Reviving an Aussie institution on the Great Barrier Reef October 24, 2014 Backpackers heading to Australia aspire to conquer the three Rs; Reef, Rocks, and Rock. Admittedly, it gets a bit repetitive towards the end, but if you follow the three Rs you’ll get a basic understanding of the country’s vast and extreme landscape, namely the Great Barrier Reef, The Rocks in Sydney and Ayers Rock. But [...]
The world’s most amazing photography holidays October 20, 2014 Everyone thinks they’re a photographer these days. If it’s not arty shots of coffee cups on Instagram it’s endless holiday snaps on Facebook. However, it takes real skill and dedication to take your amateur hobby to the next level, not to mention a little tuition. Thankfully, you can combine your photographic education with an awesome [...]
Mountain a new challenge this ski season October 13, 2014 1. Tirol, Austria White 5 pass is valid for 10 days from 1 October 2014 to 15 May 2015, for €358 per person, tirol.com If you just can’t wait to go skiing or you want to beat the peak season rush, Austria is the perfect destination this month. The five Tirol glaciers encompass 229km [...]
48 Hours in… Budapest October 13, 2014 Where to stay Brody House is a great reflection of the new, young Budapest. You don’t just get a room – you get an “inspiring space”, and it’s as well known for its parties as its suites. The rooms are beautiful in their own right, though, with a cool, shabby-chic vibe. brodyhouse.com Where [...]
Why now may be the ideal time to book a safari in Kenya October 13, 2014 Most travel stories you read in newspapers and magazines – with notable exceptions – are the result of press trips. These are fully funded holidays for small groups of journalists paid for by tourist boards, airlines or resorts (or a combination of the three). It’s not an ideal situation – the hacks tend to be [...]
Thriving Cambodia isn’t just for backpackers October 9, 2014 By Nick Pulley When I first went to Cambodia, the journey from the capital Phnom Penh to the temples of Angkor was a 12-hour (if you were lucky) minibus ride from hell. That was 20 years ago, a time when friends might look at you as if you’d taken leave of your senses for venturing [...]
Enjoy a tranquil escape down the Mekong in Laos October 9, 2014 By David Leck It’s a short journey from Chiang Rai in Thailand to the north-eastern corner of Laos – and to a border crossing that evokes the days before the onslaught of soulless airports and mega-brand domination. Despite the recent opening of the “Friendship Bridge” spanning the Mekong River the small town of Houeyxai is [...]
Prince William’s favourite island retreat October 3, 2014 Malta is a hot ticket right now. Even Prince William paid a visit last month to mark its 50th year of independence. While he was there, he may have noted the red, 1940s postboxes that still line the streets, embossed with the letters RG (Rex George), and smiled at the thought that they will be [...]
Indulge in Pippa Middleton’s favourite pastime in Oslo September 26, 2014 What do you think Pippa Middleton’s secret is? Cross-fit? Pilates, maybe? Wrong: cross country skiing. The Duchess of Cambridge’s sporty sister took on the infamous nordic skiing marathon at Vasaloppet in 2012, taking seven hours and thirteen minutes to complete the 90km course. Anyone who does that is going to be in the best shape [...]
Why Slovenia is the perfect place for a spot of posh hiking September 19, 2014 First things first: backpacking is a lot more fun without the backpack. Forget any student holidays spent hauling grubby camping gear from hostel to hostel. Today’s self-guided walking tours are altogether more grown-up. The company supplies a route, takes care of accommodation and transports your bags. There’s no group walking, you’re free to stride up [...]