The Hotspots of Peru...

Lima is not the only South America destination in store for you when you visit Peru. This country is a vast landscape of diversity, and not just culturally. The geography ranges from lush, tropical rain forests to arid mountain heights.

The Huascaran National Park is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve system. This is the hiking and climbing centre of Peru, and probably the most beautiful and rugged countryside within South America. Packed full of picturesque mountain villages and markets and majestic scenery, the unique hiking conditions of the Callejon de Huaylas valley is the perfect spot if you are an avid outdoorsman (or woman).

There is also the sacred capital of the ancient Incan Empire, the city of Cuzco. Once called the “navel of the world” by the early Incans, this city hearkens back to the time of the Incan Empire at its greatest height. You can see the legacy of the Incan Empire in the cobbled streets and stone walls that still stand today, and the descendants of those ancient Incans still live here today, giving the city a cultural vibe that is beyond description. With such a diverse array of archaeological treasures ranging from colonial architecture to ancient Incan ruins, this is a prime tourist spot for any South America trip.

Next, head to the city of Iquitos, where you can begin to discover the Amazon Basin, either by boat or by foot. Almost half of Peru is covered by the Amazon, and it is here that you can experience some of the lush, vibrant wildlife and eco-tourism that has begun to make Peru one of the most desired destinations in South America.

Visit the Northern Territory of Australia...

The Northern Territory of Australia is a mixture of modern elegance and ancient, Aboriginal history. The lush yet rugged natural beauty combined with Aboriginal customs and high-tech gadgetry of the 21st century  create a melting-pot of diversity that surround the traveller from the first moment they set foot in this part of the world.

The capital city of Darwin is the natural headquarters for any serious travelling being planned within this region. National parks abound, and there are plenty of mining towns that allow you a chance to escape from the modern into the old-fashioned traditions.

Starting off in Darwin you will have all the luxuries of home. Hotels, travel arrangements – these can all be settled here. Looking out south over the rest of the Northern Territory you are faced with a wild and fascinating landscape. Kakadu National Park is but a short distance away, while further south is Tennant Creek and the Battery Hill Mining Centre. The massive Devils Marbles are a world-wide phenomenon as they balance precariously above the surrounding landscape. Visit the UFO capital of Australia at Wycliff Well, and immerse yourself in Aboriginal customs.

For a true Outback adventure, transfer your headquarters to Alice Springs, where you can rent 4-wheel drive vehicles or bushwalk as you prefer, or even take a camel ride across the rolling sand dunes of Simpson Desert. Or visit Uluru-Kata Tijuta, looming 348 meters above the desert and learn its ancient history as you trek with an Aboriginal guide.

The Northern Territory of Australia is the perfect adventure destination for any holiday looking for intensity and excitement.

A Colonial Adventure in Bolivia...

If a trip back in time to the colonial days of South America is what gets your motor going, then a trip to the Potosi region of Bolivia is a must.
 
You can fly in direct to the Potosi Airport, and set up your base of operations in a hotel or apartment of your choosing. You can rent a car or hire a driver, or simply use a taxi to get around, but the majority of your time will be spent on guided tours of the Cerro Rico mines or the Casa Real de Moneda.

The Cerra Rico mines are what prompted the Spanish colonials to found the Casa Real Royal Mint House in the 1500s. It was here that they turned mined silver into coinage which would be transported back to Spain, and between this and the mines themselves – a testament to times when slave labour was still a common practice – they make up two of the most visited sites within Bolivia.

It is the Casa Real de Moneda Royal Mint House that is the treasure-trove of history. This is hands-down one of Bolivia’s best museums, and explains the background of silver and the way it has influenced Spanish life over the years. The museum also contains many religious and historically symbolic artefacts of the natural indigenous people.

You can also visit the salt desert sea of Salar de Yuni, which is the world’s largest. This region is probably the most photographed in the entire country, and the landscape is a step into the past as you watch llamas wander by a region nearly untouched by human hands.

The Great Wall of China...

Arguably the most famous destination for your Far East holiday within China will be the Great Wall. The earliest references are around 656 B.C., when the Chu State wall was erected to protect the Chus people from their neighbours to the north, and it went on to have a building process that would last well over 2,000 years and turn into the Wall as we know it today, listed as one of the 7 Wonders of the World.

The easiest way to access the Great Wall of China for the average traveller is via Beijing. There are many day-trips that leave this city by either tour bus, public bus, or by hiring local transport. The most popular spot is the Badaling Section, which has been open to visitors since 1957, but if you don’t want to deal with masses of people congregating together to see the same thing, you can also visit other sections of the wall.

If taking it all in is your goal, there is no better way than to hike along the Great Wall. One of the easiest ways to do this is to get with your hotel and arrange for transportation to Jinshanling. Once you get there you need to buy a pass. To go from Jinshanling to Simatai is a 12 km (7.5 miles) trek, so it can take 4-5 hours, and transportation to and from your starting and end-point destinations will take around 2 hours each way.

While any visit to the Wall is a must when you go to China, simply talk with your hotel upon arrival in Beijing to determine which method will be best for your personal tastes.

Experience the adventure of Denmark...

Denmark is a small, northern country within Europe that is often overlooked in favour of its larger brothers and sisters in the grand scale of things. People assume that there isn’t much to see and do here, but they couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Best known for Vikings and its huge wolfhounds, Denmark is also famous world-wide for the quality of its dairy products, particularly the cheeses which come out of this section of Europe. And one cannot forget the famous pastry that has been dubbed “Danish”. And despite being a watery country made up of the Jutland Peninsula and 482 smaller islands, this country has a fairly large agricultural sector that ties in with shipping and fishing.

The view here is simple, yet beautiful. Tiny green farms dot the landscape regularly, interspaced with lakes of blue water, white beaches, and the countryside is scattered with thatched cottages, windmills, and ancient castles. This is a medieval holiday just waiting for you to arrive. Alternatively, you can bike through the country and experience it all firsthand.

As a UK citizen you will not need a visa to get to Denmark, just your passport. You will need to provide proof of funds for the duration of your trip, and traveller’s insurance is recommended. Accommodation is plentiful, and travel is easy. The country is small, and has an excellent road and railway system, as well as plenty of ferry connections to get you to the outlying islands should you choose to go.

Getting Around in New Zealand...

Travel in New Zealand is not difficult. There are a variety of options dependent upon the destination and desire of the individual. Airports are frequent throughout the islands, as well as car rental services being available in nearly every city, and the main islands are all linked by a series of well-maintained roads, along with ferry and air services.

Hotel stays are also not an issue. In fact, New Zealand boasts some of the more unique travel arrangements of any destination, ranging from your typical hotel stay to bed and breakfast lodgings and the ever-popular home-style lodging, where you can take in the Kiwi experience by staying in a country-side lodging right alongside the men and women who continue to make up the heartland of this magnificent country.

As far as trains go, New Zealand is a bit limited in railways, but the South Island does have several railways that are a must-see for any avid enthusiast of landscape. The Tranz Scenic runs two separate railways, one between Picton and Christchurch which allows you to view the Kaikoura Mountain range on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, while the other route travels over the range from east to west. This later trip, called the TranzAlpine, has been called one of the world’s top six journeys by train that you should absolutely take on your travels.

Regardless of your destination, travel arrangements within New Zealand are painless and easy. You can easily rent cars, book lodging, and arrange your travel needs as easily as you can back home, which results in a vacation that is stress free and full of fun.

Explore Africa...

An African safari is the perfect way to embrace your inner adventurer and shed the technology-driven world in which we now live. And one of the best places in the world to do that is the Chobe National Park in Botswana.

You do not need a visa to travel to Botswana as a UK citizen. You will need to provide your return ticket and if asked, proof of your financial security in order to assure Immigration that you can provide for yourself during your stay.  Getting there is simply a matter of obtaining a flight to Kasane, which is on Botswana’s border with Zimbabwe. Once there you can arrange transportation to Chobe Park and to your hotel or lodging of choice.

In terms of accommodation there is a variety. You can choose to stay in the luxurious Chobe Chilwero. There are 10 spacious and luxurious suites at this 5 star lodge, complete with private gardens, or you can go rustic and spend your nights under the canvas of a tent. There is also Elephant Valley Lodge to consider, as well as others. You can choose to either stay at one of these lodges or visit all of them for a night or two during your stay.

The purpose of a visit to this national park is to safari. There are many to choose from – from tented safaris to a lodge-to-lodge tour. There is a multitude of adventure packages to choose from and it all depends on the duration of your stay and your personal preference. Some of the packages you can look at are Zambezi Sun and Chobe Safari, the Chobe and Okavango Safari, or the Best of Botswana Sanctuary Safari. Regardless of your choice, you are in for an eye-popping adventure.

Visiting the Caribbean...

Preparing for a Caribbean holiday holds a certain thrill. You know that you will be embarking on a magical voyage that will give you first-hand access to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the world, some of the most exotic wildlife, and the crystal-clear waters surrounding the Caribbean nations. But as with planning any vacation there are always a series of questions that arise, usually residing in the “what if” category.
 
The Caribbean is a region, not a country, as some people think. As a general rule, UK citizens do not need a travel visa when heading to the Caribbean on a cruise or an island get away. However, there will be some research up front that needs to be done, which can either be handled by you or your travel agent, through the use of informative interactive websites.

There are literally dozens of locations to choose from when planning a Caribbean cruise. The easiest and most common course of action is simply pick a travel agency or cruise line, let them tell you the destinations and you pick one from the list. Once you have ironed out the “where” you will be going, you can begin to find out if there is any red tape that needs to be dealt with prior to your leaving with bags in tow.

Don’t fret! The Caribbean is one of the most popular vacation spots in the world for a reason, and not just because of the scenery. These island nations are a hotspot because of the ease of travel along with the locations.

Explore Western Australia...

Nothing says “Australia” more than the wide-open spaces and natural beauty of Western Australia. And with typical Australian flavour, this part of the country is broken up into a large portion that has climates and geography as unique and varied as the people who visit these shores.

The best place to start your Western adventure is in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. The food and wine within this bustling port town are without equal, and you will find your taste buds as equally challenged as your eyes to take in everything. From cruising down the Swan River past the parks and skyscrapers of the city to the serene innocence of the car-free Rottnest Island, to enjoying the hand-sculpted gardens of King’s Park, to snorkelling and scuba-diving off the Sunset Coast at places like City Beach or Cottesloe Beach, your Australian holiday will leave you gasping for air and wondering if you have enough time to get it all in. You probably won’t, which is why you can always come back a second time!

One of the most beautiful areas around Perth is Rottnest Island. This is the absolute perfect spot to snorkel, dive, and scuba, visiting either the varying coral reefs or the various shipwrecks. Surf the waves at any one of the bays, or visit the ancient lighthouse. The island is car-free, so you either need to bike or kayak in, but with 63 beaches to choose from and no bustling traffic, it is a serene paradise.

From Perth you can also venture forth into the Outback, using the capital city as your base of operations for renting vehicles and setting up hotel accommodation.

Jungle Fever – take a trip to The Amazon...

No trip to Brazil is complete without experiencing the Amazon. This is probably the most famous South American feature, along with the wines of Argentina and Chile, and Columbian and Brazilian coffee.

The border city of Manaus will be your starting point for any Amazon adventure. This town is a gateway for excursions, due to its situation in the middle of the forest. You can either hire out a boat for a day trip, or plan longer expeditions depending on your particular desires.

The city of Manaus itself is not very appealing in terms of travel destinations. While it does have some famous landmarks from the rubber boom of 1896, such as the opera house, the majority of business done in this town is due to its crowded port and bustling markets. The main focus of travellers here is to use this as a jumping-off point for their Amazon adventures.

The Amazon is a vast tropical rainforest. In fact, it is the largest on the planet, cut through with an extensive series of rivers that cover more than half of Brazil. Large areas of the Amazon forest remain unexplored to this day, and there are tens of thousands of rare animals, insects, fish and plants that make their home here, including many completely unknown species. Scientists uncover thousands of new species every year from this dense, tropical paradise.