One of the most fascinating destinations in Africa is the exotic seaport of Stonetown on the idyllic island of Zanzibar. Historically significant, Stonetown is vibrant mix of architectural and cultural influences such as arabic, indian, african and european. With out a doubt the best seafood experience weve ever had was at the Forodhani Garden. The garden has a carnival-like atmosphere with a frenzy of people buying and selling food and curios to the light of gas lamps and flaming woks. There are stacks of kingfish, tuna, barracuda, white shark, red snapper, blue marlin, small prawns, large prawns, lobster, mussels, and clams all on kabobs. Behind the kabobs are piles of crab claws, calamari, octopus tentacles, cassava, breadfruit, falafel, fried potatos, salad, nan bread, and chapatti. Forodhani is definitely the best and the cheapest seafood anywhere.
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Posted in: Destination Videos
Lonely Planet author Michael Kohn recommends Mongolia as the kind of country where you can just turn up and be guaranteed adventure. Not a surprise when nomad culture is alive and their hero is Ghengis Khan.
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Posted in: Destination Videos
Tony Wheeler, one of the founders of Lonely Planet, explores the biggest of Croatia’s coastal cities, Split. The Roman ruins are one of the biggest and impressive sites anywhere in Europe. But amongst this historical place lives a vibrant shopping, cafe, restaurant and bar culture.
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Posted in: Destination Videos
Tony Wheeler, one of the founders of Lonely Planet, visits Raratonga in the Cook Islands. It’s all beautiful beaches to laze on, the Muri lagoon, snorkelling and diving. And if the pristine beauty isn’t spiritual enough, try the Sunday church services with the locals.
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Posted in: Destination Videos
Lonely Planet author George Dunford sums up Edinburgh. More Europe than Britain probably because of the month-long Edinburgh Arts Festival every August, the city is sophisticated Scotland. Pub culture is the backbone of society, making it easy to meet locals. Try scotch or hand-made Real Ale but steer clear of football in conversation until you find out which team they go for.
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Visit the Acropolis in Athens, Greece. This prominent landmark is and was the cultural heart of Athens, a temple complex and a building the Parthenon that was perfect. Athens is on he mainland in case you were unaware. I’d also be inclined to look at package holidays to the Greek Iskands if you are in the area. Some of them are beautiful.
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Posted in: Destination Videos
In the northern hinterlands of Oman’s Al Dhahira Region, classic Arabia meets the unexpected.
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Travel with Lonely Planet writer Greg Benchwick as he visits the desert outpost of San Pedro de Atacama in Northern Chile. Located smack-dab in the middle of the world’s driest desert, San Pedro is an adobe oasis that has been inhabited since pre-Columbian times. Today, it has become Chile’s number-one traveler destination, and for good reason: it’s a perfect jumping-off point to some of this desert’s most remarkable sights, including the world’s highest geyser field, a massive sand dune, alpine lagoons and high-plains hot springs. Hop along for the journey, as Greg takes you from dawn till dusk romp to some of the area’s best sights.
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Luxor was one of the best package holidays I’ve had in recent times, mixing history with relaxation - the perfect holiday for me!
Luxor is in Egypt, as if you didn’t know! About half-way down and a very hot destination! We actually chose a fantastic time to go - the week directly before Christmas. This was great for two reasons: firstly the temperature was a bearable 29/30 degrees (high 80’s Fahrenheit) and when we got back, we were straight into Xmas with no time to moan about the UK weather. What amused us was on one trip, our (excellent) Egyptian tour guide was wearing a scarf and long, thick overcoat and the temperature was pushing 30 degrees celcius!
We booked this holiday package through Thomas Cook and the whole trip - 7 nights accommodation in the 5* Luxor Hilton plus flights cost us a mere £249 each ($450). Without food admittedly, but the food is so cheap …
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Posted in: Holiday Reviews