tnt destination features - issue 5

DestinationsNew

INSIDE:INSIDE: ZIMBABWE ZIMBABWE RIO DE JANEIRO RIO DE JANEIRO TALLINN TALLINN ISLE OF SKYE ISLE OF SKYE PLUS YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF THE MIDDLE EAST

TOP 20TOP 20HOTLISTHOTLIST

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Welcome to TNT’s Destinations Newsupplement. Inside we

feature a plethora of

emerging destinations for

2011 to inspire you to get

out there and explore

countries you may never

even have considered

visiting. From new flights

to hidden gems, we share

the latest travel news from

around the world on page 4.

Several adventure tour

operators have added

Zimbabwe to their

programmes this year

following a growing interest

in the destination after the

FIFA 2010 World Cup, and

changing Foreign Office

advice means there are now

no travel restrictions in

place. We show you why the

up-and-coming country

should be at the top of your

travel wishlist on page 22.

Another travel frontrunner

is the ever-sexy Rio de

Janeiro. Playing host to the

World Cup in 2014 followed

by the Olympics in 2016,

one of the world’s most

exciting cities is set to be

rediscovered. Find out what

it has to offer on page 24.

Closer to home, the Isle of

Skye has come under the

spotlight as 2011 is the Year

of Island Cultures. Flick to

page 34 to learn about the

island’s heritage and

wildlife. Happy travelling!

The Destinations team

Editor Carol Driver Travel editor Janine Kelso Contributing writers Tom Sturrock, Alison Grinter, Inger Smith, Rebecca Kent, Frankie Mullin, Jahn Vannisselroy Design Manager Astrid Breacker Picture researcher Laila Pacheco Head of Design and Production Jon Cooke Sales Steve Warman, Tyler Harrison, Matt SyderFinancial director Nick Crampton CEO Kevin Ellis Chairman Ken HurstPrinted by St Ives Web Ltd Distribution by Emblem Direct Ltd Published by TNT Publishing Ltd 10 Greycoat Place, London, SW1P 1SBEnquiries +44 (0)20 7960 6008 Email [email protected] Fax +44 (0)20 7960 6977

WELCOME LETTERcontents

20 48 HOURS IN TALLINNSpend a fun-filled

weekend in this year’s

European capital of culture.

12 MIDDLE EAST HOTLISTFrom Jordan to Israel,

discover which countries

are worth a visit in 2011.

22 ZIMBABWEWe reveal this emerging

destination’s top five must-

see sights.

24 RIO DE JANEIROWe tell you why now is the

time to visit this sizzling

Brazilian city.

18 TIPPED FOR THE TOPClued-up travel operators

give us their hot tips on the

destinations du jour.

28 ISLE OF SKYEHeritage, wildlife and

stunning views - this

Scottish island has it all.

4 WHAT’S NEW?Gen up on the latest tours,

flights and experiences

around the world.

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ALL- NEW TOP 20Flights, tours, treks and activites – plan your next adventure

around the latest travel launches WORDS CAROL DRIVER

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1 With 70 miles of spectacular

beaches and a year-round

Mediterranean climate, San Diego

is home to a unique blend of surfside-

chic. From June 1, BA launches a daily

direct flight from London, opening up

California’s second largest city. You

can scuba, sail and whale-watch by

day and explore downtown by night.

Flights from £600. ba.com. See visitcalifornia.co.uk

2 Specialist Morocco has opened

the first luxurious, eco-tented

safari camp in the Sahara Desert.

Located in the southern Draa Valley

and M’hamid, it boasts Caidal

sleeping tents. Prices from £60pppn (two sharing) including meals. saharasafaricamp.com. Get to

Morocco on one of BMI’s new flights

from Heathrow – three times a week

to Marrakech and four times a week

to Casablanca. Prices from £149 and £199 respectively. flybmi.com

3Walk through fruit orchards and

mountain villages in the foothills

of the Sierra Nevada on this new Along

The GR7 trip. Trek the famous trail

which winds along the flanks of

Europe’s second highest mountain

range. Prices from £655pp (two sharing), including seven nights’ B&B. walkswordwide.com

Explore San Diegothanks to new flights

Hit the surf in Cornwall

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4 A World Heritage Site and

Biosphere Reserve, the Danube

Delta’s varied habitat is home to many

species of birds, fish, fauna and flora.

Explore the channels and crystal-clear

lakes by boat on this new tour, where

you’ll spot the largest colonies of white

pelicans in Europe. Nature In The

Danube Delta departs May to Oct.

Prices from £1295pp (two sharing), including flights and five nights’ full-board. wildlifeworldwide.com

5 Topdeck’s new Explorer trips

are designed to get you off

the beaten track and into the heart

of a country – visit Turkey, Iceland,

Eastern Europe or the Mediterranean.

The Best Of The Med takes in Spain,

Italy and Greece with 21 days of

sunshine. Prices from £2295pp (sharing doubles), including multi-share ferries. www.topdeck.travel

6 This new eight-day rail journey

takes in some of the finest

UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The

route takes you to Cologne, then along

the River Rhine to the Würzburg which

features Marienberg fortress and the

World Heritage Court Gardens. You’ll

end up in Aachen, Germany’s most

westerly city. Prices from £839pp (two sharing), including all rail travel and seven nights’ B&B. dertour.co.uk

7 Enjoy a blend of wildlife and

culture while exploring the

great game parks of East Africa in

this 14-day Road To Zanzibar tour. As

well as meeting the locals, you’ll

spend two nights sleeping in the

Serengeti. You’ll explore the stunning

Usambara Mountains before heading

to the beaches of the Indian Ocean,

ending the trip on the idyllic and exotic

island of Zanzibar. Prices from £740pp, including accommodation and transportation. dragoman.com

tntmagazine.com/destinations 5

8 ACTION IN NEW ZEALAND

If you’re heading to NZ, fans of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit can tour Middle Earth, which has been brought to life

thanks to the filming of the upcoming movie of the same name. A

day tour out of Wellington allows travellers to re-live their favourite

Lord Of The Rings scenes. Prices from £158pp. austravel.comTN

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11 Experience the highlights

of Madrid, Toledo, Granada, Cordoba,

Sevilla, Lagos, Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto

and Salamanca with Travel Talk’s

Spain & Portugal Encompassed tour.

The 11-day adventure will take in the

Unesco World Heritage Site of

Cordoba and Sevilla’s Cathedral of St

Mary. There’ll also be time to splash

around in the sea in Lagos. Prices from £599 including accommodation, 10 breakfasts and tour guide. Traveltalktours.com.

12 See Scotland upside down

with the ground rushing towards you

as the UK’s first static bungee jump

launches in the spring. Nae Limits has

partnered with Highland Fling Bungee

to bring adventure enthusiasts this

adrenaline-pumping experience which

involves jumping off a bridge and

plunging down a 36.5-metre canyon.

Based at Killiecrankie in Perthshire.

Prices from £60pp.naelimits.co.uk.

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9 Situated just North of

Venzuela, the twin islands have two

wildly different personalities. Trinidad,

rich in culture and history, is known

for its upbeat festive vibe, while

Tobago, the smaller of the two,

abounds with natural beauty and

eco-adventures. Virgin has increased

flights from London Gatwick to

Trinidad’s Port of Spain. Prices from £829. virgin-atlantic.com

10 The Full Traverse of the

Great Himalaya Trail’s

Nepal section, “trekking’s holy grail”,

opens this year. Covering 1,700km,

it is the most lengthy segment of the

trail, which once complete will be the

world’s longest and highest alpine

walking track, connecting five Asian

countries: Bhutan, China, India, Nepal

and Pakistan. The Trail can be broken

down to seven smaller sections. Prices from £2,150pp (two sharing), including accommodation and most meals. worldexpeditions.co.uk.

Relax on sun-filledCaribbean beaches

Go volcano hikingin Iceland

Mark Machu Picchu’s discovery

13 This summer marks the

100th anniversary of

explorer Hiram Bingham’s discovery

of majestic Machu Picchu. Walk in

the same footsteps of the American

explorer and discover the stunning,

prehistoric village at sunrise with a

Gap Package Inca Discovery tour.

Prices from £649pp, including hotel and camping accommodation and meals. gapadventures.co.uk

14 Vintage is back in fashion

as Cornwall relaunches

the Alaia surfboard. Made from

Paulownia wood and with no fin, these

are the first boards used in Hawaii.

Book a lesson at The Hotel & Extreme

Academy Watergate Bay to discover

the best techniques. Prices from £130 per room. watergatebay.co.uk. Serious cyclists can then attempt the

three new road routes added to the

Cornish Cycle Tours range – covering

up to 125.5km a day over tough

terrain. Tours start from £510 for six days. cornishcycletours.co.uk

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www.scanbaltexperience.com

Scanbalt offer fun and inexpensive tours for adventurous travellers who want to experience unique

culture and stunning nature in Scandinavia and the Baltics including Lapland in winter.

Festivals & Events\In 2011 Contiki takes you there

NEW ANZAC DayNEW PamplonaNEW Pamplona & Bilbao LiveNEW Paris at ChristmasNEW Amsterdam at ChristmasNEW Hogmanay

Easter in AmsterdamOktoberfestParis New YearAmsterdam New YearEdinburgh Festival & Tattoo

Full details now online: contiki.com/festivals


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15 KAYAK CALIFORNIA/NEVADA

At 35km long and 19km wide, Lake Tahoe is the largest alpine

lake in North America. It’s perfect for hiking, biking, kayaking and

paddle-boarding. From May til July, and Sept, The Tahoe Adventure Company

is offering a lodge-to-lodge kayak adventure. Prices from £340pp per night (two sharing), including meals. tahoeadventurecompany.com.

16 Iceland Express is

launching new flights

every Friday from London Gatwick

to Chicago in June. Take a trip to the

home of the blues and jazz and the

idea of the skyscraper. Head to the

Magnificent Mile for shopping, parks

and beaches then feast on some of the

world’s best cuisines along the Route

66 trail. Prices from £221 one-way. icelandexpress.com.

17 Always fancied getting up

close and personal with

a volcano? Now you can take a trip to

the recently erupted Eyjafjallajokull,

Iceland, with a new KE Adventure

Travel tour. The four-day hike includes

a mixture of extreme off road driving

in a 4x4 and trekking. The highlight

will be hiking above Thorsmork from

which there are the best viewpoints for

the Eyjafjallajokull craters. From £1095pp including return flights, accommodation and meals. June - Sept. keadventure.com

18 Avoid the tried and tested

routes to Australia with

this alternative track home. Round

The World Experts’ All Across Asia

takes you from Asia’s European fringe

to Brisbane via Istanbul, Muscat,

Kathmandu, Kolkata, Mumbai,

Singapore for a trip to remember.

Alternatively you can create your own

bespoke route and dream adventure.

Flights from £1259pp. roundtheworldexperts.co.uk

19 Quaff champagne and

learn how to make it with

a new budget tour of Epernay with

Grape Escapes. You’ll enjoy a half-day

guided tour in the vineyards followed

by a visit to a small, family run

Champagne house. Tastings are

accompanied by a three-course meal

in a top restaurant in Epernay where

each dish is matched to a glass of

single varietal fizz. Prices from £221pp (two sharing) including Dover to Calais ferry crossing and two nights’ B&B. grapeescapes.net

20 Go monster spotting

along the new 30-mile off-

road trail along the less travelled

south side of Loch Ness from Fort

Augustus to Inverness. You’ll be able

to hike, cycle or horseride the scenic

route. It takes in Suidhe Viewpoint at

366 metres. You’ll also visit quiet

villages – including Foyers, best known

for the Falls of Foyers, romanticised by

Rabbie Burns back in 1787. Free. visitlochness.com T

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trips for 18 to 30 somethings

Paris

CamembertArromanches

Loire Valley Chambord

Cognac

Bordeaux

Carcassonne MonacoPont du Gard

Lyon

St Emilion

Annecy

Avignon

FRANCE

3

2 1

2

1

BayeuxMont St Michel 1

2 1

French Riviera

start/finish

Pisa

Genoa

Barcelona

2 Madrid

2

Mallorca2Valencia

Mykonos3

VeniceVerona

Florence

Rome

SPAIN

ITALY

GREECE2

2 2

1 overnight

ferry

1 overnight

ferry

1 overnight

ferryAthens

2

Discover FranceEXPLORER

14 DAYSTwin share hotel accommodation as well as a night in a Chateau!

Have you ever tasted wine in Bordeaux? Sampled cheese in Camembert? Shopped down the Champs Élysées? Woken up in the French Alps or a chateau? France has so much to offer as a country so we have designed a trip to show you all of these highlights! Whatever fl oats your boat; cosmopolitan cities, coastlines, chateaux’s, historical sights or mountain scenery... Discover France has an itinerary that is sure to delight all of your senses!

Best of the MedEXPLORER

21 DAYSVisit the best of the Mediterranean, Spain, Italy and Greece, staying in twin share hotel accommodation.

Sun, cities and the sea, this is the perfect itinerary that combines the beautiful southern European coastline, memorable islands and historic cities. This trip offers plenty of free time and a variety of activities to suit everyone’s tastes. You could fi nd yourself diving off the coast of Mallorca or exploring Roman ruins over 2000 years old in Rome. Maybe shopping in the backstreets of Venice or simply sunbathing by day and dancing by night on the lively island of Mykonos is what you are looking for. Either way, Best of the Med is the summer adventure you will never forget.

CALL US 0845 257 5211www.topdeck.travel/destinations

INTRODUCINGTOPDECK’S

NEW EUROPE TRIPS

SUMMER 2011


HUNGARY

Pisa

Verona

MONACO

Barcelona2

2

London

Paris

Swiss Alps Venice

Florence Dubrovnik

Tirana

Sailing

Prague

AmsterdamNETHERLANDS

GERMANY

SWITZERLANDFRANCE

SPAIN

ITALYGREECE

AUSTRIA

CROATIA

ALBANIA

CZECHREPUBLIC

ENGLAND2

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2

2

1

1 overnight

ferry

Dresden

Berlin2

Vienna

Mauthausen

Budapest

2

ZadarPlitvice Lakes

2

AvignonPont du

Gard1

3

2

2

Bratislava

1

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FrenchRiviera Rome

SLOVAKIA

Munich 1

Pisa

London

Paris

Swiss Alps

Venice

Innsbruck

Dresden

Berlin

Florence

Rome

Prague

AmsterdamNETHERLANDS

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ITALY

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European AdventureEUROCAMPING

34 DAYSStay in some of Europe’s best campsites in easy to erect, two person dome tents with air mattresses.

If fun and adventure is what you are looking for and you are working to a tighter budget our EuroCamping options are perfect! Visiting 15 different Countries including a 3 night Greek fl otilla sailing experience, you really will have plenty of stories to tell your friends. You get loads of meals included as you will have a Topdeck ‘On Road Chef’ dedicated to your trip and with free time in each location you can do things at your own pace. The European Adventure, it says it all in the name!

European PathwayEUROCLUB

17 DAYSVisit eight countries whilst staying in great hostels, hotels & bungalows.

Visiting all the major locations in Europe in a few weeks, from cosmopolitan cities to jaw dropping landscape, a fun fi lled adventure awaits you. This trip offers a perfect mixture of viewing all the major sights, tasting local food and enjoying beer in a German beer hall. With a selection of optional activities available for you to book through your Trip Leader, you can make the European Pathway exactly what you want it to be... skydiving over the Swiss Alps anyone?

Topdeck has released new trips for 2011 that will have you reaching for your passport quicker than you can say Bon Voyage! With Europe on your doorstep, take a look at some of our new destinations and start taking advantage of what this continent has to off er!

TOPDECK FESTIVALS:

La TomatinaMake your way to Buñol, Spain for four days of fun this August!

European festivals really know how to get everyone involved and La Tomatina is no different. When you fi rst heard stories of a Spanish festival where people throw truckloads of tomatoes at each other, did you think someone was pulling your leg? Well, known for being able to party, the Spanish have been hosting the world’s biggest food fi ght since the 1940s, now with 40 tonnes of tomatoes being thrown around. Being a fantastic break for the August Bank Holiday, don your goggles and get throwing!!

For more info on La Tomatina and other Topdeck festivals visit: www.topdeck.travel/festivals

For details about these and many other trips on off er, check out Topdeck’s Europe 2011 brochure, or visit us at www.topdeck.travel

NEW!


Check out our top picks for the Middle East for 2011

WORDS JANINE KELSO, ALISON GRINTER, CATHY WINSTON

The Si-o-Seh Pol Bridge in Esfahan, Iran

HOT LIST

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IRANWhy go now? After years of stringent visa

restrictions for tourists, the government has

now relaxed the rules, so Australian and New

Zealand citizens can get two-week tourist

visas at the airport – although South Africans

and British citizens still need to apply in

advance. And with Iran hoping to increase the

number of visitors to 20 million by 2015, it’s

getting easier to discover this fascinating

country.

Top attractions? The ancient desert city of

Persepolis, dating back to 500BC, as well as

Shiraz, once the capital of Iran and renowned

for its culture and elegance – although the

vineyards which gave their name to the still-

famous grape are long gone. And don’t miss

Esfahan, a Unesco World Heritage site, where

you can still see some of the marvels of the

Persian Empire. But there’s also hiking and

skiing in the Alborz mountains, beach

holidays along the Persian gulf and the

friendly, if cautious, welcome of the locals.

SYRIAWhy go now? The

country is being

tipped by the experts

as one of 2011’s

hottest destinations

thanks to its

welcoming locals,

great food and

sightseeing. And as

Syria tries to throw

off its outdated

reputation as a risky

destination, you get

to enjoy its treasures

without swarms of

other tourists around.

Top attractions? Head to the capital,

Damascus, which lays

claim to the title

of world’s oldest

continuously

inhabited city, and its

northern counterpart

Aleppo – both are on

Unesco’s World

Heritage list for their

endless labyrinthine

medieval souks and

beautiful mosques,

including the 10th-

century Umayyad

in Damascus. Visit

the desert with the

Bedouin for camping

under the stars, while

history-lovers should

visit the Roman ruins

of Palmyra and some

wonderful crusader

castles, including

Krak des Chevaliers.

Roman ruins, Jerash in Amman, Jordan

Spices in Damascus’s old town, Syria

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Camel trekking in Morocco

MOROCCOWhy go now? bmi launches two new routes

to the much-loved city of Marrakech and the

lesser-known Casablanca on April 1.

Top attractions? Morocco’s cities are not

to be missed: shop until you drop in

Marrakech’s inimitable jumble of colourful

souks which sell everything from lamps and

jewellery, to spices and perfumes. Get lost

in Fes’s labyrinthine alleyways or feast your

eyes on Casablanca’s art-deco architecture.

Or leave the cities behind altogether and

experience some of Morocco’s more natural

attractions, such as the dramatic Saharan

sand dunes at Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga,

where you can bed down at one of the

auberges with Berber hosts or watch the sun

rise from the back of a camel. Head for the

hills and explore the Middle Atlas mountain

range with its cedar forests near Azrou.

Morocco also has its share of stunning

beaches. The town of Agadir is the gateway

to Morocco’s gorgeous Atlantic coast and

scores of surf resorts. Further North is

Essaouira, a coastal town discovered by

hippies in the late 60s and early 70s, which

still retains a certain arty expat feel today.

Djemaa el Fna Square, Marrakech

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JORDANWhy go now? EasyJet has introduced

a budget flight to the country’s capital,

Amman, making it easier and cheaper

than ever to discover Jordan’s top sights.

Top attractions? The unmistakable jewel in

Jordan’s crown is the ancient rose-red city of

Petra, settled by the Nabataean tribe 2000

years ago. Further South is Wadi Rum, one

of the world’s most stunning desertscapes

and definitely best experienced from the

back of a camel, Lawrence of Arabia-style.

Jordan also has its share of Biblical sites

including Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan, an

archaeological area made up of wells, caves

and pools, where Jesus was baptised by

John the Baptist, and Mount Nebo where

Moses spied the Promised Land across

the Jordan River. Also worth a look is the

Muslim-Christian market town of

Madaba, home to Byzantine-era

mosaics. Divers meanwhile can get

their fix at the Red Sea resort town

of Aqaba and it just wouldn’t be a

visit to Jordan without a dip in the

Dead Sea to test your buoyancy.

See Wadi Rum from the back of a camel

The Treasury, Petra

Ultra orthodox Jews in Jerusalem’s old city

ISRAELWhy go now? With new budget flights from easyJet to Tel Aviv, it’s

suddenly much cheaper and easier to head out to Israel, with a six-

times weekly service from Luton competing with the existing bmi,

El Al and British Airways routes.

Top attractions? There’s plenty packed into the small country, with

Jerusalem’s mix of history and holy sites for three of the world’s

major religions crammed into the city, plus more Biblical sites than

you can shake an Old Testament at. In contrast, there’s also the

vibrant city of Tel Aviv, with its clubs, bars and beaches, or you could

head out to the Negev desert to the mountain fortress of Masada.

An Israeli feast

Neve Midbar Beach, Israel

By the sea, Tel Aviv



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MIDDLE EAST: TRAVEL SITUATION UPDATEEGYPT: The Foreign and Commonweath Office (FCO) declared Egypt safe to visit a few weeks ago after weeks of protests, which led to the overthrow of Mubarak. There are currently no travel restrictions in place for the country. In fact, tour operators say that now is a great time to visit. Tucan Travel’s regional operations manager Rowena Byrne said: “With no travel restrictions in place, now is a fantastic opportunity for travellers to not only witness history in the making as the sun rises on a new and hopefully more democratic Egypt, but to take advantage of smaller crowds.” Rowena added that adventure travellers are first in line to return to the rapidly changing country.

LIBYA: The FCO advises against all travel to Libya due to armed clashes in many parts of the country and gunfire in the capital, Tripoli.

TUNISIA: Tourists shunned Tunisia following violent protests at the end of February in capital Tunis, which led to the resignation of Mohammed Ghannouchi. Since the dust has settled, there are currently no travel restrictions in place for the country, but the FCO warns that travellers should keep abreast of the news before visiting as more rallies and protests are predicted.

LEBANONWhy go now? The

eastern areas of the

country are now open

to tourists and you can

watch Beirut transforming, with the scars of Lebanon’s civil war still

visible in the midst of the city’s frenzied rebuilding, as a string of new

hotels, restaurants and bars open.

Top attractions? Party like there’s no tomorrow in Beirut in the

Gemmayze, Achrafiyeh and new Downtown districts – every night of the

week, restaurants, bars and clubs are packed. Head toward the eastern

border with Syria for the stunning ruins at Baalbek, with a stop at a

vineyard along the way to try some Lebanese wine. Or hit the coast at

the port of Byblos, a celebrity favourite in the 60s, chill out on Lazy B

beach just south of Beirut or head into the mountains for some skiing.

Sunni Lebanese Muslims pray outsideMohammed al-Amin mosque in Beirut

Lebanese revellers

Downtown Beirut

The Sphinx


Those in the know reveal 2011’s most popular destinations WORDS REBECCA KENT

If you’re going to take recommendations from anyone about where

to travel this year, it’s the experts. But we’ve saved you the trouble

and asked them for you. Egypt is the popular suggestion

among our intrepid insiders, but the world’s a very large place

and the revolutionary Arab nation is far from the only prevision. Get

one up on your mates in the Balkans, experience the early signs of

World Cup fever in Brazil. Thailand’s full moon parties are hard to

overlook, too. Wherever you go, remember, you heard it here first.

REBECCA SCRASE, DRAGOMAN

With the World Cup in 2014 and the Olympics

two years later, Brazil is growing in popularity,

and so we’ve launched a totally unique trip

called Brazilian Heartland. It goes into two

national parks – Chapada Dos Veadeiros and

Chapada de Diamantina, which, until now, have

been largely inaccessible. They both boast the

most breathtaking mountains, rivers and

waterfalls – and you’ll feel as though you have

them all to yourself. See dragoman.com

FRANK SCERRI,

FALAFEL BUS

Palestine, the cradle

of civilisation, where

Judaism, Christianity,

and Islam took form,

is the place to be this

year. Some of its

famed cities include

Jerusalem, Bethlehem

and 10,000-year-old

Jericho, the oldest

continuously inhabited

city in the world. It

is also famous for

its Taybeh Beer and

legendary hospitality.

See falafelbus.com


CRAIG IRIVING,

RADICAL TRAVEL

There is a massive demand for travel to

Eastern Europe. The region still has

a mystical, undiscovered appeal about it.

The Mainland is not quite so rare anymore.

But go to Eastern Europe and you can get

one over on your mates. We’ve started tours

to the Balkans, taking in Greece, Albania,

Montenegro and Croatia. It’s cheap – less

than £1 for a pitcher of beer, and the lamb

and pork is to die for. Our nine-day classic

Balkan trip is a chance to see it all, from the

aqua waters and riches of Split, to the bustle

of Istanbul. See radicaltravel.com

ASK THE EXPERTS

You’ll be dazzled by Greece’s stunning aqua waters

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CASEY REID, TRAVEL TALK

Egypt is always a hot destination, but after the

political situation that unfolded there, people

have been holding back. There’s no need to

though. The Egyptian Museum and the

Pyramids in Cairo have opened up again, and,

yes, there are more military on the streets, but

that’s because they’re running the country

now, not because it’s dangerous. On our tours,

we take in Tahrir Square in Cairo, the very

place where the revolution happened. That’s

history right there and even more reason to go.

Plus, you can’t overlook sleeping under the

stars on a felucca – it’s an experience everyone

must have. See traveltalktours.com

KIRSTY STUART,

ROUND THE WORLD

EXPERTS

South-East Asia is going to be the place

to be for everyone. Thailand is a time-

honoured traveller’s hub because it’s

exciting, cheap, accessible and they have full

moon parties. It’s everything the young and

adventurous want. Indo-China is becoming

increasingly tourist-friendly, too, particularly

Lao. See roundtheworldexperts.co.uk

PRU GOUDIE, ON THE GO TOURS

For exciting, exotic destinations, Morocco

and Turkey are the places to go. They’re easy

to get to and you get a whole lot of bang for

your buck. We’re also confident tourism in

Egypt will pick up. Hardy travellers will

continue to go there, especially to Cairo and

Luxor, which our Road To Jordan trip takes

in. Now’s the time to go as airfares are really

low – but not for long. See onthegotours.com

NICOLA WARD, TOPDECK

Croatia is a classic, guaranteed hotspot.

Sailing Dubrovnik to Dubrovnik on our eight-

day tour involves sunbathing, swimming,

sunset cocktails in the turret of a 15th-century

tower in Korcula, watersports, chill-out time

in Hvar and exploring the salt lakes in the

national park of Mljet. Did I mention swimming

and sunbathing? See topdeck.travel

Thailand: a traveller’s hub

There’s bang for your buck in Turkey

You can’t beat a felucca sojourn Rock out at a full moon party


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Don’t expect to sleep, there’s too much to do in 2011’s European Capital Of Culture WORDS FRANKIE MULLIN

It’s 2011’s European Capital of Culture and,

although the arrival of budget airline flights

have brought Tallinn its share of stag and

hen parties, it’s easy to discover another

side to this mini-Prague. Only got a weekend?

No problem – here’s what to do.

DAY ONE

10AM: Get a feel for the city by wandering

around its streets. Tallinn fuses the medieval

with the modern – cafés, bars and shops

jostle with Dominican monasteries and

historic meeting halls. Until 1991 the capital

of Estonia was under Soviet rule but don’t

expect a stereotypical ex-Soviet Bloc

city – Tallinn has embraced capitalism with

gusto. If, however, you’re looking for

a chocolate-box European city, you won’t

be disappointed.

12PM: In the middle of old Tallinn is Town

Hall Square, the centre of a web of colourful,

cobbled streets. The square is home to the

city’s tallest spire and, despite being a tourist

hub, is so beautiful you must stop here for

a coffee. Tallinn’s café culture is second to

none.

2PM: Take a few more photos before leaving,

then it’s time for lunch. Avoid the main square

as food will be pricey. Instead, hit one of the

surrounding streets and tackle some

Tallinn combines history with modernity

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NEED TO KNOWWHEN TO GO Visit in 2011 for a cultural extravaganza. GETTING THERE easyJet (easyjet.com) offers direct flights to Tallinn from Stansted.GETTING AROUND Tallinn is easily navigable on foot, and has a network of trolleybus and buses for longer journeys.VISAS Saffas need a Schengen visa. CURRENCY Estonia Krooni. 1 GBP = 18.65 EEK.LANGUAGE Estonian.GOING OUTA pint of beer is £2.SLEEPINGHostel bed from around £15, a bed in a three-star hotel is around £50.SEE tourism.tallinn.ee

EXPLORE TURKU, FINLANDThis year’s second European Capital of Culture, Turku, is the oldest city in Finland, dating back to the 13th century, and was originally the nation’s capital.

Today, Turku is fast becoming a tourist hotspot due to a mix of interesting architecture, lively bars and restaurants and the accessibility of the stunning Finnish archipelago.

In 1827, a fire laid waste to much of medieval Turku, but many archaeological

exhibits are to be found within its museums. Summer is the best time to visit when crowds

gather to drink and eat around the banks of the River Aurajoki and on the harbour front. The picturesque central market square of Kauppatori

will be buzzing.One of the city’s biggest bonuses is

undoubtedly the hundreds of islands found just offshore. You can explore these easily from Turku as bridges and roads link many with the mainland. Explore by boat, bicycle, kayak, or motorcycle.

traditional Estonian fare; it’s hearty stuff with

lots of meat, fish and potatoes. Wash down

with a Saku beer.

3PM: Cram in some more culture with a visit

to the City Museum for insight into the city’s

history if, perchance, you’ve forgotten to do

your homework. Then, choose between the

Maritime Museum, the Old Town Hall’s

exhibition space or the more esoteric Doll

Museum or Town Hall Pharmacy museum.

8PM: Re-fuel before you hit the tiles. You’ll

find restaurants serving delicious food from

all over the world. Have a medieval feast in

Olde Hansa or go for fusion-cuisine in Ö,

Ribe or MEKK. Tallinn’s nightlife is one of

its biggest pulls. Avoid the faux Irish bars and

stag parties and hit a lounge bar, where you

can mix with stylish locals. Favourites

such as Moskva and Lounge 8 are located

just outside the Old Town. Most Tallinners

don’t go clubbing until after midnight. Head

to the popular Terrarium and Venus Club.

DAY TWO

12PM: Hopefully you hit the town in style

last night, so we’ll give you time for a lie in;

then it’s time for some gentle shopping.

You’ll have passed countless places to buy

tourist tat but try the Sada Market close to the

passenger port for clothing and gifts. Tallinn’s

“Avoid the faux Irish pubs and hit one of Tallinn’s stylish lounge bars”a fashionable city and you’ll find some

bargains in one of the many shopping malls.

2PM: Go for lunch and hair of the dog in

Karja Kelder, the city’s oldest beer hall. You’ll

be able to tuck into authentic Estonian food

and drink for next to nothing.

4PM: For some fresh air, visit the castle

district of Toompea Hill, towering above the

city with amazing views of the old town and

out over the Baltic Sea. If it’s sunny, finish

the day on the beach. Pirita has 3km of soft

white sand and palm trees to soothe your

aching head.

7PM: Time to brace up and hit the bars

again! For something different, try the artsy Von Krahli Baar, attached to an experimental theatre.


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Tallinn’s cafe culture is thriving

Tallinn’s picturesque Old Town

The harbour, Turku

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A new start for an ancient

land WORDS INGER SMITH

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As Zimbabwe gets back on its

feet, 2011 will be the year the

tourists start to return,

finding their way back into

one of the most enchanting places in the

world. A storybook of history, wilderness and

adventure awaits.

VICTORIA FALLS

Stretching over nearly 2km and with waters

crashing into a deep gorge 108 metres below,

the mighty Victoria Falls is one of the Seven

Natural Wonders Of The World.

Besides the beauty of the waterfall itself,

there are plenty of attractions to enjoy in the

surrounding area, giving you the chance to

explore the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ from the

top, the bottom – or somewhere in between.

Take a river cruise on the legendary Zambezi

river, go bungy jumping or glide by the falls in

canoe, helicopter or airplane.

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Wonder of the World: Victoria Falls

The ruins of Great Zimbabwe

Watering hole at Mana Pools

ZIMBABWEZIMBABWE

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NEED TO KNOWWHEN TO GO April and May if you want to see Victoria Falls in its full glory; May to September for game viewing; the hot and dry season is August to October.GETTING THERE British Airways, Kenya Air, KLM and South African Airways fly into Harare. GETTING AROUND By car (hotels or tour organisers can arrange this), or take a tour with Dragoman or Intrepid Travel.VISAS Contact Zimbabwe House in London on 020 7836 7755 between 9am-12.30pm, Mon-Fri for the visa requirements for your country.LANGUAGEOfficial languages are English, Shona and Ndebele.

23

MANA POOLS NATIONAL PARK

Situated in the Lower Zambezi Valley, far away

from any major towns, lies UNESCO World

Heritage site Mana Pool National Park.

Here the wildlife is free to roam the

2500km2 park without any physical

boundaries, so you can see these fascinating

animals in their natural environment ... and

sometimes even on your doorstep.

The park’s four permanent pools of water

are perfect places to admire the mighty herds

of elephant and buffalo as well as crocodiles

and hippos.

If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of

all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant

and rhino).

RUINS OF GREAT ZIMBABWE

The largest stone structure in Africa outside

of Egypt, the ruins of Great Zimbabwe provides

a glimpse into the past of one of the lost trade

civilisations, and is today an official Unesco

World Heritage site.

The buildings, constructed by indigenous

Africans between the 11th and 15th centuries,

were made out of millions of granite blocks

balanced on top of each other, creating walls

which in places are up to six metres wide and

12 metres tall.

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MATOBO HILLS

Huge granite boulders are scattered

throughout the landscape of Matobo, the

oldest national park in Zimbabwe and

a Unesco World Heritage site since 2003.

The park is famous for its outstanding

panorama views of the surrounding valleys and

unique shrub vegetation as well as its

bushman rock paintings by the San people.

There are around 700 known sites including

20,000 paintings in the area, with the oldest

rock paintings dating back 13,000 years.

CHINHOYI CAVES

Take a diving trip to the Chinhoyi Caves and

visit a Zimbabwean national park located

beneath the surface.

These fascinating underwater caves are

made up of limestone and dolomite, and the

water temperature stays a comfortable

22-24°C all year round.

The main cave is popularly called Sleeping

Pool or Chirorodzira (Pool of the Fallen), and is

famous for its clear blue waters. The cave

water is in fact so clear that divers often can

enjoy a visibility of 50 metres or more while

exploring this underwater world.

Tourism: helping the local community get back on its feet

The underwater world of Chinhoyi Caves

Rock art at Matobo Hills

ZIMBABWE

ZIMBABWEHARARE

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RIOThe 2014 World Cup is in Brazil, followed

by the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeirio;

we’re set to fall in love with an amazing city

all over again WORDS TOM STURROCK

Christ the Redeemer is the symbol of Rio

REDISCOVERING

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The road winds steeply, ever-

upwards, deeper and deeper into

Tinjuca National Park. Below, Rio

de Janeiro is still visible, its slums

intertwined with ribbons of lush foliage; shacks

scattered, like playing cards borne away on

a gust of wind to precarious resting places.

Giant slabs of jet-black granite rupture the

earth throughout the city centre – violent,

storm-cloud monoliths soaring defiantly into

the sky at alarming angles. They are ever-

present reminders of how this sprawling city

was hewn roughly from the rainforests, from

the hills themselves; reinforcements of natural

order set hard against the man-made chaos

foaming at their skirts.

At the summit, though, the mist is so thick

it obscures everything, ushering in a sense

of oblivion and impenetrable whiteness. Paved

steps lead to an observation deck and there,

towering above, is Christ the Redeemer, the

giant, 40-metre-high statue of Jesus.

“The head is actually a little bit out of

LATIN HOTSPOTS FOR 2011

1 Machu Picchu, Peru: 2011 marks

100 years since the discovery of Machu Picchu, the Lost City of the Incas. The four-day hike to the dramatic city is a tick box activity for most backpackers visiting South America. The 42km trail reaches the dizzying height of 4200 metres.

2 Chile: The dramatic rescue

of the Chilean miners last year put Chile firmly on the map. From the driest desert in the world to the dramatic scenery of Patagonia and all the vineyards, volcanoes, geysers and beaches in between, Chile has much to offer travellers.G

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proportion,” our guide remarks, before

gesturing to a small church tucked under

one of Jesus’ sandalled feet. “That’s where

you can go to confess your sins,” he says.

“It’s OK – we can pick you up tomorrow.”

A LABOUR OF LOVE

One of Rio’s most iconic attractions is

Selarón’s staircase, aka Escadaria Selarón.

In 1990, Chilean artist Jorge Selarón began

beautifying a dilapidated, drab stairway –

there are 250 steps stretching 125 metres –

between the neighbourhoods of Lapa and

Santa Teresa.

Selarón used coloured tiles and small

“ Rio was hewn roughly from the rainforest, from the hills themselves ”

Copacabana is one of the world’s most famous beaches

Be sure to visit Machu Picchu



CACHACA NIGHTSIf you spend any amount of time carousing in Brazil, you’re bound to come across cachaça, the favoured spirit of the locals. It’s fermented sugarcane and is seriously alcoholic – go easy, it packs quite a punch.

Cachaça is generally used as an ingredient in other cocktails, like a caipirinha, but can also be sipped neat or over ice. If you’re really keen, you can do shots.

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fragments of mirrors to brighten the stairs

and the surrounding pavings. Eventually,

what began as a side project grew into

an obsession, a labour of love that remains

a work in progress more than 20 years later.

As Selarón’s masterpiece attracted more

and more attention – U2 and Snoop Dogg

have both filmed video clips featuring the

staircase – people began mailing him tiles

from around the world, which he incorporated

into his colourful, chaotic mosaic to reflect

the international appeal of his beloved Rio.

If you visit at the right time of day, you can

often find Selaron sitting on the steps,

painting. Be warned – he’s an eccentric

character, more than a little bit mad.

CRADLE OF SIN

Late at night, the bars along

Copacabana Beach hum with samba.

I ask a taxi driver to take me

somewhere busy. We pull up next to

a stretch of beachside cafes; their

yellow parasols bloom like concrete

daisies, jutting up and out between lonely

volleyball nets and spindly palms. I cross

the square, where street vendors hawk their

wares, and pick my way through the tightening

mesh of scantily clad bodies.

The women are beautiful, dolled up with

deep tans and plenty of skin on show. The

men, on the other hand, mostly tourists,

are scruffy and wide-eyed.

I’m deep into my second mojito before a

wisp of conversation drifts across from one

of the bar’s dark corners, where an American

guy has his arm around a local girl. “One

hour,” he says, holding up a finger and then

reaching for his wallet, “200 real”.

The penny drops. She’s a working girl.

Maracana Stadium will playhost to the World Cup

Get your fresh fruit and veg

Selarón’s staircase was a labour of love


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I look around. They’re all working girls. All

of them. Regrettably, it’s time to leave.

Stepping out into the warm Brazilian night,

I sense I have dodged an embarrassing, albeit

memorable, experience. Copacabana is now

bathed in the ethereal yellow glow of

streetlights, illuminating the thick haze that

hangs like a halo around the whole scene.

And there, on the hills in the distance, sitting

sentry over the entire city and its central

lagoon, is the unmistakeable silhouette of

Christ the Redeemer. Arms outstretched.

Beseeching us all to repent.

It’s a big statue. Just as well, too, because

down here on the strip, down here in the

streets, there’s plenty of sin to go around.

IGUAZU FALLSThe Iguazu Falls are not in the Amazon; they straddle the Brazilian and Argentinian border. The surrounding landscape is a lush green carpet, thick with jungle, torn apart at its central seam by the ballistic churn of several separate falls spuming into one shared basin.

At the largest of the area’s falls, Garganto do

Diabo, or the Devil’s Throat, the bottom of the falls are not even visible, obscured by roiling tongues of mist and foam, a mixture of whitewash and oblivion.

NEED TO KNOWWHEN TO GO There’s not really a bad time to go to Brazil but if you want stinking hot beach weather, head across in summer.GETTING THERE Most airlines fly into Rio de Janeiro or Sao Paulo. GETTING AROUND By taxi in Rio de Janeiro – if you’re going further afield, the local coaches are reliable and the routes are surprisingly simple.VISASNationals of the EU and New Zealand do not need tourist visas, but Aussies do. LANGUAGE Portuguese

Go easy on the cachaça when out and about

Rio is carved out of the rainforest

The noise at Iguazu Falls is deafening

BRAZIL

Rio de Janeiro

BRASILIA

“ They’re all working girls. All of them. It’s time to leave ”



Heritage, wildlife and stunning views – the Isle of Skye has it all WORDS JAHN VANNISSELROY

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O ne visit to the Isle of

Skye is never enough.

Boasting a vibrant

and diverse heritage

of wildlife, sport, art and events, there

is so much to see and do.

2011 is the Year of Island Cultures,

a celebration of Scottish islands’

dynamic cultures, breathtaking

environment and quality produce.

Skye is truly in the spotlight – with

Lonely Planet naming it as one of best

regions in the world for tourism.

A WILD PASTVisit the 40-acre, historical Clan

Donald Skye visitor centre set in

a stunning Highland estate on Sleat,

at the island’s southern tip.

Here you’ll find magical gardens

skirting the imposing ruins of

Armadale Castle and you can

discover Sky’s often unsettled and

rebellious history.

There are working studios and

galleries around every corner of the

island, with demonstrations including

the tanning of skins, spinning and

weaving of local wool. Watch potters

at work, stone carving, bladesmiths,

jewellers and knitters all harnessing

and developing techniques and

traditions from the past for our future

art and craft culture to draw on.

Skye is Scotland’s ‘Dinosaur Isle’ –

one of the few places in the world

where Middle Jurassic dinosaurs can

be found.

Head to the Skye Serpentarium to

get up close and personal with a host

of reptiles – from white tree frogs to

large green iguanas.

THE LIVING COUNTRYSIDEThe majestic Sea Eagles of Skye

feature in a unique exhibition at the

Aros centre in Portree, while the otter

hides at Kylerhea is where to watch

these playful creatures.

Head to a sheepdog demonstration,

which shows the remarkable

partnership between man and dog.

SKYE’STHE LIMIT

Skye has a vibrant heritage

Kyle Akin, Isle of Skye

A QUICK NIPAfter all that, you’ll deserve a drink.

Visit the world-famous Talisker

Distillery where a ‘wee dram’ will keep

you going, or have a pint at the first

micro-brewery at Sligachan. A must

for all connoisseurs of the finer things

in life. See skye.co.uk

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