Happy Holidays
The world is a big, wide, wonderful place and those of us lucky enough to be able to explore even a fraction of it are certainly the better for it, having had our horizons widened and our eyes opened to new experiences, cultures and lifestyles. With so much to see, though, just where do you start? We asked some fellow world travellers for their favourite destination recommendations to get you started.
Mongolia
Nicky Furniss
I have always had a fascination with Mongolia and when I finally ticked it off my “To Do” list, it instantly became my favourite destination. Never before or since have I seen such wide open spaces or met people more utterly content with such a simple way of life.
In the Gobi Desert I discovered that camels are by far the most comfortable form of transportation, and was humbled by a nomadic family whose entire life fits into a small tent. I saw dinosaur footprints and woke up to see the most spectacular sunrises light up the expansive dessert. In the country’s capital, we were lulled by the harmony of over 100 scarlet cloaked monks chanting in unison. In a ger (tented) camp surrounded by rolling green plains, there was nothing to do but chat and lie in the grass and breathe in the heady smell of the thousands of wild flowers that carpet the plains. It was heaven.
Mongolia is not a place for compulsive sightseers or adventure junkies (the most exciting thing I did there was ride a feral pony!), but it will soothe your soul with its expansive space and will make you yearn for a simpler, purer life.
Mozambique
Stewart Nolan
A couple of friends and I decided to escape the World Cup madness last year by heading north into Mozambique. On this particular trip, our destination was Mount Gorongosa, some 1,000 km north of Maputo, but we broke our trip up with several overnight stops along the way. Bilene, Xai-Xai, Morrungulo and Vilanculos all provided us with perfect bases from which to explore the various stretches of idyllic beaches. We found the months of June and July to be perfect with regards to the weather, and also pleasantly quiet in the campsites and on the beaches.
Mozambique is a paradise right on our doorstep. From the endless white, sandy beaches and the aquarium-like coral reefs of the Bazaruto Archipelago, to the remote grasslands of Gorongosa Game Reserve, Mozambique is full of gems just waiting to be explored. The southern parts of the country are easy to access and convenient for a quick break, but the further north you care to venture, the more amazed you will be.
Olomouc and Prague, Czech Republic
Krysta Gutteridge
When my husband and I travelled to the Czech Republic, we knew to expect striking architecture, but we were astounded by the overwhelming beauty we discovered there.
We started our Czech adventure in Olomouc, a gorgeous, miniature version of Prague full of fountains, towers and charming boutiques. We were not disappointed by the Czech Republic’s renowned capital city either. Each time we stepped outside, we began a new leap through time down ancient cobbled streets and winding alleys. We toured every site imaginable, from the east side of the Vltava River to the Mala Strana, a historic area in the shadow of Prague Castle, and of course the castle itself. One of our favourite spots was the walled fort of Vysehrad which provides a spectacular 360 degree view of the city.
If you have the time, also make sure you take in a Slavia Praha hockey game. They won when we saw them, and if their jerseys don’t blind you with their intense colour, you are in for a real sporting treat!
iMfolozi Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal�
Simone Dale
I like to experience the real essence of the places that I visit, so for me, the best way to see iMfolozi (one of Africa’s oldest game reserves) was by signing up for a rustic wilderness trail. Five days of no cars, laptops, cell phones or even watches… Just true African wilderness, walking (in silence), napping in the shade, sleeping under the stars, cooking together around the campfire and taking turns on the solitary night watch. I love the little things you learn along the way, like how leopard tortoises eat hyena dung to make their shells strong, or how some trees send warning signals to each other when a browser starts to feed on their leaves.
I have seen four of the Big Five on foot in the reserve and although this is not normally my focus when game viewing, seeing an elephant or a lion a few meters away, with nothing between you and them but the grass and the trees, is a sobering and humbling experience. If you are up for a real African adventure and are looking for ways to truly relax and reconnect, this is the way to do it.
Nelson, Canada
Andrew Burnard
A drive of a few hours will take you West from the grandeur of the Canadian Rockies into the humbler and more charming Selkirk Mountains in the heart of the Kootenay region of British Columbia. This network of lakes, foothills and pine tree forests took me on a winding route to the town of Nelson, a 10,000 person hamlet known for its natural beauty and relaxed outlook on life.
Nelson is lovely. The air was crisp, but my walk along the fishing docks, overlooking little red boats and wrought iron lampposts, was invigorating. The hot coffee in a warm, vibrant café afterwards was a welcome reward, as was casually exploring the arts and crafts for sale – and the hippies who sell them! Nelson is a happy time warp where locals mingle with travellers and tell each other stories of questionable veracity. The air, the forests and the mountains add a slightly magical feel to the place, and hint at the possibility that it could still be the ’60s. I left feeling very relaxed.
Story compiled by Nicky Furniss
