OUR TRAVEL blogs - PAGE three

Exploring new countries and getting underneath their skin helps build our knowledge of these destinations so we can share our experiences and insights with you, not only when discussing a potential journey but also through our blog entries. See below for the latest from our returning travellers...

ICELAND - SARA HUGHES, COMMERCIAL MANAGER, LAURA HUMPHREYS, EUROPE TRAVEL CONSULTANT & SAM WILLIAMS, SALES SUPPORT (APR 11)
It's not often that less than thirty minutes after arriving in a country you find yourself swimming in a geothermal spa, slathering on mud in an effort to attain eternal youth.

SOUTH EAST ASIA PART ONE - DAWN SMITH, PRIVATE TRAVEL CONSULTANT & ANDREA COOPER NOUR, TRAVEL CONSULTANT - INDIA, ORIENT & AUSTRALASIA (APR 11)
Our trip started perfectly - our arrival into Bangkok was warm and friendly and we were each given an orchid before taking our connecting flight to Chiang Mai. Swept through the streets of Chiang...

SOUTH EAST ASIA PART TWO - DAWN SMITH, PRIVATE TRAVEL CONSULTANT  (APR 11)
"Let's meet at 5.30am tomorrow", my guide Ming had said the previous evening, giving no clues as to why. Had he done so, it still wouldn't have prepared me for what I was about to be a part of. The morning almsgiving 'Tak Bat' takes place every day at 6.00am in the streets of Luang Prabang - 400 monks walk the streets accepting offerings from the local people.

THE LAND OF THE UZBEKS - JUSTIN WATERIDGE, MANAGING DIRECTOR (MAR 11)
"Why do you come here?" asked an inquisitive young man. "There is no beach," he added in meek and belated patriotic defence. That was true - Uzbekistan is a landlocked country. "I come here for the people, to see something different, and for your wealth of history," was my attempt at a reply.

FALLING FOR ZIM - BRIDGET COHEN, REGIONAL MANAGER, AFRICA (MAR 11) 
Spotting a female leopard lounging on the branch of a marula tree in the late afternoon heat, our guide pulled up under the tree and we sat transfixed for almost half an hour as she lay there apparently oblivious to our presence.

WHEN IN ROME... - LAURA HUMPHREYS, EUROPE TRAVEL CONSULTANT (MAR 11)
I can understand why the famous Italian painter Raphael loved the Pantheon so much. This massive building stands in the heart of Rome like a giant. Raphael's talent earned him the great honour of being buried there along with the past kings of Italy...

ROME - ALISON WHITE, EUROPE TRAVEL CONSULTANT (MAR 11)
Rome for me, has to be one of the most beautiful and interesting cities that I have ever visited. At the Sistine Chapel, you can view  Michaelangelo's most impressive work. Even though he resented this commission, believing his work only served Pope Julius II...

LAND OF SPIRIT AND HAPPINESS - CHARLOTTE WILKS, AFRICA TRAVEL CONSULTANT (MAR 11)
Uganda and Rwanda are countries full of extraordinary similarities yet some stark contrasts, I was lucky enough to experience just a little taste of these two incredible destinations in one weekend on a short visit.

EPIC THAILAND - ALEXANDRA DAVID, TRAVEL CONSULTANT - INDIA, ORIENT AND AUSTRALASIA (FEB 11)
I tried to sleep but couldn't when I knew in a couple of hours I would board the Eastern & Oriental Express Train in Bangkok bound for Chiang Mai. Four new journeys have been added and I was one of the lucky passengers...

MARRAKECH & THE MOUNTAINS - SARAH BRUNGER, TRAVEL CONSULTANT - EUROPE & THE MIDDLE EAST (FEB 11)
It is Saturday evening and the Sun is setting. I'm walking through Djemna el-Fna, the huge square in the medina from which offshoots the colourful souks. With the vendors, performers, snake charmers, musicians and acrobats...