Archive for the ‘Destinations Of The Month’ Category
Destination of the month: Cartagena, Colombia. Much of the northern hemisphere is in a serious cold snap at the moment which means it’s a great time to head south towards the equator. Cartagena is located on the Caribbean about a thousand miles north of the equator and has beautiful weather this month with temperatures regularly being in the 80’s or mid-20’s Celsius. Cartagena is sometimes called the ‘Cancun of South America’ and is known for its charming old town and stunning beaches.
Read the rest of this entry »
Destination of the month: Rajasthan, India. Rajasthan is a state located in the northwestern part of India. It’s primarily a desert region known for its unique culture, historic palaces and forts and its amazing landscape. The state is also home to two national tiger reserves, and several holy sites of the Hindu and Jain religions.
As it is a desert region, visitors to Rajasthan have to be careful to avoid the extreme temperatures. It’s not advised to visit the region during the summer months, with temperatures being most comfortable from October-April. However November is one of the best times to visit Rajasthan as the weather is cool but it’s before the tourist high season which starts in December.
I’ll be in Rajasthan for the entire month of November; I’m making a circular route covering the state in its entirety. I’ll make sure to let everyone know how my trip turns out.
Read the rest of this entry »
Trans Siberian Railway: From Beijing to Irkutsk
September 2009
The Trans Siberian rail journey has long been a dream of mine. Armed with a surge of confidence and knowledge the optimal season was quick in passing, I decided to travel to Beijing to embark upon the train via Mongolia to Lake Baikal and the city of Irkutsk.
It was September and the weather had been glorious in Beijing, a welcome relief from the sauna that is Hong Kong. September is one of the best times to embark upon the rail journey as the crowds of summer have largely dissipated. I was able to arrange tickets via a specialist travel agency by the name of Monkey Shrine, and after a fun filled week spent with friends in Beijing, I began my journey…
Read the rest of this entry »
Destination of the month: Sydney, New South Wales. Sydney is a world class city that should be on everyone’s ‘must see’ list of travel destinations. There’s a beautiful harbour, some wonderful beaches, and a vibrant local culture. And October, in the southern hemisphere’s spring, is as good a time as any to visit Sydney.
Read the rest of this entry »
Destination of the month: Trans-Siberian Railway. There’s not a better time than September to embark upon this epic rail journey. This is the magic hour after the heat of summer but before the chilling cold of the Russian winter.
The Trans-Siberian journey can be taken many ways, I personally would recommend taking the trans-Mongolian route from Moscow to Beijing. You’ll get to see most of the highlights of the Russian trip including Lake Baikal and Irkutsk, but you’ll also get to enjoy the isolation of Mongolia and finish your journey in the orient. The trip takes about one week and transverses over 7,000 km.
Read about my personal experiences on the Trans Siberian.
Read the rest of this entry »
Destination of the month: Kandy, Sri Lanka. Kandy is a famous tourist town in the central hills of Sri Lanka. It’s located on a beautiful lake and is known for its lush rainforest and Buddhist temples. August is a good time to visit the area as it’s when the famous Esala Perahera festival takes place.
Read the rest of this entry »
Destination of the month: Ohrid, Macedonia. While admittedly off the beaten path, Ohrid is a beautiful lakeside town in the Republic of Macedonia. Not known to too many tourists, here you can still find old world charm at bargain bin prices. If you’re a person who enjoys going to places not many others have, this could be your destination.
Read the rest of this entry »
Destination of the month: Guanajuato, Mexico. When most people visit Mexico it’s only to visit the coastal regions for a holiday spent on the beach. It’s a shame because they’re missing out on Mexico’s rich history and former colonial elegance all of which is on display in the interior city of Guanajuato. Located halfway between Mexico City and Guadalajara, Guanajuato is a city of old world charm.
Read the rest of this entry »
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.
Read the rest of this entry »
Destination of the month: Kilimanjaro National Park, Tanzania. My choice for destination of the month is Kilimanjaro. Home to Africa’s highest peak, and a large variety of wildlife, the park offers superb opportunities for the nature enthusiast. At the moment the region is in its dry season making this an excellent time for a safari.
Read the rest of this entry »
