GREECEWho: Barbara Childs of Breckenridge,Amy Reichardt of Denver and Lisa Lewisof DenverWhere: Naxos, the largest island in the Cy-clades island group, by the “portara,” theonly remaining part of a sixth-century B.C.temple of the god Apollo.Best meal: The food co-ops throughout Nax-os Town (a.k.a. Hora) provide the ingredi-ents for a wonderful picnic. The co-ops sellNaxos (and other Greek) specialties such ashoney, potatoes, preserved fruits, olive oil,cheese, breads and spices for re-creatingdishes such as souvlaki at home.Best deal: Grotta Bus Tour of the island for25 euros a person, a day-long tour that ex-plored both the interior and coast of the is-land.Best time to go: September was the end ofthe season, which is good for visitors whowant to avoid the crowds; there were dis-counts in many shops. But be prepared forrain and colder weather, too. If you want alot of sun and more of a party atmosphere,go during high summer season.Best travel tip: Take binoculars; there are Ve-netian towers and Greek Orthodox church-es high in the hills that are hard to see attimes. On clear days you’ll want to seeneighboring islands.
LAOSWho: Justin McCann of Morrison andDan Walter of DenverWhere: ChampaLao Bungalow inVang ViengBest meal: It may not sound authen-tic, but baguette sandwiches are doneright on every street corner in VangVieng. The omelette sandwich is phe-nomenal. A foot-long omelette on awarm baguette, fresh-cut vegetables,and southeast Asia’s finest condi-ment: chili sauce. Delicious!
Best deal: Renting motorbikes and bi-cycles and getting away to see thebeautiful Laos countryside. Motor-bikes are around $5 for 24 hours andbikes are around $2. Once off the beat-en path you can mingle with theamazingly friendly people, find cavesto explore and lagoons to swim in atyour own pace.Best time to go: We were there dur-ing the rainy season but it was bear-able. December to January is the dryseason and high season for tourism.
Best travel tip: Tube down the NamSong river. It’s the most talked-abouttravel tip in all of Southeast Asia. Youset in a few miles upstream and trav-el to six dock/bars along the way.Each one offers something to keepyou busy: huge rope swings into theriver, zip lines, dance floors, mud vol-leyball ... and drinks. Needless to say,each one is a big party! Also, eventhough we spell it with an “s” at theend, the natives pronounce it Lao.
BERMUDAWho: Beverley (Jacobs-Ratteray) LakesWhere: Off North Shore Road in HamiltonParishBest meal: Dorothy’s Cafe on ChanceryLane in Hamilton for great hamburgersand island fish cakesBest deal: Ferry ride for $4; you can takephotos of the island while riding the ferry.
Best time to go: September — summer iscoming to a close, and there’s still time toenjoy picnics at the beaches.Best travel tip: Take a taxi tour; the driversare friendly and knowledgeable about theisland, the tourist spots and its history.They will have you feeling right at home.
UNITED ARABEMIRATESWho: Justin Blincoe of Dubai,Kristi Blincoe and George Blincoeof DillonWhere: Dubai, in front of the Burj AlArab, self-proclaimed “7-star hotel”Best meal: Al Iwan Restaurant atBurj Al Arab, an incredible buffetwith a sushi station. Take plenty ofdirhams for an incredible meal,then ride the glass elevator to thebar at the top.Best deal: Take the Abra, a smallwooden water taxi, across DubaiCreek to Deira, (old part of Dubai)for only 1 dirham (about 25 cents),then shop at the souks, the localmarkets. The Karachi Darkar Paki-stani restaurant was inexpensiveand delicious. Fresh-squeezed juic-es everywhere.Best time to go: November to April;they have two seasons, summerand hot summer (May to October).Best travel tip: Fly business class.It is a 10-hour time-zone change.Take the Big Bus tour. Conserva-tive dress — cover knees and shoul-ders.
Happy trails from Denver Post readers
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4T» TRAVEL sunday, november 30, 2008 B the denver post B denverpost.com 6
