american world traveler winter 2014-15 issue

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Come With Us & See The World! Spain Istanbul China Cruising Section Asia North America Europe Africa Oceania South America Indonesia India The Bahamas Peru New Zealand Nebraska Already 12 Years! A m e r i c a n Winter/Spring 2015 Featuring Uganda (traditional dancer at the source of the nile) T raveler W O R L D

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Page 1: American World Traveler Winter 2014-15 issue

C o m e W i t h U s & S e e T h e W o r l d !

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Already12Years!

A m e r i c a n

Winter/Spring 2015

Featuring

U g a n d a( t r a d i t i o n a l d a n c e r a t t h e s o u r c e o f t h e n i l e )

Traveler

W O R L D

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Published by

American World

Traveler

Tel.: (514) 667-2293www.americanworldtraveler.com

Email: [email protected]

Publisher Michael MorcosEditor-in-chief Greg JamesContributing Editor Dave CoxGraphic Artist Al CheongAdvertising Leo SantiniMarketing Tania TassoneDistribution Royce DillonContributors:Habeeb Salloum, Susan Campbell,Irene S. Levine, Rohit Agarwal,Jennifer Merrick, Liz Bruckner,Ruth Atherley, and A. M. Macloughlin

Front Cover Photo by Michael Morcos:Jinja, Uganda

Disclaimer: American World Traveler has madeevery effort to verify that the information provided inthis publication is as accurate as possible. However,we accept no responsibility for any loss, injury, orinconvenience sustained by anyone resulting fromthe information contained herein nor for any infor-mation provided by our advertisers.

Welcome to

American World Traveler

In this issue we start our world-wideodyssey in Uganda, The Perfect AfricanDestination. We then jet of to Europe,

first to the magnificent worldly city ofIstanbul and then to bask in Spain’s Basquecountry.

In Asia we travel to get a Hunan High inChina, find paradise in Lombok, Indonesiaand explore the wonderful historic monu-ments in New Delhi, India. While so faraway from home, we then head downunderto find the many ways to get around NewZealand.

In the Americas we discover the Perubeyond Machu Picchu. We then find our-selves savouring the delicious side of theGrand Bahamas before going to Nebraskato find the gateway to the American west.Finally, in our Cruise section we kick-backwith cruises, first with Holland America inthe Caribbean and then with Oceania inthe Mediterranean Sea. Happy travels!

NO-JET-LAGTM

Tel.: 514-933-3302 - Fax : 514-933-8311Toll-free : 1-888-359-9355 - Email : [email protected]

Why spend days recovering when you can take thishomeopathic remedy during the flight and feelfresher upon arrival at your destination. 32 tablets

in each packet - sufficient for 45 hours flying time.

www.nojetlag.com

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A W T

C o n t e n t s

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36

G r a n d B a h a m a s

S a v o u r i n g t h e

Uganda

The Perfect African Destination

S p a i n

B a s q u e - i n g i n t h e S pa n i s h S u n

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C r u i s i n gs e c t i o n

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Nebraska

D o o r t o t h e A m e r i c a n W e s t

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Indonesia

Paradise Found on the Islands of Lombok

and Gili Trawangan

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C h i n a

H u n a n H i g h

I s t a n b u l

A Magnificent Jewel in the World of Travel

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I n d i a

Five H i stor i c Monuments In New Delh i

P e r u

B e y o n d M a c h u P i c c h u

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The Many Ways to Get Around

N e w Z e a l a n d

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The Perfect Afr i c an Dest inat i on

by Michael Morcos

U g a n d a

Sir Winston Churchill calledUganda the ‘Pearl of Africa’ andafter a two week trip I knew he

was dead on right! It is not often that I haveseen such wonderful diversity in all in onecountry. Let’s just call it now the unhiddenPearl of Africa.

Compelling Kampala

A dynamic and engaging city, Kampalahas several worthy attractions to keep youbusy for a few days. This capital haschanged considerably, once a battered cityin the 1980s, it is now a forward city.From a looted mess to a thriving, modern

city and it’s streets are thronging withshoppers, hawkers, and the startlinglypacked bus and taxi parks you’ll ever see.

Over Nakasero Hill you will findKampala’s most expensive hotels as theurban centre fades into something of agarden city. This is where you’ll findembassies, government buildings, man-sions, and some high-end restaurants andbars, popular with expats. Kampala has avibrant night life for those who like danc-ing late into the night.

We stayed at the Speke resort, known asUganda’s best hotel complex, and is a

destination on its own. Luxury accommo-dations, on a lake with a privet beach onLake Victoria, a marina, horses, conven-tion centre and lush tropical gardens. Thehuge compound is impressive, diverse andbreathtakingly beautiful, with several parksand green areas to enjoy. Aside from aprivate pool and access to a shared mag-nificent Olympic size pool between Spekeand Commonwealth resorts, there is alakeside private beach and marina.Activities include horseback riding andwalks though tropical gardens. Rooms area fair size, well decorated, spotlessly cleanand gave us a great view on to LakeVictoria.

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American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

Kyaninga Lodge

Our adventure started on our way toQueen Elizabeth Park, with a stop atKyaninga Lodge for lunch. With the stun-ning Lake Kyaninga and the legendaryMountains of the Moon as a backdrop,Kyaninga Lodge is the spectacular result ofone man’s vision. When Steve Williamsfirst saw the lake on his way to visit thegorillas, there was nothing except unspoiltnatural beauty. Six years and over a thou-sand hand-carved logs later, the stunningvistas remain, and thanks to Steve’sachievements, visitors can gaze off the rimof an ancient crater lake thousands of

miles from anywhere. The lodge offerscomfortable seating areas set around ahuge fireplace where one can enjoy acozy evening with a good book or a drink.But the restaurant has delicious meals thatcan compete with the stunning views onboth sides. Two raised galleries providecomfy spaces for couples who want toenjoy the panorama in a more private set-ting.

Basket weaving artistes

After lunch we headed out for Rubona tolearn about basket weaving and colouringwith the Rubona Basket Weavers

Association (RUBAWA). The associa-tion includes a group of 200 welltrained and dedicated basketweavers. They use naturally dyed raffia tohelp create baskets of all sizes, which arethen sold locally and internationally. A fas-cinating group, the fully self-sustainableproject also offers grass-dyeing workshopswhere visitors who are interested to learnmore are shown around the project prem-ises on a guided tour.

Mweya Safari Lodge

The Mweya Safari Lodge, located on apeninsula within the heart of the QueenElizabeth National Park, is an unforget-table experience, with wild animals walk-ing by and even a Leopard that lived in atree above the rooms! We enjoyed every-thing this lodge had to offer and the loca-tion was perfect. Perched on top of a fin-ger of land overlooking the amazingKazinga Channel, it is a priceless view.The rooms were nice but the park offersso much that you won`t be spending toomuch time in them.

The restaurant served some of the besttasting dishes from our trip in Uganda.We decided to eat outside on the veranda,with an amazing setting enhanced by thescenery and were thrilled to have beenthere for barbecue night that included tra-ditional dancers for entertainment. Thiswas an occasion to remember.

A safari – Giraffes ahead!

The Queen Elizabeth National Park is asgood as any safari can get. We went forthe early morning game drive. The floorof the Rift Valley teems with wildlife andnature. It is not only one of the treasuresof the continent; it is a gift to the worldand a wonder to behold. I was a little sur-prised to find out that guests can drivetheir own vehicles through the park with aranger guide hired from the UgandaWildlife Authority!

We chose the game drive using MweyaSafari Lodge’s vehicles and their knowl-

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edgeable drivers. We were up at the crackof dawn, as we were explained that theearly morning game drive is the mostrewarding. We did take a moment to havea tea and coffee in the Lodge’s receptionarea before we started.

Wildlife on the North Kazinga plains clos-est to the Lodge includes elephant, buffa-lo, lion, leopard, waterbuck, bushbuckand warthog. And the Kasenyi sector onthe east side is best known for the lionspreying on the large population ofUganda Kob that live in this area. Whatan amazing thing it is to see these mag-nificent animals in person and in their nat-ural habitats. I particularly enjoyed thegiraffes. Great day spent in the safety of aLand Rover!

Breakfast in the Wild

We packed a breakfast to enjoy in the inthe wild, and were fortunate enough tomeet up with some locals who had artsand crafts for sale. I even bought a wood-en mask that is now in my family roomwith others in my collection!

We also had the opportunity to visit theactual exact point of the equator for aphoto op. As a fun experiment, our guidesenjoyed pointing out how water will drainclockwise or counter clockwise dependingon which hemisphere we stood within!Very interesting and quite peculiar.

More beauty and amazement was waitingfor us along Crater Lake Drive, whoseincredible vistas from high above cratersclearly showed the vastness of this country.A charming, old-fashioned boat offered us

our final ride of the day. We had a leisure-ly float on Lake Edward to the edge of theDemocratic Republic of Congo, where wewere treated to a big herd of Hippos inthe water and many buffalos drinking onthe shoreline.

The Rujiha Lodge and

Gorilla trekking.

The Rujiha Lodge was very rustic, withelectricity provided by a generator thatwas turned off at 10pm. With no heating,and as we were high up the mountains bythis point, it was pretty cold at night. Wedid not notice too much, as the wonderfuldrive getting there, with terrace style farmson hill sides and the mountainous terrainwas breathtaking.

Nature walk

With our guides, a walk to the Ruhijaridge offered a clear view of the deep val-ley and its undisturbed rain forest. A fur-ther climb and through the bamboo zonewe found panoramic views of both LakeBunyonyi and the Mafuga forest.

What stays with you

Mountain gorilla tracking in the BwindiImpenetrable National Park is certainlysomething that will stay with me. As muchas this was a great trip as a whole, Gorillatrekking was the highlight. After all, it isone of the main attractions in Ugandaand a big draw for tourists. It was just like in the movies!

Our guide was steadily cutting a trail

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American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

through tropical forest with a machete.These Park Rangers were fantastic, point-ing out the flora and fauna – tree species,flowers, different lizards and mammals –until they found a family of Gorillas. It wasa moment to remember. I had adult goril-las walk right by me! If they were nervousof humans, it did not show, as they werenot giving us much attention and werevery much at ease. An encounter withthese rare and gentle creatures isUganda's most famous tourism attractionand a remarkable and exclusive wildlifeexperience. Truly moving!

Bird Nest Hotel

A slower pace was waiting for us at theBird Nest Hotel, as well as a deliciousassortment of food and mellow activities.Our room had a wonderful view of LakeBunyonyi, and I was so inspired that Iasked for a chance to go canoeing in atraditional wooden dugout canoe. It wasvery calm and very peaceful, plus it offeredme a look into the daily lives of the locals.

Ngamba Island Chimpanzee

Sanctuary

Our next stop was pretty amazing as well,as we went by high speed boat on LakeVictoria to an Ngamba island to aChimpanzee sanctuary. The ride was exhil-arating and the captain enjoyed speed!

The sanctuary is surrounded by LakeVictoria and is home to 48 orphanedchimpanzees rescued from throughoutUganda. There are facilities that offer bothday and overnight visitors an exceptionalopportunity to observe and interact with

these fascinating human cousins.Chimpanzee Sanctuary and WildlifeConservation Trust (CSWCT), an NGO, isresponsible for all aspects of the sanctuaryat Ngamba Island and are committed toconservation. It shows, as the animalsseemed quite happy and content.

UWEC Zoo

Just as fascinating as Gorilla hikes andChimpanzees, this wildlife sanctuary playsan important role in educating tourist andlocals about the animal kingdom and ourplace within it. It is home to many differentanimals, including elephants, giraffes andbirds. The biggest attractions however, arethe two rare white rhinos. Although consid-ered an ‘at risk’ species, efforts of coun-tries like Uganda are helping them torecover.

“Egypt is the Nile, the

Nile Egypt”

Nice quote, but we were able to visit thesource of the Nile itself, in Jinja. JohnHanning Speke was the first European tofind the exact place where the Nile starts.We found it a bit easier, as the boat ride tosee it was fun, and the sign indicating‘source of the Nile’ was quite obvious.

Our last treat was a magnificent Ugandanband and dancers in traditional costumes.We were also granted the chance to partic-ipate in tree planting with locals. A won-derful way to say farewell to spectacularUganda, the ‘Pearl of Africa’!

www.visituganda.com

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B a s q u e - i n g i n t h e b y M i c h a e l M o r c o s

Flying into Basque country, a per-son cannot help but be impressedby the variations in both architec-

ture and countryside. Vineyards blend intofields of fresh produce, and country villagesneighbour cities whose buildings reflectboth the old world and the new.

Or trip included 3 cities in Basque countryVitoria-Gasteiz, San Sabastien and Bilbao.

The streets of Vitoria-Gasteiz are filledwith Mediterranean staples. Sandycoloured houses with clay tile roofing,

food vendors and smiles on many atourist face. Although the city has manybeaches, the historical landmarks arewhat makes the city really stand out, start-ing with the Marques de Riscal Winery inRioja-Alavesa. Just outside Vitoria, thiswinery is one of the oldest Rioja wineries.Founded in 1858, it has been a referencein the winemaking business at bothnational and international level. Since thattime, the winery has expanded its groundsto welcome guests to a fact and fun filledvisit.

We were offered several wines for tastingand a tour of the grounds. In the center ofthe Marqués de Riscal wine cellars, a mas-sive project named the City Of Wine hasbeen created. Canadian architect FrankO. Gehry has given shape to the cellars’spirit by blending innovation and traditioninto a single building. Using the mostmodern materials available, the City ofWine is one of the most ambitious projectsever undertaken in Spanish wine cellars todate. Within the walls lies the oldest of thecellars of Marqués de Riscal, dating from1858, as well as its later 1883 extension.

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American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

S p a n i s h S u n

Surrounded by extensive vineyards, theinstallations preserve the extraordinarycharm of the vineyard’s origins, and withthe addition of a luxury hotel, combinedwith the rich beauty of the landscape andthe other installations, Marqués de Riscaloffers an unmatchable experience to visi-tors.

Rising majestically from the old city, theCathedral of Santa María’s regal spiresare a reminder of the gothic style of thelate 13th century and all throughout the14th century. Originally conceived as a

church-fortress, it was a vital part of thecity's defences, though from 1496 thebuilding operated as a collegiate churchuntil it was declared a cathedral in 1861.

As a travel destination, it is a must see.The Santa Maria Cathedral Foundation,which manages guided tours, is also incharge of the restoration works happening– a fascinating and complex project.Watching the architects, archaeologists,stonemasons, and builders work on theartistic masterpieces of this 13th-centurysanctuary, is a lesson in detail!

The facade's monumental sculpturesare amazing artistic creations, withthe western portico being a truemasterpiece divided into three portals: thecentral one consecrated to the Virgin, theleft one dedicated to San Gil and the rightone to the Final Judgement and SaintJames, absolutely breathtaking!

Known primarily as the tourist destinationin Spain, San Sabastien was our next stop.Instead of the beach, though, we weretreated to a tour of a sardine and macker-el canning facility in Getaria, a fishing vil-lage, to get a feel for the one of the localindustries.

Though there is a pungent odor for sure,the process we were witness to is some-thing to behold!

San Sebastien is filled with history andthere is something interesting to do, see orwatch in every corner of this lovely city.

We embarked on a guided visit of theBalenciaga Museum, definitely a one-of akind experience. The museum is located inGetaria, a small town about 25 KM westof San Sebastian, and is dedicated to thefamed revolutionary French designerCristobal Balenciaga. I had never beforebeen to a museum dedicated to ”HauteCouture” museum . Even if you don't knowwho he is or don't care much about HauteCouture, it is worth the visit, as the build-ing is a wonderful structure in itself andlarger than expected with great views overthe old town.

Next came one of my favorite experiences,the tour of the Old Part of the City, famousfor its restaurants. Before the trip, I hadbeen told that “You've got to try the pintx-os, Basque food is the best in Spain!"Basque pintxos (the Basque word for pin-chos, which is another name for 'tapas')are like tapas, but better. The Spanish aretypically very proud of their own regionand rarely complement their neighbours,but even people from Andalusia andMadrid had to admit that Basque pintxoswere best in Spain. And they were right.

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Our tour of the Parte Vieja (Old Town),filled with bars and Cider houses, andoffering generous amounts of mouthwatering pintxos. Later on, we enjoyed atraditional dinner of cod omelette, friedcod with green peppers, steak, cheesewith apple jelly and walnuts and cider. Atasty end to ful-‘filling’ day! Luckily, the next day started with a way toburn off some of that deliciousness, as wewere offered lessons in the "the fastestsport in the world", Jai alai. Consideringthat the sport once held the world recordfor ball speed, with a 140 g ball coveredwith goatskin that traveled at 302 km/h(188 mph), the title is deserved! The sportconsists of a ball bounced off a walledspace by accelerating it to high speedswith a hand-held basket-like device(cesta). Upon learning, I am proud to saythat I became quite the player, and theStar of our little team!

Bilbao is the capital of the province ofBiscay in the autonomous community ofthe Basque Country and is one of themost populous metropolitan areas innorthern Spain. Filled with history, our firstlesson was offered during our visit to theVizcaya Bridge (Bizkaiko Zubia in Basque),a UNESCO World Heritage structure andit is the oldest river crossing bridge . In afew words, this amazing red masterpieceperfectly combines beauty, aesthetics andfunctionality.

The Vizcaya Hanging Bridge is one of themost outstanding constructions from theEuropean Industrial Revolution and was amarvelous innovation in the known meansof transportation. It is a must –see sightfor anyone interested in the history of ironworks and bridges. A sort of "shuttle"hangs from the structure and it transportscars, bikes and people from one side ofthe river to the other by lifting it withcables and wires. If you don't suffer fromvertigo, don't miss this experience. Justtake the lift to the top level , then walkand cross the river on the footbridge andsee the Cantabrico sea and the river.

The highlight of the city was a guided tourof the Guggenheim Museum. Located in a

beautiful area, the location and exterior ofthe building are wonderful, unique andideal for picture taking! The area can be awhole day family experience, with walk-ways, cycle paths, children’s play park andmore.

The outdoor sculptures are also quiteamazing, Jeff Koons Flower Puppy andTulips, and silver balls by Kapoor, and theinside of the building is also really interest-ing, architecturally. Inside the museum, thehuge spaces are meant to impress. Thegalleries on the second and third floor aretruly amazing. The third floor’s collection,although not very numerous, is top quality,with some very important works from someof the most important names in modernart. If you are new to modern art, just getthe audio guide because their collectionsare really world class.

Fortunately we were staying in a centralarea and the Carlton Hotel is walking dis-tance to most the museums and the OldTown. As one of the oldest hotels in the cityit is grandiose and high ceilinged, andprobably has the largest hotel rooms I'vestayed in. if you want a chic boutique stylehotel then this is not for you, the Carletonis old-school and classic. The staff wascourteous and proud of their Hotel, andour stay was very comfortable.

Stepping out the doors of the hotel, wehad a walk around the Old Part of the city.The area is probably the most colorful partof Bilbao, and has many shops and tav-erns, several historical churches and largefood markets and is connected to the restof the city by subway, tramway and buses.

We ended our tour with a lovely dinner atthe Mina restaurant which has oneMichelin star. We had the 10 course supperand loved most of the creative dishes.Highlights were the lemon grass mussels,coconut soup and the Mackerel. The serv-ice was excellent, friendly and very knowl-edgeable, and a sommelier did an excel-lent job pairing the wine. The atmosphereis very relaxed and the perfect place to endour vacation with style!

Visit: www.spain.info/en_CA/

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I s t a n b u l

A Magnificent Jewel in the World of Travel

by Habeeb Salloum

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Istanbul, long a bridge between East andWest, is a historic and thriving Turkishmetropolis of spice markets, bazaars,

mosques, mosaics, tasty kebabs and imperi-al grandeur. It is a city of untold attributesand one of the greatest urban centres on theglobe. For travellers, there are only a fewcities in the world that can offer more for vis-itors. From imperial palaces to spectacularbazaars, historic structures, its ImperialCuisine and much more, it is a magnificentjewel in the world of travel.

Long coveted by powerful empires, Istanbul,built on seven hills, is the only city in theworld that straddles two continents, Asia andEurope, giving it a vital strategic location.Spanned by a bridge, the city stretchesalong the two shores of the Bosphorus thatlinks the Sea of Marmara to the Black Sea.Turkey's largest urban centre with a popula-tion of approximately 12 million, Istanbul isfull of history and culture and boasts a high-ly original personality, acquired from beinga Byzantine, then Ottoman imperial capitalfor some 1,700 years.

Today, Istanbul, though no longer a worldmetropolis, is still one of the most vibrantand magical places in Europe and theMiddle East. It is also at the heart of Turkeyand its bustling commercial and economiccapital. In addition, it is also the home of artand culture, and offers a rich tradition inballet, opera, theatre, concerts, art exhibi-tions and festivals, and is, as well, a city dot-ted with unique museums. Yet, it has notbecome a static museum-city, but rather verymuch a living city, incorporating myth andmagic.

Exploring the city, visitors will find at everyturn Roman, Byzantine and Ottomanpalaces, mosques, churches, monasteries,monuments, old markets and ruins.Istanbul's centuries of empire have left anextraordinary legacy of structures from everyperiod of its history.

However, with its subtle blend of eastern andwestern cultures, Istanbul is not a city livingonly on its historic glory. It is a vibrant, mod-ern and future-oriented metropolis thatblends the past with the present and the

future like an intricately woven carpet.

Bazaars edge ultra-modern supermarketsand department stores; street vendors andold crumbling buildings, are overshadowedby spectacular skyscrapers; and horse-drawn carts are dwarfed by sumptuous lim-ousines. Needle-like minarets reach theskyline wherever one looks and muezzins, atdawn, call the faithful to prayer, just as thelast revellers stumble out of the city's night-clubs. This coexistence of old and new givesthe city life and colour and a multi-facetedoutlook and flavour - a world of 21st centu-ry oriental splendour.

Istanbul’s unique geographical position, hasgiven the city an unmistakably cosmopolitanatmosphere, incorporating charm and histo-ry. Even though its traffic jams and air pol-lution, as well as its modern high-rise build-ings lack the grace and appeal of its cele-brated landmarks, they are proof that thecity remains the heart of the country and athriving modern city in which ancientpalaces and belly dancers have their place.Stunning buildings from its past with their

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street scenes are everywhere. When visitorsset foot outside almost any of the hotels in ornear the old city called Sultanahmet, theywalk into a world of the ancient past.Vendors pushing teetering handcartsthrough narrow streets, men puffing onwater-pipes in outdoor cafes while they sipglasses of sweet tea are overshadowed byvenerable structures displaying their majesty.

For travellers, especially tourists, the mostvisited of these structures are: Hagia Sophia(Aya Sofya), one of the greatest Byzantinebuildings in the world and famous for itsremarkable architecture and beautifulmosaics; the Sultan Ahmet Camii (BlueMosque), noted for its tiers of magnificentdomes and graceful minarets; the magnifi-cent Topkapi Sarayi (Topkapi Palace), asprawling collection of striking buildingsarranged around a number of interconnect-ing courtyards; and the amazing KapaliÇarsi (Grand Bazaar), incorporating 4,000small exotic shops.

The Aya Sofya, a historic landmark ofIstanbul, which in 1934 was declared amuseum, is one of the city’s most popularattractions. A massive domed structure witha vast interior and a huge soaring dome, itwas built as a cathedral in the 6th centuryand remained the most important church inChristianity for over 900 years. After theOttomans captured Constantinople in the15th century it was converted it into amosque. Minarets and fountains wereadded and it functioned as a mosque for thenext 481 years. The interior is filled withstunning mosaics and the dome glows fromthe light of 30 million gold tiles - an unfor-gettable sight. Today it is a museum and atourist mecca.

Still used for prayer by the faithful, the BlueMosque, with its six graceful minarets pierc-ing the city’s skyline, is one of the mostimpressive structures in Istanbul. Erected in1609 as an Islamic rival to the Aya Sophia,it is one of the finest examples of Ottomanarchitecture. Its design of successivelydescending smaller domes, soaringcolumns and 260 stained glass windows, aswell as the thousands of blue tiles coveringthe interior, give visitors a lasting impressionof graceful accord and overall majesty.

The Topkapi Palace, built by Mehmet II, ismagnificently located offering an uninter-rupted view of the Bosphorous and theGolden Horn. The seat of the OttomanEmpire for four centuries, it served as royalresidence, harem, state administration cen-tre and military barracks. Exquisitelydesigned rooms, intricately detailed foun-tains, ornate gardens, and the splendidTreasury, housing one of the greatest collec-tions of riches in the world make it a world-

renowned historic storehouse.

For many travellers, equally important as thehistoric structures is the 500-year- oldGrand Bazaar, the oldest and largest cov-ered marketplace in the world. Located inthe city centre and consisting of a vast net-work of 65 winding alleyways crammed withshops, storehouses, teahouses, hammams(Turkish baths), mosques and fountains, it isthe place that attracts the most tourists inIstanbul. Here, one can find almost every-thing under the sun - from household items,oriental carpets and jewellery, to Turkishsweets, rich textiles, spices, clothing, exqui-site ceramics and much, much more.

In this city of history, diversity works.The eternal contradictions betweenEast and West and their legacy giveIstanbul enticement, vibrancy and a world ofcolour and romance. This is reflected clear-ly in its food - a cuisine with a Byzantine andOttoman regal past.

When, after a few days of touring the his-toric sites, visitors sit down to dine on a fineTurkish meal, it can be said that they havefelt Istanbul and tasted a bit of the renownedTurkish Imperial cuisine in this jewel oftourist attractive cities.

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H u n a n ( n a t u r e , h i s t o r y , c u lt

by Michael Morcos

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C h i

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u r e , c u i s i n e ) H i g h

n a

American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

It is said that the way to a man’sheart is through his stomach;well, then I must say my heart belongs

to Hunan!

Eating to your hearts content is but oneaspect of this fascinating and mysteriousregion of China. For hiking lovers, this isa choice destination, and you can besure to enjoy a good meal after a longday in the Yellow Dragon caves or climb-ing the mountains of the BajiaozhaiScenic Area.

Throughout the trip, Hunan was a pleas-ure of culinary delights! The incrediblevariety of food found is quite extraordi-nary. Nearly anything you can think ofcan be found, and ordered spicy, includ-ing plenty of all sorts of meats and veg-etables. Our visit happened to coincidewith the annual crayfish catch. Ouradventure started in Shaoyang.

Bajiaozhai Scenic Area

We arrived at the Bajiaozhai Scenic Area,also known as Eight Horns Village, andare greeted by a large sign stating:“1,777 stairs to reach the summit.” Mylegs were hurting already!

The chair lift up was broken the day wevisited. It ended up being a mixed bless-ing, as although it was long, hard steepclimb along wooden stair, there werevery few tourists and by day’s end wehad the mountain to ourselves. Climbingthese mountains is an adventure. Somewalk ways clung to the side of the cliff.There where areas where it was very nar-row that we had to turn side ways topass through. I felt like Indiana Jones,trying to find Shangri-La. The snakingstairs take us into the clouds the viewsare spectacular. From the summit I seeeight mountain tops clustered together.Truly a spectacular site and worth everystep up!

Many poets have written about this areaand I understand why. The temple on themountain is like a scene from a movie.The monks tending the grounds arecourteous and friendly. It was quite calm-ing and was the highlight of my day.Both the scenery and monks at the tem-ple created a very mystical experience forall visitors.

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Pepper Peak Scenic Area

Pepper Peak Scenic Area was very mysticalEven though the day was foggy and thelong hard climb on paved paths had tiredme out, the view was absolutely amazing.The landscape is very unique and lookslike it belongs on another planet. Peaks ofmountains shrouded in fog, greens of allshades from dark to light. The mist makesthe air feel damp and cool, and an auraof peacefulness envelopes in this remoteplace.

Tianyi Alley

Tianyi Lane, meaning “the most marvelouslane in the world”, is one of the narrowestlanes in the world. Bordered on both sidesby huge stone walls formed by mountains,this wall-like structure that runs over 225meters is a naturally occurring and isabout 80 to 120 meters tall. It is an oddlythrilling experience to walk through andquite unique, and I have not seen the likeelsewhere in the world. It is really baf-fling and every step is challenging.Walking through the dark lane is a won-derful experience and is highly recom-mended.

Zhangjiajie National

Forest Park and Mount

Tianzi

Our 2- day long trip here was filled withamazing discoveries, and it is such a love-ly place! But I will tell that this place is notfor the weak of mind or body. It is anuphill climb up literally thousands of stairsand though today we took a cable carthat will take you all or most of the way tothe summits. It's truly magnificent, andwhen we were there it was rainy andcloudy, but it just made the experiencemore intense. These mountains, or sand-stone pillars, looked like they were floatingin the clouds and my photos can attest toit. To make things even more surreal,some women visitors dressed up in rentedcostumes and dressed as locals for somepictures. We got lucky as the next day was

bright and sunny, giving us a new view onthese out-of this world vistas. One oddity?This area is very popular with tourists andthere is even a McDonalds!

Baofeng Lake and Yellow

Dragon Cave

The next day we continued our adventureon Baofeng Lake. This lake is very high inthe mountain with a cascading water fallfrom high above. With clear blue skies,the lake and mountains ridges are veryphotogenic. There are many natural for-mations and many creatures to keep aneye out for. We enjoyed a long boat ridethat was both relaxing and splendid.

This cave is a marvellous destination, botha peaceful area for repose and an excit-ing, vibrant space for exploration. Thesecaves are immense! There are cathedralceilings and a river runs all the waythrough. I really enjoyed the boat rideportion of the caves, though the walkingpart was quite exceptional as well.

Fuyi River

Originating from Cat Mountain inGuangxi province, the Fuyi River flowsthrough the whole Langshan Scenic Area.The slow, calm boat ride was a dreamyexperience, and the tranquillity of thewater is almost unnatural. The water ofFuyi River is so clean that you can see thefish clearly and the sand on the river bed.The shorelines are filled with bambooforests, steep crags and beaches are cov-ered with pure white sand. It is anabsolutely excellent river for drifting quietlyand rafting and each summer it drawsmillions of people that enjoy floatingalong the river.

Hunan sure packed a punch! High moun-tains, tall lakes, lazy rivers, deep caves,culture, history and amazing foods makesthis incredible part of China a memorablepositive experience for all travellers!

Visit: www.tourismchina.org

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C o m e W i t h U s & S a i l T h e W o r l d !

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Oceania Cruises 2015 Summer

Collection

featuring voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Alaska,Canada, Asia and Africa.

The award-winning fleet of Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, Marina, andRiviera will offer a diverse collection of itineraries, with 24 exciting newports of call on four continents during the 2015 summer season.

Among the new ports are Luanda, Angola; Paamiut, Greenland; Trois-Rivières, Québec; Archangel, Russia; Skiathos, Greece; Londonderry, Northern Ireland; Wismar, Germany; and Palamós,Spain. Also new this season is a series of Grand Voyages in Europe. Ranging in length from 20 to 70 days, these longer itin-eraries offer guests multiple opportunities for extended exploration during the summer.

“Our 2015 Summer Collection is perfect for those who enjoy a taste of the finer things in life,” shares Kunal S. Kamlani, theline’s president. “With a fantastic mix of marquee cities, boutique ports of call and extended port stays, we set a new standardfor immersive destination experiences.”

New Voyages Nautica, Marina, and Riviera will set sail on 43 incredible European itineraries, 40 of which are new.Nautica will spend the majority of the season exploring the majesty of the British Isles, the Baltic and Scandinavia, sailing asfar north as Greenland, while Marina will also explore the region before making her way around the Iberian Peninsula toembark on several cruises in the Western Mediterranean. Featuring all new itineraries, Riviera will call the Mediterranean, theGreek Isles, Turkey and the Black Sea home for the season. Regatta will spend the summer in Alaska offering her perennialfavorite 7- and 10-day itineraries as well as five all new sailings, including the exciting 12-day Glacial Explorer. In the fall, shewill sail for New York City on a new Panama Canal cruise and then showcase the autumn foliage with four cruises throughoutNew England and Canada.

REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES UNVEILS FIRST VISUAL OF HIGHLY ANTICIPAT-

ED SEVEN SEAS EXPLORER AND LAUNCHES DEDICATED SHIP MICROSITE

Regent Seven Seas Cruises revealed the first rendering of its newship, Seven Seas Explorer, and launched a dedicated microsite for theship designed to be the most luxurious ship ever built. The microsite,found at http://www.rssc.com/explorer, is the official site for details,imagery and updates on the ship, which will debut in the summer of2016. The site will feature the latest information on Seven SeasExplorer, including updates on construction, public space and suitedesigns, onboard amenities, itineraries and other elements as theyare revealed. An added feature to the site is a never before seen two-minute video that sets the elegant tone for Seven Seas Explorer, whilebuilding anticipation for the newest addition to the fleet.

“We’re building the most luxurious ship ever created, and our loyal guests are eagerly awaiting detailed information aboutSeven Seas Explorer,” said Jason Montague, president and chief operating officer of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “This dedi-cated microsite provides us with a platform to provide our passionate brand advocates with the latest updates and excitingdevelopments surrounding this extraordinary new ship from now through launch.”

The one-stop portal for updates on the stunning 750-guest, all-suite, all-balcony ship, includes sections on milestones andevents, yet-to-be announced inaugural season details and general news leading up to the summer 2016 maiden voyage.There is a dedicated section for Seven Seas Society members, the line’s loyalty program, where guests can register for priorityreservation details pertaining to the ship’s inaugural season.

Reservations for Seven Seas Explorer’s maiden voyage and inaugural season opened Jan. 19, 2015 exclusively for Seven SeasSociety members, and become widely available starting Feb. 11, 2015. For more information about Regent Seven Seas Cruisesor to receive a brochure, guests can call 1-844-4REGENT (1-844-473-4368) or contact a professional travel agent.

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P r i n c e s s * R e g e n t * R o y a l C a r i b b e a n * S e a b o u r n *

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Let a cruise surprise you

This winter, Club Med 2, Club Med’s majestic moderately-sizedcruise ship will sail across the Caribbean’s crystal clear watersto unimagined routes and pristine islands.

Club Med 2, a 637 ft, 5-mast ship combines discovery, sportsand relaxation in a sophisticated and friendly atmosphere. Partof Club Med’s 5-Trident resorts category, it pledges luxury,refinement and comfort. This masted ship offers premiumallinclusive packages including champagne service from 6 pm.

With only 184 cabins and a crew of 200, Club Med 2 offers anintimate cruise experience. A large array of activities are fea-turedsuch as two seawater pools, a nautical hall with a wideselection of water sports, a fitness academy and a Club MedSpa by Carita.

This winter Canadians can sail on the Club Med 2 with all-inclusive cruise packages to the Caribbean and Cuba from $3,199per adult. This includes: flights, transfers, gourmet meals, beverages, WIFI, spacious and elegant ocean view cabins, sportsactivities and champagne served by the glass from 6 pm.

Club Med is the pioneer of all-inclusive, upscale and multicultural vacation, offers a selection of more than 65 all-inclusiveresorts worldwide, including cruise ship sailing along America’s coasts during winter and Europe during the summer months.

To find out more visit: www.clubmed.ca

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PONANT LAUNCHES FIFTH SHIP - LE LYRIAL

After Le Boréal (2010), L’Austral (2011) and Le Soléal (2013), thelaunch of Le Lyrial concludes this unique series of four beautiful yachtsloyal to the Ponant spirit. Like her sisterships, Le Lyrial embodies a sub-tle atmosphere, a combination of luxury, intimacy and wellbeing whichis the company’s signature.

The elegance of her exterior and interior lines and intimate size (only122 staterooms and suites, compared to 132 in the sisterships) makeher a rare and innovative ship on the cruise market, giving passengersthe feeling they are on a private yacht.

Five-star Intimacy and Refinement

Designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, the ship’s welcoming contemporaryinterior mirrors the company’s destinations and the blue light of the Vega star in the Lyra constellation from which Le Lyrial takesher name. Shades of blue combine the luminous delicate grey-blues of the Polar ice with splashes of turquoise from Mediterraneancoves.

A Unique environment of Sophistication and Comfort

On board, passengers have plenty of common space and intimate spaces including two restaurants, two indoor bars, an outdoorbar, relaxation area on the pool deck, lounges, a theatre for films and shows, a Spa and a gym, a library, an internet corner, anInternet space, a games area with Wii™ consoles in which to meet together or relax in peace.

Le Lyrial sets sail this spring, for more info visit: www.ponant.com

C e l e b r i t y * C l u b - M e d * C o s t a * C r y s t a l * C u n a r d * D i s n e yH

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enjoying room service al fresco. My onlyreal disappointment regarding the roomwas that you're not supposed to leave thedoor open. We really loved to go to sleepto the sound of the sea. Though we didprop it slightly anyway, the humidity fromoutside set off the fire alarm at 4am in themorning! Twice! So we finally did reluc-tantly obey the rules and kept it shut. I getthat it's probably a safety hazard (thinktsunami wave while you sleep) but it wasdisappointing all the same.

The Service

One word: outstanding! Everything I'dheard about the fantastic service aboardthe Eurodam was true. And then some.What a great bunch of extremely compe-tent, happy, smiling (and not in a false

Ialways thought I probably wouldn't be acruise person. I figured I would get veryrestless being stuck on a floating hotel

for too long. But so many friends and col-leagues swear by this form of travel that Ifinally succumbed and planned a girlfriendgetaway aboard one. And like the tides, ithad its highs and lows. But in retrospect, itwas mostly smooth sailing and quite enjoy-able. It all depends on the type of holidayyou're seeking.

The Ship

We chose Holland America's Eurodam todo the Eastern Caribbean tour because I'dnot been to some of their island ports ofcall ( St Thomas/St.John and Grand Turk)and also because it's not too large. Idoubt I would have been comfortable

aboard a mammoth party hearty Vegasstyle vessel for my first journey. Also, I hadthe sense that this voyage catered to amore sophisticated, well-traveled crowd,and though some of the guests were a tadolder than we would have liked for social-izing and late night revelry (the disco wasusually empty,) the overall vibe did fit ourexpectations and needs very well.

The Stateroom

Our room was surprising. Beautifullyappointed, very luxe yet homey, and SOmuch larger than I anticipated. But thepiece de resistance was the veranda. Nowthat I've traveled with a private deck, Ican't conceive of cruising without one.Some of our most enjoyable times werelounging there watching the wake and

H o l l a n d A m e

C o n f e s s i o n s o f a C r u i s e S h i p V i r g i n

by Susan Campbell

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Download our Free CWT App for Android and Apple devices. Visit our website www.canadianworldtraveller.com to access a direct link.

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way) group of workers, servers and cabinboys. They were delightful across theboard and always anticipating every need.Gratuities per day are added onto yourbill but they are pooled for the entire staff,so if you feel specific service was over thetop, personal cash extras are always wel-come. They do work tirelessly around theclock on that ship. From beginning to end,the service was above reproach in everyway.

Wining and Dining

The main buffet was insanely long andextremely diverse, but we preferred to eata la carte more often than not. We reallyenjoyed the Asyouwish® seating in themain dining room, early or late; we neverhad to sit with anyone else at a communal

chill on the sand and listen to somelive music at their Captain Morganon the Rocks pirate ship bar, it's stilla very pleasant afternoon. They also offerfully-equipped private cabanas with pri-vate butler service, and groups can enjoyrenting an entire beachfront cottage oasisreplete with hot tub, full bar, sound sys-tem, BBQ and private snorkel slide. But itwas Grand Turk that stole our hearts, notfor the giant Jimmy Buffet emporium rightoff the dock, but for the snorkeling withstingrays excursion and our discovery ofJack's Shack.The stingray experience wasout of this world as they are in the naturalhabitat and the little island we did it fromwas surreal in its beauty. And if you keepwalking down the beach from the touristvillage in Grand Turk you will come acrossthe best little beach bar run by friendly ex-pats Jack and Janet who really know howto make authentic cocktails using localspirits. They are also famous for their jerkchicken as well. Do seek it out!

Overall Experience

Of course on board there was a ton ofactivities scheduled daily. There are cook-ing classes, art auctions, a full service spa,a cool little casino and nightly entertain-ment in their theatre as well. But the timewent far too fast to do everything and wereally were there for a rest so we didn'toverdo on the activity front. On the mostpart, I did like this cruise line; it was justright. Elegant, refined, and easy going. Myonly real complaint was that it was verycold everywhere. The airco in every bar,dining room and even in our stateroomseemed to be going full blast 24/7 andwe didn't bring suitable clothes to remaincomfortable in that environment.(Sweatshirt over a strapless cocktail dressjust doesn't cut it!) Next time, I will knowbetter. And yes, I will cruise again.

Visit:

www.hollandamerica.com

table. We also tried out some of their spe-ciality spots for an extra cost but wellworth the expense. The one we enjoyedthe most was the Pinnacle Grill. We atethere twice. The first time we had theirregular menu, first-rate steaks and apumpkin risotto that was truly inspired, butit was the second time that reallyimpressed when they did "An Evening atLe Cirque" dedicated to the legendaryNew York hot spot. They did an excellentjob recreating the actual dishes- exquisitebutternut squash soup, interesting Chickenunder a Brick, perfect rack of lamb… rightdown to their famous crème brulee- allserved on Le Cirque's signature tableware.On the most part, all the food we hadonboard ranged from good to excellent,with very few disappointments. And thechocolate festival? Don't even ask. Anentire pool deck full of chocolate every-thing? How can you go wrong? On thewine front, the lists were extensive, thoughexpensive, however you are allowed tobring your own wine (not spirits) aboardthe Eurodam, but you will be charged acorking fee if you bring it to dinner. Manypeople simply poured themselves a glassin their room to bring and returned forrefills. Smart. They also have a revolvinghappy hour special on drinks in their barsand lounges that you can follow at a dif-ferent place and time each day.

The Excursions

Our ports of call began with San Juan. Iknow my way around, so we walked oldcity's attractions on our own and thenheaded to one of my favourite spotsBarrachina - Birthplace of the ‘OriginalPina Colada’- always a must-visit. On ourSt. Thomas stop, we opted not to spendour time duty-free shopping but insteadhopped a water taxi to neighbouring St.John for a snorkel outing at Trunk Bayarguably one of the most beautiful beach-es in the Caribbean. It was indeed stun-ning and well worth a half-day's sojourn.Half Moon Cay is HAL's own private whitesand cove on Little San Salvador Island inthe Bahamas. It's touristy for sure, but avery nice beach, and though they offermany active excursions, if you'd rather just

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O c e a n i a M a r iby Irene S. Levine

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As I packed my suitcase for ourMediterranean cruise on the newOceania Marina, the thought of

hitting 11 cities in 12 days felt mildly remi-niscent of the folly of my youth. My first tripto Europe was a one-week escorted tour ofLondon, Paris, and Rome. Yet, there’s areason why that tri-city speed date stillremains popular so many years later; trav-elers love to dip their toes in the waterbefore they dive in.

My husband and I soon realized thatcruising on a luxurious five-star floatelmakes it not only possible, but pleasura-

ble, to savor the taste of a dozen or socities along the Mediterranean in onegrand gulp. Having the same haven toreturn to each night, without packing andunpacking, eliminates the hassle of trans-fers between trains, planes, and hotels.This left us with long days, either to takeadvantage of a variety of interesting toursoffered by the cruise line or to create self-directed ones on our own.

Our “Pearls of the Riviera” itineraryextended from Barcelona to Rome(Civitavecchia)–with stops in-between atValencia, Palma de Majorca, Marseille,

Saint-Tropez, Monaco, Portofino, Livorno,Amalfi, and Sorrento. The lively pace ofactive days with relaxed evenings was asublime mix on the elegant new Marina(launched in February 2011).

Days on the ship assumed a comfortablerhythm. We would thrill to spectacular sun-rises on our balcony, eat a light breakfastin our cabin, and spend the days explor-ing on shore. With a healthy sense ofexhaustion, both from so much walkingand the exhilaration of seeing so manynew things, we generally arrived back atthe boat by 4PM for tea in the Horizon

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Lounge (served with a choice of pastries orfinger sandwiches) or by 5PM for two-for-the-price-of-one cocktails at the bar whilelistening to a string quartet. We relived theday by flipping through photos on ourdigital cameras. Public spaces never feltcrowded because there were so many ofthem.

Every port was a different adventure. Atsome, we opted to travel on bumpy open-air, on-off, double-decker buses or to usepublic transportation. At others, weindulged in the not-inexpensive shoreexcursions with excellent guides on luxury

coach buses that allowed us to visit placesbeyond the port city. We got a taste ofmore than we could have ever imaginedon one trip: a cooking lesson in Sorrento;a walk through the James Bond casino inMonte Carlo; a wine-tasting at a small vil-lage in Tuscany; relaxed strolls through thesculpture park at the museum of Art andScience in Valencia and the outdoor mar-ket in Nice; a visit to cathedrals and cas-tles in Marseilles, Palma de Majorca, andto the medieval village of Eze; shoppingwithin the well-preserved walls of Lucca,and time to meet up with old friends fromItaly at a bar in Livorno, and more.Spending a week in Barcelona prior to ourdeparture was like eating dessert first. Wefell in love with the city’s Catalan cuisineand culture, its unique neighborhoods,and modernist architecture.

The Marina has no climbing walls, Vegas-style productions, or bling (except for aLalique crystal staircase) but offers all theupscale amenities as well as the spaciousfeel of a luxury hotel, one with enoughcabin space to walk around three sides ofa bed made with 1000-thread countlinens. Our penthouse suite (Cabin 10009on the tenth deck) had a desk and sepa-rate dressing table, a table for in-suiteroom-service breakfasts (which alsolengthened our days), and a sitting areawith a comfortable loveseat placed acrossfrom a flat-screen TV. In muted tans andseafoam greens, the colors and fabrics felthomey and there was even a cashmerethrow in a closet cubby in case it got chilly.The 420-square foot cabin had surprising-ly ample storage space too, with a walk-incloset large enough for suitcases (withouthaving to wedge them under the bed) andfloor-to-ceiling racks to keep shoes out ofthe way. The bathroom had a full-sizebath, a separate stall shower (with a rain-shower head), and his-and-her medicinecabinets stocked with Bulgari toiletries.

On most days, there was still enough timebefore dinner to squeeze in hands-oncooking lessons with a CIA-trained chef inthe beautifully appointed Bon AppetitCulinary Center; to get a massage or sun-bathe on the private deck outside the

Canyon Ranch Spa; to take one of severalfree digital photography courses; or tocurl up in a cozy nook in the library or ona shaded deck lounge. Soft drinks, bottledwaters, and specialties coffees (like cap-puccino and espresso served at Barista’sbar or from the room minibar) were com-plimentary, so we never felt nickel-and-dimed. In terms of cost, Oceania is con-sidered on the upper end of premium(rather than luxury) cruise lines.

Meals onboard were clearly fit for seriousfoodies. We had made reservations, inadvance, to dine at each of the four no-surcharge specialty restaurants on theship: the Italian-themed Toscana, the PoloGrill steakhouse, Asian-fusion-themed RedGinger, and at the signature JacquesPepin French bistro (Pepin is executive culi-nary director of Oceania). The menu wasextensive; the food excellently preparedand beautifully presented. Even though wewere eating on the ship, the chef high-lighted local ingredients and recipes fromthe various ports of call. Other nights weeither ate in the Grand Dining Room,alone or with other guests, or retreated toour cabin for dinner where we wereserved by a butler.

Whether on ship or shore, being able totravel so effortlessly and to savor so manynew experiences made twelve days passfar too quickly and whetted our appetitesto return to our favorite spots in theregion.

www.oceaniacruises.com

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I n d o n e

Paradise Found on the Islands of Lom

by Michael Morcos

Lombok is one of the most visitedislands in Indonesia and is rightnext door to the popular vacation

destination of Bali. Lombok is small, hillyand beautiful, offering travellers a lot to do,including a visit to the volcano in the mid-dle of the island.

The great and unique culture of thesedelightful islands are the product of age-old- traditions from the time of earlymigrants and the Western thought broughtby Portuguese traders and Dutch colonists.

They espouse some guiding principles forlife, including the concepts of mutualassistance or "gotong royong" and consul-tations or "musyawarah" to arrive at aconsensus or "mufakat".

Some of my best memories came while Iwas meandering among the wonderful inIndonesia artisans. Art is a focal point ofisland life and locals are artistic by nature,expressing themselves on canvas, wood,metals, clay and stone. The locals are verylaid back with no real industry or manu-facturing, and most people work on the

land. Money does not seem to be thefocus as much as a good quality of life,and the people seem genuinely happy.

Tour of the towns

As we were staying about seven minutesfrom Senggigi, the main tourists centre.Though there are many shops and restau-rants, Senggigi is not your typical touristresort town like those in Bali, but there areenough bars, lounges and beach siderestaurants to keep people looking forrelaxation quite satisfied.

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American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

Many visitors, like us, use Senggigi as abase and take day trips to the waterfalls,the Gili Islands, or just go exploring thestill authentic villages, temples, and forestsall found within a couple of hours drive.Senggigi is now becoming increasinglypopular with visitors seeking out the stun-ning scenery and unique culture andflavours of Lombok.

Touring the island, we visited some of thetownships including Mangsit, with tranquil,sweeping beaches, which are also knownas the gateway to the activity centres of

Gili Islands, Tanjung and Mount Rinjani.That afternoon, we decided to relax on thelong, calm beaches of Kerangdangan.The evening we spent on the coastal roadof Batu Bolong among the cafes, restau-rants, several karaoke style bars and alarge nightclub.

Both Mangsit and Batu Bolong are moretourist-focussed, with hotels and entertain-ment along their beachfronts, where thecentre of Senggigi has a more lively, streetfestival feel to it with live music playingand people moving about from one venue

to another throughout the night.

We spent another day exploringthe villages bordering the Gunung RinjaniNational Park, and the park itself. Ourwalkabout was led by friendly guides whowelcomed us in the village of Sajang. Thevillagers were friendly and took time toexplain the customs and traditions of localvillage life and how they support theirdaily livelihood by growing coffee, choco-late and vanilla. Depending on the seasonyou visit, you can take the opportunity towork side them for a unique experience!.

The Gunung Rinjani

National Park

The Gunun Rinjani National Park lies inan area where the animals and plants ofSouth East Asia make a dramatic changeinto species that are more typical ofAustralasia. The Park has a rich variety oflife, although they can be hard to spotdue to the forest cover!

An amazing array of animals can befound within the confines of the park,including the rare black Ebony leaf mon-key, locally known as Lutung, who aresometimes seen early in the mornings.Other animals are just as unique, includ-ing the he Long tailed grey macaque, theRusa deer occasionally seen along theRinjani trek trail with the smaller, peculiarBarking deer (Kijang) that has a distinctdog-like bark when sounding alarm.Though we did not see any, Leopard cats(Bodok), Palm civets (Ujat) and Porcupinesare also found in this wonderful park.

The national park is also a bird lover’sdream come true, flocks of colourful birdslive in the trees of the Park including theiconic Sulphur Crested Cockatoo whichcannot be found any further west ofLombok! Many of the forest-dwelling ani-mals, insects, birds, civets and monkeysowe their survival to the wild fig tree orBeringin as a provider of food and shelter.A vast selection of Orchids are also a fea-ture of the grassland areas, as is theEdelweiss growing above the tree line, itis the beautiful icon of the Park.

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32 Gili Trawangan – Diving,

partying and.Yoga?

There is nowhere better to go diving thanGili Trawangan! It is the centre of a thriv-ing diving industry and all big operatorshave their main dive shops located on theisland. There are almost a dozen activedive sites, and there are daily fun dives forall levels of divers.

A world class teaching centre, there arealso fun dives, muckdiving, technical div-ing and wreck dives with very professionalinstructors, and the visibility is usuallygood. We went to Freedive Gili, locatedclose to the harbour. Owned and operat-ed by British freedive record holder MikeBoard, he offers freedive and apnea(breath holding) courses for anyone,beginner to advanced. Never far behindnew trends, Gili Trawangan offers fly-boarding, which allows you to fly like IronMan by using water jets.

Meals were exotic and delicious. The foodwas fantastic and the seafood was alwaysfresh, as we often went to fisherman'sbeach, and took advantage of the low-tide oyster hunters. Our hotel offered usour own modern hut with a sitting area inthe front and a private outdoor washroomand shower in the back..

At night, the island comes alive with musicand dancing. Among the back-packingcommunity, the island was once known asa party destination with many establish-ments hosting wild dance parties. Today,though not quite as wild, tradition nowhas one establishment per night playingmusic and hosting a dance party until 4am.

There are seven venues hosting parties,but the most anticipated ones are the funkhouse and hard music by tourists andlocals parties with local DJ's in spinningdisks.

If wild dance parties are not to your liking,many restaurants and bars, including theTirnanog - Irish bar, provide a range ofmore sedate and social gathering pointfor Al fresco dinning and drinking by thewater's edge.

Yoga Paradise

There are several yoga studios for practi-tioners, and there is nothing more relaxingthan Yoga under the tropical trees andsun. We took advantage of the daily Yogaclasses offered by the Gili Yoga Centerthat shares an office with Freedive Giliand the Yoga Place. Gili Yoga Center,along with daily meditation and pranaya-ma, they have luxury accommodation,offer group activities (snorkeling, sunsetboat ride) and gourmet vegetarian food.

The Yoga Place offers yoga and medita-tion classes throughout the days for alllevels. Inside is the vegetarian GardenCafe overlooking Gili Trawangan Island,away from the crowds and offers a tran-quil respite from a busy day. The YogaPlace has daily drop-in classes, multipleday courses and workshops, daily sunsetyoga on the beach, free hilltop sunrisemeditations and free yoga forIndonesians. I especially enjoyed theevening sunset yoga after a day of exer-cise and adventure!

Spirituality

Yoga, art, theatre – all these elements ofthe local society is marked by the spiritualheritage of the islands. We were luckyenough to be invited to the annual Hinduceremony of Mulang Pekelem, that datesfrom the 18th century invasion and subse-quent settlement of the island by Balinesefrom the kingdom of Karangasem. Thecelebration attracts hundreds of celebrants

Mulang Pekelem is a wonderful ceremonyof prayers and offerings made for thesafety and prosperity of the islanders, dat-ing from a time shortly after the Hindusettlement in west Lombok was afflicted bya long drought and an epidemic. At thattime, the king had a vision and com-manded a series of ceremonies in whichgifts of gold, silver and copper, in theshape of fish and prawns be offered to thegods at the lake before each rainy season(December to March). The offerings andprayers are for peace and prosperity forall.

Visit: www.indonesia.travel

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F i v e H i s t o r i c M o n u m e n t s I n N e w D e l h i

by Rohit Agarwal

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India’s capital New Delhi has a rich history associated with it.The city traces its history to the famous epic Mahabharata. Itcame under the rule of various empires and had been witnessto the rise and fall of famous dynasties. There are a great num-ber of historic monuments in Delhi that speak volumes of thearchitectural skills of various empires. Given below are 5 historicmonuments in the capital city.

1. Qutub Minar

Yet another historic monument to be designated the status ofWorld Heritage Site is the famous Qutub Minar, which belongsto the 12th century. The 73 meter high tower was built byQutub-ud-din Aibak in the year 1193 to commemorate the vic-tory over the last Hindu kingdom of Delhi. However, this is onlyone version of the two that prevails about the history of QutubMinar. It is said that the tower was built to serve as a minaret tothose who follow Islam. India’s first mosque Quwwat-ul-Islam,was built at the foot of the tower. Though the construction wascommenced by the first Muslim ruler Qutub-ud-din Aibak, it wascontinued by Iltumish, his successer and was completed by FirozShah Tughlak in 1368.

2. Red Fort

Designated the status of world heritage site by UNESCO, RedFort, which is one of the most popular historic monuments inDelhi. The 17th century fort was constructed by Shah Jahan onthe banks of River Yamuna. The fort was the residence of the

Mughal emperorsever since it wasconstructed in 1648till the fall ofMughals in 1857.The 2.5 km lengthand 33m height ofthe wall looks allpowerful and awe-inspiring. The fortspells grandeur in itsevery inch. No won-

der it took 9 years to complete the construction of the fort.Diwan-i-Aam, the Hall of Public Audiences and Diwan-i-Khas,the Hall of Private Audience, Pearl Mosque and Rang Mahal aresome of the famous monuments inside the fort. In the Hall ofPrivate Audience was the famous Peacock throne, which wastaken away by Nadir Shah, the Persian invader when he invad-ed India in the year 1739.

3. Purana Qila

Purana Qila, the16th century fort, isconsidered to be oneof the oldest forts inIndia. It gains moreimportance amongall other forts inDelhi as it is consid-ered to be locatedon the site of

Indraprasta, which was the capital town of the Pandavasof Mahabharata. The construction of the fort was startedin the year 1533 by Humayun, the second Mughal emper-or. It was completed in the year 1538. The size of the fort canbe gauged by the fact that its walls run for around 1.5 km. SherMandal and the mosque Qila-i-Kuhna are among the famousmonuments inside the fort. The archaeological museum insidethe fort houses Mughal artefacts. Light and Sound Show is con-ducted here every evening.

4. Ashoka Pillar

Ashoka Pillar alsocalled the Iron Pillaris a classic exampleof the knowledge onmetallurgy pos-sessed by the metal-lurgists of thebygone era. The 4thcentury constructionstands tall andproud even after1600 years with no rust or decomposing to display the signs ofaging. The mystery associated with Ashoka Pillar is very engag-ing as well. It is said that though the pillar is now in Delhi, it wasin Madhya Pradesh that the pillar was originally constructed. Itis said to have been erected during the rule of Chandraguptathe Second.

5. Jantar Mantar

Jantar Mantar, the famous observatory, was constructed in theyear 1724 by Maharaja Jai Singh the Second of Jaipur. The kingwent on to build four more astronomical observatories in India.Jantar Mantar in Delhi is the largest of its kind in the country.Out of the 13 architectural astronomy instruments here, sun dialattracts the most. The accuracy with which the sun dial calculatesthe time of the day isinteresting. Thelongest and shortestdays of the year isrecorded by the twopillars here. JantarMantar is a must-visit site in New Delhieven for those wholack the interest inastronomy.

Author Bio

Rohit, an architect by profession, often indulges in his passion totravel and learn about places that fascinate him. He loves toblog about all the places he had visited at http://www.transindi-atravels.com . He is a voracious reader as well and any interest-ing information he gains on a subject is shared with his readers.

www.incredibleindia.org/en

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Then the preparation begins, and Purple’shands fly as he dices the conch, addingchopped peppers, onion and tomatoes,squeezing lemon and tasting the ‘conch-cotion’ before adding a little somethingelse.

The end result, sometimes referred to asConch Sushi, is as delicious as it is fresh.Thanks to Purple I can now appreciate theinside of a conch just as much as the out-side.

Conch Cooking Class

Fresh conch salad is just one of the waysthis sea snail is prepared and we get achance to learn more methods first–handat a cooking class run by Yolanda also onTaino Beach. On the menu are islandclassics, including rice and peas, friedconch fritters and cracked conch. Thoughthis may sound labour intensive, withYolanda’s guidance and the Gulley Washthey serve while we ‘work’, it’s all pleas-ure. In case you’re curious, Gulley Wash isa Bahamian drink made with gin, coconutwater, and condensed milk. It’s now myfavourite Bahamian cocktail beating outthe Bahama Mama and Goombay Smash.But back to cooking, where Yolanda iswalking us through each step.

“You can hear the ocean,” myGrandmother said as she held the beauti-ful conch shell up to my ear. My amaze-ment at the waves ringing in my ears isone of my earliest childhood memories. Ihad never seen the ocean, and to me,that large white shell with its smooth pinkinside, was the ocean.Never once did I think about the creaturethat might have lived inside it until I metPurple at Taino Beach on Grand BahamaIsland.

Over 700 islands make up the Bahamas,and the Grand Bahama Island, alsoknown as Freeport, is the second most vis-ited locale in the country after Nassau, thenation’s capital. The island is 96 mileslong from east to west, and is located only55 miles from Florida’s coast, making iteasily accessible to tourists who come forits relaxed vibe, uncrowded white-sand

beaches, friendly people (population50,000), nature activities, and straight-from the-ocean seafood, especially theQueen Conch.

This brings us back to Purple (yes, that’shis name) who’s holding up one of thesemagnificent shells. My first surprise is thatconch is pronounced with a ‘k’ sound atthe end, not a ‘ch’, rhyming with honk.And the second is that the shells are care-lessly discarded in a pile, and nobody isthe least bit interested in how pretty theylook. Here conch is first and foremost,food, and has been a staple of theBahamian diet since it was inhabited bythe Lucayans.

Expertly, Purple starts to pound and pokethe shell, while bantering with the crowdthat has gathered around his stall.Seconds later, he pulls out a palm-sizedrubbery-like mass, which he presents tothe gathering like a grand prize. We ooohand ahhh appreciatively. He proceeds totell his audience far more than we everexpected to know about the mollusk,including its reproductive biology and itssupposed aphrodisiac properties.“This part here is the conch pistol,” heexplains. “And if you eat that along withthe salad, then… BAM!”

G r a n d B a h a m a s

by Jennifer Merrick

S a v o u r i n g t h e

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don’t see any other worldly apparitions,but there’s enough out-of-this-world sightsfor anyone on this fascinating tour.

Resort Pleasures

We’re staying at the Grand Lucayan, a519-room resort about a ten-minute drivefrom the Freeport Airport. This ocean-frontproperty has a 7.5-acre white sand beach,which means plenty of eye-candy whenwe’re relaxing on the balcony. And, ofcourse, the water is too inviting not to goin. The sand is warm, even if water is bitchilly, but being Canadian I don’t com-plain. After all, it’s 27 degrees here andminus 1 back home. (In summer: Maythrough September temperatures hoverabout 30 ºC, and Winter: Octoberthrough April they average between 20-23ºC.) What I most appreciate about thebeach besides its obvious beauty is thatit’s not crowded, and nobody hassles you,making it a very relaxing experience.Muscle knots I didn’t even know I hadbegin to loosen.

The resort also has an 18-hole golfcourse, casino, spa, a large infinity pooland outdoor bar area, and a life-sizeoutdoor chess board. The restaurantsrange from upscale dining at Churchillsand Asian- themed China Beach to islandcomfort food at Iries. Conch anyone?

For more information:

www.grandlucayan.com

www.grandbahamavacations.com

www.bahamas.com

www.junkanoobeachfreeport.com

www.grandbahamanaturetours.com

www.flyingfishbahamas.com

“I can help just about anybody,” saysYolanda. “Even people who don’t knowhow to boil water.” In her capable handswe add, stir, marinate, coat, and deep-frycuisine worthy of any Bahamian house-hold. And while we do, Yolanda sharestidbits of her childhood, telling us how hergrandmother would prepare coconuts andhow much work she did.

“Grandma did everything in a day,” shereminisces. Finally, after being tortured by the smell ofall these dishes, we eat. It’s good food if Ido say so myself. Yolanda smiles at her‘graduated’ class.“I like the way guests leave here,” shesays. “Accomplished.”

Let the Flavours Align

One of the nuggets of food wisdomYolanda doles out is that, “all food needsa foundation, but afterwards you can playwith it.” You’d be hard pressed to find amore modern way to play with food thanat the Flying Fish Restaurant with Chef TimTibbitts.

“When we create dishes here, I breakthem down to their molecular structure,”says Tibbitts. Though it may sound futuris-tic, the result is classic island dishes with ascintillating, modern twist. Take the grilledcalamari. The perfectly cooked seafood isexactly what you expect from a ocean-sidefine dining restaurant, but the butter is inpowder form.

“When you put it in your mouth it willrevert back to its original liquid state,”says Tibitts. And amazingly, it does. Theolives on the plate look like olives, butinside they’re pure liquid. Both the pow-dered butter and ‘sneaky olives’ comple-ment the calamari perfectly. And this isjust one course from the tasting menuwhich delights both the palate and theimagination.

Culinary Fusion

For those who want to experience all ofthe Grand Bahamas Island’s cuisine underone roof, time your visit to coincide withthe Culinary Food Expo. 2014 is the sec-ond year of this new annual festival, andjudging by its success, it‘ll be running fora long time. Locals and tourists alike (it’seasy to spot the locals because they aremuch better dressed) sip and sampletastes from food vendors which includerestaurant, hotels, caterers, bakeries,

chocolatiers, breweries and even a rumdistillery. Not being able to try everythingis our only disappointment. But there’salways next year when the event will beheld at the Grand Lucayan.

Working up an appetite

The Nature Jeep Tour is not your typicaltour. To start with I’m the one in the dri-ver’s seat of this classic open jeep, feelingexcited, but also a little nervous aboutdriving on the left side of the road. Luckily,we’re following Tony Noewbold who’sleading the convoy, and we’re in constantcommunication via radio – ‘over andout!’.

Traffic is coming to the right,” he advisesat every turn. At the roundabout, a trafficcircle not very common in Canada, hetells us, “Keep going, whatever you do,don’t stop.” But for the most part it’s easydriving, and we enjoy the running com-mentary about the island.

“Now we’re going into the ocean,”Noewbold announces as we turn into a lit-tle rougher ground, which the jeep easilyhandles. The ocean? Is the jeep amphibi-ous? It’s not, but it’s easy to imagine weare as we drive down a narrow peninsulanot much wider than the jeep and gaze atthe ocean surrounding us on three sides.“Everybody likes this part,” saysNoewbold. Like seems somewhat of anunderstatement.

The next stop, Gold Rock Beach, was themovie set for Pirates of the Caribbean,and if it’s good enough for Johnny Depp,it’s good enough for us. The white sandis endless, and we wade in the turquoisewater. All of us would be content to spendthe rest of the afternoon in this secludedparadise, but the tour must go on and thejeeps are waiting.

Our final stop is Lucayan National Park,where we find one of world’s longestunderwater cave systems in the world, withover six miles of charted caves, cavernsand tunnels charted. Ben’s cave is asaccessible as it is impressive and we sim-ply have to climb down the stairs to begreeted by this natural phenomena.Though it is looks empty of wildlife, it’shome to migratory bats and a rare type ofcrustacean called the blind Remipedia.The next cave we explore is the BurialMound Cave.

“We’re in burial grounds, so if you seesomething in the corner of your eye it justmay be a spirit,” says Noewbold. We

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Perfect pampering at

Ireland’s most luxurious spa

China Tourism Introduces New Brand Logo

China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) has made “Beautiful China” the tag line of its

tourism and introduced a new global brand logo. With an overall look as a stamp, the new logo

integrates modern messaging with the ancient Chinese art form of calligraphy. The hieroglyph in

the background means “travel” in ancient Chinese language, which shows a flag guiding a cou-

ple around. The blue color represents the sky, delivering China tourism’s concepts - vitality, har-

mony and green travel. The red color gives tribute to the Chinese civilization that has been

going on for thousands of years. Illustrating an international vision, the “Beautiful China” logo

represents China’s promising and welcoming tourism industry.

A r o u n d T h e W o r l d I n . . .

The fabulous monastic-inspired spa at Muckross ParkHotel in County Kerry has been awarded the covetedaccolade of Best Luxury Spa in Ireland at the World

Luxury Spa Awards 2014.

It’s the second time that the Killarney spa destination haswon the prestigious award that recognises an exceptionallevel of service.

The spa is part of the five-star Muckross Park Hotel and Spa,located in the heart of the rugged mountainous landscape ofKillarney National Park.

It was designed to reflect the gothic architecture of Muckross

– Kerry’s oldest hotel dating from 1795 – as well as thebeauty of its natural surroundings and the tranquillity of thenearby 15th-century Franciscan Abbey.

Offering a full range of luxurious beauty and hair treat-ments, stress release and relaxation therapies, the spa is aunique sanctuary for the mind and body.

It boasts a state-of-the-art vitality pool, thermal suite and aspa garden on the banks of the Blue Pool River in theKillarney National Park, making it the ideal setting to relaxand unwind.

General Manager Sean O’Driscoll said: “We are thrilled withthis award which is a credit to the team at the spa. Theextensive training our therapists continuously undertakeensures that they remain at the top of their profession asindustry leaders.”

The opulently furnished Muckross Park Hotel has 68 deluxebedrooms and suites, and a full conference centre.

Its award- winning Yew Tree Restaurant and Jarvey’s RestPub ensure that guests can also enjoy top-class cuisine aspart of the pampering package.

Killarney National Park is one of Ireland’s top beauty spots.It sits at the foot of the country’s highest mountain range, theMcGillycuddy’s Reeks, on the banks of Killarney’s famouslakes, and is a designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

www.ireland.comwww.muckrosspark.com

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The city of Tel Aviv-Jaffa has been designated one ofthe newest members of the UNESCO Creative CitiesNetwork for its accomplishments in, and development

of, the category of "Media Arts."

Tel Aviv-Jaffa is one of 28 cities from 19 countries acceptedby the network within one of its seven thematic areas: "Craftand Folk Arts," "Design," "Film," "Gastronomy," "Literature,""Media Arts" and "Music." The now 69 member cities in theUNESCO Creative Cities Network work together to promotecreativity and cultural diversity, to share best practices, tostrengthen participation in cultural life and to integrate culturein sustainable urban development. Launched in 2004, thenetwork aims to foster international cooperation betweencities dedicated to investing in creativity and enhancing theeconomy through creative tourism.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa joins the network as a newly designatedUNESCO "City of Media Arts" - along with Dakar, Senegal;Gwangju, South Korea; Linz, Austria; and York, England -based on its dedication to developing cultural and creativeindustries using digital technology, integrating media arts as ameans to improving urban life, increasing access to culturethrough digital technology development and providing resi-dency programs and studio space for media artists.

Israel has also been honored by UNESCO by being recog-nized as the home of nine World Heritage Sites, includingMasada; the Old City of Jerusalem; the Old City of Acre; TelAviv's "White City;" the biblical tels of Megiddo, Hazor andBeersheba; the Incense Route - desert cities in the Negev(Haluza, Mamshit, Avdat and Shivta); Baha'i Holy Places inHaifa and the western Galilee; the sites of human evolutionat Mount Carmel (Nahal Me'arot and Wadi-el-Mugharacaves) and the Caves of Maresha and Bet Guvrin in theJudean Lowlands.

For more information about travel to Israel, visit:

www.goisrael.com

Luther 2017 – 500 years since the Reformation

One decade to mark half a millennium. In the ten yearsbetween 2008 and 2017, exhibitions, festivals andconcerts across Germany are celebrating the anniver-

sary of Luther nailing his theses to the door of the Castle Church.

It has been 500 years since Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesesto the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Although thereis no historical proof of this happening, it was an event thatchanged the world – and this great anniversary in 2017 will bemarked in fitting style, not just in Wittenberg and Eisleben butacross the country. Germany is paying tribute to one of itsgreatest sons with an entire decade devoted to Martin Luther:monk, professor and church reformer.

Follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther throughout Germanyand embark on a fascinating journey to the great distant ageof the Reformation.

Tel Aviv-Jaffa

Joins UNESCO Creative Cities Network

Finolhu Villas, luxury in the heart of the Maldives

Club Med has just opened its Finolhu Villas on the privateand beautifully preserved island of Gasfinolhu in theheart of the Indian Ocean.

These 52 elegant Eco Nature Villas are on stilts or on thebeach and have their own private terrace and pool and aresurrounded by white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters.

The entire facility is equipped with solar roofs that produce100% of the energy requirements.

www.clubmed.ca

Club Med - The Maldives

Germany

American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

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P e r u

B e y o n d M a c h u P i c c h u

b y L i z B r u c k n e r

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American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

The infamous Incan site may be

Peru’s claim to fame, but it’s not

the only reason to visit.

I’m perched at the helm of an impressiveyacht as it glides through calm waters offthe coast of Paracas, Peru. To my left is theNature Reserve, a UNESCO site shapedover time by seasonal sandstorms, andhome to millions of flamingos, pelicansand boobies that thrive on this nutrient-richarea of the Pacific. To my right is the openocean and straight ahead are the pictur-esque Ballestas Islands, otherwise knownas the baby Galapagos: a score of tinyislands that hosts a mecca of dolphins,hundreds of sea lions, thousands of circlingbirds and even the occasional killer whale.

It’s taken almost 10 days of trekkingthrough the highlands, lowlands, moun-tains and desert, but as I sit swaying on thegentle waves, I’ve decided: This is myfavourite Peru.

When I told family, friends and pretty mucheveryone I knew about my impending tripto one of South America’s best-knowncountries, the obvious refrain was centeredaround Machu Picchu. But just as there’smore to Rome than the cathedrals, Peruisn’t just the country that surrounds theIncan relic. Here, some of this SouthAmerican jewel’s many standouts.

Arequipa, Southwest Peru

Arequipa, also known as the White Citysince most of its buildings are made fromsillar, a local, white volcanic stone, is Peru’ssecond largest metropolis. Here mountainsare used as billboards, road-side fightingbull sightings are a normal occurrence,and “Juanita the Mummy” – the young,sacrificial victim offered to the Andesmountains between 1450 and 1480, anddiscovered in 1995 by an anthropologist –is one of its main draws. (From May toNovember in Museo Santuarios Andinos,you can catch a glimpse of the carefullypreserved body.) The city’s Monasterio deSanta Catalina, which occupies an entireblock and is guarded by stalwart toweringwalls, adds its own flavour of charm. Notyour average convent, it was founded in1580 by a wealthy widow and at 20,000square metres, it’s one of the best-pre-served and most fascinating religiousbuildings in the country. Also worth seeing:Canon del Colca. A three-hour drive fromArequipa, this massive hole in the ground –it measures 100 kilometres long and istwice as deep as the Grand Canyon –makes North America’s largest pit look weein comparison.

Cuzco, South Central

Nestled in the southern highlands, Cuzco isliterally brimming with gasp-inducingmountainous views and lush greenery.Home to Machu Picchu, the site is indeedexhilarating and, well, incredible, when youbehold the mountaintop home of the Incans.But the ‘Picchu isn’t the only attraction wor-thy of your time. Pisaq Market is a mecca forhagglers and souvenir affecionados with allmanner of handicrafts, jewelry, minerals,spices and indigenous foods. And atChocoMuseo, where admission is free anddie hard sweet tooths can experience theirown slice of heaven, visitors are invited tomake their own chocolate, indulge in cacaotea, fondue, iced chocolate, and experiencea chocolate tasting with delicious (and local)Peruvian coffee. And then there’s the food.While it’s fair to say it’s a foodie mecca,heading to picturesque Huaypo Lake for afive-star picnic hosted and catered byCicciolina restaurant while taking in the sur-rounding green mountains is definitelyworth the 45-minute drive from Cuzco.

Lima, Central Coast

The fourth largest city in Latin America andPeru’s most populated, Lima is dubbed theGarden City, and is as diverse as they come.Founded by Spanish conquistadors, it ishome to many distinct neighbourhoods andcultures, and is liberally peppered withunique cultural experiences and attractions.That and it’s bustling to boot. Lima’s streetsare so jammed with cars and buses they’dmake the most seasoned cabbie weep, yetit’s worth braving the madness to sleuth outthe many museums and galleries litteredthroughout the city– two not to miss areMuseo Rafael Larco Herrera, which show-cases pre-Colombian artifacts, and theGold Museum, highlighting just that. Alsoworth the visit is the village of Pachacamac,some 40 kilometres south of Lima. Not youraverage destination, the home of UlisesMoreno, a retired plant physiologist turnedagronomist, is completely powered byrenewable energy created from guinea pigdroppings. Take a tour of the “ranch” as heexplains why their poop packs a punch, howmore than 100 fruit and vegetable speciesgrowing on-property reap the benefits, andfinish the experience with a freshly concoct-ed pisco sour, Peru’s national bevvie.

Paracas, Southwest Coast

Located two hours south of Lima in the Piscovalley, here’s where you’ll find the famedNazca lines, one of the first vineyards everplanted in the New World, and the pictur-esque Ballestas Islands mentioned above.

It’s also here that you’ll find seaside beautyto rival that of any Riviera, as well as theParacas Candelabra, a prehistoric geoglyphmeasuring almost 600 feet that’s been mys-teriously carved into a peninsula ridge. Alsonearby is the California Desert, the mostarid of its kind in the world, which presentsvisitors with a rare opportunity for adven-ture. Sand surfing is a popular undertakinghere, as is riding at full speed in a 4x4 truckup, over and around sand dunes reachingup to 200 feet. An hour-long tour is a mustbefore sunset, as is a light meal and glass ofchampagne in a Bedouin-style tent amidstan ocean of sand once the sun’s gonedown. It’s a surreal adventure that belongsfirmly emblazed on everyone’s bucket list.Seriously.

Regardless of where you visit, you’ll haveyour pick of stellar accommodations.

•In Arequipa, Casa Andina is a 1794 colo-nial mansion transformed into a uniquehotel with a beautifully preserved stonecourtyard. It’s hidden behind a giant wooddoor in the heart of the city, and boasts aharpist who plays during breakfast.

•Machu Picchu’s Tambo del Inka in theSacred Valley combines luxury with Peruvianculture. It’s also the only hotel in the areawith a private train station to the MachuPicchu’s Railway.

•The Lima Marriott provides waterfrontviews, a casino and an easy walk to attrac-tions in the picturesque Miraflores district.

•Hotel Libertador Paracas, about two hourssouth of Lima, offers oceanside luxury andserenity. It’s also conveniently located nearthe Nature Preserve and Ballestas Islands.

Visit: peru.travel.com

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Office National du Tourisme Tunisien1155, Rue University, Suite 1014 Montreal , QC H3B 3A7Tél. : (514) 397-1182Email : [email protected] Web : www.tourismtunisia.com

Page 43: American World Traveler Winter 2014-15 issue

The Many Ways to Get Around

N e w Z e a l a n d

by Ruth Atherley

People in New Zealand, like thosein the UK and Australia, drive onthe “other side of the road” from

what we do in Canada. This sometimesmakes Canadian visitors to New Zealand alittle apprehensive about getting behind thewheel. In fact, it is a pretty easy shift tomake. First off, there are only about 4.5million people in the entire country, so onceyou are outside of Auckland (population of1.4 million), there aren’t many vehicles onthe roads. Even if you rented a standard,the pedals are in the same place as theyare in Canada. An easy way to rememberwhich side to drive on is to keep the line inthe middle of the road on the driver’s side– just like you would at home. But for thosewho choose not to self-drive, there aremany ways to get around the country.

For the backpacker crowd, the KiwiExperience – New Zealand’s leading hop-on, hop-off bus – offers loads of fun andsocial interaction. With over 25 years ofexperience, the company’s iconic greenbuses can be seen all over the North andSouth Islands, picking up and dropping offtravellers at the country’s most populardestinations and hidden gems. The bus

drivers are passionate and knowledgeableabout New Zealand and their commentaryinforms and entertains. With a range ofpackages to choose from, sitting back andletting someone else take the wheel could-n’t be easier, more affordable or as muchfun.

Visitors looking to stretch out and relax willlove taking the train. KiwiRail ScenicJourneys is the way to travel in comfort andstyle. It offers wide panoramic side androof windows, an on-board licensed caféwith hot meals and local beer and wine,along with many other amenities. Since thecountry is only 268,021 square kilometresin total (Alberta is 661,848 square kilome-tres), the distance between breathtakingregions isn’t far at all.

For the sightseer who wants to get aroundon their own two feet, New Zealand ishome to several great walkable cities. Thesafe and welcoming environments of thedowntown cores of Auckland, Wellingtonand Queenstown offer top attractions,accommodations, restaurants, nightlifeand more – all within easy walking dis-tance. The cities also offer convenient and

simple-to-navigate public transportation,and there are plenty of taxis if your feetneed a rest.

Many New Zealand tour operators arehappy to pick guests up at their accommo-dation. From hiking and cycling to foodand wine, from nature walks to Hobbit-related tours, and from city tours to kayak-ing excursions, operators will often transfervisitors back and forth between the activityand their lodge, hotel, B&B or hostel.

Air New Zealand (www.airnewzealand.ca)has direct non-stop flights from Vancouverto Auckland and offers flights from manyother North American cities. For moreinformation about New Zealand, pleasevisit: www.NewZealand.com.

Kiwi Experience – www.kiwiexperience.com

KiwiRail Scenic Journeys -www.kiwirailscenic.co.nz

Auckland – www.aucklandnz.com

Wellington – www.wellingtonnz.com

Queenstown – www.queenstownnz.co.nz

American World Traveler Winter/Spring 2015

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Photo Miles Holen

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N o r t h e a s t e r n N

D o o r t o t h e A m e r i

by Anne-Marie Macloughlin

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e b r a s k a

Lying between the Missouri and Platte Rivers, north-eastern Nebraska is a panorama of prairie andbreathtaking vistas. Below South Dakota and on the

west side of Iowa, Nebraska is literally where the mid meets thewest. Landing in Omaha in late September, we were greeted bytemperatures in the high 80s and sunny prairie skies, a promisingsight for our group as the focus of the tour was to experience twonational parks, Niobrara and Ponca, both within a two hour driveof Omaha. Enjoying the warmth as we peeled off our jackets in theafternoon heat, it is hard to imagine the same vista reeling from therage of a deadly tornado, which can happen this time of year.

First stop, Norfolk (pronounced Nor-FORK), where we stayed atthe Norfolk Inn and Suites. After a welcome dinner at the on-siteVeranda Steakhouse, I headed to my comfy room to bone up onsome local history.

History Bites

In the early 19th century, Meriweather Lewis and William Clarktravelled up the Missouri and opened up the west to American set-tlers. Sadly, this influx of pioneers resulted in the displacement ofthe native tribes, amongst them the Sioux from South Dakota, andthe Omaha and Ponca in Nebraska. Forced onto reservations,there were few natives left anywhere in Nebraska by the end ofthe 1870s. Most of the new settlers were farmers, in an industrythat has suffered a decline since the Great Depression and WorldWar II. This is reflected in the shrinking population of small townssuch as those featured in the 2013 movie ‘Nebraska’, shot inPlainfield, where the population hovers at around 2000. Lookingat the deserted streets at 10am on a Tuesday morning, there is asense of irony.

Arts and Entertainment

Not far from Norfolk, is David City, where the Bone CreekMuseum of Agrarian Art is located. This adorable tiny museum isknown for its quality exhibits illustrating depictions of rural life andlandscapes. Focusing particularly on the agrarian roots ofAmerican communities, works by Canadian painter DeniseLamaster were also on show the day we visited.

The town of Norfolk has one very famous ‘export’ – The lateJohnny Carson. Originally from Iowa, Carson moved toNebraska as a child but never forgot his Nebraska roots. TheElkhorn Valley Museum is where the Johnny Carson Gallery canbe found. Opened in 2002, it is THE destination for Carsonsuperfans.

A Prairie Pompeii

In the little town of Royal, NE, lies a well-kept secret. Nearly 12million years ago, hundreds of rhinos, camels, and other animalsperished in a massive volcanic eruption and were buried in asharound the edge of a water hole, in what is now northeastNebraska. Incredibly well-preserved skeletons of these greatbeasts are on show at the Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park– which is just as well, as the concept of African animals in theprairies is hard to wrap your head around without significantproof. A great family outing, the beds are a chance to travel backin time and see what roamed the plains long before modern man.This site is of such importance, it was featured in author BillBryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything”.

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c a n W e s t

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not making this up), then Ponca is theplace for you.

Since Tolkien hit the big screen, the glam-our of archery has appealed to many ofus. Cloak billowing behind while youeffortlessly draw your hand-crafted long-bow with the accuracy of a laser, the reali-ty was a little soggier. Unrelenting showersleft the range muddy and waterlogged,kind of like we were. Still, under the experttuition of Park Ranger Tyler, we all man-aged to hit the targets and not each other.A great upper body workout and someserious mojo made this the highlight sofar.

Not as seductive was the shooting range,‘generously funded by our friends at theNRA’, according to the plaque. Given thelocation, guns are the norm around here,with many visitors bringing their own (afellow traveller proudly showing off hiscollection from home). After a short ses-sion of learning how to shoot a .22, ourinstructor informed us that children asyoung as 10 take lessons, with some ofthe older kids signing up for ‘Hunter’s Ed’.As much as one tries to understand therural culture in certain US states, it is stillcringe-making to hear about children –oranyone for that matter – learning how tostalk and kill wild animals in this day andage. With zero need to catch your owndinner, clothing or shoes, this form of‘sport’ is not for everyone.

As a relaxing end to our tour, a boat tripat sunset was a great contrast to weaponstraining. As we observed waterfowl andeven a young wild deer in the peachy sun-light, the appeal of national parks and thegreat outdoors seems clear. Well-preparedtravellers can feel what it’s like to be ‘offthe grid’, with erratic cell and wifi serviceand no phones in the cabins (or tvs insome cases). Peace, quiet, and solitudecan be reassuring. For this urban warrior,however, you can keep the bug bites, thedamp, and the feeling of total isolation.

www.visitnebraska.com

Parks and Recreation

Niobrara State Park 1250 acres situatedon bluffs overlooking the Missouri andNiobrara Rivers. For the botany enthusiast,this part of the state is where the easterntallgrass meets the mixed grass of theMidwest, which gives this park its uniquetopography. From the lookout point at themain lodge, you can see South Dakota onthe other side of the Missouri.

A heads up for planning your stay –Norfolk proper is a one-horse town withminimal amenities. When asking aboutlocal stores, we were directed to ‘TheTrading Post’, which sounded like anauthentic experience but turned out to bea dimly-lit gas station/corner store and theonly place open. Basic snacks and an oddselection of liquor shared the space withhunting knives, fishing accessories andstrange souvenirs. There are no drug orgrocery stores in the near vicinity, so planwell.

After spending the night in a wind-rattledcabin, it started to feel very pioneer-likefor this urban tourist. Declining the early-morning bird-watching (5am start – brrrr),we headed out to the Kreycik Elk & BuffaloRanch in the Niobrara River Valley. Aworking farm/ranch, we met Boomer thelonghorn steer who thinks he’s a buffalo,got to pet Suzie, a bottle-raised elk wholoves head scratches, and hand feed buf-falo, whose big woolly heads will meltyour heart.

Following the outlaw trail, on we went toPonca State Park, 2300 acres on the southside of the Missouri River. At the mainlodge, there is a resource and educationcentre for visitors, conference rooms, andgift shop. The accommodations reflect thestyle of the lodge, with palatial mini-lodges, some nestled around the well-stocked fishing pond. As well as the manymiles of hiking trails, natural beauty andthe river, there are a many outdoor ‘edu-cation’ programmes available. If you werehankering to learn tomahawk throwing,archery, and shotguns for beginners (I’m

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