromatherapy to prevent Jetlag.

In Asia people visit health practitioners to stay well. They don’t wait to get ill like we do here in the western world. They live from a place of prevention. I work as a professional speaker which calls for me to travel approx three weeks of every month ten months of the year and I am on an airplane pretty much most of those days.

I travel extensively nationally and internationally and when I fly I know how to look after myself to prevent jetlag. I cross time zones constantly and I am generally booked to speak at a conference the morning after I arrive so there is no time for jetlag. So how do I do it?

I live my life from a place of prevention. I simply don’t wait to go off balance. The trick that I have found when flying long or short haul is to take a couple of simple things with me on the trip. Firstly I need to let you know that I am a naturopath and an aromatherapist and I specialised my training in the emotional aspects of illness behind the physical.

Just like any illness jetlag has an emotional component as well as the physical. The number one strategyI employ to prevent jetlag is to travel with some essential oil. Now aromatherapy essential oils are just like old time pharmacy and they work on a physical and emotional level. They are not new or clever you are just going back to using the basics which are closer to nature. The oil blend I fly with is a blend called Sanity Saver which contains oils such as Vetiver, Australian Sandalwood, Geranium, Patchouli and Ylang Ylang. This earthy blend is designed to keep you grounded and help you think of one thing at once and in the case of a long haul flight that is sleep.

Remember it is not the quantity of hours that you sleep but the quality of the sleep that can make the difference in preventing jetlag. So I know you are thinking great, that’s another little bottle of liquid I need to put in my clear plastic bag to get through security. But no you don’t. What I use is an Aromatherapy Necklace or bracelet or even the personal inhaler. You add one drop of your favourite essential oil like the Sanity Saver blend to the jade bead and wear that. Or with the personal inhaler you add three or four drops of your favourite essential oil into the holes at the top of the bottle, using the specially designed pipette, easily scents the bottle. The scent will remain strong for up to two months depending on the note of the essential oil used.

Heavier smelling oils linger longer and the Sanity Saver is a deep earthy aroma that lingers well. Inside the Personal Aromatherapy Inhaler container is a glass bottle with cotton inside that holds the essential oil. Your little bottle of oil goes in your packed luggage to top it up for the way home or through the rest of your travels. It’s so easy. Of course all of the usual information about limiting alcohol consumption and upping your water intake are still relevant.

Adding some aromatherapy to your travel plans can make the world of difference.

Embark on a safari to Brazil’s spectacular Pantanal and two of the finest wildlife lodges in the Amazon. The Pantanal Wildlife Center offers mobile observation towers for amazing bird and primate viewing, guided walks and riverboat cruises to view giant otters.

The new Jaguar Research Center is owned and operated by two international wildlife biologists in an area where abundant Capybaras and Caimans support the world’s densest and tamest population of Jaguars.

Departs daily ex Cuiaba and following is a suggested itinerary.

Day 1.  Pantanal Wildlife Center.

Depart for the Pantanal Wildlife Center (3 hrs) by road, observing and photographing wildlife en route. This comfortable eco-lodge is situated on the Pixaim River in the heart of the Pantanal. The lodge has 10 double rooms with airconditioning and private hot shower bathrooms, as well as a large, central, screened dining room and lounge/bar.

Day 2.  Pantanal Wildlife Center.
Enjoy a variety of guided activities. View birds and monkeys from the lodge’s unique mobile canopy towers placed near flowering and fruiting trees. Hike trails in search of beautiful and rare birds, such as Hyacinth Macaws, as well as Brown Capuchin Monkeys, Black and Gold Howler Monkeys, Silvery Marmosets and the elusive 250 kg Brazilian Tapir, the largest land animal in South America.
Take a boat tour on the Pixaim River to view wild Giant Otters from a distance of only 1 to 5 metres away. The Center has electric catamarans which silently cruise the rivers as mobile blinds, perfect for long-lens wildlife photography. Go spotlighting at night in raised open cars to look for nocturnal animals.

Days 3 to5.  Jaguar Research Center.
Drive to the end of the famous Transpantaneira Road, looking out for wildlife on the way. Reaching the Cuiaba River you board a boat and travel 1.5 hours upstream to the wild and remote Meeting of the Waters Park where you will finally  reach the Jaguar Research Center, situated on the riverbank in an area with the highest density of jaguars and jaguar sightings in the entire Pantanal.
No permanent structure is allowed in this pristine area, so accommodation is in 8 sealed 4 metres-by-5 metres walk-in tents with wooden floors and private, hot-shower bathrooms. There is also a 5 metres-by-16 metres houseboat with twin-decks and two air-conditioned cabins with private facilities. The houseboat also houses the kitchen, dining room, and a roofed, open-sided observation deck. Over the next few days you can take a full day boat trip and other excursions by boat and on foot to observe the park’s diverse wildlife, including jaguars, tapirs, ant-eaters, giant otters and numerous birds.

Day 6. Pantanal Wildlife Center.
After breakfast set out on a 1-hour boat ride and a 2-hour drive back to Pantanal Wildlife Center.
Day 7. Back To Cuiabá.
Sunrise walk before our return drive down the Transpantaneira Highway and back to Cuiabá.

: 10

1. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain
2. “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – St. Augustine
3. “There are no foreign lands. It is the traveler only who is foreign.” – Robert Louis Stevenson
4. “The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are.” – Samuel Johnson
5. “All the pathos and irony of leaving one’s youth behind is thus implicit in every joyous moment of travel: one knows that the first joy can never be recovered, and the wise traveler learns not to repeat successes but tries new places all the time.” – Paul Fussell

The Andean Explorer - Cuzco to Puno, Peru

Do you love the adventure of travelling by rail? There are many great train journeys and this one is no exception.

If you are visiting Peru you can escape on this  spectacular rail journey between historic Cuzco and the beautiful city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca.

It is a wonderful experience of 9.1/2 hours and begins in historic Cuzco and travels south to the beautiful city of Puno, on the shores of Lake Titicaca. As you relax in first class comfort the train makes a gentle climb to higher and cooler altitudes with the glass-walled observation car providing the perfect opportunity to view the beautiful scenery. You will also enjoy a complimentary three course lunch.

Is train travel your passion? Have you travelled between Cuzco and Puno? please let us know about your journey below!

Aircruise Itinerary

A Classic New Zealand Aircruise lets you experience the highlights of New Zealand from the comfort of an e specially-equipped Dash 8 aircraft. Whether flying across snow-capped mountains, cruising the fjordlands or sampling mouth watering cuisine, you’ll witness a side of New Zealand enjoyed by very few others. Some of the highlights are

• Sail to Waiheke Island to taste world-class wines
• Stay in the George Hotel, Christchurch, a Small Luxury Hotel of the World
• Jet boat on the Dart River in ‘Lord of the Rings’ country
• Explore Doubtful Sound in the Fiordlands National Park
• Aerial views of the majestic Southern Alps
• View the ‘Wearable Art Collection’ in Nelson

This is an absolutely unique way to experience New Zealand. I would love to hear your thoughts so please leave a comment below!

The mysteries of the Angkor Dynasty

One of the best ways to experience any destination is either solo or in the company of family and/or friends.  There are a number of travel companies who cater exclusively for individual or small group travel. There is a ’set’ itinerary but there are lots of additional extras added or deviations made so that it becomes an itinerary tailormade just for you. The other great thing is that you have your own personal guide and driver.

The countries of Asia suit this type of travel and below is a sample itinerary visiting Combodia and the legendary Siem Reap home to the mystical Cambodia temples of Angkor.

Day 1: Phnom Penh

Arrive Phnom Penh . In the afternoon get a feel for Combodia’s unique art and architecture through visits to the National Museum, Royal Palace and Silver Pagoda.

Day 2: Udong/Killing Fields

Drive past fields and stilt houses to Udong, a forgotton outpost that served as Combodia’s capital from the 17th through to the mid 19th centuries; explore this sleepy town’s Buddhist stupas and shrines. Continue on to the ‘killing fields’ an area where thousands of people suffered at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.

Day 3: Siem Reap, Angkor Wat Tour

Flight to Siem Reap. A tour of the temples includes the South Gate of Angkor Thom, the famous Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of the Elephants and Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon visit the magnificent 12th century Angkor Wat then watch the sun set at Phnom Bakheng.

Day 4: Temples of Cambodia Ankor

Today tour the more outlying temples. After breakfast visit Banteay Srei, Kbal Spean (River of 1000 Lingas) & Banteay Samre. In the afternoon continue with Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Poan & Preah Khan.

Day 5: Depart Siem Reap

Relax in Siem Reap’s quaint cafes, bistros and art galleries until it’s time to fly out.

Have you experienced the wonders of Siem Reap? Please leave your comments below!

The natives are very friendly

On this Antarctic cruise the wildlife encountered along the way will astound you. The Sub-Antarctic islands are home to penguin breeding colonies numbering in the millions, to Elephant Seals and Hooker Sea Lions, and the endangered Wandering Albatross.

Cruising to the extreme sub-Antarctic and Antarctic regions is based on many years of collective experience. Prevailing weather and ice conditions in this area of the world are unpredictable, and mother nature is the one who dictates the course.

These are not cruises they are true expedition cruising at its best, to what can be the most inhospitable region on earth so what you must take with you is a spirit of adventure and flexibility.

Have you already been cruising Antarctica on an expedition cruise? Is this travel experience on your bucket list? I would love to hear from you so please leave your comments below!

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Murray river cruises

There’s no better way to see the Murry River and a slice of the hauntingly beautiful and dramatic Australian outback, it’s unique flora and fauna, and the rich legacy of old riverside ports and indigenous culture close up than to drift unhurried and quietly under the power of the paddle-wheeler PS Murray Princess.

The Murray River is to Australia what the Nile River is to Egypt: a great and ancient river system that has shaped the past and the present and will continue into the future as a national icon. The Murray River and Captain Cook Cruises offers a unique historic and nature-based adventure, through some of the driest parts of the driest continent, past mallee scrub and ancient red gum forests, through towering gorges and ochre-coloured limestone cliffs.

Along the way visit historic ports and lush vineyards as we navigate the Murray’s locks and big river bends. You can hike around a boardwalk trail or take a guided nature walk. Take a small boat safari of the pristine wetlands, visit a riverside village, or take a nocturnal eco-tour before a riverside barbeque. Sample some of the local produce at the cellar door, or take a camera and catch some memorable scenes of the abundant birdlife.

You can also choose to extend your cruise with an optional full day tour of Australia’s richest and best known wine making region – the Barossa Valley and if the cruise wets your appetite then come back and have a ’self drive’ experience on the Murray river houseboats.

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Absolutely Abruzzo

Experience the journey of a lifetime as you discover the Abruzzo region – Italy’s little known area in the eastern Appenines stretching down to the Adriatic coast. Marvel at the glorious countryside with endless vineyards and ancient olive groves. Meet the local growers and producers of Montepulciano wine, exquisite fruity olive oils and cheeses. Experience the pleasure of making fresh pasta and delicious pastries with local Abruzzese women, all complemented by fine music and song. Travel to this green heart of Italy, where remote hilltop villages harbour wonderful ancient traditions and rich folklore. You will have time to explore monasteries, museums and colourful markets. Throughout your journey you will travel in a private minibus and stay in carefully chosen accommodation.

Tour Highlights for ‘Along The Shepherd’s Track’

• Guided visits to Appenine hilltop villages and coastal towns.
• Guided explorations of monasteries, archeological sites, medieval castles and churches, museums.
• Cellar tastings of local Montepulciano wine.
• Grape picking during Autumn harvest.
• Meet producers of fine olive oil, wine, cheese and pasta.
• Cooking class with local Abruzzese women.
• 2 Unforgettable Concerts with international star tenor, Michael Howard.
• Guided gentle walks in Maiella National Park and al fresco picnic.
• Superb Dining Experiences of Abruzzo’s regional specialties.
• 17 meals including 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 4 Dinners.
• 7 nights Comfortable Accommodation in the Abruzzo Countryside including immaculately restored 19th century farmhouse.
• Option to be pampered in a Wine Spa Bath and have a Grape Seed Scrub!

Tour highlights for ‘Medieval Magic of Abruzzo’

• Experience a Medieval Joust with all its pagentry
• Explore mountain top castles and ancient monasteries.
• Cellar tastings of local wines.
• Meet producers of fine olive oil, wine, cheese and pasta.
• Cooking class with local Abruzzese women.
• A private concert with international star tenor, Michael Howard.
• A sumptuous al fresco picnic with local delicacies.
• Superb Dining Experiences of Abruzzo’s regional specialties.
• 17 meals including 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 4 Dinners.
• 7 nights Comfortable Accommodation in the Abruzzo Countryside including an exclusive stay in a beautifully restored medieval village.

If you are a lover of Italy or have experienced the Abruzzo region I would love to hear from you. Please leave your comments below!