Who’s 1st? All Aboard the Ship of Fools!

The first day of April is like no other. It is dedicated to the Fool. April Fool’s Day is a day traditionally celebrated in English and French speaking countries as well as Scandinavia, Italy, Poland and Iran (Sizdah Bedar in case you were wondering).

Given your undoubted wisdom, it is unlikely I could convince you with tales such as Ryanair giving out free meals, French Air Traffic Controllers signing a non-strike agreement or a man from Leeds posing for a photo with an Egypt Air hijacker. 

Indeed it does seem that travel has become a little more serious of late. So for the sake of pure frivolity, let’s pay homage to All Fools Day quite literally and visit some of the Foolish places on earth on our metaphorical Ship of Fools...

Get a rise out of Niagara 

Where better to start than across the Atlantic in the USA. A visit to Niagara Falls is high on many people’s lists and it doesn’t disappoint. Drive up from Boston to Toronto and you can visit Fools Creek in Pennsylvania close to Lake Erie on the way to Niagara which sits on the US/Canada border. 

New and Improved Orleans

Alternatively, head further south to lively New Orleans on the mighty Mississippi river. Just a four hour drive from the Big Easy will bring you to the Fools River in the deepest Louisiana. 


If you are a fan of single digit temperatures then the most northerly state of Alaska comes through with Fool Island. Some distance from capital Anchorage, one can only assume it’s named after visitors trying to liberate wild salmon from the local bear population. Good luck with that then.

Baked Alaska? Unlikely

TRAVEL: For New England and Niagara Falls, fly to Boston or Toronto and drive. Go in the autumn and the changing colours of the foliage are extraordinary. 

There are no direct flights from the UK to New Orleans or Anchorage but plenty of one stop options. Mardi Gras is at the end of February and Alaska is best seen during the summer, i.e. when it slightly defrosts. 

Barrier Reef - keeping the sharks out

Moving right around the world to the tropical climate of Queensland, Australia and the town of Cairns is the stop off point to see the amazing Great Barrier Reef before it gets too bleached. A side trip to nearby Normanton (8 hours drive) will bring you to Fools Creek Lagoon, named after foolhardy swimmers who tend to end up inside one of the resident crocodiles.

Tasmanian Devils: they look friendly

Off the southern Australian coast is the less visited island of Tasmania. It is a wildlife oasis, even with it’s own Devils! Just a one hour drive from capital Hobart will bring you to remote Wellington Park, home to Fools Tarn.

TRAVEL: Fly to Melbourne or Sydney then it’s a 3 hour flight to Cairns or if you prefer being in discomfort, it’s only 48 hours by coach from Sydney. October-November is the peak diving time with fewest jelly fish (because the sharks eat them..). 

Heading south over the Tasman Sea, it is a 2 hour flight to Hobart which is best visited October to May when it is warmest.

The Ganges: Waves and Wakes

The next stop is the Indian State of Uttar Pradesh, home to the spiritual and cultural city of Varanasi on the banks of the Ganges. Known for its regular colourful festivals as well as burial ceremonies in the sacred river so it’s probably best to leave the swimming for the hotel pool. 

A visit to India will involve visiting many a pur (meaning city) such as Jaipur or Nagpur but Varanasi is fortunate to be close to the regional town of Foolpur - less than flattering for its citizens. 

Isfahan: Sun down without the Sundowner

We round off our journey with unexpected 1st April fans, Iran. Now very much on limits, Iran is attracting a lot of interest as a new destination for the adventurous. Culturally rewarding, definitely under touristed and great for a detox programme, a visit to Tehran will get people’s attention at dinner parties. 

To the south is third city Isfahan home to many architectural treasures and designated UNESCO heritage sites overshadowing nearby Fooladshahr. 

TRAVEL: Varanasi is best seen between October to April before the hot and wet seasons. It is under 2 hours flight from Delhi which is less than the time it will take to queue up for a train ticket. 

Tehran is now accessible with direct BA flights from Heathrow in 6 hours. All visits should be part of an organised group.

Keen to fool-fill your ambitions to see more of the World? For further inspiration, please visit my Website and Facebook page and follow me on Twitter.

w: http://eyelinetravel.co.uk 
e: david@eyelinetravel
t: 020 8123 2569
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My foolish & favourite things!

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel (ABTA L3832)

1 April 2016