Quirky Traveller's Tales

With so many iconic places to visit, holidays in Vietnam can be difficult to plan for. It is a country with deep history and interest; one with such natural beauty that every city and town has a huge amount to offer. However, no trip to Vietnam’s is complete without a visit to its capital city, Hanoi.

Hanoi City by David Conger

Located in the centre of Vietnam, Hanoi is an old city of great cultural importance, growing in popularity with tourists every year. It is one of the most captivating and atmospheric cities in Southeast Asia, with something to entertain and inspire all visitors. The weather is favourable throughout the year, though it is hottest between May and August so it’s best avoided then if you’re not a fan of humid weather. Flights fly directly into Hanoi Airport and it’s easily accessible by rail and road, meaning it’s the perfect gateway to the rest of your journey around Vietnam.

Explore Hanoi’s History

An absolute must-see is the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum – a tribute and museum to the infamous Communist leader and for many, it’s an important place of pilgrimage to their former leader. The Mausoleum itself is an absolutely remarkable sight and in a similar style to the mausoleums of Lenin and Stalin. Here you’ll learn the history of Ho Chi Minh and can view his body on display in a glass case, a memorable experience in itself as you slowly file past the heavily guarded body.  There is, however, a strict dress and behaviour code so make yourself aware of these before you visit. It’s also worth taking a trip to the Presidential Palace, a stunning example of architecture built by the French colonialists, where Ho Chi Minh refused to stay during his trips to Hanoi. Another place many refused to stay in, though some had no choice, is the infamous Hanoi Hilton. It was here that the American POWs were brought during the Vietnam War and whilst it has been largely demolished, a section still exists and has been preserved as a museum.

Enjoy Hanoi’s Culture

Hanoi Pagoda by David Conger

If you want to kick back and relax, Hanoi also offers many opportunities to do so. There’s the tranquil and serene walks around the many lakes the city has to offer, exploring pagodas and taking in exquisitely built bridges. If you want to experience something far more modern, it’s off to the shops.  Hanoi has been named as one of the top 10 places in Asia for shopping and there’s much here to delight the shopaholic, though you may have to rein it in to ensure you’re still able to carry your backpack!  Hanoi also has a thriving nightlife, with many karaoke bars, theatres and cinemas across the city and also numerous festivals to experience throughout the year.

Hanoi at night by Flipnomad

Top 5 things to do in Hanoi

1) Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum

2) Take a trip to the Hanoi Hilton

3) Explore Colonial Hanoi

4) Visit an iconic pagoda

5) Go shopping!

Hanoi Market by Fahara

This article is brought to you by Natalie Likness.  She got her love of travel at an early age due to a trip abroad before she was even born! Having close family and making friends across the world, she has continued to travel ever since.

Quirky Travel is all about seeing the world from a different angle, looking at things from all sides, finding the unusual, the interesting, the fascinating.  Meeting delightful people, discovering new cultures, eating strange foods and seeing curious customs, have fuelled my life-long love of the breadth and depth of experiences that travel gifts to us – and 2011 has been the epitome of Quirky Travel.

Over the past 12 months I’ve been fortunate enough to travel around the UK and abroad with a host wonderful companions.  I’ve learnt about some incredibly quirky customs and etiquette (I now know NOT to ask a Finnish reindeer farmer how many animals he has), eaten some absolutely delicious food (Cunard’s Princess Grill restaurant was SUPERB), seen on some amazing sights and spent a lot of time discovering yet more beautiful and inspiring places in my beloved Lake District.

Although it’s been incredibly difficult to choose, here are my Top Ten highlights and why they epitomize Quirky Travel … (They are roughly in date order, NOT preference – that would be impossible.)

1. The Snowmobile Safari, Finland: this was my very first visit to Scandinavia but also my first blog trip abroad. To be invited to stay in beautiful  Iso-Syote fjell-top hotel and experience their adventure holiday was a dream come true.  Zooming across pristine snow over frozen fields and through ancient pine forests at high speed defines ‘exhilaration’.
2. The Scaffolding Tour, Chatsworth House, Derbyshire: In April Visit England invited me to Chatsworth, one of England’s great historic houses.  The external stonework of the house is being cleaned, repaired and restored and I had a Scaffolding Tour to the roof.  Being able to see up close the very quirky Snake motifs was a reminder of the days when, with money, grand designs and a view to history, architects created individual works of art, even when hardly anyone would ever see them.
3. The Calf Of Man, Isle of Man: on a glorious spring day, sitting on boingy grass dotted with dainty wild flowers, gazing out across ancient stones and the Irish Sea, all seemed right with the world. I’d chosen to visit the Isle of Man as the prize for winning ‘Britain’s Best Travel Blogger’ in January.  It’s a magical island and so very quirky … a treasure trove of maritime history, proud Parliamentary tradition, roaring race tracks across the landscape, four-horned sheep and faery folk-lore.
4. Geiranger Fjord, Norway: Gazing down on the toy ship set in the middle of one of the world’s most stunning fjords was surreal.  Had I really sailed all the way to Norway aboard that ship? Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth was on her maiden voyage and I will never forget the myriad of sensory experience on board and ashore during that trip.  I fell in love with the ship and the crew made every moment a joy and a treat.  I am now a total convert to cruising  – maybe someone will invite me on another one in 2012 – hint hint!
5. The Calvari Steps, Pollensa, Majorca: walking up the 365 old stone steps past beautiful gardens was a rather exhausting but rewarding experience. We were having a family holiday in nearby Puerto Pollensa but son & friends didn’t want to do the walk – wimps!  At the top there is a small, simple chapel with a wooden cross placed in memory of shipwreck survivors.  Sitting within its peaceful tranquility was a moment to reconnect with the soul and a reminder of what’s important in life …
6. Cogglesford Mill, Lincolnshire: Windy Miller aka Michael, a retired school teacher, shared his passion for the old tradition of making wholesome, tasty flour in one of the country’s few surviving working mills.  I bought a bag of flour and it does make exceedingly good bread.
7. Walking with Wallender, Sweden: medieval Ystad, in the Skäne region of southern Sweden, was a delight. Its colourful wood-framed houses, winding lanes and imposing square all feature in the detective series ‘Wallander’.  I was with a really fun group of travel bloggers and sharing the delights of this region with a group of like-minded writers was the other reason this trip was so enjoyable.  Oh, and the food was DELICIOUS.
8. The Art Deco Tour, Midland Hotel: Morecambe is not necessarily the most obvious place to find one of the UK’s best-kept Art Deco gems, but then travel is full of surprises.  Renowned (and definitely bonkers) sculptor Eric Gill produced some of his best work for this hotel; my brother and I had an absorbing insight on one of the hotel’s tours, followed by excellent afternoon tea. History, art, culture and cake in one afternoon – heaven.
9. Strahov Monastery Library, Prague: books are a passion and the historic collection in this 12^th century monastery is one of the glories of the Czech Republic. Prague is one of my favourite European capitals. The people are friendly, cultured and feisty, the architecture is varied and well-preserved, the beer is excellent and the food … well, the food is OK if you are a carnivore with a penchant for dumplings, but it’s definitely one place I could return to again and again.
10. Cocktails at the Cavendish, London: learning how to make cocktails from a world-class expert with a group of food & drink bloggers in this luxury hotel – what’s not to like?  It combined so many things I love about travel – great surroundings, meeting new people, discovering how to do something different and getting in the festive spirit in style.

With grateful thanks to all people who made these trips possible.  Wishing all the friends and travellers I have met along the way a very Happy New Year and all the very best for 2012.  Travel Quirkiliciously …

The Galapagos Islands provide a unique opportunity to observe wildlife at extremely close quarters. Cox & Kings’ Maria- Louisa Lowther takes a closer look…

The Galapagos Islands are one of those places I had always dreamed of going to as a child but never imagined I would actually get to see. Teachers at schools would tell us about colossal lizards which spit out of their nostrils and strange sounding birds with blue or red feet, playful sea lions which surf the waves, the famous lonesome George and animals you can get so close to you can even see them breathe. Over the years, my longing to visit this ‘other world’ never seemed to go away, as public interest increased, the BBC and National Geographic screened various documentaries and I’d hear of ‘friends of friends’ lucky enough to visit. Oh if only.

 No amount of education can prepare the visitor for the wonders to be seen in The Galapagos Islands. Named after the giant Galapagos tortoise, the archipelago emerged six million years ago as a result of volcanic activity in the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. This alluring and complex eco-system is located 1,000 kilometres off the coast of Ecuador. It holds a record number of special titles, including: Ecuador’s first National Park; UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site in Danger; the second largest marine reserve in the world after the Great Barrier Reef; a Biosphere reserve and a Whale Sanctuary.

In 1835, the English naturalist Charles Darwin visited the Galapagos and this ‘living laboratory’ inspired his writings in support of the Theory of Evolution. In fact, many of the species on these islands have evolved differently from their continental ancestors and thus have become unique species in our planet, often displaying an astonishing lack of fear towards humans. It is thought that the Galapagos Islands were originally linked to mainland Ecuador by ‘stepping stone’ islands; hence the animals were able to swim across and evolve in isolation.

The first time I went to Ecuador in 2003 I was a backpacker travelling overland, squeezing every last dollar. Then I considered fifteen dollars expensive for a hotel and so a visit to the Galapagos Islands was way out of my budget limits – even the cheapest gringo’ cruises cost a minimum of a thousand dollars with flights. So I wandered down Amazonas, the main thoroughfare in Quito, staring sadly at the tour shops offering packages to the islands, still only wishing rather than believing that I could be there. It was still only a dream.

Five years later I found myself wandering down the very same street, past the very same gringo tour shops, knowing that in just a few days’ time I would actually be travelling to this weird and wonderful place.

I was not disappointed. No two islands are the same. San Cristobal features mocking birds, lava lizards, coralline beaches, frigate birds and blue-footed boobies. On North Seymour Island, highlights include land iguanas, endemic palo santo trees and stunning sunsets. Espanola offers colonies of albatross and the endemic sub-species large-billed cactus finch. Santa Cruz is home to the famous giant tortoise and unusual highland vegetation such as the giant daisy tree Scalesia. On Floreana you can see volcanic cones, small Galapagos penguins (the only penguins in the northern hemisphere) and flamingos. Fernandina may be rated as one of the most pristine islands in the world, due to the absence of introduced mammals. Here is evidence of recent black lava flows and sea lizards that feed on algae. Isabela is the largest island, made up of several large volcanoes. Rabida has red beaches and brown pelicans. On San Salvador, watch sea lions giving birth to their pups. Bartolome has Pinnacle Rock, the pointed rock that is the most photographed view of the islands. The list is endless. The true beauty of the islands has to be seen to be believed – get there whilst you still can!

This article is brought to you by Cox & Kings offering luxury holidays and tailor-made holidays to Ecuador and Galapagos.

With hype building up around the island of Cape Verde the media has focused its eye upon the archipelago just off the coast of Senegal. The islands have been dubbed the new Caribbean and you can certainly see why.  Holidays to Cape Verde have become increasingly popular over the last few years with people looking to get away to luxurious new locations.

There are a surprising number of things for tourists to do and with towering mountains terraced in greens and a volcano reaching towards the sky, you will be astounded at the amazing scenery.  There are also world class water sports on offer and vibrant festivals titillating the senses. The island appears to be a mix between the Sahara and the Canary Islands and one of the most stunning destinations in the world.

The most famous inhabitant, who certainly brought the island to the world stage, was singer Cesaria Evora. Her songs are filled with a longing for the island, which she yearns to return to. The island is certainly diverse and has every type of landscape possible on offer: from Maio’s dry flats to the lush valleys of Santo Antão.

Diving is also a huge attraction and with many shipwrecks scattered along the shore there are certainly many exciting places to explore. You can see an example of the gigantic ships scattered along the cost on Santa Maria beach. The coastline is littered with similar ships that have become stranded in the shallow waters.

Cape Verde Underwater by Dive World

There are many destinations around the world, but Cape Verde is certainly worth adding to your bucket list for a number of quirky reasons.

This post is brought to you by Holiday Hypermarket

The world is full of people who have hobbies, whether they love to crochet, spend their weekends standing on train platforms or maybe race through swirling rapids in a flimsy canoe. Many people go abroad to pursue their hobbies, whether that is to combine a holiday with their passion or to explore their interest further.  Tenerife, for example, is a great place to go bird watching and climbing.

The Canary Isles are an attractive winter destination and masses of people catch flights to Tenerife to get away from the gloomy weather back home.  This island is home to many birds, in particular the canary, hence the name. Brits have been travelling to the region for years to spot some of the exotic birds which call the island their home. Visitors in July have the best chance to spot seabirds and also butterflies, Canary Blue, Canary Speckled Wood and Indian Red Admiral among species present at that time of the year.

The island is also well known for a completely different hobby. The region, which is home to Mount Teide, is a favoured spot for many climbers, boulderers and other extreme sport fans. The island’s extreme sports persona has undergone some changes in the last few years and there has been significant investment in the routes and equipment found in the area. There are many different routes on offer, so people of minimal experience can take part in the sports on offer on the island.

There are many different activities on offer and some of them may lead to completely new interests. So why not take a break from the cooler weather and follow your hobby to the sun …

This post has been brought to you by cheapflights.co.uk

Cycling enthusiast Ken Roberts has travelled all over the world on his bike, having exciting edventures whilst raising thousands of pounds for charity.  Here he describes one of the more unusual places stay in Alaska.

If you’ve seen the 2007 film “Into the Wild”, inspired by Christopher M^cCandless’ venture into the Alaskan wilderness, or read the book by Jon Krakauer chronicling his travels, you’ll know the journey ends in an old abandoned bus. And if you hanker after a chance to share a similar, quirky experience, then make a stop with Jay and Debbie near the small Alaskan town of Tok.

I’d come across it almost by accident, a chance conversation with a fellow traveller a few hundred miles back in Anchorage. An old bus she said. Thrust a hastily scribbled note with a phone number on it. Nothing more. Intrigued. Unsure as to whether it was truly as authentic as had been portrayed. I’d seen the film and didn’t want to be disappointed.

A short break thirty or so miles back along the Tok Cut-Off, the largely empty highway through the wilderness linking the small Alaskan towns of Glennallen and Tok, had led to a pairing up with passing American long-haul cyclist, Mike from Minnesota. I’d recounted the story and agreed we’d to investigate together. There’d surely be room for two …

Tucked away amongst the trees, we fell in love with the bus at first sight. It was everything we’d imagined – or at least hoped – it would be. Jay soon appeared, quickly showing us around, including the very welcome hot showers in their nearby store. There was even a laundry.

If it differs a bit from McCandless’ bus, then it’s a couple of practical modifications. A small gas stove and electric light and a heavy bear-proof door, for Grizzlies are often found around nearby salmon streams. But, rather than detract from its rough and ready charm, these just seem to emphasise the relative remoteness and the dangers that lie outside for the unwary.

Chatting late into the night, again the next day, listening attentively to Jay’s tales of hunting in the back country, of bears in the back yard, is as much a part of the experience as stopping in the bus itself. Said he’d learnt to master his fears, not to show weakness when confronted with a Grizzly. We believed him. And we’d laughed at being told recent visitors hadn’t left until long after lunch, only to find ourselves departing less than an hour sooner.

A popular stop for cyclists, eager for a little respite from the rain, much of the interior is adorned with messages from passing riders, from as far afield as France. Some on world tours, others heading south for Argentina; all are appreciative of the hospitality shown by Jay and Debbie.

The bus can be found at Midway Service, Milepost 61, half way along the Tok Cut-Off in south eastern Alaska.  Stays are free but donations for up-keep, gas and electricity are always appreciated.

 Ken is an independent around-the-world cyclist raising funds for The Outward Bound Trust, a UK charity that helps young people realise their full potential. Find him on Facebook and Twitter @acrosscontinent follow his pedalling antics via his website Across Continents