Articles in the '2010 Winter' Category

Alaska with Personality

Alaska is one of the most rewarding destinations to visit. It is a land of monumental scale with unimaginably panoramic landscapes, virtually undisturbed eco-systems teeming with wildlife, and adventure opportunities second to none. A trip there requires careful thought though, because the travelling season is short and it can take quite some planning to avoid the tourist crowds that disgorge from cavernous cruise ships and articulated coach tours during the all too brief Alaskan summer. We are proud to offer a different approach, actively steering our clients away from the crowds, giving travellers an authentic flavour of this northern state.

Hidden Beaches

After time spent immersing yourself in the temples, cities and nature of the country, many people opt to spend some time relaxing on or near a beach. Here, our specialists pick out some less-known beaches from around the world, places that remain unspoilt and away from the tourists crowds.

Hidden China

China recently overtook Japan as the world’s second largest economy. Behind this slightly dry and unassuming fact lies a country that has undergone a profound change over the past thirty years. The lifestyles of ordinary Chinese people have been transformed beyond recognition, all in the space of a generation. Witnessing this change and seeing an increasingly confident country find its feet on the world stage is part of the reason for visiting China – and the contrast (and sometimes tension) between old and new makes for a fascinating trip.

Twenty years in the Luangwa Valley

Zambia’s South Luangwa has been home to some of Africa’s legendary guides – names such as Norman Carr, John Coppinger and Phil Berry are splashed throughout guide books and brochures on Africa. Probably the best known name though is that of Robin Pope. Once a walking guide, Robin bought his own camp, and then added another and another until he owned Zambia’s most successful safari company – Robin Pope Safaris.

Life in the Desert

Located in the north of Chile, the Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth. The largest town in this region is San Pedro de Atacama, full of colonial Spanish charm and also a perfect base from which to explore the surrounding volcanoes, geysers, salt flats, moon-like valleys and remote villages. This array of attractions has made it one of our clients’ favourite destinations. Here, our Chile specialists break down the attractions and share a few of their own personal highlights from their travels to the region.

Cruising in the Kruger

The safari experience in South Africa has changed dramatically over the last few years; new super-luxurious lodges situated in private reserves, staffed with butlers, adorned with plunge pools and featuring extensive wine lists are now in abundance. As you would guess, these places are fantastic but the cost can sometimes prohibit people visiting a place where the wildlife, not the accommodation, should be the focus of their trip. With this in mind, Rachel Hunt recently explored the more affordable accommodation options available in and around the Kruger National Park.

Culinary Québec

The beauty of Québec is that its history is so perfectly intertwined with its cuisine. The Québecois have a great affinity with food that stems directly from the first permanent French colony of Nouvelle France established by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. Today’s simple, rustic fare continues the tradition of the trappers and the earliest settlers of the colony, whilst the elegance of haute cuisine pays homage to the king’s nobles and seigneurs who once held court here.

History Today

Syria, and in particular Lebanon, have endured a turbulent recent past but as Donna Piccini discovered on her recent trip both are emerging destinations, steeped in history and full of welcoming people.

The Best of Borneo

Look deep within the ancient rainforests of Borneo and you will discover a land that time forgot; sheer valleys sheltering tribal peoples living off the land in a way that has altered little in thousands of years. However, the lure of this mighty island is in the sheer diversity and abundance of wildlife it offers; a visitor to Borneo can swim with turtles one day, watch orang-utan swing through the trees the next and follow a herd of elephants tramping through the river the day after.

Travel Briefing: Russia

Stereotypes of Russia abound: bad food with even worse service, gruff, surly people and ugly, functional buildings. As with all stereotypes, the reality is somewhat different. Modern Russia is a place that fascinates with its history, inspires with its architecture and museums, and delights the senses with some of the world’s best hotels and top class restaurants.

Travel Icon: the Taj Mahal

We take an indepth look at not only one of the most iconic buildings in India, but in the world.

The Grander Canyon

Rebecca Smith, one of our central America specialists describes her trip to the magnificent Copper Canyon in the north of Mexico.

Tanzania under canvas

As regular Audley travellers will know, at the end of each trip, we call our travellers to make sure you’re safely home and find out how your adventures went. The safari specialists are no different, and we love listening to your stories. For me, safari is fascinating, even at second-hand, and I always like to find out what your highlights were. I’ve heard stories of thrilling chases, of heart wrenching moments when young animals narrowly escaped death, and magical evenings counting shooting stars.

Rubens and Red Whiskered Bulbuls: exploring India away from the tourist crowds

India boasts some major attractions, all of which we recommend visiting, but sometimes the most memorable experiences can be found by stepping away from the tourist trail and exploring the back streets, particularly if you have one of our excellent guides with you. Here, our India specialists suggest some great examples of places where you can combine visits to the major attractions with some time gaining a better insight into local daily life.

Visit the new, improved Audley website

For an ever-growing number of you, the Audley website has become a useful way of finding inspiration for your next trip, viewing our latest offers or simply ordering a brochure. This is why we felt it was time to overhaul the presentation and content of the site to make it easier to use and more informative. Our new, improved website has just been launched and here are some of the highlights and new features.

A Tour Leader’s Diary

Terry Sullivan has been leading Audley group tours for over 16 years. An inveterate traveller, his work and personal travels have taken him to a whole host of countries but when ever asked as to which is his favourite, the answer requires no deliberation, it is always Burma. After returning from his final tour for Audley, he explains why by sharing a few passages from his tour diary.