I travelled to the Westmann Island of Heimaey around 4 years ago. Whilst small and ostensibly with little to see even outside the 'puffin season' it was well worth the visit.The story of the erruption of 1963 is fascinating, the people friendly and there's clearly much to see and do in the summer months. I stayed in a local B and B - you'd don't need more even to be honest - and enjoyed exploring on foot. I was only there a short time before retuning to the mainland by plane, itself an experience as it was a twin-seater job!On the whole, great fun and well worth a visit.
Dusty and crowded, polluted and tired, there's no doubting Cairo has its downside, but you have to take things in the round.The Nile is a wonderful river and divides the city in two, with the west bank being predominantly residential. From Tahrir Square you can head to the Egyptian Museum for Tuts gold plus a million other treasures, but allow enough time - you can rush it if you aren't careful.Grab a schwarma for lunch and then head for a coffee at one of the many coffee houses (there are many tucked away near Tahrir Square, or head to Fishawis in the Khan el Khalili - an institution.If you do go to Fishawis spend time wandering the old streets of Islamic Cairo - time well spent. A climb up the Bab Zuweila is great as are the rennovated houses in the area like Beit al Suhaymi. Take a taxi (rather than the overcrowded Giza bus) to the Pyramids and allow plenty of time here too. There's a good restaurant outside the gates - as for Felfelas - so you can have lunch before going in. It's great here at the Pyramids towards sunset.Allow a minimum of two days. I've spent a week here on occassions and heave never been bored as there is always Saqqara, Dahsur, Coptic Cairo etc etc.
Bangkok has long been tarnished with a reputation for bad traffic and pollution and sure, these are a feature of the city (you should have visited BEFORE the Skytrain!), however to judge it only on these to aspects is to miss the point.Bangkok is a capital city but with a little looking you can discover its village soul. Explore by tuk tuk and on foot and you could be forgiven for thinking it's just another big noisy city, but head out into the backlane "sois" by bike and you'll soon discover old wooden houses and a network of klongs. A good place to start is Thonburi on the 'other side' of the river.Don't let any bad reports put you off. Bangkok has some fantastic places to see and people to meet.
A visit to Khajuraho has for some time meant a long journey by road from Jhansi, just south of Agra, however it is worthwhile.If you don't want to do it in one hit then break the trip in Orccha - fantastic capital of the Bundela Rajas. Khajuraho itself is famous for its erotic temples, an incredible and eyewatering amount of detail in each carving depicts all - and I mean all - aspects of daily life.Allow two full days to do the sites justice; explore by bike and enjoy the hospitality of the Raja Swiss Cafe.A must.
Must be up there with the best of them, Petra is superb but deserves as long as you can spare. After seeing the main site you should head up to the Monastery (Ed Deir), the High Places, Aaron's Tomb (take a guide from Petra Moon Tours) and maybe walk the back way to or from Little Petra (which is also worth a visit).The Petra Kitchen cooking courses are fun by all accounts.Accommodation is the only problem - it can get utterly sold out at the busiest time of year. It is hot but travel in early summer to avoid this. Ensure you book with a reliable travel specialist who holds allocations.
Utterly delightful off the beaten track village that is well worth a night or two.Great cenotaphs and fort, riverside walks, unspoilt, timeless way of life, good accommodation.
I recently went to Tuscany on business and met with the guys at Cicloposse in Pienza. I have to say I was blown away by the landscape around the town.To me it looked like a green velvet blanket had been thrown over a table of differing sized balls - i've never seen anything like it before. This landscape changes colour as the seasons progress, from green to yellow and in a cold year white with winter snows.Pienza is a small town which makes a great base from which to walk or explore the surrounding area. Cicloposse can advise on hotels and itineraries, as can Geofirias.All in all, I reckon i'll be returning.
All the clieche's are true - this is one of the greatest cities in the world for lovers of culture and the arts.A long weekend is barely long enough to do the city justice but will do at a push; a 5 night stay would be better.Highlights are many, but just people watching in the streets or on the Ponte Vecchio is great, as is a late night stroll around the Duomo, massive ice-cream in hand.Be prepared for high prices.The Hotel Centrale is an excellent little hotel exactly where you want to be.
I had the pleasure to spend a few days in and around Kyrenia a few years ago when I was there on business for a tour operator I was working for.The appeal of the little town can't be understated. It is tiny and a week-long stay will enable you to eat in just about all of the little restaurants which line the harbour (they are housed in the old Venetian warehouses that look out over the bobbing boats).A wander through the back streets reveals a few more restaurants and though they are not extensive they are pretty.Most visitors to Kyrenia today actually come from Turkey for the islands relaxed gaming laws, however there is far more to see and do than gambling! The hills are omnipresent and provide easy to moderate walking at elevations of around 800-1000m asl. Spring brings the best of the wildflowers. It's best to hire a local guide who can show you the best routes.A hire car enables you to get out and about if you are on a sun and sand break - Kantara Castle and the coastal drive to the castle before turning inland is recommended.Further afield Famagusta and Nicosia feel like big cities after Kyrenia but have their own rewards, with much Ottoman architecture to enjoy. Salamis isn't comparable with, say Jerash in Jordan, but is definately worth a visit if in the area.All in all Kyrenia is the perfect base for a holiday that you can make as active - or not - as you like.
