The One-Horned Rhinos of Kaziranga National Park.

This Unesco World Heritage Site is set in spectacular scenery and is professionally run, without any fuss. Please believe the hype and take an elephant safari. It's a humbling experience to ride these stoical and patient relics from prehistory. You'll see plenty of rhinos as you pass through the elephant grass swampland, and if you're very lucky you may see some of the fifteen species of India's most threatened mammals. We saw wild elephants, several dear species and fantastic birds, but you could see fish eagles, hornbills, King Cobras, tigers, bears, leopards, or more.

We stayed in pristine huts with new kids on the block, the Nature Hunt Eco Camp. Superb.

www.worldheritagekaziranga.com
naturehunttours.com
Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve
Bokakhat – 785 612
Golaghat
Assam, India
Telephone: +91-3776-268095
Google map: bit.ly/z8MT8D

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Luxury and class in every detail - Hotel Belfast stands out not in its size but charm and elegance. It's a 3-star hotel, but deserves more as far as quality and service are concerned. And what about the location? It's right at the Arc de Triomphe, only a few meters. Best of all, there is a view on it and there is also a little balcony.

The room we had was comfortable and elegant. Only the upper rooms have a balcony, and it is worth that little extra. There is lift, so that shouldn't be a problem. It was great to have a coffee in the morning out on the balcony and a late night drink. It's a busy area, but traffic noise didn't bother us at night.

The receptionists were attentive and friendly, they gave valuable advice. We had a great time and we were happy with everything. Even the rate was very reasonable, you get value for your money.

Website: www.hotelbelfastparis.com/

10 avenue Carnot Paris 75017

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Ok, so I know it's hardly original but this place holds a very special place in my heart. Having accepted that, although having been with my partner for a long time, we weren't destined to be married as it didn't seem to be something he wanted, I was absolutely stunned when he went down on one knee whilst visiting the Eiffel Tower and proposed to me. I actually thought he'd dropped something when he bent down and started to look around to see what it was he'd lost. We returned to the City of love and lights for our first anniversary but circumstances haven't allowed for a return visit since. But I live in hope. If you have the chance, just go!

Address of the Eiffel Tower:
5 avenue Anatole France
Quai Branly 75007 Paris
France
Tel: 33 01 44 11 23 23

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There is the most spectacular view from this amazing hilltop area which looks down into the lush valley. Springtime with the flowers is breathtaking. We sat on grass and meditated! Wonderful area for photography.

www.ringofkerrytourism.com/ring-of-kerry-attractions.html
Google map: bit.ly/xUBPNy

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On our first trip to New York, my boyfriend and I decided to blow the budget on a yellow cab from the airport. The driver said he normally took the tunnel, but that he would take the bridge so we could get our first view of the skyline as we crossed he Hudson. It was perfect. Manhattan glittered in the sunshine against a bright blue sky, as magical as I had always hoped it would be. I grabbed my boyfriend’s hand and saw that he was feeling the same, and I swear I could hear Gershwin. One view that definitely should be shared, and that I will never forget.

www.iloveny.com/
Google map: bit.ly/yLa0OM

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North Seoul Tower (Namsan Tower to some) is one of Korea's most popular tourist destinations and with good reason. The views from the tower observatory are quite stunning; every direction you look shows you a different section of the Seoul metropolis, always contrasted by a mountainous backdrop.
When visiting, you can walk up Namsan Mountain, get a bus, or take a cable car. My recommendation is to get the cable car up and enjoy a leisurely stroll down the mountain on your return. A daytime trip will give you a better view of the surrounding mountains, but visit between 7pm and midnight to see the tower light up in glorious illumination. There are a handful of restaurants at the tower, including a burger bar and the expensive N Grill, which slowly revolves and offers romantic panoramic views of the city as you eat. Booking a table for the latter is a must.
Tickets for the tower itself range from 3,000 to 7000 won. The cable car itself costs 4,800 one-way or 6,000 for a return ticket.

www.nseoultower.co.kr/
+82-2-3455-9277
Google map: bit.ly/w7V7aI

A 10-15 minute walk (or a cheap taxi), take Subway Line 4 to Myeongdong Station and leave via exit 3. Take the wide road next to the convenience store and walk straight to the left of the Pacific Hotel. Keep going and you will soon find yourself at the cable car platform. Purchase a ticket on the 3rd floor of the building.

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Tenerife was created a while ago when molten rock squirted out of a rather weak part of the earth's crust, not too far from Africa. The whole island is a complete field trip: a real trip. The result of a sustained bout of volcanic activity, Teide is the highest mountain in Spain. Altitude sickness permitting, a vigorous, somewhat vertical stroll from sunrise to sunset will take you to the peak at 3715 metres and back, past craters and vents, across awesome pahoehoe and to Teide's eggs, surreal volcanic bombs twice the size of your rental car. The view from the peak is as wide as your mind. The little fluffy clouds are under your feet and you can tell that the world is yours. You can just see the beach but it is far, far away.

There's an international airport on one of the lava fields, levelled appropriately.
Google map: bit.ly/AdAQa8

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For stunning views right across Cambridge, head to Castle Street just north of the city centre. Halfway up the hill you'll see the Castle pub (well worth a visit on it's own) and just past this there's a turning to the city council offices. Take the turning, then immediately to your right you'll see the mound and the path up to it. Enjoy views right across Cambridge and the surrounding areas.

Castle Hill‎, Castle Street, Cambridge
Google map: bit.ly/zAcwr6

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Ingwansan is a 338 metres tall mountain located in the heart of Seoul. A short walk away from the nearest subway station, a brief 15 minute hike will see you encountering Buddhist temples, citywide vistas and a shamanist shrine to boot.
Be sure to pick up some kimbap (김밥 in Korean script) from one of the many small restaurants nearby to devour as a snack upon reaching the summit. Made of white rice and various other ingredients, wrapped together in dried laver seaweed, a kimbap is the perfect reward after a short and sharp climb.
Oh, and don't be surprised if you're offered a soju pick-me-up by one of Korea's numerous elderly hikers!

From Dongnimmum Subway station (Line 3), leave through Exit 2 and take an immediate left. Follow the winding road and you will, after 2-3 minutes walking, come across some steps on the right handside. Climb the steps and you'll find yourself at Ingwansan.
Google map: bit.ly/ziF6hT

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Currently spending a year in Buenos Aires, as the new year kicked in I decided to explore. My curiosity led me to the north-west province of Córdoba, home to many of the Argentine clichés, and being a similar if not slightly less hectic version of Buenos Aires, my attention was drawn to the surrounding areas.
This is where I discovered Capilla del Monte, a couple of hours drive to the north. This place is like nowhere I have ever been, nor ever will! On the surface it could be the Peak District (despite the 40 degree January sun), but as soon as the nature of the town captured me, I realised that there was something quite different going on here. And nature is the right word; the town is immensely eco-friendly and its people on the whole are rather spiritual. With the Cerro Uritorco acting as a back drop, this particular mountain is a focal point for the lifestyle of the townspeople.
Firstly I found a bed in a hostel. I was greeted by the smell of incense and a group of very relaxed travellers lying on the floor reading books on the development of the soul. On top of the hostel was a very prominent glass dome, in case of alien contact. This is the point in which I remembered seeing this town on the news last November. In recognition of the 11th November 2011 (11.11.11) at 11.11am (11.11.11.11.11) there was a pilgrimage to the Cerro Uritorco, where thousands of people attempted a huge spiritual connection in the expectation of a greater force making itself present at this exact moment. In fact, later that day I came across three travellers from Buenos Aires going around in a beautiful old VW, who had arrived on the 11.11.11 and had stayed there ever since.
And so, with this as an introduction, the atmosphere of the town seemed to fit this entirely. With many healing places, health food shops and almost all the hotels including the word 'natural' in some way, this place was unique.
What had initially drawn me to the town was the countryside around it, so the next day I went for a stroll by the river. This in fact turned into a seven hour hike up the Cerro Uritorco, which claims (and is fully believed) to be home to an energetic epicentre serving as a portal to the first intergalactic cosmic communication centre on Earth. Now there's something you don't get in the Peak District. The presence of aliens in the region is completely believed and accepted, and many sightings have been reported.
Spending a few days in this town certainly made me leave with a sense of wonderment - perhaps due to the amazement of such a strong sense of belief and spirituality, or perhaps due to my own resulting questions of the cosmos! This place is one of a kind, and everybody is most welcome here. Forming a part of my entire Latin America journey so far, this has been one of the highlights, and was certainly an interesting start to 2012!

www.capilladelmonte.com.ar/
Accessible from Cordoba mini-bus station (mercado sur), through the company Sarmiento. Journey costs around 30-40 pesos and takes 2-3 hours.
Google map: bit.ly/wR1yIp

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When all that you want in life is a tasty paratha and a strong sweet chai to propel you along on your rented bicycle, you realise you must be on the right track. Once a capital city of ancient kings, Orchha is now a tiny village bursting with architectural gems of palaces and temples. Take time out to explore the quietly magnificent sights, breath in the pure rural air, and just let your mind wander with you. We only have so much time to stop and stare, so make sure you take some time out for yourself in such a mesmerising place. Who knows where your thoughts could take you.

Google map: bit.ly/wGiSar

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Found 15kms outside Munnar, Eravikulam was declared a sanctuary in 1975 and upgraded in 1978 to a national park, in part due to its unique flora and fauna. We went at the wrong time to see the enigmatic Neelakurunji, a plant which produces its carpet of blue flowers every 12 years (go there in 2014 for the next viewing) but we did see the fabulously rare Nilgiri Tahr, the only species of Caprine ungulate (look that up in your Funk and Wagnall’s) found south of the Himalayas. There are around 2,500 left of this friendly wild mountain goat in the world, ensuring its place among the status of ‘endangered’ in the WWF list of rare animals.
We arrived at the park excited at the prospect of seeing rare goats. In addition to nature’s gifts, it is home to Anamudi (2690m), the highest peak in India south of the Himalayas. We were not allowed to walk up the mountain path, so along with everyone else ascended the foothills aboard the park bus. We jumped off with about 40 domestic tourists at the high entrance point. We were not allowed to deviate from the path. We were told to keep quiet so as not to upset the wildlife. We could not pass go. Fair enough.
Accompanied by families of screaming children scrambling in the undergrowth, shouting groups of men and chattering women in bejewelled thong sandles and saris, we tried to pretend we were at one with nature. A Nilgiri Tahr crossed the carefully designated pathway in front of us ignoring the noise: the 25 species of other mammals, 132 species of birds, 101 species of butterflies and 19 species of amphibians recorded in the Park kept their distance. An abrupt end to the path made it clear we would not be allowed any further, ending our dream of a decent shot at climbing the highest peak in southern India.
A little disappointedly we returned down the hill-path, trying to find a moment of tranquility among the tourist madness. Anyone who has visited India will know this is never an easy task. We gave up at the bus drop-off point, and, in a last ditch effort to find some serenity in the beautiful surroundings, decided to walk back to the bottom. Fat chance. A guard shooed us back up the hill and we joined a heaving bus of tourists back to the park entrance.
Oh well, we saw the goats.

Idukki, Forest Information Centre, Wildlife Warden's Office, Munnar PO, Kerala 685 612, India
+91 4865 231 587
Google map: bit.ly/xjyUeq

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The immense Kymer temple complex of Angkor Wat has been cited by many as being the world's "8th wonder"- with good reason.
It's vastness and grandeur envelops you from the moment you exit the canopy of the long, straight road from Siem Reap and you can't help but feel you've stepped far back into a magical time.
This magnificent sensation was enhanced when I decided to hire a bicycle and set off at 4am from Siem Reap to reach the temple while it was dark dark. It was incredible being able to sit back and watch the entire sunrise unfold with the temple's silhouette slowly coming into view, hearing only the flutter of dragonflies hovering over the pond in front of me.

Google map: bit.ly/AaogXn

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Since July 2002 until the present day I have just about circumnavigated the planet on voyage with Semester at Sea, a program, currently operated from the University of Virginia and the institute for Shipboard Education (ISE).
Semester at Sea is not your typical 'cruise.' It is a living voyage and lifelong learning experience. The voyages have taken me to the now serene shipyards in Gdansk to the top of Mount Vesuvius and onward to the Mekong Delta and the wonders of Southeast Asia,
Our ship, the MV Explorer, is a floating university that can accommodate up to 600 students, staff - like my professor wife - and people like me, a life long learner. Once you sail on it, the MV Explorer will always be 'OUR ship,' to you too. Yes, OUR ship has a pool and a fabulous lounge, but you see quickly what else you can be doing, like studying political science of Southeast Asia, Asian Puppetry, World War II history, or comparative religions. Surrounded by young people, many of whom are seeing the rest of the world for the first time.
It's not the cheapest holiday compared with other much less interesting long cruises. I have been fortunate enough to be a bag carrier on these voyages for my wife who teaches aboard. Our ultimate goal is to pay the full fare so neither of us has to work and we can both sit in on as many classes as possible while exploring the delights of our planet.

www.semesteratsea.com,
www.ise.com

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I think everyone in the world should visit the French island of Réunion in the Indian Ocean, and specifically the volcanic craters in the middle of the island. Most tourism seems to have been attracted to Réunion's more beachy neighbour, Maruitius, so the island is largely unspoiled and, thanks to the fact that the entire island was recently named a UNESCO World Heritage site, likely to stay that way. Geologically very young and hosting two volcanoes (one live and one dormant) it's full not only of idyllic beaches but also of fairytale craggy peaks and deep valleys. Piton de la Neige, the dormant volcano, is surrounded by three craters (called cirques) that are all big enough to house several villages and each breath-taking in their own way. The Crique de Cilaos is accessible by bus from the town of St Louis, which climbs over the edge of the crater and down inside. The road includes over 250 hairpin bends, so just making it to the town is life-affirming. Being surrounded by the walls of the crater induces a realisation of the small and transitory nature of human existence that is calming and refreshing. The local residents help this along - what's important here is enjoying nature, whether it's through canyoning through rivers and waterfalls, hiking to high peaks, or just sitting back and taking in the view. We stayed in the family-run 'Claire de Lune' guest house, which has a dormitory for large groups and offers fabulous traditional Creole meals cooked by the owner's mother. I came back refreshed and with a renewed sense of both the awesomeness of the natural world and the important role each of us plays in it.

Catch the bus from the St Louis bus station on the south side of the island, which take about an hour and a half.
Clair de la Lune:
10, rue Winceslas Rivière 97413 Cilaos
+33(0)262 31 88 03

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A journey through the hidden beauties of the Russian and Mongolian countryside, witness the harsh lives of smugglers and vagrants, taste simple cuisine, listen to stories around you from the rich and poor alike, yet create your own tale as you travel through a compelling experience.

www.trans-siberian.co.uk

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Monte Alban is less well known than many other pre-Colombian sites in Mexico but it is in a spectacular location on top of a levelled-off ridge at the point where three valleys meet, just outside of Oaxaca city. Views from every vantage point are magnificent, with forest-clad mountains seeming to stretch infinitely towards Guatemala and beyond.
Mexico was the first stop on a world trip my wife and I did a few years ago and this location was significant to me as it was the first time I had been overwhelmed by the sheer vastness of nature. The feeling of eternity among the ruins with the stunning Sierra Madre backdrop made me feel insignificant. However I was surprised at how comforting this actually was. Truly awe-inspiring.

Monte Alban, Oaxaca: whc.unesco.org/en/list/415
Google map: bit.ly/xSvwSe

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Great food market located in the centre of Cork city. Open as a market from 1788 and still thriving. When the British Queen visited Ireland in 2011, the English market was one of the places on her itinerary.
Quite a range here from exotic fruits, vegetables, artisan breads, handmade chocolates, fish and meat. Additionally there are numerous cafes in which you can take a pit stop.

www.corkenglishmarket.ie/
Princes Street, Cork, Co. Cork, Ireland
+353 86 175 6296
Google map: bit.ly/Akggt0

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While most people opt for the Trans-Siberian from Moscow to Beijing, traveling east to west on the lesser known The Baikal-Amur Mainline or BAM route takes you through some of the least visited towns in the world. The lack of foreign visitors means you are treated like a 'celebrity' by your carriage companions who want to hear all about daily life in your country. This trainline passes through Severobaikalsk at the Northern tip of the magnificent Lake Baikal. A fascinating and unique trip.

eng.rzd.ru/isvp/public/rzdeng?STRUCTURE_ID=88

www.sbaikal.ru/eng/region/town.html

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The church of Saint Samaan is beautiful and any visit to it will be a moving one. The huge cave that holds the church has been carved out of the Moqattam hills that overlook Cairo on the eastern edge of the city.
Moqattam is home to a large Coptic Christian community who collect the city’s rubbish and sort it by hand for recycling. There are various charity projects running in the area to help this marginalised community make a fair living. The Association for the Protection of the Environment (APE) is one of them, and they can organise visits into the area to see the church and their workshops where they produce recycled paper and cloth goods.

www.garbagedreams.com/
www.ape.org.eg/
cavechurch.com/home/index.asp

* Alip is our Been there local for Cairo. Her page is here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/articles/cairo-local-alice-allsop.jsp and you can follow her tips directly here: www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/travellers/alip

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