Ice Slide!

How amazing is that slide from the Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival?

I don't know if I could survive those freezing temperatures, but it looks like fun!

(photos via: Worldtravelsinformation and boingboing)

It's December Already?

Fenghuang, China

Fenghuang, China

Sorry for our absence - we've been busy, busy over here trying to get ready for 2012. After much work we are now happy to announce that all of our 2012 tours will now include return airfare from London. Fancy going to China or Southeast Asia soon? Take a peek at our new 2012 programmes here.

Am I the last person to hear about this? So much practical info you could need when travelling just about anywhere.

Find the best rooms in the hotel.

This winter chill makes me dream about pool-worthy weather. 10 Amazing public pools around the world.

Did you know there is a secret whispering gallery in NY's Grand Central?

(Via stuckincustoms)

Traveller's Notebook

all photos from midori japan

What a great notebook to carry with you throughout your travels. It seems perfect for jotting down notes, collecting postcards, stamps, and an impossible amout of papers that I always seem to have when travelling. The thick leather looks like it would age beautifully and last a lifetime. Definitely on the top of my wish list. More about these lovely, handmade notebooks here.

Top 10 cities for 2011

Jama Masjid in Old Delhi, Trek Earth

is this the largest turban you've ever seen? amazing!

Although we're nearly halfway through 2011 (whoa - just realized I still have champagne in the fridge from NYE) just thought I'd share this list of "top 10 cities to visit in 2011" from Lonely Planet.

Delhi made the no. 8 spot and we're not surprised. Here's what LP had to say about Delhi:

"The great metropolis of Delhi, encompassing Old and New Delhi and sprawling out for miles, has not looked this smart and sparkling in centuries. Huge preparations for the Commonwealth Games, which took place in October 2010, improved the city’s infrastructure, cleaned up its streets and added to its accommodation options. Aside from, of course, a bounty of new or improved sporting facilities, there’s the marvellous artery of the Metro – an underground transport system that’s a futuristic, egalitarian world away from the sometimes chaotic, class-ridden situation above ground. This year marks 100 years since New Delhi was founded in 1911. At least eight cities are known to have been founded on this spot. The commemoration of this anniversary is sure to be a colourful and lively affair."

Want to explore Delhi yourself? Our India Discovery tour will take you through Old and New Delhi.

1. New York
2. Tangier
3. Tel Aviv
4. Wellington
5. Valencia
6. Iquitos
7. Ghent
8. Delhi
   
9. Newcastle
10. Chiang Mai

What do you think? Any other cities that you think should have made the cut but didn't?

5 Strange Foods To Eat In China

cr: the displaced kiwi

This list of the "Five Strangest Foods (For a Westerner) To Eat In China" is hilarious! I personally have eaten (and mostly enjoyed) all of these dishes.

Here's the list and some of my thoughts:

1. Chicken Feet - back in my meat-eating days I used to love these at dim sum. I admit they are pretty gross looking!
2. Stinky Tofu - yum! I ate this while on holiday in Taiwan and yes it does smell like old gym shoes but it tastes delicious. If you can get past the smell, you may be pleasantly surprised.
3. Sea Cucumber - my grandma always said these were really good for you. They are slimy and are served at special banquets, but don't really have much of a taste. I'd say I'm neutral to these slippery sea creatures.
4. Bird's Nest Soup - Like the sea cucumber, these are said to have loads of health benefits. Tastes OK but I would not go out of my way to find it. Plus it's pretty expensive.
   
5. Thousand Year Old Eggs - Contrary to the name, they aren't really that old. That would be pretty gross. They are a clearish-black colour (kind of unappealing) and are basically a preserved egg. I like them in porridge!
   

All in all, on your China Tour, you're sure to run into a few of these and other strange foods. My only recommendation would be to try everything at least once. If you don't taste it, how do you know if you like it? That's how I ended up eating some crispy locust on my trip to the Yunnan Province last year - and how I found out I don't much care for crispy locust.

My fellow food adventurers, what is the strangest thing you've eaten?

Top Five Places To Eat In Beijing

This is for all you foodies out there (myself included) - the top five places to eat in the China's capital city. How can you leave Beijing without trying Peking Duck? I think the answer is you can't. Good thing we include a Peking duck dinner on all of our China programmes. From hand-pulled noodles to juicy dumplings to Mongolian Hot Pot, this post is starting to make my mouth water.

Family Travel

cr: snorkeling in the Red Sea, national geographic

Planning and travelling with kids can be a challenge. Here are some great tips for planning your next guided tour for your whole family. If you're thinking about travelling to China, India or Egypt, I would recommend a private departure, so you can have more flexibility and add activities just for the kids. In many cases, the price is not that much more than one of our regular group depatures.