Swap The Road Trip For A River Trip

Europe is a large, diverse continent. Unlike the US, it is comprised of dozens of different countries each with their own cultures, traditions and customs. The best way to see this beautiful region is by travelling through it. Although you will no doubt want to see its greatest cities, such as Vienna, Rome, Paris and Prague, you’ll also want to see the bits in between that make Europe so special.

Rather than hiring a car and tiring yourself out driving from A to B stopping at various places in between, hop aboard a river cruise and sit back, relax and watch the world go by in style.

River cruising is not what it once was: an elitist holiday that cost a fortune and only really appealed to wealthy, older travellers. These days, river cruising is far more accessible and a lot more affordable. OK, so it’s not the cheapest holiday you’ll ever go on, but everything is included, from the food to the entertainment and once you’ve taken into account the sheer number of places on the itinerary, a river cruise actually works out at great value for money.

River cruise is also ideal if you are looking for a romantic break. Unlike a road trip you won’t get tired, lost or even bored staring at endless miles of motorway. You can cruise along Europe’s greatest rivers, such as the romantic Rhine, in a luxury river-view suite.

Avalon Cruises has been offering Rhine River cruise for decades. It is one of the best providers of river cruise holidays on the market and its itineraries take in all the things you could possibly want to see on a Rhine River cruise.

Great Value

So why is a Rhine river cruise so romantic and great value for money? Firstly, you will cruise past some of the most remarkable, stunning landscapes in Europe. The Rhine flows all the way from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea coast of the Netherlands. You’ll pass by snow-capped mountains and gushing waterfalls; open winelands and lush green pastures; medieval castles, country mansions and prehistoric fortifications; through historic towns, cities and quaint villages and you’ll even cruise through the Rhine Gorge which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique landscape and micro-climate. Find out more about the Rhine Valley here.

Additionally, on a typical Rhine river cruise you’ll call in on some of the regions most captivating and exciting cities such as Amsterdam, Cologne, Koblenz, Mainz and Heidelberg. You’ll also wander through Germany’s Black Forest and enjoy private lectures and wine tasting tours. None of that comes with your typical European road trip!

30 Unmissable Sights, Shops, Streets And More From Australia’s Liveliest City

With cheap flights to Sydney available all over the web it’s never been easier, or more affordable (DialAFlight prices start from £646!), to get this exciting and vibrant city.  There’s no need to bore you with any more of an introduction.  This is a mission: we’ve got one of Australia’s most famous cities, three days and 30 tasks to complete. Get ready, get set…. go!

Day 1 – Outdoors

Start the morning at the Bondi Baths (1) on the cliff overlooking the city’s most famous surfer hang out. After your swim, run up to the restaurant (2) for a hearty breakfast, then down for a surf and a photo opp on the promenade (3). Then cycle over to the Spit Bridge where you can hire a kayak (4) and paddle to Balmoral Beach (5) for a stroll along the old tram track. Take lunch at the Bathers Pavilion (6) enjoying the Esplanade’s best view of the water. Kayak back over to Sydney Harbour and head to the bridge, where you can swan past the suits and instead do the BridgeClimb (7) to the top of this amazing structure. Grab corn fritters and other Aussie fare at Bill’s in Darlinghurst (8) then head to Circular Quay for sundown (9) before taking the ferry over to Cockatoo Island (10), just 8 minutes long, where you can camp for the night.

Day 2 – City Slicker

After an adventure under the stars, take the ferry back to civilization and enjoy a coffee at Quay (11). But don’t be tempted by the food, just enjoy the view – we’re heading to trendy Newtown (12). Wander through Erskenville Road to café Sophia’s (13) for French toast and a huge smoothie. Then we’ll zip back on the subway to the Sydney Fish Market (14). Devour at the Blackwattle Deli (15) and feed the pelicans (16) – and if that’s half the fight it should be, get the boat to Doyles (17) in Watson’s Bay. Then walk through Sydney Harbour National Park (18) and finish back at Darlinghurst, near Bills, with a drink at YU-Bar (19), followed by Vietnamese at Libertine (20).

Day 3 – Eclectic – Cheesy – Catch-up

Wake up with a run near Mrs Macquarie’s Chair for a stunning morning view of the Harbour (21). Breakfast at Café Morso  (22) then take a relaxed stroll down on Jones Bay Wharf (23). And then – it has to be done – a boat trip through the Harbour waterway (24), stopping off at the Opera House (25) for photos. Climb the Sydney Pylon Lookout (26), then head to Harbord for Koko’s Pizza (27). Finish up with a digestive wander through Haymarket (28) until you reach Mamak (29) – one of the city’s best, and most authentic no-frills Malaysian restaurants, and finish up with a drink in the lounge bar of the Haymarket Hotel (30).

For The First Signs of Spring

February is the month for snowdrops. If you love spring flowers, why not book a few days leave,  plan a road trip and have a whistle stop tour of some spectacular gardens? It’s a great time to visit – no crowds and heaving car parks, and the warmish weather has encouraged many plants to show their colours early. You’ll be covering a lot of ground, on foot and in your car, so ensure you have comfortable shoes, check your car insurance renewal is up to speed and head for these beautiful spaces, for a spot of early plant hunting. If you are member of the Royal Horticultural Society, it’s free entry too!

Hyde Hall – Chelmsford Essex

There is always something new going on at Hyde Hall – where you can enjoy year round colour and interest. Take at look at The Robinson Garden for specialist plants – or Clover Hill has natural planting, with great ribbons of snowdrops and crocus.

Wisely Gardens – Woking Surrey

Wisely covers a  huge site, you’ll easily spend a day here and there is so much to experience, from the giant rock gardens, to the new lakeside planting schemes bamboo forests, bluebell woods, and giant magnolia trees. There are plenty of places to enjoy a break and, of course, if it’s really chilly, you can always visit the magnificent Greenhouses, which take you through a range of climates, from temperate to hot, dry desert. Wisely has an excellent library and resource centre and regularly holds specialist lectures, art exhibitions and local events, so you could find yourself being spoilt for choice here.

Rosemoor  - North Devon

Rosemoor Garden covers about 26 acres in all – and has a wonderful woodland area, with thousands of spring bulbs and primroses. The scent is heavenly! Although significantly smaller than it’s sister garden (Wisley) it is very well laid out, and the surrounding countryside is great too – you could stop off for a trip on Exmoor National Park, or head out for the beaches of Saunton Sands or Woolacoombe, both well known surfing spots.

Caerhays Castle – St Austell Cornwall

Caerhays is stunning – with open, airy gardens, with a castle, complete with circular turret. The surrounding woodland was the work of J C Williams, a keen gardener who funded plant hunting trips to China in 19^th century. Springtime sees the gardens smothered in spring bulbs, and there is a National Plant Collection of Magnolias to view – and of course, Cornish Cream Teas are on, offer should you start to flag.

Members of the RHS can visit from Gardens from 13^th February until June.

You could test your stamina and do all four gardens in five days, or better still, pick a couple to visit and take a leisurely look at the countryside as you drive along the way – you’ve got the rest of the year to pick up speed!

Top Mobile Apps for the Big Apple

With the modern age fusing together with our everyday lives, there is now a Smartphone application for just about anything. Going to any new destination is an exciting experience, but what if you are visiting a country that does not speak your language, or you simply do not want to walk around with an awkward guide book that advertises yourself as a tourist. Knowledge is king and when you can download local travel information, into the palm of your hand, within a matter of seconds, it got me thinking. What are the best mobile applications for those who want to tour around New York City? All applications mentioned here can either be downloaded for Android or Apple operating systems.

NYC Way – Everything NYC

Rated has one of the Top 5 Travel Apps, this powerhouse of an application is a must for anyone even thinking of going to New York. It packs in over 60 applications from street vendors, nightlife, tourist attractions, subway stations, the garbage collection schedule, to everything in between. But the best thing about this app, is that it is 100% free.

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

New York Subway Map

As essential as any app could be when travelling around NYC, you need to know where you are going and how to get there. This application can be completely customized between your daily life of work and social engagements. Touch the stations tabs or follow them on the map, you always have the most up-to-date information with this app.

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

NY Times – The Scoop NYC

Want to know what events are going, which restaurant to try out and where to have a coffee or even plan a day trip. Then this regularly update application from The New York Times is the perfect app for planning your time in New York. One feature I really like about this application is that Sam Sifton, restaurant critic, has shared his 50 favourite restaurants and bars!

Languages: English. Category: Travel. Price: Free.

MoMA – The Museum of Modern Art

If you are like me, then trying to understand modern art on my own is a pointless effort, I need someone or in this case, something to explain it to me. Cue the arrival of the MoMA app that provides you with an audio guide and gives you information on one of the world’s finest collection of modern and contemporary art.

Languages: English. Category: Education. Price: Free.

Explorar – The American Museum of Natural History

This app comes loaded with exhibit tours and has the option to create a custom tour, plus if you get lost in a maze of history, you can use the built in GPS to locate your position. With its built-in navigation, you have precise directions to any exhibit you want, and at the same time it gives you a complete overview of the history.

Languages: English. Category: Education. Price: Free.

The article was written by Steven, a travel writer & blogger for Nycvacationrentalsonline.com, providers of over 350 New York holiday apartments for rent.

Beach Life in Sunny Florida

If the cold winter days make you dream of sun, why not take a trip to ‘the sunshine state’ of Florida and enjoy balmy temperatures and sunny weather, perfect for soaking up some beach action. Florida is home to many of the most beautiful and famous beaches in the world, with clear ocean waters and exciting wildlife. If you fancy the idea of a tropical Florida holiday take a pick from one of these five top beaches and get started on topping up your tan and hitting the waves:

Key West

Located just off the mainland of Florida, Key West is one of Florida’s most beautiful areas, with plenty of beaches that are perfect for snorkelling, kayaking, biking, fishing or just kicking back and soaking up the sun. There are numerous coral reefs and wrecks to explore and fantastic fresh, local seafood on offer at the local eateries.  For a secluded day try paying a visit to South Beach, with its shallow waters and concrete pier. If you prefer to have amenities on hand, try Higg’s Beach with its great facilities, wide sandy beach and long wooden pier.

Clearwater Beach

Home to immaculate white sand, clear seas and a variety of watersports and entertainment options, beautiful Clearwater Beach is a popular, family-friendly beach on the west coast of Florida. It holds a well-deserved reputation as one of America’s best beaches, perhaps due to its location along a narrow, three mile Peninsula, surrounded on one side by the Gulf of Mexico and peaceful Tampa Bay to the east. The town’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium is also located nearby, so consider popping in to pay a visit to Winter the dolphin, star of recent movie ‘Dolphin Tale’.

Daytona

This world famous 23-mile long sandy, white beach is hugely popular with car and beach lovers alike, thanks to its history of motorsports, with the old Daytona Beach Road Course having hosted races for over 50 years. If you’ve dreamed of driving on this iconic stretch of beach, the hard-packed sand means that cars are still permitted on an 18 mile stretch from sunrise to sunset. There are fireworks displays and live music in Daytona every Saturday night throughout summer.

Fort Lauderdale

The beautiful, clean beaches of Fort Lauderdale offer something for everyone, whether you’re on your own, in a couple or visiting as a family. There are long stretches of sand, warm tropical water, showers, picnic tables and plenty of great fishing, sailing and watersports on offer. Enjoy spending your day on the beach and eat at some of the great local restaurants by the water in the evening. Parking can be tough to find, but the area is known as the “Venice of America” because of its extensive canal system of more than 300 miles of navigable inland waterways that stretch all the way south to Miami. The Fort Lauderdale Sun Trolly is a fun and great value way to get to and from the beach each day.

South Beach, Miami

No trip to Florida would be complete without paying a visit to iconic Miami and South Beach offers many fantastic opportunities for people watching, eating, drinking, shopping, sunbathing, body surfing and plenty of great nightlife for partying into the small hours. The waters here are warm and the beaches are safe and clean. South Beach stretches for miles, with beautiful art deco architecture, colourful lifeguard towers and plenty of beautiful people strolling along the boardwalk, swimming and topping up their tans.

Getting to Florida

Organising a trip to Florida is easier than you’d think, and lowcostholidays.com offers a range of great value holidays to Florida, with flights and accommodation packages to suit every budget and taste.

Vienna – For The Finer Things In Life

Vienna is a beautiful place to visit throughout the year and there is a plethora of different events and sights.  Here is a short list of some favourites places to see and things to do to whet your appetite. With plenty of flights available you’ll be enjoying the high life within a few hours of touch down!

Best Of The Ballrooms

Finally, it wouldn’t be right to visit Vienna without enjoying one of it famous formal dances.  The Vienna Medical Doctor’s Ball takes place in the absolutely jaw-dropping ballrooms of the Hofburg.  Just the building alone make its worth visiting – the decoration and architecture are second to none.  The ball raises money for a variety of good causes – a ticket is usually 100 Euro’s per person – steep but worth it!  However, if you are lucky enough to be a student and can prove it -  then you should be able to get a ticket for 35 Euro’s. It takes place on the 28^th January and has a strict black tie dresscode. If you are lucky enough to get a ticket remember your camera   to record the night – stunning surroundings, an excuse to dress up, fine food and drink.

Burggarten Vienna

Enjoy a meal with a difference at Palmenhaus.  This is set in the flower-strewn Burggarten which lays in Vienna’s Innere Stadt.    Here you will be able to take in views of the Imperial Palace through amazing glass walls.  Take a slow stroll around the grounds and enjoy unbelievable surroundings of palm trees and exotic plants while dining on some fantastic Austrian cuisine.

Palmenhaus is open from March until December and opening times and prices vary according to the day and season so always make enquiries ahead to avoid disappointment.

Vienna Dragon Boat Racing

If you like to take in a good competitive sport then the Dragonboat Cup is great to watch.  It happens across various dates in June and of course, it’s completely free of charge to watch.  Alternatively, anyone can enter, so if you have a team, you can pay 990 Euro’s to enter and compete to win the coveted Trophy Cup and a  cash prize.  This is a great competition to watch, with teams battling it out racing across Austria’s lakes at unbelievable speeds.  Its a buzzy atmosphere, with supporters dressing up and vendors selling refreshments as well as plenty of entertainment and music to all add to the feel-good factor.

Free Opera

Finally, if you prefer a cultural experience, then Opera Live On The Square takes place in May in Herbert Von Karajan Square.  All public transport leads here, so it’s a bargain night out!  This event is free of charge and allows you to watch open-air screen performances of  opera performances.  Bring a picnic, sit under the stars and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere and performances. The shows are shown on selected days throughout May with a daytime showing at 4pm and an evening showing at 8pm. What more could you want? It doesn’t have to be expensive at all, and with a cheap flight to kick the whole thing off – you won’t be returning to an empty piggy bank either!

Bali For A Paradise Adventure

Bali is a paradise island. Lush rice terraces, temples, rain forests and beautiful coast line, draw in visitors who want to experience adventure, culture and relaxation on a grand scale. Balinese people are friendly and helpful – always ready to lend a hand to travellers going off road! Check out the cheap flights to Bali, and get planning for the trip of a lifetime!

Hiking Boots On

The Mountain Village of Kintamani can be found 1400 meters above sea level and from the top there are superb views of the landscape. If you love caves, take a trip to Goa Gajah, and see intricately carved  Elephant Cave, chipped out of the rock in the 11^th century,  alternatively, Gunung Kawi has tombs carved out the rock face of the gorge found on the Pakerisan River. To view them, be prepared for a nail biting descent through the greenery – cameras at the ready!

Village Life

Celuk Village is the home of Bali’s chief silver and goldsmith workers. Celuk jewellery is intricate and delicate and almost everyone in Celuk is involved one way or another, in the design, creation or selling of balinese jewellery. Ubud Village is  the place for budding artists and has a thriving dance and music scene. You can take traditional music and dance classes here, and they run everything from Kecak, Legong, and Ramayana Ballet – these dance styles are theatrical, intricate and physical challenging. Ubud is about 300 metres above sea level, so it’s cooler climate is great for getting active.

Wildlife

Batubulan is home to The Taman Burung Bird Park is perfect for bird lovers – there are over 250 exotic bird species living here from all over the world. The gardens are magnificent, brimming with tropical plants, water features and a Rain Forest aviary. The café here also encourages visitors to interact with some of the tamer creatures, so you can enjoy a drink with a feathered friend on your chair!

Hire a bike and undertake the Kintamani Volcano tour – the route takes you through secluded villages for an authentic view of Balinese life. Or visit Bedugal, where you can go into the tropical mountain rainforest. Bedugal is a superb spot for photographers – fabulous plants and wildlife surrounds you, but if you fancy seeing some major wildlife, then visit the Bali Elephant Camp, near the old village Carangsari. It’s also close to the Sangeh Monkey Forest – a winner with children! Pala Trees are found here – very rare on Bali, and there is an ancient moss covered Temple to be discovered, where the monkeys lounge in the heat of the day.

Beaches, Rivers and Dolphins

Jimbaran village is located south of the airport in the Teluk Jimbaran Bay. It’s a well known beach spot, but nearby Kute,  retains it’s traditions of night fishing and religious ceremonies – this has been their way of life for centuries.

If you really want to test your nerve, take to the boiling waters of The Ayung River, which is the major river in Bali. Aim for the West side where you can see monkeys, magpies, and swooping bats.

Tanjung Benoa and Sanur coastal resorts have plenty of opportunity for strenuous activity – jet ski-ing and of course, Parasailing, offering up fantastic views of the shore line and greenery beyond. If you like the water, but prefer a more relaxed approach, book a seat on a Dolphin Tour – and enjoy a close encounter with these magical creatures.

Bali has it all, beach life, the great outdoors, culture, fabulous food, history and fun. It’s a holiday for the senses – and this stunning place will make you want to come back again and again. And with cheap flights – it’s possible!

Five Things You Must See in Egypt

Egypt could well be the dream destination of choice for a great many travellers. It’s literally teeming with history, nature, and human culture. It also happens to be one of the most accessible travel destinations in the Arab world. But with so much to see in Egypt, where do you begin? Here are five must-see places to help you get going:

Alexandria

Founded by Alexander the Great in 331 BC, the coastal city of Alexandria is the second largest city in Egypt. It’s also a wonderful place to explore at your leisure, assuming you don’t forget to check out the historic Gumrok, Anfushi, and Ras el-Tin districts. Alexandria has a different feel from the rest of Egypt, and you may find it more Mediterranean than Middle Eastern. The best times to visit are during the spring and fall when temperatures hover around 70 degrees Fahrenheit and the city isn’t swamped with summer vacationers.

Mount Sinai

If you can manage the three-hour trek to Sinai’s summit, you’ll enjoy great views of the Egyptian desert. Pilgrims from different religions frequently visit Mt. Sinai, but you don’t have to be religious to enjoy the scenery. To get there, catch one of the daily buses leaving the Sinai International Bus Terminal in Abbasiya, a suburb of Cairo. It’s approximately 430 km from Cairo to the site.

Sharm el-Sheikh

If you love the beach, it doesn’t get much better than Sharm el-Sheikh. Located near the tip of the Sinai peninsula, Egypt’s famous beach resort offers some of the best Red Sea snorkelling and diving opportunities in the whole country. Every season is tourist season here. You’ll see very quickly why Sharm el-Sheikh makes just about everyone’s “best beaches in the Middle East” list.

Valley of the Kings

Although the most famous tomb at this site is that of King Tutankhamun, the Valley of the Kings is where many pharaohs were interred. Vandals and grave robbers removed most of the artifacts centuries ago, but the tombs still display elaborate wall paintings. Nestled between two hills on the west bank of the Nile, the Valley of the Kings is one of Egypt’s most famous historical sites. While visiting, make sure you have a chance to visit the city of Luxor (once known as Thebes), which has been called the world’s largest open air museum due to the temple ruins that still stand within it.

The Giza Necropolis

Perhaps the most iconic site on this list, the pyramids at Giza are within driving distance of Cairo and make a great day trip if you’re staying in the city. While you’re welcome to enter the pyramids, beware if you’re claustrophobic as it’s a tight squeeze and the climbs can be very steep. It can also get very hot inside, so be sure to pack a bottle of water for the trip. Don’t forget to see the other famous structure while you’re visiting the site – the Great Sphinx. You won’t be allowed to touch the sphinx, but you’ll be close enough to take as many pictures as you like.

Adriano Comegna writes on behalf of Thomson holidays, a leading travel operator specialising in Egypt holidays and many others.

Travel Insurance – Better To Be Safe

Travel insurance is a must, especially if you are planning on setting off on a mini adventure any time soon. But finding the perfect travel insurance to suit all of your needs and, of course your budget, can be a daunting task.

Why Bother?

There are many providers that can be found both online and in a variety of stores.  Some banks will also offer to upgrade your classic account to a premium account for a small monthly fee.  This monthly fee will entitle you to travel insurance, mobile phone insurance and breakdown cover. A variety of mishaps can occur whilst away: you may be caught up in the excitement of the trip and leave a bag somewhere.  If this bag contains important documents and all your travel money, your trip will  take a turn for the worst – and depending on which country you are, working your way through support systems, language barriers, and legal requirements can be a real headache.

Medical Attention Costs Abroad

Most people have experienced a tumble or worse on a holiday – if its bad enough to require medical attention, you will have to pay for the medical teams time, use of equipment and follow up drugs. Antibiotics on Prescription in the UK may be affordable – but a weeks antibiotics in USA can set you back over $150.00!  If you require any medical assistance on your trip and you don’t have travel insurance, medical help can be exorbitant.

Another scenario – what what you do if your chosen airline went out of business?  Without insurance you will run the risk of losing the ticket’s value.  Some people have to cancel their trip completely -  as they may not be able to afford the cost of another ticket. Travel insurance will help you partially or fully to meet the cost of another plane ticket – and your holiday can go ahead.

You might recall the massive airflight disruption after a Volcano erupted in the northern hemisphere!

If you have been planning an exotic getaway for quite some time you might have looked at cheap annual travel insurance so it may have crossed your mind too, that tropical countries are at the forefront of extreme weather!  Floods, monsoons, hurricanes, tornados or tsunamis – you might recall the massive airflight disruption in recent years, after a Volcano erupted in the northern hemisphere too. All of these factors will prevent you from making this trip and without insurance, you will still have to pay for it!

It may seem like a big price to pay at the time, but without it, you may end up paying a lot more for that long awaited holiday.

A Few of The Top 45 Places To Visit List

Which are the best places to go in 2012? It is a question which travel writers at the New York Times have obviously given serious consideration to. In January 2012, the hip US paper came up with a list of 45 must-visit places. London came 4th, Vienna came twenty fourth and the Algarve twenty ninth – no huge surprises there. But the inclusion of countries such as Tanzania and Uganda might have raised more eyebrows – though not among the travellers who have experienced the delights of these off-the-beaten-path nations.

African Safari specialists Safari Consultants can organise tailor-made holidays in both these countries. But what makes a Tanzania or Uganda safari holiday such a good idea? Read on to find out…

Tanzania

The New York Times notes that “for the last couple of years the number of tourists going to Tanzania has been edging up” – a trend which meant that the country was listed as the seventh best place to visit in 2012. The newspaper’s travel writer Gisela Williams mentions that this East African nations appeals to the same intrepid safari travellers who love the sights of Kenya.

Ms Williams points to the opening of new safari reserves and upscale camps as evidence that “the country’s tourist infrastructure is becoming more sophisticated, perhaps even catching up to Kenya’s”.

Mount Kilimanjaro is mentioned in the profile of Tanzania. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and the path to its summit has been well-trodden by tourists. Ngorongoro Crater is less well-known; a situation which might well change now that its  had a bit of recent publicity. The crater was formed when a giant volcano exploded and collapsed millions of years ago – it’s about 2,000 feet below sea level and its floor has a diameter of 16km.

Safari Consultants’ website advises that the Crater should be visited “at least once in one’s life”; some Maasai people are lucky enough to visit the crater each day as they are now allowed to take their cattle inside the crater to graze. It is not just cattle, Maasai farmers and tourists who can be found inside the crater – Ngorongoro’s size helps it accommodate thousands of different animals including the ‘big five’ game of lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino.

There is so much to see in Tanzania.  Travellers embarking on a Serengeti safari are able to witness the scene of the famous annual animal migration which involves around 2 million wildebeest, 500,000 Thompson gazelles and 250,000 zebra.

Uganda

Winston Churchill called Uganda “the Pearl of Africa”. The country has had its fair share of problems over the years, however, the country’s natural beauty – stunning green valleys, vast lakes, towering mountains and cool temperatures – makes it a must for lovers of exotic travel experiences.

And then there is the wildlife. Half of the world’s last-remaining mountain gorillas can be found in Uganda’s forests.  Uganda is an up-and-coming tourist destination, partly because access to seeing these rare creatures is becoming easier.  Two gorilla families were recently added to the groups the Uganda Wildlife Authority lets tourists track in Bwindi Impenetrable Forest.

Elsewhere in the forest, at Sanctuary Gorilla Forest Camp, Batwa Pygmy tribes’ people are sharing their history and culture with tourists. Even if you don’t want to get an up-close sighting of a gorilla there are plenty of other fantastic places to see in Uganda.  For instance, the snow-capped Mountains of the Moon mountain range in Rwenzori Mountains National Park is a superb area for trekking. Uganda really does offer some out-of-this-world holiday experiences.