Alternative Tracks: Don’t Believe the Hype - Go Elsewhere

Dull: Not as interesting as it sounds

We are in the age of post truth and alternative facts. So when somebody says you must go somewhere, well must you? I have always thought it wise not to over expect when seeing a ‘Wonder of the World’. That way you can’t be disappointed when it’s not as big as it looks on TV!

The Independent Travel desk published an article this week about places that are overrated in their opinion. Places such as Paris, Marrakech and Disney World. So here are some of my over and under rated favourites.

Water View: South beats North in America

Waterfalls can be spectacular and probably the most famous in the world is Niagara Falls. Now I’m not saying it’s not impressive - and if you get a photo without loads of heads in, it is - but given the hype and the crowds you do get a certain feeling of ‘is that it?’.

Instead head to the Brazil/Argentina border to see the vastly superior Igauassu Falls, so vast you can see them in two different countries and you need a couple of days to really see everything properly.

GET THERE: Fly to Cataratas in Argentina via Buenos Aires or Foz in Brazil via Sao Paolo
WHERE NEXT: The Lakes or Patagonia in Argentina; Rio de Janeiro and coast in Brazil 

Skiing in Europe-you can actually see things

Choosing a ski resort for me depends on snow, a big area and something to do in the evenings. A trip to Mammoth Mountain in California certainly made me appreciate how good Europe is. 

Yes there is plenty of snow but because of this it is rarely clear, the lifts are ancient and very expensive and if you want to go out for the night, you need a car. Give me my Austrian favourite Ischgl any day. Fast lifts, the best après ski in the Alps, a large area and snow sure November to May.

GET THERE: Ischgl can be visited as a package or for a Weekend via Innsbruck.
WHERE NEXT: Visit nearby St Anton which is one lift away from linking the areas.  

Melbourne Ultimatum: Good Neighbours

Cities are more subjective than most based on what you plan to see. One of the World’s bucket list cities is Sydney. It does have spectacular sights around the harbour but the beaches are very crowded and Bondi is like a warmer Isle of Wight with sharks whilst the rest of the city is rather forgettable. 

Take some photos then head to energetic and welcoming Melbourne instead with a spectacular coastline, wildlife, vineyards, Ramsay Street and more sport than you can imagine.

GET THERE: One stop flights take about 24 hours; open jaw tickets will save back-tracking. 
WHERE NEXT: Take the coast road to Adelaide or fly north to Queensland. 

Lombok: It’s unBalievable

Islands keep people who compile Top Ten lists busy trying to find the perfect spot. One of the names that always crops up is Bali, an exotic island that is stunning. In parts. It is also very popular and busy Kuta beach is spiritually twinned with Magaluf. 

After travelling that far, take a 25min flight to neighbouring Lombok with high quality hotels, a largely undeveloped coastline and trekking & diving spots. And so far discovered by comparatively few visitors.

GET THERE: Fly to Lombok via Bali or Singapore. From Bali there is a vomity 3h ferry.
WHERE NEXT: Explore inland Bali or go to Flores and visit Komodo Island’s dragons 

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These are my own personal views based on my visits to these places.
***

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Overrated, Underrated, Rateable Free...

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

Crawley

27 January 2017

***

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The Big Trip: Make it an Excellent Adventure

Holidays: Most excellent

So you’re thinking this is the year for the big one. Forget the All Inclusive beach resorts and the 3am flight back to Gatwick, what about a real adventure? Forget Europe, head to another continent and get some proper stories to tell/bore your friends. 

The beauty of a big trip is that you can do it at your own pace, budget and as a family, as a couple or on your own. Forget the bogus journeys and head off on an excellent adventure.

Taj Mahal: Not the Croydon Restaurant 

There is no doubt that India is one of the great countries of the world for sights, sounds and experiences. From the history of Rajasthan, to the tea hills of Darjeeling. From the energy of Delhi to the backwaters of Kerala, there is so much to see. This is the place to plan.

There is some doubt about the challenges of travelling around a country of over 1billion people but budget airlines allow you to travel quicker and cheaper than queuing up to buy a train ticket and the arrival of e-visas has made getting in much easier.

GET THERE: Fly direct to Delhi, Mumbai or Goa. Use an open jaw flight to maximise time.

GET IN: E-visas now mean no more expensive all day trips to the Indian Embassy. 

GET AROUND: Domestic flights or the immense rail network. Reserve well in advance.

The Rocky Mountains. Rocky & mountainous 

Canada is celebrating it’s 150th anniversary this year and is likely to have a bumper year for tourism, especially given what’s happening next door. This is a land of spectacular scenery of mountains, glaciers and national parks. And bears. 

Enjoy Toronto and nearby Niagra then head to the mountains. Take the Rocky Mountaineer train for a spectacular trip between Calgary and Vancouver, with a stop in Banff. If you don’t like the great outdoors, don’t come!

GET THERE: Fly direct to Toronto, Vancouver or Calgary with an open jaw flight

GET IN: E-visa waivers must be obtained in advance as of last year

GET AROUND: Domestic flights or let the train take the spectacular strain

Uganda: Rumbles in the Jungle

If Planet Earth 2 has left you unable to restrain your inner Attenborough, then you need to find a stable country in Africa to view wildlife. Step forward Uganda. Now welcoming tourists in growing numbers, get in now before the crowds and prices rise

This is the land for enjoying the outdoors. Canoe with crocodiles, trek with Gorillas and enjoy vibrant nightlife in capital Kampala - if you can get anywhere in the traffic jams.

GET THERE: Fly to Entebbe for capital Kampala. Avoid arriving at rush hour 

GET IN: E-visas are now issued  - it takes a while so apply well in advance

GET AROUND: Organised tours will take you where you need to go. Local transport won’t.

Salares de Uyuyni: Paz the salt

South America is a continent full of adventures but good value Bolivia is often overlooked. A country of extreme contrasts where capital La Paz sits just below 4,000m altitude. 

At the other end of the scale is the Amazon basin linked to the capital by the 3.4km vertical descent along the charming Road of Death. Back up into the mountains and you find the lunar landscape of the Salaries de Uyuni, vast salt flats surrounded by volcanos. 



GET THERE: Fly to low altitude Santa Cruz via Madrid or higher La Paz via Bogota
GET IN: No visas are required. Until it becomes popular.
GET AROUND: Roads are fast, winding and terrifying. Cycle the Road of Death if you dare.

***

e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

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Travel broadens the mind. That makes me a genius!

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

Crawley

20 January 2017

***

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For tailor made packages or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

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Come in Number Thirteen - are you feeling Lucky?

13: What could possibly go wrong here?

Today is Friday 13th. Unlucky for some, or so legend goes. Unlucky if you fall over on some ice or are trying to get a Southern Train today. In fact fear of the number 13 has a proper scientific name: triskaidekaphobia which is all Greek to me. 

But there are other superstitions around the world as you will see. As for unlucky Friday 13th? I personally find it’s an excellent day to book flights as seats don’t seem to sell as quickly meaning the prices are lower!  

Feeling Blue? You will be when you get out

Iceland (the country not the shop) is one of the most popular destinations right now. But once there, be sure to avoid knitting on your doorstep as it is said to bring a long winter. Personally I would avoid knitting anyway and since the winter seems to last all year, the impact would appear to be fairly minimal.

Instead enjoy the thermal Blue Lagoon, natural geysers, whale watching, waterfalls, the Northern Lights (winter) and the bars and restaurants of (sometimes very) cool city Reykjavik. 

GET THERE: Short breaks to Reykjavik and beyond start at under £500pp with direct flights from London, Manchester and Edinburgh. Bring a coat at any time of the year.

Serb-ibizia: Making the 'Grade in style

Serbia is a trendy and good value new holiday destination. If you want to wish somebody luck then it’s traditional to spill some water behind them. Important to note the behind them part, not over them as this will likely result in bad luck. For you.

Drink the water instead and head to capital of (uber) cool Belgrade and it’s extensive nightlife. Dubbed the new Ibiza, super clubs, star DJs and a great climate make this one of Europe’s seriously ‘in' spots.

GET THERE: Direct flights to Belgrade operate from Heathrow and Luton. Enjoy the old town during the day but be prepared for nightlife that is still going at sunrise.

Respect in Japan: Don’t blame it on the Fuji

Japan is a land of extraordinary beauty - and baffling concepts. Trains run on time, technology is from the future and menus are untranslated. If you do point and shoot ordering, be sure not to jab your chopsticks straight up into the noodles - this symbolises death and only happens at funerals.

Watch what everybody else does in this polite society and enjoy the sights of Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Mt Fuji, ski resorts, temples etc. Travelling around is easy and the experiences, like ordering food & drink are unforgettable!

GET THERE: Direct flights to Tokyo and Osaka operate from Heathrow or one stoppers from elsewhere. Use an open jaw ticket and buy a Bullet train pass before leaving the UK.

Thailand: You’ll be pleased to see it

Thailand is an amazing country for beaches, food and culture. For gentlemen visitors, it is considered good fortune to wear a palad khik which translates as an ‘honourable surrogate penis’. Not entirely sure how, where or if you have to declare this on your Custom’s card.

Perhaps just concentrate on enjoying a multi-centre trip to shop and eat in capital Bangkok, relax on the islands of the south and spot wildlife in a national park (under water or in a jungle). 

GET THERE: Direct flights to Bangkok operate from Heathrow or take a one stopper from across the UK to Bangkok, Krabi, Phuket or Koh Samui. It looks even better in real life.

***

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t: 020 8123 2569

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Friday 13th: What’s the worst that can happ....ahhhhh

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

Crawley

13 January 2017

***

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New Year, New Places. What are you Whereing in 2017?

So that’s that then. Out with the old, in with the new. The Year of the Rooster is with us - a bird that is associated with waking you up in the morning, perching in a lofty position to view all around it or being the contents of a cardboard bucket - depending on your take.

So what is new in the world of travel to explore this year? Not too much of the World is undiscovered any more - and you will not find much of it in a two week holiday but there are new ways of getting to places you have either been to before or have been meaning to see. So here are a few new ways of getting there for 2017.

St Anton: The Moose is on fire

With snow finally arriving in the European Alps, one of the best resort areas has just become much better. St Anton has always been linked to Lech and Zürs if you can squeeze on to the (payable) ski bus but this year, FOUR new linking gondolas have sprung up to join the dots including the game changing Flexenbahn.

This is now the largest lift linked area in Austria allowing access to the wonderful cruising runs of the Arlberg region including recently added Warth, which has one of the best snow records in Europe before heading back to the Moosewirt for the surreal world of DJ Gerhard.

GET THERE: St Anton makes a great short break destination as well as a traditional week long package holiday. Fly to Innsbruck or Zürich and expect to leave exhausted.

Torres del Paine: Red hot Chile Trekkers

Chile (the country, not the weather) gets its first non stop flights from the UK this year with British Airways flying its shiny new Dreamliners on its longest route at  14 and 40minutes. This Santiago way may be long but its definitely worthwhile. 

Leave the uninspiring capital city for the dry Atacama desert or head to the south and the incredible wilderness of Torres del Paine park and remote Punta Arenas. Transport links are good and you can always pop over to Argentina for a decent steak.

GET THERE: British Airways flies direct from Heathrow to Santiago four times per week. Daily connections are available via Madrid. Use efficient domestic flights with LATAM.

Marvellous: I like big boats  

As the demand for cruising holidays takes off, well sails to be precise, the necessity to innovate manifests itself in the new ships launched during a year. This year there are a number of smaller vessels including one for National Geographic designed at reaching ever more remote destinations. 

There is always a statement ship however and this year’s new largest capacity build for 4,500 people (that’s about 9 A380s covering an area the size of Wales, probably) is MSC’s Meraviglia, modestly named Marvellous, which will be filling up the Mediterranean this summer.

GET THERE: Meraviglia will be making its debut this summer in the Western Mediterranean based in Italy before heading to the Caribbean next winter.

Eurostar: Last train to ‘Dam Centraal

It’s over 20 years since the Eurostar trains showed us that trains can be good with a robust system for opening and closing the doors (Southern Rail take note). So it is perhaps surprising that the original trains to Paris and Brussels are still the only daily routes. 

But this will change in December when Amsterdam joins the club. Although longer than the flight time, this is city centre to city centre travel. Amsterdam is a great year round city with something for just about everybody! 

GET THERE: Direct trains from St Pancras to Amsterdam will start in ‘late 2017’ and take around 3h50m although the return journey will require disembarkation for a passport check in Lille.

***

e: david@eyelinetravel.co.uk

t: 020 8123 2569

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Plenty Seventeen

David Sutherland
EyeLine Travel 

Crawley

6 January 2017

***

Latest Worldwide Offers

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For tailor made packages or just for some information, please Contact me and I will do the hard work for you. 

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For holidays to Thailand, please visit: http://boutiquethailand.co.uk

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For Ski and Snowboard Short Breaks, visit http://alpineweekender.co.uk