Year 8 Home Learning:

Travel Writing (Booklet 1)

How to use this booklet: During the second half term of year 8 we will study Travel Writing.

If you are working from home at any point during this time, you should use this booklet to

complete your home learning.

This booklet will break down the reading and writing into week by week sections with tasks

to complete.

If you have been in school for part of the time but are now studying from home, you should

start the lessons from where you last finished with your class teacher.

Summary of the scheme

Travel Writing is a seven week scheme that will allow you to develop your writing skills. By

reading a variety of different articles and blog entries, your understanding of non-fiction

writing will grow. You will start to understand about the different purposes of this type of

writing with a particular focus on persuasion. The aim is for you to be able to use similar

methods in your own writing to create interesting effects. This is also an opportunity for

you to read about a variety of different places in the world and learn about other cultures.

All extracts and texts mentioned can be found in the back of this booklet.

Discussing a text

At some points you will be asked to write a What? How? Why? Paragraph. The section

below provides some advice on how to write this.

What is the writer doing?

The first sentence of your paragraph should clearly explain what the writer is doing.

For example, if I was answering the question: How does the writer present the atmosphere

in this article?

I would start my paragraph by saying: The writer presents the atmosphere as…

Other sentence starters might include: the writer chooses to present……, the writer explores

ideas about….., the writer portrays….

How is this done in the text?

This is the main section of any analysis you will write. Here you explain the details from the

text which help explain your opinion on what the writer is trying to show.

These details might include structural choices made by the writer or particular methods

that they use. Remember, the more examples you give, the stronger your answer will be.

Sentence starters which you may use for this section include:

The writer uses …….. in order to suggest that……..

The use of the word….. suggests that…………. Because…………….

The writer opens the novel by showing…….which suggests that……..

Why might the writer have done this?

This section of analysis asks you to think about a writer’s intentions- the reasons why they

wrote the text.

For example, an article that is describing a place in a very appealing way might be trying to

persuade you to visit.

Here, you may only include a short sentence at the end of your analysis.

Sentence starters for this section include:

Perhaps the writer is trying to show that…

By presenting the place in this way, the writer might be ….

Travel Writing:

Week-by-Week Guide

Week One – Exploring Europe

1 1. Research pathos, ethos and logos. Write appropriate definitions in your book. Highlight ‘pathos’ because we will be focusing on this during the rest of the scheme.

2. Read the summary of the travel writing scheme. This is located above. 3. Write a speech to persuade your classmates to come on a journey around the world with you.

2 1. Re-write these sentences in different ways by choosing alternative words and adding some in: a) I walk to the train station. b) I bend down to pick up the litter. c) Standing on a platform above the city, I look at the streets beneath.

2. Write how the meanings of these sentences change when you alter the vocabulary. 3. Read the article about Paris. 4. Highlight effective vocabulary choices and annotate with their effects. 5. Group the vocabulary together into different categories. Which words make the city seem ‘busy’,

etc. 6. To extend yourself, choose the most effective word in the description and explain why you think

that it is most effective.

3

1. What are the differences between these pictures? List as many as you can. 2. Read two articles about Paris (one of them is the extract that you read yesterday). 3. Identify the differences between the two in a table. 4. Decide which seems more appealing and support with clear reasons. 5. Add to your highlighted vocabulary choices in the ‘Visit Paris’ article by commenting on how they

are persuasive. 6. To extend yourself, are there any words that hint at unpleasantness? Could you change them to

something more persuasive? 7. Write a what/how/why that explains why the second article is more persuasive and analyses the

effects of key vocabulary choices.

8. Look back at the picture of the grimy city. How could you describe it to make it seem pleasant and persuade people to go there?

4

1. List as many adjectives as you can to describe this picture of Paris. 2. Now, try to group your adjectives into categories (like we did in lesson 2). 3. An ambitious adjective is only useful if it is purposeful and helps the writer to achieve the

impression that they want to create. Look back at the picture of Paris above. Decide on a mood for the image and brain-storm vocabulary associated with that mood.

4. Write up a description and include these words. 5. Once completed, you should self-assess your work. In your WWW, you should explain you’re your

vocabulary has helped to create the desired mood. In your EBI, you should find words within your description that break the mood. Once you’ve identified these, you can try to edit and replace them.

5 1. Discuss what we expect from a city and what different impressions people have of cities. 2. Watch this clip of London and make a list of everything that you could describe about the city.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8zLJlU_-60

3. Decide on a mood for the city and create a plan of words associated with that mood. 4. Write up a description of the city. Make sure to focus on your vocabulary choices. 5. Check your work and look for any moments when the mood is disrupted.

Week Two – African Wilderness

6 1. List all of the ways that the city is different to the country. 2. We will be travelling to somewhere more rural this week – the African wilderness. Read: African

wilderness camping. 3. Is this what you expect from the country? 4. Identify all of the words that highlight the beauty of the country. 5. Identify all of the words that highlight the danger. 6. Annotate the effects. 7. To extend yourself, write a what/how/why paragraph that explains how the writer presents the

African wilderness. 8. Why do you think that the writer chose to use vocabulary that highlighted the beauty of Africa and

emphasised the danger?

7 1. List more persuasive and interesting synonyms for these adjectives: a) Dry landscape b) Cold shade c) Big predator d) Murky water e) Great journey

2. Read a description of the Victoria Falls. 3. There are blanks in the description – can you fill them in with persuasive vocabulary? 4. How do the words that you’ve chosen compare to the original? 5. Annotate the original words and explore their effects. How are they persuasive and why did the writer choose to use them? 6. Look back at the persuasive piece on Paris. Is the extract on the Victoria Falls or the European city most persuasive? Why?

8 1. Look at the heading from yesterday’s article. Why is it interesting? 2. Mind map the features of an article. 3. Let’s read the full article that yesterday’s extract was taken from (The full experience of the Victoria

Falls). 4. How is it clear that this description is part of a wider article and not a story? 5. Highlight the features of an article. 6. Take a closer look at the opening and annotate with how it is effective. 7. Write an interesting opening sentence for an article about Africa.

9 1. Would you prefer to visit the African wilderness or a European city? Why? 2. Mind map persuasive techniques – make sure to mention pathos. 3. These techniques need to be used to create a specific effect or they become useless. In this case,

you need to use them to persuade. Write an opening on a European city from last week. Make sure to embed some of these persuasive techniques.

4. Why is it important to include pathos in our writing?

10 1. This traveller is writing for the purpose of dissuading others from going to Africa. Spot the vocabulary that doesn’t match the purpose in this paragraph:

Lions, hippopotamus and buffalo? Dust, debris and dung. That is all that will greet you in the depths of the vibrant African wilderness. The promise of an exhilarating and lifechanging experience? Barren terrain will stretch out for miles as you blister in the warm rays of the sun. As you peer through your fingers from underneath your cooling hat, you will be hypnotised by the sheer endlessness of the dramatic landscape. Catching sight of the rarer creatures is impossible and you are left staring at the graceful gazelles that plod over the barren ground. Gazelle after gazelle. Dust after dust. Debris after debris. Dung after dung.

2. Watch this video clip that showcases the African wilderness. Make notes about what you can see and any interesting vocabulary that comes to mind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJmhon6vHTI

3. Write a persuasive opening to an article about the African Wilderness. Aim to include purposeful vocabulary in their heading and opening description.

4. Which words did you choose for effect and why?

Week Three – Asia and Action

11 Research lesson: This week, we are travelling around Asia. Create a leaflet that features key information about Asia. Use the internet and any other resources to help you.

You could consider:

• List all of the different places that you could visit.

• Choose one and research it in-depth.

• What is the weather like?

• What are the key landmarks?

• What different activities are there to do?

• What is the food like?

• What is their culture like?

• What is their fashion like?

• Why do people visit there?

12 1. What do you notice about these two sentences? Which is most effective and why? a) Visit Asia! b) You should visit Asia and explore the extensive variety of experiences that it has to offer.

2. List all of the different sentence types that you can have and define them.

You can consider: exclamatives, declaratives, interrogatives, imperatives, complex, compound, simple, short and long. To extend yourself, consider why each type might be used.

3. Read the three extracts about the different places in Asia. 4. Which uses sentence types most effectively and why? 5. These different writers use different sentence types to show these different experiences. Why

would these writers need to use different sentence types?

13 1. Write three sentences that describe a cave. Make sure that they are all different types. 2. Read Conquering an Infinite Cave. Particularly look for how the sentences convey action. 3. Complete a what/how/why:

• What is the experience presented like?

• How is the experience presented through the different sentence types?

• Why does the writer present their experience in this way? To extend yourself, consider - If the cave was beautiful and peaceful, how might that alter the sentence types that the writer would use?

14

1. Look at this picture and create a list of interesting sentences to describe this experience. 2. Watch this video clip about a balloon flight over Bagan:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8epwUR6BBos

3. Plan a persuasive blog post about this experience. You should add to your plan by specifically labelling with where you will purposefully use sentences.

4. Look back at your plan. Is it clear why you are using those types of sentences in that section for effect?

15 1. How many persuasive techniques can you remember? Try to list as many as you can without looking back at your previous work. How many did you get right? Which ones did you miss?

2. Write the persuasive blog post that you planned yesterday. 3. Which persuasive techniques did you use for effect and why? How did these help you to convey

action?

Week Four – Australian Adventures

16 1. As a re-cap, can you remember the definitions of these sentence types? Imperative Complex Exclamative Compound

2. This week, we are going to Australia. Read: Seek out some sunshine in Sydney 3. Write a what/how/why paragraph - What are your first impressions of Sydney? Make sure to discuss

sentence types in your ‘how’. 4. Read: Australia’s Coral Coast 5. Write a what/how/why paragraph - What are your first impressions of Sydney here? Make sure to

discuss sentence types in your ‘how’. 6. Why do you think that these writers wanted to create these different effects?

17

1. Write a group of sentences to describe each of these images of Australia. 2. How can you use sentences to convey emotion? How would this be different to conveying action? 3. Read: Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge. 4. Explain whether they are conveying action or emotion. Make sure to support your opinion with

quotes. Analyse how the sentence types also help to create this effect. 5. To extend yourself, write a paragraph that argues the opposite – use quotes and analysis of

sentence types to support yourself. 6. Write a sentence that shows emotion and write a sentence that shows action. Can someone read

each of them and tell the difference?

18 1. Re-write the following two sentences to make them more effective – think about your vocabulary choices and sentence types: Australia is great because it has really blue sea and fantastic sunshine. There is a lot to do.

2. Read: The Great Barrier Reef. 3. Let’s bring together everything that we’ve learnt! Circle all of the vocabulary that is persuasive.

Underline all of the sentence types that are effective. 4. Choose a particular vocabulary choice that stands out to you and annotate for its effectiveness. Do

the same for a sentence type.

5. Choose two key sections about different activities. Create a table for how they are similar and/or different for each of these sections: - The experience that they describe - Vocabulary choices

- Persuasive techniques - Sentence types

6. To extend yourself, consider the effects of key vocabulary and sentence choices on the reader. 7. Which activity would you most like to do and why? Use a key quote from the text to support

yourself and explain why that interests you.

19 1. Can you remember all of the key features of an article? 2. How is the main body of an article different to the opening? 3. Write a paragraph from the main body of an article about an experience in Australia of your choice. 4. Annotate your own paragraph with where you have used specific sentence forms for effect. 5. To extend yourself, you should edit to include additional sentences for effect. 6. Research an Australian experience that you’d like to have – whether it’s meeting a kangaroo, visiting

the Sydney Opera House or surfing.

20 1. How can we use sentence types to make our writing more effective? 2. Write a persuasive article about the experience that you researched yesterday. This should be

around two pages and take at least 45 minutes. 3. Check through your work carefully.

Lesson 2 and Lesson 3

Paris: the most famous, beautiful city

Article from a website promoting hotels in different cities

Paris is a magnificent city, famous the world over. The ultimate

romantic city, it attracts tourists throughout the year, yet the

capital of France has so much to offer that you need more than

just a few hours to visit it. With its monuments, museums, shops,

parks and restaurants, there really is something to please

everyone, but whatever your taste, you will love this city of a

thousand faces.

There are a thousand things to do and see in Paris and however

much time you have here, it won’t be enough:

Climb to the top of the Eiffel Tower, stroll down the Champs Elysées, visit the Louvre, see many shows and

exhibitions, or simply wander along the banks of the Seine...read in French in the Tuileries garden, and quite simply

take the time to experience the Parisian way of life!

Stepping into this whirlwind that takes you from frenzy to romanticism will leave you with enduring memories.

PARIS, A CITY OF MONUMENTS

Paris is monumental, both due to its size but also its wealth of architectural heritage. The symbol of the capital city,

and doubtless its best-known monument, is the unique Eiffel Tower, the "Iron Lady" that offers visitors an

unsurpassed view. Close by is the equally iconic Arc de Triomphe. This historical landmark dazzles onlookers on

summer days, when the sun sets through the huge arch. Notre Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic

architecture, is another magnificent and unmissable sight, where you can admire sculptures, the nave, towers and

even the crypt! Just as evocative, the Sacré-Cœur Basilica has been the source of inspiration for writers and film-

makers. It houses the largest mosaic in France and boasts an incredible panoramic view over the city from the top of

the Montmartre district. Paris is also a city of iconic squares, including the Place de la Concorde with its two

fountains, rostral columns and the incredible Luxor Obelisk, the Place de la Bastille, with its famous July Column

commemorating the revolution and its very modern Paris National Opera and the Place de l'Opéra, featuring the

magnificent Opéra Garnier.

PARIS, A CITY OF MUSEUMS

In addition to its splendid monuments, Paris is home to a wealth of museums. Who hasn't heard of the Louvre? This

magnificent building, famous for its architecture featuring a glass pyramid, has been one of the largest museums in

the world for over two centuries, containing 35,000 works of art in 8 different departments and no fewer than

60,600 m² of rooms housing the permanent collection. The Musée d'Orsay, on the other hand, is a former train

station featuring a monumental clock that is best known for its imposing collection of Impressionist art. Visitors are

immersed in the artistic creation of the Western world, but perhaps you prefer a touch of exoticism? In that case,

don't miss the Musée du Quai Branly, which has a permanent exhibition area of over 39,000 m², featuring major

works representing the art and culture of Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. Looking to the future? Head for La

Villette, where the Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie welcomes the young and old alike for a magical encounter with

the innumerable secrets of science and images. Paris museums are so many and varied that it is difficult to sum them

up in just a few lines. Whatever your interests, you are sure to satisfy your curiosity... all you need is plenty of time

to avoid having to make difficult choices…

THE PARISIAN ART OF LIVING

You can visit Paris, but you also have to live Paris. A visit to the city is not complete without taking time to enjoy its

emblematic "art de vivre". A coffee on the terrace of one of the Paris bistrots, a quick lunch in a brasserie, a

sumptuous dinner in a gastronomic restaurant, foreign food or a district speciality, such as the Saint-Michel fallafels

or the Montparnasse Brittany biscuits... There are so many ways of eating! Paris is also the capital of fashion and

shopping. With its shopping centres, commercial districts (such as Les Halles, Montparnasse and Rue de Rennes) and

department stores (Le Printemps, Galeries Lafayette, BHV, etc.), you're never short of ideas. To unwind and get away

from the bustle of the city, you can copy the Parisians and relax in one of the many city parks and gardens, including

the Jardin des Plantes, Jardin des Tuileries, Jardin du Luxembourg, Parc Montsouris, Parc des Buttes-Chaumont....and

the list goes on! To catch a glimpse of Parisien luxury, stroll along the Champs-Elysées or head for the Place

Vendôme, both highly evocative locations. But Paris also has an exciting night-life, boasting its famous Parisian

nights. Bars, pubs, nightclubs, casinos, cabarets... the choice is yours! There is no single way of experiencing Paris.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?

This magnificent city - historical, modern and timeless - appeals to everyone: young and old, fashion fans, party-

goers, adventurers, explorers and gourmet lovers. You can change with each visit, as there are so many reasons to

come, and above all to come back, to Paris.

Why I hate Paris

Travel Fearlessly Blog Post

“I hate Paris.”

Those were words that my husband had spoken just a few hours

after stepping off the train from Germany. I admit that walking

around the Gare de l’Est station left me feeling a little

disappointed in my perfect vision of Paris but I told him to just

wait until we get to the city centre tomorrow to make his

judgement. Just wait until you try the food and see Notre Dame

and have your first glimpse of the Eiffel Tower!

By the third day I too was hating Paris.

Well, hate is a pretty strong word to describe a city that so many

others love. Now that I’m home and have had time to ponder my travel experience I think it’s more accurate to

downgrade my emotions to “dislike”. I dislike Paris. Sure, there were some things I enjoyed about the City of Lights

such as the unique bouquinistes (booksellers along the Seine River) but there were more things I didn’t enjoy.

Dust and Dirt Everywhere

Parisian parks have little paving or gravel and lots of dirt. Gusts of wind can create tiny tornadoes that blast you with

dust. Playgrounds are no different. At the end of each day we would dump out the accumulation of dirt from our

daughter’s shoes and hose her off in the shower. Luckily there are plenty of laundromats in Paris so doing laundry

wasn’t a problem at all. But if you’re traveling to Paris with kids be sure to bring plenty of clothes, close-toed shoes

and find a laundromat close to your hotel. Trust me, you’ll be doing lots of laundry!

Too Crowded

Paris was extremely crowded when we visited. To be fair it was a holiday weekend with excellent weather and a

tennis match at the Eiffel Tower so the crowds were probably much higher than normal. Still, Paris is a popular tourist

destination and that many people in one small city made me feel a little too claustrophobic.

The line to get into Notre Dame was about 1/4 mile long, zig-zagging along the plaza in front of the cathedral. The

crowds under the Eiffel Tower were so thick with people that we didn’t even want to attempt to cross through them

to reach the beautiful carousel on the other side. There were even lines to get into some of the playgrounds! That’s

simply too many people for my comfort level.

*Bonus* The Dog Poop

Let’s not forget the poop. I don’t know what it is about Parisians and their refusal to pick up after their dogs but this

was a big pet peeve of mine (pun intended). We walked by piles of dog poo, from tiny tootsie rolls to giant butt

nuggets. Some were in the grass and most were right on the sidewalk where they were unavoidable. If you’ve been

to Paris then you probably know exactly what I’m talking about!

Will we visit Paris again?

Probably not, though I would love to visit the smaller villages in France. From now on I think I will just fall in love with

Ernest Hemingway’s or Julia Child’s Paris and enjoy the City of Lights between the pages of a book.

Lesson 6

African wilderness camping: Not for the faint of heart

Allen’s Travel Blog

I love nature shows, and so I am a huge fan of the BBC Planet Earth series. Recently I saw a teaser

video of the African grasslands at night used to advertise the show. Here is the accompanying BBC

description:

“Take your chances in the savannah at night,

surrounded by some of the largest and most

fearsome animals in Africa. This video has 360

spatial sound, so put your headphones on, turn

up the volume, and try to keep track of the

creatures around you!”

Watching the short video was thrilling.

Memories burst forth in me of the sheer terror I

felt every time I camped in the African

wilderness of Botswana, something I used to do

with regularity for about ten years.

There, in Botswana, I did a lot of wilderness camping. About 45% of the land area of Botswana is

protected, and because of that, it is one of the last remaining true and very large refuges for African

wildlife. The numbers and the diversity of its wildlife rivals that found on the plains of East Africa in

Tanzania and Kenya.

Just hearing the name “Botswana” now evokes vivid images of many hundreds of elephants along

the Chobe River in the north, and of vast, seemingly endless herds of Cape Buffalo in the shallow

water reeds of the Okavango swamp, and of thousands of zebras migrating from the Savuti

Channel to better water in the west as the dry season approached.

I saw those and many other animals in Botswana in the company of very small groups of campers.

In those places I slept every night in a modest outside-frame tent on the ground. We helped to

collect firewood and to cook our meals. The designated “campgrounds” were merely cleared

spots in the grasslands or the Kalahari with crude ablutions and no fences to shield us from the

wilderness. Often the makeshift campground toilets and showers were busted up by elephant herds

looking for water.

During the day, we had to keep everything locked up and zipped up tight to avoid predation by

marauding baboons, monkeys, and families of mongoose. Mongoose love eggs, for instance;

baboons and monkeys like to destroy and try to eat everything they can get their hands on.

Birds, too, would steal any morsel they could, such as Red-billed hornbills swooping down silently

from watchful perches in acacia bushes to take food I was eating right out of my hand. Goodbye,

lunch! Tents had to be kept tightly zipped shut to keep out snakes like Black Mambas and

crustaceans like big scorpions and spiders seeking shelter from the sun as well as food. Elephants

liked to walk through the camp as if they owned it (well, they did, actually). We always gave them

a wide berth, and the pachyderms daintily picked their way among the tents, never so much as

snagging a rope.

It was a constant, if exciting, battle to live amongst the local fauna during the day.

Nighttime, however, was a different experience altogether. The BBC video made me remember

the primeval fear that gripped us all at dusk. The video was spot on; it was no exaggeration of the

deep-seated dread humans feel in the African grasslands in the dark of night. Suddenly, we realize

that we are just another prey animal like Wildebeest and Impala.

One never sleeps soundly when camping in the African bush, not even in the relative safety of a

“luxury camping safari” surrounded by guides with rifles. I never felt entirely safe in the African

wilderness. It’s totally different from camping anywhere else on earth. I’ve slept peacefully camping

in the bear country of the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness of Montana because the chances of a

big animal encounter are low.

Not so in Botswana. Every night—no exceptions—brought predators through the camp, looking for

their next meal.

It’s not elephants, or even leopards, one worried about. My experience is that those two species

just don’t care about people and generally ignored us at night unless provoked. In order of potential

danger to humans, it’s hyenas first (highly opportunistic, unfussy eaters, incredibly strong, range

widely each night in well-coordinated packs, and clever), and lions second (not usually man-eaters,

but tend to kill anything that gets too close anyway–and whether or not they then consume your

carcass, dead is, after all, dead, a condition to be avoided). There are many, many hyena and

lion families in the Botswana wilderness, all hungry for protein.

I am doing it one last time this coming February in Tanzania: a camping safari. I will always go back

to Africa as long as my health and my money hold out, but on lodge safaris, like to the Kruger

National Park in South Africa, which is surrounded by the safety of an enclosure to keep out the

indiscriminate predators. Here, you can admire the extensive, impressive landscape without fear.

The scorched and dry terrain stretches to meet a sublime red sunset like no other. As dust clouds

gather in the heat, the emerging sight of a herd of elephants or proud leopard makes your heart

drum – not out of fear but awe. Awe, not fear, as you’re safely behind protective fencing. That is

the way that I like it.

After the trip in February, I doubt I’ll go on another African wilderness camping safari. Being savagely

consumed while still alive, starting with one’s bloody entrails being ripped out of the abdomen, by

a fellow carnivore in the dark of night isn’t a welcome image for me.

But camping on the African savanna always renewed my spirit, always gave it a unique jolt, like no

other experience. Afterwards, I have never felt more alive. I highly recommend it.

Lesson 7

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

VICTORIA FALLS DESCRIPTION

At more than 1.7km long and ________________

into a 110m chasm, the Victoria Falls is twice the

height of Niagara Falls and is ________________

one of the most ___________________________

and ____________________ sights on the planet.

As the ________________ Zambezi River runs on

its westward course, it creates a natural boundary

between the neighbouring nations of Zimbabwe

and Zambia and has ______________ a series of

_________________ gorges over eons of time. At

its high-water peak, the _____________ of ____________ can be seen from 50km away but doesn’t even begin to

compare with the ________________ of seeing the falls up close and personal.

OFFICIAL:

VICTORIA FALLS DESCRIPTION

At more than 1.7km long and plunging into a 110m chasm, the Victoria Falls is twice the height of Niagara Falls and is

undoubtedly one of the most scenically spectacular and awe-inspiring sights on the planet.

As the mighty Zambezi River runs on its westward course, it creates a natural boundary between the neighbouring

nations of Zimbabwe and Zambia and has etched a series of dramatic gorges over eons of time. At its high-water

peak, the plume of spray can be seen from 50km away but doesn’t even begin to compare with the drama of seeing

the falls up close and personal.

Lesson 8

THE ULTIMATE VICTORIA FALLS EXPERIENCE IN AFRICA

Article from Explorations Africa

At more than 1.7km long and plunging into a 110m chasm, the Victoria Falls is twice the height of Niagara Falls and is

undoubtedly one of the most scenically spectacular and awe-inspiring sights on the planet.

As the mighty Zambezi River runs on its westward

course, it creates a natural boundary between the

neighbouring nations of Zimbabwe and Zambia and has

etched a series of dramatic gorges over eons of time. At

its high-water peak, the plume of spray can be seen from

50km away but doesn’t even begin to compare with the

drama of seeing the falls up close and personal.

Ideally situated right in the heart of Southern Africa’s

greatest wildlife area, you don’t want to miss out on

Victoria Falls! Africa has plenty of magnificent sites

waiting to be discovered but as the “Adventure Capitol of

Africa”, Victoria Falls or Mosi-oa-Tunya “the smoke that thunders” should top the list.

And the best way to experience this awe-inspiring natural beauty is with these five tips:

Know the best time to visit

Victoria Falls is at its highest volume from February to July, with up to 500 million liters passing over the falls per

minute at its peak in April. With this volume of water passing over the lip, the view of the falls is often obscured as

waves of spray drench the surrounding area in a continuous cloud which rises 1000m into the air.

Aerial views of the falls at this time of the year are the most dramatic.

From July, the flow begins to abate with ever increasing opportunity to witness the falls from the ground, with

October to December offering the clearest opportunity to view the falls.

The best views are typically from the Zimbabwean side

Zimbabwe enjoys an inherent advantage in that they face the 1.2 km of the falls which enjoys a constant water flow

and thus excellent year round viewing. During the high water months, Zambia’s .5km facing the falls offers

spectacular viewing but by October all that remains to be viewed from the Zambian side are a few isolated rivulets.

See it from different vantage points

In order to fully appreciate Victoria Falls scale and beauty, it needs to be experienced from as many vantage points

as possible. Whether from a raft on the waters below the falls, in a helicopter soaring above it or absorbing its

majesty crossing the knife edge bridge, Victoria Falls will take your breath away!

Arrange a Victoria Falls adventure

Victoria Falls is known as the “Adventure Capitol of Africa” for good reason. Adventure activities from white water

rafting to elephant back riding, bungee jumping and a myriad of other adventure activities are all easily available and

we would be more than happy to pre book these for you at a discounted rate.

Take a swim in the ultimate infinity pool

From August to mid-January the decreased flow of the falls exposes a natural pool on the lip of the falls called the

Devil’s pool. Accessed from Livingstone Island on the Zambian side, the Devil’s pool allows you to experience the

Victoria Falls from within as the Zambezi River careens around you and drops 110m to the floor of the Batoka gorge.

This has definitely got to rate as one of the most exhilarating experiences available!

With such an amazing natural wonder within easy reach of so many prime wildlife safari areas, booking at least 2

nights at the awe inspiring Victoria Falls should definitely be in your next Explorations Africa safari itinerary.

Lesson 12 – Extracts about experiences in Asia

Extract One: Bagan, Myanmar's Hot Air Balloons

It’s nearly impossible to picture Bagan without hot air balloons

beautifully clouding the historic horizon. Bagan’s balloons

have become an iconic symbol of the region, and have

carried many travellers on soaring adventures of a lifetime.

Experience an unforgettable birds-eye view of Bagan,

Myanmar.

Ballooning season in Bagan runs from the beginning of

October to the middle of April. Sunrise is when most rides are

offered, as the cooler morning temperatures allow balloons

to float closer to the ancient stupas for a more detailed glimpse. Daybreak also tends to bring with

it more dramatic layers of haze, dreamily blanketing the landscape for a perfect photo opp.

Extract Two: The Great Wall of China – Travel Guide

The Great Wall of China, the largest man-made project in the

world, is a series of ancient fortifications built in northern China.

Although named the 'wall', it is an integrated defense system

including not only lofty and solid walls, but also massive signal

towers, barriers, barracks, garrison stations, and fortresses along

the walls, together forming an insurmountable line, for thousands

of years, to protect the territories of ancient Chinese states

against the nomadic tribes from the northern steppe. This long

wall, just like a gigantic dragon, winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and

plateaus, stretching approximately 21,196 kilometers from west to east of China.

The Great Wall is an unparalleled architectural feat with historical significance. It is certainly the No.

1 iconic attraction in China. There are wall remains found in 15 provinces of China. The well-

preserved sections we see today were mainly built during the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644), among

which the most popular are around Beijing, including Badaling, Mutianyu, Juyongguan, and

Simatai. A day tour or a long hike along the Great Wall allows you to travel back in time to feel the

thousands of years’ developments and the ethos of the ancient Kingdom of China.

Extract Three: Cambodia’s Most Iconic Temple

Flashlight in hand and a lunch box, never thought

that would be the best way to visit Angkor Wat. If

you travelled from so far (as we did), I’m sure you

want to experience the famous tourist attraction in

Cambodia, and you must be prepared for it. Angkor

Wat: Beautiful, intense, full of people, touristic…

magical.

The temples of Angkor Wat surprised us in so many

ways. The orange morning sky was only one part of

the show. The architecture, the energy, the children,

and the monks give to that place an incredible

atmosphere. I felt happy, a mix of Indiana Jones and Lara Croft discovering ancient ruins and ready

to battle against the evil (the sun and the heat, of course)! Jokes apart, exploring the temples of

Angkor Wat is one of the top things to do in Cambodia and you don’t want to miss it. Give it a try.

Lesson 13

Conquering an Infinite Cave

Vietnam, a country you came for culture but stayed for the caves. As recently as 2008, the biggest

cave in the world was discovered in Phong Nha national park. How big, you ask? Well, the cavern

is so big it has its own weather system.

I was fortunate enough to be passing through the centre of Vietnam and I decided to stop in Phong

Nha. This was mainly because of my curiosity about the cave system there, but also because the

long bus ride from Hoi An to Hanoi didn't sound very attractive to me.

One full day. I gladly gave this to trek through a dark cave that took me to the cavern lost in nature

and time. Vietnam truly holds one of the best cave experiences in the world.

The day began with a cloudy and rainy weather. That did not matter because we were exploring

a cave after all. Poor weather made cave exploration even more spectacular. There were five of

us on the tour. After being transferred from the hostel, we met our hilarious guide who promised to

play the Jingle Bell song with the rocks in the cave. He gave us all the gear we needed from jackets

and pants to shoes and safety helmet.

The first kilometre of the cave is set up to be a museum with lights and walkways installed to make

it convenient for visitors. The museum part was pretty impressive in itself as the rock formations were

formed millions of years ago. Our guide said that more exciting things awaited us. And he was right.

After the end of the walk path, a security guard let our group off the usual path and into the darkest

and deepest area of the cave. With our headlamps, we walked through the dark caves. Step by

step, we marvelled at the scale of the caverns. One of them was so big that you could fit a small

stadium inside.

The guide told us that during the rainy season, this area would fill with water that prevents trekkers

from going further. Resting in hollows, there was still some remaining water so we had to take a

paddle boat and paddle our way through.

As we approached the end of the trek, we were rewarded with a view of a giant cavern. It was

gigantic! It was almost impossible for me to capture the open ceiling and the ground in one frame.

Raindrops dripped from the open sky above and dropped several meters to the ground. We

watched… entranced.

No wonder, we stopped here for

lunch and took the time to swim

through one of the wonderous

waterfalls. The water was cold but

refreshing. It was a perfect rest stop

from a two-hour hike in humid,

tropical weather.

After an hour at the cavern, we

trekked back the same way to the

entrance with a much faster pace.

Even though the price was a little

steep for me, knowing that they

took us through a private trail with all

of the gear provided and an

awesome guide, I think it was worth

the price.

Lesson 16

SEEK OUT SOME SUNSHINE IN SYDNEY

Enjoy some good times in Australia’s Harbour City.

Sydney is the first stop on many Australian itineraries, and for good reason. It's an inviting blend of the exhilarating

and easygoing. You can find excitement in the city, but drive just a few kilometres and you'll hit the golden sand of

famous beaches like Bondi and Manly. Plus, with endless nature at its doorstep, Sydney is the starting point for day

trips serving up fresh air, unique flavours and locals who know a thing or two about living life to the fullest.

Discover Australia's most famous stretch of sand - Bondi Beach There are plenty of reasons to love Bondi Beach. Just minutes from the city centre, you can immerse yourself in "the Bondi Bubble". You'll find incredible surfing, fantastic cafes and restaurants, designer shops and plenty to keep you busy. Join the locals for a casual stroll along the Bondi to Coogee coastal trail - one of Sydney’s most scenic treks. Begin at the Bondi Icebergs ocean pool and traverse the six-kilometre (3.7-mile) clifftop trail between Tamarama and Coogee beaches. If you're in town during Sculpture by the Sea, you'll see the route transformed with temporary art pieces. Get up close and personal to the animals at the zoo Visit the animals at Taronga Zoo Sydney with their incredible waterside address just a 12-minute ferry ride north from Circular Quay. Taronga Zoo Sydney houses more than 4,000 animals both native and exotic, including gorillas, tigers, leopards, chimpanzees, giraffes, Australian sea lions, kangaroos and koalas. Once you’ve been up close with the animals, experience the wildlife from a new perspective by tackling the treetop Wild Ropes – more than 60 high rope challenges over four courses, including zip-lines, rope climbs and suspended bridges. For the ultimate sleepover, book the Roar and Snore experience, allowing you to stay in safari-style tents at the zoo and encounter animals up close. Spend the day at the Sydney Opera House There are many ways you can experience what the Sydney Opera House has to offer. A masterpiece of 20th-century architecture, the Sydney Opera House in Circular Quay hosts more than 40 performances each week. Book tickets to Opera Australia’s latest show and tick this truly iconic Sydney experience off your bucket list. If what happens off-stage intrigues you, sign up for a two-hour backstage tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes into the exclusive domain of performers, with a full cooked breakfast in the green room. Tours operate daily at 7am. To cap it all off, dine overlooking the harbour at Peter Gilmore’s restaurant Bennelong - one of Australia's most awarded fine dining restaurants. Climb to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge Nicknamed “The Coathanger” and dating back to 1932, the Sydney Harbour Bridge is one of Australia’s grandest engineering feats. Visitors are free to walk or cycle across this vast structure, but book a BridgeClimb for the opportunity to scale to the summit and enjoy unbeatable panoramic views. Expeditions will take you high into its arches before reaching its peak, 134 metres (440 feet) above sea level. No special climbing skills are required, and there are various sessions throughout the day, including at twilight and dawn. Dine at Sydney's top restaurants Sydneysiders take their food seriously, with many of Australia’s most awarded and innovative restaurants found here. Dine at Quay to sample beautiful, natural produce that represents

Australia on a plate. Aria is also an excellent choice for fine dining with incredible views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. For a more laid-back affair, head to Mr. Wong, which serves modern Cantonese cuisine (its Peking duck is legendary) at its French colonial space on Bridge Street. Or head to the inner-city neighbourhood of Surry Hills, a 10-minute drive from the centre of Sydney, to dine at hip restaurants including Chin Chin and Firedoor. Find ancient culture in a modern city Australia’s Aboriginal heritage isn’t relegated to wild places – its heartbeat echoes through the heart of Sydney. Seek out Aboriginal culture in Sydney on a stunningly intimate walking tour of The Rocks with Dreamtime Southern X, or at Barangaroo with Aboriginal Cultural Tours. You'll find the fascinating First Nations galleries at the Australian Museum, showcasing one of the finest collections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander objects. Take a guided tour through the lush Royal Botanical Gardens to learn about the use of plants, taste bush foods and try your hand at an art class. Be sure to check if the world-acclaimed Bangarra, one of Australia's leading performing arts companies, is performing during your stay. If you're keen to explore further, quad bike across giant sand dunes with an Aboriginal guide in Port Stephens. Attend incredible events Sydney hosts some of the most thrilling events on the Australian events calendar. Throughout the year you'll find dazzling lights, boisterous parades and crackling fireworks. Vivid Sydney is a festival of light, music and ideas that illuminates the city each May and June. Watch as the Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and city skyline become drenched in colour and art. Sydney's New Year festivities are world-famous, with massive fireworks displays launched from the harbour's most iconic structures. Sydney Lunar Festival celebrates Lunar New Year with dragon boat races and colourful markets, and each February and March, Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras celebrates diversity with an epic, rainbow-coloured parade.

Welcome to Australia's Coral Coast.

Think whale sharks, turquoise waters, wildflower carpets,

pristine islands and arid outback landscapes.

Stretching along 1,100km of breathtaking coastline from

Cervantes, two hours north of Perth, Western Australia, to the

World Heritage-listed Ningaloo Reef, Australia's Coral Coast is

home to stunning bays, fascinating wildlife and rugged

landscapes. Discover thousands of years of history and visit

uninterrupted stretches of white sandy beaches, magnificent

ancient gorges, stunning carpets of colourful wildflowers and

untouched coral reefs teeming with marine life.

You'll find some of the best known and

most loved attractions in Australia - from the Pinnacles, Kalbarri National Park and Shark Bay World Heritage Area, to

Monkey Mia and the mesmerising Ningaloo Reef.

The Coral Coast region truly is an incredible corner of the Earth, and your journey to discovery starts here.

Take it all in…

A visit to Australia's Nambung National Park

and the Pinnacles Desert is a must!

These amazing natural limestone structures,

some standing as high as 3.5 metres, were

formed approximately 25,000 to 30,000 years

ago, after the sea receded and left deposits of

sea shells. Over time, coastal winds removed

the surrounding sand, leaving the pillars

exposed to the elements.

Drive or wander through the mysterious,

otherworldly desert and soak up views of the

Pinnacles and yellow earth. Look back

towards the coast to see how the landscape

changes from the yellow of the desert, to

white sand dunes, and the blue of the Indian Ocean in the background. Don't forget to keep your eyes peeled for

native Australian wildlife like kangaroos and emus, particularly if you are visiting early in the morning or later in the

afternoon.

The Pinnacles Desert Discovery Center has interpretive displays that provide an insight into the natural processes that

formed the amazing limestone structures, as well as information on the biodiversity of the park including its unique

flora and fauna. You'll also find details about other national parks and nature reserves on Australia's Coral Coast, and

general Parks and Wildlife information. During wildflower season (late-July/early-August through to October), the

vegetation of Nambung National Park springs to life with colourful wildflowers.

Lesson 17

Climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge

Two structures are iconic to Australia – the Opera House, and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Their silhouettes are

quintessentially Sydney and are recognizable across the globe. And while it’s impossible not to marvel at their

architectural beauty, I find it equally impossible not to think:

“Yeah, I could climb that.”

After all, what better adventure to add to your bucket list than scaling one of the most famous landmarks in the

world!?! But how do you climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge without being arrested or, worse yet, falling to your

death? Enter BridgeClimb Sydney.

TIME FOR THE ADVENTURE PANTS

Since climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge had been

on my bucket list forever, it was the first thing on

the itinerary when I visited my good friend Travis in

Sydney (much to his chagrin.) You see, like a lot of

other people out there, Travis doesn’t love heights…

or birds.

So, what’s a perfect activity for someone with

Acrophobia? Climbing one of the tallest structures

in the city’s skyline. Obviously.

And he’d be the first to tell you it isn’t nearly as scary

as you’d imagine. Safety is BridgeClimb Sydney’s #1

priority, so they have taken every precaution to

ensure the experience is memorable for all the right

reasons. First and foremost, you’re anchored to the bridge with a harness the entire time. And while you’re anchored

to the bridge, everything else is anchored to you.

To keep people below safe, you aren’t allowed to bring anything that isn’t attached (even Chapstick!) And what are

all these items attached to, you ask?

Your super sophisticated onesie, of course!

Not only does this little gem keep you warm, but it also looks fantastic in group photos. Bonus!

In addition, you’re surrounded by a high railing as you climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge. And no, it doesn’t just seem

high to me because I’m the size of a hobbit. Travis is practically a giant, and it still came up to his waist. Trust me, you’r

not going anywhere.

And just to be really, really sure you’re feeling confident before your climb, BridgeClimb Sydney has you practice on a

mock bridge beforehand. Because you know what they say – practice makes perfect!

So, face your fear and climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge! It’s a once in a lifetime experience, and the view is well worth

it.

Lesson 18

THE GREAT BARRIER REEF

The 2,300-kilometre (1,430-mile) Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the

world. You can swim, snorkel, dive and sail this living masterpiece.

Home to diverse marine life of the most vivid colours, the Great Barrier Reef offers the opportunity

for great adventure, both in luxury and on a budget. Whether you explore the stunning Whitsunday

Islands, trek the ancient Daintree Rainforest or relax on luxurious tropical islands such as Hayman

and Lizard, a day on the reef is all about the unforgettable nature that surrounds you. Adopt

Australia's easygoing attitude when you island-hop, or stay in one of the many coastal getaways

such as Cairns, Airlie Beach, Hervey Bay, Mission Beach and Port Douglas.

Don't miss:

• Sail through the 74 idyllic

islands of the Whitsundays

• Stay in island resorts

among the clear, warm

waters of the Great

Barrier Reef and the Coral

Sea

• View and experience

incredible marine life,

from over and under the

water

Cruise Michaelmas Cay

Visit the Great Barrier Reef in style on board Ocean Spirit, a 32-metre (105-foot), high-performance

catamaran. It sails daily from Cairns to Michaelmas Cay, a stunning reef sand island. You can dive

and snorkel the reef among the turtles and colourful fish, lie on the deck and soak up the sun or

enjoy a glass-bottomed boat tour. Michaelmas Cay is also home to more than 23 species of seabird

and is one of the most significant bird sanctuaries on the Great Barrier Reef.

Cruise the Agincourt Reef

Agincourt Reef is home to over 16 different dive sites, making it a popular destination for divers and

snorkellers. Quicksilver Cruises will take you on a journey to the renowned jewel-like ribbon reef on

the very edge of the Great Barrier Reef. From the spacious activity platform, you can snorkel, dive

and helmet walk in an underwater world filled with a kaleidoscope of colour and brilliance.

Sail or skydive the Whitsundays

It's hard to beat the romance of sailing through the Whitsunday Islands. Think spectacular sunsets,

clear moonlit nights, secluded beaches and pure air. You can sail, swim, snorkel and dive at

sheltered anchorages such as Blue Pearl, Butterfly and Hook Island bays. Visit Whitsunday Island and

walk the pure white, silica sands of Whitehaven Beach. Several cruise companies will provide you

with all that you need, including Sailing Whitsundays and Prosail. If you'd rather up the adrenaline,

sign up to skydive into one of the most picturesque drop zones in the world.

Trek the Thorsborne Trail

Along the eastern coast of Hinchinbrook Island, an untouched tropical paradise on the coast

between Townsville and Cairns, is the four-day, 32-kilometre (20-mile) Thorsborne Trail traversing

cloud-cloaked mountains, jungle-like rainforest and pristine beaches. See a panorama of wildlife,

from butterflies and birds to crocodiles, turtles, dugongs and dolphins. Book a permit in advance –

especially to stay in one of the seven camping areas accessed from the trail – then reach the island

on a ferry or water taxi from the mainland towns of Cardwell or Lucinda.

Witness island wildlife

The islands of the Great Barrier Reef hold as much wildlife on land as they do in the sea. Just a 20-

minute ferry ride off the coast from Townsville, Magnetic Island offers a large koala population. The

cuddly creatures live peacefully in the wild throughout the island, up in the treetops both in park

areas and more inhabited parts of the island. Take the Forts Walk to reach the best places to see

them and enjoy the 360-degree views too. On Daydream Island, you'll find a man-made Living Reef,

where you can hand-feed the friendly baby stingrays. The reef is also home to more than 140

species of marine fish and 83 species of coral. Visit the Southern Great Barrier Reef to see baby

turtles hatch on the beach.

Relax in Airlie Beach

The coastal village of Airlie Beach is a vibrant town filled with palm-fringed beaches, waterfront

parks and alfresco dining restaurants. You are sure to instantly warm to its bohemian charm and

carefree ambience. Queensland's warm, tropical climate means winters at Airlie Beach are very

mild and you can enjoy water activities all year round.

Sleep on the Reef

Pro Dive Cairns’ three-day liveaboard dive and snorkelling cruise is ideal for adventure seekers. The

custom-designed dive vessels take guests to a choice of 16 exclusive dive sites and offer a vast

array of marine environments for divers and snorkellers to explore. You can also take part in two

night dives, offering a unique chance to see marine life that you would never see during the day.

Cruise to uninhabited islands

The Great Barrier Reef's Frankland Islands might be uninhabited, but that doesn't mean you can't

appreciate the islands' rich coral reefs, diverse aquatic life and pristine stretches of sand. Hop on a

day tour with Frankland Islands Reef Cruises, which begins and ends with a cruise along the

rainforest-lined Mulgrave River. Snorkel straight from the beach and glide through the water with

turtles, tropical fish and, if the season is right, manta rays. Dive deeper into the underwater world

with a scuba dive session, or stay dry on the glass-bottom boat that allows you to see the flurry of

life below. The day tour also includes a tropical buffet lunch and knowledgeable crew to teach you

about the local ecosystems.