TravelTalks.Org (2024)

07/01/2015

Yosemite National Park, California, offers super-safe tour experiences and super-risky adventures. Iconic Half Dome is a popular, and relatively easy, climb—but unfortunately that has led to crowding, carelessness, and visitors falling to their deaths.

06/01/2015

Huayna Picchu, Peru

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be a tough trek, and it takes a few casualties each year. But the real danger begins when you follow the trail past the mythical city and up Huayna Picchu, aka the “Hike of Death.” The old Inca staircase is carved out of granite and climbs about 1,000 feet in less than a mile. Plus, the route is full of rotting, crumbling rock, slippery stones, and exposed corners. Many people tackle the route totally unprepared—we’re talking flip-flops and no water.

Clouds and mist make the journey more difficult, and in some sections hikers must cling to old steel cables. Going up is the easy part. Coming down the steep slope often paralyzes travelers with fear. But it’s worth the pain—the view from Huayna Picchu on a sunny day is the best bird’s-eye view of Machu Picchu below.

02/01/2015

Canyonlands National Park, Utah, is where Aron Ralston famously amputated his own right arm when it got pinned under a boulder. Ralston, the subject of the James Franco film 127 Hours, had the right idea: Searches and rescues in this remote desert region—where visitors routinely fall off ledges or are overcome by heat and dehydration—can take days

31/12/2014

he home of eight of the tallest peaks in the world, including Mount Everest, Nepal is proud of its mountain sports and rich culture. Trekking, mountaineering, climbing and mountain biking are the most popular tourist activities; however rafting, bungee jumping, motorcycling, hot air ballooning, paragliding and mountain flights are also readily found. The southern part of Nepal, the Terai, is full national parks and game reserves that offer elephant back or 4×4 safaris to see rhinos, Bengal tigers, crocodiles and countless species of birds and butterflies. Cultural treks are easily found in Nepal and usually take you to the Numbur Cheese Circuit, Indigenous Peoples Trail, Tamang Heritage Trail or Chepang Heritage Trail, just to name a few

30/12/2014

Ski and Snowboard Mammoth Mountain, California

In December 2010, Mammoth Mountain Resort, located in the eastern Sierra Nevada, had the most recorded snow on the planet. By July 4, 2011 (the end of the season), it had received a whopping 661 inches (50 percent more than usual). Credit for the white bounty went to La Niña, the climatic phenomenon whereby cool Pacific Ocean temperatures create cold, wet conditions in the West and Pacific Northwest. And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, La Niña will be back with a vengeance again this year, blanketing the resort’s 3,500-plus skiable acres—which are among the most of any U.S. ski area. True to its name, Mammoth also has a 3,100-foot elevation drop and it’s served by a total of 28 lifts, which leave the slopes blissfully uncrowded.

24/12/2014

Yemen
Last summer both Britain and America urged its citizens to leave the country due to fears of an imminent terrorist attack on Western interests. The Foreign Office still advises against all travel to the whole of Yemen.
The country's highlights include Sana'a, one of the world's highest capital cities (7,500ft above sea level) and a World Heritage Site. It is renowned for its quirky architecture, which includes multi-storey buildings decorated in geometric patterns.
Another of the country's World Heritage Sites is Socotra, a small archipelago around 240 miles south of the Arabian Peninsula. The islands are one of Earth's most isolated landforms, and consequently contain a number of unique and unusual plant species.

22/12/2014

North Yungas Road
Bolivia

The path from La Paz to Coroico, Bolivia, is a treacherous one. The North Yungas Road weaves precariously through the Amazon rainforest at a height of over 15,000 feet. When you consider that frightening elevation—not to mention the 12-foot-wide single lane, lack of guardrails, and limited visibility due to rain and fog—it's easy to see why this 50-mile stretch of highway has earned the nickname "The Death Road." While 200 to 300 drivers used to die here annually, North Yungas Road has now become more of a destination for adventurous mountain bikers than a vehicular thoroughfare.

20/12/2014

Victoria Falls Bridge, border of Zimbabwe and Zambia

You'd be hard-pushed to find a more spectacular setting in which to take the leap of faith than here. You stand, in no man's land between two countries, atop the old railway bridge that Cecil Rhodes ordered to be built. Behind you crash the mighty falls, known to locals as "the smoke that thunders", while 111m beneath crocodiles circle in the Zambezi river.

19/12/2014

happy b.day bhai god bless you

18/12/2014

Siem Reap is a fast-growing city with plenty of new hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. But chances are, you’re here not because of the city itself, but for what’s nearby: amazingly well-preserved ancient temples. Even if you have the worst jet lag ever, drag yourself out of bed to be at Angkor archaeological Park when it opens—sunrise over Angkor Wat is worth losing sleep over.

16/12/2014

Most isolated place on Earth: Tristan da Cunha, United Kingdom

Looking for a getaway from the everyday? This is about as far away from it as you can get. Though formally part of the British Overseas Territory, Tristan da Cunha is over 1,750 miles away from the nearest land in Africa. Discovered by Portuguese explorer Tristão da Cunha in 1506, the island is home to fewer than 300 inhabitants and has no airport; Tristan da Cunha is accessible only by sea.

15/12/2014

Aonach Eagach Ridge, Scotland

Aonach Eagach is one of Scotland's most iconic Highland scrambles. The four-mile route follows Glen Coe Valley, crosses two Munros (mountains), and offers some of the best views in the country. It also offers a knife-edge trail with steep scree and grassy slopes on either side, sections of technical scrambling, and no shortcuts off the ridge if the weather turns bad (which it's apt to do).

That's where most of the problems begin. Ridge walkers try to leave the ridge before reaching Sgorr nam Fiannaidh peak and the easy way down. Several accidents occur on the ridge every year, and there were two deaths in 2009. If you have a head for heights, you should be just fine dealing with the exposure—as long as you don't get stuck behind a group of less-able hikers.

15/12/2014

Huayna Picchu, Peru

The Inca Trail to Machu Picchu can be a tough trek, and it takes a few casualties each year. But the real danger begins when you follow the trail past the mythical city and up Huayna Picchu, aka the “Hike of Death.” The old Inca staircase is carved out of granite and climbs about 1,000 feet in less than a mile. Plus, the route is full of rotting, crumbling rock, slippery stones, and exposed corners. Many people tackle the route totally unprepared—we’re talking flip-flops and no water.

Clouds and mist make the journey more difficult, and in some sections hikers must cling to old steel cables. Going up is the easy part. Coming down the steep slope often paralyzes travelers with fear. But it’s worth the pain—the view from Huayna Picchu on a sunny day is the best bird’s-eye view of Machu Picchu below

15/12/2014

AFTER four hours of strenuous hiking, we had only just reached the bottom of the Torres del Paine. You can see the three granite monoliths from seemingly a hundred miles away (and on just about every postcard of Patagonia), but the full magnitude of their facades was revealed only after the last turn on the mountainous trail. We sat down, panting, and looked across a glassy, marble-green lake at the summits, reaching more than 9,000 feet into the sky. Despite their size, being so near to them felt strangely intimate.

13/12/2014

The Czech capital, Prague, became an “it” city shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union, and now visitors are discovering the rest of the country. Other highlights include skiing (downhill and cross-country), nature reserves, and wineries in the Moravian region. Český Krumlov (pictured), in South Bohemia, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and famous for its architecture and castle. The ATDI also cites a Czech government rural development program, which “supports tourism in non-urban areas or adventure tourism– helping tourist dollars reach poorer people.”
Photo: Český Krumlov. VBT Bicycling and Walking Vacations

12/12/2014

Sun City Resort
Known regionally as Africa’s Kingdom of Pleasure, Sun City Resort is a luxury casino and resort, situated about two hours’ drive from Johannesburg. The complex contains four hotels, two championship golf courses, two casinos, an atmospheric South African cultural village and more than 7000 crocodiles within a sanctuary. The adjacent Pilanesberg Game Reserve is the most popular public Game Reserve in South Africa.

12/12/2014

Bungee jumping may these days be a popular adrenalin sport the world over, but once upon a time it used to be a terrifying tribal ritual that boys underwent in order to be considered men by their tribe. Green vines were affixed to bamboo towers and to the feet of the jumpers, who were then supposed to jump as high as possible and fall as far as possible in order to prove themselves worthy of the respect of their elders. Fortunately, since then the art of the bungee jump has evolved greatly and participants may now enjoy a jump without fearing for their lives.

11/12/2014

Once you've booked your Natal Midlands hotel or Natal Midlands accommodation explore our destination pages below for info on attractions, events and what to do in the Natal Midlands.

Inland of Durban, lying in an area that acts as something of a respite for all who go there, between Pietermaritzburg and the Drakensberg, is a beautiful region filled with stretches of farmland, charming little towns, a wonderful arts and crafts route and picturesque scenery bordering on the sublime, known as the Natal Midlands. The Natal Midlands is rich with water - rivers, lakes, dams and waterfalls are abundant - and the landscape is endowed with green pastures, hills and forests, whilst the northern reaches of the Midlands are dominated by the foothills and mountains of the Drakensberg.

If you’re not hiking then spend time exploring the many coffee shops, art galleries, pretty guest houses, cheese farms, trout farms, potters, weavers and painters who have made this region their home. The Midlands Meander is now a wonderfully refreshing mix of over 150 places at which to eat, drink and shop, and extends from Rietvlei and Curry’s Post to Dargle Valley and Fort Nottingham - 80 kilometres of activity.

11/12/2014

Meghalaya has recently started attracting tourists from all over owing to its scenic beauty.

This tiny state offers various adventure sports -- trekking on the beautiful slopes, rafting on the untamed rivers, para gliding in the hills in Shillong, angling in the serene lakes and what not!

Above all, Meghalaya is best known for its caves. Being home to some of the deepest caves in South Asia, many cavers have taken to exploring them.

Siju, Syndai, Mawsynram and Mawsmai are some popular caves you could visit while in Meghalaya.

10/12/2014

Bulgaria

Winters skiing and summers on the Black Sea draw tourism from all over Europe, and its mountainous terrain is great for hiking and climbing (such as Mt. Pirin, pictured). Bulgaria also hosts a 1,200km endurance bike race through the mountains. Historical artifacts from as far back as the Thracians and Romans bring in cultural tourism, and new museums are being built to show them off.

$The Kimberley, AustraliaThe state of Western Australia takes up nearly half the continent, but contains a fraction of th...$

10/12/2014

The Kimberley, Australia

The state of Western Australia takes up nearly half the continent, but contains a fraction of the Australian population. The region known as The Kimberley in the northern part of Western Australia has a particularly scattered population – owing partly to its rugged terrain. This region has some of the oldest evidence of civilization in Australia, dating back more than 40,000 years, and is often called one of Australia’s “last wilderness.” If you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous coastline, The Kimberley’s heart is made up of deserts, gorges, red rock canyons, and rivers. The Kimberley is remote and rugged, which means it’s not easy to navigate without a 4WD vehicle and a guide, but the effort of securing both will reward intrepid tourists with scenery and stories most travelers to Australia will never see.

10/12/2014

Bhutan, the famously reclusive country that measures success in “Gross National Happiness,” has long been known as a tourist destination for only the wealthy and patient. With limits on the number of visas issued per year, a minimum stay requirement, and the need to use official tour guide partners, Bhutan has been off-limits to many would-be travelers. In recent years, however, tourism in Bhutan is getting comparatively easier – the country no longer limits the number of tourist visas issued, and there are more licensed tour operators these days. In fact, Viator is adding Bhutan as a destination in 2014 – you’ll soon be able to browse and book tours in Bhutan right on this very website, making a visit to Bhutan possible for even more interested travelers.

09/12/2014

Victoria Falls, Zambia and Zimbabwe

There are several categories for superlatives when it comes to waterfalls. Victoria Falls, which straddles the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe, isn’t the tallest waterfall in the world, nor is it the widest. It does, however, hold the title of “largest,” since its height and width result in the largest sheet of falling water on earth. The sight has been drawing tourists since it was found and documented by David Livingstone in 1855 – both for its visual impact and the sometimes deafening roar all that water produces. Victoria Falls is on many a travel wish list, so here’s why you should check this one off in 2014: The towns that serve the falls, Livingstone in Zambia and Vic Falls in Zimbabwe, played host to the UN General Assembly in 2013. As such, they both had massive makeovers leading up to the event, and are better equipped than ever to host visitors. Even Zimbabwe, in the news so much in recent decades for ludicrous-sounding inflation rates, is getting back on track – the US dollar is now one of the main currencies accepted, so you wouldn’t even need to visit the currency exchange office.

09/12/2014

Belfast, Northern Ireland

The “Game of Thrones” story may take place in the fictional land of Westeros, but the filming locations are quite real. Many of them are in the countryside of Northern Ireland near the capital of Belfast. Some of the filming locations you can visit are the Cushendun Caves and Larrybane (The Stormlands), Castle Ward (Winterfell), Ballintoy Harbour and Murlough Bay (Iron Islands), and Inch Abbey (The Riverlands). The haunting location for the King’s Road is the difficult-to-locate Dark Hedges, a tree-lined road leading to an 18th century mansion – although it’s significantly easier to find these days, with all the “Game of Thrones” fans seeking it out. Many of the “Game of Thrones” filming locations can be visited in a day trip from Belfast, making the city an ideal home base for exploring Northern Ireland’s very film-worthy scenery.

08/12/2014

Scotland wants to make 2014 the year when those of Scottish descent pay their homeland a visit. They’re calling 2014 the year of Scotland Homecoming, with a series of special events, exhibits, and activities planned throughout the country to highlight what makes Scotland unique. It seems fitting, then, that in mid-September Scotland will be voting on whether to become independent from the UK – there will no doubt be plenty of discussion from both sides of the debate leading up to the referendum. Not Scottish or interested in politics? Then you might be interested in the XX Commonwealth Games, which are a mini-Olympics that take place every four years between Commonwealth countries. In 2014, Glasgow is the host from July 23-August 3. And for those of you who want to get out and see Scotland’s natural beauty, consider a hike along the new , a trail starting just outside Edinburgh and winding more than 45 miles along the coastline past Muir’s birthplace of Dunba

08/12/2014

Normandy, France

While many places in Europe will be celebrating the momentous 100th anniversary of the start of World War I, in 2014 the French region of Normandy is focused on the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. From June 5-August 21 there is a series of events scheduled to remember the people involved with D-Day and the Battle of Normandy – including an international ceremony at Sword Beach on June 6th, the actual D-Day landings anniversary. As the official 70th anniversary site notes, this may be “the last decennial anniversary” for which there are still living witnesses. For a completely different take on why you should visit Normandy in 2014, the region is hosting the World Equestrian Games from late August through early September. The highlight of the games may just be the day-long endurance race that will take place across the beautiful Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel on August 28th.

08/12/2014

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Fans of the TV show “Game of Thrones” will likely recognize the Croatian city of Dubrovnik, although they may not have believed it’s a real place. The walled city that serves as the setting for King’s Landing – home of the Iron Throne at the heart of the story – is no Hollywood sound stage. Dubrovnik is a genuine medieval walled city, one of the most picturesque in the world and certainly the main draw in Croatia. Even before “Game of Thrones” fans started visiting, Dubrovnik already had plenty of lures for tourists – the historic city center is surrounded by the sparkling Adriatic Sea, close to several sizable beaches, renowned for its vibrant nightlife, home to several interesting museums, and a bargain compared to nearby cities in Italy. More recently, Dubrovnik has become Croatia’s “see and be seen” destination, raising its profile (and cost) somewhat – a trend the “Game of Thrones” will no doubt continue.

04/12/2014

The Maropeng Exhibition in the Tumulus Building within the Cradle of Humankind Heritage Site is an hour’s drive from Johannesburg, and is one of eight World Heritage sites in South Africa. The 47 000 hectare complex, having revealed and answered many questions about our ancestors, exhibits clear and thought provoking exhibits, including stone tools, original fossils and engraved rocks. Their technology suggests that they originate from the Stone Age, approximately 1 million years ago! This is a fascinating learning experience for the whole family. Price: adults R145, Kids aged 4 – 14 R82, under 4’s free. Price for a combination ticket, which includes Sterkfontein Caves: adults R215, kids aged 4 – 14 R155, under 4’s free.

04/12/2014

Boulders Beach, near Simon’s Town in False Bay, is famed for its resident penguin colony and clean, white sand beach. It is home to at least 3000 African penguins, the Foxy Beach boardwalk being an excellent viewpoint. Your kids will enjoy getting up close and personal with the penguins (taking care not to disturb them unduly as they may bite). The park is also home to other birds and small mammals, while dolphins and whales swim off shore. Entrance fee: adults R55, children under the age of 12,

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