If you’re prone to carsickness, a trip to Australia’s Jenolan Caves may not be for you. The road leading into the Jenolan Caves is a winding, up, down, narrow jumble of twists and turns that can leave even the calmest passenger feeling a bit nauseated. Travelling into the valley with just a sliver of pavement to follow and a sudden drop on my left side, I wasn’t sure whether to hide my head in the backseat or press my face to the window so I could take in the gorgeous view of the Blue Mountains region below me. The Jenolan Caves are a mere three hours from Sydney, but they feel a million miles away. Heading inland, away from the breezy coast and into the ...
Nestled in the French Alps near the borders with Switzerland and Italy, Chamonix Mont Blanc is probably the most famous destination in Europe for skiing. It’s not hard to see why – this beautiful area has a host of scenic peaks plus a wide range of slopes. From beginner slopes to longer tracts including free-ride and off-piste, there’s something to suit all levels. The town’s three ski areas are: Brévent/Flégère, which has south-facing slopes with amazing views of the Mont Blanc peaks; the Grands Montets, high altitude slopes facing to the north; and the Balme area, wide open slopes atop Chamonix valley next to Switzerland. There’s also a sister resort at the other end of the valley called les Houches. If you’re an absolute beginner, ...
When traveling in Belgium, you can't just ask for "a beer", doing so will only produce a lager of some sort that can be found practically anywhere in the world. Belgium is home to many unique beers including abbey beer, lambic beer, and trappist beer, who derive their distinct taste from ancient brewing traditions. It is said that you can taste a Belgian beer everyday for a year, and still leave some brews untouched. With such deep history and selection, the best way to learn about Belgian beer is the equivalent of a pub crawl through Brussels, Bruges and Antwerp. To taste a new and exciting beer in Belgium you can go pretty much anywhere. Even convenience stores have hundreds of different kinds. A great ...
Exploring one of the world's most walkable cities can be tough on the appetite, but it doesn't have to be tough on your wallet. Avoiding the overpriced, touristy restaurants that populate Manhattan and checking out some of NYC's cheap eats instead can be a great excuse to see parts of the city that aren't on your sightseeing map. Got a dollar? You can get a slice of pizza (with one cent left over) at 2 Bros. Pizza in Greenwich Village. (601 Sixth Avenue, New York NY 10011) The line can look dauntingly long at times, but the experienced staff keep it moving, and you're never waiting long before you've got a piping hot slice in your hand. Although New York City is known for it's ...
Las Pozas, which means “The Pools,” is an eccentric and surreal sculpture garden high in the rain forest outside Xilitla, Mexico. English poet and artist Edward James built Las Pozas because he “wanted a Garden of Eden set up,” and what he found on a visit to Los Angeles in the 1940s wasn’t to his liking. Instead, “Mexico was far more romantic,” he explained, and there was “far more room than there (was) in crowded Southern California.” In the lush mountains seven hours north of Mexico City, and about 2,000 feet (610 meters) above sea level, Las Pozas sits on 80 acres (320,000 meters2) that Edward James chose as the ideal location for his Eden. Prior to building the Las Pozas gardens, James planted orchids, ...
The Niagara escarpment dips down into rolling vineyards and finally into Lake Ontario – a “bench shape” that is both beautiful to look at and fundamental to the growing conditions that allow Beamsville to produce great wines. With eight wineries in walking distance and a scattering of wineries not too much further away, wine connoisseurs and travellers will have a wealth of diversions here for day trips or a holiday weekend. The Beamsville Bench wine tour route is connected to the Bruce Trail, Canada's oldest and longest hiking trail, which runs along Niagara's escarpment, an official UNESCO biosphere reserve. It is amazing how many people end up at a restaurant or winery in Niagara's wine country, having never heard of it before they saw the ...
When you first arrive at Gullfoss (translated as the “Golden Falls”), you’ll wonder what all the fuss is about. You approach from the top, down river from where the falls drop off, and as you draw nearer, it looks like a small, albeit pretty, waterfall. You’ll probably think it seems a bit disappointing to be the most famous waterfall in Iceland, but then as you walk closer, you’ll suddenly realize that the falling water just… disappears. That is, until you step closer still and the ground abruptly opens in front of you, leaving you peering down at a thunderous rush of water and a very steep, very narrow, very startling drop. Gullfoss waterfall is on the Hvítá river, and is part of the famous Golden ...
It's hard to imagine the time and effort that goes into planning an event like the Kentucky Derby, for it to only last two minutes. One of the greatest sports events in the world, the main event culminates in an energetic horse race that is often described as "the greatest two minutes in sports." With its first run in 1875, the Kentucky Derby in Louisville Kentucky is one of the oldest horse races in the world. What started then as a simple horse race among the best breeds in the world, has now grown into one of the largest festivals in the U.S. The festivities go much further than just the race, with the opening event of the Kentucky Derby Festival occuring a few weeks ...
It's the most anticipated event of the year for the rodeo fans. A short window of time where locals and visitors alike forget the hubbub of everyday life, don their cowboy boots, and hoedown. The entire city of Calgary shuts down for one of Canada’s greatest events, the Calgary Stampede. Traditionally known for its preservation of “western heritage and values”, the 10-day event has developed into the “Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”. For more than a century, Calgary Stampede Park has been home to an epic rodeo. So grab your boots, hat and cowboy chaps and prepare to have the time of your life. To kick off the festival, check out the Calgary Stampede Parade. Held on the first day of Stampede, it heralds the ...
What better symbol for mountainous and volcanic Japan, than an active volcano climbed by 200,000 people annually? Mount Fuji, which last erupted in 1707-1708 is a holy site for many Japanese people. The first part of an ancient Japanese saying tells one, "A wise man climbs Mount Fuji once in their life," and there is really no excuse to be unwise since Mount Fuji is only two hours from Tokyo by bus. Mount Fuji is visible from a distance, and for postcard perfect pictures, you should take them in the towns around the mountain before the mountain looms over you. Before climbing Mount Fuji, you need to decide if you want to climb from the base, or from the halfway-point (as most Japanese do). The ...
