The 2008 Beijing Olympics was, in many ways, the modern-day pinnacle of Chinese aspirations – not only a time for the Chinese government to sit back and absorb the world’s admiration for the stunning spectacle that they put on, but also for the ordinary Chinese citizen to witness something that they would never have dreamed possible only a short time ago. So fast has this enormous country changed over the last twenty years that in many areas it is unrecognisable from the place that the middle-aged Chinese knew when they were growing up.
There are, however, still parts of the country where traditional ways of life remain relatively untouched. We interviewed three very different Chinese people to see how life has changed and what they think the future holds for their families.
The beauty of Indonesia is to be found in its sheer diversity. The country is the world’s largest archipelago, consisting of 17,000 islands with a population of over 245 million. The people practise a vast array of religions and, although
officially a Muslim country, any tour of Indonesia will lead to encounters with Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, Confucians and even Animists.
The sheer breadth of religions reflects the various waves of immigration to the country from many parts of Asia and beyond. This melting pot of cultures, beliefs and traditions makes the country a fascinating place to visit. To compliment this, the country is blessed with the verdant volcanic landscapes of Java; abundant wildlife including the endangered orang-utans of Sumatra and Kalimantan; and the white sand beaches of Bali and Lombok, to name just a few.
Diversity does bring one drawback and that is how to decide on what to see in a country with seemingly limitless options. Here we simplify the process, outlining the main highlights on the larger islands, explaining how these can be combined and highlight some outstanding offers.
South Africa is a country boasting an abundance of attractions, from safaris to wine lands, which have combined to make it a very appealing destination for the visiting traveller. However, away from the usual tourist trail is a country still coming to terms with its recent political past and trying to address a myriad of social, education and health problems.
Audley has worked with the Uthando project for just over a year now and here we explore the work of the charity from four different perspectives: the founder, the beneficiary, the visiting client and the staff at Audley.
Buenos Aires is often high on the list of the best cities in the world to visit, but to truly appreciate all it has to offer, insider advice from the locals is imperative. We therefore asked one of our top guides, Maria, to share a few of her favourite places to visit, eat, drink and tango!
Nothing draws people together like food, whether it’s the preparation or sitting down to taste local delicacies, barriers are broken down and conversation flows. We asked our specialists to choose some of their favourite culinary experiences from around the world.
‘Gross national happiness’ is a truly unique and very Bhutanese idea drawn from the Buddhist belief that the ultimate purpose of life is inner happiness. Here, Camilla Brent-Smith explores the origins of this rather unique idea and explains how this focus on people permeates throughout Bhutanese society.
When originally tasked with setting up Audley’s Australia programme, the company ethos of authentic, cultural, off-the beaten-track tours and experiences rang loudly in my ears. I’ll admit I was just a little worried.
Canada still remains one of the most scarcely populated countries in the world, covering a staggering 9,984,670 square kilometres (second only to Russia) but with just over 33 million people. Although small, the population has been formed from a base of indigenous people and then supplemented with waves of immigrants, mainly from the shores of Europe.
Peter Stanley-Jones, Regional Manager for Canada, takes a look at the history that conspired to create what is now a modern, passionately patriotic country and a hugely fulfilling destination for the traveller.
The image of a Geisha shuffling down a lantern lit, cobbled street dressed in a fine silk kimono and teetering on wooden geta sandals is one of the most iconic, yet perhaps most misunderstood, symbols of Japan.
The unanimous view amongst the New Zealand team at Audley is that our favourite properties are those with outstanding hosts. A property can have the most spectacular location with incredible views and luxurious rooms, but if the hosting and ambiance don’t match, then there is a real sense of something lacking.
All our favourite hosts bring something special to their property, be it their own life experiences, their local knowledge, their culinary skills or simply their enthusiasm, but occasionally we meet people who have a very specific interest which has driven their desire to welcome people into their homes.
Here we meet a variety of hosts with a diverse range of backgrounds who run some of our favourite unique places to stay.
When telling people I was about to embark ona self-drive trip around the north of Thailand, I was met with a mixture of interest and concern: “Have you seen how they drive in Bangkok?” But driving in Thailand outside the frenetic capital is a very relaxing experience with quiet, spacious roads and fabulous scenery. Having the independence to stop wherever you like is a great way to interact with the locals and adapt your pace of travel.
Guatemala is a country with a rich cultural heritage and a diverse population, ranging from the Garifuna in the east to the Spaniards around the colonial city of Antigua and the Mayans in the Western highlands.
The highlights of a trip to Jordan usually include: the iconic Petra, a pilgrimage to Mount Nebo, the crusader castles of Kerak, the Roman city of Jerash and maybe some time by the shores of the Dead Sea. However, this is not all that Jordan has to offer. Matthew Teller, author of the Rough Guide to Jordan, ventures to the less explored north of the country to walk the Al-Ayoun trail.
The sheer diversity of people in India is what makes it such a fascinating place. It would be impossible to feature all of the many faces that constitute India, but here we give a snapshot of some of the more colourful, remote or just simply striking people from this vast country.
