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The plane in from Queenstown is spectacular, but the drive from Te Anau is easily its equal. The books say allow two hours for the 120km drive but to be honest, give yourself three and enjoy the spectacular journey. Best place to view keas (alpine parrots) is at the entrance to the Homer Tunnel.
Cycling is becoming a way of transport more than a sport in many countries but not in Spain. Anyway, in Europe there are thousans of wonderful places for cycling and here, in Spain too. If you want to spend a day in your bike and, at the same time, enjoy the summer days near the coast, do not doubt to try the following route in Pontevedra, Spain.
It is a route from the regal noble town of Cambados to the island of Arousa.
The route starts in Cambados, a town full of history and magnificent architecture. In this town, it outstands the Pazo de Fefiñáns. The route is along the coast, with a fantastic view of the beautiful and quiet Atlantic Ocean. The next stop is the Illa de Aoursa, the biggest island of Galicia. It is joined to the land by a bridge. In this island, there are remains of old civilizations that recall us it was an isolated island. It is a paradise island because it is not very exploited and there are almost 80 wild beaches and some of them with Blue FLag. You must know this island is rich in fauna and flora, and it is the perfect place to enjoy the different species of birds.
If you’re driving around north Devon, then you can easily be crossing Exmoor without realising it. It’s a National Park that extends from the Lynton and Lynmouth coastline to the Quantock hills of Somerset and features some of the most beautiful and dramatic landscapes in England.
It offers some spectacular walks and is home to a huge range of wildlife, not least its very own Exmoor pony.
North Devon
www.visit-exmoor.info/
Hydra is a great place to visit if you like taking photographs. You would think that the entire island had been deliberately set up for the perfect photo shoot. You just can't go wrong. The colours, quaintness, odd little corners, the donkeys (there aren't any cars) and the reflections are gorgeous and that's just in the port!
I love going up the hills to get the best sunsets especially in the spring when there's still enough cloud about to make them interesting. And inland there are hundreds of pretty chapels normally stranded in the middle of a field that just beg to be snapped. Come with plenty of extra memory and batteries - you'll need them for sure.
One of the Greek Saronic Islands, 1.5 hours SW out of Piraeus, hugging the Peloponnese coastline.
Fly into www.AIA.gr
Take a taxi or the Express bus to Piraeus
Cross to the island with www.dolphins.gr or www.euroseas.com
And for comprehensive island information visit www.hydradirect.com
Lovely rustic restaurant at the top of the hill above Korcula. Good food and wine plus breathtaking views.
Restaurant Grubinjac
Zrnovo
Island of Korcula
Croatia
Tel: 00 385 20 711 410
web: www.korculainfo.com/restaurants/restaurant-grubinjac-zrnovo-korcula.htm
A true circular tour, only 100m duplicated, along the Spree and a canal. The tour continues through the very centre of Berlin, under bridges so low you have to duck on the top deck, up and down in locks,and and re-crossing the line of the Wall. Commentary is in German only, but you don't need it.
Starts from Schloss Charlottenberg. About 1/2m walk from Opera U-bahn station.
The old Islamic quarter, known as Darb al-Ahmar, is great for a stroll through markets and stalls that feel like they haven't changed in five hundred years. Restoration work has been carried out on a series of mosques in this area which are architecturally stunning. I was lucky enough to be given an impromptu tour at night around one of them/ The open roof revealed the stars. The Nile Hilton, not far from the Egyptian Museum (which is a must) has a rooftop bar which is definitely worth a visit for a drink overlooking the Nile at sunset. You don't have to be a hotel guest - just get in the lift and head to the top. One drink might be enough for some as it is not cheap but definitely worth the view.
Nile Hilton, 1113 Corniche El Nil, Cairo 12344.
Tel : 00 20 2 578 0444/ or 578 0666.
www.hilton.com
This festival rocks. Who couldn't resist the lure of an enchanting landscape and one of the best line-ups I’ve seen in years? I’ll definitely be back. No other festival can quite compete with its wicked, friendly crowd, beautiful views and lovely weather (how did they manage that in Scotland?)
The Isle of Skye is the most northerly island of the Inner Hebrides.
www.skyemusicfestival.co.uk.
Leh is a truly beautiful and exceptional place. Don't be put off by its isolation from the rest of India. You can make a two-day road trip at the right time of year or a flight from Delhi gets you there in an hour. Since the road was still blocked with snow I was forced to choose the latter option.
Flying so low over the Himalayas is breathtaking enough but it's arriving at an altitude of 3,500m that gives your lungs the real workout. No matter how much you want to get out into this stunning landscape you must rest if you fly in. And I’m not talking about a few hours kip - you may need several days of relative inactivity before you start to feel acclimatised.
If you are looking to make a trekking trip wait until your body is feeling ready. Don’t book it too early and find yourself not ready - you may well pay a penalty fee. On the other hand if you book a trek and feel obliged to go ahead when you’re not ready you may well put yourself in danger. Remember that you are likely to go higher than Leh when you walk so even if you are starting to feel fine going up further too quickly could well cause problems.
Leh is in Ladakh at the top of the India near the Tibetan border.
Fantastic views at sunset. Head upstairs to the roof and order 2 for 1 cocktails that come to 3 US dollars for 2 drinks. Watch the street kids harass the tourists, lots of fun... then don't forget to order heaps of spring rolls to give to the kids when you leave.
On the corner of the bar street, one block from the old market.
Go to the Museum absorb some modern Czech Art & Culture, then if the sun is shining eat at Restaurant belonging to the museum, The Sovovy Mlyny. Sit on the terrace, have a long leisurely lunch. Enjoy beautiful views of The Vltava and Charles Bridge. Listen to the Wier. Don’t let the cold put you off. They bring blankets!
www.museumkampa.cz/ Sovovy Mlyny Restaurant U Sovovych Mlynu 2 Mala Strana, Prague 1 Czech Republic.
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