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Grand CaymanIslands in Cayman Islands The Caymans are a cruising mainstay, but you need to choose your timing carefully to avoid a mass convergence of the huge ships which can see highlights like Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach and the turtle farm packed to the gills. Rum Point and Smith Cove I find is both nicer and quieter. A visit to Stingray City off Grand Cayman is definitely a highlight, and for some divers and snorkellers, the main reason for coming to the Caymans. In the water, you’re in the thick of it, these creatures fly all around you, and if you can dive above you, but even seen from above in the air, a gathering of this many stingrays is like watching an underwater flock of pterodactyls or something equally bordering on the impossible. The other highlight of Grand Cayman is the Botanical Gardens on the hill, it’s a beautiful place for a stroll and the view of the island is wonderful.
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Review by Photo by flickr user Fevi Yu |
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On-track cross country skiing in the PyreneesSkiing in Midi-Pyrenees, France If you were to glance at this page and see the words 'Fart' and 'Fartage', you would be forgiven for thinking that this article refers to the after affects of eating lentils. In fact, the word 'Fart' means 'Wax' in French, and rather than talking about wind, which would be a dubiously enjoyable read, I am writing about my experience of cross country skiing in the Pyrenees with a mixed ability group, which should be of far more interest!
At the moment, cross-country skiing does not have the same fame of other skiing disciplines such as downhill. However, the potential for this sport is huge as it offers something for everyone. Not only is there the buzz of the downhills (where a good snow plough stance is very helpful as the classic x-country ski is longer than a downhill ski, and has no metal edges), but there is the physical challenge of the uphills, and the joy of the glide on the flat. In addition, there is every opportunity to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Pyrenees as you go, within a tranquil atmosphere and with the feeling of being 'at one with nature'.
France does not lay claim to the beginnings of x-country skiing, although it is now a popular sport here, with excellently developed facilities in various areas across the Pyrenees and Alps. Rather, skiing is thought to have been developed by the migratory Sami who lived near the Arctic Circle over 4000 years ago, to allow them to hunt reindeer in deep snow. The word ski also hails from Norway as it is developed from the old Norse language where a 'skith' means a stick of wood (though thankfully technology has moved us forward to lighter materials!). However, with well established cross country ski stations such as Plateau de Beille, Chioula and Font Romeu in the midi Pyrenees alone, France is an excellent alternative to Norway and Finland for a cross country skiing holiday, with higher ambient temperatures and varied and stunning scenery.
So, how does this sport work? Basically you stand on 2 ski's (no surprise there then!), but you wear comfortable boots - one up on alpine skiing perhaps? The base of your skis are waxed (thus the 'fartage') in order to give you both glide and grip on the snow. The easy option is to use modern classic skis which have a central area of 'fish scales' which give you precisely this ability to go fast downhill, but grip going uphill. The alternative is to become deeply involved in the art of ski waxing and snow temperatures; a little beyond a 'debutante' like me..
Classic x-country skiing is in prepared parallel tracks which are meticulously groomed in order to give optimal conditions for maximum fun. The tracks are fantastic for beginners and experts alike - for me it meant that I could concentrate on staying upright and deciding where to put my poles, rather than trying to direct my skis around corners. For the more experienced skiers in the group, it meant that they could get up some great speed and glide, perfecting their technique. Obviously for me, a challenge did come in getting in and out of the tracks in the first place, but then where would the fun be if there were no opportunities for falling over?
One of the best things about this sport is that you can really push yourself in terms of speed and distance or just as easily potter around and enjoy the views. As a novice you can begin to notice an improvement in your balance and technique in a very short time, meaning that a weeks holiday gives you the chance to really get to grips with the sport and feel both confident and relaxed. Having said that, anyone in our group who felt like a more relaxed afternoon was able to sit in the sun and enjoy the après (or midday!) ski at the refuge/restaurant at the station. I can highly recommend the vin chaud for any time of day, and the food was delicious - including the sausage and lentils 'plat de jour' at Chioula refuge - which takes me more or less back to where I started with the Fartage I think…
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Review by Photo by James Thompson |
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Jenolan CavesCaves & Caving in New South Wales, Australia The Jenolan Caves are known both for being the world’s oldest open cave system, and for the almost pure white shades of the limestone formations. The shimmering, dramatic karst formations created over eons under the Blue Mountains were changed quickly and dramatically to cater to inquisitive eyes fascinated by their ethereal landscape. The Jenolan Caves rose rapidly in popularity on discovery, and lights and platforms were constructed creating some of the most magnificent show caves in the world and one of New South Wales’ top tourist attractions for the past hundred and fifty years. The story goes that first European to find these caves was a convict on the run who was living in them and using them as a hideout in the early 1800s. Once their cave mouths began to be discovered, people began to plunge further and further into their depths, revealing more and more spectacular formations the deeper they got, reaching some of the current major show caves the Elder and Lucas caves in the 1860s. Unfortunately early visitors were a bit hap hazard with their souvenir collecting and some of the most dramatic formations were damaged, you can see the marks of these early visitors in the Elder cave. By the 1880’s the Jenolan Caves had become a tourist attraction, with lighting rigged up and paths cleared so that less adventurers could see the wonders as well as the cavers, who pushed through passages to discover the Imperial and Chifley Caves and then the Jersey and Jubilee Caves.
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Review by Photo by flickr user THERKD |
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Christ the RedeemerMonuments & Landmarks in Rio South East, Brazil Nothing like a giant, 130 foot tall statue of Jesus, arms gracefully outstretched to keep a city as known for its taste for vice as Rio in line. Christ the Redeemer (who watches over us with what I think is a slightly anxious expression in his rather elegantly draping robe) stands atop Corcovado, trust me, you won’t miss him, in the Tijuca National Park. Outside he’s soapstone but inside he’s reinforced concrete, much safer for everyone (I do have dreams about him falling on the city, but that could be a sign his presence is working and suggesting I lay off the vice…?), especially since he’s been standing there since 1931. Underneath his great plinth is a Catholic chapel and In 2007 Christ was voted one of the Modern 7 Wonders after a hectic media campaign from local industry., but the best story about him is the numbers of people who schlepped up the hill to see him unveiled, about one and a half million, trust me, you can see him pretty well from many parts of Rio and less well up close. But there is a grand view looking down so maybe they were after a Christs Eye View like so many tourists today? But you can climb the 220 stairs, or get the elevator, if you want to get close enough to whisper in his ear. I was lucky enough to be in Rio when he got struck by lightening in February - naturally he survived intact - need I saw more…
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Review by Photo by flickr user exfordy |
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MorillonSkiing in Rhone-Alps, France Part of the Grand Massif Ski Area which includes Mont Blanc, Morillon was built at 1,100m on its own mountain down which 85 pistes run. A quieter pocket away from the crowds a lift pass purchased here will let you ski or board in the other Grand Massif resorts Flaine, Les Carroz and Samoens. Only an hours drive from Geneva Airport, this resort has very easy access. Though at a fairly low altitude, Morillon has a reliable snow record, partly due to being close to Mont Blanc and you can get quads up the mountain for some more exciting off piste skiing. There’s a snow park to keep boarders off the charming village streets and a good selection of runs for beginners and intermediate skiers.
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Review by Photo by flickr user skiology |
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About usStuck at your desk? Gazing out at those grey skies and imagining you are somewhere else? I want to go here is all about inspiring you to do something different - about encouraging you to check out a new experience or destination. It's simple - we post something new every day. If you like the look of it, send it to a couple of friends. If not, wait and see what tomorrow brings. And if it gets past the fantasy stage, we'll soon have links to research the experience further, but you can also send us an email, and we'll tell you where to look or book next. |