By Christina Newberry

On Isla Mujeres, a small island off the coast of Cancun, there are a surprising number of top-notch restaurants. Foodies can dig into homemade pasta, impossibly fresh ceviche, inventive fusion fare, and, of course, mouth-watering Mexican standards cooked with love by grandmothers and church ladies, at taco stands and in the town square.

But the best dinner in town is not in a restaurant as such. Instead, it’s hidden away in a quiet courtyard, where Lolo Lorena, a Belgian national who’s lived on the island so long she’s considered a local, hosts guests for sumptuous five-course feasts at a shared table in the supper-club style that’s sweeping major cities.

On this tiny island, you don’t have to know a secret handshake or have an “in” to get a seat at this most coveted table – though you do have to book in advance (by November, Valentine’s Day is sold out). You just have to give Lolo a call.

What makes Lolo’s table special is the feeling that one is not a customer, but a guest. Chatting through a three-hour meal with up to 15 strangers in Lolo’s courtyard decked with fairy lights, exotic plants, and treasured items from her travels around the world is a way to make quick island friends.

The night I find myself at Lolo’s, there are 13 of us at the table: six Canadians, five Americans, and two Brits. What we all have in common is a love of Isla Mujeres, and a sense of excitement about the food we are about to consume. With two options for each course, no one is disappointed. Lolo has even created a special menu for me, a vegetarian. After weeks of Mexican rice and black beans, I am treated to rich flavors in a custom green bean, tomato, potato appetizer, three exquisite gnocchi (served with a tiny fork), tart and spicy Thai salad, and vegetable terrine, while others feast on lobster tail and crab legs, or decadent moussaka. For dessert, an embarrassment of riches: sorbet, candied nuts, an apple tart, meringue with cream and, for each of us, a delicate lollipop, made of a hard-candy-coated fresh grape.

As each course emerges from Lolo’s tiny kitchen, the conversation stops for a moment as the group oohs and ahhs in unison. Then, as each person takes a first tiny bite, the looks of shared pleasure cross the table, everyone smiles, and we dig in.

If you go: Lolo Lorena’s courtyard supper table is located on Rueda Medina on Isla Mujeres. It can be a bit tricky to find from the downtown tourist area, but you’ll need to contact Lolo to book your reservation, and she can give you detailed directions. You can reach Lolo by e-mail at lololorena@hotmail.com, and find her online at lololorena.com. Five-course meals are $30USD-$40USD per person (yes, really, for five courses!). To-die-for mojitos are $5, and you can bring your own wine.

If the answer is "yes" then get ready to bare it all, because eWaterways, a London company specializing in river and coastal cruises, is launching its first cruise for naturists in August 2011. The seven-night nudist cruise will explore the Croatian coastline.

The holiday, which costs £500 per person, will take in Croatia's Kvarner coastline and islands from the "intimate" comfort of a vintage sailing ship. The "island of love", Rab Island, and the ancient city of Zadar feature on the ship's itinerary.

“Naturist holidays are popular and Croatia has a lot of nudist beaches – so it’s a great match,” a spokeswoman told the Daily Telegraph. “Passengers will get undressed for swimming and sunbathing, but will be clothed for dinner.”

The cruise departs on August 27, 2011 and there is space for 22 travelling nudists. For more information visit www.ewaterways.com.

Photo Credit: Tucepi nudist beach by kermit965 via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Yes really, we couldn't quite believe it at first sight either. For one night only - Sunday 10th October 2010 - you can stay at at all 12 Malmaisons and 13 Hotel du Vins (excluding Winchester) for just £30 per person or £60 for two.

The Hotel du Vin has fourteen spaces to choose from, like a Georgian townhouse, a brewery, or a hospital; Malmaison offers rooms in hotels such as a converted Episcopal church in Glasgow and a remodelled prison in Oxford.

So for one weekend only forget the Sunday blues and indulge yourself for just 30 quid...

To book call +44 (0)845 365 4247.

£10 Breakfast applies across Malmaison / £10 Wine applies across Hotel du Vin. Offer subject to availability, £20 single person supp applies (so grab a friend)!

Guest post by Escapio.com

Paradores are stunning luxury hotels that have been designed to celebrate the rich diversity of Spanish culture. They are located in key tourist areas and offer truly unique opportunities for cultural immersion in the historic architecture of beautiful Spain.

1) Parador de Granada, Granada
Granada is a beautiful region that has a number of lovely churches and historic buildings. The main attraction is the stunning Alhambra castle, which is widely considered one of the great ancient architectural marvels of the world. The Alhambra is the former residence of influential Arabic Sultans and offers all the opulence and glamour you would expect from such a grand ruling dynasty. The Parador de Granada offers the perfect base to explore the culture of this region and is located in a beautiful 15th century Franciscan convent inside the grounds of the Alhambra Palace.

2) Parador de Oropesa, Toledo
Toledo is a large province and is famous for its lovely windmills and beautiful countryside. The regional capital (also called Toledo) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has an impressive collection of fine historic buildings that reflect the rich Christian, Muslim and Jewish cultural history. The province also offers a stunning 14th palace, which is the location of the beautiful Parador de Oropesa. This is a great place to stay if you want to explore the surrounding areas of natural and cultural richness.

3) Parador de Leon, Castile-Leon
Castile-Leon is one of Spain's most lovely provinces and one of the cultural centres of the country. Castile-Leon has a number of attractions including stunning areas of outstanding natural beauty and many of ancient palaces, castles, cathedrals and monasteries. The Parador de Leon offers unique stays in a beautifully renovated 16th century former monastery. This is a peaceful and secluded site from which you can explore the region by car, on foot or by bicycle.

4) Parador de Vielha, Comarqa Vall d'Aran
The Comarqa Vall d'Aran is a beautiful area of the Spanish Pyrenees with breathtaking mountain scenery. If you enjoy outdoor activities then this is a wonderful location all year round with winter sports, hiking, mountaineering and more. The Parador de Vielha is a stunning modern hotel that offers easy access to this lovely part of Spain. It is also close to one of the area's most impressive winter sports destinations, Baqueira-Beret.

5) Parador de Puebla de Sanabria, Lake Sanabria
Lake Sanabria is an area of outstanding natural beauty near the Portuguese border. The Parador de Puebla de Sanabria is a stylish modern building with a cool, minimalist charm, which is the perfect place to wake up before a day exploring the landscape and villages of the local area.

For more information on Paradores, rates, and bookings, please visit escapio.com.

By Christina Newberry

When you're travelling, especially if you're in a place where you don't speak the language very well, it can be difficult to find "authentic" places to eat – spots where you might actually see a local (and pay local prices). But on a recent trip to Mexico, I discovered an easy way to get a taste of cheap, local fare – check out the town square.

In the evenings, the town square in Isla Mujeres is a local gathering place. Framed by the local church, a basketball court, and the supermarket, it's the hub of activity, especially on Saturday evenings. Once dusk falls, the vendors emerge, selling food of every variety – some made right on the spot, and some carefully transported from home kitchens. We decided we had to make a meal of their creations.

After whetting our appetites with fresh-made tacos and Mexican-style corn on the cob, we approached a cart where a couple was hard at work. The woman was working dough with her hands and cooking it in oil while her husband, in a carnival-barker voice, called patrons over to have a look. We approached, and asked the man in our limited Spanish what his wife was making.

He answered in English: "Cheese and banana." This sounded like a decidedly un-Mexican dish, and a peculiar combination. Plus, we saw no sign of any bananas on or near the cart. I asked again, just to confirm that I'd heard correctly: "Cheese and banana?"

The man nodded vigorously: "Si, cheese and banana." Well, we figured, we might as well give it a try. For 10 pesos (about US$1), how could we go wrong? We gave the man our coins, and he handed over one of the hot, doughy creations. I took a bite. There was cheese, yes, but definitely no banana. Puzzled, but loving whatever it was we were eating, we gobbled up our gooey treat. As I took the last bite, I finally realized what it was, and what the vendor had really been saying: Not cheese and banana, but cheese empanada!

We rounded out that night's enormous meal with sweet Mexican bread and deep-fried bananas with cream. It wasn't exactly a health-conscious meal, but it was local, delicious, and cheap – the grand total for two: $6. Rubbing our bellies contentedly, we walked home along the seawall. The next night, of course, we went back to the square – this time for churros and homemade flan.

If you try it:
Most street food items (from tacos, to flan, to those tasty empanadas) go for 10 to 20 pesos, depending on the size of the serving and how many tourists frequent the area (more tourists = higher prices). The servings look small, but they’re filling. If you want to try more than a few items, plan to share.

Photo Credits: "Real Deal Taco Stand" by JBlaze B; "Making Empanadas" by Chiot's Run; "Empanada" by bunnicula. All via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Do you fancy arriving off the back of a long-haul flight feeling refreshed and ready-to-go instead of jet-lagged and jaded?

According to Hong Kong based Pilates experts, Iso Fit, doing just a few of the method's stretches and exercises during your flight will make your journey more comfortable and enjoyable - both for you and your body. Pilates stretches and exercises can help strengthen your lower back and promote circulation in your legs (how good would it be if your shoes actually fitted your feet after 13 hours in the air?!).

The following on-board exercises are designed for normal, fit travellers. Those suffering from osteoporosis or disc problems should avoid any exercises with flexion or flexion and rotation.

The Hundred Breathing at 35,000 feet
With your seatbelt on or off, sit up tall, inhale for a count of five then exhale for a count of five using short percussive and consecutive breaths. Do ten sets of this breathing, concentrating on keeping your core (abdominal area) pulled in and up and breathing into your lower back and sides. If you have high or low blood-pressure use only a breath pattern that feels comfortable for you.

Hamstring Stretch
While the seat belt sign is off, get up and walk to the back of the plane. Stand with your feet hip width a part, place your hands on something hip height (maybe the snack bench) and bend your knees. Arch your back and try to keep your tailbone sloped upwards as you attempt to extend your legs slowly. Think downward dog but with hands on a something higher than the floor!

Knees Up!

1. Unbuckle your seatbelt but remain seated, pull your right knee into your chest. Without moving anything but your arms and knee, circle your knee in the hip joint three times in each direction. Think of using your core to move your knee not just your hands. Not a good choice of movements if you've had a hip replacement, mind you!
2. After the last knee stir, release your hands and hold each knee into your chest, pull your core upwards and inwards and count to five.

Seat stretches

1. Sit tall and cross your arms across your chest. Pull your core in and up and bend right then left just moving your upper body not your hips. Make sure you do not disturb the passenger next to you*
2. Stay in the same seated position as the side bend and now twist the upper body to the right then the left, avoiding moving your hips.

Roll Down
Inhale and sit up tall. As you exhale curl your chin to your chest rounding your spine forward toward your knees. Keep your tailbone and sitting bones pointing straight down towards the floor and avoid tucking the pelvis under. Then roll up sequentially through your spine until you are sitting up tall once again. Use your hands on your thighs to guide you if you need. Repeat this three times. On the last roll down reach down and grab onto your ankles to get a deeper stretch.

Look up at the stars
Lace your fingers behind your back and rotate your palms onto the seat behind you to open up your chest. Inhale and look up at the ceiling. Exhale to draw your abs back towards your spine and return back upright.

Iso Fit can be found at 8th Floor Yu Yuet Lai Building, 43-55 Wyndham Street, Central. For more information about Iso Fit and its classes, please telephone 2869 8630 or visit www.isofit.com.hk.

Photo Credit: istockphoto.com.

The 13th century explorer, Marco Polo, described the Chinese city of Hangzhou as the "City of Heaven" and "the most beautiful and magnificent in the world." Today, seven centuries on, keeping this cultural legacy intact in a city that is booming and growing is no mean feat, but it's one that several new hotels in Hangzhou are aiming to achieve - including the brand new Banyan Tree.

The Banyan Tree Hangzhou, which opened in January of this year, is designed in the traditional style of the Jiangnan region. Like the neighbouring XiXi Wetlands, the property is surrounded by channels and lakes, with picturesque bridges and a pagoda within the grounds.

Consisting of seventy-two suites and villas, The Banyan Tree Hangzhou feels almost like a (very luxurious) village. We stayed in a Premier Water Terrace - one of the suites within the main building - which with its own sitting room, balcony and spa treatment room, plus a bedroom with a free standing hot-tub, and vast bathroom, was both very spacious (120 sqm) and fantastically indulgent. I was able to view a Water View Villa too, which though more private in it's own mini-grounds and with better views, didn't feel as spacious as the suite.

All of the suites and villas in the hotel are themed according to the four seasons, with colour schemes to match. In terms of mod-cons, guests have access to free in-room WiFi, plus the hotel's DVD and CD collection.

The Banyan Tree's location, 15 minutes away from downtown Hangzhou and the famous West Lake within the Xixi National Wetland Park, should - and no doubt shall - spell complete tranquility. At the moment however, it's the first finished property amongst a number of new hotels going up in the Westbrook project, which means there's some construction noise. This was minimal during our three-night stay though, especially as visiting the city's famous sights keeps most visitors busy from dawn till dusk.

The hotel's concierge team can help to organise all sorts of tours and full- or half-day trips. Though these definitely do not come cheap (around 2,000 RMB for a full day) in the heat and humidity of summer, and with limited time on our hands, it was well worth splashing out on. Our guide spoke impeccable English and took us tirelessly from one hot-spot to another explaining the history and significance of each; no need to cart along a cumbersome guide book. Our day tour took in Hangzhou's main sights of Fei Lai peak, and its 300 limestone carvings; the Temple of the Soul's Retreat; Longjing tea village (pictured below) and the Dragon Well; Leifeng Pagoda; a private boat trip on West Lake; the Three Pools Mirroring the Moon; and a historic shopping street. Not bad for a day's work!

If you do get sightseeing weary, the Banyan Tree Spa is a great haven. The pages-long treatment menu is full of solutions to ease you from stone into butter, and there's also a large indoor swimming pool and daily yoga or tai chi sessions to help you unwind. If you have a spa treatment room within your suite or villa you don't even have to walk to the spa - they will come to you.

What is worth heading out for though is dinner. Perhaps due to teething problems, the Banyan Tree's food is not its strong suit. On our first evening we tried the Chinese restaurant, Bai Yun, where Hangzhou and Canton flavours take centre stage. It's impossible to judge the food here as I am no aficionado of Chinese cuisine; some of the dishes on our tasting menu were fantastic - especially the West Lake fish - and others less so. It is the resort's Waterlight Court restaurant that really lets the side down. The breakfast buffet is average, and the a la carte menu a disappointment. I ordered a Caesar salad with "grilled chicken breast" and was served romaine leaves with processed chicken slices. On another occasion we asked for a vegetarian pizza and received something that can only have come out of a freezer packet. Let's hope it was the head chef's weekend off...

Food aside, the Banyan Tree Hangzhou was a great place to spend a weekend away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong: scenic and indulgent with a young team keen to cater to your every need. Though Marco Polo's superlatives may not yet quite apply, they no doubt soon will.

Room rates start at RMB2,700 per night for a Water Terrace Suite and RMB3,700 per night for a Water View Villa (rates are subject to 15% tax and service charge).

Until 28 February 2011 enjoy the Romance in Hangzhou Package from RMB 5,998. Price includes a two-night stay in a Premier Water Terrace with daily breakfast for 2 people, plus:

- One set dinner at Waterlight Court for 2 people.
- One afternoon tea at Tea Lounge for 2 people.
- One 90-minute massage session (inclusive of a 60-minute massage and 30 minutes calm-time) for 2 people at Banyan Tree Spa Hangzhou.
- One in-suite Intimate Moments experience, inclusive of one bottle of red wine.
- Oriental bath experience in Onsen Treatment Room.

Banyan Tree Hangzhou: 21 Zijingang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, 310030, People's Republic of China; Tel: +86 571 8586 0000; Fax: +86 571 8586 2222; Web: www.banyantree.com.

Photo Credits: Pagoda on Lake by Mlq4296 (Creative Commons), Banyan Tree courtesy of Banyan Tree Resorts; Longjing Village by Simon Archer-Perkins.

Is this news for real, or is it just another of Ryanair's PR stunts?

Talking about new proposals for the low-cost airline, Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, said: "We've been looking at... taking out the last 10 rows of seats so we will have 15 rows of seats and the equivalent of 10 rows of standing area."

According to a Ryanair spokesman Boeing has been consulted over fitting out Ryanair's fleet with "vertical seats" that allow passengers to buckle up whilst standing up. The standing-room only seats would cost between £4 and £8 per person.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Civil Aviation Authority says the plans would struggle to meet safety requirements. A spokesperson said: "It's aviation law that people have to have a seat-belt on from take-off and landing so they would have to be in a seat. I don't know how Mr O'Leary would get around that one. During turbulence passengers also have to have a seat-belt on."

Again, O'Leary stated that Ryanair intends to introduce coin-operated loos, or "toilet tax" as the move it is being dubbed.

Landing in a country like Hong Kong bang smack in the middle of typhoon season can be a little daunting, especially when a typhoon signal is raised. So, with cyclone season just around the corner, what better time to start preparing for Hong Kong's next big tropical storm? Here are iloho's top 10 to-do tips for getting through the next typhoon.

Tropical cyclones are prevalent in Hong Kong from May to November. Warnings start being issued whenever a tropical cyclone centred within 800 km of Hong Kong poses a threat to the territory. The warnings start at T1, which means that there is a storm looming that might pose a threat to Hong Kong, and go up to a T10, which signals serious hurricane-strength winds.

The most common signals we see are T1, T3 and T8. T3 means strong winds are a-blowing (or expected to blow), and T8 sees Hong Kong's work force rejoicing, as it signals home time. Famously, one of the bars on Lan Kwai Fong - Stormy Weather - gives customers free shots once the T8 signal has been hoisted.

For the more sensible (ahem) amongst us, here are the best ways to prepare for one of Hong Kong's typhoons:

1. Check the weather reports: Obvious, I know, but Hong Kong's weather is very fickle and things can turn from nice to nasty in a short space of time. Keep an eye open too in the lobbies of big buildings and office blocks, you'll see warnings in place (like the ones pictured above) if there's a storm coming in. The Hong Kong Observatory's website can be accessed here.

2. Batten down the hatches: Even if you're just passing through and have left a couple of things out on your hotel balcony, make sure you bring them in. Once a typhoon comes in there's absolutely no guaranteeing that they'll be there once it's over. Also, move any pricey objects you've either bought or brought with you from off the floor. If rain starts coming into your room you don't want things getting ruined.

3. Stock up on food: If it looks like there's a whopper of a typhoon coming make sure you're prepared and stocked up with enough food and water for 48 hours. Most of Hong Kong's supermarkets don't close right away, giving you enough time to grab the essentials.

4. Stay inside: To avoid being walloped over the head by flying objects like branches, make sure you stay inside for the duration of the typhoon. Don't venture out until there's been official word that it is safe to do so.

5. Don't sit by the windows: They might break, which wouldn't be pretty. Also, draw curtains and close shutters if you have them.

6. Fix tape to the windows in an older building: This will help to curtail damage should the windows blow in.

7. Make alternative travel plans: In a T8 most flights will be either delayed or cancelled, so it's a good idea to come up with a back up plan.

8. Stay away from coastal areas: Once a T3 has been hoisted, steer clear of Hong Kong's beaches and coastal areas as winds and waves can be very strong.

9. Move into a corridor or hallway if the storm becomes severe: You'll be less exposed to glass windows here, and therefore safer.

10. Make sure you have a torch / flashlight: It will be very handy in case there is a power outage. I think the Mini Maglite is great for travellers as it's so small and light.

Photo Credit: Typhoon Signal by Carol Green via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Christina Newberry

With so many vacationers booking their own travel packages online, or doing serious online research before contacting a travel agent, online review sites have become an essential part of the travel-planning process. But it can be frustrating trying to get a good picture of what a hotel is really like when there are great reviews mixed with terrible ones – leaving you wondering if the travelers could possibly all have gone to the same place.

When checking out vacation resorts in tropical destinations like Mexico, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic, there are a few complaints that you can safely ignore, since they will not impact the quality of your vacation – or your tan. Here are the top 5 complaints you should ignore in any review of a tropical vacation destination.

1. My flight was delayed / the weather was bad

While a delayed flight and an unseasonable rainstorm will certainly impact how much you enjoy your holiday, these things are totally beyond your hotel's control. While the flight and hotel are often booked together for vacation packages, the hotel is not able to control the airline's scheduling or behavior (never mind the weather!). Reviewers' negative comments about flights and weather can be totally disregarded when choosing a hotel. For those who have had negative flight experiences, rather than take the problems out on the hotel, write a seperate flight review, contact your travel agent, tour operator, or airline for assistance or compensation.

2. There was a cockroach in my room
Welcome to the tropics! If you find a cockroach in an upscale hotel room in New York City, you should certainly call it to the attention of both hotel management and others who might be thinking of visiting that hotel. However, in warmer climates, cockroaches thrive outside, and often come in through open windows or doors. The presence of one in your room, while disturbing, does not mean the room is dirty or that the hotel has a roach problem. Giving a hotel a bad review because of a cockroach in your room in the tropics makes about as much sense as panning a hotel in Chicago because there was a little spider in the bathtub. Unless reviews mention entire families of cockroaches taking up residence in the hotel, this complaint is safe to ignore.

3. There were too many locals / the staff didn't speak enough English

If you want to be surrounded by your fellow countrymen, speaking your own language, you're best off traveling in your own country. It shocks me every time I see the "too many locals" comment in a review, but it pops up surprisingly often. Why not enjoy mixing with the locals instead of hoping for isolation from the culture you're visiting? In terms of English, any hotel catering to American, Canadian, or European tourists will have someone on hand with enough English skills to get you through any emergency situation. But for day-to-day interaction at the hotel, why not try to brush up on your abilities in the local language instead? Unless you want your vacation experience to be exactly like home, but warmer, this complaint can be totally disregarded.

4. The buffet was bland/repetitive (especially in Cuba)
There are two reasons why this common complaint can be ignored (and a third why it should be ignored if you're traveling to Cuba). First, a buffet is meant to serve a wide variety of tastes, and it's not reasonable to expect you'll like every item. Keep in mind that if things are a bit repetitive, you don't have to have every item you like every day – it's a buffet, so there are sure to be lots of choices, even with repeats. Second, no all-you-can-eat buffet is as gourmet as a formal restaurant – even at home. You should keep your expectations for gourmet dining in check at any all-inclusive. If things really are boring and repetitive, try some of the foods that are aimed at the local visitors – with new sauces, spices, and flavors to try, you should find the choices anything but boring.

Unless, of course, you're in Cuba, which is where that third reason comes in. When you travel to Cuba, you must remember that you are visiting a country that cannot get any goods from the United States, and lacks the infrastructure to transport perishable goods within its own borders. This situation, combined with a general lack of wealth in Cuba, means that many items you'd expect are simply not available. This is true across the board at Cuban resorts. If you can't handle a few green tomatoes and repetitive food, don't go to Cuba. If you do go, remember that no matter how bland your food may be, you are getting so much more than any local. Ignore this complaint and be thankful that you have so much at home that boring food on your vacation could possibly seem like something worth complaining about.

5. The bed was too hard
This is a cultural preference. Canadians and Americans seem to like their beds much softer than anyone else in the world, so when traveling we're often uncomfortable on hard beds. This does not mean, however, that the beds are cheap or the hotel is attempting to punish its guests – local visitors actually prefer the beds this way. Most hotels that cater to Canadians and Americans will have egg-crate-style foam mattresses available as mattress toppers. This softens the bed significantly, and deals with any discomfort for those used to soft beds. Just ask for one to be added to your bed on check in. Unless you have special chiropractic needs, this complaint can be safely ignored.

So there you have it – the top 5 reasons to ignore a bad hotel review. Use this list to help you get the real scoop on a hotel before you book, and know what to expect when you arrive. Keeping your expectations reasonable is the best way to ensure a happy holiday.

Photo Credits: iStockPhoto.com and ilhan gendron.

In Saturday's How to Spend It magazine award winning writer, Margaret Atwood, shares the ingredients for her perfect weekend in Toronto, Canada.

According to Atwood, winter visitors to Toronto should check out snow-tubing in Horseshoe Valley, winter birding, and forest walks in places such as Sir Winston Churchill Park and Leslie Hill Split.

For lunch in Toronto you should check out Live (264 Dupont St), which does great vegetarian food; Cantine (13 Avenue Rd), for a superlative bowl of soup; or Le Sélect (432 Wellington St West), a good weekend lunch spot serving up French bistro food (pictured below).

If you want some good dinner options you should look into Take Sushi (22 Front St West), for good Japanese and 93 Harbord (93 Harbord St) for Middle Eastern cuisine - both come highly recommended by Atwood.

L'Espresso Bar Mercurio (321 Bloor St West) is a favourite coffee place, right across the street from Toronto's Shoe Museum.

If you're up for a swanky night out in Toronto, Atwood suggests the new opera house (735 Queen St East), "the auditorium rests like an egg inside the building on huge, rubber elephant legs. The sound is excellent."

• Live: 264 Dupont St (North East corner of Dupont and Spadina), Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5R 1V7; Tel: +1 416 515 2002; Web: www.livefoodbar.com.
  
• Cantine: 13 Avenue Rd, Toronto, Ontario M5R 2H6; Tel: +1 416 923 4822; Web: www.cantine.ca.
  
• Le Sélect: 432 Wellington Street West, Toronto M5V 1E3; Tel: +1 416 596 6405; Web: www.leselect.com.
  
• Take Sushi: 22 Front Street West, Toronto, ON M5J 1C4, Canada; Tel: +1 416 862 1891; Web: www.takesushi.ca.
  
• 93 Harbord: 93 Harbord Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1G4; Tel: +1 416 922 5914; Web: www.93harbord.com.
  
• L'Espresso Bar Mercurio: 321 Bloor Street West, Toronto, ON, M5S 1S5 (southeast corner of Bloor & St. George); Tel: +1 416 585 2233; Web: www.lespressobarmercurio.com.
  
• The Opera House, Toronto: 735 Queen Street East, Toronto, ON M4M 1H1, Canada; Tel: +1 416 466 0313; Web: www.theoperahousetoronto.com.

To read the full article visit www.howtospendit.com.

Photo Credits: Snow tubing by DrewOtt; Le Sélect via www.leselect.com.

By Helena Iveson

"This is the Roman way, don't worry," Italian chef Daniela del Balzo said cheerfully, as she reversed her Fiat 500 the wrong way up a one-way street. Not that she could really see out of the window anyway, as the boot was full of delicious goodies that we were taking back to her stylish apartment in a ritzy area on Aventine Hill near the Colosseum to cook for lunch.

Daniela's irreverent charm made the time we spent with her, learning to buy and cook as real Romans do, the highlight of a recent trip to Rome. We'd just spent an hour in Testaccio Market, where generations of Italians have gone to shop since it opened in the 1800s, sniffing, tasting and elbowing the weak out the way to get the freshest and most perfect food possible.

The neighbourhood is a working-class stronghold known as Rome's stomach – it is here that you would have once found the city's slaughterhouses, but they've been closed down and transformed into chi-chi art galleries and apartments as the area undergoes galloping gentrification. Daniela explained that she'd recently taken celebrity chef Gary Rhodes around the market and he'd been poking and prodding the produce just like any good Roman housewife.

The market's 50 or so stalls include the freshest glistening fish on display at a fishmongers that proudly displays a picture of Italian legend Marcello Mastroianni, the stall holder's cousin; picture-perfect fruit and vegetables such as shredded chicory and ready-trimmed artichokes that looked as though they were dug out the ground that morning; plus one of the best selections of cheese, ham and meat that you will find in all of Italy.

After lugging our bags into Daniela's apartment, over espresso and biscotti and with Italian opera on in the background, she talked us through the menu which included both local and Neapolitan dishes from her hometown.

While Daniela poured us a generous glass of prosecco, we made some snacks to get us in the mood: bruschetta and prunes wrapped in bacon, a rich courgette frittata and slices of Bresaola topped with ricotta cheese and arugula. Daniela encouraged us to taste, seasoning and pouring on extra-virgin olive oil at will, which had been made from groves at her family's holiday home in Abruzzo. Then we started on our pasta course of fettuccine with artichokes and pasta with Broccolo Romano. The thought of the last dish did make my heart sink as the vegetable was described as a combination of broccoli and cauliflower which aren't exactly must-orders for me, but once it was braised with anchovies and made creamy with pecorino, I could have licked the bowl.

Our main course was Involtini alla Romana, strips of veal rolled up with prosciutto and celery and braised in a white wine and marjoram sauce. Oh, and tiramisu to finish, followed by more coffee, biscotti and chocolates. Or at least I think that's where we finished, as Daniela generously topped up our wine whenever we weren't looking.

After we bade farewell, with heartfelt kisses and thanks and promises to come again, we walked - or rather staggered - down Aventine Hill armed with our recipes, feeling like we didn't need to eat again until we next returned to Rome.

Testaccio Market is open everyday bar Sunday from 6.30am – 2pm.
For more details of Daniela's Cookery School contact Context Travel (www.contexttravel.com).

By Helena Iveson

Sometimes airports can be such a bore. What with crazy queues at security and cramped seats and cardboard food on the plane, it's no wonder that "staycations" are one of the travel industry's top trends.

For Singaporeans, the popular island resort of Sentosa, just a quarter of a mile from the mainland, is a very popular staycation destination, though up to now the attractions have been more family-friendly than fabulous. And while the newly-opened Resorts World is attracting all the publicity, the ultra-exclusive hotel Capella Singapore is where travellers in the know are heading, armed with Gucci bikinis and the latest copy of Vogue.

From the moment you glide up the meandering private driveway to the two colonial buildings that serve as the hotel's reception area, the hustle and bustle of Singapore feels a very, very long way away. Star architect Lord Norman Foster restored the dazzlingly white bungalows, and also added a stylish, undulating space behind them which houses the bulk of the hotel's fabulous accommodation and two restaurants. This earthy red building mirrors the contours of Sentosa's terrain, and guests enjoy spectacular views out to the South China Sea.

And it's not just the views that are dazzling: the Capella's spacious Modern Asian style rooms come with a state-of-the-art touch screen which controls every aspect from air-con to the blinds, iPod docking stations with Bose speakers, a wall-hung plasma TV, a Nespresso machine coffee machine, a private balcony and a open plan bathroom with a deep stone bath.

Staff are far too well mannered and discreet to name their celebrity guests, but when we were there, it looked as though a couple of local A-list celebrities, armed with huge sunglasses to keep out prying eyes, were lounging by one of the cascading pools. In fact, Capella Singapore, is the kind of place that you can picture someone glam like Beyonce sashaying past one of the resident peacocks that freely wander around the tropical gardens. Who needs Bali when an island paradise is just a ten minutes' drive away?

Capella Singapore
1 The Knolls, Sentosa Island, Singapore
Tel: +65 6377 8888
Web: www.capellasingapore.com

Photo Credits: Siloso Beach on Sentosa Island by mrreynolds; Capella Singapore courtesy of Capella Hotels.

By Turner Wright

If you're planning a trip through the States read this guide to American accents before you head off on your travels. It's an amusing, astute look at the weird and wonderful differences in dialect and pronunciation across the USA.

I'm a Texan first, then an American, then a citizen of the world. Without fail, every time I encounter someone on the road who has an inkling of knowledge of American accents, I hear:

"So you're from Texas? You don't really have an accent, do you?"

...a fact for which I praise my upbringing each and every day. Still, that doesn't stop me from occasionally throwing on a twang, and spitting out:

"Yessum, I surely do. Yee-haw! Giddy-up there! Have ya'll seen my horse?"

I guarantee I'm not the only city-raised respectable Southerner who's felt compelled to feign, wishing for a moment we had more evidence of our heritage... and perhaps feeling a little embarrassed we have to make the effort. After all, every state is the proud owner of its own distinctive twang, its essence representing the character of the state's history and its people.

TEXAS

Screw Alaska. We're the biggest of the lower 48, so we deserve to be first. The Lone Star State. The Texas accent can be mistaken for the southern drawl of neighboring states, but it tends to be a little more focused; when Michael Caine was studying to speak like a Texan in the movie Secondhand Lions, he probably got the best explanation I've ever heard:

'...[British] English is like all-soldiers-standing-to-attention.' He said, 'In Texan, everybody leans on each other, goes like that. The words just lean on each other and they go through jus' like that. It's all slow and you don't have to worry about nothin'.'
I said, 'Texans do talk slow, don't they John?'
He said, 'They sure do, Michael.'
I said, 'Why's that?'
He said, 'Well, I reckon it's 'cause we're all very big and carry a lot of guns - people just listen.'

Source: YouTube

THE SOUTH
Like Texan (or I guess the rest would say "Texas is like us"), the southern accent is drawn out, tends to drop the end of words, and is a close relative of the English accent. I hesitate to lump the masses together, as each state is quite distinct, but for the most part Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia (the Virginias are pretty unique in themselves), North Carolina, and Arkansas natives bear the burden of this form of speech.

In the south...

• "Liar" rhymes with "fire"
• Be on the lookout for expressions that would make Shakespeare turn in his grave: "You're dumber'n a sack'a potatoes."
• "Ya'll" (= you all) is a dead giveaway
• "Get 'er done!" will always produce a reaction (thanks to Larry the Cable Guy)

BOSTON
Boston and indeed most of eastern Massachusetts has a wicked retarded accent, best used for cheering for the Red Sox, doing kegstands, and grabbing something sweet from the packie (liquor store). In any case, try changing all the short "a"'s to "ee"'s (e.g. Mary = Meery); "o"'s to soft "a"'s (e.g. Boston = Baston) and "r"'s at the end or in the middle of words to "h"'s (Nomar Garciaparra = Nomah).

The Wicked Good Guide to Boston English

MIDWESTERN
The midwestern accent is probably the most neutral of accents in all forms of English. Head over to Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Pennsylvania and enjoy the flat-sounding voices. I believe this is why there are so many telemarketing firms and phone operators in Nebraska; companies want to be understood. Without any real inflection or flare, midwestern speakers may as well be the hardest to pin down by language enthusiasts.

NEW YORK
Ahh... yes. Your first thought is probably the deep NY accents you hear Italians using in mob movies; in fact, whenever I try to feign this one, I start with: "Hey Tony, go whack this guy, will ya?"

Given the geographically small area of New York City, it's amazing we find such varieties of speech. From all five Boroughs - Queens, Staten Island, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx - to Long Island and northern New Jersey, many visitors to the big apple (I don't care if they officially changed the name) claim to be able to hear differences between these regions. In fact, the classic New York accent is the result of European immigrants, and now lies mostly in the mouths of the working class; talk to a cabbie from JFK airport into Manhattan and you'll see what I mean.

The Story of the New York Accent.

THE DAKOTAS
Pop the movie Fargo into your DVD player and discover... well, an exaggerated version of a Minnesota accent. For North and South Dakota, there are strong Scandinavian and German roots influencing their inflections, with a result not far off from the neutral dialects of the midwestern states. Double "o" sounds are indistinguishable from their use in "root" (i.e. book = b-oo-uk), and soft "a"'s are replaced by soft "o"'s (father = f-oh-ther). In North Dakota, the Canadian influence is also unmistakable.

CALIFORNIA

A lot of the latest American slang spreads from New York City and Los Angeles, tending to produce a speech faster and much harder to pin down. In general, the "A"'s are flatter, the "R"'s are hard, and the accent is more liked a toned down version of the 1980s Valley Girl. In all likelihood, you'd be more likely to recognize someone as Californian based on their cultural expressions and knowledge of Spanish rather than any specific accent.

Photo Credits: Texas by atmtx; Boston by JMaz Photo; New York by diebmx; California by casch52 gone for a short time.

If you've always dreamt of diving down to 20,000 leagues under the sea, then news of Virgin's new "underwater plane" will be music to your ears, though perhaps not to your wallet.

The Necker Nymph, Virgin Limited Edition's DeepFlight three-person aero-submarine (what a mouthful...), is an open cockpit winged sub that will take tourists down to the ocean floor on an underwater flight to explore shipwrecks, swim side-by-side with dolphins, or cruise along with whales. Needless to say, it is the first of its kind on the market.

Capable of diving down to depths of 36,000 feet Necker Nymph has the flexibility to glide peacefully over reefs or up the excitement ante with 360 degree turns. The open cockpits afford near ideal 360 degree viewing for passengers, creating a uniquely open experience. Dives can last up to two hours.

Like all DeepFlight subs, Necker Nymph has near-zero environmental impact: it won't land on precious reefs and has low light and noise emissions to keep ocean ecosystems from being disturbed.

Necker Nymph is available either when chartering Necker Belle, Virgin's luxury 105 foot catamaran (weekly charter costs U.S. $88,000), or when staying on Richard Branson's Necker Island. When taking Necker Belle for 7-nights' exclusive hire, the sub is available at an additional weekly rate of US$ 25,000.

Images via Virgin Limited Edition.

Snow bunnies, this is one for you... Japan's 61st annual Sapporo Snow Festival kicks off this Friday 5th February and runs for a week. The festival attracts 2 million visitors every year and showcases snow statues and sculptures on a massive scale: 244 in total this year.

Teams from across the world head to Sapporo to take part in the snow and ice sculpture contest, which transforms the city into a glittering, icy spectacle of winter whimsy.

We recommend stopping into the Sapporo Snow Festival en route to a few days of skiing up in Niseko.

For more information about the festival visit www.snowfes.com.

Photo Credit: Sapporo Snow Festival by sachman75 via Flickr (Creative Commons).

I was flicking through a recent copy of Condé Nast Traveller and stumbled across their version of the 2010 travel hotlist (which you will have seen everywhere by now, no doubt). CN usually sort the wheat from the chaff though so I though this list was worth sharing.

They have broken the must-visit destinations for 2010 down into seasons, so starting with spring...

WHERE TO VISIT IN SPRING 2010

Beirut, Lebanon: Hoping to once again become the playground of the Middle East, Beirut is hot right now. Check into the newly opened Le Gray or the Four Seasons.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Super convenient for the Euro traveller, especially since the completion of a high-speed rail track from Brussels (that connects with the Eurostar), Amsterdam's the perfect destination for art lovers in early 2010. The city's main attractions this spring are the Pioneers of Modern Art exhibition at the Hermitage Amsterdam (from 6 March - 17 September 2010) and the reopening of the Stedelijk museum of modern and contemporary art.

Utah, USA: The new Aman resort, Amangiri, will be drawing the crowds to Utah this spring. Located out in the wilderness of Canyon Point, where the states of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona meet, the area is home to one of the most dramatic landscapes in the USA. Added to this is the new law legalising alcohol throughout the State.

Morocco: La Mamounia hotel has been reopened in Marrakech and there are new Easyjet and Ryanair routes to Agadir, with flights to the hyped coastal town of Mirleft coming soon.

Istanbul, Turkey: Lauded as one of 2010's European Capitals of Culture, Istanbul is still a hot destination. Favourable rates of exchange only add to the attraction.

Rome, Italy: Visit Rome to check out the new MAXXI_National Museum of the XXI Century Arts, which exhibits 21st century art and architecture.

WHERE TO VISIT IN SUMMER 2010

South Africa: South Africa is going to be a serious hotspot come the World Cup kick off on June 11th. Savvy travellers should combine a trip to the World Cup with a beach break in Mozambique.

Shanghai, China: The Expo 2010 runs from May to October in Shanghai, and CN recommends staying at the legendary Peace Hotel, overlooking Shanghai's Huangpu River. For more Shanghai travel recommendations click here.

Solta, Croatia: The island of Solta has managed to stay off the beaten tourist track despite being just 30 minutes away from Split by ferry. This summer is the last before a planned revolving hotel and marina spoil Solta's tranquillity, so now is the time to go.

Papua New Guinea: Hot on the heals of the successful BBC series Land of the Volcano, Papua New Guinea can expect a rise in tourists this summer.

WHERE TO VISIT IN AUTUMN 2010

Dubai: For a bit of sunshine and a new fashion hotel openings; the first, The Armani Hotel Dubai, in the Burj Dubai Tower, followed by the Palazzo Versace in the Culture Village of Dubai Creek.

Nicaragua: Check out the surf and book into the country's first boutique hotel, the Contempo.

Uruguay: La Solana, on Portezuelo beach just west of Punta del Este, is the hippest boutique hotel opening in Uruguay this autumn. Also check out the new Estancia Vik to the north-east of José Ignacio.

Sri Lanka: Due in part to the recent stability in Sri Lanka, it is set to be a big destination later on this year. Home to a couple of stunning Aman resorts and the Reef beach villa in Wadduwa, travellers won't be hard pressed to find stylish hotel choices.

WHERE TO VISIT IN WINTER 2010

Colorado, USA: Ski heaven thanks to big changes for the 2010/11 season: the five star Nell Residences are opening in Snowmass, Aspen; a new Four Seasons is launching in Vail; and the Denver Ski Train, which takes ski bunnies to Winter Park, is set for a comeback.

Tasmania: Stay in the lap of luxury at the spa suites of the Saffire resort on Great Oyster Bay.

Antarctica: Travel in serious style on Le Boreal, "the newest and first all-balcony stateroom and suite vessel in Antarctica", chartered by Abercrombie & Kent.

Photo Credits: Amsterdam by MorBCN; Nicaragua by vtoxic; Solta by bullro; Great Oyster Bay by Gary Hayes. All images via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Having bespoke suits, shirts and shoes tailor made in Hong Kong is a sartorial rite-of-passage for many business travellers to "The Fragrant Harbour". It's quick, convenient, and your new clothes can be shipped back to you with a minimum of fuss.

The trouble is that it can be exhausting looking for the best quality, fair prices and good service in a city as teeming with tailors as Hong Kong. Luckily for you business travellers we've done the legwork so you can use your precious down time for more client schmoozing or to sample the delights of Lan Kwai Fong.

GET SUITED

The British Textile Company: Danny Tam's business has been running since the 1960s when it began in Shanghai. His hand crafted suits, made from English and Italian fabrics, take a week to complete and require two to three fittings. Prices for a tailor made suit range from approximately HKD 4,000 to HKD 8,000 depending on the quality of the fabric. In order to get the perfect fit, Danny recommends coming with a good idea of the style you want so that you can give them the best instructions possible. Orders can be placed from overseas and door-to-door delivery generally costs 10% of the total order. You can also have shirts, coats, waistcoats, dinner jackets, morning suits and ladies' clothes made here.
The British Textile Company, Shop G17, Ground Floor, Holiday Inn Shopping Mall, 50 Nathan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2730 3464; Fax: +852 2735 4999; Email: tkw1122@netvigator.com.

A-Man Hing Cheong Co. Ltd: This tailors has been up and running since 1898 and its success is tenable by merit of its super smart location in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Suits take five to seven days to make and require three fittings. The fabrics on offer are of the highest quality, imported from the UK or Italy. Prices for a bespoke suit range from HKD 8,000 to HKD 20,000, so excellence doesn't come cheap (they have to pay the rent somehow…). The good news is that once they have your measurements on file you can call or email in your orders and they will ship the finished product anywhere in the world to you for free.
A-Man Hing Cheong Co., Ltd, Unit M2 Mezz. Floor, Mandarin Oriental Hotel, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2522 3336; Fax: +852 2523 4707; Email: amhcltd@netvigator.com.

GET BOOTED

Mayer Shoe Co.: Quite literally follow in the footsteps of Henry Kissinger, local Tai-pans, and Hong Kong's former governors at this famous 46-year old shop. Also located in the glitzy Mandarin Oriental Hotel, the Mayer Shoe Co. specializes in bespoke ladies and gents shoes made from top notch European and American leather. The shoemakers can copy styles from a magazine picture, remake your favourite pair of banged up brogues, or you can choose from their collection of house styles. A pair of tailor made shoes takes between seven and ten days to make and costs from HKD 3,500.
Mayer Shoe Co., M-3 Mandarin Oriental Hotel Arcades, 5 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2524 3317; Fax: +852 2524 5513; Email: mayerhk@netvigator.com.

Kow Hoo Shoes: Kow tow to Kow How: beautiful, butter soft handmade shoes are the order of the day at this 82-year old company. The shoemaker is also an octogenarian, so it takes six to eight months for each pair to be ready; sadly, shoemaking by hand is a dying trade. Each customer has a wooden shoe last crafted to the exact shape of their feet, so once you have ordered from Kow Hoo once you can email or fax across any style you like to be made to your exact specifications. You can also choose send in your old shoes to be remade if you've lost a pair you love. The leathers come from Europe, and exotic skins can be sourced if the fancy takes you. Prices start from HKD 6,800 and international shipping costs about HKD 280.
Kow Hoo Shoes, Shop 241, Prince's Building, 10 Chater Road, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2523 0489; Fax: +852 2877 1783; Email: kowhoo@hotmail.com.

GET SHIRTY

Best Shirt Maker Company: Tommy Lo has been doing his company's name proud since 1968, and his bespoke shirts have attracted Hollywood stars to the shop above Wellington Street. Fabrics at the Best Shirt Maker Company come from Japan, the UK and Italy – the finest being the Italian ones – and samples can be sent overseas. Prices start at HKD 400 for a tailor made shirt from Japanese cotton and go up to HKD 1,000+ for a bespoke Italian number. Allow one week for shirts to be made; if you live abroad you can email or call in your orders and Tommy will ship them.
Best Shirt Maker Company, Flat C, 1/F, Fortuna Building, 63 – 69 Wellington Street, Central, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2525 3562; Fax: (Call before sending) +852 2110 0835; Email: best_shirt_maker@hotmail.com.

If you have had any good experiences having suits and shirts tailored and shoes handmade for you in Hong Kong we'd love to hear from you. Please leave your tips and comments below.

Image Credits: Suit via iStockPhoto; Shoe Last by Artbandito

Business travellers may be a road-weary lot, but we think that this selection of Christmas goodies will fill them with holiday cheer; we hope they please the road warrior in your life!

Heavenly Travel Blanket

There's nothing worse than being uncomfortable when you're travelling long-distance or overnight to an important meeting – so avoid it. Indulge your favourite business traveller with the Heavenly Travel Blanket from Westin. We've all heard the hype about their duvets, pillows and bed linens, and now the "heavenly" experience has been packaged up and made road ready. Opened up, it's a full sized blanket – folded it's a compact travel pillow. Nifty huh?!
Price USD 60 (ships internationally). Available online at www.westin.com/store.

Passport Cover

It's funny what a difference the little things can make. These leather passport covers from Smythson are ultra chic and luxurious, and will transform check-in from glum to glam. Choose from an array of styles and colours for traditionalists and fashionistas alike.
Price from £60 / USD 100. Available online at www.smythson.com.

Travel Journal

Encourage the business traveller in your life to record their journeys (and jot down the details of fab places to take you to later) in this super smart envelope wrap travel journal from Aspinal of London. It's got more than a whiff of the Victorian explorer about it, perfect for bringing some romance and a dash of the exotic into mundane business trips.
Price from £25 / USD 39. Available online at www.aspinaloflondon.com.

Flip Mino HD

If your road-warrior is more techie than traditional, the Flip Mino HD camcorder is the perfect gift to help them remember where they've been and what they've seen. It's also a great little device for recording up to 120 minutes of personal messages from exotic climes and emailing them over to friends and family. It is very easy to use, lightweight and small.
Price from USD 229. Available online from Amazon.com.

Digital Luggage Scale
This is a great stocking filler or present from the dog for your business traveller. Brookstone has a portable digital luggage scale that you can use to weigh your bags and avoid any hassle or unforeseen costs at the airport. The scale can measure up to 75 lbs / 34 kg.
Price USD 29.95. Available from Amazon.com.

In-flight Travel Bag
Get pampered at 30,000 feet with a gorgeous kit from skincare and fragrance guru, Jo Malone. Keep your skin in tip top condition so you look and feel great in those all important business meetings.
Price £76. Available online at www.jomalone.co.uk.

Recorded Bedtime Stories

If you know someone who is on the road a lot more often than they would like, this could make a great gift if they have children or grandchildren. Cherished Voices is a company that allows business travellers to record bedtime stories, in their own voice, over the phone that are then burnt onto a CD and shipped to the child. A very special way to stay in touch.
Price from USD 30 – 50. Available online at www.cherishedvoices.com.

Wine Ratings Guide iPhone App
Clients can be hard to please, so help out your favourite business traveller with this nifty iPhone app that helps to select the best bottle of wine on the menu. For the bargain price of USD 1.99 this application from Nirvino will turn anyone from clueless to connoisseur: 1 million wine ratings, a food pairings wizard, and a regional wine guide (so you can pick the best local tipple). Look like a genius, even if you're not.
Price USD 1.99. Available online at www.nirvino.com or via the iTunes store.

Screaming Pillow
Another delayed flight? A client who won't play ball? A deranged hotel receptionist? Let it ALL out on a screaming pillow. Business travel can be pretty stressful, so take a little piece of mobile therapy with you on the road. Simply place your face on the pillow and scream.
Price USD 19.99 (+shipping and handling). Available online at screamingpillows.com.

Luxe City Guides: World Tour Box
From LA to London, Beijing to Berlin – tour the world in style with 12 of the fab Luxe City Guides. This is one for business travellers who appreciate the finer things in life and don't want the slog of researching where to find them. Price USD 110. Available online at Amazon.com.

Bridget Randolph, founder of luxury swimwear company Kiribati London, shares her travel highs and lows, tips and experiences - from luxury in the Maldives to getting lost in Rome. Read on for a special iloho offer on her stunning collection of Kiribati swimwear.

The best holiday I've ever had was...
The Maldives, without a doubt. Diving with turtles, lounging in hammocks, sundowners on the beach... heaven! We stayed at the Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru (www.banyantree.com) on a secluded atoll in the Maldives archipelago.

If I could only recommend one place to see before you die it would be...
False Bay, South Africa. You can take a boat out and watch Great White Sharks feed. It's terrifying!

My one piece of travel advice is...
Pack light and do everything.

The best hotel I've ever stayed in is...
Hotel Costes (www.hotelcostes.com) in Paris. I was lucky enough to discover it before it became so renowned, but it is still a dark, mysterious haven that oozes naughtiness!

And the worst hotel I've ever stayed in is...
I have stayed in many truly horrible places, but I suppose if a hotel isn't pretending to be what it's not you can't really be disappointed. I think the most cringy place I ever stayed was a hotel called Deerhurst Resort in Ontario which was more conference centre than hotel. It had me giggling for days because it was so similar to the resort used in Dirty Dancing.

For a perfect holiday I need these ingredients...
A backgammon board, a great book and enough time to get properly lost.

I always pack...
Sun cream and the phone number of a friend of a friend who lives where I'm going. It's the only true way to see a place.

This year I have travelled to...
My husband-to-be is Canadian so we always disappear to the freshwater lakes near Lake Muskoka in Ontario, Canada during the summer, which I really love. This year has also been the "Year of Weddings" for us so we have also been to Italy and France a spoiling amount!

Next year I'm dying to go to...
I'm a bit of a nature nerd at heart so next year I would love to go and do some scuba diving off Australia.

The worst travel experience I've ever had is... Ryanair stranded me overnight in Rome; I was travelling alone and couldn't speak Italian. Since then I have vowed both to learn Italian and never to fly with Ryanair again.

My ideal travel companion is... Tina Fey. Can you imagine how much fun you would have?

Visit Kiribati online now and get 10% off the collection with special code iloho753 (enter the code at checkout).

Launched in June 2009, the Kiribati London collection of bikinis and swimsuits has had immediate success and is currently available at Heidi Klein boutiques in London and will be at Holt Renfrew in Canada from December. Kiribati also ships worldwide via the website www.kiribati-london.com.

Photo credits: The Maldives by daniel pozo; Great White Shark by hermanusbackpackers; Muskoka Lakes by Mary.

Have you got one of those friends whose taste you marvel at, whose style you envy, and whose life is über-chic; the sort of friend whose home makes you wish were making millions and pray you'll be asked to stay? If you're fed up of waiting around for a piece of the action, or if you're in dire need of a dose of glam, we suggest you check out newly opened hotel, The Upper House, in Hong Kong.

Designed by Hong Kong architect Andre Fu, The Upper House is an oasis of individual style, space and calm in the centre of the city's business district. The idea is to make guests feel as though they are staying in a friend's luxurious home – a clever concept given that Hong Kong is bursting at the seams with traditional 5* hotels already – and it is well executed. Coffee table books lie on tables in the hotel's common spaces, cosy Hermès throws dangle temptingly from sofa backs, and backgammon boards lie open inviting you to get stuck into a game. In the evenings guests can take their drinks out to the lawn and lounge in candlelight at tables or on beanbags.

In keeping with the home-away-from-home theme, The Upper House has eschewed the traditional hotel check-in and concierge desks in favour of a mobile Guest Experience team that cruises around the hotel with portable laptops checking guests in and catering to their every need. And, in a move that would impress the most fastidious of hosts and demanding of house guests, the Guest Experience team contacts you before your arrival to find out about your particular likes and dislikes. If you're a stickler for extra soft pillows, a fridge stocked only with Diet Coke, or if you want a list of the nearest bars or best beaches, everything you need will be awaiting you. One guest asked for a list of Hong Kong's best hikes and details of what was showing at the cinema, and had all the information tucked into an envelope in her room.

Even without this impressive personal touch, guests are guaranteed to be wowed by the hotel's rooms. Starting – yes starting – at 730 sq. ft (68 sq. m) The Upper House offers the biggest hotel rooms in Hong Kong. Categorised from smallest to largest as Studio 70 (pictured below), Studio 80, Upper Suite and Penthouse, even the "smallest" of the rooms feels pretty vast, but what you gain in space you lose in traditional amenities; The Upper House has no pool and no spa preferring to allocate the space into creating more luxurious guest rooms.

As soon as you walk into the huge bathroom (every room type has one) and clock the separate dressing area, walk-in rain shower and limestone clad bath, we're not sure you'll mind about the lack of pool. Delicious REN products line shower shelves, sinks and baths – kitting you out with everything you need to create your own in-room spa experience.

The rooms come chock-a-block with complimentary treats: internet access (available throughout the hotel), a fully stocked mini-bar (free with the exception of wines, champagne and spirits), and an espresso machine. Hotel information is loaded onto an iTouch docked in the desk, and you can even use it to order room service, check the weather, and access a local map. Pretty nifty.

The size of the Upper House suites would make almost all Hong Kong home owners jealous. Starting at 1,230 sq. ft (114 sq. m) they comprise of an entrance way, large reception room, bedroom and double bathroom. They are perfect for business travellers in Hong Kong with a significant other as there are two ways in and out of the bedroom: a door into the reception room and a door (dubbed the "girlfriend door") out into the hallway, thus the lucky other needn't disturb a meeting should they want to nip out for a splurge in swanky Pacific Place mall underneath the hotel.

Rooms have either harbour or island views. We recommend the island view rooms if you can forego the Hong Kong harbour skyline, they are quieter and more serene.

In terms of wining and dining, there's the longest bar in Hong Kong and a laid-back bistro style restaurant to choose from. The views are impressive, and the semi-private dining spaces perfect for either dinner-à-deux or a business tête-à-tête.

If The Upper House ticks your boxes now is the time to head to the home away from home: until the end of December you get two nights for the price of one. Bearing in mind how much you'd have to spend on a thank-you present for your über-stylish friend, perhaps it makes more sense to splash out on a couple of nights at The Upper House than to take up an invite from them...

The Two Nights for One offer is valid until 31st December 2009. Rates start from HK$3,388 for a 730sq ft Island View Studio 70.

The Upper House
Pacific Place, 88 Queensway, Hong Kong; Tel: +852 2918 1838; Web: www.upperhouse.com.

It's never ideal when your phone dies on you in a new city. If this happens to you in Hong Kong though you're in luck as you can recharge your battery in any 7 Eleven store for just HK$10 (US$1.20 / 80p). There's a 7 Eleven on practically every street corner in Hong Kong so it won't take you long to find one.

Pop in, drop off your battery (just your battery, not the whole phone), return 30 minutes et voilà, no more running on empty. Nifty huh?

Photo Credit: 7 Eleven by speedwaystar via Flickr (Creative Commons).

If you can't decide between Anguilla or Antigua, the Cayman Islands or Cuba, Martinique or Montserrat then take this quiz, on the Washington Post's website, to find out which Caribbean island is the right one for you.

My quiz results tell me to head to Jamaica, Anguilla, Barbados or Nevis; sounds pretty good to me!

Take the quiz here.

Photo by Michelle Brea.

Say hello to the Red Crab of Christmas Island. Around this time every year, Christmas Island - an Australian territory in the Indian Ocean - sees the annual migration of about 100 million Red Crabs from the forests to the sea to breed. This phenomenon has been called one of the wonders of the natural world. If you're keen to see it with your own eyes, the best spots to watch are said to be Flying Fish Cove, Ethel Beach and Greta Beach.

And onto the less fortunate Hairy Crab or Chinese Mitten Crab ("before" shot above, "after" shot below). Revered in Shanghai as the pinnacle of all culinary delicacies, especially for the female's roe, Hairy Crab Season is now in full swing. Chinese spend hundreds of yuan on this annual treat and restaurants in Shanghai and Hong Kong go into Hairy Crab menu overdrive.

Have you tried Hairy Crab or seen the Red Crab Migration on Christmas Island? We've love to hear about your experiences, please leave us a comment.

Photo Credits: "Red crab Christmas Island" by Peter from Perth; "A Crab Close-up" by triin; "Chinese Mitten Crab" by 囧-WQ-囧. Via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Halloween is fast approaching and with it an increased appetite for all things spooky and paranormal. Have you ever done a ghost tour on your travels? You might turn your nose up and say it's all a charade, but ghost tours can be a great way to learn more about the history of a place, as well as upping your adrenaline levels by a notch or two. So what's there to lose? Here are our picks of three of the world's best ghost tours.

Mary King's Close and the South Bridge Vaults: Edinburgh, Scotland
Mary King's Close and the South Bridge Vaults form part of Edinburgh's historic underworld (both lie hidden beneath the Royal Mile). As you descend into the darkness and mystery of the underground closes and vaults your imagination will get a real work out as you listen to the stories of ghosts, murders, plague victims and witches.

Mary King's Close today is the remains of a mediaeval street buried underneath Edinburgh's City Chambers and the Royal Mile - the paranormal happenings that have taken place there are world renowned. When the Black Death hit Edinburgh in 1645 there were around 500 of the city's poorest people living and working in Mary King's Close; about half of them were dead or dying from the disease. The story goes that the city decided to act against further outbreak and the Close's inhabitants were quarantined in their homes and left to die. If you go down to the Close look out for a young ghost called Annie; she's been spotted by lots of people over the years and there's one room in particular that she is rumoured to haunt.

The South Bridge Vaults were built in late 18th century, and abandoned by the 1830s - the corridors and chambers are still unchanged. Burke and Hare, the body snatchers who sold corpses to medical schools, are rumoured to have hunted for victims in these Vaults.

According to The Edinburgh Ghost Project 2001 there abnormally high levels of paranormal activity in Edinburgh's Underground Vaults. As added testament to the ghostly goings on in Edinburgh's underworld, the "Most Haunted" TV team has staged one of its live shows in the South Bridge Vaults and Mary King's Close.

For more info about the Mary King's Close tour visit Mercat Tours. For more info about the Vaults tour visit Auld Reekie Tours.

French Quarter: New Orleans, USA
The French Quarter is the oldest and most famous neighbourhood in America's "Most Haunted" city. Here ghost stories and paranormal sightings mingle with the very real, and very macabre "City of the Dead": St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, where you can visit the Queen of New Orleans Voodoo, Marie Laveau.

Laveau's former home at 1020 St. Ann Street is said to be one of the French Quarter's most haunted spots. People are said to have seen her spirit, along with those of her followers, engaged in Voodoo ceremonies there.

Another must-see spot for ghost-busters is Madame LaLaurie's house at 1140 Royal Street. She was responsible for the torture, mistreatment and death of many of her slaves, and apparently you can still here the screams of her victims today.

Visitors to New Orleans can take their pick from several ghost tours of the French Quarter, amongst the best operators are Haunted History Tours, New Orleans Ghost Tour, and Historic New Orleans Walking Tours.

Read more about New Orleans' most haunted destinations here.

Catacombs of Paris: Paris, France
The Catacombs of Paris (L'Ossuaire Municipal) houses a vast collection of human bones in a network of subterranean tunnels and caverns. The catacombs were created in the 1780s to house remains overspilling from the city's overcrowded and badly maintained cemeteries - it's thought that there are around six million Parisians buried in the catacombs.

Believers maintain that the way the bones were uprooted from their original resting spots and placed in the tunnels was disrespectful and this is what causes the paranormal hoo-hah in the catacombs. There have been reports of ghostly voices and moving shadows down in the underground tunnels. Are you brave enough to handle it...?

Find out more about the Catacombs Ghost Tour here.

Have you been on a ghost tour? Which one did you take and what did you think?

Photo Credits: "Ghost Tour" by thecnote; "Haunted? 1140 Royal Street" by raelb; "Catacombs" by jrmyst. All via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Turner Wright

As one of the great adventure capitals of the world, New Zealand boasts an impressive array of activities for travellers: bungy jumping in Queenstown, skydiving in Taupo, Zorbing in Rotorua. Not to mention a full assortment of hot springs in which to ease those weary bones after a long day on the road.

To many travellers familiar with hot springs around the world, most of New Zealand's should come as a pleasant surprise, especially those located on the South Island. The main problem with the hot springs on the North Island is determining which pools are "authentic". In Rotorua, a town practically full to the brim with hot water - and smelling strongly of sulphur - nearly every motel and motor inn advertises their features: Sky TV, high speed internet, and hot pools. Catch the scam? Of course not. You would think by spending the evening in an establishment in the heart of a hot spring village you would be entitled to soak in real hot spring water (as opposed to heated tap water). Unfortunately, the sign you should have been seeking was "mineral pools", not hot pools; the terminology varies by location.

I suppose there are certain slang terms and ways of deceiving cash customers in any country... hot pools, hot springs, mineral pools... you can't go wrong with the name waiariki; the original Maori term, meaning "chiefly waters", which commonly refers to outdoor pools in the countryside, as opposed to some of the more family friendly resorts like Miranda - they may claim to have the largest hot pool in the southern hemisphere, but that doesn't change the fact it's nothing more than a glorified water park, designed to entertain kids rather than cater to those seeking to enjoy a quiet soak as the sun slowly sets.

These are the most chiefly waters I know on New Zealand's North Island.

1) Ngawha Springs, Northland

Ngawha (pronounced "nafa") is the sole source of mineral pools in Northland. Well off the beaten path and not mentioned in Lonely Planet, these waiariki pools vary in temperature and mineral content. If you feel like getting scalded or have skin as tough as the first Maori to take a soak, check out the Bull Dog bath at 45 degrees C. Want to ease into the hotter ones first? Soloman is a favourite of mine at 36 degrees, and I also enjoyed the rich milky baths on the other side of the complex to cool off. Best of all, these waters are in wooden tubs crafted from native wood, set in an area so remote it's unlikely to ever be full to the brim with tourists or families. Word of warning: don't plan to keep whatever bathing suit you choose to wear; the minerals will stain almost any material a nice off-colour puke, and leave it smelling like delicious sulphur. Hold off on showering after you visit; although the smell may not be best suited to help you pick up members of the opposite sex, the minerals will continue revitalizing your skin as long as it remains.

2) Hot Water Beaches

Being buried in hot sand is a little unnerving to many first timers; often the first question I hear is: "Can I get out from underneath if there's a problem?" No worries; you're in New Zealand, and you only have to dig a hole, not bury yourself inside it. Sand baths like these exist the world over, from Ibusuki, Japan, to Deception Island, Antarctica. When you're on the North Island, there are two such places I would recommend:

Hot Water Beach, Coromandel Peninsula
Go hire a shovel from the nearby Hot Water Beach shop and dig yourself a nice little spot of paradise on this sandy beach. It's a delicate balance determining exactly when to soak, but generally, two hours before and after the low tide is safe. Just be sure not to cool yourself off in the ocean if you're feeling particularly sweaty; this beach, along with several others in the area, has particularly dangerous rips and undertows.

Te Puia Hot Spings, Kawhia
If you're looking for a hot water beach well beyond the reaches of Auckland and most tourists' tracks, head south of the surfing city of Raglan and keep going until you hit hot black sand. The beaches of Kawhia give off a pleasant, but not overwhelming, smell of sulphur. Only this time, plan to bring a shovel from home.

3) Rotorua

Rotorua is essentially one big hot pool. You don't even have to travel outside the city limits to find some decent places to soak, but if you do feel like a short drive, the Wai Ora Spa in Tikitere (Hell's Gate) is the way to go; prepare to pay far more than you would at any other hot pool, but the hot mud treatment is worth the weight off your wallet. Closer to downtown, the Polynesian Spa is probably the classier route, with private pools and a great view of Lake Rotorua, but don't shy away from the Blue Baths, either; the main pool is little more than lukewarm even on the hottest summer day, but the adjacent baths seem to be fed directly from the spring. Next to Ngawha, the hottest I have yet experienced in a waiariki.

In my humble opinion, however, the city's main attraction is the smallest of all. As you ride the bus in from Auckland, the smell of sulphur seeps in from Kuirau Park, the site on which you should focus your photography efforts: boiling mud pools, steaming hot springs, and children playing nearby. Best of all, this park is home to something I had not expected to see outside of the island of Kyushu in Japan: foot baths. Take it from me, my friends, there is nothing sweeter in life than going for a barefoot run in this park just as the sun is beginning to rise, letting your toes freeze in the morning dew, and then taking a break in one of the few foot baths to warm yourself. "Sweet as", as the Kiwis would say.

4) Taupo Plateau

I can only offer you one bit of advice when it comes to soaking in Taupo: get out of town. The Taupo region has some of the best hot pools on both the North and South Island, but the pickings are slim in urban areas. If you're headed north-east, you must relax in Kerosene Creek's jacuzzi pool or the aptly-named 'Paradise' to the east of Lake Ohakuri. In addition, there are many natural springs on private property; it's best to call the owners ahead of time if you're planning a trip (see www.nzhotpools.co.nz for details).

If you have only a short stay in New Zealand and hot springs are your goal, focus all your efforts on Taupo and its surroundings. Want to throw some of that famous New Zealand adrenaline into the mix? Jump out of a perfectly good aeroplane before you hit the baths.

5) At the End of a Great Walk

"In the middle of the journey of my life, I found myself astray in a dark wood, where the straight road had been lost." How unfortunate Dante chose to hike into Hell rather than the Lake Waikaremoana Track, one of New Zealand's nine 'Great Walks'. He could have found a pool full of soothing water waiting for him rather than an ominous gateway.

Maungataniwha Hot Springs is in fact a little off the Lake Waikaremoana Track, but well within the boundaries of Te Urewera National Park, the largest on the North Island. The best route would probably be to stop at the Parahaki Hut overnight then make your way over to the springs: hot water rolling down a rock face. You'll probably have to dig a small pool to enjoy a soak, but won't all that effort be worth it after a "mere" seven hours' hiking? Definitely. For detailed directions, check out Sally Jackson's "Hot Springs of New Zealand" or Lonely Planet's "Tramping in New Zealand".

Photo Credits: New Zealand Hot Springs by jjay69; "Enjoying a hot bath!" by magical-world; "Rotorua, Te Whakarewarewa" by vtveen; "Taupo Hot Springs" by xoque.

One of Britain's greatest treasures is the plethora of historic houses, estates, gardens, churches and ancient ruins that run the length and breadth of cities and countryside alike.

With such a rich past Britain is teeming with places of historical significance, and it's hard to narrow down your choices of where to visit. Here we have rounded up a list of ten of the National Trust's most visited properties to give you an insight into Britain's most precious of historic gems.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, North Yorkshire

Like India's Taj Mahal, the pyramids at Giza in Egypt and the Acropolis at Athens, Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden is a World Heritage Site made up of 800 hectares of spectacular ruins and stunning parks, including a medieval deer park – grazed today by 500 Red, Sika, and Fallow Deer – and the largest abbey ruins in the country. Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden was recognised by UNESCO for its 18th Century landscape, 12th Century Abbey (founded by Benedictine monks in 1132), Elizabethan Fountains Hall and Victorian St Mary's Church. Over 300,000 visitors a year come to soak up the history and culture at this important English landmark.

The estate sits in an area of outstanding natural beauty in the valley of the river Skell, 30 miles away from the city of York.

Stourhead Garden, Wiltshire

Stourhead is home to a world-famous 18th-century landscape garden, a "first-of-its-kind" Palladian mansion, parkland, woods and chalk downs. Named after the Stourton family who lived in the estate for 700 years, Stourhead was sold in 1717 to Henry Hoare. The original house was demolished and a new mansion was built in the Palladian style. Over the next 200 years the Hoare family collected art and antiques, which are exhibited still today, and built a number of temples and follies in the gardens designed to show off their education and wealth. The views over three counties from the top of King Alfred's Tower shouldn't be missed.

Polesden Lacey, Surrey

Once the honeymoon spot for King George VI and the Queen Mother, Polesden Lacey is a Regency house boasting opulent Edwardian interiors, an interesting collection of Old Masters paintings, and stunning views across the North Downs.

Polesden Lacey was last home to the Edwardian society hostess the Hon. Mrs Greville, as well as to the playwright Richard Sheridan at the end of the 18th century. Not to be missed are the beautiful walled rose garden, Polesden Lacey's extensive grounds and lawns, and the landscape walks.

Wakehurst Palace, West Sussex

If you're into botanical gardens, the Elizabethan Wakehurst Palace in West Sussex is the place to go, and there are over 477,000 visitors a year who will agree. The property is run by the famous Kew Gardens and is an important site for plant conservation and research, with more than a billion seeds collected so far for future preservation. Wakehurst Palace has the world's largest growing Christmas Tree: it is 35m tall and is lit by 1,800 energy saving lights from advent to Twelfth Night. Kenneth Branagh used Wakehurst Palace as the location for much of his 2006 film "As You Like It".

St. Michael's Mount, Cornwall

Legend, myth and history abound at St. Michael's Mount in Cornwall. A giant named Cormoran is said to have lived on the Mount; he was followed by monks, pilgrims, armies, fleets, and many more besides. In 495 a fisherman is said to have seen an apparition of the Archangel St. Michael, and four miracles are said to have occurred at St. Michael's Mount between 1262 and 1263. During the Wars of the Roses the island was under siege for six months, and then later, in 1588, it the first beacon was lit on the Mount to warn of the Spanish Armada. From 1642 to 1646, St. Michael's Mount saw bloody skirmishes between Royalists and Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army.

Quarry Bank Mill and Styal Estate, Cheshire

You can still feel the pulse of the Industrial Revolution, which changed the face of Britain, at Quarry Bank Mill and the Styal Estate in Cheshire. On a visit to the cotton mill you will experience life as a mill worker, and a tour of the Apprentice House, will shed light on the lives of the Industrial Era's child workforce.

Chartwell, Kent

Chartwell was the family home of one of Britain's most famous Prime Ministers, Sir William Churchill, who bought the property for its views over the Weald of Kent to Sussex. The rooms and gardens have been preserved to be as similar as possible to when Churchill lived at Chartwell, with pictures, books, maps, honours, medals and personal mementoes on show.

Bodnant Garden, Gwynedd, Wales

You can see the Snowdonia Mountains from Bodnant's spectacular terraced gardens. Set above a valley and the River Conwy, Bodnant Garden is home to plants from all over the world, particularly China, North America, Europe and Japan.

Bodiam Castle, East Sussex

Bodiam Castle is dates back to medieval times and it famous for its battlements, ramparts and moat. The castle was built in 1385 by Sir Edward Dalyngrigge, with the permission of Richard II, in order to defend against French invasion during the Hundred Years' War. Fans of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" will recognise the Bodiam as the film's Swamp Castle.

Corfe Castle, Dorset

Corfe Castle is one of the oldest and most evocative castles in England. Over its 1,000 year history it has seen the alleged murder of King Edward the Martyr, royal hunts, palace life during the reign of King John and sieges during the English Civil War. It was during a siege in 1646 that the castle was demolished and ruined by Parliamentarians; much of the stone was used to build the houses of Corfe Castle Village. Today visitors can enjoy the interactive castle tour, plus walks through the surrounding Purbeck Hills.

Have you visited any of Britain's historic palaces, places and properties? Where did you most enjoy and why?

Photo Credits: Fountains Abbey by yewenyi; Stourhead by Joe Dunckley; Polesden Lacey by swamibu; Wakehurst Palace by Anguskirk; St. Michael's Mount by Michal Osmenda; Quarry Bank Mill and Bodnant Gardnes by zund; Chartwell by johnmuk; Bodiam Castle by Sacred Destinations; Corfe Castle by Steve9091. All photos via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Turner Wright

When you are travelling in Japan follow these simple guidelines to ensure that cultural misunderstandings (or worse) do not occur.

10) Misuse Your Shoes

Thresholds at businesses and all homes and apartments in Japan have a convenient place for you to store your shoes and don borrowed slippers for your journey. However, did you know you should never wear slippers on tatami mats? It's also a huge cultural faux-pas to come out of the bathroom still wearing toilet slippers, as they've been rubbing on dirty linoleum (although this even slips Japanese minds from time to time).

9) Bathe in the Bathtub
The bathing culture in Japan is unparalleled. Even if I soak in a mineral pool in the backwoods of New Zealand, nothing will make me feel more cleansed inside and out than a soak in a traditional Japanese hot spring resort. Ignoring the fact the water is still hotter and contains more minerals than most hot pools abroad, Japanese bathing etiquette dictates one should shower thoroughly before entering the steaming bath; if you were to do otherwise in Japanese homes (as a guest you would be given the honour of bathing first) the family would have to completely drain the tub, clean out the ring, and refill. You'd probably just be kicked out if you brought soap and shampoo into the pool at a public bathhouse.

8) Fumble with Chopsticks

You don't have to be able to pick up an individual grain of rice to use chopsticks properly. Rather, just be aware that there are a few things for which they were not meant to be used. First, even if you're sharing dishes with a group, do not pass food from one set of chopsticks to another, as this is considered in bad taste. Second, when not using them, set your chopsticks across your plate or bowl as you would a knife; poking them out of your rice resembles two sticks of incense commonly used for a certain death ceremony... and why would you want to be reminded of that over a fine dinner?

7) Grope on a Train

Obviously this isn't a mere misunderstanding of cultures if such an act were to occur, but even when visiting Japan and having nothing but pure intentions, one should be aware of the dangers. Women (and even men) have been fondled on crowded trains and often cannot trace the hands back to their owners. This has lead to women-only subway cars during peak travel times, and the police giving advice to young girls: seize the arm of your attacker and don't let go until security sees his face. I only mention this because if you're a foreigner riding a train in the land of the rising sun who knows absolutely no Japanese, and when disembarking you find a man or woman screaming "shijou!" or "chikan!", respectively (the terms for female and male perverts), you're essentially at the mercy of one individual who may have mistaken your desire to get a little bit of room on the car as blatant groping.

6) Choose the Wrong Seat
There's a somewhat antiquated custom when it comes to eating out in groups. If you're with some business colleagues, it's better for a junior member (in terms of hierarchy, not age) to take the seat closest to the doorway or access point, the senior member the farthest away. The belief is that should an attack occur, the least experienced (thus the least valuable) will be killed first, giving the others time to mobilize and protect the higher-ups.

5) Show Strong Emotions
One of the most common mistakes a foreigner makes upon entering the Japanese business world is to openly express his frustration when the unexpected comes along... and it always comes along. Showing strong emotions like anger is a social death sentence in Japan; the only time someone might get away with it would be if he were seriously inebriated, or at least making the effort to get there. Tears, especially those of happiness, can be forgiven (even from men), but take care to keep your temper in check.

4) Blow Your Nose
Even out on the street when it's sub-zero degree weather, blowing your nose in Japan is probably one of the rudest things you can do, even more so if you're talking with someone face-to-face and take a moment to pull out your handkerchief. It's the equivalent of asking someone to watch you use the toilet.

3) Yawn
This is a good policy for conversations around the world, but it really hits home in Japan. Whereas in the States or other countries one might dismiss a tired expression with a certain nonchalance or a chuckle (e.g. "crazy night on the town?"), in Japan you might as well slap your superior in the face to completely prove your desire not to listen.

2) When Listening...
I had an interview with an English school in Akita Prefecture not too long ago. As I was listening to the manager speak via Skype, I realised how out of practice I was at listening by Japanese standards. He spoke for only a few seconds at a time, each time taking my silence as an indication that the call must have been disconnected. Why? Because I failed to provide the appropriate guttural sounds: when speaking one-on-one with someone in Japan (group meetings can be an exception), it's best to utter a few words every now and again to show you still have the speaker's attention. A simple hai (yes), or so des ne (ah, I see) can work wonders.

1) Respect Yourself
Modesty is a virtue. I cannot count the number of times as an English teacher I gave high praise to certain young Japanese students, only to have their parents contradict me by saying something like "yes, but she's terrible studying at home" or "no, you must be mistaken". Disregarding or refusing complements in Japan is the only way to accept them graciously:

(in Japanese)
Me: Excuse me, but could you tell me the way to the nearest train station?
Japanese: Ooohhh! Your Japanese is so skillful!
Me: No, no, it's nothing really.

By claiming you have no skills or any life experience exceeding that of another, you in fact raise their impression of you. If I were to refer to myself as "Turner-san" or respond to such praise of my language skills with "Thank you very much! I have been diligently studying for nine months!", then I might be forgiven as an ignorant foreigner... but more likely marked as arrogant.

Photo Credits: Slippers by amirjina; Chopsticks by KaiChanVong; Morning Train by gullevek via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Angela Plumb, a tourist from the UK, captured this rare shot of a seven-month-old polar bear cub riding on its mother's back from a ship in the Svalbard archipelago - midway between mainland Norway and the North Pole.

The polar bear mother is wearing a radio collar, which prompted Mrs Plumb to contact Dr Jon Aars, from the Norwegian Polar Institute in Tromso, to ask whether this was a common sighting.

"I hadn't seen this behaviour before or heard about it so I asked other researchers and found out it is something that has been observed but not frequently at all," Dr Aars says.

Via the BBC website.

Kingfisher Airlines, India's only Five Star airline rated by Skytrax, has launched new daily non-stop flights between Mumbai and Singapore and Mumbai and Hong Kong. The flights on both these routes are operated using the new Airbus A330-200s configured with two classes - Kingfisher First and Kingfisher Class.

Kingfisher First passengers can enjoy a bar staffed with a bartender and a break-out seating area; an in-seat massager on every seat; mood lighting with starry sky; and in-seat chargers.

Kingfisher Airlines flight IT 071 takes off from Mumbai at 10:55pm and arrives in Hong Kong at 8:05am. The return flight IT 072 takes off from Hong Kong at 2:05pm and arrives in Mumbai at 5:50 pm.

Kingfisher Airlines flight IT 029 takes off from Mumbai at 11:05pm and arrives at Singapore at 7:05am. The return flight IT 030 takes off from Singapore at 10:15am and arrives in Mumbai at 1:05pm.

I've just finished reading Tim Butcher's book, 'Blood River: A Journey to Africa's Broken Heart', about his 600 mile journey overland (bar one helicopter journey) across the Congo from Lake Tanganyika to Boma. I couldn't put it down.

Butcher tells the story of his "suicidal" expedition through the Congo, as he follows in the footsteps of Henry Morton ("Dr. Livingstone, I presume?") Stanley, the Victorian journalist / explorer who charted the Congo in 999 days. He ties the narrative of his journey to accounts of the country's compelling and turbulent history.

He is helped across the Congo by UN peacekeepers, aid workers, a pygmy rights advocate, monks, rebel leaders, relics of the Colonial era, a drunk motorbike owner and many more colourful characters. Almost everyone Butcher meets he interviews, resulting in a fascinating patchwork of histories, stories and experiences.

In his own words, his Congo journey was not "adventure travel" but more "ordeal travel". Along the way Butcher encounters stumbling block after stumbling block, finally beating the obstacles corrupt officials, hunger, illness, and political and socio instabilities throw his way.

The journey that took Stanley three years, and cost the lives of hundreds of tribesmen, took Butcher 44 days. Along the way he witnesses the scars of the Congo Wars - burnt out villages, exposed human remains, marauding Mai Mai gunmen - and the regression of a country whose grandparents remember modernity, but whose children have only ever seen its relics. As Butcher puts it, the modern world "had tried, but failed, to establish itself in the Congo".

The Congo may have been a glamorous host to Evelyn Waugh, Graham Greene, Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn once upon a time, but today it is "the most daunting, backward country on earth"; as Butcher laments, he "touched the heart of Africa and found it broken".

'Blood River' is a gripping and gruesome, passionate and poignant, historical and harrowing account of a country that was once a functioning place, but is now "undeveloping", spiralling backwards to a state very similar to that which Stanley witnessed in the 1870s. The Congo is "a place where the hands of the clock spin not forward, but backwards."

Find out more about 'Blood River' here.

Photo Credit: 'Pirogues on the Congo' by Julien Harneis.

A thirteenth century Norse "travel guide" advised Vikings against all but essential travel to Scotland, or Skotland, as it was then known. The Vikings were warned about dangerous natives, an incomprehensible language, and terrible weather; upon arrival, Norsemen had to be prepared to suffer instant attack.

A new interpretation of the medieval Icelandic Sagas (Íslendingasögur) - a literary phenomenon of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries – reveals that Scotland as worth a trip for marauding "Icelanders who want to practise robbery". However, Vikings were warned that a jaunt to Scotland might cost them their lives.

The chronicles, which were written were written on yellowed calf vellum 800 years ago, have been interpreted by Gisli Sigurdsson, a historian at Reykjavik University, who believes the sagas – part fiction, part fact – reveal how the ancient Norse were less bloodthirsty than legend has them.

One saga tells of a Scot called Grjotgard, a kinsman of Melkolf, King of Scotland (Malcolm II), who intercepted a party of arriving Vikings in a western sea loch. He warned: "You have two choices. You can go ashore and we will take all your property, or we'll attack you and kill every man we lay our hands on".

Unsurprisingly, the Norsemen were nervous about sailing up the west coast sea lochs which they dubbed the 'Scottish fjords'. Orkney, however, is described as a useful base for Vikings wanting to pillage Scotland – as is Fort Skardaborg, which is today's Scarborough.

Orkney historian Tom Muir said: "They picked weak targets, like monasteries. Some of the monasteries were basically unguarded banks of cash with a sign above them saying 'free money'. The truth is that there were raids both ways and that the Norse had every reason to fear their Celtic neighbours."

Though recorded in the 13th century, accounts in the Icelandic Sagas are based on events that happened 200 years earlier. The chronicles served as route guides for raiders, traders, crusaders and explorers, effectively a road map of medieval Europe and the Middle East. They have proved remarkably accurate, even helping archaeologists to pinpoint the remains of a Norse village in Newfoundland.

Photo Credits: Viking by chatirygirl.

German nudists are to get their own 18km (11 mile) long hiking trail in the Harz mountain range so they can ramble in nothing but their birthday suits, Reuters reports.

Campsite owner, Heinz Ludwig, who has spearheaded the project to create the nudist trail says: "I think it's a great way to promote tourism here, there's already been a lot of interest in it."

Running between the village of Dankerode and the Wippertal dam, the 18km naturist trail is marked up with signs warning clothed walkers that they might encounter hikers in the buff.

According to Reuters, one of the signs reads: "If you don't want to see people with nothing on then you should refrain from moving on!".

Since about the 1980s there has been an extensive removal of restrictions on public nudity in Germany, and Freikörperkultur or FKK (Free Body Culture) is a popular pastime.

Over in the Swiss Alps however, naked rambling has been banned. The Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden has made nude hiking illegal this year in response to an influx of FKK walkers, many of which were crossing over to the Swiss Alps from Germany.

Photo by ricardo.martins via Flickr (Creative Commons).

The Kruger National Park is home to around 145 species of mammal, which includes an estimated 1,500 lion, 12,000 elephant, 2,500 buffalo, 1,000 leopards and 5,000 rhino (black and white). So, spotting the "big five" is a big possibility.

With all its flora and fauna, the Kruger offers some of the most stunning photographic moments. Here we pick a few of our favourites.

Leopards are usually so shy, and primarily nocturnal, so this shot taken in the Kruger National Park captures a rarely seen leopard moment.

You probably don't immediately associate Ground Hornbills with South African safaris, but this bird is gorgeous, and looks like she's all dolled up for a night on the town. Loving the yawning hippo - incredible colours, reflections and light. A lioness flirts with the camera.

A zebra rolls in the dust, and although the zebra would disagree, we think this little lion cub is almost too gorgeous to be true...

Adult elephants in the Kruger National Park protecting their young.

A Kruger elephant stands alone.

A Nile crocodile offers a look at the more sinister side to the Kruger National Park.

Two giraffe silhouetted against the South African sunrise.

Red Billed Oxpeckers get to work on a giraffe hide - they feed exclusively on the backs of large mammals.

In a rare moment, a male lion shows a cub some lion love.

Two endangered Black Rhinoceros stand and deliver.

Photo Credits: All Kruger National Park photographs by Arno & Louise via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Hong Kong is full of extraordinary photo opportunities for travellers. It is a region of marked contrasts: slick vertiginous skyscrapers, ramshackle traditional Chinese buildings, bustling markets, breathtaking mountains and gorgeous beaches. Travellers with an interest in photography will be richly rewarded by a visit to Hong Kong. Here are our top spots for hot Hong Kong shots.

Top Hong Kong Views:

• City skyline from Kowloon
  This just never fails to impress. Hong Kong is a seriously photogenic city!

• Hong Kong from The Peak

Again, a classic spot to get a fab Hong Kong shot, and one that won't let you down (unless the weather is miserable). If you want the city by night shot prepare to jostle with other photographers at dusk for a prime spot along Lugard Road.

• Neon Signs on Nathan Road

In many respects Hong Kong comes to life after dark. The city is full of neon signs like this one, especially around Nathan Road, Mongkok, Causeway Bay and Wanchai.

• Pristine Beaches in Sai Kung Country Park
  In a city as hectic and (often) as polluted as Hong Kong, the beaches in Sai Kung - such as Tai Long Wan - have got to be seen to be believed. Deserted, unspoiled and tranquil are the three words that spring immediately to mind.

• Sea and mountain views along The Dragon's Back trail, Shek O
  Dubbed "Best Urban Hike" by Time Magazine, The Dragon's Back Trail is an 8.5km trail (with a 5km get out option!) through lush forests, across gurgling waterfalls and along the Dragon's Back ridge. It offers fantastic views of Hong Kong island's mountains and southern coast line. On a good day you can see out to some of the outlying islands.

Hong Kong History & Culture

• Man Mo Temple, Hollywood Road

Built in 1847, the Man Mo Temple on Hollywood Road is dedicated to two gods, Man the god of literature and Mo the god of war. The centre of the temple is filled with hundreds of burning incense sticks and coils. Watch a video of the Man Mo Temple.

• Mahjong
  You'll hear the clicking and clacking of the tiles before you see the players. Mahjong matches take place in shops and cafes across the city.

• Fortune Tellers, Temple Street Market (near Tin Hau temple)
  You can have your fortune told by a man or a bird (no joke); whatever you choose you're guaranteed great photos.

• Tian Tan Buddha (aka The Big Buddha), Lantau Island
  This imposing statue makes a great photographic subject. The 110 ft tall Buddha sits serenely near the Po Lin Monastery at Ngong Ping on Lantau Island.

• World War II bunkers
  There are masses of deserted World War II bunkers across Hong Kong. They serve as a reminder of what happened before and after the Battle of Hong Kong, which began on 8 December 1941 and ended on Christmas Day with Hong Kong surrendering to Japan.

• Junks
  There are very few traditional junks (Chinese sailboats) left in Hong Kong, but there are certainly some to snap. The most obvious is the reproduction Aqua Luna, with its distinctive red sails, which crosses between Hong Kong island and Tsim Sha Tsui daily and nightly. The second one that springs to mind is the Duk Ling junk.

Hong Kong's Architecture

• Bank of China Tower
  Criticised by some practitioners of Feng Shui, but praised by most others, The Bank of China Tower is one of the most recognisable buildings in Hong Kong. The design is said to resemble growing bamboo shoots, symbolising livelihood and prosperity.

• International Finance Centre (IFC)
  So photogenic that it featured in the recent Batman film, The Dark Knight. The IFC was the city's tallest building until 2008, but has now been usurped by the ICC.

• The Center
  Another location used in The Dark Knight, The Center is best viewed at night when the building's neon lights change colours.

• Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wanchai
  Whether you think it looks like a turtle of a strange armadillo, this building definitely got some interesting curves!

• Statue Square
  The 19th century Statue Square, with its colonial architecture, makes a great place to photograph the old against the new. Nearby buildings include the impressive HSBC headquarters building, and the IFC.

• Traditional Shop Fronts, Central and Wanchai
  Dotted amongst the ultra-modern buildings of Central and Wanchai are pockets of traditional shop fronts that have (so far) survived demolition. Where you do find them you can get a sense of what Hong Kong must have looked like until reclamation began on a large scale.
  
  

Hong Kong Icons

• Star Ferry
  As well as being a Hong Kong icon in its own right, the Star Ferry is also a brilliant place to photograph the famous view of Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong skyline.

• Peak Tram
  The Peak Tram has been running from Central to Victoria Peak since 1888. It covers 1.4km up a staggering gradient, and offers impressively vertiginous photo opps over the harbour and skyscrapers of Hong Kong.

• Happy Valley Racecourse
  From September to early July Hong Kong's horse races at Happy Valley are not to be missed. Jockeys in colourful silks, gleaming race horses, and a very vibrant crowd make this a hot spot for photographers. Watch a video of the racing at Happy Valley.

• Trams

Hong Kong has the only tram network in the world that exclusively runs double decker trams. The trams have been running since 1904 and still serve 240,000 commuters every day. They trundle between Shau Kei Wan and Kennedy Town, with a branch connecting to Happy Valley. A trip costs just HK$2 per adult, which is amazing photographic value-for-money.

The Quieter Side of Hong Kong

• Seafood restaurants and villages, Lamma Island
  See a fish, pick a fish, eat that fish. The seafood restaurants on laid-back Lamma are legendary. Let your lens go into overdrive as you capture village life and seafood feasts.

• Hiking trails, New Territories
  Dramatic views, seclusion and a whole lot of green. These trails offer photographers fantastic shots of Hong Kong's wild side.

• Tai O village, Lantau Island

Visit Tai O to shoot the scenic Pang Uks (stilt houses), that reach out right over the water. The traditional salted fish and shrimp paste shop fronts also make good photographic fodder.

• Tai Chi
  In the early morning people all over Hong Kong head to their nearest outdoor space to practise Tai Chi. The Zoological and Botanical Garden is a great place to shoot if you're willing to get up early (Tai Chi kicks off at about 6:30am).

Hong Kong Festivals

• Chinese New Year
  Chinese New Year is a great time to photograph heaving temples, bustling flower markets, Lai See packets, and the city's biggest celebrations.

• Autumn Festival

After Chinese New Year, this is Hong Kong's biggest celebration and makes for great photographs. Shops, restaurants and outdoor spaces are decorated with lanterns and ribbons. Mooncakes are exchanged, and dragon dances take place across the city. One of the best places to celebrate the Autumn Festival is Victoria Park in Causeway Bay.

Hong Kong Markets

• The Wet Markets
  More death, decapitation and de-scaling than you can imagine, but the wet markets are a brilliant place to get interesting, vibrant shots of Hong Kongers buying their fresh fish, meat and vegetables. Check out the market on Graham Street in Central. Watch a video of a Hong Kong market.

• Bird Market, Mong Kok
  The Yuen Po Street Bird Market is where Hong Kong's songbird owners gather to show off and sell birds in intricately carved cages. Open daily from 7am - 8pm.

• Flower Market, Mong Kok
  The Flower Market's exotic blooms make for some great photographs. Come before Chinese New Year to see families buying auspicious plants to celebrate the new Lunar year. Open daily from 7am - 7pm.

• Goldfish Market, Mong Kok

Goldfish and exotic species of every size, shape and colour are on display here in aquariums and bags. Head to Tung Choi Street to shoot the spectacle. Open daily from 10:30am - 10pm.

We hope you have a brilliant photo tour of Hong Kong and a fantastic time capturing this amazing city on film. To see more photos of Hong Kong from iloho.com click here.

Photo Credits: 'Hong Kong from The Peak' by Emma Torry; 'Nathan road, Kowloon' by JoopDorresteijn; 'Prayers...' by Hina :-); 'Traditional shop in Central' by Emma Torry; 'Blue House in Wanchai' by Taekwonweirdo; 'Apocalypse Now' by .mushi_king; 'Lantern Festival Bird' by timlam18; 'Goldfish Market' by sebr.

By Connie Motz

Looking for something different to do in New Orleans? How does a narrated walking tour through the cobblestoned French Quarter sound? Fairly normal I hear you say, but think again… Thrill seekers can get their kicks at night in "the most haunted city in America," on a walking tour in search of New Orleans' ghosts and spirits.

What will you see on a haunted tour? Who knows: so be sure to take your camera with plenty of film or lots of space on your memory card just in case; when it comes to the paranormal photographs of seemingly uneventful scenes and uninteresting objects can show eerie shapes and strange shadows once they are developed.

Le Petit Theatre du Vieux Carre has been continuously haunted since it was built in 1922. Two young distraught actresses both committed suicide at the theatre; a stagehand from the 1920s still loves to play tricks on current employees; and a ghostly group of children loves to play with the theatre's office equipment.

In the heart of the French Quarter is the Andrew Jackson Hotel, former site of a boarding school where five children lost their lives in a fire in the 1700s. Hotel guests have reported finding photographs on their cameras taken of them from above as they lay sleeping in their beds at night.

The House on Rue Royale is said to be one of the most haunted and most horrific of all the ghostly realms in New Orleans. The mansion was ruled by Mademoiselle Lalaurie who subjected her slaves to various grotesque tortures and caused a little girl to fall from the rooftop to her death in the courtyard below. They say that the screams can still be heard today.

Near Jackson Square is Pirates Alley where the ghost of Jean Lafitte wanders in the early morning hours. His footsteps can be seen on the damp cobblestone street between the Spanish Governor's Mansion and St. Louis Cathedral.

All tour guides within the city of New Orleans are required to be licensed through a combination of residency and general knowledge of the city, so you can be sure that any tour you choose will be informative, safe, and entertaining.

There are several night time tours offered in New Orleans that explore the haunted "hot spots" that have even been featured on The Discovery Channel and The History Channel.

Gray Line Tours features a nightly departure from the Jackson Brewery for a two hour walkabout reasonably priced at USD 22 per adult.

The New Orleans Ghost Tour offered nightly by Haunted History Tours is touted to be the #1 Haunted Tour in the Crescent City. Reservations can be made for the two hour tour online for the price of USD 20 per adult.

For more information on ghostly tours in New Orleans, visit these websites:

• New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau

• Haunted History Tours

• Gray Line Tours

Photo Credits: 'Ghosts of New Orleans' by Diamondduste; 'French Quarter - Andrew Jackson Hotel' by David Paul Ohmer via Flickr (Creative Commons).

If you are travelling to Taiwan's capital, Taipei, then consider exploring the city by bike - both the planet and your wallet will love you.

In a push to make Taipei more environmentally friendly, the city has introduced a system called YouBike that allows visitors to rent one of 500 bicycles from 11 locations across the city.

Once travellers have registered for a YouBike card (short-term and long-term cards are available), rental costs NT$40 (US$1 / £0.70) per day or NT$150 (US$4.50 / £2.70) for 5 days; the first 30 minutes of each session is free and then it costs NT$10 for each additional 15 minutes. A NT$3000 deposit is required.

Bicycle rental is completely automated through the YouBike card.

For more information visit www.youbike.com.tw/upage/english.htm.

Photo by Lin1000.tw via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Want to know what to pack up for your next business trip? We've spoken to business travellers from around the world about the suitcases they recommend for business travel and why.

Ranging in price from USD 125/ £75 to USD 900 / £550 there should be something for every kind of business traveller on our list.

So here, without further ado, are the best suitcases for business travellers:

NATE PARKER, NEW YORK

Travels 200,000 - 250,000 miles per year; Suitcase: Tumi's Alpha Classic Garment Bag

I have owned the same Tumi suitcase for 3 years. It is durable, practical and expensive (multiples of what I have paid for any luggage before). However, it has definitely been worth the money as it's proved itself over and over to be long lasting and functional –perfect for business travel.

If I were to replace it I would go either for exactly the same model, or a smaller version of the same. It keeps suits and shirts wrinkle free and is secure if you need to check it in.

I would definitely recommend this suitcase to a friend. I use it bi-weekly and it is very reliable.

Price: USD 495; Size: 45.5cm x 59.5cm x 14cm (HxWxD).

Find out more about Nate's Tumi suitcase.

SARAH MEYER, HONG KONG

Travels 50,000 miles per year; Suitcase: Samsonite Black Label Opto (Tote on Wheels)

I tend to go on short business trips across Asia-Pacific, so the Samsonite Black Label Opto is perfect for my needs. The front part of the case detaches and becomes a laptop bag; the main part fits into the overhead compartment. You get two bags in one, which is pretty neat!

I think it is a pretty standard suitcase / carry on, but it is good for business trips and doesn't either stand out for being too OTT or too scruffy. If it fell apart tomorrow I would probably replace it with something else, just to try out something new, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't recommend it to a friend. My husband uses it for business trips too, and he has also been very happy with it.

Price: £239.78; Size: L44 x H33.5 x W24.5cm; Weight: 3.7kg.

RICHARD ARCHER-PERKINS, SHANGHAI

Travels 250,000 miles per year; Case: Tumi Alpha, Essential Leather Brief

I always travel with a black soft leather Tumi laptop case; I have owned it now for 18 months. It's excellently designed, practical and has useful hidden compartments to store bits and pieces for my computer.

It was definitely worth the money; I use it every day. It is stylish and very well thought out. If it fell apart tomorrow, which I doubt it would, I would replace it with the same Tumi laptop bag. I think it is very secure, it even has a system to track it if it is lost, but I am sure no-one would hand it in – I get too many envious glances when people see me with it!

Price: Approx. USD 495; External Dimensions: 32cm x 40.5cm x 12.75cm (HxWxD); Laptop Compartment Dimensions: 28.5cm x 35cm x 4.5cm (HxWxD).

SIMON HILL, LONDON

Travels 30,000 miles per year; Suitcase: Antler Tronic Z500

My Antler suitcase is practical, reliable and safe. Compared with other similar suitcases I think the price is mid-range. I've owned it for about 3 years, so in my opinion it was definitely worth buying.

I love it because it always turns up! It is very bog standard looks wise so no-one would ever want to steal it. It isn't ideal in terms of keeping my clothes wrinkle-free for meetings, but it is secure and durable and that counts for a lot.

Price: £119; Size: 56 x 36 x 22 cm; Capacity: 64 ltr; Weight: 4 kg.

ELIZABETH FITZWILLIAM, MELBOURNE

Travels 300,000+ miles per year; Suitcase: Mulberry Large Trolley

I am completely in love with my Mulberry suitcase. It is super stylish and perfect travelling across the world (yes, I am in fashion so I guess the suitcase has to be too!). I have had it for years and it has held up incredibly well. If you're in an industry where making a first impression – down to the last detail - is important (even if you're doing something as unglamorous as waiting at the luggage carousel) then I think Mulberry luggage is ideal – it is chic without being faddy, seasonal, or ever going out of style.

I think my suitcase was definitely worth the money – it is just the best on long business trips. If it were to die on me I would replace it with another one just like it. I can't say it keeps my clothes wrinkle free, but then I don't have to wear suits and I have my clothes looked after by the hotel when I reach my destination, so it doesn't really matter.

I would be wary of checking in my suitcase if I weren't a frequent flyer with frequent flyer perks like business class or first class service, because I do get a lot of envious stares when people see me with it. However, it is completely lockable and it is very hard-wearing so I'm sure I am just being overly wary.

I highly recommend this suitcase – it is a classic. I use it so many times per year and it just keeps on going, what more could you ask for when you spend more time travelling for business than you do at home?

Price: £550; Size: 79 x 47 x 27 cm (H x W x D).

JAMES BENNETT, LONDON

Travels 25,000 miles per year; Suitcase: Antler Laser Cabin Suitcase

I use an Antler suitcase when I travel for business. It is best described as solid and stylish. It wasn't very expensive compared with other suitcase brands that business travellers tend to go for, and it was worth the money.

I love it because it is small enough to put in the overhead locker, but if I had to name a flaw I'd point the finger at the lack of a side pocket, which would be useful for carrying documents and my laptop.

This suitcase is very unlikely to break on me, and if it does it is covered by a 7 year warranty which is a great bonus.

The Antler is secure, extremely durable and reliable – a great option for short-haul business travel.

Price: £75; Size: 52 x 38 x 23 cm; Capacity: 38 ltr; Weight: 2.7 kg.

Which suitcase do you use for business travel? We'd love to know what you trust and why.

Check out these tips for how to keep your luggage safe and secure whilst you're on the road.

Photo credit: Luggage by digiart2001 via Flickr (Creative Commons).

We just love this shot that iloho member JavelinaJ submitted to the site earlier. What stunning light and what a breathtaking view of the Grand Canyon's South Kaibab Trail.

Come and check out the shot in all its glory here. Whilst you're at it, why not show off your own summer travel snaps? We'd love to see them!

By Christina Newberry

Cruising has a reputation as an expensive way to travel, reserved for old folks and young families. But if you live in a port city, it can be a great way to sample the luxury lifestyle and see some exciting ports of call – for less than the price of a train ticket and a hostel.

The cruise industry has been hit hard by the global economic downturn, and that means there are some incredible deals to be had. This May, I headed off on mother-daughter adventure – a 7-night cruise through Alaska for just over $600 each, including all taxes and fees (except tips). In a few weeks, my boyfriend and I are cruising one-way to San Francisco for $240 each – less than the cost of a one-way flight.

Here's what you need to know to get the most out of your cruise dollars:

1. You'll get the best deal if you live in a departure port. If you have to fly in and add hotel costs, prices start to climb fast. From my home base in Vancouver, BC, I've got easy access to the Alaska and Pacific Coastal routes – check the cruiseline websites to find out if they come by your hometown.

2. Max out the amount of alcohol you're allowed to bring on board. Meals and entertainment are included on most cruise ships, but drinks are not. Generally, each passenger is allowed to bring one bottle of wine or equivalent onto the ship at the departure port. With two people to a cabin, that gives you two bottles to nurse through the first few days of your cruise at significantly less cost than buying on-board. The catch? You can only drink the wine in your cabin, technically. We had no trouble pouring it into glasses in the cabin and going to a nicer spot on the ship – we just couldn't take our own drinks into the bars or restaurants aboard.

3. Make your own shore excursions. In Alaska, we hiked, explored old gold-rush historical sites, and did a town walking tour, all without shelling out the big bucks for organizing an outing through the cruise line. For the hike we did in Juneau, our only cost was a $7 bus to the glacier. The cruise line sold day trips to the glacier park for about $80. Use sites like iloho or Tripadvisor to get the inside scoop on what's really worth seeing in each port of call, then arrange it yourself.

4. Make sneaky meals. Technically you're not supposed to take food out of the dining areas on cruise ships, but you're paying for that buffet feast, whether you eat it or not. Our trick was to take a couple extra rolls, pieces of cheese, packs of peanut butter, and pieces of fruit at breakfast to make ourselves picnic lunches for days when we were off the ship at lunchtime. Bring a couple of ziplock bags to make the sneak easier!

5. Take advantage of anything free. The ships have loads of free activities, but you'll quickly learn to spot which are worth attending and which are just sales pitches. One of the best, in my opinion, is the art auctions most ships feature. For one thing, you get a free glass of champagne. Plus, you get a chance to look at some really great art, and learn about some big names in the art world from very knowledgeable art auctioneers.

Follow these five tips and you can have a much cheaper cruise vacation than you ever thought possible. And have fun – there's nothing like indulging in a little (cheap) luxury on the high seas.

All pictures by Christina Newberry.

By Kate Harris

Motorbikes, motorbikes, motorbikes. If a single image can represent a city, for Saigon it is the motorbike. It would be possible to fill an entire photo album with pictures of them alone; a motorbike as a school bus, a motorbike as a grocer's cart, a motorbike as a removal van. On the roads they flow like water through the city, churning like rapids at busy intersections. On the pavements they stand in endless metal rows of makeshift parking lots.

Motorbikes, however, are not the only things to capture the eye, or the imagination, in this city. Spectacular structures and scenes are woven together to reveal vivid impressions of Saigon past and present. Remnants of the Chinese and French occupations form the backdrop to the energetic hurly burly of this modern metropolis.

Two birds with one stone

The square at the top of Dong Khoi, one of District 1's most prominent streets, is an ideal place to get photographing. A central location, it includes two of the most notable architectural legacies of the French colonial era. The Notre Dame Cathedral, built towards the end of the 19th Century using bricks transported from Marseilles, stands at the north-east side of the square. In a city where open space is at a premium, make the most of the plot of grass in front the church to capture an image of this imposing structure.

Rotating ninety degrees to the right, is a similarly beautiful French structure, which at first glance appears to be a railway station but is in fact Ho Chi Minh City's Central Post Office. Under a dome shaped roof, individual wooden phone booths, adorned with clocks displaying times across the world, evoke the feeling of a black and white movie played out on cine reel. If you venture to the back of the post office, you will see a painting of Ho Chi Minh.

Located at the top of Dong Khoi. Notre Dame Cathedral: Han Thuyen. (The front gate may be locked. Also try the entrance on the south west side of the basilica.) Central Post Office: 2 Cong Xa Paris. Open 7am – 9.30pm.

Hard to miss

You won't be the only person photographing the People's Committee Building. This central landmark is right at the heart of downtown Saigon and hard to avoid. The building was originally constructed at the beginning of the 20th Century as the Hôtel de Ville (city hall) and it maintains its ornate colonial edifice. The interior, however, is off limits, so keep your snaps to the outside only.

People's Committee Building, located at the north-west end of Nguyen Hue.

Art's fine by me

Only a few hundred yards from the hectic Ben Thanh Market, the Fine Arts Museum is cloaked in an aura of calm and instantly transports you to colonial Saigon. Shuttered windows adorn a faded yellow façade, contrasted with blue ceramic detailing. The museum itself is not particularly notable for its art, but the interior does offer some interesting shots of its wrought iron staircase, tiled floors and the courtyard that the building encircles. Alternatively, you can wander around to the back of the museum (where you can stroll through some contemporary art galleries) and walk into the courtyard through the back entrance.

Fine Arts Museum, 97A Pho Duc Chinh. Open 9am – 4.30pm.

Gilded glory

Cholon, Saigon's Chinatown, straddles districts 5 and 6. It has the highest concentration of pagodas in the city and is well worth a visit with your camera. Quan Am Pagoda is one of the most notable and is popular with both Vietnamese and Chinese Buddhists. Arrays of colours greet you at the gatehouse, and inside, shafts of sunlight bounce off the heavily gilded altar, statues and wall decorations. Look out for the ornate panels just next to the entrance door, fashioned in gold and lacquer and be sure to walk behind the main altar to the rear courtyard where there is a statue to Quan Am, the goddess of mercy.

Cholon has a different feel to the rest of the city, and the best way to explore it is on foot, absorbing the sights and smells and unearthing the vast array of items on sale from fabric (see below) and handmade scissors to Chinese herbs and lion masks.

Quan Am Pagoda, 12 Lao Tu, Cholon.

The story lies within

Cha Tam Church, built at the turn of the 19th Century, stands in a courtyard so languid and picturesque that it feels a world away from hectic downtown Saigon. In fact, it played an integral part to the city's history when President Ngo Dinh Diem and his brother Ngo Dinh Nhu fled to it for refuge from an attempted coup on 2 November 1963. Upon surrendering, they were escorted from the church under orders of the coup leaders but the soldiers executed the brothers before arrival back in central Saigon.

Cha Tam Church, 25 Hoc Lac, at the western end of Tran Hung Dao, Cholon.

In a city teaming with commerce, almost every street offers an array of wares appealing to the shutterfly. Here's a selection to seek out:

Well heeled

Le Thi Hong Gam, the street adjacent to the Fine Arts Museum, displays a sea of shoes, from sandals to trainers, work shoes to flip-flops. Other leather goods such as belts and wallets lie nestled in between these knock-offs of well known brands. This street doesn't have the bustle of the market, but is impressive for its sheer quantity of goods.

I want to ride my bicycle

If the road isn't full of motorbikes, then it's full of motorbike parts. Pham Huu Chi in the Cholon district of Ho Chi Minh City is a grease monkey's and photographer's dream. The street is covered with everything you could need to build or repair a bike. Wing mirrors dangle from shop ceilings, lights are heaped in piles by the doorway, spare tyres stack up on the pavement and there is a constant racket of clanging metal.

Like the cut of your cloth

The rolls of fabric on sale in Saigon offer myriad photo opportunities. In Tan Dinh Market, cloth merchants sit atop of mountains of material, or perch on small stools eating noodles in the tiny gangways between each stall. The colourful silks in Ben Thanh Market brighten the dimness of this vast covered market built in 1914. But beware, by far the most tourist savvy of the markets, you may want to think twice before taking your camera out. Pop outside to see the main entrance with its belfry and clock, which has become a symbol of Saigon. To view the fabrics in the natural light, journey to Nguyen Trai and Do Ngoc Thanh streets in Cholon. Wait for a store-owner to unravel a spool and you can capture an unending parade of shapes and colours.

Tan Dinh Market: Hai Ba Trung, Walk 200 yards north-west along Hai Ba Trung from the intersection with Vo Thi Sau; Ben Thanh Market: intersection of Le Loi, Ham Nghi, Tran Hung Dao and Le Lai.

Knick Knack anyone?

War memorabilia abounds in Saigon and there are a variety of places to go to peruse for GI Zippos and combat boots. Dan Sinh Market, also known as The War Memorabilia Market, houses all of this and more and you have to fight through the busy networks of hardware stalls to track down your goods. The more photogenic option is the nearby street, Le Cong Kieu. This street has a large number of shops opening onto the road, offering an eclectic mix of artefacts and bric a brac. Old money, ceramic vases, gramophone players all jostle for space. If you switch from taking pictures to taking pieces, be careful, as not all of what is for sale is authentic.

Dan Sinh Market, 104 Yersin.

We like it fresh

The mountains of fresh food piled high on carts, or transported on motorbikes make excellent photo opportunities and there's no shortage of markets and street restaurants to snap away at. Most central is Ben Thanh Market, which is also surrounded by a hubbub of food stalls. For some more open-air markets, take a wander along the streets leading off Nguyen Trai in Cholon. Down here, you can also weave in and out of the stalls selling traditional Chinese herbs around Trieu Quang Phuc Street.

And finally... time to unwind

Ho Chi Minh City does not have many parks to boast of, and yet there is an unmistakeable feeling of tropical greenery in some areas of the city, most notably along the banks of the Saigon River. Perhaps the most relaxing way to record the river, and tune your zoom lens onto the vibrant pink bougainvillea leaves, is to take a taxi out to District 2, known as An Phu. Visit the waterside bar and restaurant The Deck for a sundowner and snap away in peaceful seclusion.

The Deck Restaurant, 38 Nguyen U Di, An Phu, District 2, HCMC; Tel: +84 (0) 8344 6632.

Photo Credits: Photos by Kate Harris, apart from 'The Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon' by Quang Minh (YILKA) and 'Hotel de Ville de Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam' by yeowatzup.

By Ross Bowers

Morocco made me slightly hesitant to go on another holiday in an Arab country – the happy snaps look idyllic, but they don't reveal the heat, hassle, snorting and swindling going on just out of shot. Nevertheless, I was intrigued by Petra and the Dead Sea and thought a trip to Jordan was an opportunity not to be missed.

Travelling with two pretty girls added to my trepidation about heading back to North Africa as I adopted the self-aggrandising role of guardian of the two blondes.

'Would you like to buy a necklace for your tall wife?'

'No thank you very much'

'How about for your short wife?'

Confused and envious eyes followed me everywhere and I was on red alert for phlegm assaults, pick pockets and devious taxi drivers. I was worrying unnecessarily – the girls are tougher than me, the Jordanian people are kind and honest, and the country is clean and well organised. The best bit about travelling to Jordan is that most of the sights can be covered in a week; the tourist circuit is fairly well trodden so getting around is easy and there are always people to share transport with.

We landed in the bustling metropolis of Amman, spending a couple of nights there whilst visiting the ancient ruins at Jerash before hotfooting it down to Petra along the King's Highway, a rich chain of historical and archaeological sites. We stopped at Madaba, the 'City of Mosaics', Mount Nebo (which, according to the final chapter of Deuteronomy, is where Moses was given a view of the Promised Land), and the fortified town and castle of Karak.

Petra alone makes the trip to Jordan worthwhile; one of the seven wonders of the modern world, it is a vast city, carved into the red rock by the Nabataeans more than 2,000 years ago. It was an important hub for the silk, spice and other trade routes that linked China, India and southern Arabia with Egypt, Syria, Greece and Rome.

Since Petra was featured in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, the locals have gone a little Indiana crazy with most stalls offering some sort of Harrison Ford souvenirs. But it is hard not to be transported to another era as speeding horses gallop past, weaving their way through colonnaded streets to the treasury, temples, sacrificial altars and eventually the Monastery up 800 rock cut steps. Camels and donkeys provide every opportunity for some amusing photos along the way.

Next stop was the desert and towering rock formations of Wadi Rum - Lawrence of Arabia's headquarters during the Arab Revolt against the Ottomans (1917 – 1918). Here we experienced our first bit of swindling.

Wadi Rum itself is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is actually a fenced reserve. Several tour operators however, take you just outside of the site, put you up in sub-standard tented camps and drive you around in jeeps pretending that you are in the real Wadi Rum. Thankfully they are so convincing that we enjoyed the experience in blissful ignorance – only realising later that we had visited 'not-quite-Wadi Rum'. Our suspicions were only aroused when we realised that we were the only guests staying in our tented camp.

The next day we witnessed the breathtaking beauty of the Dana Nature Reserve (where the Feynan Eco Lodge and project is excellent) en route to two nights at the Marriott Dead Sea Resort and Spa for the luxury finale to the holiday.

The lowest point on earth, the Dead Sea, is a marvel – the health benefits of the sea itself and the mud are well known and we quickly covered ourselves in mud and floated whilst reading a newspaper. Hours of amusement: until you get sea water in your eyes.

I tried out the most unique Dead Sea treatment I could find, a mud / wrap / flotation, which turned out to be the worst hour of my life. I was greeted by a large Jordanian man, given a pathetic pair of paper undies, covered in mud, wrapped in cling film and then engulfed in a human-sized hot water bottle with only my head sticking out for air. Large Jordanian man then left so that I could 'relax' / suffer from acute claustrophobia. It was so hot that the mud and sweat dripped in to my eyes and since I was in a cling film straight-jacket there wasn't much I could do about it.

After that experience I decided to stick to eating and drinking. Just about any cuisine is available in Jordan, and if you can avoid the drive through Starbucks there are some great dishes to try out. I particularly enjoyed the Mansaf, which is a Bedouin dish consisting of rice, a rich broth made from dry sour milk (jameed), and either lamb or chicken. Simple, but tasty.

On our final morning, the maître d' welcomed us to breakfast with a cheerful 'It's nice to be here', um – I think you mean 'It's nice to have you here', but it was nice to be there - Jordan is an amazing country where you can relax and enjoy a real sense of adventure and cultural learning at the same time.

Photos by Ross Bowers, except Bedouin Man by hazy jenius, Wadi Rum by Tbass Effendi and Dead Sea Reflection by Mr. Kris via Flickr.

We've just uploaded The Business Traveller's Guide to Macau, check it out here.

The new guide is designed to help busy business travellers to Macau know how and where to wow clients and colleagues. It includes tips on where to stay, eat, drink, shop, spa, gamble and the best places to experience Macau.

We hope you like it - do leave your comments.

By Christina Newberry

The Internet can be a fickle ally when it comes to planning adventures. You can find amazing deals, but you can also get yourself into hot water by booking with a shady company or hotel. Or, you can have your heart broken bit by bit as you discover perfect place after perfect place to stay that just happen to be way beyond your travel budget.

This last scenario happened to me when I came across the website for Azulik, an "ecoresort" in Tulum, Mexico. The concept is magical – large, private cabanas overlooking the roaring surf, with soaker tubs on every balcony. At Azulik the eco-resort concept means no electricity, no phone, and no air conditioning, but the indoor and outdoor tubs promise plenty of hot water. And you can summon a staff member to take your room service order by raising a flag at your cabana's front door. The online pictures are stunning. I was smitten.

The only problem? Rooms start at US$325 per night. On a trip that was built around hostel stays and self-catering apartments at a tenth of that price, Azulik was simply out of reach. I cursed at the picture of a woman lounging in an outdoor soaking tub, overlooking the sea below.

And then – oh, and then – I noticed the small link on Azulik's homepage pointing to current specials. Among other deals, I found the one that would cure my heartbreak – 60% off regular rates for booking a room within 24 hours of arrival. With a month in Mexico and no set plans of where I had to be and when, this option was workable. Yes!

Soon, my partner and I found ourselves settling in for three nights in the honeymoon suite. Regularly priced at US$350 per night, the 60% discount brought it to US$140 per night: still not budget accommodation, but within the realm of the reasonable. With a king-sized bed draped in a lovely mosquito net, plus hanging beds and soaker tubs carved from large trees both inside and outside, it was stunning. I got myself into that soaking tub as soon as I could – now I was the woman in the picture I had seen online. Bliss!

As we eased into the vibe of the place, I took advantage of the free morning yoga classes, got used to evenings lit only by candlelight, and continued to be blown away by our good fortune. I even came to appreciate the iguanas who were on constant watch on the cliffs below (except the one who skittered into the room to lick jam off the remains of a breakfast tray). As I relaxed, I started to warm up to the idea of leaving my swimsuit behind and hitting the beach below.

Ah, yes – Azulik has a clothing-optional beach (it is, in fact, a clothing-optional resort). Raised in a straight-laced protestant home, I never pictured myself frolicking naked in the waves (a long-time Vancouver resident, I've never even ventured near Wreck Beach, our local clothing-optional haunt). But as Mexican time took hold and the eco-resort atmosphere seeped into my soul, I found myself throwing caution to the wind. In the crashing surf, bare as the day I was born, looking up at our cabana on the clifftop, I realised – life is simple; life is good.

IF YOU GO

Azulik is the most luxurious of three properties that make up EcoTulum Resorts and Spa. Copal offers mid-range accommodations, and Zahra caters to the budget traveller. All have direct beach access. Copal and Azulik are clothing-optional.

Where: Tulum, Mexico.

Cost: High season (Nov. 15 to April 30 and July 15 – Aug. 31): US$40 per night for a basic no-bath cabana at Zahra up to US$350 per night for the luxurious honeymoon suite at Azulik. Online specials can save you 20% – 60%.

Contacts: The resort's main site, www.ecotulum.com, offers information on all three properties. For individual properties, visit www.azulik.com, www.cabanascopal.com and www.zahra.com.mx.

Photo Credits: Images by Christina Newberry, except 'Azulik, Doce' by jason_chinn via Flickr.

By Connie Motz

In the Caribbean, tucked underneath Cuba and only 100 square miles in total, lie the three Cayman Islands – Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman.

The Cayman Islands maintain a high standard of living and are known for their abundance of white sand beaches and endless water sports, including snorkelling and world class scuba diving.

With many shore excursion options available for the first time visitor, it can visiting the Caymans be overwhelming but there is a certain draw in being able to say you've been to Hell and back.

Located mid-island on Grand Cayman, Hell is a town with hardly any inhabitants – there are a few souvenir stores and the all important post office; nothing like sending a card back home from Hell just to prove you've survived.

Shore excursions label Hell as a town "featuring a pre-historical rock formation that some think Hell must surely look like." A viewing platform leads visitors to see shards of black limestone jutting out of the lifeless darkened ground as if it were the remains of a volcanic hell fire.

The ancient geological formation of jagged rocks is surrounded by dark and gloomy waters presenting an ominous, almost sinister scene. Educational guides explain that the rocks are a combination of iron shore (a type of dolomite) and limestone estimated at being 1.5 million years old.

The razor-sharp blackened rock appears to be volcanic in nature but is only coated in dark algae. The somewhat horrific landscape of Hell is framed by lush green mangroves and palm trees reminding visitors that the true beauty of the island still exists.

Everyone is invited to take the token tacky tourist picture with the cardboard cut-out devil. Postcards and other souvenirs are available for purchase with sayings like "I've been to Hell and back" and "HFD – Hell Fire Department."

Many visitors to Grand Cayman will experience a trip to Hell and will live to tell the tale.

Photo Credits: Welcome to Hell by J. Stephen Conn, Hell's Rocks by Connie Motz.

I love a good list, and National Geographic Traveler has come up trumps with the "50 Books for Summer"; whether you're going to Australia or Venezuela, there will be something for you here.

Here's a preview of the top 10.

1. Nepal: The Snow Leopard, by Peter Matthiessen (1978).

NatGeo says: Matthiessen is a multi-task traveler. In this book—one of many fine ones he's written—he and zoologist friend George Schaller trek through Nepal in physical search of Himalayan blue sheep and the rare snow leopard, and in spiritual search (Matthiessen is a Zen Buddhist) of the Lama of Shey at the ancient Buddhist shrine on Crystal Mountain. Enlightenment, anyone? Buy 'The Snow Leopard' now.

2. Patagonia: In Patagonia, by Bruce Chatwin (1977).

NatGeo says: Let's face it: Chatwin was weird, but brilliantly so. This book, launched around a childhood fancy for his grandma's scrap of giant sloth skin, takes him to the "uttermost part of the Earth," from Rio Negro to the Chilean town of Punta Arenas. Buy 'In Patagonia' now.

3. The Arctic: Arctic Dreams: Imagination and Desire in a Northern Landscape by Barry Lopez (1986).

NatGeo says: Lopez is dreamy, and his meditation on the "last frontiers" of the Arctic is as much about natural history as it is about human landscapes of imagination, desire, and progress. This National Book Award-winner is based on his travels throughout the North, including Baffin Island, Canada's Northwest Territories, and Greenland. Buy 'Arctic Dreams' now.

4. Hong Kong: Hong Kong, by Jan Morris (1989).

NatGeo says: The ever-piquant Morris masterfully unravels the enigma that is Hong Kong, from its Sino-British bipolarity to its megalithic economic structure, its hypercrowded urban landscape to its surprisingly under-explored nature reserves. Buy 'Hong Kong' now.

5. Australia: In a Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson (2000).

NatGeo says: Bryson would probably be the perfect desert-island companion—an acerbic naturalist and historian who just can't keep an absurd moment or thought to himself. His Australia story teems with toxic caterpillars and ridiculous place-names ("Tittybong," for one). Buy 'In a Sunburned Country' now.

6. Venezuela: In Trouble Again: A Journey Between the Orinoco and the Amazon, by Redmond O'Hanlon (1988).

NatGeo says: Here's where travel becomes, perhaps, too adventurous: Thrill-seeking, hilarious O'Hanlon takes a four-month river trip and trek in the jungles of Venezuela, a buggy, shadowy, prehistoric-seeming netherworld. The result? An illuminating diary of the jungle's wildlife and people. Buy 'In Trouble Again: A Journey Between Orinoco and the Amazon' now.

7. Paris: A Moveable Feast, by Ernest Hemingway (1964).

NatGeo says: "This is how Paris was in the early days when we were very poor and very happy," recollects Hemingway in this vivid memoir of 1920s Paris, a metropolis brimming with creative types and revolutionary ideas. Buy 'A Moveable Feast' now.

8. China: The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time, by Simon Winchester (1996).

NatGeo says: Historian Winchester seems to know everything, but he's such an engaging raconteur you can hardly begrudge him his smarts. Here he travels the 3,434-mile (5,526-kilometer)Yangtze River, reflecting on the historic importance of the river and the social straits in which the Chinese now find themselves. Buy 'The River at the Center of the World: A Journey Up the Yangtze, and Back in Chinese Time' now.

9. U.S.: Travels with Charley: In Search of America, by John Steinbeck (1961).

NatGeo says: "When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me, I was assured by mature people that maturity would cure this itch," Steinbeck begins. The itch in question went unscratched until, at 58, he launched a road trip from Maine to California—accompanied by his poodle, Charley. The America he discovers surprises both himself and his readers. Buy 'Travels with Charley in Search of America' now.

10. Hungary: Valeria's Last Stand, by Marc Fitten (2009).

NatGeo says: This stripped-down modern day fairy tale depicts Zivatar, a fictional village in Hungary, as a place where not much new happens — until one fateful day when the town grump, 68-year-old Valeria, sees the elderly village potter as if for the first time, and is thunderstruck with love. Much of the charm of this tale lies in Fitten's portrayal of Zivatar, a place so far off the beaten track that German tanks (during WWII), Russian tanks (during the 1956 revolution), and even the modern highway all ignore it. Buy 'Valeria's Last Stand' now.

See the full list at traveler.nationalgeographic.com.

Photo Credit: Rest in Peace by Randy Son Of Robert via Flickr (Creative Commons).

If you're aiming for the pinnacle of London luxury next time you travel to The Big Smoke, check out The Connaught hotel's hot new offering, The Apartment.

Designed by David Collins and located on the top floor of The Connaught, The Apartment mixes art, culture and literature to create the feel of a private collector's home. The space comprises of a double height sitting-room, dining room, a master-bedroom with a dressing room and en-suite marble bathroom, a guest bedroom with en suite bathroom, and two landscaped decked terraces with views over the rooftops of Mayfair.

David Collins said he intended to create "an iconic, unique home from home". The Apartment is design for "a discerning client: well travelled, informed and with an appreciation of design and the art of living. It is a private place for a chosen few and a very personal design statement".

Distinctive touches in The Apartment include a library of twentieth century novels, art history books and rare volumes; antique and contemporary artworks; lilac leather lined cabinetry; a bespoke card table; a four poster bed; a custom designed white marble fireplace and a capsule collection of Guerlain beauty products.

Fashionistas can brief The Connaught to scour the neighbouring designer shops for goodies and have them waiting in the dressing room prior to arrival. Foodies and hosts-with-the-most can have their personal Connaught butler arrange a private dinner party, with menus specially designed by two-Michelin star chef Hélène Darroze.

The Apartment's rates are upon request so you can bet your bottom dollar luxury this serious has a price tag to match.

The Connaught, Carlos Place, London W1K 2AL; Tel: +44 (0)207 499 7070, Web: www.the-connaught.co.uk.

By Kate Harris

No matter what brings you to Ho Chi Minh City, be it a weekend getaway or a six month backpacking trip, you'll have slurped your way through one too many bowls of delicious Pho; you'll have lugged a new suitcase back to your hotel, loaded with exquisite lacquer that you just couldn't resist; you'll have sunk a couple of rocket fuel coffees to keep you going through the museums and your heartbeat is still racing from crossing the road. In short, it's time for a break. It's time for a trip to L'Apothiquaire.

L'Apothiquaire is a spa and retreat tucked away down a side street in District 3. As you step off the pavement and walk down a tree lined pathway, the sound of motorbike horns fading behind you, you are greeted by an almost fairytale scene: a white colonial French building stands with its doors thrown open in welcome and next to it, an arc of pink bougainvillea bends gracefully over a serene swimming pool. On the inside of the front door a plaque is nailed to the wall. It reads 'Silence is Golden.' This is your refuge for the next few hours.

As its name suggests, L'Apothiquaire is a spa that prescribes products and treatments developed from natural ingredients, all of which are made and tested in France. A quick introduction to some of the products feels something akin to a chemistry lesson as you listen to a roll call of familiar ingredients but all of them used for unfamiliar effect. If you're feeling an uncomfortable layer of traffic fumes clinging obstinately to your slightly sweaty face, you might chose a facial with a cleanser developed from lemon (anti-bacterial), Pilosella (anti-fungal) and Rosemary and Thyme (anti-septic). All the products are elegantly packaged for sale, so if you're planning on making the most of Saigon's nightlife, you might want to consider purchasing their best selling 'Contour des Yeux' ($34, 15ml) to 'diminish dark circles and puffiness.'

If choosing between a purifying facial and a dry skin facial sounds too much like hard work, then there is a menu of less complicated treatments to chose from. You can wear off those fresh spring rolls with an anti-fat massage, try something new with a mud body wrap or just kick off your dusty flip-flops and collapse into a chair for a foot massage. All of these chairs are a surprising bright pink, and, coupled with swathes of purple velvet curtains they set a theatrical tone for your pampering. One room, designed to accommodate group bookings, has eight dazzling mock regency chairs laid out as if you're being treated in the court of Louis XIV. A royal service indeed.

For those of you with some caffeine still to burn, there is the top-floor studio where a range of classes are on offer including Yoga, T'ai Chi and Qi Gong. A session in here and you're now all set with toned skin and stretched limbs – or even stretched skin and toned limbs – and ready to head back into the city. It won't be long before your skin will be besieged by sunshine or air-conditioning, but at least you gave it a couple of hours respite.

Book in advance at: La Maison de L'Apothiquaire, 64A Truong Dinh Street, District 3, Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: +848 3932 5181 / 3932 5082; Web: www.lapothiquaire.com.

Additional location at: L'Apothiquaire Artisan Beauté, 61-63 Le Thanh Ton, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City; Tel: +848 3822 1218.

By Helena Iveson

Beijing must rank as one of the world's best cities for shutterbugs. From world-famous sights like the Forbidden City, with its vermilion walls and brocade-like golden eaves, to the grey muted tones of the city's hutong alleys where locals sit and watch the world cycle by, Beijing's colours and contrasts are there for the taking.

But while travel photographers seek to capture the essence of traditional Beijing – and watching the sun set on the Forbidden City from the summit of Jingshan Park is unbeatable – don't overlook the best of the new, from the Egg - the futuristic and austere looking National Centre for the Performing Arts near Tiananmen Square - to the quirky and twisted CCTV Building, now bordered by the burnt out remains of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel which was set on fire by fireworks in February. The burnt out shell might not be pretty, but photographic? Definitely.

These tips aim to help photography loving travellers and travel loving photographers come home armed with the best Beijing shots possible. If a picture can paint a thousand words, imagine what a really good picture can do…

THE TRADITIONAL

The Lama Temple: The Lama Temple is the Beijing's biggest Buddhist temple and it is splendidly atmospheric. The complex, which is made up of brightly coloured courtyards, prayer halls and statues, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, and the contrast between mini-skirted women with Louis Vuitton bags burning incense watched by chanting shaven-haired monks is worth a few shots. The best time to head here is first thing in the morning or just before it shuts at 4.30pm.

12 Yonghegong Dajie, Dongcheng district. Tel: +86 10 6404 4499; Open daily 9 – 4.30pm; Nearest subway: Lama Temple.

Confucius Temple: About 50 metres north of the Lama Temple is this quiet but impressive temple which commemorates Confucius, China's best-known philosopher. First built in 1302, the complex has been knocked down and renovated throughout its history and while there are plenty of un-renovated gently fading buildings, the newly painted buildings are bright and inviting. The temple's courtyard is full of stele, commemorating the scholars that passed the imperial exam during the Qing, Ming and part of the Yuan dynasties: unfortunately you cannot read the characters on the stele anymore because of weathering. This temple receives relatively few visitors, so if you need a break from the crowds but want some shots of imperial architecture, head here.

13 Guozijian Jie, Dongcheng district. Tel: +86 10 8402 7224; Open daily 9 -5pm; Nearest Subway: Lama Temple.

Beijing's Hutongs (around the Drum and Bell Towers): Just north of the square between these two towers is a maze of historic Qing dynasty alleys where you're near guaranteed to get that hutong money shot. Think peeling paint, old men playing checkers, people bicycling by... Look out for Doufuchi Hutong where Mao Zedong used to live, before taking a left onto Baochao Hutong. The charm of the area is finding it: you have to navigate yourself round winding lanes and will probably encounter more than one dead-end, but who cares? Just watch out for the rickshaw riders who power round corners at speed just as you're focusing your shot.

North of Drum and Bell Towers, Gulou Dajie, Dongcheng district; Nearest Subway: Gulou.

THE NEW

The Egg: Ahead of the 2008 Olympics, Beijing's authorities added some architectural spice with the unveiling of the National Centre for Performing Arts mere metres from Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City. Some absolutely hate the building, and it certainly stands out in the area for being more space-age than Stalinist. Designed by French architect Paul Andreu, the building steals the limelight from the two historical and political symbols of the capital and while few seem to actually go into the building to see a performance, there are always lots of photographers capturing the place through their viewfinders.

Xi Chang'an Jie, Xicheng district; Nearest Subway: Tiananmen West.

The Watercube: The Beijing Olympic Games served as a catalyst for one of the most dramatic reinventions ever seen by a city, and every keen travel photographer should catch the subway to the Olympic Park to see the twisted pylons of the National Stadium, popularly known as the Bird's Nest, and the dramatic over-sized bubbles of the National Aquatics Centre, aka the Watercube. I prefer the latter for its eye-catching exterior that looks good close-up or from a distance. You can even go for a swim there, and act out those Michael Phelps fantasies, after you've got your shots.

Olympic Green, Haidian district; Nearest Subway: Olympic Green.

THE QUIRKY

The Workers' Stadium: If Soviet-style art gets your heart racing but a trip to Russia isn't on the agenda, rest assured that there are plenty of throwbacks to a bygone era dotted around Beijing. The Workers' Stadium, which was the venue for the football competitions at the Olympics in 2008, was built in 1959 when relations between China and Russia were warm and comradely. At the entrance look out for the huge statue of a suspiciously western looking couple, with the muscle-bound man holding a flag aloft, and a woman raising her right arm in triumph. They don't make them like this anymore…

Workers' Stadium, Gongti Bei Lu, Chaoyang district; Nearest subway: Dongsishitiao.

Beach life, Beijing style: The city may be land-locked, but that doesn't stop Beijing's millions of residents – sometimes it seems all at the same time – from wanting to cool down with a swim and descending on Tuanjiehu Park in the centre of the city. It's a people-watching, travel photographer's paradise: tattooed young dudes on the prowl ogling high heeled wearing bikini-clad babes mix in with young kids splashing around watched by eagle-eyed parents and grandparents who sit sedately on the artificial beach.

Tuanjiehu Park, Dongsanhuan, Chaoyang district. Tel: +81 10 8597 4677; Nearest subway: Tuanjiehu.

For more travel information about Beijing, click here.

Photo Credits: confucius prayers by latigi. All other images by Helena Iveson.

In honour of the total eclipse of the sun tomorrow - the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century - we bring you this incredible shot by n0ll of a solar eclipse seen last year from the Gobi desert.

We'll be watching tomorrow from Hong Kong and Shanghai and will let you know how it goes.

By Christina Newberry

Chichen Itza, an ancient Mayan city on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Every day, thousands of tourists flock to the site to witness the grandiose architecture of the Mayan people. But twice a year, Chichen Itza is more than just an archaeological site. On the spring and fall equinoxes, Chichen Itza becomes a magical place, when the Mayan serpent god Kulkulkan appears in full view on the pyramid that bears his name.

Kulkulkan's appearance is a marvel of Mayan engineering. The Kulkulkan pyramid, also known as "El Castillo", is constructed so that for just one hour, only twice a year, the angle of the sun is exactly right for the shadows to form the image of a feathered serpent descending the west wall of the temple. This serpent is the Mayan god Kulkulkan.

On March 21, the spring equinox, I hopped on a bus packed full with other travellers hoping to catch a glimpse of the ancient god in the present day. The night before, there had been a storm. Water fell from the sky like nothing I had ever seen before, and wild winds rattled the windows. With the spring equinox coming, it seemed nature was throwing her weight around, making sure we were all paying attention to the changing of the seasons.

And so, as we began our long, hot ride to the archaeological site, we were all nervous – the clouds were out, and we had all witnessed first-hand what could come from those clouds. Since Kulkulkan's appearance is based on the position of the sun and the formation of shadows, we were hopeful but not certain that we would see him on this, our only opportunity.

After exploring the site, we all gathered in front of the pyramid – hot, sweaty, and thirsty from the intense heat despite the gray sky – holding our breath to see what would happen. Some people burned incense. Others prayed – to Kulkulkan or to another god, I'm not sure. The serpent started to form, there were breaks of sun, and 70,000 visitors cheered in unison. But then the sun slipped behind a solid, massive cloud, and it looked like our hopes of seeing Kulkulkan in his full form had been dashed.

The crowd started to break up, but thousands of us refused to budge, hoping against hope that there would be a break in the huge cloud – just for a moment. A few times, the sun shone dimly through, and we could get an idea of what we were missing. The pale outline of Kulkulkan was visible, and this only made us want the full experience even more.

And then, finally, it happened. From behind an impossibly huge, thick, solid cloud, the sun appeared. And there was Kulkulkan, perfectly formed, just as he would have been 1,500 years ago when there were Mayans living at Chichen Itza. Everyone's arms flew into the air together, as we thanked the Mayans (and maybe their gods) for giving us this incredible gift.

Then, suddenly, as if to emphasize the changing of the seasons that Kulkulkan's presence signifies, the skies opened up, and with the sun still shining, it started to rain.

Photo Credits: Christina Newberry and newpn2000 (via Flickr).

By Helena Iveson

Canberra might be Australia's capital city but it doesn't exactly top a list of the country's must-do destinations. While both Aussies and tourists can be unfairly beastly about the place, locals say stuff 'em – and that means there's more chance of a table at Silo, Canberra's best bakery and café bar none.

Everyday there's a queue of hungry Canberrians outside the whitewashed walled café in the cosmopolitan suburb of Kingston, including a smattering of famous media types and often a buffed up member of the Brumbies Rugby union team who play nearby, waiting to take away some of Silo's delectable artisan style bread and pastries - try the blackcurrant and Cabernet tart if it hasn't sold out.

Silo's walk-in cheese room at the back of the café is the place for any fan of the hard stuff (or washed-rind varieties, or soft cheeses) to feast their eyes upon.

If it's still morning, queue for one of their tables and settle down for a fabulous brunch. The menu (served before 11.30am only – show up at 11.31am and you'll be dismissed with a curt shrug) is full of delicious treats, but I find it impossible to go past the belt-busting Basque piperade with grilled chorizo - though the chilli jam on fried eggs and tomatoes has me cursing that I don't have two stomachs. One of these choices plus a flat white coffee is a legendary way to start the day, though be warned: Silo's staff are renowned for their breathtaking rudeness. But grit your teeth and ignore them as the food is so good, even this Miss Manners will come back for more.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 7am – 4pm.

36 Giles Street, Kingston, Canberra, ACT 2604, Australia; Tel: +61 (0)2 6260 6060; Web: www.silobakery.com.au.

Check us out over at WanderFood Wednesday.

By Andy Hayes

Visitors to England often spend most or all of their time in London and its surrounding villages and countryside, overlooking some of the more intriguing cities of the North, such as Manchester, which is experiencing a cultural boom. Here are just a few of the best things to see and do during a stay in Manchester, whether your trip is a quick weekend break or a longer stay.

WALK AND SEE MANCHESTER

Manchester's city centre has been transformed in recent years to entice locals to live and work in the area, so now you'll find art galleries, museums, shopping, and restaurants all within easy reach. Manchester's centre also provides access to the canal network, formerly the backbone of the city's industrial heritage but now a walker's haven with many workers using the route as a stress-free commute.

Don't miss stops such as the Manchester Cathedral, Manchester Town Hall - one of the most important Victorian buildings in England - and The Manchester Wheel. If you get tired of walking you can be anywhere in Manchester quickly with the easy-to-use tram and bus system.

EAT MANCHESTER

Like London, Manchester has a truly diverse population and the city's cuisine follows suit – so much so there is even an annual food and drink festival (1 - 12 Oct 2009). One of the most popular places to dine is an area of Rusholme called "Curry Mile". Resembling a subdued version of the Las Vegas strip, the street is lined on both sides with neon signs beckoning you for a beer and a curry.

You can't go wrong with a meal in this part of town – try the Royal Naz (18 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester; Tel: +44 161 256 1060) or Shere Khan (50-52 Wilmslow Rd, Manchester; Tel: +44 161 256 2624), a couple of Manchester's more famous curry houses. Manchester seems to have a penchant for Asian food, as you can always find good Chinese, Japanese, or Korean restaurants around the city.

PARTY MANCHESTER

For the city which spawned its own rock genre, "Madchester," it is no surprise to see partying at the top of the list. Mancunians of all orientations flock to the "Gay Village" for drinks, music, and fun. Eden Bar (3 Brazil Street & Canal Street, Manchester; Tel: +44 161 237 9852) is a top choice that caters to all lifestyles and it even has its own canal barge for the summer months. Many of the venues in the Gay Village are refurbished cotton warehouses, another reminder of how the city's industrial past turning into a cosmopolitan future.

Piccadilly Gardens is also a lovely place for a drink, as well as the Northern Quarter, where you can find Mancunian music and an off-beat crowd. The Roadhouse (8 Newton St, Manchester; Tel: +44 161 228 1789) is one of the more famous live music venues, or you can try Australian-themed Billie Rox (106 Portland St, Manchester; Tel: +44 161 228 2036) bar for fun down-under anthems.

SLEEP MANCHESTER

If you go to Manchester, your best bet is to stay fairly centrally, such as near Piccadilly Station – the Malmaison on Piccadilly is an excellent choice if your budget suits. To catch a glimpse of the local television stars, stay at the Victoria and Albert Hotel on Water Street, as often actors will pop in for an after-work drink in the bar. Budget seekers should head for the Hotel Ibis on Portland Street, which has fantastic rates given its central location.

Photo Credits: Canal Street, Manchester by Coradia1000; On Wilmslow Road by iwouldstay; Madchester by mikecolvin82 via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Udaipur, the "City of Lakes" in Rajasthan, India, has been crowned "World's Best City" for travellers in a Travel+Leisure travel poll.

Udaipur beat last year's winner Bangkok and last year's number 3 choice, Cape Town, into first place.

The Top 10 Cities of 2009 are:

1. Udaipur, India
2. Cape Town, South Africa
3. Bangkok, Thailand
4. Buenos Aires, Argentina
5. Chiang Mai, Thailand
6. Florence, Italy
7. Luang Prabang, Laos
8. New York, USA
9. Rome, Italy
10. San Francisco, USA

Another Indian travel hot-spot, Jaipur, was voted number 12 on the list.

For a full list of results, click here.

Photo Credit: Udaipur City Palace by guy_incognito via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Andy Hayes

Many visitors to Scotland come for the medieval feel and cobblestone streets of Edinburgh, the capital city. Some venture briefly into the Highlands to see Loch Ness and have a look around for Nessie, the monster. But those who make the effort to head further afield are rewarded with stunning islands with gorgeous beaches, charming villages, and a peaceful experience where time slows down.

You'll most likely need to rent a car to make the most of your time, although in a few select cases you'll be able to find a bus tour of the area. The countryside is expansive and there few public transport options, so just select a few key places to focus your attention, or otherwise you'll spend all your time travelling. To get you started, here are a few of my favourite islands which you should consider on your next Scottish tour.

ISLAY

Islay, pronounced "eye-la," is one of the best known of a groups of islands off the west coast of Scotland, known as the Hebrides. Islay is home to nine distilleries, including some of Scotland's most popular whisky exports like Laphroaig, Bowmore, and Bunnahabhain. Explore the sandy coastline and relax in one of the quiet villages. Islay has some of the best views of the snow-capped mountains on neighbouring island, Jura (see image above).

If You Go: The ferry journey is an hour and a half from the mainland; ferries depart from Tarbert, which is 2.5 hours west of Glasgow. The best time of year to visit is May or June, especially since the Islay Whisky Festival takes place at the end of May.

SKYE

Skye is one of the largest islands off the West coast of Scotland, and its popularity has increased with the construction of a car/rail bridge connecting it to the mainland, making it easy to travel to. Because of this, there are a number of tourist attractions on the island, such as estates, castles, museums, boat tours, and even a music festival in June. Don't miss the amazing landscape either, from the Old Man of Storr (probably the most famous rock formation in Scotland) to Kilt Rock and its steep waterfall.

If You Go: Tour operators run round-trip bus tours to Skye from Edinburgh. You can access the island via car directly or via rail from a connecting service in Inverness or Glasgow. Although you can visit Skye year-round, June is one of the best months to take advantage of decent weather and long amounts of daylight; keep in mind, though, that even during the nicest summer day the weather can turn sour so pack appropriately.

THE ORKNEYS

'The Orkneys' refers to an archipelago of nearly 70 small islands clustered off the North coast of Scotland where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet. These islands are very quiet places (only 21 of them are inhabited), and the countryside is so remote that there's even been talk of The Orkneys devolving from Scotland and becoming its own country. The most popular tourist sights are the Neolithic structures, such as the village of Skara Brae, which dates back 5,000 years and is said to have been inhabited before the Egyptian pyramids were built. Otherwise just relax and soak up the subdued ambience of being in the wilds of nature.

If You Go: You'll need to travel across the entire mainland of Scotland – the southernmost ferry departs from Aberdeen and is a six-hour sailing. Other ferries depart from Scrabster, Gills Bay, or John O'Groats. If you don't mind dark, cold nights then you should consider visiting in January for the Up Helly Aa festival in Lerwick. Up Helly Aa is the largest fire festival in Europe, celebrating the region's Viking heritage. Otherwise, head over during the summer for extremely long days and short nights.

Photo Credits: Skye Sunset by g.naharro; The Paps of Jura seen from Islay by glenfinlas; Camasunary, Isle of Skye by Simaron; Yesnaby Castle by thornypup. All images via Flickr (Creative Commons).

London's Claridges hotel has teamed up with iconic fashion house, Christian Dior, to offer guests staying in the hotel's Linley and Claridge's Suites the "Dior Dressing Table at Claridge's" experience.

The Dior Dressing Table is a bringing to life of the bygone boudoir era of 1930's and 40's Hollywood. Expect all the classic Dior fragrances on your art-deco dressing table, plus a Dior beauty kit of compacts, powders and ruby red lipstick and nail varnish.

You can float to your Dior dressing table in a cream silk Claridge's dressing gown personalised with your initials, high heeled marabou mule slippers and a rose pink cashmere eye mask (which might be better left for bed if you want to match the likes of Rita Hayworth and Greta Garbo in the style stakes).

As you make yourself up you can sip 1930s inspired cocktails served in Lalique glasses from Claridge's Fumoir Bar and listen to a playlist of songs from Josephine Baker and Fred Astaire.

If Mr. Right is running late novels by Evelyn Waugh and Nancy Mitford should distract you.

The "Dior Dressing Table at Claridge's" will be available in Linley / Claridge's suites at an additional price of £300 to the quoted room rate. The price includes all Four Dior fragrances, beauty gifts – lipstick / nail varnish / powder, personalised silk dressing gown, an Evelyn Waugh book, CD and cocktails from the Fumoir. For reservations, call +44 (0)20 7629 8860 or visit www.claridges.co.uk.

The holiday is booked and the swimwear has come out of hibernation, but one key question remains... how are you going to get into buff beach shape before it's time to strut your half-naked stuff?

We caught up with Nathan Solia, founder and trainer at Bootcamp Hong Kong, to get a fitness expert's top 10 tips on how to get fit and into scorching hot shape for your travels this summer.

1. Eat small meals and eat regularly: Eating small, regular meals aids in weight loss by keeping your metabolism and blood sugar levels up so you crave food less frequently.

2. Do interval training: Interval training doesn't deplete muscle mass like going for a long-distance run does, and it burns body fat and calories more efficiently.

3. Drink water: Water keeps you hydrated and there are no calories and no sugar in good old H2O. To burn calories your body requires a good supply of water in order to function efficiently; dehydration slows down the fat-burning process, so drink up!

4. Do weight bearing exercise: It will build up your metabolism and allow you to burn fat more effectively. Weight bearing exercise is any exercise that works your bones and muscles against gravity, for example weight training, jogging, climbing stairs and football.

5. Choose all over body exercises: Working out your whole body burns off much more fat than spot exercises such as sit-ups. Do an ab plank rather than an ab crunch, as it's more of an all over body work out.

6. Do squats, lunges and step-ups: Your quads are such a big muscle group that they burn a lot of fat if worked out properly. Doing squats, lunges and step-ups will tone your tummy better than sit-ups because they burn off more calories and more fat.

7. Eat wisely: Choose good quality fats and take Trans Fats out. Good fats include Omega-3 rich foods like oily fish, flaxseed and olive oil (in moderation!); bad Trans Fats are found in a lot of packaged food like crisps, microwave popcorn and vegetable oil. Another tip is to cut down on cooked veggies in favour of raw ones; when you cook vegetables they lose their good minerals and vitamins and become easier to digest.

8. Exercise 3 to 5 times per week for between 30 and 60 minutes: Yes, it sounds torturous, but it really will get you results.

9. Exercise with a friend or in a group: This will help to keep your motivation up – you are less likely slack off if you've arranged to go to the gym or the park with a friend – and you'll stick with your program for longer when you feel a sense of belonging and hear your friends' positive feedback.

10. Get fit outdoors: Make the most of the outdoor space around you – even the smallest of parks has enough space to do ab planks, dips and push-ups – exercising outdoors is more interesting than running on the treadmill in the gym so you are more likely to stick at it for longer.

Watch Nathan demonstrating some of these exercises here and read his tips for staying fit whilst you're on the road here.

For more information about Bootcamp Hong Kong please visit www.bootcamp.com.hk or call +852 2869 6883.

Photos courtesy of Bootcamp Hong Kong.

Staying fit whilst you travel is no mean feat. The vast majority of hotels don't have their own gyms and in some countries it's not appropriate to don your tight-fitting Lycra and head out for a jog. Even when you're staying in a 4* or 5* hotel with swanky fitness equipment the gym can be horribly unappealing – why would you want to hit the treadmill when you could be eating, drinking or sightseeing? Bottom line – it's easy to lose the motivation to keep fit whilst you travel.

We spoke to fitness expert and Hong Kong Bootcamp Founder and Trainer, Nathan Solia, about what you can do to burn fat and stay fit when you're on the road.

Make sure you watch the video of Nathan demonstrating how to do the exercises mentioned below.

Q: If you're staying somewhere without a gym what exercises can you do in your hotel room?

Nathan Solia: You can do squats, lunges, ab planks, one leg hip extensions, push-ups, shoulder raises, shoulder presses and dips in a very small space.

Q: How can you improvise if there's no gym near where you're staying or you don't want to pay for one?

NS: Use your bed or a chair to do dips and shoulder presses from, use the hallway wherever you're staying to do lunges and squats, run or walk up and down the fire exit. The hallway is also an excellent place to do shuttles: go to the end of the hallway, run to the first door and then run back, run to the second door and run back and so on. People will think you're insane, but it'll keep you fit!

Q: What fitness equipment should everyone pack?

NS: I recommend packing a TRX Suspension Trainer. It's a lightweight (2 lbs) piece of kit that you can pack into a small space. It's easy to set up and will give you a great workout, building muscular balance, joint stability, mobility, and core strength. You can use it in your room tied to the door or outdoors in a park, so it's perfect for travellers.

Q: Why is it important to stay fit when you travel?

NS: Because you've got to fight the flab – when you don't use it you lose it! Fitness levels drop off quickly and it takes time to build your fitness back up. If you've been working hard at home it seems a shame to undo all your good work over a two or three week break.

Q: What pre-travel preparation can you do to keep fit wherever you travel to?

NS: Go onto Google and find a local park or outdoor space. All you need to keep fit are steps and a patch of ground (for more info watch Nathan's video).

Q: Can exercise help to beat jetlag?

NS: Yes! Exercise a few hours before bed can help to increase the time you spend asleep. Morning exercise can help to keep you alert throughout the day, which is always tough when you travel long-haul. In-flight make sure you walk around the cabin, stand up on your tiptoes and lower down, bring your knee into your chest whilst you stand up and rotate from side to side in your seat.

For more information and tips on how to do these exercises to maximum effect, watch this video.

To find out more about Bootcamp Hong Kong visit www.bootcamp.com.hk.

Photo Credit: Jogging on a bright November morning by Ed Yourdon via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By themanwithsalthair

Taking place in Cusco this week (24 June) is the festival of Inti Raymi, the Festival of the Sun. Inti Raymi pays homage to the Inca sun god, Inti, and marks the winter solstice.

Around 100,000 visitors flood into Cusco to mark the festival. To find out more about travelling to Cusco click here.

Our friends over at Black Tomato are roaring with excitement because Botswana's Okavango Delta currently has the best safari conditions in 45 years.

The Okavango Delta is enjoying the highest water levels on record since 1963, and more water = more game. So right now is the time to cash in your holiday time and travel to Botswana.

The current tip top safari conditions mean that visitors can go by boat into parts of the delta that are normally unreachable - seeing the wildlife in a way that is usually near impossible. You can even explore the flood plains and spot game in a traditional mokoro canoe.

Black Tomato is running a special offer on Okavango Delta safaris (in case you needed any more reason to pack your bags and go): 7 nights for the price of 6, saving £400 per person.

Unparalleled safari conditions, incredible wildlife, papyrus swamps, reed plains and a luxurious camp at the Vumbura Reserve - sounds pretty perfect to us.

A 7 night safari costs from £5,380 pp (save £400 pp), including international and internal flights, 7 nights' Full Board accommodation, park fees, game drives, mokoro/boat trips, laundry, and taxes. For more information, visit Black Tomato.

Photo Credits: Okavango Delta, Botswana by Sara&Joachim and Sunset on the hippo pool by lawmurray via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Today, the people of Pisa will honour their patron saint, Saint Ranieri, by lighting some 70,000 lumini (small glass lanterns) in the city's palazzi, along its bridges, and in the towers, as well as floating thousands of candles on the River Arno. The candles and lanterns create an incredible spectacle of light.

The Luminara di San Ranieri happens every year on 16th June.

Photo Credit: Luminara di San Ranieri by fcaboni via Flickr (Creative Commons).

If you ever needed a push to make your next trip something more permanent, then here you go... Anecdotal evidence has long shown that living abroad gives you a creative edge - think Kipling, Yeats, Picasso, Hemingway, Handel and Gauguin - and now two psychologists have proved a tenable link.

In their article "Cultural Boarders and Mental Barriers: The Relationship Between Living Abroad and Creativity" for the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, William W. Maddux of INSEAD and Adam D. Galinsky of Northwestern University prove that people who have lived or are living abroad have more creative insights than those who don't; that "spending time in new cultures can transform individuals into more creative beings".

Americans and foreigners living in America underwent 5 seperate studies to test whether there is a link between living abroad and creativity. The results showed that those who were either living abroad or had spent some time doing so were better problem solvers, negotiators and more open to new experiences (which is known to play a part in creativity).

As The Economist notes, "Merely travelling abroad, however, was not enough. You do have to live there. Packing your beach towel and suntan lotion will not, by itself, make you Hemingway."

Tahitian Women on the Beach by Paul Gauguin via Wikipedia.

This shot by frederic.salein depicts a scene that travellers to Botswana dream about encountering. Amazing light plus a stunning animal.

Check out AliceAfrica's two week African adventure travel itinerary here. For more information about the Chobe National Park click here.

By Harriet Torry

The Channel Islands aren't usually on most travellers' radars when it comes to choosing a holiday spot. Generally, Britain's outlying islands conjure up images of offshore banking, dairy cows, Jersey potatoes and complicated residency rules.

But in my travels around the Channel Islands, most recently to Jersey, I've found it to be well worth a visit. Jersey's rolling fields of green, beaches, castles, and warm climate are all good reasons for a visit. The Gulf Stream means the islands enjoy a warm climate.

Other advantages are that it's well-connected to the UK, and the time zone and currency are the same as on the mainland. That's worth considering at the moment, with the poor dollar/euro to pound exchange rates.

A quarter of Jersey's work force is employed in the financial services industry, and that has two important effects on tourists: good hotels and restaurants. Two establishments have even been awarded Michelin stars.

I liked the The Terrace at the Grand Hotel (Esplanade, St Helier 01534 722301). The avocado and mango salad and crab sandwich on focaccia were both great. There's a large terrace with a good view of Elizabeth Castle, and the service is excellent.

Café JAC in the Jersey Arts Centre is also a nice spot for a latte (Philips Street, St Helier, Tel: 01534 879 482). The Museum Brasserie at the Jersey Museum (The Weighbridge, St Helier (Tel: 01534 633300) has a large courtyard and is a good place for lunch. Another great thing about Jersey is the ice-cream. The famed milk of the Jersey cow definitely lives up to its creamy reputation.

To get around, it's best to hire a car. The sights and beaches are spread around the island and public transport is limited to buses. There are a number of signposted bike trails – which is good as the vehicle roads can be very windy. Navigating the roads is terrifying enough in a car – even though the speed limit is only 40 miles an hour. A bike would not be for the faint hearted, so stick to the trails.

Jersey's main historical attractions are Mont Orgueil Castle and Elizabeth Castle. There are also a number of tourist attractions that tell the story of the five year Nazi occupation of Jersey from 1940 to 1945. The Channel Islands were the only part of the UK to be occupied during the Second World War.

A complex of underground bunkers, the Höhlgangsanlage, has been turned into the Jersey War Tunnels museum. There's a permanent exhibition at Ho8 on the life of Violette Szabó, a secret agent for Britain's Special Operations Executive during WWII. Szabó was executed in Ravensbrück concentration camp aged 23 and was awarded the George Cross posthumously. It was her daughter Tania Szabó who received the cross on her mother's behalf in 1949. Now a Jersey resident, Tania Szabó opened the exhibition at the Jersey War Tunnels in 2003. (Höhlgangsanlage 8, St Lawrence. Tel: 01534 860 808)

I stayed at the Hotel de France, St. Helier. It's a grand four-star hotel with a gym, sauna, infinity pool and a chic spa. My room was very comfortable, had a fine view of St. Helier, and staff were helpful too. The Hotel de France has had an interesting history, with various incarnations as a Jesuit College, a training school for the occupying German forces during the second world war, and twice as a hotel. It's about a 15 minute walk from town.

History, fine dining and beaches – Jersey has got serious holiday credentials.

Harriet Torry was guest of the Jersey Tourism Bureau. For more information about Jersey please visit their website at www.jersey.com

Photo Credits: St Brelade's Bay by Paul Hudson; Elizabeth Castle, St Helier, Jersey by Alex Fearn; View from Mont Orgueil Castle by paulafunnell; SOE Memorial, Albert Embankment by Loz Flowers via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Christina Newberry

Isla Holbox (pronounced hole-bosh) is a small island located on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, about three hours from Cancun by bus. It's best known as a place to swim with whale sharks – the world's largest fish – from June to September. At over 12 metres long and weighing up to 13 tonnes, whale sharks are the largest fish on earth – but since they only eat plankton, they pose no danger to swimmers.

For the rest of the year, Isla Holbox is simply a place to relax. With a population of less than 2,000 people, streets paved with sand, and no cars, it really is a world apart from any tourist locale. You often look around to realise that while you're surrounded by pelicans, there are no other humans in sight. If you've ever wanted to indulge a desert island fantasy, this is the place to do it. Read on for a travel guide to Isla Holbox...

Where to stay on Isla Holbox:

The entire island is a working fishing site, so all stretches of beach are full of moored fishing boats, and there are tons of pelicans gobbling up the abundant fish. None of the beaches are as nice as those you'll find in the Caribbean (the island's waters are part of the Gulf of Mexico), but you'll often have them all to yourself.

One stretch of beach has become known as Isla Holbox’s Hotel Zone. It's a cluster of resorts, many made up of luxurious cabañas. The hotels charge in American dollars, with prices starting at $75 per night and going up to over $180 (much more during whale shark season).

An excellent low-cost alternative is the Ida y Vuelta campsite, located just behind the hotel zone, about 200 metres from the beach. Ida y Vuelta offers camping spots for $7 per person, beds in a shared cabana for $11 per person, or a private cabana for $45 (all prices are mid-season rates). With an excellent communal kitchen, hammocks all over the place, and the cleanest hostel-style bathroom I've ever seen, it's a wonderful way to make the most of Holbox's charms and make some new friends at the same time.

What to do on Isla Holbox:

Truthfully, unless you're there for the whale sharks, Isla Holbox is all about not doing much at all. Island life is slow and laid back, and nothing in town really beats an afternoon spent in a hammock. That said, renting bicycles and riding around the island is an excellent way to spend an afternoon. For 80 pesos (less than $6) you can rent a bike for 24 hours. The bikes have some salt damage, no gears, and foot brakes, but they'll get you where you're going (and you won't be going far – the entire island is only 40 km long and 2 km wide.)

If you are there during whale shark season, just about anyone on the island can put you in touch with a tour operator. Most of the snorkelling tours are operated by local fishermen, who cherish the whale sharks and conduct their tours in ways that don't disturb the breeding and migration of the big fish. All-day snorkel tours are available for around $80 per person.

Riding, bird-watching, and crocodile watching is also available on the island, and from May to August there are tours to see nesting sea turtles on a pristine beach. All of these tours are available through Mextreme Travel.

Where to Eat on Isla Holbox:

Isla Holbox has a large population of Italian immigrants, and the cuisine on the island is overwhelmingly Italian. Almost every restaurant serves up pasta, risotto, and other Italian specialities – and prices are not that much less that what you would expect to find in an Italian restaurant in any major North American city. Both Los Pelícanos and La Cueva del Pirata offer excellent homemade pasta in the town's main square.

Of course, as a fishing village, Isla Holbox also has excellent seafood – and it couldn't be fresher. It's rare for a fish to be more than 24 hours from catch to plate. The Buena Vista offers excellent grilled fish only a few feet from the beach. Some days, the beach bars offer fish straight from the boats that moor out front.

For a taste of Mexican food, start off the day with empanadas from Empanadas la Conquista or just buy a stack of fresh tortillas from the local tortilleria.

Getting to Isla Holbox:

Isla Holbox has remained tranquil for a reason – it's a bit of a trek to get there. From Cancun, take the bus to Chiquila. It's about a three-hour trip, and since there's no exit to Chiquila from the toll highway, only second-class buses make the run. The second-class buses stop often to pick up passengers and drop them off, and they have no onboard toilet. The highway has more speedbumps than you'd ever expect a highway to have. The point is, it's not luxurious – but it's safe, and you will get there in one piece.

From Chiquila, take a ferry across the lagoon to Isla Holbox. It's a 20-minute crossing that runs nine times per day. If you've booked with Ida y Vuelta, there will likely be a friendly face waiting to meet you at the ferry dock. You can take a golf-cart taxi to your hotel or the campground if you have lots of luggage, but it's only a 10 to 15 minute walk to the hotel zone. You can access the Chiquila - Holbox ferry schedule here.

Relax:

It's not often that you'll be able to see vast stretches of beach populated only by birds and fish. Take it all in and let the vibe of Isla Holbox wash over you. When it's time to leave, you'll be surprised by just how mellow you've become.

Photo Credits: All images ©Christina Newberry unless credited below.

Whale Sharks via iStockPhoto.com; Isla de Holbox by Not all potatoes can swim... via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Christina Newberry

If you want to take advantage of the cheap charter flights to Cancun, but the mega-resorts of the Cancun strip fit neither your budget nor your travel style, Isla Mujeres may be the answer to your travel prayers.

Isla Mujeres is a small island a short ferry ride from Cancun. But it's worlds away from the all-inclusive resort glitz that has taken over the Cancun strip. A trip to Isla really feels like a trip to Mexico, and there's a magic to the island that's difficult to put into words. It's the reason why almost every traveller you meet on the island will tell you they've come back there time and time again, and why my recent visit – my first – will certainly not by my last.

Even before you hit the beach on Isla, you'll be dazzled by the incredible turquoise blue waters. They are literally breathtaking, and you'll never get used to how blue and clear they are, even by the end of your trip.

Where to stay on Isla Mujeres:

Isla Mujeres has an incredible hostel. There are many reasonably-priced hotels and private apartments on the island, but it would be hard to find one that rivals the value of the PocNa hostel, where dorm beds are available from 90 pesos (10 pesos = about $1), and private rooms from 240 pesos. For an even cheaper stay, camping spots are available for 60 pesos. The rate includes linens, towels, and even toast and coffee for breakfast.

The amazing secret at this hostel is private rooms 3 and 6, each of which has a small balcony overlooking the ocean. For 240 pesos, it's an unbelievable deal.

The hostel is clean and well-run, with a central courtyard full of tables and hammocks, plus sand going right down to the beach.

Check out the hostel's web site at www.pocna.com.

What to do on Isla Mujeres:

Isla Mujeres is known for its amazing beaches.

Playa Norte (North Beach) is easy walking distance from the hostel. It's a beautiful, peaceful beach, with white sand and crystal-blue waters. It's never too crowded, and there are lots of palm trees if you want to get a little bit of shade. There are 3 beach bars with swings and hammocks that are a great place to get a quick snack or a great piña colada. Happy hour starts at 1pm, when you can get two beers for 40 pesos, or two mixed drinks for 50.

There are beach chairs and umbrellas available for rent from the beachfront hotels, but the sand is soft, so bring your towel and you won't miss having a chair. For a last-day indulgence, try renting one of the beach beds with billowing curtains for 100 pesos for the day.

If you're looking for a bit more action at the beach, check out Northwest beach. It's also within walking distance of the hostel, though not quite as close as North Beach. It's got volleyball nets where pickup games seem common, and the beach bars pump out music much louder than on North Beach.

For a day away from the beach, rent a moped (250 pesos) or a golf cart (450 pesos) and drive to the Southern tip of the island. There's a small Mayan ruin, and beautiful cliffs where you can really see how amazing the water is. Nearby there's a turtle hatchery, as well as Garrafón Reef Park. At Garrafón you can swim with the dolphins or ride a zip line over the water, but the prices are aimed at Cancun tourists, so a day a Garrafón costs more than a week at the hostel. Still, it's worth driving by to take a look at the zipline and, again, the incredible water.

Drive back along the Caribbean side of the island for more amazing views.

Where to Eat on Isla Mujeres:

The main few streets of Isla Mujeres form a bustling little town, and at night it turns into a network of sidewalk cafés closed to all traffic. Street performers juggle or play music, and there is just a magical feeling in the air.

Take a walk through the town and you're sure to find something to suit your taste, no matter what your taste may be. I'm vegetarian, and had no problem eating well on Isla.

The best place on the Island for breakfast or lunch is Elements of the Island. It's a café with apartments up top and yoga sessions on the roof. Their food isn't cheap by Mexican standards, but it's all organic and totally delicious. Their homemade jam will blow your mind. A full breakfast including coffee and fresh orange juice runs at about 75 pesos.

For dinner, the best place in town – especially if you're vegetarian – is Comono. It's a Mediterranean restaurant run by an Israeli couple, and the food is out of this world. If you're on a tight budget, get the Mediterranean platter. For only 150 pesos, it's a full meal for two people, and beer is only 30 pesos a pop.

While I was in Isla, Comono featured the live music of Jesus Campuzano. If this amazing musician isn't still playing at Comono, you must ask around and track him down. With nothing more than a keyboard and a loop sampler, he makes incredible music that literally has people dancing in the streets. The one souvenir of Isla I brought home was a copy of his CD, and it's in high rotation on the iPod.

If you're watching every penny, have a few meals at the hostel. You can top up your breakfast toast and jam with an omelet for only 15 pesos, and they offer dinner specials each night for about 65 pesos, which includes one drink.

Nightlife on Isla Mujeres:

For the budget traveller, nightlife takes place at the hostel. The main restaurant/bar is open until 11pm, when the party moves to the beach bar. Drinks at either spot are 40 pesos for two cocktails, or 20 pesos for a beer. The beach bar features a DJ most nights, and live music on Sundays. There's even a wooden dance floor built into the sand.

Getting to Isla Mujeres:

Isla's an inexpensive and easy trip from Cancun airport, as long as you take the right transportation.

When you arrive in Cancun, head to the ADO bus stop. Purchase a ticket to the "Centro" bus station (35 pesos). The bus is comfortable, safe, and air conditioned, so don't be tempted by the more expensive cabs.

The bus station is about 25 minutes away form the airport. If you've arrived late, you may want to stay overnight in Cancun before continuing to the ferry. If so, the Hostel Meson de Tulum is walking distance from the bus station. It's nothing fancy, but with dorm beds from 100 pesos, or a private room for 300 pesos, it's a clean and safe place to spend the night. Booking is available through hostelworld.com.

To get to the ferry from either the bus station or the hostel, flag one of the many cabs in the area. The trip to the ferry should cost 40 – 60 pesos. Make sure the cab driver takes you to Puerto Juarez, where you get the ferry to Isla Mujeres for 70 pesos round trip.

After a 20-minute ferry ride (our trip featured live musicians on the upper outdoor deck), you'll be on Isla. The hostel is easy walking distance, even with a suitcase or pack. Ask directions to the PocNa Hostel, or to North Beach, which will get you headed in the right direction. To get back to Cancun, do the entire trip in reverse.

Repeat:

Once you've been to Isla, you'll return to Isla. I talked to one American who had been coming to the island for 15 years, and a couple of Canadians who had made it their regular travel destination for about 10 years. Almost everyone I spoke with was on at least their third trip there.

It really is a magical place, and you won't want to leave – at least not forever. So be prepared, if you go to Isla Muejeres, you may have a new travel destination for life.

Photo Credits: Photos are ©Christina Newberry unless specified below.

Isla Mujeres Palm & Coconuts by mikemcholm; poc-na by dolanh; Isla Mujeres Pier II by mikemcholm. Images via Flickr (Creative Commons).

We put the feelers out this morning about the top spas in Asia and these gems in Bali, Thailand and the Philippines came back. Feast your eyes and nurture your mind, body and spirit. Ohm...

BALI

COMO Shambhala Retreat at Uma Ubud, Ubud: Located in the stunning and serene Uma Ubud hotel and overlooking the Tjampuhan Valley, the COMO Shambhala Retreat offers spa therapies alongside yoga, meditation, reflexology, hiking and biking. If you want to detox there's a raw food plan available, otherwise you can enjoy food from the hotel's restaurant menus. The retreat is just five minutes outside of Ubud, Bali's cultural epicentre.

Take advantage of the two night COMO Shambhala Reviver package, which includes bed and breakfast style accommodation, one three-course dinner at Uma Ubud's Kemiri restaurant, the "Shambhala Restoration Path" or "Shambhala Purification Path" treatment package and a private one-hour yoga session. Costs from USD 1,125 per room (based on two sharing).

Web: www.uma.ubud.como.bz; Tel: +62 361 972448; Email: uma.ubud@comoshambhala.bz.

THAILAND

Chiva-Som, Hua Hin:

If you're in need of a total lifestyle overhaul then the multi-award winning Chiva-Som is the place to go. The focus of Chiva-Som's customised programmes is on rebalancing and rejuvenating mind, body and spirit. A firm favourite amongst celebrities and Fortune 500 types, the spa can help you achieve a range of goals from weight management to detoxifying to toning and slimming to relaxation to general well-being to fitness to anti-aging. There are over 120 treatments on offer, plus Tai Chi, Pilates, Yoga and personal training classes.

To view a list of retreats and prices click here.

Web: www.chivasom.com; Tel: +66 (0) 3253 6536.

Absolute Sanctuary, Koh Samui: A Moroccan-inspired boutique spa on the gorgeous Thai island of Koh Samui might sound odd, but Absolute Sanctuary's devotees assure us that it works. There are several detoxification programmes on offer, plus yoga retreats and spa therapies. We like the sound of the three day rejuvenating package, which offers an hour long massage per day, a facial treatment or body wrap per day, unlimited yoga classes, three vegetarian meals a day and unlimited juices and smoothies.

Costs for the three day rejuvenating holiday start from USD 1,278 for a double room (based on two people sharing).

Web: absolutesanctuary.com; Tel: +66 77 601 190; Email: bookings@absolutesanctuary.com.

PHILIPPINES

The Farm, Batangas:

Check into The Farm to detox and improve your wellbeing. The focus here is on definitely on detoxification (think colon hydrotherapy, colon massage and "target organ cleansing") to reduce toxins, boost immunity and improve mental clarity. In addition to these treatments you can also take on fitness sessions and relax during spa therapies. Programmes start from 5 days, although there is a "Day at The Farm" option available.

Prevention / Recovery programmes start from USD 2,027 per person for five days; Wellness programmes start from USD 790 per person for five days; Day at The Farm costs from USD 86 per person. All rates are exclusive of 12% government taxes and 10% service charges.

Web: www.thefarm.com.ph; Tel: +63 2 884 8073; Email: info@thefarm.com.ph.

By Jay Martin

Whether it's fiction or real life, few travel experiences conjure up a sense of mystery and intrigue like the Orient-Express. The famous train is perhaps best known as the setting of Agatha Christie's 1934 story Murder on the Orient Express, and was the de facto carrier of spies, celebrities, and royalty from the East to the West in the early 20th century. Although the original Orient Express no longer exists, well-to-do travellers of today can relive the train's heyday of the 1920s and 1930s by chartering the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (VSOE), which operates a variety of European routes on the original, restored Compagnie International des Wagons-Lits traincars that saw so much European history nearly 100 years ago.

The Venice Simplon Orient-Express was founded by James Sherwood, who built the company after purchasing two of the original Orient-Express carriages at auction in 1977. The train made its first London to Venice trip in 1982, after Sherwood spent 16 million USD on additional carriages. The VSOE is not to be confused with the Orient-Express that runs regularly between Strasbourg, France and Vienna, Austria, and is the true descendant of the original line.

Guests on the VSOE can expect their own personal steward to greet them the moment they step onto the train. French chefs and Italian waiters serve the three Restaurant Cars and the Maitre D' visits guests in their own cabin to take lunch and dinner reservations. The sleeping compartments are nearly identical to their original form, complete with rich wood and brass. A truly authentic touch, VSOE compartments lack showers or bathing facilities, but have original washbasins with hot and cold water.

While the original Orient-Express took travellers from Paris to Istanbul, the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express of today offers more options, including a route from London to Venice via Paris and Verona (USD 4680 per person, round-trip, double occupancy). Guests can still travel from Paris to Istanbul through Budapest and Bucharest on a one-way Premier Journey at a higher price of USD 9190 per person, double occupancy.

For most of us, USD 20,000 for a 6-day, one-way journey would be the trip of a lifetime. Wealthy travellers with more to spend can purchase a private charter of the VSOE from London to Florence for 120 guests at a price of £250,000. The package, called La Dolce Vita, is an overnight journey that ends at the Hotel Villa San Michele in Florence, and includes an overnight stay and lunch for all 120 guests. In addition, the host of the journey receives a jewellery box containing a gold and diamond train bracelet and a pair of gold and diamond cufflinks delivered in advance and in person by a liveried British Pullman steward.

For many travellers, taking a train is a way to cover a lot of ground fast and see a country from a different angle, all without the hassle of renting a car and navigating tricky, foreign roads. Modern train travel is nothing like it was a hundred years ago. Blue jeans and backpacks are more common than dinner jackets and evening gowns. But for the right price, one can travel back in time to an era when travel itself was a luxury, and when travellers expected a level of service and attention to detail that cannot be found without spending a year's salary.

WHO TO CALL: Orient-Express Hotels Trains and Cruises – For the phone number of the regional sales office closest to you, visit www.orient-express.com.

Photo Credits: The Orient Express in Sinaia by energeticspell; Orient Express by Feuillu; Wagons Lits carriage by Train Chartering & Private Rail Cars. All images via Flickr (Creative Commons).

"Ruins of such grandeur... that, at the first view, one is filled with profound admiration" – Henri Mouhot

If you've ever been to a Bikram Yoga class you'll be well prepared for visiting Angkor Wat and its surrounding temples on foot. It is a sweaty, dusty, exhausting (albeit exhilarating!) process. If you've got the budget and the inclination why not see Angkor in style and avoid the heat, the hordes and the habitual way of doing things?

Option 1: Tour Angkor in a Vintage Citroën

Tie on that headscarf and don your driving gloves because this Angkor tour est très, très chic. Choose from a 1927 or 1928 B14 Torpedo then decide on either a half or full day of sightseeing. The "Classic Tour" takes you to Angkor Thom, Bayon and the Terrace of Elephants and the Leper King in the morning and then onto Angkor Wat for the afternoon, topped off with sunset on Phnom Bakheng. If you're feeling more intrepid, the "L'Explorateur" tour takes you to the farther flung temples of Koh Ker and Beng Melea, which are much quieter than those around Angkor Wat.

Book the tour with the Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa. An eight hour full day tour costs USD 250 (+10% tax) per car and a four hour half day tour costs USD 150 (+ 10% tax) per car. The cars take a maximum of 3 people.

Option 2: Tour Angkor by Helicopter

Indulge in a scenic helicopter ride over the Khmer Kingdom and luxuriate in magnificent Angkor Wat from on high. No tour groups, no humidity, no dust, just you, the helicopter and the stunning scenery below. Bliss. The altitude means you can truly take in the scale of Angkor's architectural wonders. You'll also see Tonle Sap Lake and the floating villages and fishing boats.

Costs from USD 51 per person. For more information click here.

Option 3: Tour Angkor by Hot Air Balloon

Henri Mouhot might be turning in his grave at the thought of this Angkor tour. Where he had to battle with jungle, leeches and leopards to get a prized temple view you can just cruise serenely to 200 metres as Angkor unfolds beneath you. Your birds-eye view covers major league players such as Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, Phnom Bakheng and Tonle Sap Lake, plus many other smaller treasures. The balloon is helium filled, silent, non-polluting and tethered. No scary balloon bursting incidents for you here!

The balloon goes up thirty times per day between sunrise and sunset. For more information and booking call +855 12 520810 or email sokhasr@camintel.com.

Photo Credits: Sunrise Discovery of Angkor Wat by Stuck in Customs; Vintage Citroen via Victoria Angkor Resort & Spa; Angkor Wat from the Helicopter by petergarnhum; Angkor Wat by jurvetson.

Huge congratulations to the winners of our travel vlogging contest, derricwong, gschirm and GardenGorilla. Three Flip MinoHD camcorders are winging their way over to you!

We'll be speaking to the winners about what inspires them and their vlogging tips and techniques soon, so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, here's a taste of the winning travel vlogs. This is "Racing at Hong Kong's Happy Valley" by GardenGorilla:

There are just two days left in our fab competition to WIN one of three hot new Flip MinoHD camcorders.

All you have to do is share a unique travel video with iloho and this nifty gadget could be all yours. They're big enough to record full 1280x720 HD video and small enough to fit in your back pocket. What a perfect travelling companion!

Don't miss out. Enter here.

The Lost crew must be honoured that one of their set designs has seemingly spawned a look-a-like hotel suite in Quepos, Costa Rica.

The Hotel Costa Verde has refurbished a vintage 1965 Boeing 727 airframe into a unique two bedroom suite.

The airframe was shipped, piece by piece, from San Jose airport to the hotel's location in the jungles of Manuel Antonio National Park. The aeroplane suite sits on a 50 foot pedestal and enjoys views over the ocean and jungle canopy.

From USD 300 (plus tax) a night you can enjoy the plane's teak panelled interior, hand-carved furnishings, two bedrooms, kitchenette, dining area and ocean view terrace.

I suppose it's as close to a private jet experience as most of us mere mortals are ever going to get, but a Boeing 727 hotel suite in the middle of the Costa Rican jungle is about as bizarre as some of the Lost plot lines.

Photos via www.costaverde.com and abc.go.com.

"You gotta hear this one song — it'll change your life; I swear."

I'm sure we all have songs, albums and soundtracks that spark a serious dose of wanderlust as soon as we hear them.

I started listening to the 2004 Garden State soundtrack again this morning after hearing one of the songs in Derric Wong's new travel video "Goodbye Turkey". Now all I can think about is packing my bags and heading off to Turkey too.

So I started looking around the web to find more lyrical travel inspiration and came across...

• IndieTravelPodcast's Top 40 Songs: A soundtrack for your journey

• Rolling Stone Magazine's 25 Best Road Trip Songs Ever

• World Hum's Top 40 Travel Songs of All Time

What are the songs that give you instant itchy travel feet and where do they make you want to travel to?

Photo Credit: 'Atardecer en Uchisar' by lecu_lillas via Flickr (Creative Commons).

This really puts those "adventurous" long weekend into perspective. We spotted this video on Gadling and headed over to YouTube to check it out.

German traveller, Christoph Rehage, walked across China from Beijing to Ürümqi. Here's a video summary of his amazing trip and incredible facial hair growth.

Just outside of Hong Kong's concrete jungle lie a number of seriously gorgeous beaches. Dotted across the territory's islands and parks, Hong Kong's beaches offer the perfect respite from busy city schedules and high-rise living. We spoke to Martin Williams, founder of HKOutdoors.com, to get the low-down on his top five Hong Kong beaches.

1. Tai Long Wan, Sai Kung

Probably Hong Kong's most stunning and unspoiled beach, Tai Long Wan lies in a bay on the Sai Kung peninsula. Martin calls it a "stellar beach": the white sand, breaking rollers, turquoise waters and wild surroundings will blow your socks off wherever you come from. There are no buildings near the beach, just a couple of shacks that double up as restaurants, so you are guaranteed unspoiled vistas and peace and quiet.

Martin advises that the best time to go is at the weekend; there are no lifeguards on Tai Long Wan and there can be strong currents off the beach, so it is advisable to go when weekend hikers are in the area. The restaurants are not always open during the week, so if you do visit make sure you take something to eat and plenty of water.

Getting to Tai Long Wan isn't easy, but it is most definitely worth it. You can either hike in or cough up for a speedboat. Hikers should get the bus to Pak Tam Au (the highest point on the Pak Tam Road) or a speedboat or ferry from Wong Shek Pier to Chek Keng, then follow Stage 2 of the MacLehose trail towards Long Ke. If hiking doesn't appeal then you can get a speedboat from Sai Kung pier out to Tai Long Wan, but it will cost about HKD 1,000 for a return journey and involves a lot of haggling!

2. Cheung Sha, Lantau

If you want to "feel like you're on a South China Sea island" then head to Cheung Sha on Lantau. It is one of Hong Kong's longest beaches stretching 2 kilometres from east to west. Martin calls the sandy beach a "wild place" and a great spot to "get away from it all". Head to either the east end or the west end of the beach which is where the best swimming spots are. Cheung Sha is home to The Stoep, a South African barbeque restaurant and one of Hong Kong's most popular al fresco dining spots.

Cheung Sha is easily accessible by bus or taxi from Mui Wo and Tai O.

3. Cheung Chau Island

Martin recommends a visit to Tung Wan and Kwun Yam Wan beaches on Cheung Chau island. He says both are sheltered, accessible and have fantastic swimming. Quiet Kwun Yam beach also has a nice bar, perfect for hanging out at on a sunny afternoon. Martin recommends swimming at the beaches at high tide to avoid murkier waters when the tide is out. The island's main claim to fame is the Cheung Chau Windsurfing Centre where Hong Kong's only gold Olympian, Lee Lai-Shan, learnt to windsurf. Her uncle owns the centre and introduced her to the sport she went on to triumph in at the 1996 Atlanta games.

Ferries run to Cheung Chau from Pier 5 in Central. Fast ferries take 35 minutes, otherwise the journey takes an hour.

4. Shek O, Hong Kong

Just 25 minutes in a taxi from central Hong Kong sits sandy Shek O beach. Martin says Shek O is "great when there's an easterly wind" as the beach gets good surf. Shek O is very popular at weekends so it's best to visit during the week when the beach and village are quiet and sleepy. The beach has several lifeguard towers and shark nets so it's very safe for swimming.

Martin says one of the best ways to visit the beach is to hike the Dragon's Back first and then drop down to Shek O village from the end of the trail.

There are a few great places to eat in Shek O whilst you're there, The Black Sheep and the Chinese & Thai Seafood restaurant both come recommended.

5. Tung Ping Chau, New Territories

Far-flung Tung Ping Chau island is in Hong Kong's most easterly corner and is about as far as you can go before you reach Chinese waters. Martin says the island has a "Robinson Crusoe feeling to it", and calls Tung Ping Chau "a lovely island, curious, interesting, with a great atmosphere and unlike anywhere else in Hong Kong".

The island is small and the beaches very close to the ferry pier. Make sure you take a mask and snorkel with you as Tung Ping Chau is one of Hong Kong's top coral sites – you can see corals, colourful fish and urchins.

Although the island is no longer inhabited full time, at the weekends restaurants open up in old village houses across Tung Ping Chau. They make fantastic spots to relax and freshen up in once you've sated yourself on the fine white sands and clear waters.

To get to the island catch a ferry from Ma Liu Shui pier near University KCR station. The ferries only run on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. To access the island during the week you need a private boat.

Photo Credits: Tai Long Wan by Justin Gaurav Murgai, Cheung Sha by Marc van der Chijs, Cheung Chau by randomwire, Tung Ping Chau by Verity.hk.

(Relaxnews)

A new mobile service called ArrivedOK is being launched for airplane travelers that will automatically inform family and friends of safe touch-down without the need to text and without the cost of international roaming fees.

The service works like this: you enter details indicating the airport of destination, the hour of arrival and the telephone number or email address on Arrivedok.mobi of the people you want to inform of your arrival, and the service sends them a pre-composed message or "Arrived ok" once you turn on your phone again upon landing.

Using a system that tracks the user's cell phone in the mobile network of the destination, the message alert is able to confirm when you arrive exactly, or to avoid sending a message if, for example, a flight has been rerouted or cancelled.

ArrivedOK works via SMS, Twitter, email or blog, and will eventually cost €0.50 per message, according to the company site.

Started up by US-based IT travel communications company, Eyeline Communications, the service is being tested in beta version until May 31, 2009 across Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Russia, South Africa and Spain.

For more information, please see arrivedok.mobi/beta

By Connie Motz

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the barrier reef in Belize offers some of the world's best scuba diving. Belize's coral reef is the largest in the Caribbean (second largest in the world), following the coastline for 185 miles.

Divers rave about the 150 foot visibility and the calm 75 degree waters. With several hundred cays (islands) to choose from, divers have their choice of premier diving sites.

One of the top dive sites, The Blue Hole, is a unique, 480ft deep natural wonder spanning almost a quarter of a mile. Inside this circular limestone sinkhole, divers will experience sheer walls, stalactites formations and 200ft visibility. Amazing marine life abounds, including blacktip, tiger and hammerhead sharks. Other popular dive sites include the Hol Chan Marine Reserve and Shark Ray Alley in Northern Belize.

No matter where you choose, you'll be swimming with over 500 species of fish and viewing 70 types of hard coral. And if you're not already a certified scuba diver, you can obtain PADI or NAUII certification while in Belize. A supervised resort course offers non-divers an introduction into the sport in the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean.

Whether you're looking for wreck diving, night diving or want to explore the canyons and tunnels, scuba diving in Belize has it all. And in case the unexpected happens, a hyperbaric chamber is available 24 hours a day, in tiny San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

Two-tank dives cost approximately USD 35 but the best deals to be found often, which include diving, accommodation and transfers, start at USD 495 for a 6 day/5 night stay.

International holiday makers and sun seekers can fly non-stop from major cities like Miami, Houston, Los Angles, Atlanta, Houston and Charlotte. Flights to the cays can be booked with Mayan Island Air or Tropic Air. Belize is known as Mother Nature's best kept secret, so don't miss out!

Belize Info

Formerly known as British Honduras, Belize became an independent nation in 1981. With a population of just over 300,000, Belize covers approximately 8,000 square miles.

Passports are required for travel to Belize and entry visas may be required. For more information see the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.

Belize Travel Resources:

• Travel Belize
• Belize Tourism
• Ramon's Village, San Pedro

Photo Credits: Used with permission of TravelBelize.org

Blue Hole - Image Copyright 2008 - Tony Rath of Tony Rath Photography www.tonyrath.com.

Scuba Diving - Image Copyright 2008 - Tony Rath of Tony Rath Photography www.tonyrath.com.

(Helsinki-AFP)

Finland's recession-hit government said Tuesday it had sold its stake in Santapark, a Christmas theme park in the northern city of Rovaniemi, widely considered the home of Father Christmas.

Around 500,000 tourists visit the city of Rovaniemi near the Arctic circle every year to see Santa Claus and his wintry wonderland theme park, although numbers dipped last year and are expected to fall further this year.

"The value of the deal is not disclosed, because the state did not wish to publish it," Ilkka Laenkinen, managing director at local tourism company Santa's Holding which bought the government's 32-percent stake, told AFP.

The government did not say why it was selling its stake, although a spokesman told the STT news agency the park, which has sometimes struggled to make ends meet since it opened just over a decade ago, would be in better hands under private ownership.

Santa's Holding now owns nearly 56 percent of shares after the city of Rovaniemi and travel company Lapin Matkailu also decided to sell their stakes. The remainder of the shares are held by diverse small owners.

Laenkinen said Santa's Holding was determined to invest in the park and would increase marketing to boost sales and visibility despite the slump.

"In the long term we want to give more experiences to visitors," he said.

Photo Credit: ©AFP/GAEL BRANCHEREAU

(Relaxnews)

A US-based aircraft company has officially launched a two-seat vehicle that can transform from a plane into a small car in less than 30 seconds, according to a press release published Wednesday, March 18.

Terrafugia - Latin for 'escape from ground' - announced the successful flight and landing of its model plane/car at Plattsburgh International Airport in Plattsburgh, NY, on Wednesday, March 18, after the vehicle had already passed six months of road tests.

The 'Transition,' as the vehicle's been baptized, can fold up from a 27' 6" (8.17m) wingspan to a 80" (approximately 2m) wide car, small enough to be driven on any road, at the press of a button from within the cockpit.

It has a flying range of 450 miles (724 km) at more than 115 mph (185 kmh), drive "highway speeds"- that is, 65mph to 70 mph (105kmh to 112kmh) - on the road, and is small enough to fit into a standard household garage.

It also comes with cargo space to fit a pair of golf clubs and a 'full-vehicle parachute,' according to the company press release.

Both the car and plane modes are powered by unleaded gasoline available at most any gas-station.

The vehicle is classed as a Light Sport Aircraft, so a Sport Pilot license will be required to fly it.

The concept has still to undergo some more advanced flights and drive testing before a pre-production prototype is finally built and certified.

At present, the company is accepting $10,000 refundable pre-orders. The anticipated price for the production model is $194,000.

For more information, please see www.terrafugia.com

(Athens-AFP)

Touted among the most pristine in the world, Greek beaches were nevertheless covered in more than 91,000 tonnes of garbage last year, a leading local environmental organisation said on Wednesday.

The trash picked up over the year by volunteers included plastic bottles and bags, bottle caps, food containers and discarded fishing equipment, an official at the Hellenic Marine Environment Protection Association told AFP.

But the 'king of garbage' in Greece is the cigarette—more than 35,000 butts were picked up in the course of last year, Ta Nea daily commented Wednesday.

In comparison, similar campaigns picked up around 16,000 tonnes of rubbish in Italy, 14,000 in Spain and 3,000 in Portugal.

The cleanup was part of a campaign in 104 countries organised by US-based environment group Ocean Conservancy.

Few beaches along Greece's 18,400-kilometre (11,433-mile) rugged coastline have garbage bins—and among those present even fewer are serviced.

The findings are consistent with poor environmental practice seen elsewhere in Greece.

Only around 25 percent of waste is recycled and the government has spent years trying to close down thousands of illegal dumps across the country.

The Greek economy is heavily reliant on tourism revenue, which in 2007 amounted to 11.4 billion euros (14.8 billion dollars).

Photo Credit: ©ostill

With three weeks to go until Easter, now is the perfect time to snap up a last-minute deal to one of the world's top Easter holiday destinations.

To inspire you, we've put together a guide to the top Easter breaks for 2009. So stop planning this year's Easter egg hunt and start packing your suitcase for a fantastic Easter holiday!

ANTIGUA, CARIBBEAN:

What: Join Eric Clapton, Oprah Winfrey and Giorgio Armani this Easter and holiday in style on the stunning island of Antigua. What better place to put your Lenten restrictions behind you than on beaches of soft white sand, under a hot sun and in perfect azure waters? The average April temperature in Antigua is a gorgeous 26°C / 79°F.

Why: Jaw-dropping beaches, colonial splendour, wonderful weather and a fantastic atmosphere. Stick around for the week after Easter and ogle open-mouthed at the big, fat classic yachts as they come out to play for the annual Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta (16 – 21 April).

Where: Stay at the super-stylish Inn at English Harbour hotel for the perfect blend of Colonial style luxury and contemporary comfort.

Wow: LHR – Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 6697; LAX - Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 5018; JFK – Antigua: 2 roundtrip tickets and 6 nights at Inn at English Harbour from USD 4886.*

OMAN

What: From souks to ancient sights to snorkelling to sandy beaches, Oman offers opulence, indulgence, adventure and luxury. Muscat, Oman's capital, boasts some seriously impressive hotels in stunning beach locations. Fashionistas and bargain hunters can go crazy in the city's markets, culture vultures can spend days soaking up the impressive sights and adrenaline junkies can dune buggy and scuba dive.

Why: There's something for everyone: jagged mountains, lush valleys, dramatic dunes, empty beaches, superb snorkelling, vibrant souks, camel racing and incredible history and culture. Easter temptation indeed...

Where: Al Bustan Palace Hotel, Muscat. Set against a dramatic mountain backdrop on 200 acres of private beach and lush green gardens, the Al Bustan Palace Hotel has a reputation as the best hotel in the Middle East and one of the finest hotels in the world.

Wow: Return flights from LHR – Muscat from USD 494 per person; from LAX – Muscat from USD 1558 per person; from JFK – Muscat from USD 1077 per person.*

PHUKET, THAILAND

What: One of the world's best known beach destinations, and dubbed the "Pearl of the South", Phuket is swanky and seductive in equal measures. It's a place to dive in azure seas, lounge at chic beach resorts, sip cocktails and soak up the glitz and glamour.

Why: Bargains are easy to find at Phuket's glam resorts and beachside villas and can be bagged, last-minute for hundreds of dollars less than their normal rates. If you're after a luxury Easter break on a moderate budget, this is the destination for you.

Where: If you want glitz on a relative shoestring then opt for Indigo Pearl. The resort offers very decent accommodation, great hotel pools and is located on Nai Yang Beach on Phuket's northwest shore. For a chic boutique hotel and trendy vibe opt for the ever-popular Twinpalms Phuket. Located right next to Thailand's 'millionaires' cove', the hotel's beach is a great site to spot celebrities.

Wow: From LHR – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 5463 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 8994 at Twinpalms Phuket; From LAX – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 3722 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 6844 at Twinpalms Phuket; From JFK – Phuket: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 8094 at Indigo Pearl and from USD 11638 at Twinpalms Phuket*.

SANTORINI, GREECE

What: Arguably Greece's most romantic and spectacular island, Santorini offers a very local and authentic Greek Orthodox Easter experience. Spend the days leading up to Easter on a private yacht and exploring the Santorini's famous volcano "the caldera". Join in with the islanders' Easter celebrations and processions. Enjoy the Easter feasting and taste the incredible local lamb. On Easter Monday make the most of the local flora and visit Santorini's local vineyards.

Why: Stunning scenery, amazing hikes, beautiful beaches and fantastic weather, plus the experience of joining in with local Easter celebrations and traditions.

Where: La Meduse Santorini. Bang slap on Perivolos Beach, the island's longest sandy strip, this whitewashed boutique hotel occupies a Cycladic-style property and boasts crisp, fresh rooms.

Wow: From LHR – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 1817; From LAX – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 4938; From JFK – Santorini: 2 roundtrip tickets and 7 nights accommodation at La Meduse (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 3145*.

SEVILLE, SPAIN

What: Passion and devotion combine in this fiery Spanish city and Semana Santa (Easter week) is one of the most exciting times to visit. Seville has hosted Easter celebrations for four centuries, and they are universally famous. Around 50,000 parade through the city's streets in traditional costumes during Seville's 58 organised processions. Expect to be wowed by religious statues, music, embroidered cloaks and velvet tunics.

Why: It goes without saying that Seville is one of Europe's most impressive cities. Moorish architecture, flamenco and bullfighting take centre stage in this stunning city. A long Easter weekend in Seville promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Where: Hotel San Gil. Housed in a restored 19th-century building, Hotel San Gil's preserved mosaics echo Seville's Moorish past. Just one kilometre from Seville's historic centre, Hotel San Gil is perfectly located for all the Easter action.

Wow: LHR – Seville: 2 roundtrip tickets and 4 nights accommodation at Hotel San Gil (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 2205; JFK – Seville: 2 roundtrip tickets and 4 nights accommodation at Hotel San Gil (based on 2 adults sharing) from USD 2388*.

We hope this answers your questions about what to do at Easter, where the best Easter holiday destinations are and how to plan an Easter trip. Have a great time!

*All prices correct at the time of going to print.

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 all via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Malaysian low-cost carrier, AirAsia, is offering ten people the chance to become a pilot, and no experience is required.

Wannabe aviators must prove themselves via the AirAsia blog from 1 April 2009 to 15 May 2009. Tell the airline why you deserve this opportunity and you could win the chance to fulfil your fantasies of flying.

AirAsia has put together a spoof video to inspire candidates, which can be viewed here:

Applicants must meet the requirements of basic entry as per the Department of Civil Aviation and AirAsia standards for pilot acceptance. These, along with specific entry details, can be viewed online here.

Good luck and happy flying!

London-based travel writer, Graeme Green, is developing a TV series for the BBC and looking for UK based travellers to take part.

Graeme is looking to spend time with and film several different individuals, couples, families, friends or groups from the UK who, because of the recession, have decided to leave the country for a while and spend time abroad doing something bold, new and exciting.

Of particular interest are people choosing to go and do something constructive and life-changing that will set them off in a new direction in their lives and careers. For example:

• Learn new skills abroad to put toward setting up a new business, improve job prospects or launch a new career, e.g. learning scuba diving in order to become a marine conservationist.

• Get work experience or training abroad that will help you in your current field or in a new career.

• Set up a short-term business abroad – bike rental, diving school, bar/café/restaurant, bookshop...

• Set up a long-term business abroad, such as in tourism, ethical trade, arts and crafts, something different or unique...

• Do volunteering or charity work, with a view to working in the charity sector when returning to the UK.

• Work with animals, and looking to start/continue a career working with animals.

• Work on conservation projects (environment, wildlife, marine life...) with a view to starting a career in conservation.

• Work on sustainable energies, organics, farming and livestock, development...

• Set up green projects, eco ideas, ethical trade, and looking to continue working in this area...

• Set up artistic projects, art or performance groups...

• Any other constructive, life-changing projects or activities that you’re taking part in or setting up.

If you've got a journey/project/adventure starting in April, May or June that lasts around 2 to 4 months, and you're interested in taking part, get in touch with Graeme (gfgreen@hotmail.com). He's looking for a 100 word summary about your trip, including you name, age, where in the UK you're based, what your current/previous job is/was, and what your plan is in terms of life-changing recession-escaping activities abroad.

Photo Credit: Presenting by JanneM via Flickr (Creative Commons)

I was sent an email this morning asking for tips on travelling to the Sapa region in Vietnam. Sadly I've never been so deferred to a friend who went very recently and she came back with a goldmine of information. So good that it had to be shared!

So, here you go, the inside track on the stunning hill station of Sapa...

When to go to Sapa:

Avoid the winter months of January and February like the plague as the mountains are covered in fog making it impossible to see the surrounding area, which is the whole point of being there! April and May are meant to be good months as well as end of September and October. July and August is Sapa's rainy season so best avoided.

How to get to Sapa:

Fly into Hanoi and take the train up to Lao Cai, which is a nine hour overnight journey. On average there are three trains a night to Sapa departing from Hanoi station, so there are quite a few options to choose from.

If you are staying at the Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa, which is the best hotel in the area, then they have their own train which has a dining carriage and looks very comfortable. You can only book this if you are staying at the hotel.

The other option is the Fanxipan Express. This is a good and comfortable way to get to Sapa, although there's no dining carriage (the only train with a dining carriage on this route is the Victoria Express). There are four berths per carriage. If there are two of you travelling you will have to share with others unless you pay for all four berths to ensure privacy.

Pete Wilkes, Managing Director of Sapa Rooms, recommends the TSC train, the Livitrans train and the Hara train. He says these carriages all depart from Hanoi nightly between 7:30pm and 9:15pm, arriving in Lao Cai the following morning from 5:30am to 7:30am. These options are safe, secure, comfortable and clean, and come equipped with clean western toilets, air conditioning and lockable doors.

A four berth train ticket costs USD 37 per person one way and a two berth train ticket costs USD 85 per person one way.

Arriving in Sapa:

Once you arrive into Lao Cai there are people milling around to take you to Sapa which is about a 40 minute drive. Really watch out for touts and make sure that you buy your ticket from the driver once on the bus, otherwise you will end up paying over the odds.

Where to stay in Sapa:

Victoria Sapa Resort & Spa is a good hotel with swimming pool, spa and tennis court, as well as tour booking office on site. There is a restaurant and bar there (famous for its cheese fondue) so if you are looking to stay somewhere with all the comforts then I would recommend this, although the rates are a lot higher than anywhere else.

Tel: +84 43 9330318 (Speak to Ha – she is really helpful); Email: resa.sapa@victoriahotels.asia

Cha Pa Gardens is right in the centre of Sapa, by the market. It's very well located and a sweet place with just four decent sized rooms. The owner, Tommy, is married to a Vietnamese woman and they co-run it. Tommy can arrange for a local guide to take you on walks in the surrounding area, but as we were looking for a bit more depth to the tours and wanting to learn about the local culture, we ended up booking everything through the Victoria Sapa – but enjoy the lovely boutique style hotel.

Tel: +84 20 387 2907; Email: post@chapagarden.com; www.chapagarden.com

Sapa Rooms is the third recommended option. The hotel is run by Pete who was super helpful in sending through all the train options. He can book the train for you as well as all tours and activities. Sapa Rooms was closed when I went in January, but I walked past the hotel. It is right by the market and again in centre of town, but on the road and not set back like Cha Pa Gardens; I don’t think this would make any difference though and imagine service to be much better than at Cha Pa Gardens, which was a bit slack.

Tel: +84 (0)90 618 7883; Email: pete.wilkes@me.com / info@saparooms.com; www.saparooms.com

What to do in Sapa:

During the day, and if the weather is good, there is so much to do. There's lots of hiking, and although the trails can get quite busy with visitors we found a few treks that were less crowded. You are taken by local guides on these hikes, so also learn a lot about the local culture.

The top hikes are as follows. All of these hikes can be booked through Pete Wilkes at Sapa Rooms, who gives the profits back to the region's minority communities. All hikes can be customised to suit you, and his descriptions of them are as follows. Email pete.wilkes@me.com or call +84 (0)90 618 7883.

Cat Cat Village, 3km (difficulty - easy): This is the home of the H'mong minority tribe. During this hike you have the opportunity to meet and talk with locals to learn more about their daily life. There are many opportunities to purchase handicrafts direct from the local tribal community. The walk will take you to beautiful Cascade waterfall and the old French hydroelectric power station built over 100 years ago. You may choose to walk or catch a motorbike back to Sapa (2km). Cost: 180,000 VND per person.

Lao Chai and Tavan Villages (difficulty - medium): Walk along ancient buffalo trails between mountains and valleys and across rice paddies to arrive in the beautiful Lao Chai village. Along the way enjoy some of Vietnam's most breathtaking views of terraced rice fields. In Lao Chai village visit the H'mong people in their wooden and bamboo houses, experience daily life in the tribal villages which are set high in the mountains among pristine rice terraces and wild running rivers. Continue on to Tavan village home of the Day minority people. Meet the locals and pay a visit to the schools to distribute any gifts you may have brought from home. Here you will have many opportunities to purchase handicrafts direct from the local tribal community. Choose to return to Sapa on foot, jeep or motorbike. Cost: 420.000 VND per person includes lunch and your motorcycle ride.

Matra and Taphin villages (6 hours, 11km – includes home cooked lunch): First take either a jeep or motorbike ride 4km to visit the Black Hmong village of Matra which is set in a beautiful lush valley and famous for its picture perfect scenery. After this village, continue on the peaceful dirt road talking to locals until you reach the mountain village of Taphin - a traditional handy craft village and home to two different minorities; the Red Dzao and the Black H'mong. Have a picnic lunch in the village and take time to explore the village with your guide. Here there is an option to take a traditional Red Dzau hot bath with medicinal herbs. This is a great way to sooth tired muscles after trekking. Cost: 420,000 VND per person includes lunch and your motorcycle ride.

Ban Ho hot spring village (1 hour each way by jeep or motorbike, 4 hours trekking around Ban Ho village, includes home cooked lunch): If you want total isolation and dream of swimming in beautiful crystal clear rivers with local minority children surrounded by stunning scenery then this is the trek for you. Truly unforgettable, Ban Ho Village is worth the one hour jeep or motor bike journey to get there, as the village rewards visitors with stunning views and opportunities to discover the daily life of the ethnic Tay people. The trails and roads from Ban Ho also lead to the quiet Red Dao Village of Nam Toong and other ethnic communities, where you can enjoy the best of Northern Vietnam, such as deep valleys, amazing mountains and the friendliest people you can imagine. Cost: 650,000 VND per person, includes lunch and jeep or motorbike ride.

If you are going for longer than a weekend you may want to climb Fanxipan – any of the hotels can help arrange this for you.

Where to eat in Sapa:

There are some dodgy places and a few great ones; unfortunately we missed out on some as they were closed when we were there. My favourite, which is highly recommended, is Le Gecko. It is run by a great guy called Frederic. There is a pool table there, a terrace for eating outside, and if it's cold there is an open fire to sit next to inside. I recommend the mushroom pasta!

For more information about Vietnam, click here.

Photo Credits: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. All via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Ryanair Chief Exec, Michael O'Leary, said the airline is literally turning pennies into pounds with its plans to charge passengers £1 to use on-board loos.

O'Leary said Ryanair has looked into installing coin slots to the doors of aircraft loos. Passengers may have to cough up £1 to "spend a penny".

Would you pay to use an on-board bathroom and how much do you think a reasonable charge would be?

For more information about Ryanair, click here.

Photo credit: The Bathroom on Singapore Air by Scurzuzu via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Sir Richard Branson is on the look out for look-a-likes. As part of Virgin Atlantic's 25th birthday celebrations, Sir Richard has launched a global competition to find a doppelgänger.

You don't have to look like him to enter, you have to be able to pose like him. Posing ideas and inspiration for girls and boys alike can be found on the airline's Facebook page.

The prize includes a pair of Premium Economy return flights to New York, one night of accommodation and two VIP tickets to Virgin Atlantic's exclusive 25th birthday party in the Big Apple.

For more information about Virgin Atlantic, click here.

It's the end of our new travel video function's first week. To show off how great the new content is here are some of the most-viewed videos.

First up, swinging through Costa Rica's jungle canopy (not for the faint-hearted!)

Next up, elephant washing in Kerala, India:

And finally, a snapshot of some of Thailand's best beaches:

There's plenty more online at iloho, so visit www.iloho.com/travel_videos now to check it out!

Budapest is one of the most impressive places to see the Danube River as it winds its course from the Black Forest to the Black Sea.

This shot shows off the stunning Széchenyi Chain Bridge, which joins Buda to Pest.

For more photos of world landmarks click here.

Photo Credit: Széchenyi Chain Bridge, Budapest, Hungary by SF Brit

Loving this video of a woman in Hong Kong losing it after missing a flight; oh to have been a fly on the wall.

As I type I'm in Shanghai Pudong airport waiting for a flight back to Hong Kong. Sadly the place is deserted so no chance of this kind of a sideshow.

For more travel videos click here.

Whether it makes your heart sing or forces you into the foetal position in a very dark room, Valentine's Day is just around the corner.

Whilst we're all for romance, we prefer doing something a little different from wistfully gazing at each other across a candlelit table, so we've drawn up a list of quirky Valentine's Day options.

Escape to a private island

Just imagine it – the perfect spot for romance and not a Hallmark card in sight. Escape to Cayo Espanto off the coast of Belize for a luxurious and private Valentine's Day. Explore the world’s second-largest barrier-reef system, languish on a private dock, cool off in an alfresco shower or in your very own plunge pool. All this and panoramic views of the Caribbean too, could you ask for anything more?

Cayo Espanto’s is currently offering an Ultimate Romance package priced at USD 4,995 per couple for Valentine’s Day.

Surf lessons and a bonfire on a Californian beach

For outdoors types a day in the surf followed by a bonfire on Huntington Beach, California could be the perfect alternative to flowers and a card.

The Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach as teamed up with surf company, Toes on the Nose, to provide a variety of adventure packages for couples. You can indulge in a 2 hour private surfing lesson followed by a sunset bonfire with s'mores. Learn how to ride the perfect wave and then cuddle up on the beach a deux.

All rates available upon request: Two-hour private lessons begin at $150.00. Please contact Toes on the Nose or the Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa for special package pricing at +1 714-845-4638 or email toesonthenose@hyatt.com.

A piste of the action at Whistler / Blackcomb

A little birdie told us that since opening its new PEAK 2 PEAK gondola in December 2008, Whistler / Blackcomb has witnessed numerous engagements, two weddings and countless stolen kisses in the gondola as it traverses the 2.73 mile span between Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.

Romance is clearly in British Columbia's fresh, clean air, so why not whisk your beloved away for a weekend break packed with skiing, log fires, quaint cabins and, of course, the gondola.

Go wild out West

Saddle up and get your spurs on... How about a trip to Hidden Meadow Ranch, a luxury retreat surrounded by national forest in Arizona's picturesque White Mountains? It's 20 miles to the nearest village and there are no TVs in the log cabins, so you're guaranteed quality one-on-one time.

Each of the 12 log cabins features a wood-burning fireplace, bathrooms with oversized soaking tubs (enough room for two); a covered porch overlooking the meadow; bedrooms outfitted with fine linens; and locally hand-carved wood furniture.

Gee up for romantic horseback rides, hiking, sledging and cuddling up on your own horse-drawn sleigh.

Pricing for overnight guests is an all-inclusive $565 and includes three gourmet meals per day (including a four course prix fix dinner on February 14), a special in-cabin Valentine’s Day surprise, as well as many Ranch-sponsored activities.

Get naked...

...at the Terra Cotta Inn, a clothing optional resort and spa in Palm Springs, California. There's a no kids allowed policy so couples can relax by the pool without distraction, sipping a cold drink as the warm sun caresses parts that may never before have seen the light of day.

If you're new to nudism, don't panic, CBSmarketwatch.com called the Terra Cotta Inn the most mainstream of all nudist resorts in America and perfect for couples sunbathing in their birthday suits for the first time.

The resort averages a 75% repeat guests rate, perhaps once you start you just can't stop...

Website: http://sunnyfun.com; Tel: 1-800-786-6938.

Dinner in the Sky

It might be the most expensive Valentine's Day dinner you've ever planned, but you will be eating at a table suspended at a height of 50 metres, which definitely makes for a quirky experience.

You can arrange for your dinner in the sky to take place wherever you choose – from your own garden to a vineyard to a castle to the races - as long as there is a 500 m² surface that can be secured. The service operates in 15 countries worldwide, so if you already have a mini-break planned you could add a whole new element of surprise to it.

For more information contact info@dinnerinthesky.com

London and the movies

The Covent Garden Hotel, London's chic boutique hotspot is showing hit musical Mamma Mia on Valentine's Day at its film club.

A two course dinner with a glass of wine and the movie or a champagne afternoon tea and the movie costs £35.00 per person. The film starts at 8pm. If you want to indulge yourselves a little more, you can also stay overnight in one of the hotel's luxurious bedrooms from £230.

For reservations and further information call +44 20 7806 1007.

Camp on the Great Wall of China

Sleeping on the Great Wall might be chilly in February, but you are guaranteed peace, isolation and wild romance. Pack the right kit and find one of the deserted watchtowers to shelter in.

Several tour companies can arrange overnight stays on the Great Wall, and will combine your sleep over with a stunning half day hike on spectacular sections of the wall far away from the throngs of tourists. Try The China Guide and Hidden China for more information.

Where did you spend your most memorable Valentine's Day and what have you got planned for this year?

Photo Credits:

Dinner in the Sky of Toronto by wvs via Flickr (Creative Commons); Covent Garden Hotel by Clare & Dave via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Turner Wright

"Do you have hot springs in your country?"

We talked in the bath, the Japanese and I. Rambled on about the differences in our cultures, debated which onsen (hot springs) were the best in the land, and tried to trick each other into moving into the current of the tenki furo (electric bath), to thunderous laughter. But more often than not, both in my neighbourhood bathhouse and across the country, my hosts were curious at to whether Americans enjoyed the benefits of a daily soak.

I didn't really have a good answer for them; with the exception of Palm Springs and what I assumed were a smattering of geothermal springs in the Rockies and Sierra Nevada mountains, I had no idea of what calming waters I could have missed in my own home town. Are hot springs even possible in the middle of the United States, where volcanoes are few and far between, and unlikely to produce anything remotely similar to what one sees in Japan?

In Japan, most of the springs are fuelled by underground water sources coming into close proximity to magma or volcanic "veins" of heat rising to the surface. As these types of hot springs are usually superheated, many have to be regulated so as not to scald the bather.

Given the number of volcanoes in the land of the rising sun, it should come as no surprise that hot spring culture has played a major role in Japanese society: relaxing at an onsen resort in the country is a favourite romantic getaway; super sento (large "amusement park" scale bathhouses) provide a means for families to spend time together while both exercising and staying clean (take that, American nuclear family!); if you are a guest in a Japanese home, you may be asked to bathe before dinner.

More than a means to stay fresh and clean, the sanctity of the bath is of utmost importance. In Japan you bathe first, removing all the dirt and soap from your body, then enter the pure waters of the bath to blissfully while away the time. In Beppu on the island of Kyushu, there is so much hot water beneath the earth's surface that it appears as though small fires are constantly burning on the streets, steam releasing some pressure and providing some very picturesque scenes. In northern Honshu, near Nagano, snow monkeys are clever enough to go in for a soak themselves, as Japanese tourists snap some truly original photographs.

Although some springs in the United States are heated in a similar manner, others are the result of geothermal energy: the deeper you go towards the centre of the Earth, the higher the temperature of the rocks. Hot springs powered in this manner need to reach a sufficient depth in the planet's crust to achieve any significant temperatures (enough for soothing baths, anyway).

My search led me straightaway to west Texas, more specifically a resort not far from the Mexican border: Chinati Hot Springs.

Legends of the regenerative powers of the waters of Chinati trace their origins back to the Native American Apache and Comanche tribes who once had free reign over the great state of Texas. The superstitions surrounding such a burial ground remain in full effect, the current owners always mindful of the direction their karma takes them... "Whoever closes the spring for the use of anyone else will die before his time," warning those who would attempt to restrict access to what nature has provided freely and without prejudice.

Slowly filling the tubs at a steady 109 degrees, these springs offer the same kind of therapeutic effects one would see from any volcanic source: scar regeneration, joint health, overall wellness, a rejuvenation of the spirit.

And unlike in Japan, where one may soak as rain gently disturbs the surface of the outdoor baths, in Chinati, light hail provides just the right effect to appreciate the heated waters underneath the starry night.

If you want privacy and a place to watch Orion dance above a desert oasis without the noise of cell phones and car wheels, Chinati is the place for you. The biggest problems you'll face are runaway burros and all-too-friendly bloodhounds.

In nearby Big Bend National Park, an outdoor hot spring pool lies on the border to Mexico: the Rio Grande Village.

Mere walking (or swimming) distance from the closest Mexican village, the springs are remote, even by Big Bend standards. Your journey will take you slowly backwards in time, as you depart the black asphalt of the late 20th century, amble past trading posts and a post office build nearly one hundred years ago, and catch sight of Native American pictographs and petroglyphs along a sheered rock face pre-dates them all.

A little farther down the sandy path you'll come across the ruins of what was once the bathhouse, now a mere foundation used to prevent the healing water from flowing directly into the river. I must admit I was sceptical... but fear not, these springs are comparable to any seaside onsen in Japan.

The hot springs at Rio Grande Village is recommended for its remote location, soothing waters, and communion with nature. Take a soak in the shadow of Native American culture and melt your troubles away in the Texas sun. Everything is bigger, better, and apparently even more relaxing in Texas.

"Yes, we do have hot springs in America. Let me tell you..."

How are the hot springs where you come from? Iceland, Canada, the UK, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Taiwan... Antarctica?

Nobody's trying to fill Sir Edmund Hillary's climbing boots, but trends definitely indicate that intrepid travel is on the up. The team at Black Tomato has been pondering the future of travel: with a continued emphasis on exclusivity and the "untouched", can it be that a whole new type of leisure explorers are set to take the world (and beyond) by storm? Well, if you're out there, consider this your call to arms.

Do you dream of cutting fresh tracks through virgin powder? Are you always on the look-out for the latest extreme adventure sport? Think physical and mental boundaries are made to be crossed? Find it deeply satisfying to be the first at everything? Crave the terrifying thrill of the unknown? Then you're a perfect candidate, and it is with great pleasure that we dub you a member of this new, exciting breed: "21st century explorer".

You're a throw-back to those god-like men of bygone eras: James Cook, Ernest Shackleton, Alexander the Great. Admittedly they might have been motivated by slightly different factors, but these men shared one thing in common: a thirst for exploration and adventure so deeply ingrained as to push them farther than any human had gone before. Now, we're not asking you to pillage and plunder, nor board a ship in search of new worlds; that would just be silly not to mention illegal. These days the job of the explorer is to find new ways and means to fulfil a yearning for the unknown.

So where can you find this precious commodity? What is the route to adrenaline-fuelled bliss? Well, we've got a few ideas...

As the world becomes more accessible and globalisation increases our knowledge of even its furthest reaches, the undiscovered is becoming ever more elusive. More and more people are scaling the world's heights, exploring its deepest depths and sticking their noses in every hidden corner. But don't be discouraged (no real explorer would let such a tiny, insignificant obstacle deter him). This only means you've got to dig a little deeper and go that extra mile – something we're pretty sure you'd tend to do regardless.

And while this can be a bit annoying for those of looking for a quick boundary-breaking fix, every cloud has a silver lining. As the stakes are upped, the exclusivity factor shoots through the roof which means that you, our 21st century explorers, are set to have some seriously A-list adventures.

So if reading this has ignited a yearning for adventure then read on for a little exploration inspiration – our program for an explorer in training:

• Conquer the frozen land: It's not completely undiscovered, but Antarctica is undoubtedly untamed. This is a real, Jules Verne-style adventure and when you land on an ice runway at the "unknown international airport", you'll see what we mean. Well, we think you will... You can even glean a little inspiration from the "Scott camp" where you can see how your predecessor tackled the ice.

• Crack the earth's crust: In a manner of speaking, that is. Dive down to the bottom of a crystal clear mineral lake in the wilds of Iceland and penetrate the earth's outer covering. Swim deep between two tectonic plates and – literally – hold the world apart. If that's not an innovative adventure, we don't know what is!

• Trek the Black Cat Track: Truly one of our last frontiers, Papua New Guinea's uncharted jungles are the place to head if you're looking for a bona fide tropical adventure. Situated in the South Pacific's "Ring of Fire", this is a land of volcanoes, mysterious birds, highland cloud forests, the mighty Sepik River and thriving local tribes. Challenge yourself trekking the little known "Black Cat Track" which links several rural villages from Wau in the Southern Coastal Highlands to Salamua Beach in the Morobe Province. Less than 100 people did this trek in 2008 and it is much more intrepid that the more famous Kokodo trail. Not for the faint of heart, you'll head deep into the cloud forest crossing dramatic gorges using ropes and harnesses, and be taught to build traditional rafts out of bamboo and jungle vines which you'll then raft down the San Francisco River. Bruce Parry eat your heart out.

• Scale the heights of Everest: It might have been done by quite a few people now, but come on, it's still pretty hard core. And if you hit the summit, it'll definitely guarantee some serious bragging rights. So celebrate Sir Edmund and don your warmest clothes to reach the pinnacle of earthly exploration.

• Space... the final frontier? Still a bit of a question, to be honest, but we've got an inkling that this will prove the ultimate realm for adventure in the 21st century. Be the Christopher Columbus of outer space and discover a new galaxy. A challenge? Well, yes. But no self-respecting explorer would shirk such a momentous journey.

So only one question remains to be asked: what are you doing suiting up and typing away your precious hours in the office? There are new worlds to be discovered and boundaries to be crossed – we're counting on you to lead the way.

Black Tomato (www.blacktomato.co.uk; +44 207 426 9888) is a bespoke tour operator that specialises in putting together exceptional travel experiences.

By Helena Iveson

Tucked down an historic tree-lined hutong alley, walking distance from the Lama Temple, design boutique Lost & Found is the answer to the age-old question for tourists to Beijing: just where do you get stylish souvenirs in the land of cheap knockoff t-shirts and Chairman Mao watches?

Paul Gelinas – an American theatre set designer and former art director for NBC's Olympic coverage – and his Chinese partner Xiao Miao salvage objects from the past, whether they're chipped enamel street signs from a long-demolished hutong, a barbershop chair or a 1950s Shanghai fan and lovingly remove the dirt before offering them on sale in their treasure trove of a store.

Look out for the 50s style storage cabinet from the old Beijing library complete with handwritten library cards still in the drawers – a steal for 4000 RMB. Alongside the reclaimed knickknacks, there are new items for sale too, including brightly coloured, hand stencilled flasks from Beijing's oldest thermos factory (58RMB), handmade slippers, and an exclusive range of men's and women's clothes – think linen jackets with a subtle traditional Chinese twist – all made locally and very reasonably priced. There's also a full range of the covetable Moleskine notebooks, including the Beijing editon – perfect for writing down the details of this fascinating treasure trove of a store.

Lost & Found, 42 Guozijian, Chaoyang district, Beijing. Tel: +86-10/6401-1855; Web: lost-and-found.cn.

All Images Copyright Lost & Found 2008.

This shot, "Winter Seagull at Lighthouse Beach - Chatham, MA", by Chris Seufert won the the 2008 Cape Cod Creative Arts Center Juried Photography Contest, and it's not hard to see why.

Chris says: "A female seagull flies over the bluff from a snowy beach on Cape Cod. Winter's now bringing some normal cold and snow here and my fingerless photo gloves did nothing to protect against the below zero winds. It's a very exposed strip of sand and you can draw a straight line out into the Atlantic to Portugal. The car tracks in the background are from Harbor Patrol vehicles which now travel down from Chatham to the new connection to the island of Monomoy, which is no longer an island for the first time in 45 years.

I'm amazed at the response this photo has gotten. It really was an opportunistic quick snap as the gull flew off. Street photography, but on the beach. If you look in the lower left you can see another gull coming behind."

To share your travel photos, click here.

I am completely bamboozled. Where on earth is Maseru, Lesotho??? For that matter, where's Belo Horizonte? If you know then no doubt your travel IQ will be higher than 111 (my score), but why don't you test yourself below?

The object of the game is to click your mouse on the world map and stick a pin as close to the world city / famous place / world capital that you're asked to locate. The places get tougher as you move up through the levels.

Please do leave your scores in the comments box - I'd love to know how you get on!

If you're a travel loving reader of Wallpaper* magazine then it's time to get excited. They have teamed up with UK based travel agency Black Tomato to create a series of four fantastic travel experiences.

Travellers can sign up for a long weekend in Miami, skiing in northern Norway, a cultural break to Bucharest and Transylvania or a 5* escape to a Tuscan villa.

Each of the trips is bespoke and more experiences will be added to the Wallpaper* / Black Tomato offering in the future.

For more information visit www.blacktomato.co.uk/wallpaperTravel. For more trip ideas click here.

Photo Credits:

Lyngen 2006 - melkein huipulla and HDR in Bucharest via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Once the pulse of "Swinging London", the King's Road is a street of major cultural significance. In the 60s musicians like The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and The Rolling Stones hung out in its famous pubs and cafes with the crème de la crème of the fashion, literary and film world. In the 70s the King's Road witnessed the birth of the punk movement.

Today mods and mini-skirts have been replaced by yummy mummies and "Chelsea Tractors", and the King's Road is one of London's most gentrified streets. However, shopping and boutiques are still a big obsession and the street is home to several chic shops.

If you're in London and have a couple of hours to spare, make sure you hit these King's Road gems…

If you've arrived at Sloane Square tube station (district and circle lines), cross the square and start walking down the King's Road. You'll soon see a bus stop on your right hand side. Jump on the numbers 11, 19, 22 or 319 and get off at the Beaufort Street stop.

Graham & Green

This two-storey treasure trove is home to an eye-popping array of fashion, furniture, lighting and gifts. Pick up a slinky number by DAY Birger et Mikkelsen, browse for bags and accessories for your next trip and drool over their exotic range of furniture.

340 Kings Rd, London; Tel: 020 7352 1919; Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 11:30am to 5:30pm.

Brora

No one does Scottish cashmere quite like Brora. A myriad of colours and designs to suit any age, from baby right through to Granny. Feast your eyes and get kit yourself out in style for the famous British weather.

344 Kings Road, London; Tel: 020 7352 3697; Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10am to 6pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm.

Austique

If you're looking for a boutique that's très, très chic then look no further. Jaw droppingly hot dresses, jeans, tops, jewellery, lingerie and accessories. Don't forget your credit card, this one does not come cheap.

330 Kings Road, London; Tel: 020 7376 4555 / 020 7376 3773; Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:30am to 7pm, Sunday 12pm to 5pm.

Designers Guild

Head here for fab fabrics, wallpaper, bed and bath linens, furniture, fragrance and home accessories.

267 Kings Road, London; Tel: 020 7351 5775; Email - info@designersguild.com

Cath Kidson

A great array of vintage inspired homewares and home furnishings. Kitschy prints on everything from first aid boxes to dog baskets.

322 Kings Road, London; Tel: 020 7351 7335; Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am to 7pm, Sunday 11am to 5pm.

Antiquarius

One of oldest and most famous antiques centres in London, this emporium is chock-a-block with dealers and products. You can snag everything from antique Louis Vuitton trunks and suitcases to engagement rings to showstopping one-off pieces.

131 – 141 Kings Road, London; Tel: 020 7823 3900; Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am to 6pm, closed on Sundays.

R.Soles

If you love cowboy boots you'll be in heaven here. This boutique is 100% devoted to the finest boots money can buy. There's something for everyone, from classic pieces to quirky one-offs.

109a Kings Road, London; Tel: 020 7351 5520; Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday 10 am to 7pm, Sunday 12pm to 6pm.

For more on shopping across the globe click here. For more on London click here.

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Photo Credit: King's Road by C'est moi via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways, which has just been voted "Airline of the Year" at the British Travel Awards, is planning an upgrade to its first class seating.

According to the Business Traveller website, changes will include a new suite-style product, improved business class seats, and a focus on service in economy.

These upgrades aim to position Etihad Airways as a premium luxury brand. Etihad's executive vice-president of marketing Peter Baumgartner said that the new first class seats would offer "privacy on demand" with a "single seat cabin" as well as the option of a double cabin suite.

For traveller reviews of Etihad Airways, click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

By Jay Martin

Island getaways are a dime a dozen, but to truly get away, you have to make everyone else go away. This can be accomplished by purchasing a private island, or if you don't feel like dealing with all that paperwork, you can simply rent one. While some tiny islands like Croatia's Porer Island rent for as little as 124 EUR per week, the truly wealthy can pay more than 300,000 USD for seven days at a private Caribbean retreat.

One high-profile rental, Necker Island, lies in the British Virgin Islands and is owned by Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire head of the Virgin empire. Branson purchased the undeveloped island more than 25 years ago for 180,000 GBP, and now charges well over that for a one-week stay – 322,000 USD. On the island's official website, daily life is not described in words. Rather, Branson uses photos of lavish tables set for twenty, picnic lunches on the beach, white linens and pillows, and bedroom curtains that billow open to reveal the painfully blue sea. Prospective guests can see exactly what it is like to escape the real world for a week and live in paradise.

Not all island rentals are in the Caribbean, however. Off the coast of Ibiza, Spain lies Isla de sa Ferradura. A safe-haven for pirates during the 17th century, the island boasts a network of caves and tunnels adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. Highlights of the resort include a health and wellness centre – built into a cave - complete with a vitamin bar, Turkish bath, solarium, hairdresser and bar. Guests can swim through a waterfall from the cave into a subtropical lagoon. There are six suites to choose from, and each has a different theme to make for a unique stay on the island. More affordable than Necker Island at 147,000 EUR (plus VAT) per week, Isla de sa Ferradura offers an alternative to those looking to branch out past the private Caribbean getaway.

Most lavish private islands come with a full staff that includes captains and pilots for the various boats and planes that might be included in the price. The all-inclusive nature of the stay can accommodate a large family reunion, wedding, or a simple honeymoon for two. While many would be surprised at how affordable some island rentals are, most would be floored to see the bill for a week at one of the world's most exclusive and secluded private islands.

For the wealthy, renting an island isn't about the amenities. One can easily find great views, crisp linens, and attentive staff at almost any luxury resort in the world. Renting an island is about status and showing your friends and family that you have attained a special place in the social strata, and that place is meant to be shared. That's why most expensive private islands can accommodate upwards of 40 of your closest friends and family. Because who rents an island to spend a week alone?

WHO TO CONTACT:

Necker Island Reservations Office – 0800 716 919 (toll-free, UK); 877 577 8777 (toll-free, USA); Website: www.neckerisland.com; Email: enquiries@virginlimitededition.com.

Isla de sa Ferradura – +34 971 410 015 / 6; Website: www.islaferradura.com; Email: info@islaferradura.com.

Private Islands Online - Website: www.privateislandsonline.com.

Photo Credits:

1) Musha Cay by alancf via Flickr (Creative Commons).

2) Necker Island by russelldavies via Flickr (Creative Commons).

3) Summer and Champagne by Damiel via Flickr (Creative Commons).

It's -2 degrees in London today. Although it's not snowing (yet) this shot of Big Ben under a dusting of snow seems both apt and festive!

Photo by Andifeelfine via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Harriet Torry

Valencia, the regional capital of the Comunidad Valenciana (Valencia region) is probably best known for its oranges, tomato throwing festival (in nearby Buñol) and sailing. Not to be overlooked though are the city's buzzing culinary scene and its diverse Christian / Muslim heritage.

Eating and Drinking

The menu del día at Espita Gorgorita is excellent and, at 12 euros, good value for money. Great croquetas. The restaurant has trendy decoration, helpful staff and pavement tables overlooking the Plaza Tossal – a good place for people-watching.

Espita Gorgorita, Plaza San Jaime 3, 46001 Valencia; Tel: +34 963 925 835

Casa Mario was best restaurant I visited in Valencia. Fresh, regional dishes, excellent tapas - especially the asparagus a la plancha (griddled asparagus) - and the staff were friendly and knowledgeable about wine. Highly recommended, and popular.

Casa Mario, Calle Roteros 3, 46003, Valencia; Tel: +34 963 92 44 52

La Marcelina is a good paella restaurant on the Paseo Neptuno waterfront. The décor is a bit 1980s and, in typical Spanish style, it's got bright lighting and uncomfortable chairs, but the food makes it worth it.

La Marcelina, Paseo de Neptuno 8, 46011, Valencia; Tel: +34 963 712 025

Vivir sin Dormir is a trendy bar / restaurant just up the beach from La Marcelina.

Vivir Sin Dormir, Paseo de Neptuno 42, 46011 Valencia; Tel: +34 963 727 777; Fax: +34 963 559 275; www.vivirsindormir.com

The guide books lavish praise on Bar Pilar, but I was underwhelmed. I didn't try their famous mussels, but I thought the bean tapas was overcooked, and the squid too chewy. The staff weren't very welcoming, and they forgot part of my order.

Bar Pilar, Calle Moro Zeit 13, Valencia

Culture

When your feet are weary from sightseeing, you can catch a movie in its original English version at the Babel or Albatros cinemas . The Albatros cinema is a bit out of the way on Fray Luis Colomer 4, but only a five euro taxi ride from the city centre.

There are two works by Diego Velazquez in the Museo de Bellas Artes - a self-portrait and eerie monk lying in state - which makes the trip alone worth it. There are also works by Goya, Jose de Ribera and van Dyck, and a lovely courtyard.

Museo De Bellas Artes De Valencia, Calle San Pío V nº 9, 46010 Valencia; Tel: +34 963 870 300; Fax: +34 963 870 301; www.cult.gva.es

The IVAM (Institut Valencià d'Art Modern) is a snazzy building with interesting temporary exhibitions. If you don't have time to see the City of Arts and Sciences, then this is a good place to check out some modern Valencian architecture.

IVAM, Calle Guillem De Castro 118, 46003 Valencia; Tel: +34 963 863 000; Fax: +34 963 921 094; www.ivam.es

The Botanical Garden (entrance 1 euro) is an oasis in the heart of the city. It was originally conceived as a medicinal herbal garden for the university, and now it's also a very peaceful place to hang out.

Jardí Botànic (Botanical Garden), Calle de Quart 80, 46008 Valencia; Tel: +34 963 15 68 00; Fax: +34 963 15 68 26; www.jardibotanic.org

All images by Harriet Torry

By Nora Dunn

In the "global village" we live in, keeping in touch and being accessible while you are travelling isn't as tricky as it was in days gone by. But to do so while maximising your budget: that's another thing.

Cellular phones are more common than not these days (so much so that some people have done away with traditional land lines altogether). And travelling with a cell phone is also a great way to remain in contact with those you love... for a price. With roaming, long distance charges, and a myriad of other cryptic fees and charges though, it seems that cell phone providers are profiting handsomely from your travels if you aren't careful about how to navigate through the maze of cellular plans and promotions.

So should you even bother taking your cell phone with you? Is there a way to inexpensively stay in touch while you are travelling? Yes!

Here are five easy steps to "travel-proof" your cell phone:

1) Make sure your phone uses SIM cards:

A SIM card (standing for Security Information Management) is a small chip that usually lives underneath the battery in your phone. It is in effect your phone number; so don't lose it, because you'll lose your phone number too!

There are some cell phones that don't use SIM cards, and without one, you will be dead in the water and in the market for a new cell phone if you want to be globally accessible.

2) Ensure you have a GSM Quad Band phone:

GSM (standing for Global System for Mobile communications) phones are usually the standard, unless your phone came free with a plan or is a pay-as-you-go cheapie. The trick is to ensure that all four bands – cell phone frequencies – are available with your phone. 850 and 1900 Mhz frequencies are usually used in the Americas, while 900 and 1800 Mhz frequencies are the norm in Europe and Asia. By ensuring your phone covers all four frequencies – and that all four bands are open on your phone, you are one step closer to being a tech-savvy globe trotter.

3) Unlock your phone:

And no – we're not referring to the password or keypad lock. Unlocking your phone is an internal function that will allow you to put any SIM card into your phone, making it a portal for multiple phone numbers and networks. If your phone was sold to you by your cellular provider, it will probably need unlocking. You have a better chance of already owning an unlocked phone if you purchased it from a cellular store independent of any plans and put your own SIM card in.

If your phone is locked, you can purchase special kits online for about $10 to unlock the phone (which is usually a matter of entering a series of "secret" numbers into the phone), or you can pay somebody else to unlock it for you.

If you are in the market for a phone, you can easily find unlocked ones – just specify that you want a GSM Quad Band unlocked phone – and they'll know what you're after.

Now you are ready to hit the road with your travel-compatible phone. Once you reach your destination, here's what to do…

4) Buy a Pay-As-You-Go SIM card:

In many places, SIM cards are very common and readily available in convenience stores. In other places, you'll need to go to a cellular provider to get a SIM card. Just make sure you aren't buying the phone to go along with it or and that you're not getting sucked into a monthly plan; you just want a pay-as-you-go plan, and should not be required to pay much (if anything) for the SIM card itself.

5) Buy a Long Distance phone card:

With your new SIM card installed, friends and family back home can call you; but if you want to call them, you'll pay a lot for the privilege. By using a long distance phone card (again, available at most convenience stores), you will only pay local fees for the call, and your long distance fees will be covered with your calling card.

Now you are officially globally accessible!

Here are some of the benefits of travel-proofing your cell phone:

• You have a local phone number wherever you go, allowing you to make travel plans, stay in touch with new friends, and ease the burden of communication on the road.
• In many cases, incoming calls are free.
• Your family can reach you whenever they like (which may be a mixed blessing).
• You will pay only local charges (if anything) to answer the call, and hopefully they have a good long-distance plan on their land line to cover the charges.
• You can keep your home cell phone number by simply holding onto the SIM card. If you want to check messages left for you on that number, all you have to do is put the card into your phone and check your voicemail. Be warned though – you'll pay roaming and long distance fees to do so.

With these new tips, you will be a tech-savvy traveller with the matching cell phone to boot. Now go forth – and communicate!

Photo Credits:

Nokia n95 by KhE 龙 and Crazy about Mobile Phones! by ndingureiji via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Jay Martin

This is the first in a series of posts that will examine the travel habits of the ultra wealthy, those who are only concerned about where they are going, not how much it will cost.

As the global economy sinks further into turmoil, the stress of watching an investment portfolio lose seven figures in a month is causing old money and nouveau-riche alike to look ahead to their next extravagant holiday. And with angry employees and investors beating down their doors, we might soon see a deluge of luxury travellers taking to the skies in search of a suitable getaway to help them forget about their temporary problems.

While the wealthy may travel to the same locations as the budget-conscious, chances are they will see it through different eyes. Take South Africa, for instance. Most visitors to this country will never view Africa's largest saltwater estuary from the cockpit of their own private helicopter. They will never enjoy a picnic lunch on the pristine beaches of Kosi Bay, followed by some fly-fishing at the mouth of the estuary. That's because to do Africa in style, you need a lot of money and an appetite for travel that cannot be satisfied with typical fare.

At nearly 4,000 USD per day, per couple, Distinctive Africa offers a Southern African experience of rugged luxury that whisks guests by helicopter to some of the roughest terrain on earth, only to return them in time for a multi-course dinner of Pan-African cuisine and African wine on the veranda of their luxury resort. According to the Distinctive Africa website, helicopter safaris offer the discerning luxury traveller the chance to see more of Africa in a shorter period of time, and from a vantage point reserved usually for the vultures.

For the wealthy, travelling Africa by helicopter makes perfect sense. Distinctive Africa describes helicopter travel as the safest means of travel in Africa, and the easiest, as most destinations are only otherwise reachable by a long, dangerous journey in an off-road vehicle. The helicopters they use are among the most fuel efficient available and the commonly-used EC-120 utilises "fan in fin" rotor technology that makes them quieter than most helicopters and ideal for tracking and viewing wildlife.

The phrase "helicopter safari", however, might not conjure an entirely accurate image of what actually takes place. Most think of safaris as an opportunity to track African wildlife in their natural habitat, and then shoot them. Helicopter safari guides instead offer wildlife viewing and most use the helicopters only to reach the destination, where guests transfer to sport utility vehicles to more closely observe lions, gazelle and other wildlife. Some companies that offer hunting use helicopters to track wildlife that has been shot from the ground. For the right price, those interested can hunt directly from the helicopter. A recent trend, called "green hunting", allows guests to shoot animals with tranquillizer darts, wildlife researchers then swoop in and tag them, all without killing the animal.

One of the key parts of luxury travel is having someone else take care of everything, and the all-inclusive luxury helicopter agencies in Southern Africa spare no detail. Because helicopter travel removes the hassle of moving groups of people and their luggage from place to place, guests can choose a single luxury resort to serve as their African base of operations. Helicopters move fast, and patrons of luxury helicopter safari services can see many sites and cover a lot of ground, all in one day and without having to wake up early. Whether it is fly-fishing, golf, first-class wildlife refuges or the Victoria Falls, guests need only choose how they prefer to experience both the rugged and lavish sides of Southern Africa.

WHO TO CALL:

Distinctive Africa – Phone: +27 31 205 5500; Website: www.distinctiveafrica.com

The Safari Company – Via the online form at www.thesafaricompany.co.za

5th Dimension Safaris - Phone: + 27 (0)12 811 0331; Website: www.5thdimensionsafaris.com.

WHERE TO STAY:

Singita Lebombo (Kruger National Park) – Features morning and evening game drives, a health and leisure spa, and a 12,000 bottle wine cellar. Phone: +27 21 683 3424; Website: www.singita.com; Email: singita@singita.com.

Phantom Forest (Garden Route) – Eco-friendly resort features rooms on stilts above the trees, four-course dinners prepared with local, organic fare, and views of the indigenous forest and mountains. Phone: +27 (0)44 386-0046; Website: www.phantomforest.com; Email: reservations@phantomforest.com.

Photo Credits:

1) Co Pilot by mickeymox via Flickr (Creative Commons)

2)Not Quite a Safari Camp by sanctu via Flickr (Creative Commons)

3)ZS-RTG 5th dimension safaris by Pieter van Marion.

Stunning photography of landmarks across Asia taken by iloho.coms members. See more and share your travel photos at http://www.iloho.com/landmarks.

The FT published its list of the best books of this year on Saturday. The paper's critics hand selected the following top travel books: great fodder for your Christmas list.

Empires of the Indus: From Tibet to Pakistan - The Story of a River - Alice Albinia

A compelling account of the Indian continent's longest river. Lauded for her almost foolhardy courage, Albinia's adventures include a highly illegal burqa-clad journey through the tribal badlands of Waziristan.

Fishing in Utopia: Sweden and the Future that Disappeared - Andrew Brown

Journalist Brown returns to Sweden after living there as a boy and young man. Fishing in the lakes and reflecting on his blue-collar job in a sawmill in the 1970s, he discovers a society that is both more dysfunctional and more conformist than its usual utopian image.

The Semi-Invisible Man: A Life of Norman Lewis - Julian Evans

A huge and comprehensive biography of one of the finest travel writers of his generation, Lewis is revealed as a man of extraordinary energy, modesty and interest. An ideal introduction to Lewis as a charter of arcane, forbidding places with a growing conviction that the noblest of human societies are the simplest.

Divine Magnetic Lands: A Journey in America - Timothy O'Grady

After a 30-year absence, novelist O'Grady takes two road trips across his home country, discovering modern America through chance encounters in bars. Politically astute and poetically observed.

The Man Who Invented History: Travels with Herodotus - Justin Marozzi

An unabashed fan of the 5th century BC historian, Marozzi travels around Greece and the Middle East in the company of his charming but possibly mendacious hero, comparing his modern experiences of this troubled region to the ancient accounts.

The Island That Dared: Journeys in Cuba - Dervla Murphy

The tough-as-old-boots septuagenarian takes on a country that has polarised opinion for half a century, first with her daughter and three grandchildren, then alone. Benign on the subject of Castro, she nevertheless experiences the hard side of Cuban life, joining bread queues and sleeping outside.

Connemara: The Last Pool of Darkness - Tim Robinson

The second volume in a trilogy, this is an intense love song to the bleak and troubled wilderness of north-western Connemara. With his inimitable eye for character and landscape, Robinson manages to steer clear of romanticism and raise universal questions as he goes in search of the region's "quintessence".

A Year in Tibet - Sun Shuyun

When Chinese filmmaker Sun spent a year living in a small village in Tibet, the ensuing BBC series excited much controversy. This anthropological account of her year leaves politics aside and focuses on the degree to which faith and tradition underpin the lives of ordinary Tibetans.

Ghost Train To the Eastern Star - Paul Theroux

Nearly 40 years on, Theroux retraces the epic railway journey he made for The Great Railway Bazaar, from London through Europe to Asia. Laced with reflections on his broken marriage and meetings with literary friends, it's as much an emotional as a physical pilgrimage.

By Connie Motz

Picture a white-washed Moroccan villa with mysterious high arches. Notice the stark contrast when lush green palms sway gently over the building. Now imagine a series of eighteen Moroccan villas set like exotic jewels along a two mile pristine white sand beach. Imagine no more: this Moorish fantasy is a luxurious reality, Cap Juluca.

Located on the northern Caribbean island of Anguilla, the five-star Cap Juluca was rated by readers of Travel+Leisure as the number ten resort in the whole of the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas.

With no more than six units to a Moroccan villa, standard amenities at Cap Juluca include spacious rooms, gorgeous ocean views with direct beach access, striking marble bathrooms and separate showers. Suites at Cap Juluca range from 103 square metres (with beautiful covered terraces and inviting double tubs) to 232 square metres (these include a romantic private pool, perfect for honeymooners).

Cap Juluca offers three dining choices for guests: fresh seafood at Pimm's, Moroccan cuisine and endless views at Kemia while a more casual dining atmosphere is offered at George's, where the Friday night seafood barbecue cannot be missed.

Daily complimentary breakfast consists of an amazing array of fresh fruits and pastries either at George's or on your own private terrace. Contact the chef to arrange a private "wine room" dinner or a romantic beach dinner complete with bamboo tiki torches. Now, while you wait, will that be afternoon tea in the Main House or afternoon sorbet on the beach?

Unwind by attending a Pilates or yoga class or workout at the full fitness centre or aqua golf driving range. Play croquet or tennis, enjoy the pool, explore the island on a bicycle, snorkel or enjoy an invigorating morning of sailing. After a day relaxing or working out, Cap Juluca Spa Services are waiting to pamper and instil wellness through a selection of massage and skin therapy techniques.

If you ever decide to leave the resort the lush new 18-hole Temenos Golf Club, with its stunning views of the Caribbean, is only 10 minutes away. Scuba divers and snorkelers can enjoy the abundance of coral and sea life that Anguilla's turquoise Caribbean waters display.

International holiday makers can fly non-stop from major cities like London and Amsterdam, directly to Julianna International Airport on the neighboring island of St. Maarten. Vacationers can then travel to Anguilla via a small commercial aircraft or via a complimentary 25 minute ferry; either of these options can be pre-arranged by the Cap Juluca staff. To search for flights click here.

Cap Juluca: PO Box 240, Maundays Bay, Anguilla, Leeward Islands, British West Indies; Tel: 1-888-858-5822 or 1-264-497-666; Website: www.capjuluca.com. Click here for 2009 room rates.

About Anguilla Anguilla is a picture perfect hideaway in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean. A relatively flat island, Anguilla is only 16 miles long by 3 miles wide. But don't let this tiny island deceive you. Anguilla is rich in history, culture, offers many art galleries and museums, along with fantastic duty-free Caribbean shopping. For travel to Anguilla, passports are required by most countries.

Photos: Published with the permission of the Zimmerman Agency.

9,950 frequent fliers and travel professionals took part in this year's Zagat Airline Survey, rating 85 major world airlines. There was a 30-Point scale in place and here's who came out on top.

To submit your own airline review click here and share your thoughts:

• Best Large US Domestic Airline (Premium Seating): Continental Airlines

• Best Large US Domestic Airline (Economy Seating): JetBlue Airways

• Best International Airline(Premium Seating): Singapore Airlines

• Best Airline Website: Southwest Airlines

• Best In-Flight Entertainment(US Domestic) JetBlue Airways

• Best In-Flight Entertainment(International): Virgin Atlantic Airways

• Best Consumer On-Time Estimate (US Domestic Only): Southwest Airlines

• Best Midsized US Domestic Airline (Premium Seating): Virgin America

• Best Midsized US Domestic Airline (Economy Seating): Midwest Airlines

• Best International Airline (Economy Seating): Singapore Airlines

• Best Frequent Flier Program: Southwest Airlines

• Best Value for Money(Domestic): Southwest Airlines

• Best Value for Money(International): Continental Airlines

• Best Luggage Policy (Domestic Only): Southwest Airlines

Get 40% off an annual Zagat subscription with this code: AFF40OCT

Photo: Singapore Airlines SQ1 Cabin Crew by Premshree Pillai via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Yunnan Province, China, is featured in Lonely Planet's "Best in Travel 2009" book, and the famed Tiger Leaping Gorge epitomises the region's beauty.

This shot, "Heavy Traffic" by Kiwi Mikex, highlights the Tiger Leaping Gorge's stunning views and serenity.

For more travel photography and world landmarks visit http://www.iloho.com/landmarks.

We've researched, mused over and debated dozens of travel products that would make the ultimate Christmas present. We've spoken to travellers from across the world to find out what their most coveted and most trusted travel products are, and here is iloho's list of the top 10 luxury Christmas presents for travellers.

From decadent accessories to luxe luggage to services that will soothe travel aches and pains. These gift suggestions, whilst luxurious, are not meant to be wildly unobtainable or garishly ostentatious. They are things that real travellers really want, and they will all look fantastic under the tree!

1. Cashmere Travel Blanket

Give yourself an instant upgrade by travelling with a cashmere blanket. Forget about cashing in your hard-earned airmiles or grovelling to the check-in staff, instead wrap yourself in cashmere and make economy class feel like business and business feel like first. Frequent traveller, Katherine from London, says: "I was given a cashmere blanket by my boyfriend last year after months of grovelling. I travel a lot and if I'm stuck at an airport or have to fly long-haul it's a little slice of luxury that makes life on the road a lot more comfortable." We love Brora's cashmere blankets (£329/$489), which measure 190 x 140cm and come in six different colours. Click here for more information.

2. Noise Cancelling Headphones

We all know silence is golden, but peace and quiet can be tough to achieve when engine roar and crying babies enter the equation. Noise cancelling headphones have changed the way some people travel; one Flyertalk.com member says: "The Bose QC2s I have had a huge impact on my comfort on flights. I even feel more rested when I use them." Well, make way for the new Bose QC3 headphones (£275/$349), which are more compact than their predecessors with the same level of performance. As well as drowning out surround sounds these headphones come with a detachable cord to connect MP3, DVD and CD players, or to plug into an in-flight entertainment system. It's oh so quiet… Click here for more information.

3. Digital SLR

A top-of-the-range digital SLR consistently delivers rich, high-quality images, capturing your most incredible travel moments for years to come. SLR evangelists swear that the image quality is so far superior to standard compact cameras that once you start using one you will never go back (and that your travel photos will be the envy of all your friends). Nikon released the D90 digital SLR (£849.99/$999.95) in August of this year, which is successor to the popular D80 model. It is a high-end consumer camera with 12.3 megapixel resolution that, in the words of Hong Kong-based iloho user Gadgetlover, "is large enough to capture those great moments, but small enough to travel there with you." Click here for more information.

4. Weekend Bag

A smart weekend bag amps up your travel style in an instant, and classic models will never go out of fashion; they are stylish and functional and make a fantastically indulgent Christmas present. Anna, an iloho user from Sydney, says of her new Italian suede weekend bag: "It's definitely not a necessity, but it is beautiful and it makes me feel good when I travel." We like the Mulberry Large Racing Clipper (£350/$625), which works well for both male and female travellers.

5. iPhone 3G

It's slick and sexy and seriously functional. The iPhone combines three products in one — a 3G phone, widescreen iPod, and Internet device — perfect for travellers. Better still, the iPhone incorporates GPS technology and live tracking so you can forget all about cumbersome city maps. If you find yourself dying for a cappuccino in Rome you can search for "coffee" and the iPhone will show you every café nearby. There's a host of travel applications you can download too, such as language translators, currency convertors and real-time flight tracking. For more information, and prices, click here.

It won't be available for Christmas, but keep your eyes peeled for the launch of the nüvifone, a touchscreen device that combines a phone, mobile web-browser, and cutting-edge personal navigator, scheduled to hit the shelves in early 2009.

6. Travel Wallet

Digging out passports, hotel confirmations, e-tickets and addresses can be both tedious and time consuming when you are travelling. Make someone very happy by organising their trav-min with a chic travel wallet. Smythson has a great range of styles to suit men and women alike from £175/approx. $260. As 33-year old London-based lawyer Emily says, "When you're travelling it's essential to have everything in one place." Visit smythson.com for more information.

7. VIP Lounge Membership

It won't breakdown, works in airports across the world and helps you escape the chaos of delays, cancellations and crowded departure floors no matter which airline you fly with and in what class of travel. For a frequent traveller VIP lounge membership makes a fantastic gift. Simbad, an iloho user in Hong Kong says: "Having lounge membership makes business travel much easier. I am on the road a lot with my job, and knowing that wherever I go I can always connect to WiFi, eat and drink at no extra cost and relax in peace and quiet before my flight is both practical and reassuring." There are several VIP lounge programmes you can register with; one of the most popular is Priority Pass, which gives members access to 500 lounges in 90 countries worldwide and costs from $79/£55 per year. For more information click here.

8. Luxury travel pillow

For travellers who have problems sleeping on planes, trains or in hotel rooms a duck or goose down travel pillow will make a fantastic gift. There are a myriad of shapes and sizes, but this lightweight goose down travel pillow (from $24) compacts to a mere 5" X 7.5". For travellers looking for more support, the memory foam Komfort Kollar ($59.85/£40) is an excellent choice. Designed by a leading spinal surgeon the collar supports the head, neck and spine from every angle. Emma, 25, a frequent traveller from Macau says, "A good quality travel pillow is invaluable. When my flight is delayed and on long journeys my duck down pillow is worth its weight in gold."

9. Games Set

Don't know a Wii from a PS3? Don't worry. What better way to while away a couple of hours of travel downtime than with a classic chess or backgammon set? Pickett, British luxury goods supplier, makes a great travel-friendly backgammon and chess set in leather with magnetic pigskin pieces (£399/$593). The company offers a bespoke service too so your backgammon / chess board can be customised to your exact specifications. Click here for more information.

10. Quintessentially Membership

What better present for the discerning jetsetter in your life than a whatever / wherever concierge service that's accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year? The Quintessentially team is on hand for everything from solving pressing practical problems – such as organising a rescue mission for a member in a snowed under ski chalet – to making dinner reservations to booking and advising on incredible travel experiences, like an Indiana Jones-style adventure in Jordan, visiting the Cairo Museum afterhours with a leading Egyptologist, and touring the wine yards of Mendoza, Argentina in a classic rally car. The headaches involved in organising overseas business meetings, perfecting a romantic getaway and keeping everyone on a family holiday happy will become a thing of the past. For more information and membership costs in your region click here.

For tips on shopping around the world click here. To join iloho's group "Shopaholics of the World Unite" click here.

Great news for travel lovers in the UK and Asia suffering from the credit crunch; Air Asia X, the Malaysian long-haul low-cost carrier, has confirmed that it plans to start flights between the UK and it's Kuala Lumpur hub in early 2009.

According to ABTN, Tim Claydon, the airline's commercial adviser, made the statement at the World Travel Market in London and said an official announcement will be made in the coming weeks.

He added: "We have said we will be coming into the UK by early 2009."

The carrier is expected to fly to either Manchester or Stansted.

Air Asia flies from Kuala Lumpur across Asia, to destinations including Bangkok, Langkawi, Siem Reap, Hong Kong and Hanoi. The carrier also flies from KL to Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth in Australia.

To search for flights between the UK and Kuala Lumpur click here.

Photo by Christophe RAMOS via Flickr (Creative Commons).

By Aaron Humphrey

In the forested mountains high above Kyoto, an enclave of temples and monasteries lies delicately arranged amongst the cedars. This is Koya-san (Mount Koya), home to Buddhist monks since the early ninth century and a serene retreat for devout pilgrims and curious travellers alike. As the centre of Japanese esoteric Shingon Buddhism, Mount Koya has seen the development of dozens of holy buildings over the centuries, and is now home to 120 temples; many of them are happy to host visitors for a night or two.

The journey from Kyoto takes about two hours, and as you pull further away from the city by train, the wait between stations grows longer. Time almost seems to go backwards, each station quieter than the last, as progressively smaller towns replace Kyoto's sprawling suburbs and metropolis. Where the train tracks end, a red cable car awaits to take you on the final, scenic stretch up the mountain.

It's best to book a temple stay ahead of time, and there are plenty to choose from, ranging in price from ¥10,000 – ¥20,000 (US$105-$210/£68-£135). Included in that price are two meals, dinner and breakfast, which are prepared by the monks. Meals consist of traditional vegetarian dishes, from nuts and lotus root to tofu soup and tempura leaves, the food is plentiful, and as delicious as it is unique. Sitting on tatami mats and sampling the food of Mount Koya ranks among the most memorable culinary experiences in a country bursting with them.

After dinner dusk begins to settle on Koya-san, casting an even more mysterious air to the sacred mountain, this is the perfect time to stroll through the cemetery, where thousands of graves and shrines fill the quiet, mossy forest. This is Japan's largest graveyard, home to stone jizo statues and memorials of all sizes, centred around the mausoleum where the founder of Shingon lies, not dead, according to the faithful, but merely meditating for the arrival of the Buddha of the Future. Here, many hundreds of small lanterns glow a colour between red and ginger throughout the night. Some of them are said to have remained lit for over a millennium, part of Mount Koya's timeless serenity.

Getting there: Travel by train to Gokurakubashi station at the bottom of Koya-san. From Gokurakubashi visitors take a cable car to the top of the mountain, which takes 5 minutes. For more detailed travel information, click here

Stay:

Many Buddhist monasteries on Koya-san function as hotels and provide traditional accommodation that includes an evening meal and breakfast. Try Shojoshin-in one of the oldest temples on Koya-san, which offers Japanese style guest rooms as well as a "hanare" (private guest residence with bathroom), Japanese-style gardens and a pond.

See:

Kongobuji temple: Koyasan Shingon Buddhism's headquarters. The temple boasts a stone garden that is said to outshine many of Kyoto's best.

Oku-no-In: the mausoleum of Kukai, the monk who first settled Koya-san, which is illuminated by thousands of lanterns.

Konpon Daito pagoda and the Garan temple: Garan Temple is one Mount Koya's most sacred temples and was designed by Kukai. The Konpon Daito pagoda sits within the temple's grounds and is said to represent both the central point Mount Koya and all of Japan.

Photos:

Lanterns #3 by mrlins via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Koyasan Mountain Rail by Sofia Brightsea via Flickr (Creative Commons).

koyasan - 高野山 by kanjiroushi via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Chic boutique, Naumi, sits right next to the grand dame of Singapore's hotel scene, Raffles. Where Raffles oozes colonial charm and splendour, Naumi flaunts cutting-edge design and contemporary cool.

The lobby houses big pod chairs in its blue-lit bar; the hotel's façade boasts a quirky steel and foliage sculpture; the small rooftop infinity pool offers more pod-like chairs to relax and admire the view in; every hotel guest has an "aide" to ensure that their stay in Singapore is as stress free and personalised as possible.

Naumi's 40 rooms are large and their huge double beds decadently luxurious. Every room is equipped with a free mini-bar that is restocked daily, a Nespresso machine, kitchenette or pantry, en-suite bathroom, iPod dock, 42" to 50" flatscreen TV that you can rotate to watch either in bed or on the sofa, desk area and yoga mat. Suites are well worth splashing out for: they come with a good sized living area, big bathrooms with free standing baths and, in some cases, a private patio. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel and local landline phone calls are complimentary.

Solo female travellers can sleep easy knowing that there's a women's only floor, separated from the rest of the hotel by a glass security panel. Here satin room accessories and Aesop skincare products abound. The hotel even offers special aromatherapy baths in the privacy of your own room. Heaven.

Naumi is located in the heart of the central business district on Seah Street, which has mercifully been spared the faceless corporate makeover that nearby streets have suffered. Many of Singapore's attractions are within easy walking distance (yes, even in the city's infamous humidity!).

Fitness fiends are in safe hands; the hotel offers three fitness rooms catering to yoga bunnies, runners and weights lovers alike.

Room rates start at 360 Singapore Dollars per night (£150 / US$240).

Naumi Hotel: 41 Seah Street, Singapore 188396 Tel: +65 6403 6000; Fax: +65 6403 6010; Email: naumiaide@naumihotel.com; Web: www.naumihotel.com.

Walking through Singapore yesterday I spotted this sign and had to take a picture. It sort of summed up the place for me. I think they could do with a couple of these signs up in Shanghai (sorry Shanghai, but getting on a bus with you is never that much fun).

A great recommendation for lovers of all things spicy in Hong Kong; Chilli Fagara on Graham Street.

A hotbed for fiery Szechuan-style food, diners can pick from a "numbing", "burning" or "neutral" menu. Make sure you try their house specials: baby squid, pork slices, lamb shank, chilli jumbo prawns, chilli crab (unbelievably good) and mandarin fish. The braised aubergine and minced pork wraps are fantastic too.

To keep prices down (this place is not expensive anyway) you can bring your own bottle and pay corkage.

A fun place to take over with a group of friends or to come with just a few. The restaurant is small with room for about 20 covers, so make sure you book in advance.

The restaurant is very low-key, you could blink and miss it on Graham Street. There's no sign outside so look for the place with dried chillies around the door and a cosy, red interior.

Chilli Fagara: Shop E, G/F, 51A Graham Street, Central, Hong Kong. Tel: +852 2893 3330; www.chillifagara.com.

Photo: Red chilli by wetwater via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Travel+Leisure has rounded up India's best wildlife safaris.

This caught my attention as I was lucky enough to visit Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park last March. In just two days and over two safaris I saw four tigers. One solitary male and three cubs. It was, quite simply, incredible.

The male was walked right in front of our jeep after waking up from his afternoon siesta (see photo above). We spotted him again later in the afternoon with a kill. The three cubs were playing in the afternoon sun as their mother was away hunting.

If you decide that Ranthambore is a must for your India travel itinerary there are several fantastic luxury tented safari options. The Oberoi and the Aman have both set up shop on the outskirts of the park. A cheaper option is Ranthambhore Bagh run by Aditya and Poonam Singh. This is where I stayed and, although not as luxurious as the Aman or Oberoi, it is fun and relaxed with food that's out of this world.

Here are Travel+Leisure's "10 Amazing Indian Safaris":

Hemis National Park, Ladakh

Best for: Snow leopards, Tibetan argali sheep, Ibex, Urial (a wild mountain goat), Blue sheep, chukhar, snow cocks, golden eagles. More...

Sasan-Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat Peninsula

Best for: Asiatic Lions, leopards, hyenas, pythons, jackals. More...

Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan

Best for: Tigers, spotted deer, wild boar, jackals, painted storks (300 bird species overall), plus impressive ruins, forts, and temples. More...

Kaziranga National Park, Assam

Best for: One-horned rhinoceros, tigers, (wild) elephants, wild buffalo, monitor lizards, and water birds like the bar-headed goose, grey-headed lapwing, and spot-billed pelican. More...

Kanha National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Best for: Tigers, swamp deer, mongoose, leopards, wild boar, golden jackals, 300 bird species. More...

Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats

Best for: Giant Malabar squirrels, (wild) elephants, guar (giant bison), bird life. More...

Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan

Best for: Storks, cranes, eagles, and hawks, pythons, porcupines, wild boar, nilgai (literally 'blue cow'), India’s largest native antelope. More...

Bandhavgarh National Park, Madhya Pradesh

Best for: Tigers, leopards, nilgai, hog deer, wild boar. More

Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, boarders Bhutan and Assam

Best for: Tigers, water buffalo, rhinos, (wild) elephants, golden langur (a rare orange-furred monkey), Bengal florican (an endangered two-foot-tall bird). More...

Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand

Best for: Tigers, wild elephants (as opposed to the ones you can ride), crocodiles, 600 species of birds. More...

Photos:

*Kaziranga Rhino _IGP4259 by Ken McChesney via Flickr (Creative Commons); Bharatpur by yaatra via Flickr (Creative Commons); Corbett Tiger Reserve signage by Dena v.d.Wal via Flickr (Creative Commons); golden langur by spo0man via Flickr (Creative Commons)*

Aman, the luxury hotel group, has opened its first Chinese property in one of the world's most famous landmarks: Beijing's Summer Palace.

The Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing, offers its guests 5* lodging steps away from the East Gate of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and the stunning Kunming Lake. It is also just 15km from the Forbidden City.

The hotel spreads across a series of historical buildings, gardens and courtyards. Some of the original rooms housed guests of the Empress Dowager Cixi, China's de facto ruler from 1861 to 1908.

Rooms and suites reflect traditional Chinese architecture and use authentic layouts, materials and fabrics. The hotel is small; just 18 rooms and 25 suites decorated with Ming-style furniture.

Guests can take advantage of the hotel's bars and restaurants, plus its spa, fitness facilities, library and boutique.

Rates start from USD 480 per night.

Photos courtesy of www.amanresorts.com

A friend emailed me asking for advice for an upcoming trip to Kerala. Responding to her brought back so many memories of an amazing month there and it's funny what immediately came back to mind and what I had to battle to remember.

One of the definite highlights was staying at the Villa Jacaranda in Varkala. The villa is just a short walk to dramatic cliffs that overlook the Arabian Sea.

The hotel is undeniably romantic. There are four rooms, one with an incredible roof terrace the others with private verandas, and each boasting the kind of detail that will make you want to return again and again. At sunset garlands of fresh, fragrant jasmine are draped on your private veranda; sheets are hand embroidered with pretty designs; and breakfast is served in privacy either in your room or on your private terrace.

The villa's garden is painstakingly cared for: exotic trees scent the air and their flowers blow across into the small lily pond.

Ayurvedic massage can be arranged by experienced practitioners at a cost of about 500 rupees (US$10/£6) for an hour.

This place is a delight. Don't miss out if you're heading to Kerala on your travels.

Villa Jacaranda

Rooms from 4,000 rupees (US$80/£47) per night + 15% tax.

Temple Road West, Varkala, 695141, Kerala, India; Tel: +91 470 2610296; Email: infojacaranda@gmail.com; Website: www.villa-jacaranda.biz.

Photography © Emma Torry.

By Stephan Larose for ChinaTravel.net

China's hot spring resorts are one of its best kept secrets. We're talking hot springs in tropical caves, exfoliating fish therapy, Himalayan hot springs, and springs next to China's best golf. So, if dipping in warm, mineral-rich waters by temples and beaches sounds good to you, read on for the lowdown on China's top ten spas, with hotel and attraction info to boot. Enjoy!

1. Jiuhua Spa and Resort

(four stars, Tel: 010-6178-2288)

Formerly the private retreat of emperors, the Jiuhua Spa and Resort is one of the most popular hot spring spa destinations in the country, and it's open to all. Limpid pools fed by springs 1,230 meters underground emerge at a tension-melting 40°C. Untainted by the sulfurous odor common to most hot springs, Jiuhua's spring water has a slight yellowish tint, owing to micro-elements such as strontium, lithium, and metasilicic acid, earning it an emperor's epithet as "a basin of Golden Water."

Guests of this elegant four-star resort have a wealth of hot spring pools to choose from. The resort's two sections comprise 40 pools offering 21 distinct therapeutic applications including mud baths, herbal baths, an Egyptian-themed pool, a foot massage pool, a lotus pool, and a medical stone sauna. Those with tired muscles after treks along the Great Wall, exploring the nearby Ming Tombs, or hiking in Python Mountain National Park next door will be rewarded with head-to-toe relaxation as well as therapeutic benefits for a host of ailments including rheumatic arthritis, sciatic nerve pain, lumbar muscle strain, eczema and hypertension.

The resort also features a host of recreational and therapeutic facilities. Hydrotherapy, salt baths, massage services, Thai spas and skin care treatments revitalize and rejuvenate while bowling alleys, bumper cars, swimming pools, satellite TV, archery and nearby attractions entertain and invigorate.

2. Crown Spa Resort Hainan

(five stars, Tel: 86-898-6596 6888, Email: sales@crownsparesorthainan.com)

Hainan is the place in China for sun-worshippers looking to bronze their bodies, and just 15 minutes after exiting Haikou's Meilan International Airport, you could be strolling along endless stretches of gorgeous private beach or taking a dip in what the Guiness Book of World Records describes as the "largest indoor hot spring in the world."

Surrounded by lush Thai, Balinese and Caribbean gardens, the Crown Spa Resort Hainan (Hainan Huangguan Binhai Wenquan Jiudian) is a European-style leisure palace overlooking the South China Sea and boasting myriad exclusive spa and beauty treatments.

It's hard work living it up, but after a day's frolicking in the waves or taking advantage of this Haikou resort's luxury yachts, jet skis, windsurfing, parasailing or nearby golf course, you're bound to need some of the Crown's propriety spa treatments. The luxurious, five-story Tea Tree Spa complex is fed by natural mineral hot springs and houses meditation decks, garden pavilions, massage rooms and treatment suites.

And you won't want to miss the signature fish therapy—it's the most organic exfoliation there is. Just sit back and close your eyes and let the fish stimulate your nerves and nibble the bacteria from your skin. If you can't handle being kissed by fishes, there's always the exercise pool, Jacuzzi hot tubs, steam rooms, Thai massage and aromatherapy to unwind with.

3. Zhongshan Hot Spring Resort

(four stars, Tel: 0760-668-3888, Email: zshsr@zshs.com)

Probably the best-known hot spring resort in China, the Zhongshan Hot Spring Resort has played host to China's most revered heads of state, Jiang Zemin and Deng Xiaoping, and is situated near a town named after the founder of the modern Chinese nation — Sun Zhongshan, known in the West as Sun Yat Sen. This four-star resort features over 30 hot springs and is also handy to the best golf in the country. What better way to justify an extended dip in warm, mineral-rich waters than by spending the day putting for birdies at a par 71, Palmer-designed, 18-hole golf course or a Nicklaus-designed 18-hole course at par 72? Talk about living the good life!

Zhongshan's mountains are dotted by numerous hot springs, one of which feeds the resort's massive 30,000 square meter outdoor spa. Once done mollifying muscles, dissolving stress and achieving Zen-like inner peace, guests can zip over to the seaside resort city of Zhuhai, just a 15-minute drive away, to soak up some rays, or train their newfound Zen focusing skills on the resort's shooting range.

4. Jinshan Hot Spring Holiday Resort

(five stars, Tel: 0750-728-1188)

Situated by Naji, Enping County, Guangdong, this sprawling holiday village taps an incredible 300 hot spring sources to bring you some of the most mineral rich water in China. Endowed with approximately 35 grams of healing micro-elements per liter, the waters here are renowned for therapeutic benefits that combat everything from rheumatism to skin diseases to cardiovascular afflictions.

Luxurious condominiums surrounded by green hills, flowers and elegant gardens guarantee that guests of this leafy oasis get some much-deserved respite from the hustle and bustle of daily life. The place is well suited for businesspeople conducting tense negotiations; the well-equipped international conference center ensures presentations go smoothly. The rewards are obvious, even if things don't go as planned: Everyone wakes up fresh the next day after spending the evening hours luxuriating in this Jinshan resort's 28 Japanese-style hot spring pools, which are divided into high, mid and cool temperatures.

5. Hailuogou Hot Spring (Conch Gully Hot Spring)

(Tel of Hailuogou Scenic Area Management Committee: 0836-326-6203) Hailuogou Changzheng Hotel (Tel: 0836-326-6608)

Western Sichuan's Gongga mountain is the scene for some of the hardiest, most majestic landscapes in China and include Hailuogou National Park, site of China's biggest glacier park. Rivaling any North American glacier park in size, the area is renowned as a place where you can see all four seasons in the same day.

If you love rustic, outdoor springs, rugged mountain views and chances to catch snowflakes on your tongue while dipping in hot spring water, Hailuogou is the place for you. Mineral-rich, therapeutic spring waters gush out at toasty temperatures ranging from 50° to 92°C and are said to be effective in combating diabetes, neuralgia and arthritis. And that's not to mention the obvious psychological benefits reaped by lounging in extreme comfort in a gorgeous setting.

After a day of hiking the verdant forests on the slopes of Mt. Gonggar, trekking across icy fields, listening to thunderous avalanches, skipping across the Conch Gully's milky rivers, and dipping in the hot springs, the four-star Hailuogou Changzheng Hotel, with its dedications to the Long March and ethnic Tibetan décor, offers a little comfort, luxury and plenty of atmosphere in which to spend the remains of the day.

6. E'mei Lingxiu Hot Spring / Lingxiu Hot Spring

(Tel: 0833-559-2777)

Li Bai is one of China's most celebrated poets, and when he took in Emei Shan's (Mt. Emei) temple-studded peaks and mist-shrouded valleys, he found no shortage of inspiration for his superlative stanzas. Of all the mountains in the Shu kingdom, "Mount Emei stands above them all," he wrote. A setting for scenes from the legendary Monkey King's journey to the West, this magnificent landscape now serves as backdrop for bathers in Lingxiu Hot Spring's pellucid pools.

Claims abound of the water's therapeutic benefits. Sourced 3,000 meters underground, the springs are said to be helpful in combating diseases affecting digestive, neural, respiratory, vasomotor and cardiovascular systems. High concentrations of radon and huge volumes of water ensure that everyone gets in on the therapeutic action.

The five-star Emei Hot Spring Resort is ideally located to take advantage of this and the other hot springs in the area. You'll need the fine dining and creature comforts because every day in this area is guaranteed to be a full one. Whether you decide to make the climb to Golden Peak Temple, or run the monkey-ruled trails to other historical and natural points of interest, there'll be no shortage of opportunities to pump those thighs until they're screaming for a little hot spring love.

7. Tibetan Dezong Hot Spring Resort

(Tel for Lhasa tourism bureau: 0891-634-2884)

Want to lounge around in a warm, waterfall-fed pool at the roof of the world? Then look no further than the Tibetan Dezong Hot Spring Resort. Perched at a lofty 4,300 meters and nestled in the majestic slopes of the Himalayas, the Tibetan Dezong Hot Spring Resort offers visitors an experience that is simply incomparable. Is there anywhere else you can bathe in curative, calcite and tussilago-infused waters while gazing upon the most rugged, photogenic landscapes on the planet?

The Dezong Hot Springs are arranged in simple, rustic fashion, divided into a men's pool, above, and a women's pool, below. 40° C, jade-colored spring waters cascade 20 meters into the resort's pools.

Once you've had enough (if there is such a thing), other worthy attractions are within reach (if you're driving), such as the Zhigongi and Dezong Temples, and Tianzangtai, while Nam-tso Lake (Namu Lake in Tibetan); Potala Palace, Bakuo Street and Dazhao Temple are further off. Accommodations are somewhat limited, but the five-star Yaluzangbu hotel features creature comforts and cars for hire for the drive to the springs 170 kilometers away.

8. Tibetan Paillong Hot Spring

(Tel of Linzhi tourism bureau: 0894-582-2469)

About 40 kilometers down state highway 318 from the four-star Linzhi Fujian Hotel, Paillong Sulfur Hot Spring, near Pailong village, flows from the holy Brahmaputra river at a steamy 45-60 degrees centigrade. Extremely simple, and practically unknown, Paillong consists of just one small stone and brick pool. One of Tibet's best kept secrets, you're not likely to see crowds here.

The water issues directly into the pool from the rock, all you need do is let the water flow over your body and let the spring vapors clear your lungs and skin. Just sit and let your ego dissipate. Then, turn your gaze upon the verdant river valley below. Radiant organic energy illuminates your mind, revealing the universe in measureless fractals.... Dizzy yet? Do remember to breathe slowly as you slip into the infinite...

9. Jinping Mengla Hot Spring

(Tel of Gejiu Tourism Bureau: 0873-212-5699)

Yunnan's jungle-covered karst towers jut out of tropical forests and stand like unearthly sentinels keeping watch over otherworldly landscapes. Awe-inspiring and oft photographed to be sure, Yunnan's got something for hot springs lovers too: the Jinping Mengla Hot Spring.

Gushing forth from caves in southern Yunnan, 50-60 degree centigrade waters flush with curative elements stream over colorful rocks. Lying in the bubbling baths, visitors will find several "masseuse rocks." Muscles are naturally kneaded as water flows provide movement and shallow pebble beds provide texture and traction.

Beauty abounds in these lush forests: You'll find ravines, waterfalls, mirror-like lakes, karst landforms and jutting green mountains. The four-star Century Plaza Gejiu (0873-216-8888) is just seven kilometers from the hot spring.

10. Guangdong Conghua Hot Spring

(Tel: 020-8333-9933-2266)

Guangdong province's Conghua Hot Spring Scenic Area was originally built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. 75 kilometers from Guangzhou, it is now a nationally renowned tourist attraction and health resort. Warm water enriched with ten kinds of minerals bubbles to the surface at 12 different springs, ranging between 30 to 71°C.

A large area replete with historical landmarks such as the Bi Lang Bridge, Di Cui Pavilion and Tao Ran Hall, the springs are surrounded by waterfalls, slow-moving rivers, and tranquil forests. Try the Guangdong Hot Spring Hotel, a sprawling property comprising over 40 buildings set lakeside amidst pine forests with hot spring water piped into rooms. You'll find everything from villas to presidential suites, along with squash courts, bowling alleys and a host of mountain trails to keep you busy when you're not lounging in the springs.

Hainan Beach by fedfil via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Lake Nam-tso by poorfish via Flickr (Creative Commons)

SiChuan - Hailuogou by auws via Flickr (Creative Commons)

Volcano and Arch by David A G Wilson has given us itchy feet today.

If you're lucky enough to have a trip to Antigua in the pipeline you should check out the stunning Casa Encantada boutique hotel, which is right in the centre of this 16th century colonial town (and UNESCO World Heritage Site). Bag the rooftop suite for USD 195 per night and enjoy views across to the Agua volcano (pictured above). Caramba!

Top 10 Tips for a weekend break in Yangshuo, China - from how to avoid a hot air balloon crash to rafting the Yulong River.

Even at 500 metres in a faulty hot air balloon Yangshuo is a breathtaking place. At that nail-biting height the region's famous limestone karsts look even more dramatic; their pointed peaks rising up from flat, green rice fields that spread out from the Li and Yulong rivers.

The town of Yangshuo was until recently a sleepy provincial village. Now it's a bustling tourist hub that has seen phenomenal expansion. Visitors are drawn to the town by the busload, eager to soak up its stunning views and raft down rivers made famous through centuries of Chinese paintings and, more recently, scenes from The Painted Veil.

Parts of Yangshuo can feel a bit like a Chinese Disneyland, especially around West Street. If you're prepared to go off-the-beaten track, and to spend just ¥100 a day on using a local guide, it's easy to experience a Yangshuo that's as far away from package tourism and flag-following lemmings as you can imagine.

TIP 1: The lovely Lilly

We used Lilly Lu for the two days that we were there. She speaks excellent English and can arrange everything from a hot air balloon rescue mission to airport transfers to lightshow tickets to unspoiled stretches of river to simple, but utterly delicious, local dining. Lilly has lived in Yangshuo and its nearby villages all her life. She's an expert on what to do and can guide you to places that package tourists can only dream of. For Lilly's contact details and more info on her tour and services, please leave us a comment with your email address at the bottom of this post.

TIP 2: Cycle far, far away

Get those legs pumping and be prepared to spend at least 2.5 – 3 hours in the saddle. Don't fret: it's flat and easy cycling along river banks and through stunning fields and tiny villages. Bike all the way up to the 400-year old Yulong Bridge and then have lunch. If you're with Lilly she'll show you where to go, but if you're heading up alone make sure you go to the first restaurant downstream from the bridge. The food is fantastic – lots of fresh vegetables stir-fried with garlic, the delicious local specialty "beer fish" and local chicken dishes as well. Note: this is not for the squeamish… if you order fish or chicken you'll see the cooks fetching live catfish from the river or live chickens from a hutch that they polish off in the kitchen and then gut. It's really not that bad, and the end result is well worth any misgivings you might have about ending an innocent life!

TIP 3: When it comes to the rivers, don't follow the crowds

The river trips in Yangshuo are one of the big highlights. At the weekend, especially if it's a public holiday, hundreds of people flock to the water to ride on bamboo rafts and squirt each other with enormous water pistols. If throngs of over excited water rats don't spell tranquility in your book, make sure you make the effort get away from the crowds.

For the Yulong River – bamboo rafts punted by boatmen – spend 3 hours in the saddle biking up to Yulong Bridge and escape the crowds. You'll be rewarded with a 2 hour trip downstream in complete quiet and isolation as it only gets busy for the last 10 minutes (and there it's phenomenonally busy). For the Li River – motorized bamboo rafts – hire a car for the day (only ¥300 - ¥550) and drive to XingPing Town. From there head upstream and you'll be on more or less your own.

TIP 4: Get up early

Set your alarm for 6am and head to Moon Hill. This karst peak has a hole straight through it that makes for some seriously impressive photographs.

You can hike to the top of the peak up a concrete staircase. The steps are pretty steep and it can be hard going unless you're a regular gym bunny. During the summer months the weather gets sticky at about 9am so it's well worth rising early to beat the heat. Getting there before breakfast also means you'll have Moon Hill entirely to yourself; we did and it was amazing.

Once you're at the top you can scramble up a dirt track right to the top of the hole. The guides tell you to allow 1.5 hours for a round-trip. If you're fit it'll take more like 45 minutes.

TIP 5: Breakfast late

The tourist groups tend to leave Yangshuo after breakfast to go sightseeing. If you're prepared to stick around you can wander the town's pretty streets in relative peace. We headed in for breakfast at around 9:30 / 10am and everyone had left. After breakfast at Café Mimosa (16 Gui Hua Road) we spent a relaxed hour exploring old streets that are normally swarming with crowds.

TIP 6: Stay out of town

Daily bicycle rents are cheap (from ¥5 - ¥20 per day), as are taxis (from about ¥30 per trip), so it's easy to travel in from a hotel that's slightly out of town.

We stayed at the Li River Retreat, which was about a 10 minute bike ride from the centre of Yangshuo. The hotel has stunning, un-obscured views from its terraces and balconies. Almost all the rooms have private balconies and they're clean and very reasonably priced (from ¥250 - ¥490 per night). Staff are friendly and can speak English. The Yangshuo Mountain Retreat also gets good reviews from friends who have stayed there (from HK$229 – HK$800 per night).

If you're prepared to stay further outside Yangshuo, the new Hotel of Modern Art gets fantastic write ups (from ¥2080 per night). It's the only hotel in China that's a member of the prestigious Relais and Chateaux alliance.

TIP 7: Don't hot air balloon unless you're very brave

We had a bad experience. At 500m our pilot laughingly announced that we had a small problem. Pointing inside the balloon he told us to look up at the hole that had appeared in the silk. We didn't think it was so funny and spent the 30 minutes it took for us to land in palpations of worry. Added to this terror was my crippling fear of heights: I should never have got into that basket…

Other friends tell of a white-knuckle ride that involved crash landing in the trees on the side of a steep karst.

Although everyone in Yangshuo does their best to convince you that the balloon pilots are highly experienced, that it's not dangerous and that there have never been any accidents don't believe them. Hot air ballooning is by far and away the most expensive activity you can do in Yangshuo (¥700 - ¥900 per person for 70 minutes) and the local operators want your business.

TIP 8: Check out Fuli

This small town is home to families of fan makers. For centuries Fuli's inhabitants have painted fans and scrolls depicting traditional scenes. They used to make fans for the queen of one of the Chinese dynasties.

If you want to buy scrolls or fans whilst you're in Yangshuo it's worth hiring a car and visiting Fuli as they're about a third of the price and of a much higher quality than the ones selling in Yangshuo's markets. Expect to pay about ¥200 for a big silk fan.

TIP 9: If you're going for the weekend forget about Guilin

The boat trip down the Li River from Guilin to Yangshuo takes about six hours and you have to pack onto a big cruiser. If you're only visiting for the weekend it makes far more sense to arrange for a car to pick you up from Guilin airport and drive you straight to Yangshuo that night. The stretches of river around Yangshuo are quieter and you can travel them on a traditional bamboo raft away from hordes of snap-happy tourists.

Guilin is also a city with 1.32 million inhabitants – it's not the quaint town some brochures depict. If you're in search of peace and quiet ditch the city and head straight for Yangshuo. Hotels can organise a car from the airport (¥380 one way, travel time 2 hours) as can Lilly.

TIP 10: Don't go in a guided group to the light show

It's not as complicated as people have you believe. If your hotel or guide organizes the tickets for you then arrange a driver and go on your own. You'll save being herded about like cattle and will be able to escape the crowds and mayhem much more quickly. Tickets to the light show cost ¥180 per person.

All photos © Emma Torry / Bryony Greenwell

Doesn't this shot by solea20 make you want to pack your bags straight away and jump on the next plane to Morocco?

I'm dying to know what's behind those doors. When I was on a train from Tangiers to Fez in 2001 a teacher told me that all doors in Morocco - whether they lead to a riad or a ruin - look the same. This is because Islamic culture frowns on the showing off of wealth.

So, in Marrakesh the most stunning palaces are hidden behind unassuming doors. I wonder what lies behind these.

If you're the type of traveller who packs more books than clothes into your suitcase, or if you like the thrill of vicarious travel then we've got some good news for you...

Amazon is launching a new service called Amazon Prime, which offers Amazon members FREE two-day shipping for one month on thousands of items.

If you cancel your subscription before your trial month is up then you can enjoy fast delivery without any annoying catches. You'll just have to remember to set a reminder for yourself so you don't get stung! Click here for details.

We'll be signing up and have been looking for literary inspiration to get us going. So far we've got the following travel books on our list:

92 Acharnon Street by John Lucas: Written by a former poetry editor of New Statesman, 92 Acharnon Street won the The Dolman Best Travel Book Award 2008.

James Owen, reviewing 92 Acharnon Street on its publication for Telegraph Travel, said: "This is a portrait of Greece as it certainly was in the mid-1980s, and often still is now - noisy, dirty and on strike, in thrall to bureaucracy and political favouritism, a dark pall cast by the military dictatorship of the 1970s.

"Yet through it shines the redeeming generosity of the Greek temperament, one that approves with a wry smile the necessity of students cheating in exams because the teaching is so inadequate."

The book is "the finest account of a love affair with Greece since Peter Levi’s The Hill of Kronos".

Time Out Guide to Florence and Tuscany: As recommended by Harriet, one of iloho's users, in her post about Tuscany, we want to check out the Time Out guide to Florence and Tuscany

Harriet says: "Take the Time Out guide if eating and drinking is one of your holiday priorities. I've used a lot of guidebooks in my time, and found that Time Out consistently has the best, most up-to-date restaurant listings. The places it recommends have always been excellent value for money and packed with locals. For sightseeing and history, I think the Footprint Travel Guides are really well written, but Footprint doesn't cover as many destinations as the Rough Guide or Lonely Planet."

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert: Having gone through a contentious divorce, a dodgy rebound romance and suffered with depression, Elizabeth Gilbert decided at the age of 34 to spend a year travelling through Italy, India and Indonesia. She says: "I wanted to explore one aspect of myself set against the backdrop of each country, in a place that has traditionally done that one thing very well," she writes. "I wanted to explore the art of pleasure in Italy, the art of devotion in India and, in Indonesia, the art of balancing the two."

The New York Times says: "If a more likable writer than Gilbert is currently in print, I haven't found him or her."

Celebrity fans of Eat, Pray, Love include Julia Roberts, Elle Macpherson, Sophie Dahl and Meg Ryan. We're keen to try it for ourselves.

As there is yet another typhoon over Hong Kong at the moment we're in a stormy, rainy mood. We liked this shot, taken by Mainephotonut, called "Stormy Day at Pemequid"

Where is Pemequid you might ask... Well, it's here:

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By Nora Dunn

Whilst visiting Tokyo, you slip your taxi driver a small tip for taking you to your destination so promptly and courteously. Little did you know you just offended him beyond reproach. Or you get out of the cab in Mexico, only to find that you must have either over-tipped your driver or have entered the twilight zone because the serenade you are getting now seems a little over the top considering all you did was toss in the equivalent of an extra dollar or two. Or you walk out of a bar in Canada, wondering why the bartender ignored you for 10 minutes when you went to order your third drink – without tipping for any of them.

As with so many cultural idiosyncrasies around the world, tipping is a prevalent and ever-changing custom that differs as much with each country as the language or topography does. In North America, tipping is common, and in many cases downright expected. Servers and bartenders for example, often earn less than the minimum hourly wage, because it is expected that they will also earn tips that amount to 15%-20% of their customers' bills. In other countries like Australia, tips are lovely but not expected; and the servers and bartenders are paid an hourly wage to reflect this.

So while abroad, who do you tip and how much? Here is a small collection of tipping practices around the world you can use as a guide.

NORTH AMERICA

Arguably, North American culture dictates more tipping than anywhere else in the world. Make sure you have some extra cash handy!

Canada

• Restaurants and Bars: 15% (Hint: If you're at a bar, tip the bartender well on the first drink you order. You'll get great service for the rest of the night, and if you tip really well on the first drink you aren’t necessarily expected to keep tipping on every drink thereafter. If you wait until the end of the night you may be the victim of bad service.)
• Taxi drivers: No set formula. Usually just round up the fare a few dollars.
• Spas: 10-15%
• Food delivery: $2-5, depending on the weather
• Coat Check: $1 per coat
• Hotel bellhop: $5-10
• Hotel chambermaids: $2-5/day

USA

• Restaurants: 18-20%
• Bars: 15%
• Taxi: 10-15% of fare
• Spas: 15%
• Food delivery: $2-5, depending on the weather
• Coat Check: $1 per coat
• Hotel bellhop: $5-10
• Hotel chambermaids: $2-5/day

ASIA

In many parts of Asia in general, tips are welcome but ones that are extravagant can be seen as an insult.

Singapore

• Restaurants & Bars: Generally no tips are required. Upscale dining will auto-gratuity 10%.
• Taxis: No tipping required
• Spas: $2-4 Singapore dollars (hand it directly to the staff who served you). This applies to shampoo person and manicurist, but strangely the hair stylist rarely gets tipped.
• Hotel service staff: $2S, however often you will see "no tipping required" signs so you can use your judgement depending on the quality of hotel you are staying at.

Hong Kong As above.

China Tipping policies are non-existent. Foreigners are generally charged more to begin with.

Japan Don't.

LATIN AMERICA

Mexico Do! Tips are expected by pretty much everybody who services you in any way.

• Restaurants & Bars: 15%
• Taxis: Tipping is not necessary. Usually you have negotiated a flat fare that encompasses the tip.
• Spas: 10%

Brazil

• Restaurants & Bars: Look for the 10% service charge on the bill. If it's not there, then tip 10%.
• Taxis: No tipping required, but it's always nice to round up a bit if you can.
• Spa: 10%-15%
• Hotels: The service charge is usually included in the bill.
• Chambermaids: Only tip at luxury hotels: $1-$2

EUROPE

Germany

Germans are not big tippers in general, but tips are still welcome and, in some cases, expected.

Note: Look for the words "Trinkgeld Inbegriffen" on your bill… If you see them, it means that the service charge has been included already. No need to leave any extra!

• Restaurants & Bars: 10%
• Taxis: 10%
• Spas: €1-€2 will do for a hair stylist, and €1 for the shampoo technician. Tipping on other spa services depends on the cost and nature of the service; 10% is usually a safe bet.
• Hotel chambermaid: Only tip if you are happy with the service, and leave it in the room when you leave.
• Hotel bellhops: €2-€3

Switzerland Pretty much across the board, 15% tips are included in the bills. As in Germany, keep your eyes peeled for the words "Trinkgeld Inbegriffen" to make sure. If the service was outstanding and you want to tip more, then you can give up to 10% extra. Also if you plan to become a regular, this is a great idea!

France

• Restaurants & Bars: A service charge of 15% is usually included in the bill. You'll know if the words "servis compris" appear.
• Taxis: Drivers don't require or expect tips.
• Spas: Look for the service charge to be included in the bill. If it's not, then 10%-15% will do, and only if you are happy with the service.

Italy

• Restaurants & Bars: Tips are not expected. There are often cover charges or bread charges, which take the place of general tipping practices. If you really wish you can leave a small amount at the table.

Again, and as with so many European destinations, a service charge may be included. "Servizio compreso" will be your hint.

United Kingdom

• Restaurants: Tipping is not necessarily expected, but is very welcome. 10%-15% will do. Unlike many other European destinations, service charges are rarely included in the bill.
• Bars: Don't tip in cash. You can offer to buy the bartender a drink if you're happy with the service. They'll then add the price of half a pint on to your tab (sometimes they’ll pour the drink for themselves, but most times they’ll just keep the cash).
• Taxis: 10%

DOWN UNDER

Australia Tipping in Australia is almost non-existent. Generally speaking if you are happy with the service, nobody will say no or be offended that you want to give them money. They're just not expecting tips – at least not from the locals!

• Restaurants & Bars: If you thought the service was great, you can tip up to 10%.

New Zealand No tips are required. Service charges are almost always included in the bill.

MISCELLANEOUS

Egypt Tips in Egypt are most certainly expected, but the amount is at your discretion. When in doubt, tip like you do at home.

Russia Restaurants & Bars: 10% Taxis: 5%-10%

This is by no means a comprehensive guide to tipping around the world. Within each country practices can vary, much less within each geographical region. So how can you best be sure you are following customs and not offending anybody by being stingy, while not getting pinned as a naïve tourist by over-tipping? Ask! Most people will be quite honest with you about standard tipping practices. And if you’re embarrassed about asking your potential tippee what to do, then ask at an information desk at the airport or your hotel.

Happy tipping!

Extra Tipping Resources:

Political Calculations This site includes a chart of all the countries mentioned above and more with general guidelines for tipping and cultural practices.

International Business Etiquette Internet Sourcebook Here you will find links to sites for business etiquette tips around the world - a very useful tool, even if you aren't travelling for business.

Best Trip Choices A great resource for trip planning, from weather to ATM locations to travel insurance and more.

The world's most influential frequent flyer gives iloho the low-down on the golden rules of airline reward programmes, how to survive a long-haul flight in economy and the best way to bag an upgrade.

Air miles used to equal free tickets, but in recent months Delta, American Airlines and US Airways have all started imposing extra booking costs upon frequent flyers looking to redeem their miles for tickets. Is joining an airline loyalty programme really worth it anymore?

This is a difficult question to answer because most of the members of these programs view these changes with a lot of emotion. While the industry has certainly added booking costs to frequent flyer awards, I sincerely doubt it means the end of the industry. In reality, without some of these extra fees at this point in time, it may mean the end of the airline and I don't think anyone really wants to see that happen. In the past 18 months we have seen 8 airlines go out of business, 7 of them had frequent flyer programs and in all situations, all members of these 7 programs lost all their miles and all their awards. So, perhaps the industry doesn't need to look for revenue sources to get through the unexpected run up in oil, but the facts seem to indicate the alternative doesn't do anyone any good. And really, members still have choices. Not all programs have instituted these fees so if you don't like them, you can move your business to another program.

Are frequent flyer programs worth it? Well, the number of new enrollments seems to indicate that the programs are still growing. And as for the worth for existing members? Worldwide, the industry gave away nearly 50 million free tickets last year - so someone is still reaping the benefits if not you.

Amid rising oil prices, can we expect to see airlines hiking up the number of miles loyalty members need to redeem tickets?

Unfortunately I am the bearer of bad news. While we have seen an unprecedented increase in various award charts over the past 5 years (at least two major increases), the basic first level flight awards have not changed, although they are more difficult to get and redeem. If, and this is a big IF, oil prices can settle down to near US$100 a barrel or below, I think the worst has passed. Now, if oil continues to see-saw and rise, then unfortunately I do see another round of increases, perhaps drastic enough to effect the long heralded 25,000-mile level. As for the real bad news - even when oil retreats I don't see mileage levels falling. I see fees disappearing, but the current award charts are likely here to stay.

Do you expect to see people trading in their co-branded airline credit cards for co-branded hotel ones, e.g. Starwood's American Express card, so that they can redeem awards without any hidden catches?

Probably not. The mention of the Starwood American Express credit card is just such an example. While widely noted as one of the best, if not the best, credit card for the frequent flyer, it still has quite a small membership base compared to the really big airline programs. Unfortunately the value of that card, which I strongly think will be highly increased soon, is known mostly among the "insiders," like the travelers reading this answer. Most members of a loyalty program do not know enough to compare and change either their programs or their credit card choices.

I must point out that the credit card wars will soon be on us when the credit crisis extends around the world, which will mean fewer increases in spending limits for card holders and even some cancelled cards for missing payments vs. grace periods in the past.

While credit cards remain the #1 way to earn miles without flying anywhere in the world, the decision process for most frequent flyers in choosing the best card for them remains relatively unresearched.

What are your top tips for surviving a long-haul flight in economy class?

There are a few things I concentrate on for long haul in economy and I'm pretty familiar with it. Exercise, hibernation and comfort. Now, before I offer any tips, understand that long ago this became the manner in which I went to work. For some readers, that will not apply. For instance, is this your first time to an international destination? No matter what I say, you'll be too excited to get where you are going, much as I was years ago. But alas now, for me, it's similar to catching a cab. But that doesn't mean that travel is boring, it just means I've gone from the excitement of the journey to the destination!

So, first of all, I don't do exercises during the flight as is often suggested. I'm sure that is valuable for some, but for me, I do all my exercise before the flight. Days before, I get in some extra basketball, extra miles on the mountain bike or just a really, really long walk. Once on board, I consider it similar to a night's rest and don't typically get up in the middle of the night to walk the hallway stretching. Might be good for some, but for me, it's all about hibernation. I don't want to talk, walk or watch, I just want to close my eyes and wake up somewhere else.

So, how to I get to this premature dream stage? Comfortable surroundings. I always, and I mean always only wear Nike when flying. The DryFit stuff works for me to stay very comfortable no matter what the cabin temps are. All stretch fabric - no belts, no jeans, no cotton shirts, just plain athletic wear. Next rule, clean socks and no shoes when flying anywhere. As soon as I see the airport outside the window start to move, the shoes are off. And over the years I have gained new admiration for small pillows. Beg, borrow or buy, but a small pillow goes a long way to getting comfortable. And, no matter what I've said in the past, those who carry around those neck pillows are not sissies. Those pillows are the perfect thing for long haul in economy.

And I don't eat. I call it my airline diet, but hibernation means just that, hibernation. So I go right to my comfort zone at take-off and hope that the flight attendants remember to tuck a landing card somewhere on me, while I’m preparing for landing.

And finally, though it ranks near the start, I will have downed a healthy bottle of water before I get comfortable and that's about all there is for me to survive 6-16 hours in economy.

What do you make of the news that Emirates is going to provide showers on board its new A380s? Now they've upped the ante, what more in-flight innovations can we expect?

Good question because these types of innovations are the same type of progress we saw when Virgin Atlantic Airways and Richard Branson began - moving the experience of the passenger forward. Massages in Upper Class? This all starts with marketing and money. I think much of these types of innovations are driven by the aircraft size, certainly we do not see such innovations as showers in smaller regional jets. As well, Emirateshas a bit of an advantage in the funding of things like this, and of course they are the aggressive one, trying to wrestle market share from others.

There have been other innovations such as women's-only bathrooms on aircraft and suites like in the Singapore Airlines A-300. Frankly I'm still waiting for the day when all airlines around the world will have moved to 180 degree, completely flat bed business class seats. In-flight innovations will move forward the most when we finally get HD-quality video on board. In the premium cabins, screen size has increased dramatically with some carriers, but the quality still lacks and that will likely be the next threshold for passengers.

Internet is also coming, but it can't compete on the long haul the same way that movies and other entertainment does. I mean, do I really want to spend 10 hours catching up on email? Nice idea, but impractical for most. But, the industry does not lack imagination, only the funds, and given the current state of the overall industry, it looks like we'll be waiting a bit longer for the future to fly us forward.

Do you offset your carbon emissions and, if so, how?

Actually I don't. While I do believe that the human footprint is leaving a trace on the global climate, I just don't know enough about this carbon footprint thing and am not usually one for rushing to something like this without actually studying it. I'm aware of the "trendy" intent and good of this concept, but again, I want to make such a decision for myself and not because others have made it for me.

I'm sure that over the next year I'll have examined enough information to determine of this initiative is right for me, but in the meanwhile, I am aware of my role in this planet's future.

What are the 3 things that you'll never travel without?

1. iPod. There is little doubt that at some point I will have to, or want to, ignore the sound of passengers or the airport around me. Music of all sorts makes them all go away.

2. Books. There are few things in life and travel that relaxes me more than the written word and it would be rare for you to find me anywhere in the world without a few books and a few magazines.

3. A sense of humor. Whether laughing at myself (why did I not realize that seat D on this flight was not an aisle but rather a middle seat?) or laughing at the humor of others (I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing with you!), nothing grounds me more in life than to hear my and others sound of laughter.

Do you have any golden rules when it comes to mileage programmes – e.g. ways to accumulate points, programmes everyone should sign up for?

I like this question since it is usually the one that most members of loyalty programs don't ask themselves until it's too late. Over the years, I've found that these basic rules and effective tactics will get you to think about your approach to these programs and will allow you to have a plan. Remember, it's all in the details:

1. Prioritize Your Goals: When was the last time you thought about what it is that you want from your frequent flyer scheme? With certain awards becoming overpriced for the infrequent flyer, it might be time to switch schemes. Both the British Midland and Lufthansa programs offer an assortment of low mileage awards. And, Lufthansaand SAS sponsor auctions that allow you to redeem your miles for such things as a dream vacation to the South Pacific with air and deluxe hotel, that is, if you can't get the free seat you wanted. Before your membership can pay you large dividends you must first prioritize what it is you want. And then there is Virgin Blue from Australia which is coming at all this from a much different point-of-view for awards. Merchandise? Upgrades? Hawaii? All have different programs which would be best for you, so do yourself a favor and start by choosing what you want from a program.

2. Turn Award Redemption into a Plan: Since even your neighbors now belong to frequent flyer schemes, you must have a plan when considering using an award to a popular destination. The best plan is to know which days offer the best award travel opportunities - Best Days: Europe (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), Asia (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), To Florida (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday), Hawaii (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday), Caribbean (Tuesday, Wednesday), Mexico (Tuesday, Wednesday), South America (Tuesday, Wednesday), Within the U.S. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday); Worst Days: Europe (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), Asia (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), To Florida (Friday, Sunday), Hawaii (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday), Caribbean (Saturday, Sunday, Monday), Mexico (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), South America (Friday, Saturday, Sunday), Within the U.S. (Friday, Sunday). But free flights aren’t always the answer, check out the various other award offers the programmes have in store for members.

3. Set Realistic Deadlines: Most major airlines have miles that expire. Most customers wait too long to use these types of miles and run the risk of not being able to use them (no free seats available before they expire). Set up a calendar of what miles and awards you have earned and when they expire, never let miles go into the last three months that they are valid, you run the risk of changing plans and losing free travel.

4. Reward Yourself Frequently: Originally frequent flyer schemes were viewed as "Travel Savers," awards you could save for a rainy day. These days with expiring miles and an ever increasing problem with award redemption, it might be wise to re-evaluate how you use your awards. Consider rewarding yourself often and keeping just enough miles to use as upgrades on your next paid vacation flight. With proper planning, it's a better idea to purchase that ticket to France this summer and use those miles you have for weekend getaways.

5. Find A Scheme That Fits Your Travel Style: Merely joining a frequent traveler scheme doesn't guarantee you a free trip; choosing the right one does. Many travelers simply join the first scheme that sticks an enrollment form in their hands, and then take years to earn anything of value. Then there are those travelers who boast about having miles in many different schemes. That's fine if you have a plan and have prepared properly for those times when you were bumped off a flight or a hotel or car rental was sold out. But having miles in too many schemes can become a problem. The primary rule for any frequent traveler is to concentrate on a single scheme (but always be prepared to switch allegiance temporarily for the right promotion). This doesn't mean you won't belong to other schemes, but with many airlines "dating" their miles, you may find your scattered efforts have quietly expired. Except with a few airlines, you can no longer count on your miles being there until you want to use them. Getting the most from your frequent traveler schemes works best if you go out of your way to fly on a particular airline, stay at a particular hotel, or rent from a partner car rental company.

6. Find An Effective Solution For Earning More Miles: Most people do not realize that 30% - 60% of their total miles and points can come from scheme partners. Every time you travel and use a partner airline, hotel, or car rental company, you increase your chances of earning an award. But these days, miles come from sources far beyond the typical. For a partner example, on a flight from London to Madrid, you will earn apx. 1,600 miles (roundtrip) depending on your airline scheme. An affiliated hotel partner can add 500 bonus miles to that total, and a partner car rental can add another 250 bonus miles and of course that 400 Euro ticket on the credit card brings this total of non-flight miles to more than 70% of the flying miles. Using this method, you can simultaneously earn miles and points toward numerous separate awards during a single trip. These tie-ins aren’t limited to hotels and car rentals, but include affinity credit cards, telephone service, referrals, and more. When investigating scheme partners, look for those that allow points and miles to be earned without a flight or stay in conjunction. That way, even a casual stay at your local hotel for a special celebration will help you accumulate the miles and points necessary for your chosen awards. Another hotly debated topic is "double-dipping," the practice of choosing a hotel partner of an airline that allows you to choose airline and hotel bonuses (think Hilton HHonors) was well as car rental in just one stay, rather than having to choose between airline and hotel points. Obviously, the scheme that doesn't limit your choice will allow you to earn more credits toward free awards. For the infrequent flyer, or flyer who doesn't fly often at a full fare, then you might look to finding out the best value of your expenses that could only be earning from spending on your credit card.

The secret to frequent flyer schemes is to make each action you take earn you miles, for those that pay attention to the details, the next trip is free.

Cashing in air miles for air tickets can be a tricky business, especially now that there are more and more cancelled and crowded flights. More often than not your preferred date is not available or you have to wait weeks for your ticket to be confirmed. Do you have any advice on how to avoid these pitfalls?

As in life, timing can be everything. There are a couple of things that can help you get the award you want — traveling mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) can increase your chances about 30% to get an award. Most want to depart for weekend travel and that's the bottleneck. Also, keep in mind that "NO" is really just the starting point, not the end of your award request.

When you hear "no", you need to talk to a person in the award reservations desk to find out where the problem is. Usually with the hub-and-spoke system, the entire flight is not blacked out for you but rather a segment, and by chatting with someone, you can find out where the bottleneck is and then try to work around it with another routing or partner. This can add another 25% success to your award request.

And finally, roughly 20% of all awards booked are changed at some point in time, either cancelled (kids sick, or work came up, or something else) or changed to other dates, so try and take advantage of this phenomena by planning early enough so when nothing seems available you have time to call back at least twice a week to see if the award inventory has changed.

We've got to ask… What are your top tips for bagging an upgrade on a long-haul flight?

There's really only one and it's not about dressing nice, carrying flowers or complimenting the check-in desk staff. It's all about research. Using tools to know which relative routing historically and in real-time routing has the best chances for an upgrade. Knowing partner availability also helps. For me, I fully understand that upgrades are all about what is available and I'll often spend no more that 15-20 minutes looking at various routings toward my destination to determine which of 2-4 different ways offers the best chances for an upgrade. I study aircraft type (some have more upgrade seats to begin with than others), I study the airline (with various partners I know my miles and my choices offer many different choices, either to use my miles or to earn more miles) and I study the timing of my flight, such as, could I leave a day earlier to qualify for an upgrade? Or what about an open-jaw where I can get the upgrade to a city and return from another close-by city with just a small or short coach connection? For instance, recently on a trip in the U.S., I was able to snag an upgrade from Denver to New York, but nothing on the return so I routed myself in coach from New York to Philadelphia and then on to Denver (upgraded) with almost no connection time in Philadelphia.

It works for me and once you learn this type of upgrade method, you can get pretty fast at knowing where to look and which connections work best. For me, I'd much rather do this than grovel in front of all the other passengers at the check-in desk!

We've heard that you only ever travel in economy. In your opinion, who offers the best service at the back of the plane?

This really could be considered a tricky question since I typically zone myself out when traveling and really don't notice much of anything. Now, having said that, for me they are all the same since I am only interested in legroom and will fight for that exit row seating, no matter the airline. I am a fan of any airline that has extended coach seating like United's E+ and the Virgin and OpenSkies product to name a few. In defining "service" as "customer service", I can truly say that there is not an airline I have ever flown that I have not had a pleasant experience on (it just comes with the odds of traveling so much)... But then again, there is not an airline I have ever flown that I have not had an unpleasant experience on. So, no matter the airline, I'm pretty neutral to them all.

One of the best things about London is eating a grilled cheese sandwich from the Cheese Man in Borough Market. These sandwiches taste especially good when eaten in the gardens of Southwark Cathedral and accompanied by cider (also available at the market).

I don't know how the Cheese Man makes those incredible sandwiches, but he told me once that he invented his very own type of cheese, Ogleshield, to do it - perhaps he was pulling my leg.

He also makes amazing raclette - melted cheese scraped over a plate of potatoes, onions and gherkins.

(The Cheese Man is the one with the goatee)

Even from 6,000 miles away I crave those delicious sandwiches and will be making a beeline for his stall this Saturday.

Toasted Cheese Sandwich Innards by su-lin via flickr (Creative Commons).

Watching over the Raclette by su-lin via flickr (Creative Commons).

Yes you have read that correctly.

Today sees the annual World Bog Snorkelling Championships kicking off in the dense Waen Rhydd Peat bog in Britain's smallest town - Llanwrtyd Wells, Wales.

Competitors must "complete two lengths of a 60 yard trench cut through the peat bog in the quickest time possible, wearing snorkels and flippers (wet suits optional but advisable) but without using any conventional swimming strokes."

The world record 1min 35sec is held by Phillip John, marine and international swimmer.

Apparently, the championships were the brainchild of a drunken session in the local pub back in 1986 as a fundraising initiative. All proceeds go to charities and good causes in the region.

To enter for next year's event click here.

Bog Snorkelling by stepbar via Flickr (Creative Commons).

Typhoon Nuri is heading straight to Hong Kong and is set to hit us at 2pm tomorrow.

We thought it was apt to pick a stormy HK shot today and liked this one, Stormclouds, by Denn on Flickr.

This one, Lighting 03, by moonsheep is also fantastic.

By Stephan Larose for ChinaTravel.net

A self-guided tour of Beijing's new architectural marvels, from the Bird's Nest to the Egg to the Cube to the Wingless Dragon and beyond....

If you've been paying any attention to China at all in the past year, you've no doubt caught the hype on the Discovery Channel's Extreme Engineering or in countless newspaper and magazine articles. Beijing—long famed for ancient classics of Chinese architecture, from the Forbidden City and Temple of Heaven to the Great Wall — has been boldly remaking itself with one futuristic architectural statement building after another, inviting the world's most innovative starchitects to make their marks.

If you're in Beijing for the Olympics or just for a visit, you'll want to check out the city's new cast of starchitect-designed buildings, from the Egg to the Bird's Nest and beyond. But there's no need to line up a tour guide—here at ChinaTravel.net, we've got you covered with a quick outline for an independent self-guided tour of Beijing's newest architectural marvels. All you'll need is a pair of walking shoes, a bottle of water, change for the subway and, of course, your camera!

Norman Foster's Wingless Dragon, Beijing's Terminal 3

That's right, you've just gotten off the plane and already you're there! Another building in a long line of made-in-China world's __est structures, this one, a glass and steel dragon of unprecedented size, is touted as the largest and most advanced airport building in the world.

Jaw-droppingly vast in scale, Terminal 3's most impressive fact may be the speed with which this monster was put up. Bigger than all of London's Heathrow terminals combined (and perhaps 1,000 times as efficient and 500 times less obnoxious), Beijing's Terminal 3 went up in less time than it took just to conduct Heathrow Terminal Five's planning inquiry, making it a tribute to central planning and to the steely determination of the 50,000 workers responsible for finishing it in time to welcome hordes of Olympics tourists.

Terminal 3's 3.25 km of feng-shui-friendly red and gold concourses perfectly match the dominant colours of Beijing's prize attractions, the Summer Palace and the Forbidden City—a respectful gesture to China's past and traditions. Looking forward, by 2020 the terminal is expected to process over 50 million passengers a year. Think that's enough to handle China's growing share of air traffic? Think again—there are plans to build a staggering 96 more airports throughout the country, though it's a safe bet that none will rival the jewel of Beijing Capital's crown.

After taking a look around, hop onto the newly opened Airport Express subway and take it to the first stop: Sanyuanqiao Station (this is assuming you don't need to hit the hotel and sleep off a transcontinental flight—if you're into contemporary architecture, we recommend checking out one of the following new hotels: the Kempinski's Commune by the Great Wall or the Hotel Kapok).

Disembark and transfer to Line 10, heading to Bagou Station. Keep your eyes peeled—you'll want to get off at Beitucheng Station, which exits onto the opening of the massive Olympic Green and the site of your next superstar buildings, and perhaps the most recognizable of them all.

The Bird's Nest (Niaochao) and Watercube (Shuilifang)

The Olympic Greens, Beijing's newest urban parkland, are great for walking and sightseeing — they're full of Olympic-themed sculpture, art and fun rest spots. To get to the Bird's Nest, walk north on Beichen Lu, and soon you'll see it on your right with the Watercube on your left.

The Bird's Nest — officially known as Beijing National Stadium — is easily the most iconic of Beijing's Olympic structures. It's hosting all Olympic track and field events and Beijing football matches (Shanghai Stadium will also see some football action), all to be played before crowds of 100,000. If you're among them, you'll be one of the privileged few to appreciate Herzog and deMeuron's architectural masterpiece up close.

Monstrous steel elements weighing up to 350 tons a piece have been intertwined in a way that actually makes this gargantuan structure look delicate. The building has received both praise and criticism for its unconventional and potentially risky design — over 70% of the building's weight hangs over the audience's head.

Critics notwithstanding, there's no doubt the Bird's Nest represents a massive accomplishment for the Chinese. As an architectural marvel, an unmistakable landmark and an iconic Olympic image, it will undoubtedly be a source of pride for years to come.

The Watercube, although less grandiose in scale, almost manages to upstage its neighbour. A childlike simplicity and enchanting bubble motif mask an incredibly sophisticated design. The builders, a consortium of Chinese and Australian firms, employed a quasi-magical material called ETFE, a species of teflon, to give the cube its bubblicious glam quotient.

Designed to react to changing light conditions, it's the material responsible for the Water Cube's stunning visual effects, which are best viewed at night. The walls, which capture up to 90% of ambient and solar heat, slowly shift through a range of colours. It's almost enough to make you forget that the action is inside, not outside the building.

After you're done taking in these two Olympic icons, hop on to the subway and head back down to Beitucheng Station, where you'll transfer back to Line 10, this time heading in the opposite direction, towards Jinsong Station. Exit at Jintaixizhao Station. When you exit, make your way north along the East Third Ring North Road, and you'll see building four of your tour almost immediately.

Rem Koolhass's Twisted Masterpiece: The CCTV National HQ

The new CCTV headquarters is undoubtedly the world's most unconventional high rise, and, like the Bird's Nest and Wingless Dragon, it's already earned itself a few amusing nicknames, including the dakucha or the "big pants" and the less flattering, but more literally accurate, waiqu dalou (歪曲大楼) or "twisted building," with a heavy implication of "twisted news," though we honestly can't imagine why the home of China's state television media would warrant such a sour sobriquet.

Sure, there's lots of controversy surrounding this gravity-defying behemoth, but one thing is certain: this building cements Beijing's reputation as a global centre for experimental architectural design. The alarming angles and bending bridge section may seem chancy for earthquake-prone Beijing, but the design incorporates a massive encapsulating grid of diagonal beams that thicken around stress points to minimize the risk.

For the less sceptical, the building's eyebrow-raising design represents a consciousness shift away from the rigid mindsets of careful control of social order towards something more improvisational and open minded. Check it out: you be the judge (note , however, that any change in mindset hasn't extended to the interior of this fabulous building, which remains closed to any but CCTV employees and special guests).

After snapping a few pics you'll want to hop back on the metro and head south (same direction as before) and transfer to Line 1 at Guomao Station. Head west towards Pinguoyuan and get off at Tian'anmen West. This is the last stop on your tour, right in Beijing's cultural heart, near Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City. So once you're done admiring the new National Centre for the Performing Arts, you'll be able to join the tourist throngs wandering Beijing's most famed ancient landmarks.

Paul Andrew's Egg

Many visitors will probably find this to be Beijing's prettiest new structure, with its smooth graceful lines and curves. Be that as it may, "the Egg" seems to be the building that's gotten the most flack from Beijingers. They've even called it huai dan, the "Rotten Egg," for disrupting Beijing's feng shui.

The architects mindfully incorporated the circle-and-square / heaven-and-earth theme present in so many pinnacles of Chinese culture, like the Summer Palace, but, if many locals are to be believed, they flubbed it. The Egg's square half thoroughly disrupts the concentric circles weaving out from the Forbidden City, and unfortunately, that's the motif around which all of Beijing was originally designed. People say it's an impostor and an alien monstrosity. And there is indeed a drastic contrast between this über-modern structure and that epitome of tradition sitting next door, the Forbidden City.

Still, despite all the local disparagement, many visitors are certain to fall in love with Paul Andrew's Egg. The sky is mirrored its semi-transparent, golden-netted glass walls, allowing onlookers outside to enjoy the play of colours as the lights of dawn and dusk interact with the building's massive titanium and glass shell

Now you're done with your tour of Beijing's 21st century icons, and, if you start early enough, you'll have time left to explore the city's older side, from Tian'anmen Square to the Forbidden City and Beihai Park.

Enjoy!

All images © ChinaTravel.net

We're big fans of Trey Ratcliff's blog Stuck in Customs. Here's a shot of Wat Arun in Bangkok.

Of this shot, Trey says, "This picture is of Wat Arun, a famous Buddhist temple in Thailand. I took it from a really cool little Italian restaurant across the way that is attached to a boutique hotel named "Arun Residence". I will stay at this place next time - be sure to get the balcony room at the top if you come... it's just over $100 a night."

We also highly recommend the Arun Residence for lunch (especially their papaya salad) and it looked like a great hotel too. Sadly our photos of Wat Arun from the hotel's deck aren't a patch on this one.

For more photos of Wat Arun click here.

Travel + Leisure magazine has made life easy for visitors to China with their tips and tools to help travellers a successful trip to the middle kingdom.

In their words, "China can seem as impenetrable as it is imposing. Consider the numbers: it's the world's most populous nation (1.3 billion), where more than 100 cities have populations over a million. Fifty-six ethnic groups are spread across 22 wildly distinct provinces and five autonomous regions, in a landmass slightly larger than the U.S. Its history seems limitless and its traditions just as deep. But here and now, change is the only real constant—and it is accelerating at a dizzying pace. (One thousand new cars hit the streets of Beijing every day.)"

No wonder so many newcomers to China find the country so intimidating.

Itinerary wise, T+L recommends the following highlights:

Beijing: 2–3 days

China’s political, historical, and cultural capital demands at least three days—for the familiar landmarks of Tiananmen Square and the Forbidden City, and also for Beijing’s 21st-century architecture, such as the “Bird’s Nest” Olympic National Stadium by Herzog & de Meuron and the glass-and-titanium dome that is the National Grand Theater. China’s contemporary art scene finds its nexus in the galleries and cafés of the Dashanzi Art District, home to the new Ullens Center for Contemporary Art. Beijing’s atmospheric hutong, or traditional alleyways, are fast disappearing; explore the bustling ones off Nanluoguxiang, near the 13th-century Drum and Bell towers. Then check out the Legation Quarter, a high-end restaurant, entertainment, and cultural development set within the former American Embassy compound. And save a morning to stroll the manicured, 660-acre grounds of the Temple of Heaven, site of the circular Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, the 15th-century apogee of Chinese ritual architecture.

The Great Wall

Numerous stretches of the Great Wall are easily accessible from Beijing (ask your hotel to arrange a car or bus tour). But avoid the tourist trap of Badaling and head to the slightly less trammeled Mutianyu section, a 90-minute drive northeast of the Forbidden City. Early morning is best; try Asia 1 on 1 (asia1on1.com) for day trips.

Shanghai: 2–3 days

First stop: the riverfront promenade known as the Bund, with its Art Deco, Neoclassical, and Beaux-Arts façades, bars and shops, and views of the space-age towers of Pudong. In People’s Park you’ll find the Shanghai Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Weekdays are the best time to wander among the pine trees and ponds of the 16th-century Yuyuan Gardens. Xintiandi was the birthplace of the Chinese Communist Party; now this restored two-block district is defined by upscale shops and restaurants. The leafy, rustic French Concession is the favored destination for cutting-edge fashion and designs for the home. Shanghai’s latest secret? Lane 248, a gritty, narrow street now inhabited by artsy cafés and intimate boutiques, hidden behind Taikang Road.

Guilin: 2 days

(Two hours by air from Shanghai.) With its sheer limestone peaks jutting up from the Li River, Guilin is straight out of a traditional Chinese landscape painting, and remains one of China’s most breathtaking sights. Take in the view from Solitary Beauty Peak and marvel at the formations of the Reed Flute Cave. Spring and fall are best; avoid the heat of July and the crowds of the holiday seasons.

Xi’an: 2 days

(Two hours by air from Beijing.) China’s ancestral capital is renowned for its “terra-cotta army,” created during the Qin dynasty (221–207 B.C.): thousands of life-size clay warriors stand in formation as part of the funerary complex of China’s first emperor, with much more yet to be excavated. You’ll need at least two days here to take in the warriors, see the Shang dynasty bronze relics at the Shaanxi History Museum, walk along the Old City walls, and visit the Da Mai market.

Datong: 2 days

(One hour by air or six hours by scenic train ride from Beijing.) Majestic Qing dynasty frescoes are the standout in the celebrated temple district. Nearby excursions include the awesome Buddhist sculptures in the Yungang Grottoes and the Hanging Temple of Mount Hengshan, which clings precipitously to the side of a cliff. Not far away are some especially beautiful eroded mud-brick ruins of the Great Wall.

The article also includes must-read taxi tips, hotel recommendations, shopping advice and strategies, must-eat food, and six great new books on China. Happy days.

by Elisabeth Sowerbutts

There's a whole lot more to Australia than the Sydney Opera House and Ayers Rock. In fact most of Australia's stunning and unusual sights are completely missed by travellers who focus on the well-worn East Coast trail from Sydney to Queensland. Here's a selection of some Australian places that you may have missed: see all these and you'll have seen more than most of the locals!

West Macdonald Ranges and Kings Canyon, Northern Territory: Every visitor wants to see Ayers Rock, so go and see it, just make sure that you take the back road to Alice Springs via Kings Canyon and the West MacDonald Ranges. The colours and gorges of this area have inspired artists for years: visit and you'll know why.

Litchfield National Park, Northern Territory: You may have heard of Kakadu National Park south east of Darwin, but what about nearby Litchfield National Park? Litchfield doesn't have as many sealed roads, cappuccinos or tourists, but is that why you go to the territory's tropical north? Instead experience remote water holes and amazing bird life.

Lawn Hill, Queensland: Most of northern Queensland is off-limits for swimming, well unless you are a crocodile that is. Lawn Hill is an oasis, a beautiful gorge of warm thermal water, bird life and safe swimming. It's the only place you can swim outside of a swimming pool between the Gulf of Carpentaria and Mount Isa. The campground consists of secluded sites within gum trees.

Winton, Queensland: Winton, a tiny country town, is the jumping off spot to see the dinosaur stampede footprints at nearby Lark Quarry. Spend a day in Winton itself, have a drink at the art deco North Gregory Hotel and visit the tacky-sounding, but incredibly entertaining and informative, Waltzing Matilda Centre.

Bungle Bungles, Western Australia: Unknown to the outside world until about 20 years ago, this enormous of area eroded landscape looks like something from a CGI special effects department. In the north of the state the moon-like landscape is so extensive that you have to take a flight to appreciate it.

Cape le Grande National Park, Western Australia: Near to the town of Esperance, a remote port on the Southern coast, are the deserted and stunning beaches of Cape le Grande National Park. The sand is blindingly white, almost pure quartz, and it literally squeaks when you walk on it. The sea is an incredible shade of turquoise blue, and seals were the only surfers on the day we visited.

Kalgoorlie, Western Australia: Many visitors go to Bendigo or Ballarat in Victoria to see a historic mining town. Head instead to Kalgoorlie and see a real, living breathing town whose historic buildings are still in use. Visit the "superpit", a working gold mine right in the centre of town, and check out the "skimpy" bars full of modern-day miners and half-clad waitresses. No, Kalgoorlie is not politically correct, but it's definitely authentic.

Old Ghan Railway Track, South Australia: This remote outback road, along the historic Ghan railway line, is much less travelled than the better known Birdsville Track. You can take the luxurious modern Ghan train from Adelaide all the way to Darwin, or get your hands dirty and grab a 4WD. The 4WD track takes you along the more authentic, remote and beautiful old Ghan track that skirts Lake Eyre. Look out for genuine railway sleepers and pins, which are yours for the taking. Most of the towns along this route died when the trains stopped in the 1970s.

Coober Pedy, South Australia: Subterranean towns are rare. Even rarer are real towns where people, not just tourists, live underground to cut heating and air con bills. Churches, shops, motels and campgrounds are all available underground here. The name 'Coober Pedy' comes from the local Aboriginal phrase "white fella's hole in the ground"; the town is also famous for being the opal capital of the world.

Franklin River, Tasmania: Tasmania's remote West Coast receives a lot of rain, and the dark temperate rain forest is a world away from mainland Australia's deserts and tropics. The remote and brooding landscape of the Franklin River is sinister and appealing at the same time. You can see why the early convicts were desperate to escape, and why so few of them managed to so.

Everyone has a Paris that they fantasise about. Some dream of dining in candlelit bistros, others hanker after markets heaving with cheeses and warm baguettes, perhaps you imagine getting lost in a maze of old streets, stumbling upon delicious patisseries and hidden courtyards.

The sad truth is that whatever your particular Paris fantasy is, it's hard to find in reality. The City of Lights is a big and busy capital: tourists swarm, noses in guidebooks, from The Louvre to the Musée d'Orsay to the Eiffel Tower to the Champs Elysees to Montmartre. Getting off the beaten track is no mean feat. Many of the city's rarest treats are almost impossible to find, eluding even the most avid of guidebook writers behind unassuming doors.