From Winter to Summer, Autumn or Spring, from the snow in the mountains to clear waters and sunny beaches, David has it all planned in advance for this year. As usual another amazing destination list :)
Deciding where to go on holiday can be tricky. You’ll often have a month in mind for when you’d like to go away but choosing your holiday destination isn’t always easy. To help you out with your decision, TravelSupermarket has identified 12 great holiday destinations to visit – one for every month of the year!
If you’re currently thinking about booking a last minute holiday, January is the ideal time of the year to visit the Caribbean. At this time of year there is a chance of rainfall but with temperatures throughout the month being at least 22 degrees, it is certainly a lot hotter than the UK. The Caribbean also starts its carnivals in January, giving you the chance to experience island life. 
With choices from Antigua, Bahamas and Barbados and many others, you will be able to find miles of long sandy beaches and beautiful landscapes, as well as experiencing the laid-back charm of local towns and villages.
If you fancy a skiing break, then Geneva has over 200 resorts in traveling distance of the city and is an ideal destination for February. The city itself is also culture-rich and offers visitors the chance to wander down the streets of this green city and experience some of the finer things of Swiss life. 
March is an ideal time to visit Marrakech, as the weather is warm without being too hot! The people of Marrakech are very friendly and the city itself is bustling with colour, sights and smells. It is easy to move from the narrow streets of the old city to the modern district, allowing you to experience what the city has to offer. 
Crete is a popular European destination for some early sun in April, as well as for some excellent deals. The largest island in Greece, it offers beautiful coastline that is great for water sports as well as relaxing. The island has also lots to see, from natural features such as its gorges, to ruins from ancient civilizations. 
Japan in May is very lush and the temperatures have yet to reach their hottest. The country offers the traditional Japanese lifestyle coupled with modern cities, having something for all types of visitors. 
June is an ideal month for going on safari, with South Africa coming into its own at this time of year. The weather can be hot during the day, but it has cooler nights. Zambia has a number of National Parks, as well as spectacular landscapes that include Victoria Falls. The country offers a huge choice of safari activities, including horseback or elephant-back safaris as well as canoe or open vehicle safaris. 
The fine weather in July is great for exploring Iceland. The country has such a varied landscape, including glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls and geysers. The days are long as the sun rarely sets and the land is green. There are plenty of activities, such as glacier skiing or even the opportunity to whale watch. 
The jewel of the Balearics, Menorca, offers hot weather in August and the chance to relax on one of the many beaches that it has on offer. There are plenty of activities on offer for the whole family, including water sports, water parks, cycling and riding. 
Menorca also offers a variety of other activities, including a number of golf courses. There is a variety of historical sites worth visiting on the island, as well as its National Park, the S'Albufera des Grau Natural Park.
There are still plenty of warm destinations in the USA in September. Although the weather can sometimes be unstable at this time of year, Miami offers some fantastic beaches with daily temperatures of above 22 degrees. 
There is also the chance to visit the Everglades National Park, which as the subtropical wilderness of the USA, is home to a variety of species. There is also the Biscayne National park that offers the chance to dive around its coral reefs.
Visiting Dubai in October gives the chance for you to experience this truly unique city. Not only does it have many record-breaking landmarks and achievements, it also has many miles of beaches that are ideal for water sports. The city also offers traditional activities, such as camel racing and falconry. 
November is an ideal time to take a trip halfway around the world to New Zealand. Both North Island and South Island have beautiful landscapes that include plenty of beaches, lots of wildlife, outdoor activities and the opportunity to experience the unique Maori culture. There is still plenty of sun at this time of year and it is an ideal time to explore.
Cancun in Mexico offers dry weather in December, with average temperatures of around 24 degrees. There are plenty of water sports on offer, including diving. As well as its many beaches, there is plenty to see and do. It has bustling towns and gives visitors the opportunity to explore the ancient world of the Mayans. 
Whatever time of year you plan to go on holiday this year, this top picks are just a few destinations that will help you to follow the sun throughout the year.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Holidays in 2012 – where to visit throughout the year
Friday, September 2, 2011
Miehina the Kyoto Geisha
This is an extremely well made short documentary of a day in the life of a Geisha in Kyoto. It's by Glen Milner, a London based documentary and commercial director, who produced a number of U.K / U.S broadcast films. His work includes ongoing Video-Journalism for Telegraph.co.uk and camera work on feature films.
(I'm technically on holidays, so I'll upload just quick and short posts for a few days)
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Tokyo: A Land of Revival
Today Richard sent us this impressive first person travel story by Angelina. Truly remarkable the spirit and humanity that Japanese people reveal when facing such a tragedy. I'm sure that, like mine, everyone's thoughts are with all of those that suffered with this earthquake and tsunami. Hope that Japan and it's people can quickly and fully recover from this terrible tragedy.
"Search and rescue teams are on the ground in Japan to help the recovery effort. A disaster assistance and response team is working to confront the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami..." I lowered the volume of the television set dimming President Obama’s speech wearily and opened the window of my hotel. The streets were deserted. No wonder... it was only six in the morning.
I had been visiting a friend at her office in Kagurazaka when I felt the first tremor under my feet. "Don’t worry," said Mina, my friend, looking up from her computer, "it’s a tiny little quake, we are used to it here in Tokyo." She was smiling at my nervousness. Some two and a half minutes later the smile left her face when, what then seemed like, a cyclone swept in. The large window panes were rattling. "Let’s get out of here!" shouted Mina. That’s when a massive blackout enveloped us. I could hear chairs and computers falling into each other and crashing with sickening thuds as Mina pushed me – and herself – out of the office.
The elevators weren’t working and Mina led me downstairs via the fire escape. She was clutching my hand fiercely and my attempts to wrench myself free were fruitless. Descending into the enormous car park we wheeled around to take a look at the building: it was swaying like a pendulum.
A sea of people, some crying, was milling around the building not knowing what to do or where to go. Fortunately, no one appeared hurt or injured.
I tried calling my hotel on my cell phone in vain; no network. I looked at my watch: 5 p.m. Over two hours had passed and the trains weren’t running. At around 8 p.m. we heard that certain subway lines had resumed services, so we headed to the Kudanshita station. Needless to say, the station was packed. As the next train arrived everyone surged towards it. I felt Mina’s hand being yanked away from mine, panicked people crushed me against until I fell over and passed out.
On waking I found myself in a strange place. An elderly Japanese woman, in her sixties, was leaning over me, massaging my hands. She said, in sign language, that she had found me on the steps of the station and brought me home. She then gestured with her hands: was I hungry? I nodded that I was. I looked at my watch, 11 p.m.
At the dinner table I sat with my legs tucked beneath me my hostess treated me to a bowl of steamed rice called ‘gohan’ and side dishes called ‘okazu’. These included dried seaweed and grilled fish; both were delicious. We finished dinner with green tea. It was past midnight by then.
The next morning I took leave of my hostess; her name was Akira. ‘Akira’ means ‘bright light’ my friend Mina told me when I mentioned my rescuer a week later. "Lets invite her," she said and set about planning the menu. Did I have her phone number? I told her that I did. Thank God my cell phone was finally working. Akira expressed her delight at being invited and brought flowers.
Dinner being the main meal in Japan Mina had taken real pains over it. She had prepared many dishes but there was one that I truly liked- the Domburi, a rice dish with deliciously cooked chicken pieces. We finished up with green tea which, I confess, I had come to enjoy.
Not being conversant with Japanese I had to contend with being silent for the most part. I did enjoy the food, though. I learned that Akira, now retired, had been a teacher in a private school. Her husband had died in an air crash when she was still quite young; she had never remarried. It was 11 o’clock by the time we finished our tea.
Tokyo holds many memories for me- Tokyo Tower, Imperial Palace, Meiji... but the one that stands out in memory is my kind savior Akira. It is because of her that I made it out of that stampede alive. The people of Japan are truly remarkable and kind, even in their worst hour, they reach out to help a stranger like me. I hope that all of us can help them too in some little way by donating to the red cross and other organizations that are helping the people of this traumatized nation.
Author Bio:
Angelina Christy is a travel author who has written many articles that keeps on guiding the travelers throughout the world using cheap flights. Angelina herself is an avid traveler who has travelled more than 22 countries. She also talks about travel options like Flight to Tokyo that explains how tourists can minimize the cost of their travel fares.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
World's 10 best driving roads in the world
After the top 10 beaches of the world here's another guest post and photos from David - It's driving time today :)
There are some roads in the world that stand out from the crowd. Whether it’s the views, the terrain, the danger or the potential speeds that can be reached that make these roads stand out, anyone choosing to visit them will not be disappointed. This list brought to you by Moneysupermarket discusses 10 of these amazing routes and explains what makes each of them so special.
Great Ocean Road – Australia
Running along the south-eastern coast of Australia between the Victorian cities of Torquay and Warrnambool, the Great Ocean Road is a 160 mile stretch of road that was built by more than 3000 returning soldiers between the years of 1919 and 1932 as a memorial for the 60,000 Australians killed in World War 1. A scenic drive with spectacular coastline vistas, stunning rock formations and many other splendid sights including the Otways rainforest, the impressive views make this road undoubtedly one of the most inspiring in the world.
Millau Viaduct – France
Opened in December 2004, the Millau Viaduct is the world’s tallest vehicular bridge. Designed by the French structural engineer Michel Virlogeux and British architect Norman Foster, the Millau Viaduct spans the river tarn which is near Millau in Southern France. The bridge’s tallest mast is 343m tall which is taller than the Eiffel Tower and nearly as tall as the Empire State Building and the views from the bridge are quite spectacular. In fact, the views are so good that when the bridge initially opened drivers would regularly stop on the hard shoulder to admire the landscape and the bridge itself.
Transfagarasan Road – Romania
The most popular road in Romania with driving enthusiasts has to be the Transfagarasan Road and it’s easy to see why. Connecting the historic towns of Transylvania and Wallachia, this dramatic route reaches as high as 2,034 metres above sea level in some places and provides drivers with a real challenge. This winding road is dotted with steep hairpin turns, long S-curves, and sharp descents which is a big reason why drivers rate this road so highly. Constructed between the years of 1970 and 1974, the 90km stretch of road also has more tunnels and viaducts than any other road in Romania with the longest tunnel being 884 metres long. Due to its layout and altitude, weather dictates that the road is usually only open between June and early October.
Stelvio Pass – Italy
Regularly voted as the best driving road in the world due to its 60 hairpin bends and the fact that it is the highest paved mountain pass in the Eastern-Alps, the Stelvio Pass in Italy is a driving enthusiast’s paradise. Reaching 2757 metres altitude, it is the second highest mountain pass in the Alps, only 13 metres lower than the highest mountain pass in the Alps. The road was built between 1820 and 1825 and has changed very little since then. The northern side of the pass is far more challenging with 48 of the hairpin bends located on this side. The steep ascents add to the excitement/terror as drivers often have little or no visibility of incoming vehicles.
Overseas Highway – America
The 127.5 mile Overseas Highway in America was built back in 1938 following the Labor Day hurricane of 1935 that heavily damaged and partially destroyed the Overseas Railroad that had previously been in place. The route which is mainly over water runs from island to island across 42 bridges and it arcs through the Florida Keys. If you drove the full route in one go it would take less than 4 hours but with so many great sights to take in like the ocean, mangrove vistas and fantastic sunrises and sunsets, the journey often takes visitors slightly longer!
Guoliang Tunnel Road – Japan
Located in the Taihang Mountains which are situated in the Henan Province of China, the Guoliang Tunnel Road was amazingly built by a group of villagers who raised money to buy the hammers and steel tools needed to build the tunnel. 13 villagers initially started the project which took around 5 years to complete and cost a number of villagers their lives. The tunnel itself was completed in 1977 and is 1.2km long, 5 metres tall and 4 metres wide. As you might imagine, the road is regarded as one of the most dangerous in the world but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the Guoliang Tunnel road is a stunningly beautiful scenic route.
Hana Highway – Maui
Connecting the small town of Hana to the rest of Maui, the Hana Highway is a 60 mile stretch of road that is extremely popular with motorists. Firstly there are the waterfalls, beaches, ocean views, rainforest and other stunning natural sights that make this route so attractive to visitors. Then there is the road itself which has over 600 turns, 54 one-lane bridges, blind bends and narrow pavement edged by cliffs which make this route one of the most thrilling in the world. Together, these two things make this road stand out as one of the must visit routes for car enthusiasts.
Autobahn – Germany
If you were to look at the Autobahn you might struggle to see what all of the fuss is about. Just like highways around the world, Autobahns have multiple lanes of traffic heading in each direction which are divided by a central barrier. However, in many ways the Autobahns are the ultimate road for driving fans. The reason for this is that parts of the German Autobahns have no speed limit (except at junctions and various danger points) which means that motorists are free to drive as fast as they want. Obviously this is a hugely attractive proposition to motoring fans, meaning that the German Autobahn had to be included on this list.
North Yungas Road – Bolivia
High in the Andes Mountains in Bolivia is the North Yungas Road. The road is also known as Death Road and it’s easy to see why when you see the figures relating deaths and injuries sustained whilst travelling on the road each year. On average, there is a fatal accident on the road every few weeks and there are also remains of numerous cars, lorries and buses at the bottom of the abyss which serve as a reminder of just how dangerous the road is. Built in the 1930’s, the road stretches 43 miles between La Paz and Coroico and has huge ascents and descents, extremely tight hairpins and very narrow passages. What really makes the road dangerous though are the vertical drops off the side of the road which in some places are more than 1,500 metres and there are no guardrails to prevent vehicles falling. The North Yungas Road certainly isn’t for the faint-hearted but it’s also this danger that attracts so many people to the road.
The Jebel Hafeet Mountain Road – UAE
This amazing road is located in the Jebel Hafeet Mountain and spans 7.3 miles, climbing over 1,200 metres along the way. The perfect road surface and 60 corners make this road unquestionably one of the best driving roads in the world; its mix of fast straights and sweeping curves are what driving enthusiasts dream of. A 90 minute drive away from the city of Dubai, people flock to the Jebel Hafeet Mountain to experience the tight, technical and thrilling driving experience.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Talking 2011 on ABC News Now
Yesterday I appeared on ABC News Now to discuss some of the lists made in Lonely Planet's new Best in Travel 2011. Talked about Albania's Ottoman-era houses, Japan's $40 guesthouses, the notion of 'communism travel' and re-enactments from the upcoming 150th anniversary of the Civil War (here's my video on how they decide who dies first). Yes, I squeezed out a Will Ferrell movie idea and (not unrelated) Teutonic Knights.
Friday, October 29, 2010
The world’s top 10 most beautiful beaches
A guest post brought to you by David from the team at travelsupermarket.com, a price comparison site which compares prices on hotels, flights, holidays and car hire.
Oludeniz Beach, Turkey
The beautiful Oludeniz Beach is undoubtedly one of the most photographed beaches on the Mediterranean and it’s clear to see why. Known as the Turquoise Coast due to the stunning blue and aquamarine shades of water, the crystal clear sea is perfect for swimming in. Many water sports activities take place on the beach including scuba diving, water skiing, canoeing and banana boating. The most popular activity however is paragliding with many visitors taking to the skies to take in the spectacular views from 2,000 metres above the sea and beach.
Whitehaven Beach, Australia
There were plenty of Australian beaches that were candidates to make this list but due to its sheer beauty it’s Whitehaven Beach that has to be included. This picture-postcard beach is very special and not just for obvious reasons like the gorgeous fine, white sand which is 98% pure silica giving it its bright white colour or the warm, clear, azure waters which are perfect for swimming in. What really makes this beach stand out is the surrounding tropical forest and various islands dotted around in the distance.
Anse Source d'Argent, Seychelles
Anse Source d’Argent in the Seychelles is without a doubt one of the most stunning beaches in the world. The perfect exotic beach is the ideal tropical escape and the beautiful coastline is a series of soft pink sand beaches, turquoise lagoons and colourful corals. Other stand out features of the beach are the rounded granite boulders and palm trees which make the beach feel even more tropical. The water is invitingly warm and makes the Anse Source d’Argent a popular destination with couples and families alike.
Fernando De Noronha, Brazil
Some 200 miles plus off Natal on Brazil’s north-eastern coast is Fernando De Noronha, an archipelago of 21 islands and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. Despite the fact that Fernando De Noronha isn’t a single beach, it had to be included on the list because of its natural beauty and stunning surroundings. What makes this area so special is that there are so few tourists on these islands,
meaning that those that do visit Fernando De Noronha are often left alone in paradise. The clarity and warmth of the water and the abundant underwater life means that these islands are also popular with divers and snorkelers. As well as fish, dolphins, sea turtles and sharks there is a Brazilian warship, which sank in 1987 and is lying in pristine condition at around 60 metres deep.
Matira Beach, Bora Bora
Widely recognised as the most beautiful lagoon in the world, Matira Beach is one of the few accessible beaches in Bora Bora. Perfect for activities like swimming and snorkelling, the water is warm, crystal clear and extremely calm. The beach is free from large groups of tourists but should anyone be looking for even more peace there are even more isolated beaches nearby. From the white sand beach you’ll likely see dolphins out in the ocean which is a spectacular sight.
Maroma Beach, Mexico
A beautifully romantic beach which is situated on the Yucatan Peninsula coastline in Mexico, Maroma beach is blissfully peaceful despite being only 30 miles away from the hustle and bustle of Cancun. The pristine white sands, crystal-clear waters and warm tropical breezes have helped establish Maroma Beach’s reputation as somewhat of a paradise. Regularly nominated as one of the top 10 beaches in the world, the amazing landscape, vast expanse of uninterrupted pure white sandy beaches and the attractive green tropical foliage has helped Maroma Beach establish itself as one of the finest beaches on the planet. On top off all this there’s the Cozumel reef which is the world’s second largest barrier. Located just off the Maroma beach, it is a famous deep sea diving spot which also allows visitors to swim with dolphins.
Pink Sands, Harbour Island, Bahamas
Pink Sands Beach ticks all the boxes required to be considered a fantastic beach. It certainly has the beautiful soft sand, the warm clear water and the fantastic weather. There’s another unique feature however which helps this beach stand out from the crowd. The clue as to what this might be is in the name of the beach. Pinks Sands beach is known as such because it has, as you’ve probably guessed, pink sand! Attracting tourists from all over the world, the colour of Pink Sands Beach comes
from the reddish shells of microscopic coral insects called Foraminifera. When these insects die, they leave behind their shells which are then crushed by the waves and brought to the shore to mix in with the sand. The result of this is the pink sand which covers the Pink Sands Beach.
Kondoi Beach, Japan
Taketomi Island is an island just off the coast of Ishigaki Island and is home to one of the world’s best beaches. With its emerald green water, white sand and warm water that is ideal for swimming in, Kondoi beach is undoubtedly one of the finest beaches in not just Asia but the world. Nearby are grassy, shaded picnic areas which are great if you want to get out of the sun for a bit.
Sinclair’s Bay, Scotland
When you think of beautiful beaches you probably don’t think of Scotland. However, when the sun comes out on Sinclair’s Bay it has the look of a Caribbean beach with a very Scottish twist! At either end of the four mile arc of white sand are the ruins of 16th Century castles. Home to a spectacular array of wildlife including plovers, dunlins, porpoises and orca, there’s plenty to take in when you visit and the best way to see all of the beach is on horseback.
Lanikai Beach, Hawaii
Like Australia, there were plenty of candidates from Hawaii but Lanikai Beach is probably the best of the Hawaiian contenders. The name Lanikai means ‘heavenly sea’ in the Hawaiian language and it’s certainly a fitting name for this beach. With warm clear water and a fine white sand beach, the beach is popular with locals and tourists alike. Located on Oahu's Windward coast, anyone in the area should be sure to check out this stunning beach and its beautiful surrounding areas.
Once more a big thank you David and hope to have you writing here again soon!
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
76-Second Travel Show: "Traveling with Beard & Darth Vader's REAL Mask"
I made my travel beard debut along with my first-ever head shaving while updating Lonely Planet's Central America guide in 2003. It was a big sprawling, "terrorist" beard by the end of the trip -- my mom didn't recognize me when I got back.
I learned two key things:
- There's a bald club. I didn't realize it but bald people -- shaved bald, at least -- stop each other on the street and exchange tips. At least it happened in San Cristobal de Las Casas, Chiapas, in southern Mexico,
where a gringo stopped to note that "you lose heat far quicker without hair up there; wear a hat." I did. - The street-respect the wildly bearded garner. Not talking moustaches, soul patches, the dreadful goatee or trimmed George Michael beards (see right). But real beards. They can only mean two things to passerby on the sidewalks del mundo: a) you're a sciencey genius (see here for more on scientists and beards); b) you're a freak. Either way, you win. No one messes with geniuses or freaks.
But one warning. Beards sometimes take a life of their own, evident in the anonymously created (now defunct) Twitter account @mikebarishbeard -- tributing the frequently rich facial decor of travel writer Mike Barish.
Bearded in Kamchatka, Russia (before it was a Williamsburg staple)
