Spread across 39,000 square kilometres in Vietnam’s southwest, the Mekong Delta is a world unto itself. It’s lush agricultural lands, dissected by countless waterways, serve as the rice bowl of the country, and traditional villages where life moves along at a sleepy pace dot the region.
Straddling the borders of Zambia and Zimbabwe, Victoria Falls stands as the largest sheet of falling water in the world and is undoubtedly one of the most impressive natural sites in Africa. Located in the heart of the continent, it is a ‘must-see’ on many tourists’ itineraries and sits within close proximity to fantastic national parks, not only in Zamiba in Zimbabwe, but also nearby Botswana.
Argentina’s wine industry dates back to the 16th Century, but it is only in the last twenty or so years that the country has started to produce fine, premium wines that have made their mark on the world stage.
For many years closed off to tourists, Myanmar has in recent years emerged as the new ‘must-see’ Southeast Asian destination, combining magnificent landscapes with an ancient cultural legacy that displays itself with an entrancing beauty.
Waking in the pre-dawn cold and clambering out of my tent in a state of daze, I couldn’t predict anything was worthy of forcing me from the cocoon warmth of my sleeping bag. But when the first of the sun’s rays finally peaked over the horizon as a herd of elephants lumbered past our jeep, I was reminded of the spectacular beauty nature offered at the break-of-day.
Straddling the borders of Peru and Bolivia within the vast Andes lies Lake Titicaca. At more than 3,800 metres it is famed as the highest navigable lake in the world, and as South America’s largest lake, it is a world unto itself.
With the Himalaya Mountains straddling its northern border and some of the world’s highest peaks on its doorstep, Nepal is the ultimate destination when it comes to multi-day trekking. It offers spectacular mountain vistas and diverse landscapes to explore, with trails passing through remote villages where distinct cultures thrive, as well as some of the region’s most impressive wildlife conservation areas.
When you think about photos of the Taj Mahal, there is a particular image that comes to mind - the all-encompassing face-on shot, with the reflecting pool stretching out in front. The same can be said for the Eiffel Tower or the Leaning Tower of Pisa - there is a particular angle or position
Squeezed between Vietnam to its east and Thailand to its west, both firm traveller favourites, Laos has remained somewhat of a hidden gem. But this landlocked country in the heart of South East Asia is home to some of the region’s richest cultural sites, ranging from ancient Khmer temples to unexplained stone age constructions.
Some hunt by stealth, some hunt using war-like co-ordination, some depend upon their superior speed, and some rely on strength in numbers, while still others depend on their remarkable endurance to run their victims to exhaustion.
There are some places you intend to visit for only a few days, and then those few days unknowingly turn into a week or more. Inle Lake is one of those destinations. It attracts travellers to witness its natural landscapes and cultural sights, then lures them to stay with its atmospheric beauty.
Ringed by palm-fringed beaches and home to a lush interior of rainforest and tea plantations, Sri Lanka makes for a stunning tropical getaway. But add to that cultural sites that span more than two millennia and this little island, formerly known as Ceylon, offers another intriguing layer for visitors to explore.
The name ‘Egypt’ immediately creates exotic images of ancient pyramids housing pharaoh’s tombs and lush, palm-fringed oases that emerge within sprawling deserts. This country in the far northeastern corner of Africa bridges the continent with Asia and is traversed by the mighty Nile river, dotted with ancient temples and whose waters feed the rich agricultural lands of the Nile Delta.
Tucked into South America’s west coast, Peru has long been a favourite tourist destination. While the country is home to one of the world’s most impressive ancient cities, Machu Picchu, it is also blessed with incredible landscapes.
'Amazing Thailand'. That is the official tagline of the marketing campaign by Tourism Authority of Thailand. But what makes Thailand amazing? Is it the amazing beaches, the amazing street shopping experiences, the amazing culture, the amazing food - or all of the above?
When most people venture to Africa on safari, the goal is to spot the ‘Big Five’ - lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard and rhino. But once you’ve seen them and secured all those great shots, what should you set your eyes on next?
Argentina is known throughout the world as the home of tango and football fanaticism, while images of gauchos rearing beef cattle characterise the countryside. But this land, stretching along the Atlantic at the base of South America is far more than just meat, milonga and football madness.
For some, India is a challenging country to travel. Be it the bustling madness of India's traffic, the pollution in the cities, or the hordes of people clamouring around you - it can make you feel uneasy at times.
Tanzania has been synonymous with wildlife for decades; almost a quarter of the total landmass of the country has been set aside for wildlife preservation, and her extensive network of national parks and reserves are thought to be home to almost 20% of Africa’s remaining large animals.
Durbar Square lies at Kathmandu’s heart - a complex of palaces, ancient temples and courtyards, honouring Nepal’s revered deities and housing the city’s royal history up until the 19th century. Streets overflowing with life radiate from its edges, carrying with it Nepal’s residents as they go about their daily lives.
Thailand has long been a firm favourite amongst divers. Not only does it boast an astounding marine diversity, but also a variety of underwater landscapes ranging from shallow coral gardens to challenging wrecks and deep caverns.
With a coastline spanning 1600 kilometres, Sri Lanka has no shortage of beautiful beaches. An island nation situated along the tropical equator, Sri Lanka is abundant in golden sand beaches, lush greenery and plenty of sunshine all year round. With so many choices, you may be wondering if every beach offers the same experience or not.
I remember the overwhelming beauty of Machu Picchu - its bulbous green hills scattered with ruins from an age I couldn’t comprehend and the seemingly impossible terrain of the Sacred Valley in which it was built. But it was the three days spent trekking in its surrounds that stand most vividly in my memory.
In the remote northwest corner of Namibia known as ‘Kaokoland’ a harsh, dry climate allows little to grow in the infertile soils, and the mountainous geography limits accessibility. Here lives a group of semi-nomadic pastoralists, clinging to a traditional way of life as the world expands and develops around them.
Rising from the plains like thousands of mushrooms after the rains, the temples of Bagan are one of the world’s most impressive archaeological sites and must-see cultural wonders of Southeast Asia. Located on the banks of the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar’s heart, Bagan is the largest and
This is the continuation of Taste of Vietnam - Part 2: Da Nang and Hoi An.
Finally, we were on our way to Ha Long Bay, a wonderland of over 1600 islands and limestone karsts; this had always been the highlight of the cruise (for me) and I was really looking forward to spending two days in the bay.
It is often the low, heavy grunts which first disclose their whereabouts, followed by the rustle and crunch of breaking vegetation as they slowly graze the dense mountain slopes. You won’t find mountain gorillas living captive in your local zoo.
The Golden Triangle corridor is a popular tourist trail consisting of Delhi - the capital of India, Agra - where Taj Mahal is and Jaipur - capital of the state of Rajasthan. The 'Golden Triangle' tour is one of the most popular tour plans among foreign tourists who wish to experience 'classic India'.
Are you going on safari for the first time? It can be really daunting to decide where to go unless you have a reasonable idea of which countries and parks have the greatest numbers of your favourite wildlife. Animal densities vary widely from habitat to habitat even within a single country or park.
Vietnam is a nation that is slowly becoming one of the hottest tourist destinations in Asia. As Thailand grows ever more commercial and 'been there, done that' for many travellers to the Southeast Asia region, Vietnam is now snatching their attention.
They have become the icon of Madagascar. Small, energetic primates that have diverged, evolved and adapted to survive in a vast array of this African island’s environments. From the spiny stone forests of the north west, to the rainforests of the upcountry and the offshore islands
Are you planning a visit to the Kruger National Park? If so, take a day off from wildlife viewing and enjoy a superb scenic tour of the Lowveld, to reveal some of the most beautiful scenery the country has to offer.
As you lay on the sandy shores of the beaches of Sri Lanka, you may see wooden poles standing above the waves a few metres into the sea. Men are seated atop these stilts with fish hooks and fishing rods. It may look odd, but these men are actually fishing.
Zimbabwe has some remarkable surprises in store for visitors. This Southern-African country is home to some of the most beautiful and geologically significant landscape in Africa, including one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and, if that is not enough, she also boasts an incredible diversity of wildlife, one of the oldest cultures in Africa and talented and artistic local people.
Sri Lanka is a country that is on the verge of becoming one of Asia’s top tourism destinations. Situated south of the Indian subcontinent, the island nation of Sri Lanka is beloved for its spirituality and culture as much as its beaches and wildlife.
Holi, the festival of colours, is one of the most vibrant festivals of India. Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in the month of March as per the Hindu calendar. In 2015, Holi will be celebrated on March 6 all across India.
This is the continuation of Taste of Vietnam - Part 1: Ho Chi Minh City.
After our busy day in Saigon it was good to be back on the Millennium. There was time for a quick swim and a cool refreshing cocktail as the ship cruised out of Phu My harbour, en-route to our next stop, Da Nang.
Africa is an addictive travel destination. Captivating landscapes inhabited by a resilient people, together with a vast diversity of ethnic cultures, make this continent far from the homogenous entity we often dub as ‘Africa’.
Most foreigners have a skewed image of what India has to offer with its tourism. That image is as skewed as what most people think Indian food is. Yes, Indian food is not just naan and chicken tikka masala. Just like the food, what India has to offer a tourist varies from region to region
If you love elephants you are going to love Botswana! And even if elephants are not at the top of your safari wish-list, you cannot fail but be impressed by the many wonderful wilderness reserves in Botswana.
