Lodging in Mendoza ranges from very basic to high end hotels such as the Grand Hyatt and the Sheraton. Pricing is typically more expensive closer to the center of town and near the Plaza del Armas. Lodging is really quite spread out throughout the city and there no specific 'hotel' district. Aires de Montana is a destination spa located in the Andes about an hour from Mendoza. Lodging is also available on site - elevation is 1800 … [Read more...]
Las Fallas of Valencia
Arguably the craziest urban festival in Europe, this is one of the most bizarre and fascinating European attractions, yet it is not a recent invention of new age imagination but a deeply traditional local festivity. Valencia, the City of Contrast, has stepped firmly into the cosmopolitan 21st century, yet it has kept much of its tradition intact. The social fabric of the city is still organised around the clan-like fallas - neighbourhood … [Read more...]
The Guns of Central America
My journey started in Havana - probably the safest capital in Latin America. The Castro regime has put so many cops on the streets that I was instantly told from the very beginning that any assault on a traveller is unthinkable. Scams, theft, yes. But in terms of violence, it is pretty obvious on the streets of Havana who is the boss. Then I flew in to Yucatan, Eastern Mexico. As I wait in the queue for passport control, a guy in front of me … [Read more...]
Learning Spanish in Xela, Guatemala
A large chunk of Guatemala's tourism revenue comes from teaching Spanish to travellers. It's not like it's the only Spanish-speaking country on the continent, but a number of factors make it a number one choice. To start with, the Gutemaltekas speak slowly and clearly. Anyone who has been to Cuba will appreciate the importance of this - you aren't going to learn Spanish if you don't understand a single word muttered through lazy lips at … [Read more...]
America’s Cup 2007 in Valencia
An article is due on the practicalities of attending the 32nd America's Cup in Valencia, which will draw huge international crowds this summer of 2007. Here is the vital info and insider tips. All of the action will take place in the America's Cup Port, a magnificently designed complex built specifically for this occasion by the local government of Valencia. The central ultre-modern Veles I Vents building, a sort of command tower for the press … [Read more...]
Africa Adventure
Our tour through Southern Africa began in Zambia and on arrival into Livingstone we were transferred to our accommodation on the banks of the Zambezi River, a few miles upstream from the Victoria Falls. Arriving in plenty of time before the tour began I made the most of the opportunities available in the area - this being one of Africa's adventure capitals offering a range of activities, from bungy jumping to sunset cruising. Our first day was … [Read more...]
Falling for Africa
"Only two of us have had malaria so far," said Heidi as I joined the group of seasoned overlanders in their fifth week on a truck safari from Nairobi to Cape Town. "Weren't you taking malaria stuff?" I asked naively. "Yeah, but it doesn't always work," was her heart-stopping response. I added 'contracting permanently-relapsing malaria' to my list of African hazards to watch out for - something I thought I'd taken care of with a quick trip to … [Read more...]
Everest: Base Camp Diary
This morning I experienced strange tinglings in my feet and face as we waited to board a small plane to Lukla. When someone else described having the same sensations, the doctor on our trip confirmed the classic side effects of altitude sickness tablets. After take-off, however, the discomfort was forgotten as we flew through scenery so stunning you felt you could reach out and touch the snow-topped mountains. Within about ten minutes of landing … [Read more...]
Italy Story: Hostage of the Hostile Hostel
When I arrived, panting, at the three-story brick-and-steel building, I was dismayed to see a mob of backpackers crowded around the front desk. Two surly staff members were shouting at them in Italian, grabbing crumpled piles of money, and stuffing registration forms, one each, into the hundred cubby holes in the wall behind them. Each nook denoted one available bed. As I made my way to the counter, I heard one of the clerks answer the … [Read more...]
Trip to the Rhine in Germany
We flew British Airways from San Francisco Int. Airport, to Heathrow Airport, and then into Frankfurt Airport. Heathrow has a special assistance lounge. Ask for assistance when leaving your plane, and they will take you to the lounge. You give them your boarding pass and let them know what sort of help you need, and when the time comes for you to board your departing flight, they either let you know that someone will meet you at the gate with an … [Read more...]
- « Previous Page
- 1
- …
- 126
- 127
- 128
- 129
- 130
- …
- 152
- Next Page »