China will once again be allowing foreign tourists to visit Tibet after more than a year of Beijing imposed exile on the Himalayan region. Following last year’s uprising China had imposed a security crackdown which included restricting access to foreign travellers.
Starting on April 5th these restrictions will be lifted and foreign tourists will be permitted to visit and travel throughout Tibet. So for all of those who had their travel plans interrupted, your time is now.
See the polar bears do what they do in Churchill, Manitoba
In the far north of Canada, on the western shores of the Hudson Bay lies the world’s largest Polar bear denning area. Visitors to the region take tundra buggies over the frozen ice for the chance to view polar bears in their natural habitat. Many mothers, some with young cubs, can often be seen in close proximity to the vehicles. In addition to the polar bears, Churchill is one of Canada’s best place to observe the Northern Lights.
Go swimming in the world’s deepest lake, Lake Baikal, Russia
Located in Siberia, Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world with its depths sinking over one mile below the surface. One-fifth of the world’s freshwater is housed in this lake. Lake Baikal is also the world’s oldest lake and its isolated location has led to some unusual freshwater fauna, leading to its being known as the ‘Galapagos of Russia’. The lake is also a great place for swimming, but be warned, Siberian summers are not known for their longevity. The most popular way to access the lake is the Trans-Siberian Railway which makes a scenic loop around the lake.
Destination of the month: Muscat, Oman. March is a good month to visit Oman as time of year takes on a new level of importance whenever you are visiting the Middle East. Built between the mountains and the Arabian Sea, Muscat is the antithesis of more high-profile Middle Eastern cities such as Dubai. Here the architecture is understated and natural beauty takes precedence.
