Offering some of the world’s most iconic sights, best museums and superb cuisines, Europe is always an attractive and exciting destination, though overpriced hotels, extortionate entry fees and eye-wateringly priced restaurants in many parts of the continent can make travel here feel less than a bargain at times. Below we give you our tips for the best value destinations in the continent that has it all – whether it’s a city break with style or an extreme sports adventure, these are the places to go in Europe to get the best travel experiences for your money in 2013. Greek Islands It’s perhaps worth noting that old fallacy that the Chinese word for ‘crisis’ is the same as that for ‘opportunity.’ While Greece’s economic miseries may continue, there’s never been a better time to island hop, with perceived instability deterring many regular visitors. As a result Greece’s normally packed beaches will be far quieter than usual this summer, more welcoming than ever and island economies are likely to be far cheaper especially if you travel outside of peak season. Some of our favourite spots include Hydra, Kefallonia, Ikaria and Santorini. Lisbon In the charming and dramatically hilly Portuguese capital of Lisbon your money goes a long way: delicious coffee or a pastel de nata (traditional custard tart) in the sun tend to cost less than a euro, and you can eat well and ride around town on the rickety but romantic network of old trams for similarly bargain prices. Free museums such as the contemporary collection of the Museu Colecção Berardo are further deal sweeteners – and there are always the beaches to the south of the city to enjoy on a day trip if you tire of the city’s plentiful urban pursuits. Iceland It may never become a true budget destination, but Iceland is cheaper that it has been in a decade following several economically tumultuous years and a currency devaluation that suddenly made its once outrageous prices far more reasonable. This makes now a superb time to discover this stunning North Atlantic island where volcanoes, geysers, glaciers and hot springs create one of the planet’s most exciting landscapes. For those on a very tight budget, wild camping is allowed across Iceland and is a great hotel alternative for those that don’t mind roughing it. Albanian Riviera Getting Mediterranean beaches to yourself can be a mission anywhere in Europe, let alone getting them at a decent price. Even Albania’s Ioanian coastline, long a backpacker magnet, has become pricey and crowded in parts, as new roads and hotels have been constructed along what is certainly some of Southern Europe’s most beautiful coastline. But there are still bargains to be had: Vuno and Drymades are still development-free and boast access to superb slices of idyllic beach. Elsewhere Albania offers superb mountain walking, ancient mountain towns and a plucky, fun and cheap capital city, Tirana. Berlin Surprisingly, Berlin, the capital of Europe’s largest economy is also one of its cheapest cities. And what a city: where else can you see Cold War and WWII relics in the flesh, enjoy a selection of some of Europe’s best contemporary art and shopping before dining on traditional German food with a modern twist and then spending a pittance as you bar hop between some of the coolest and most fun bars and clubs on the planet? What’s more, mid-range accommodation is at rock bottom prices here, just a fraction of what you’ll pay in cities of similar stature such as London, Paris or Rome. Faroe Islands
Where? Few people can place the treeless Danish-ruled Faroe Islands approximately halfway between Scotland and Iceland, and that’s a shame as the 18 extraordinary-looking volcanic creations that soar out of the Atlantic offer some of Europe’s best-value hiking and bird watching. With the Danish government generously subsidising the helicopters and boats that function like buses between the islands, you can zip about very affordably and enjoy world-class walking without seeing so much as another soul. Accommodation is in surprisingly comfortable hostels and increasingly popular homestays arranged by the tourist board. It’s easy to spend a fortune in the Netherlands‘ stylish capital, but the city has plenty of gratis goodies up for grabs. Check out our pick of the freebies on offer. More canals flow in Amsterdam than in Venice, and get this: the 400-year-old waterways are a UNESCO World Heritage site. So roaming around them is like being in a free, living museum, albeit with a beery cafe every few metres. 2. Civic Guard GalleryAs a free teaser to its collection, the Amsterdam Museum (Kalverstraat 92;www.amsterdammuseum.nl) hangs a gape-worthy slew of Golden Age portraits – peers of Rembrandt’s Night Watch – in the arcade by the entrance. 3. Albert CuypmarktTo get a feel for the ‘real’ Amsterdam, trawl its largest street market (Albert Cuypstraat; www.albertcuypmarkt.nl). Moroccan, Surinamese, Indonesian and Dutch residents haggle over shimmering fabrics, cheeses, bike locks, socks and herring sandwiches. 4. Sandeman’s New Amsterdam ToursYoung guides working on a tip-only basis show you the Red Light District, Anne Frank House and other top sights on a three-hour, whiz-bang walkabout (www.newamsterdamtours.com). Departure is at 11:15am and 1:15 pm from theNationaal Monument at Dam Square. Breathe deep on a stroll through the Bloemenmarkt (Singel, between Muntplein & Koningsplein), where crimson tulips, yellow daffodils and purple lilies jumble against a dramatic canal backdrop. You’ll have to pay for a bouquet, but it’s free to smell the roses. 6. BegijnhofTo explore this secret courtyard (main entrance off Gedempte Begijnensloot;www.begijnhofamsterdam.nl), find the humble wood door in Amsterdam’s busy centre, push it open, and voilà – an oasis of 14th-century houses and gardens appears, along with two clandestine, relic-filled churches. 7. Stadsarchief (City Archives)You never know what treasures you’ll discover in these archives (Vijzelstraat 32;www.stadsarchief.amsterdam.nl): a 1942 police report on Anne Frank’s bike theft, photos from John and Yoko’s 1969 bed-in at the Hilton, or a 1625 city map. Displays rotate regularly. 8. Concertgebouw on WednesdaysSharpen your elbows, because the older women in furs are ruthless trying to get into this famed classical hall’s free lunchtime shows (often rehearsals for musicians playing later that evening). Concerts take place from 12:30pm to 1pm on Wednesdays, from mid-September through to June (Concertgebouwplein 2-6;www.concertgebouw.nl). 9. Muziektheater on TuesdaysPerformers from the opera and Dutch Philharmonic also stage free lunchtime gigs at their mod venue. The high Cs fly from 12:30pm to 1pm on Tuesdays, from September through May (Waterlooplein 22; www.hetmuziektheater.nl). Here’s one more freebie for the musically minded: the Bimhuis (Piet Heinkade 3;www.bimhuis.nl) – the core of Amsterdam’s influential jazz scene – hosts a rollicking jam session every Tuesday at 10pm from September to June. Join the band, or just listen in. 11. NDSM-werfHop on the free ferry behind Centraal Station and set sail for NDSM-werf (www.ndsm.nl), a derelict shipyard turned avant-garde arts community. Check out the recycled-junk sculptures, graffiti artists roaming the streets and giant wooden tiki head watching over it all. 12. Nieuwe Kerk (New Church)The historic stage for royal coronations, this soaring building from 1408 is now used for large-scale art exhibitions. They charge admission, but you’re welcome to slip through the gift shop and head upstairs for a free peek and display on the church’s history (Dam Square; www.nieuwekerk.nl). 13. Gassan Diamond Factory TourDon’t know your princess from marquise, river from top cape? Get the bling lowdown on Gassan’s one-hour tour, and watch gem cutters and polishers in action (Nieuwe Uilenburgerstraat 173-175; www.gassan.com). 14. Hollandsche Manege (Riding School)Softly sunlit and smelling of horses, this riding school (Vondelstraat 140;www.dehollandschemanege.nl) impresses even non-equestrians with its gorgeous neoclassical architecture and elegant cafe from which to view the regal trotting. 15. Amsterdam Architecture FoundationARCAM (Prins Hendrikkade 600; www.arcam.nl), per its Dutch acronym, features exhibits on uber-cool urban design. Staff also point you to free resources, such as digital guides to architecture along tram routes. 16. Cannabis CollegeThis non-profit centre educates about Amsterdam’s favourite herb. Chat with staff about coffee shop etiquette, browse bong displays, view hemp-made products or try out a vaporiser (Oudezijds Achterburgwal 124; www.cannabiscollege.com). While the art-house movies and main-floor exhibitions cost money, the interactive Dutch film displays in the basement cost zilch. To reach the gleaming facility, take the free ‘Buiksloterweg’ ferry from behind Centraal Station (IJpromenade 1;www.eyefilm.nl).
18. Centrale Bibliotheek (Main Library)Sure, you can grab an international newspaper and settle into a cushy sofa for the afternoon. But don’t get so comfy that you miss the top-floor cafeteria whose deck unfurls an awesome city vista (Oosterdokskade 143; www.oba.nl). 19. North/South Metro Line ViewpointDescend the stairs in the middle of Rokin street and behold the new subway system being excavated. Colossal digging machines roar in the abyss, and the whole place rumbles when a tram passes overhead (across from Rokin 96;www.noordzuidlijn.amsterdam.nl). 20. Multatuli MuseumRenowned novelist Eduard Douwes Dekker (pen name Multatuli) wrote about corrupt colonialists in the Dutch East Indies. This small but fascinating museum-home(Korsjespoortsteeg 20; www.multatuli-museum.nl) chronicles his works and shows artifacts from his time in Indonesia. Kicking back on a beach, cold beer in hand while watching the sun go down is one of travel’s finest pleasures. But there’s something far more rewarding about heaving yourself from bed in the pitch black and blearily traipsing to the top of a mountain or the edge of a cliff to see the sun rise in all its glory. You’ll have the whole day stretching out ahead of you, full of amazing travel adventures to be had. Or, if you’re feeling snoozy, you can always go back to bed afterwards. Head to one of these amazing spots and we promise you’ll be dazzled. Uluru, Australia Inle Lake, Myanmar/Burma Spend a night in a stilt house on Burma’s vast Inle Lake and you’ll be treated to a sunrise of spectacular beauty without having to move more than the five metres from your bed to the balcony. The mountainous backdrop, coupled with early risers out fishing and tending the lake’s lush floating gardens, mean you’ll have plenty of subjects for snaps. Or you can just sit back and drink it all in before crawling back under the covers. Bryce Canyon, USA Easily reached by car or a special park shuttle, Bryce Canyon’s Sunrise Point offers early-morning views which you’ll struggle to beat anywhere in the lonesome west. The unique rock formations glow majestically in the rising sun and if you go in winter, the snowy peaks make it even more magical. The view is epic, looking out across the entire Bryce Canyon National Park. Just remember to wrap up warm, against that overnight desert chill. Okavango Delta, Botswana Sunrise is one of the best times to see Botswana’s diverse fauna in all its glory. Try a sunrise safari walk with a local guide and you’re more than likely to have a truly unforgettable travel experience. But if the crocodiles and grazing gazelles are already settling down for a day of playing hide-and-seek with safari-goers, you’ll still get shimmering sunlight reflected from the delta’s vast, watery plains as the sun comes up. Mount Fuji, Japan Climbing Japan’s highest mountain is by no means easy. Unless you’re a hardened walker, you’ll need to do so in the official climbing season which runs from July-August, when Fuji is free of snow. Yes, it’s busy. But witness sunrise here and you’ll struggle to match the experience anywhere else on Earth. If you don’t hit the summit in time, never fear. The popular Yoshida trail has great views of the sun making its way into the sky. Shetland Isles, Scotland
The most northerly islands of the UK afford some of Europe’s best sunrise views. The remote beaches make the perfect spot for seeing the sun come up and we promise you’ll be in sweet isolation, untroubled by tourist hordes. It’s best to head here in early spring or late autumn for some sunrise action, as Shetland’s northerly location means the sun spends just a few hours below the horizon in the summer months. Fiji is blessed with so much turquoise water, white sand beaches, jungle rivers and authentic culture that it almost seems unfair. Whether you’re looking for a decadent resort, family getaway or backpacker adventure, these islands have it all. Wherever you go, expect the warmest welcomes the world has to offer. Viti Levu The international gateway to the Fijian Islands, Viti Levu boasts a taste of everything the country has to offer from international caliber resort areas like all-inclusive and designer Denarau, to the mountain village of Navala where locals live in traditional thatched bure (huts). Dive with resident tiger sharks in Beqa Lagoon, kayak or raft the Navua River, snorkel the outrageous reef at Nananu-i-Ra or simply bronze on the dazzling white sands of the Coral Coast on your beach towel – there is a lot to do (or not do) on this island. The capital Suva is the largest South Pacific metropolis outside of New Zealand and worth a visit to see modern Melanesian life at its liveliest. Meanwhile Nadi, the main transport hub showcases the country’s Indian heritage via sari shops and plenty of yummy curries. The Mamanucas Ah, the Mamanucas. Here is a near-perfect string of wee white sand isles that hover in blue water like some hallucination of paradise. Most are only an hour or so boat ride away from Viti Levu. The Mamanucas are such picture perfect islands that the filmCast Away was filmed on this chain’s uninhabited Monuriki Island – visit it on a day trip. Meanwhile famous surf spots like Cloud Break lure in wave riders and their families while Beachcomber Island is known as the reigning party resort island of the country. You’re not going to get a whole lot of cultural bling out here but if you want reliably good weather, brag-worthy sand, waiters wielding cocktails and lots tourist of company, the Mamanucas are for you. The Yasawas The Yasawas pick up the glorious tropical tail of the Mamanuca Islands and bring them north to more quiet and isolated bliss. A high-speed catamaran makes getting there from either Viti Levu or the Mamanucas a cinch and accommodation ranges from lush resorts to laid-back backpacker digs. Sparsely populated, the land is relatively dry, the beaches white. While the Mamanucas got Tom Hanks, the Yasawas got Brooke Shields when the 1980 filmBlue Lagoon was filmed here. Island hop, explore the clear dark waters of Sawa-i-Lau Cave and snorkel and dive yourself silly on gorgeous reef frequented by manta rays. Ovalau & the Lomaiviti Group Levuka on Ovalau was once the capital of Fiji and today it’s one of the only towns in the South Pacific boasting Wild West style colonial buildings. Outside of town, hike jungle-clad mountains and undeveloped coasts of traditional villages. Despite the fact that this main island and its dozen or so smaller sisters lie so close to Viti Levu, few visitors make it out here. Islands like Leleuvia, Naigani and Koro have very low-key resorts on lost-feeling alabaster beaches, while Wakaya hosts theWakaya Club, one of the country’s most exclusive and beautiful resorts. Kadavu Remote and authentic yet easily accessed by plane or ship from Viti Levu, Kadavu is one of Fiji’s best off-the-beaten-path assets. Eco-adventurers will find happiness at the dozen or so resorts that grow their own organic produce and work in tune with the local villages. Anywhere you stay you’ll have to get there by boat from the main village passing by prehistoric-looking jungle coves chirping with rare and colorful endemic birds. The east part of the island is fringed by the Great Astrolabe Reef, the fourth largest barrier reef in the world, renowned for its cavern and tunnel-filled underwater landscapes, manta rays and phenomenal fishing. Vanua Levu High waterfall-strewn peaks are contrasted with bucolic lowlands of sugarcane and coconut plantations on hard-working, relatively untouristed Vanua Levu. The main, flower-filled and vaguely colonial settlement of Savusavu attracts sailors with its sheltered green bays and small selection of decent shops, bars and restaurants. Outside town are miles of near-empty beaches, some with resorts, some fronted by traditional villages and others only surrounded by jungle. Rent a 4WD and explore the wilds. Divers in the know make the pilgrimage to the Rainbow Reef famous for its forests of soft corals. Even more dedicated divers go to the nearby Namena Marine Reserve for the country’s most pristine waters. Taveuni Rightly know as the ‘Garden Isle’, Taveuni is the most lush, tropical-flower-laden, waterfall heavy and hiking friendly island in Fiji. Most of the forests are protected and there are peaks to ascend and coastlines to wander. A highlight is the Lavena Coastal Walk that follows the forest’s edge for five kilometers along white and black sand beaches and villages to a lush waterfall. The Rainbow reef (see Vanua Levu above) is also accessed from Taveuni and smaller offshore islands like Qamea and Matagi hold resorts on stunning remote white sand beaches. Everywhere you go you’ll find accommodation for all ranges from super-luxe to backpacker fun. Nature has been prolific and creative in Montenegro, producing such iconic draws as the bewitching Bay of Kotor and the buzzy beaches along its Riviera. But be sure to pack a pair of hiking boots along with your swimsuit, for Montenegro’s beauty is no less intense in the wild and rugged interior. A new – and steadily growing – network of hiking and biking trails and improved infrastructure is making this glorious quilt of nature ever more accessible, while creating new employment for locals. Without fanfare, South Korea has quietly developed into an outdoor recreation destination with untapped potential in golfing, hiking and fishing. Though not quite undiscovered, few people outside the country know about it. That anonymity will likely fade away in 2013 as it bursts onto the world stage hosting a series of major sporting events. Two decades on from the Velvet Revolution, Slovakia has galvanised to form one of the continent’s fastest-growing economies, joined the EU and ranks right up there in Google searches for bargain ski packages and stag weekends. Now the tourism industry is keen to distance the nation from being all cheap pistes and piss-ups. The image overhaul has been overdue but it’s here, and in time for the inevitable party in 2013. Forget what travelling the Pacific used to be like – around the Solomon Islands it’s still that way. Forget mass-market or luxury retreats; think engaging eco-resorts, village homestays and some of the best scuba diving anywhere. In the past limited flights, difficult internal transport, a lack of infrastructure, a civil war and some particularly exotic strains of malaria all put travellers off. Today travel is much easier, the civil strife is off the radar and lately even the mosquitoes aren’t so threatening. Ask any tourist during your trip to Iceland and you’ll quickly see that everyone develops an unconditional love for the little island nation, whether it’s for the mind-bending scenery, the platefuls of delicious lamb and fish dishes, or the sincere local hospitality. The currency crash – which effectively devalued the króna by 75% – also helped make a trip much more favourable to the wallet. As the global economy starts to heal, prices are climbing once more. The spoils of Iceland are no longer a secret, but they’re still yours for the taking – and in 2013 you’ll still be well ahead of the curve. New low-cost airlines are opening up the southeast of Turkey, and excellent bus services make getting around easy. Explore the historic old towns of Mardin and Midyat, feast on fantastic food in Gaziantep and see the recently uncovered ruins of Göbekli Tepe near Sanliurfa. Experience the Turkish section of the recently inaugurated Abraham’s Path walking trail, where accommodation is in simple Kurdish homestays, a long way from the tourist buzz of the coast or Istanbul’s Old Town. In the first quarter of 2012 the Dominican Republic saw an 8.4% increase in tourism. With more airlines offering stops to the country’s eight international airports, as well as cruise ships adding the DR as a major port of call, more people are escaping to the land of sun, sand, and surf comparable to anywhere else in the Caribbean.
The best, and most romantic, way to explore the 32 coral atolls of the Quirimbas is by Arabian dhow. Charter one of these traditional sailing vessels and let the crew navigate you to untouched islets where palm trees and turtles are the only residents. Each evening you’ll be deposited on deserted beaches, to eat fresh fish and camp out on the sand. Set sail across this ridiculously elysian South Pacific lagoon with Captain Fantastic – not only will he stop at Aitutaki’s best snorkel spots and reel off local history, he’ll drop anchor at Honeymoon Island, a well-named hump of sand lapped by turquoise blue. While you take a dip, the Captain will cook up a fishy feast – or you can arrange to be marooned there overnight... Most Canadian cabins are intrinsically romantic: they conjure thoughts of snuggling by open fires, nostrils tingling with the scent of pungent pine. This one’s even better: nestled on Algonquin Island, in the midst of Kawawaymog Lake, it’s only accessible by canoe. While here, paddle out to look for moose, star-gaze from the deck or get steamy in the floating sauna. Leave scenic Stockholm to paddle its outlying archipelago in a kayak built for two. There are around 30,000 isles and islets here, so finding one without other people should be a cinch. Also, wild camping (done respectfully) is legal in Sweden, so when you find that perfect private cove, pitch your tent there and claim it as your own. Santorini is the quintessential Greek honeymoon island. And, yes, its sunken caldera and taverna-tumbling hillsides are pretty dreamy – but they’re pretty busy too. To find sunset-over-the-sea views that are just as good – but without the glut of people – try peaceful Ikaria. This small Aegean isle has little tourism and is tricky to reach, but is all the more unique for it. Come for great food, a village-to-village walking trail, thick forests and empty beaches. Come for all the romance, none of the crowds.
台北市 台北的必訪景點從古 (例如以第十世紀工藝品聞名的故宮博物院) 到今 (例如 2004 到 2010 年間全球最高樓台北 101) 包羅萬象。如果您是個饕客,那您更不能錯過台北的美食 - 嚐嚐臭豆腐、各類包子水餃和竹炭花生。
台中市 不論是逛酒吧,或是在 18 層樓高的百貨公司裡逛街購物,台中是位於台灣中心最有活力的城市。你可以參觀玻璃植物園和知名的藝術博物館,然後前往夜市逛街、享用各類小吃。台中四周環繞的群山,不但保護台中免受颱風肆虐,還可讓旅客一改城市的生活步調,欣賞湖泊美景、農村風光,還有自行車道等等,等你前往一探究竟。
高雄市 高雄是位於台灣南部的現代化城市,這個城市同時融合了古老的歷史和現代的文化。千萬別錯過壯觀的佛光山,還有佛光山大佛堂。統一夢時代購物中心是台灣最大的購物中心,購物中心的頂樓還有摩天輪。你可驅車前往墾丁國家公園,一覽墾丁美麗的地形風景。
新北市 要去台北嗎?除了市中心以外,台北還有許多知名景點。新北市的範圍超過 2000 平方公里,其中包括海岸線、溫泉、寺廟、歷史地標等等。野柳岩岸有許多形狀奇特又引人入勝的石頭,吸引遊客一探究竟。林家花園則保留了古典優雅的中式庭園造景和建築。
花蓮縣 許多人來到花蓮,都是為了要前往太魯閣觀光。原因很簡單,因為這裡實在是太美了。這裡有架設在河川上方的繩橋、絕美景觀的健行步道,還有坐落在群山之中的寺廟,美景令人難忘。如果要欣賞壯闊的海景,不妨前往距離花蓮約 2 個半小時車程的石梯坪,海浪拍打著岸邊的岩石,壯觀而美麗。
南投縣 南投日月潭的壯麗美景,真正可讓人獲得絕妙的空靈體驗。這個綠松石盆地的形狀,看起來就像東邊的太陽和西邊的新月,所以被稱為日月潭,或是明潭。日月潭的登山步道共長 7 英哩,爬了一天的山之後,你可以選擇搭乘九族文化村的纜車欣賞風景並下山,或是去泡泡溫泉,這裡有許多溫泉。這裡的農家多栽種鮮美多汁的水果,在悶熱了一整天之後,最適合來顆水果,清涼解渴又消暑。
宜蘭縣 宜蘭的自然之美,就像是魔法河一般。宜蘭四周有瀑布、湖川,還有植物園。你可以沉浸在夢幻的水世界之中,在這裡你可以游泳、衝浪、泛舟,就連單純地欣賞美景也能讓人流連忘返。如果想要來趟文化之旅,這裡有手工藝博物館、自然人文博物館,還有北關螃蟹博物館,館內展出可在滾燙火山噴泉中存活的螃蟹,十分有意思。如果肚子餓了,別忘了還有知名的羅東夜市。
新竹市 新竹,就像是迎風搖晃的堅韌蘆葦,直指著台灣海峽。有工業園區和知名理工大學的新竹是一個思想前衛的城市,吸引了世界各地高科技產業公司常駐,這個北台灣歷史最悠久的老城,成功地結合了文化與科技,散發出迷人的融合色彩。歷史悠久的新竹護城河,流經中央公園和綠地,而關帝廟的藝術雕刻,則展現出這座城市特有的學術魅力。如果想一窺傳統台灣技術的深奧,就一定要去新竹玻璃工藝博物館,看看新竹最具代表性的產品。
台南市 溫泉和樹屋…聽起來就像是放鬆度假的最好去處!在台南度過一天,你可以前往古樸的巷弄,一探當地居民傳統生活的面貌,然後前往小南城隍廟欣賞令人眼花繚亂的色彩和雕刻,再到安平樹屋參觀令人驚奇的大自然力量。安平樹屋原為英商德記洋行倉庫,二次世界大戰過後即廢棄不再使用,因而逐漸被周圍生長的榕樹氣根包覆,形成今天特殊的樣貌。
台東縣 如果有幸可在元宵節的時候前往台東一遊,保證讓你流連忘返。在為期 12 天的元宵節慶祝活動中,台東搖身一變,成為四處張燈結彩、鞭炮聲響透雲霄,還有各種熱鬧活動的活力城市。就像是腳下的土地有魔力般,大家一起狂歡跳舞。台東也是台灣有重要考古價值的城市。當地考古學家已陸續挖出上萬件原住民古文物,其中包括知名的卑南石棺就有 1500 件。你可以參觀史前文化博物館或卑南文化公園,進一步了解台東豐富的歷史。
Traditionally, along with the sea, rivers and canals were the main means of transporting goods, so history and culture is ripe along the banks of the world's rivers. Using these ancient highways to explore a destination is a quieter and more relaxing affair than the usual transport of planes, trains and automobiles. Here are some of the finest waterways of the world to float down or up. Paddling The Wilderness Waterway, USA The Florida Everglades are a watery labyrinth designed by a god who clearly enjoyed a spot of canoeing. Paddling the Everglades' every bend could occupy a lifetime, which makes the Wilderness Waterway as much a relief as an adventure. This 159km paddling route threads along the Everglades' western edge, winding through the 10,000 Islands and briefly into the Gulf of Mexico. Campground and camping platforms are no more than 15km apart, and you'll share your journey with alligators, dolphins and manatees. If you need a canoe or kayak, they can be hired in Everglades City. Expect to paddle for about nine days. The classic of classics... a tiny felucca on the world's longest river, leaving behind the souqs of Aswan and cruising on the current towards Kom Ombo, Edfu or Esna. Feluccas can deliver their passengers a very personal Nile, with the lateen-rigged boats typically carrying between six and eight people. Nights are spent aboard the felucca (bring a sleeping bag) or camping on an island in the Nile: felucca trips to Kom Ombo involve one night out, while sailings to Esna mean four days and three nights on the Nile. Feluccas are big business in Aswan, and you won't have trouble finding a captain and boat. Rafting the Franklin River, Australia Though Tasmania's Franklin River isn't far from the city of Hobart, it remains among the world's most remote and pristine rafting waterways. Once you launch from below the Lyell Hwy, you're all but committed to eight days and 100km of rough-and-ready river travel until the Franklin finally spits your inflatable raft into the Gordon River. Blanketed by the impenetrable forest of the Word Heritage-listed Tasmanian Wilderness, the journey morphs from the haunting stillness of the Irenabyss to the fury of the 5km-long Great Ravine, which boils with invitingly named rapids such as the Cauldron, Thunderush and the Churn. For high-octane thrills in a high-octane city, head for Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island, where one of the signature activities (among a smorgasbord of adventures) is jetboating the Shotover River. Through the river's steep-sided canyons, jetboats skim past the rock walls, fishtailing and throwing themselves into 360-degree spins. It's 30 minutes that's like a drug-induced dance on water, deep in the mighty Middle-earth scenery of the Southern Alps - Tolkien geeks may recognise the Shotover as the Ford of Bruinen, if they can look beyond the spinning bow of the jetboat, that is. Canoeing the Bowron Lake Circuit, Canada Set beneath the Mowdish and Cariboo Ranges, Bowron Lake Provincial Park offers one of the world's finest canoe journeys. The renowned canoe circuit in British Columbia crosses through 10 lakes and paddles along three rivers in its 116km course. The circuit takes between six and 10 days, and numbers are strictly limited, so paddling reservations are essential. A shorter (three to four days) alternative is the West Side return route from Bowron Lake to Unna Lake. The circuit can be paddled from mid-May to mid-October; September is considered the best month because of the vivid displays of autumn colour. With more than 3000km of navigable canals and rivers, England is the ideal place for a bit of leisurely canal boating. You can hire your own narrowboat and play skipper, or you can have somebody else do all the work on a hotel boat. Popular narrowboating canals include the Kennet and Avon Canal, running between the Rivers Thames and Avon; and the busy Llangollen Canal, which crosses from England to Wales and has a reputation as the most beautiful canal in Britain. Across the Channel, in France, the World Heritage-listed Canal du Midi that flows between Toulouse and Sète is another classic among the canal crazy. Dugout canoe on the Sepik River, Papua New GuineaFlowing more than 1000km from its source in the PNG highlands to the Bismarck Sea, the mighty Sepik River is navigable for much of its length. Motorboats ply most of the trade routes along the river, but for visitors the most popular and most redolent mode of river travel is by dugout motor-canoe, puttering between villages on the Middle Sepik or among its lakes and tributaries. The best place to arrange Sepik travel is in Wewak, while on the river itself you'll be able to find motor-canoes for hire at Ambunti, Pagwi and Angoram. Europe's longest river is a prime destination for the cruise crowd, with ocean-style liners as large as the Kremlin barging their way along the Volga. Cruises typically operate between St Petersburg and Moscow (though neither city is actually on the Volga), or extend further downstream to Volgograd, the city once - and more notoriously - known as Stalingrad. Ports of call along the way usually include Uglich, a town perched like an onion-domed fairytale above the river; and the island of Kizhi, with its World Heritage-listed Kizhi Pogost featuring Russia's finest wooden buildings. It's an unusual highway into the desert, but sailing up the Niger River to near the legendary Timbuktu is one hell of an entrance. Passenger boats operate on the river in the high-water season between August and mid-December, and you can expect five very crowded days getting between Koulikoro and Korioumé (18km from Timbuktu). For relative comfort there are also pinasse (motorised canoes). Laden with either cargo or tourists, pinasse depart from the city of Mopti and take around three days to reach Korioumé. Pack a sleeping bag for the cold nights spent on board or on the river bank. The Laotian town of Vang Vieng sits among an inspiring landscape of limestone spires, and is best viewed from the reclining position floating atop a tractor tyre inner tube on the Nam Song. This idle pastime is so pleasurable it has become a staple on Southeast Asia's backpacking circuit. Tubing trips usually involve a 3km scenic float, made even more enjoyable by the presence of several bars on islands and beaches en route. As idyllic as it sounds, keep a clear head, for there's the occasional horror story; in times of high water, rapids along the Nam Song can be quite daunting.
Noosa: best for food They arrive before dawn. A solitary car pulls up, then two, then a dozen. With cloth bags tucked under arms and torches clasped in hands, a troupe of eager gourmands makes its way along the edge of a suburban football ground to an unassuming string of tarpaulin-covered stalls – the Noosa Farmers’ Market. The small coastal district of Noosa, with its golden beaches and laid-back hippy roots, may seem an unlikely candidate as Queensland’s unofficial culinary capital, but its location between the fresh seafood of the coast and the farm goods from the surrounding hills has seen the town gain a reputation that draws visitors from all over the country. Plump strawberries are neatly piled beside crates of forest-green avocados the size of gourds, perky starfruit, and passionfruits like cricket balls. Beyond the fruit, fresh artisan breads, cheeses and exotic concoctions such as ‘golden kiwi sweet chilli sauce’ or ‘lychee balsamic vinegar’ are in high demand. By the time the sun is out and the main crowds arrive, the early risers are finished, settling down for a flat white coffee and a free-range egg and bacon roll. Fraser Island: best for wild nature It may look like a gentle tropical paradise, but Fraser Island – as wild and unpredictable as it is beautiful – commands respect. At more than 80 miles in length, the island is the world’s largest sandbank, and it teems with life. The skies are filled with birds, from the darting form of the spangled drongo to the white-bellied sea eagle that rides the breeze on wings spanning two metres. The waves conceal whales, dolphins and sea turtles, and the western beaches are covered with armies of blue-backed soldier crabs that rear up on their hind legs and flee in panic at the approach of a human foot. Emerging occasionally from the brush are wallabies, echidnas, possums and palm-sized sugar gliders. There are also some creatures of the less cuddly variety. ‘We have six of the world’s ten deadliest snakes,’ local photographer Peter Meyer says cheerfully, with a hint of pride that’s common to Australians when talking about things that might kill you. ‘Not to mention the spiders – the Fraser Island funnel-web is the deadliest spider in the world. But they’re unlikely to hurt you if you don’t disturb them, and it’s very rare for people to be bitten.’ He gives a chuckle. ‘The thing I’m most afraid of is the ants,’ he says. ‘We’ve got an inch-long bull ant here that will rip your leg off.’ Whitsunday Islands: best for beaches The Whitsunday archipelago is made up of 74 islands, and several of them are spread out in the sea below like mossy rocks set on an azure blue quilt. Pilot David Macfarlane gently drops one wing of his tiny 12-seater seaplane and wheels around the northernmost point of Whitsunday Island. ‘Here it comes,’ he says through the crackle of the on-board speakers. The island’s soft green hills suddenly part and a broad estuary is revealed, an impossibly scenic tidal river with overlapping swirls of sand and sea meandering off into the distance in shades from glassy green to sky blue and deepest jade. In the distance, a raucous group of kids is playing beach cricket and others are venturing into the waves, each clearly visible in the astonishingly translucent water. This is Whitehaven, considered one of the greatest beaches in the world. The secret is in the sand. It’s the brightest white – almost blindingly so on a sunny day like this one – and is 98 per cent silica, which makes it talcum-powder fine and so reflective that, no matter how blisteringly hot the sun, it is always cool to the touch. Port Douglas: best for snorkelling and divingWith a sloshing, spluttering sound, six heads emerge from the water in unison, each adorned with snorkels and masks. ‘Did you see it?’ asks one. ‘I’m sure I did. Look again.’ Then down they go, to peer at the vast, colourful world of coral and sea life just a few feet below them, stretching out as far as the eye can see. This is just a tiny section of the mighty Great Barrier Reef, which covers 135,000 square miles – an area significantly larger than Britain – along the Queensland coast, supporting thousands of species of fish, sea turtles, sharks and whales, with corals in 400 varieties. On view today are the staghorn coral – its hard, pointed antlers growing thick and knobbly – and the maze-patterned blobs of brain coral, as well as the purple, fan-shaped ‘elephant’s ears’. Then, from the softly grasping, greenish-mauve fingers of a sea anemone, the orange-and-whitestriped clownfish made famous by Pixar and Disney’s Finding Nemo emerges, and a silent ballet of excited slow-motion pointing begins among the snorkellers. ‘It’s an incredibly diverse world,’ says John Scotese, a Chicago-born marine biologist aboard the Wavedancer catamaran floating in the waters nearby. ‘Every day I go down there, I tend to find a new plant or animal I haven’t seen before. And if I don’t, I feel genuinely surprised.’ Mount Mulligan: best for outbackIt’s muster day at the Mount Mulligan station (the local name for a ranch) and half a dozen mounted stockhands are driving a motley herd of cattle down into the pastures. Helping them are three matching dogs, running a full-speed circular relay of canine discipline, their feet barely touching the ground.
Some of the bulls are ‘cleanskins’ – wild and wilful unbranded cattle born in the bush – and it’s not unknown for them to lower their horns and charge. The horses are no domesticated nags, either, having been drawn from the ranks of ‘brumbies’, or feral horses, that roam in mobs around the surrounding hills. These dusty cattle yards are set in 70,000 acres of largely untouched bushland, in the shadow of one of Australia’s most remarkable natural structures. Mount Mulligan is a huge sandstone escarpment around ten times the size of Uluru, or Ayers Rock, that rears out of the landscape and runs for more than 11 miles along the horizon. To the local Djungan people, it is known as Ngarrabullgan, the birthplace of the Rainbow Serpent god, and is one of the most sacred sites in Australia. Fringed with green, the rock looms over the stockmen’s bunkhouse and slowly changes from a fiery orange to a soft mauve as the sunlight begins to fade. |
Source
http://www.lonelyplanet.com Travel Blog
January 2015
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