Tag Archive | "peru"

Newcastle ranks in world’s best cities

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  • Newcastle voted among world’s best cities
  • Selected in Lonely Planet list
  • Sydney, Melbourne “too dull”

NEWCASTLE has been named as one of the top 10 must-see destinations in the world according to Lonely Planet’s ‘Best in Travel 2011′ book.

 

Cities like London and Paris failed to make the list, with the NSW harbour city ranked ninth the selection.

The authors have described Newcastle as “underrated”, saying the city has been “overshadowed by its bigger, bolder and better-known sibling, Sydney”.

However Sydney, and Melbourne, have never made the list before as they are “too dull”.

Lonely Planet Asia Pacific travel editor Shawn Low said the book aims to inspire travellers to pick lesser known cities to explore.

Mr Low said hundreds of ideas were submitted by authors, staff and bloggers, then refined by a panel of in-house travel experts.

“The rankings come down to topicality, excitement, value for money and that special X-factor.

“We want to pick a destination that has good thing about it that has been flying under the radar a bit.

“Newcastle is a great city.”

Mr Low said that Australia’s better-know cities such as Sydney and Melbourne haven’t made the list as they are not interesting enough.

“Sydney and Melbourne are obvious choices, they are quite dull. We want to inspire people to think more broadly.”

Newcastle’s beaches, climate, night-life and arts were listed as key elements placing the city on the radar.

“Today’s ‘new’ Newcastle is a unique blend of imagination, sophistication and laid-back surf culture,” Lonely Planet‘s book says.

Tourism Hunter’s Executive Manager Sheridan Ferrier says it is an “honour” to be included in the top 10 list.

“I think it is testament to the range of experiences that we have to offer in Newcastle and is certainly attributed to our lifestyle as well,” Ms Ferrier told ABC News.

The city’s most bizarre sight, according to the authors, is the dome-shaped Queens Wharf Tower, which is 40m tall.

The city receives over 100,000 visitors per year.

Other cities to make the list include New York City, US; Tangier, Morocco; Tel Aviv, Israel; Wellington, New Zealand; Valencia, Spain; Iquitos, Peru; Ghent, Belgium; Delhi, India and Chang Mai, Thailand.

Read more: http://www.news.com.au/travel/australia/newcastle-named-among-worlds-top-10-cities/story-e6frfq89-1225946167212#ixzz142P8JSlv

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10 Iconic Travel Experiences

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We find those 10 iconic experiences that are as special as the place they’re from.

1. Surfing in Hawaii, USA

Learning to surf here is special. Polynesia was the birthplace of surfing – he’e nalu (wave sliding) was first observed here by Europeans in the 18th century – but Hawaii remains the focal point for the world’s coolest lifestyle. Plenty of surf schools and instructors will patiently teach you how to read the ocean for swell, paddle into a wave and, critically, learn to stand and ride at beginner spots such as Waikiki Beach and Puena Point. Between sessions you can watch the pros shred heaving monsters at reef breaks such as Pipeline, Off the Wall and Sunset Beach. Learn to bottom turn with the Waikiki Beach Boys; two-hour lessons cost US$99 and run twice daily from Monday to Saturday.

2. Cooking in Hanoi, Vietnam

On the banks of the Hoi An River, the Red Bridge Restaurant and Cooking School is one of many restaurants offering courses to meet the growing demand for tutorials in quality Vietnamese cuisine. One-day and half-day cooking tours will match your culinary skills, from non-existent to cordon bleu. Starting with a trip to a local market, where you’ll select ingredients and learn by observing street vendors, you’ll then return to the restaurant for an expert demonstration before putting your new-found knowledge into practice. Expect to serve up rice-paper rolls and marinated beef, decorated with a pineapple boat. Classes usually last about three hours, include four dishes and cost around US$40 per person. Take a camera so you can remember each dish you master.

3. Archaeological research trips at Crow Canyon, USA

Crow Canyon Archaeological Center offers up to 11 trips annually for those willing to get their hands dirty as they dabble in amateur archaeology. Visitors’ accommodation is in one of 10 ‘hogans’, circular log cabins built in the traditional Navajo style, at the centre’s 28-hectare campus. The campus is part of a site that was occupied by Ancestral Puebloans of Mesa Verde more than 1000 years ago. The trips, lasting seven to 10 days, allow visitors to explore the land in relation to what is known about the region’s indigenous occupants, through studying the interaction of light, landscape and architecture, or participating in a dig. Find out more about resources for teachers and students at www.crowcanyon.org.

4. Yoga in Rishikesh, India

A trip to the birthplace of yoga is an obvious choice if you’re looking for a mystical experience inside and out. Not only does yoga promote relaxation through meditation; research conducted by the University of Texas has revealed it can help alleviate the negative side effects of cancer treatment. At Rishikesh, in the serene foothills of the Himalayas, special retreats invite novices to practice stretching, breathing and contemplation alongside qualified yogi masters. Depending where you stay you might also be encouraged to help out in the organic garden and cook for the group, in between soul-enriching excursions into the mountains. Ashrams offer courses to suit your level, from a few weeks to three months; get a feel for serenity at www.yogashramrishikesh.com.

5. Spanish in Patagonia, Argentina

The small town of Bariloche, surrounded by glacial lakes, forests and the valleys and mountains of the Andes, is so inspiring you’ll probably learn more Spanish here in a month than you might elsewhere in a whole year. Sometimes called ‘the Switzerland of South America’, Bariloche is the base for most Patagonian language schools, so there’s always a good mix of international students should you wish to slack off from speaking Spanish. There are plenty of optional excursions too, from nearby skiing at Cerro Catedral, South America’s premier downhill resort, to a refreshing day trip through thick forest to the glorious Cántaros waterfall. Select courses from one-week intensives to six weeks of private tuition; visit www.spanishinbariloche.com.

6. Calligraphy in Kyoto, Japan

Anyone looking to make their mark using the traditional characters of Japanese calligraphy will find the course run by the Women’s Association of Kyoto simultaneously frustrating and rewarding. Calligraphy written in Japanese is not at all easy, so you’ll need to keep focused if you want to make your instructor proud. After receiving a lecture about the history of the Japanese literary art form, you will be shown and told how it’s done. Then it’s over to you, grasshopper, as you sketch your favourite Japanese character, such as the symbol for ‘peace’ or ‘love’, before adding your signature. One lesson is enough to ensure you pity Japanese school kids forever. WAK JAPAN (wakjapan.com) offers courses based in Kyoto; book online for a discount.

7. Mountain biking in Marin County, USA

Thanks in large part to the pioneering efforts of bike designer Joe Breeze, Marin County, and in particular Mt Tamalpais, has become famous worldwide as the birthplace of mountain biking. Located just north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge, there’s no more rugged or exciting arena to develop a passion for downhill riding. Throughout summer, countless tour operators, catering to kids, women, amateurs and pros, offer tuition and guided trail riding, including bike hire and transport to the start of hundreds of trails among more than 2550 hectares of redwood groves and oak woodlands. Trails range from the gently sloping and visually spectacular to the you-must-be-kidding-me steeply insane. For trail maps, customised tours and bike hire information visit www.mountainbikingmarin.com.

8. Kung fu at Shaolin Temple, China

Every year foreigners can apply to attend classes at the Shaolin Temple, amid the beautiful Song Shan mountains in China’s Henan province. Trainees at the 1500-year-old monastery, the birthplace of kung fu, embark on a steep learning curve led by extraordinarily disciplined ‘warrior-monk’ tutors. You won’t notice who you’re sharing a dorm with, as the gruelling regime starts at 8.30am (Chinese students begin at 5am) and lasts until at least 7pm. For inspiration, watch the coaches prepare for daily tourist performances, in which they snap iron bars with their heads and break glass by throwing a pin at it. Visitor opening hours are 8am–7pm daily, all year; www.infohub.com offers a 10- to 30-day training tour for budding Bruce Lees (around US$2000).

9. Bush-survival skills in Esingeni, Kenya

If you can last a one-week survival course in Kenya’s pristine wilderness, then chances are you’ll emerge feeling more human than you’ve ever felt before. Qualified field experts lead small-group tours from the Esingeni Bush Camp, based on a private game reserve. Participants learn how to construct a shelter, make a fire, locate and prepare food, and extract water from plants. You will also be taught how to navigate using the stars as you traverse the countryside, which is abuzz with unfamiliar sights, sounds, smells and animals. Anyone who has imagined what life was like before the agrarian revolution can find out here. Book a five-day bush survival course at www.conservationacademy.co.za; it costs around KES3500 per person.

10. Stove building in Cadmalca, Peru

At the Cadmalca Community Lodge in Peru’s remote northern highlands, a simple but potentially life-saving ecoproject allows travellers to do something challenging and useful, while becoming immersed in a culture they would otherwise find difficult to access. In return for being lodged and shown around by a local host family, visitors will source the construction materials for a cooking stove that’s ideally suited to high altitude conditions – and then build it. The stoves have been shown to help reduce serious respiratory conditions associated with cooking over the open fires that are contained in the majority of mountain huts. Tours last seven days and depart from Lima; book before you arrive and expect to pay around US$1000.

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Top 5 Activity Holidays in the World

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Horse Riding in IcelandHorse Riding in Iceland

Iceland has some of the most unique landscapes in the world – rugged, beautiful, largely uninhabited, and perfect for an off the wall activity holiday. Sweeping glaciers and geothermal curiosities offer a great sense of being close to nature and its phenomenal power.
An adventure holiday through Iceland on horseback can bring you up close to the island’s natural wonders, providing a truly exhilarating way of experiencing the fantastic scenery, and the pure-bred Icelandic horse is gentle, spirited and eager to please.

 

 

Scuba Diving on the Great Barrier ReefScuba Diving on the Great Barrier Reef

Australia has some of the most diverse and amazing scuba diving locations in the world, and Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef tops them all for an ultimate activity holiday.
Nearly everyone has heard of the largest reef in the world, a well-established destination for adventure holidays. However, many don’t have any idea of its vastness, with 500 islands covering an area as large as Great Britain!
This marine wilderness and nature reserve has 400 species of coral, 1500 species of fish, 4000 species of mollusc, 500 species of seaweed, 200 species of birds and something for all ages for an exceptional family activity holiday.

 

 

Traveling Across AfricaTraveling Across Africa

Take a few weeks out for a real African adventure holiday, travelling overland across the marvellous areas of Namibia and Botswana.
The northern Namib desert is called the Skeleton Coast because sailors washed ashore from shipwrecks over the centuries soon turned into skeletons! On an activity holiday to the Namib you can experience the vivid colours and changing moods of its vast landscape and observe the amazing adaptations of its flora and fauna.
In Botswana, by contrast, you can walk with cheetahs and spot the ‘big five’ – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhinoceros and leopard. The blue of the national flag represents the peaceful nature of the country – this is a wonderful area to get a taste of real Africa without the hazards, and can be a good place for a family activity holiday.

 

 

Madagascan Wildlife HolidayMadagascan

Legendary for the diversity of its wildlife and flora, most of which is found nowhere else on earth, Madagascar’s riches include unique landscapes, dazzling Indian Ocean beaches, tropical island archipelagos and pristine reefs.
On an adventure holiday in Madagascar you can see a wide variety of lemurs, endemic birds, extraordinary reptiles, frogs and weird-looking plants.
On a Madagascan activity holiday you can explore wildlife hotspots in the eastern rainforests and in the bizarre ‘spiny desert’ of the semi-arid south. And on the northwest coast you can explore the wildlife-rich, seasonally dry forest of Anjajavy, where you can also relax by the sea.

 

Trekking in PeruTrekking in Peru

For the classic trek, start off in the city of Cuzco, Peru, the ancient capital of the Inca Empire. Journey into the Sacred Valley of the Incas, Then trek the Inca Trail for 4 days over original Inca stonework winding through majestic mountain passes.
Walking for six to seven hours a day, this is probably more of an adventure holiday than a family activity holiday. Follow in the footsteps of the Incas trekking high into the breathtaking mountain scenery with vistas of glaciate peaks topping 20,000 feet. Arrive at the incredible site of Machu Picchu – the ‘Lost City of the Incas’. Explore the ruins and discover the secrets of the remarkable archaeology and natural history of this magical place

 

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20 Craziest Party Hostels Around the World

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wild_party_girls
 
Everyone wants to party on the road but with a million hostels in the world, where should you go? I’ve searched high and low, drank with the best of them, and endured sleepless nights by the toilet to find the best party hostels out there.
 
Here are twenty that will keep you drinking, dancing, flirting, and hugging the porcelain goddess until the sun comes up:

 

 

Surf N’ Sun   :                 Surfers Paradise, Australia.surfers_paradise_pic

With a swimming pool and open courtyard, the Surf N’ Sun packs the young, the wild, and the alcoholic. Bar Crawls take place every night and the hostel offers punch and free club entry. Boxes of goon start flowing late afternoon when people come back from the beach.

 

 

The Clown and Bard   :      Prague, Czech Republicclown-and-bard

With a 36 person dorm room, this place is always hopping. There’s a bar downstairs with a two for three happy hour beginning a pillow lounge, the Flying Pig is the spot for those looking to channel their inner Bob Marley. There’s a constant cloud of smoke seeping out into streets at all hours of the day and night. Don’t worry if you run out- there are two coffeeshops across the street!

Base  :                                  Melbourne, Australiabase-backpackers-st-kilda

Base features a downstairs club that pumps out music every night. You won’t get any sleep as the music filters up the floors and entices you to come down and party until dawn. The young and the restless fill the dance floor after drinking pitchers of beer and cheap, colorful shots. There’s usually theme and karaoke nights that let you embarrass your self all night long.

 

 

Loki   :                                        Cusco,  Peruloki-peru

Located in a 450 year old building, Loki is known throughout South America for its parties. With regular events, an open lounge, and theme nights, I wouldn’t expect any sleep here either. The bar is regularly packed so tight, you’ll be practically grinding against your neighbor.

 

 

#11 Happy Guesthouse : Phnom Penh, Cambodia11-happy-guesthouse-cambodia

Why: Located by the lake in Phnom Penh, #11 Happy Guesthouse features a huge patio, two big screen TVs, a pool table, and one dollar beers. Always packed, this hostel is filled with the party seekers who spend their days sightseeing and night drinking beer before heading to the infamous Heart of Darkness.

 

 

St. Christopher’s Inn  :                London, Englandst-christophere28099s-inn-london

A bar, karaoke, cheap drinks, and a license to go until 4am all means that this hostel is bursting with partygoers and one the busiest in London. After you drink it down, you can take it off at the rooftop hot tub. People here know where the action is and if you play your cards right, it just might be your room.

 

 

Kabul   :                                     Barcelona, Spainkabul-spain

Located in the center of Las Ramblas, Kabul has a very open second floor where all parties happen. Happy hour officially begins at 7, which is usually a few hours after everyone wakes up. With a reputation for partying, this place keeps drawing those who start partying at 2 a.m. and sleep until 2 p.m. This place gives new meaning to the term “late night.” I was called a quitter for sleeping at 5 a.m.

 

 

The Rising Cock  :                      Lagos, Portugalrising-cock-portugal

The Rising Cock is infamous for its parties and it’s well deserved. Two things happen at the Rising Cock: drinking and drinking.

Start your day with the hostel’s booze cruise on which the majority of people get naked, and then keep the partying going with drinking games at the hostel. If you can’t handle 24 hour partying, this hostel is not for you.

 

 

The Pink Palace     :                         Corfu, Greecepink-palace-corfu-greece

The Pink Palace is one of the world’s most famous party hostels in the world and with good reason: toga parties, cheap shots of ouzo, happy hours, and theme nights. After a day at the beach (which is just minutes away) or their booze cruise, you’ll be spending the night dancing at their club, Palladium, until the sun comes up. The hostel has over 300 beds- there’s a good chance, you might not end up in yours!

 

 

The Treehouse    :                        Ko Chang, Thailandtreehouse-ko-chang

Every night is a bucket night at the Treehouse, and it’s the perfect blend of a relaxed hippy vibe and partying with a very active dance floor and a lot drinking. This place has all the ambiance you need and you don’t have to stay there to party there. People trickle in from all over to have fun, making this a hotspot on Lonely Beach.

 

 

The Yellow Location  :          Rome, Italyyellow-location-rome

With a bar downstairs and semi-nightly pub crawls, it’s pretty easy to meet people at the Yellow. It’s not a huge hostel either making the close quarters also convenient for meeting fellow travelers.

 

 

 

Ostello Archi Rossi   :        Florence, Italyostello-archi-rossi

This place has been popular for a long time as evident by the walls covered by the names of past guests. A big courtyard and common dining area keep people mingling and drinking vino rossi. There are some clubs down the street and, when they close, you can move back to the courtyard to keep the party going. The rooms are a little away from the action so you can actually get some sleep if you want.

 

 

Wombats    :                                    Berlin, Germanywombats-berlin

Known for its partying, Wombats rarely sees anyone over 25. With an ultra-chic bar, everyone breaks out their best attire and pickup skills here. Cheap drinks keep travelers mingling all night long. If you can’t meet anyone here, you can’t meet anyone anywhere.

 

 

The Jazz on South Beach  :   Miami, Florida USAjazz-on-south-beach-miami

Located right near the beach, The Jazz on South Beach has an excellent bar that hosts the bold and beautiful of South Beach. This is the place to stay if you’re looking to be seen in South Beach.

 

 

 

Carnival Court  :  Capetown, South Africacarnivalcourt-capetown

There’s no chance of a good night’s sleep at Carnival Court. Located near a lot of bars (there’s also a bar in the hostel), this place is a hangover waiting to happen.  It’s wild here and everyone is looking to break a new drinking record. The staff will point you in the direction of the parties but you just might have trouble walking there as the fun here starts well before the sun goes down.

 

 

Millhouse Hostel :                     Buenos Aires, Argentinamillhouse-hostel-buenos-aires

The music is on 24-hours a day at the Millhouse and the atmosphere is extremely social! Each night has a different activity such as dance party, karaoke night, and tango lessons. Definitely a hostel for those that want non-stop fun and excitement right at home! Most commonly heard line: “Were those moans from the porno shop next store or did you get lucky last night?”

 

Auckland Central Backpackers     Auckland, New Zealandauckland-central-backpackers

Located right down town, this hostel draws upon the fact its part of the Base chain. That means all the craziness of Melbourne spills over with people getting down and dirty all night long. It will give you another reason to keep staying longer in Auckland.

 

 

India House  :  New Orleans, Louisiana, USAindia-house-new-orleans

A funky converted house that was nearly destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, the India House features eccentric local characters and travelers who just can’t leave. Maybe it’s Bourbon St. Maybe it’s the jazz. Maybe it’s the beer vending machine in the kitchen. Whatever it is, people here know how to have a good time.

 

 

Tina’s Backpackers  :             Caye Caulker, Belizetinae28099s-backpackers-belize

Located right on the beach, Tina’s Backpackers keeps people in close quarters. Everyone here is into island living – sun by day, drink by night. Though the crowd tends to be a bit older (30ish), you wouldn’t know it by the way people party here. It is way off the beaten path but it’s worth it.


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