Travelbug

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Adventure Travel Experience the road less travelled

Bucket List Top tips for the holiday of a lifetime

Travel Agents Why you need them more than you think!

Booking your first cruise Travel insider tips to get the best from an unforgettable experience.

Travel Photography A handy guide to help you shoot like a pro

Palma – Travel writer Tom Sweeney explores this often overlooked jewel of the Balearics

To Cruise or not to Cruise Best-selling novelist Muriel Bolger on her cruising experiences

Asia and South America – Two spectacular continents for you to discover

How to pack like a pro | VPN – Take control of your internet experience | Remember, don’t Forget - expert travel checklist | Measuring expectations - Don’t be unrealistic

Contents Do you know what travel agents do? ...............................................................3 Who are we? ............................................................................................................. 6 What is a VPN?........................................................................................................ 8 Travel Bug is published by Travel Centres – Ireland’s largest grouping of independently owned and managed professional travel agents, all of whom are government licensed and bonded. You can find the nearest location of your local Travel Centres-affiliated agent by clicking on the ‘Find an Agent’ section in the menu on the home page of our website: www.travelbug.ie

What are you packing?......................................................................................... 9 A random list of things to do before you die… and where to do them! ........................................................................................... 10 How to book your first cruise ............................................................................13 Far from the Madding Crowd ........................................................................... 16 Palma – Mallorca’s Hidden Gem ..................................................................... 19 Live a little! – The rise and rise of experiential travel ...................................22 Photography tips for travellers .......................................................................25 Crossword................................................................................................................27 Cruising – What’s not to like? ..........................................................................28

Searching for travel information and inspiration has become somewhat overwhelming with the proliferation of travel websites, mobile apps and other resources.

This publication is our attempt to address that phenomenon by providing you with a curated selection of ideas, suggestions and recommendations that can help you choose from a more limited palette of options that we know — both from professional and personal experience — represent the best of what is out there in terms of products, destinations and suggested experiences and which are within the means of many people, not just the affluent.

Editor Dominic Burke Advertising Contact Bernie Tel. +353 51 383 622 E-mail: Bernie@travelbug.ie Design VitaminCreative.ie Published by Tipping Point Ltd. Dunmore East Co. Waterford, Ireland.

Measuring Expectations ....................................................................................32 Remember — don’t forget! ..................................................................................37 Escorted Touring vs. Independent Travel ...................................................38 Asia & South America Two diverse continents ........................................43

Contributors Tom Sweeney is a Dublin-based staff journalist on The Herald newspaper and an award-winning travel writer and blogger. His articles cover a wide range of destinations in more than two dozen countries to date, with a special focus on city guides.

Tom lived and worked in Spain for 10 years, and it’s to his old home of Palma de Mallorca that he returns for this insider’s look at one of the Mediterranean’s most popular cruise ship ports of call.

Muriel Bolger is an accomplished novelist, award-winning travel writer and journalist.

With six novels under her belt and book seven in incubation, you would think that Muriel doesn’t have a spare moment to herself, but you’d be wrong as she is also a keen water colourist and even found some time to contribute to this edition of Travelbug!

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Publishers Note: Whilst every care has been taken in compiling the information contained in this magazine, the publishers cannot accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions contained therein. Travel Centres © 2019

T R AV E L AG E N T S

Do you know what travel agents do?

Travel agents play a pivotal role in the travel industry and they should always be your first (and probably your last) port of call.

t’s not a trick question. Do you know what travel agents do on a day-to-day basis? Do they specialise in all modes of travel or just some? Do they confine themselves to specific geographical areas or do they cover the whole world? Do they focus on group or individual travel? Are all travel agents the same? Do they all know the same stuff? OK, that’s more than one question but you get my drift.

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Travel agents know what they do and unfortunately, many of them often make the mistake of assuming (incorrectly, as it turns out) that members of the travelling public also know what they do! The fact of the matter is that those members of the public possess varying degrees of understanding of what travel agents do or indeed what other professionals within the overall travel eco-system do too. Tour operators anyone? DMC? GSA? Like so many things in life, what looks on the surface as being a very flat, straight-forward, simple industry turns out to be quite complex and convoluted. Do you need to really know any of this stuff? Probably not.

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T R AV E L AG E N T S

…the high street travel agent possesses a considerable working knowledge of all aspects of travel

But what you should try to get your head around and understand is the pivotal role that travel agents play within the travel industry and why they should always be your first (and probably your last) port of call.

Let’s start with a medical analogy that will probably help you: When people take ill, they do not automatically present themselves to the nearest A&E. Most will usually visit their local GP and describe their symptoms. If the nature of the symptoms is such that the GP feels they are beyond his or her expertise to accurately diagnose or if he/she is uncertain as to the underlying cause of those symptoms then the patient is referred on to the relevant specialist consultant. In perhaps 95% of cases, the GP can identify the nature of the problem and therefore prescribe the most appropriate course of treatment.

The travel industry works in a similar fashion whereby the high street travel agent mirrors the role of the general practitioner in that he/she possesses a considerable working knowledge of

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all aspects of general travel — i.e. flights, ferries, car-hire, package holidays, cruises, coach tours, vaccination or visa requirements, long-haul travel, sports events, attractions, transfers and so on but may not necessarily be expert in any single one of those sectors although increasingly in recent years, the more progressive travel agents have begun to refine their expertise and focus more on certain niche markets such as cruising for example.

If the requested travel arrangements are within the competencies of the travel agent, then they will make all the necessary arrangements but if the requirements of the itineraries demand a bit more specialist expertise, the travel agent may choose to sub-contract out some of the work to a niche tour operator, local handling agent or destination management company. In an ideal world, the less ‘layers’ that are involved in putting the travel arrangements together, the better, since each ‘layer’ will invariably add more cost to the final price since each contributor to the travel agents’ ‘arrangements’ will need to make their own little margin so one of the many decisions that a travel agent needs to make is how many travel partners need to be involved in putting the itinerary together in order to ensure that all arrangements work like clockwork and still ensure that the final quote is cost competitive.

The devil is always in the detail One thing that travellers need to be extremely careful about when comparing competing quotes from different travel sources is whether they are comparing like with like since the proverbial ‘devil is always in the detail’!

A perfect example of this is when booking packages to New York since the state/city imposes a mandatory room tax of 14.75% plus a flat fee of $3.50 per day but not all quotes will not necessarily include those charges!

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Who are we?

We are a full-service, government licensed and bonded travel agent. What that means is that we can provide any kind of travel facilities that you require, whether by land, sea or air and any monies that you pay us are fully protected.

elieve it or not, because of the inadequacies of current consumer legislation, you are afforded no such financial protection when it comes to your dealings with many other companies in the travel sector such as airlines and before you assume that airlines don’t go bust, let us remind you of just a few that have occurred in recent years in Europe alone and all of them national carriers like Aer Lingus — Sabena (Belgium), Swissair (Switzerland), Malev (Hungary).

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Online, your exposure is even greater as many online entities are not located within the state and thus not subject to Irish law. Worse still; an increasing number of fake websites are popping up all over the internet so you can still lose your money even if the company doesn’t go bust! In short, the only way that you can be sure that your money is 100% guaranteed in all circumstances is to entrust your travel plans to a bonded travel agent like us.

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So why us?

As your local travel agent, we are always available to discuss your travel needs and preferences over the phone, via email or in person. As we depend completely on repeat business, you can be confident that we are never going to recommend something that we can’t stand over as we don’t have the relative anonymity of the Internet to hide behind. Our recommendations will always be in your best interest — not ours! We enjoy strong working relationships with all our suppliers who, in turn, depend on repeat business from us so you and your travelling companions can always expect the best and most reliable service.

Each year, we invest in keeping in keeping our sales staff up to date on industry best practice through the medium of regular online training, webinars, seminars at sea, workshops and educational trips abroad so that their product knowledge and advice is as up-to-date and accurate as it is possible to be. We also factor in the feedback and recommendations of regular clients to the advice that we disseminate to other clients — a kind of ‘wisdom of the crowd’, if you will!

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LET US TAKE YOU CLOSER TO THE AUTHENTIC BEAUTY OF THE WORLD. For more information or for reservations please contact your travel agent

TECHNOLOGY

What is a VPN?

‌and why do I need one when I travel to certain countries around the world?

he letters in the acronym VPN stand for Virtual Private Network and it is an incredible tool that can help you access blocked websites, hide your location, encrypt your data, and much more. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a server that you connect with to reroute your internet activities. The server can completely mask your IP (Internet Protocol) address or make it appear as if you are in a different location.

Using VPN software on your laptop or tablet can be particularly useful when visiting certain countries where access to the Internet or certain websites on the Internet is limited.

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A VPN connection benefits the user in two ways. Firstly, it encrypts all the data that you send or receive so that it cannot be intercepted by a third party. It also hides the identity of your location by routing your connection to the Internet either through a randomly selected server in another country or through a location that you manually select from a list of options provided to you by the VPN provider.

Examples of such countries includes China, Egypt, Russia, Myanmar, Iran, Ethiopia, Belarus, Sudan, The Gambia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Syria, Bahrain, Vietnam, The UAE, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Thailand and Saudi Arabia.

There are plenty of VPN providers to choose from and many of them are free but as with all things in life, you ultimately get what you pay for.

Annual costs can run anywhere from a few Euros per annum to around â‚Ź10 per month, depending on the level of encryption that you require; the range of server locations around the world that you would like to be able to access or the overall quality of the service and backup, should things go wrong. A quick trawl through search results on Google or Bing usually throws up the names of popular VPN services such as Hide My Ass, NordVPN, ExpressVPN and a host of others.

Once you set up an account with a provider, you can load it onto multiple devices but check first before you commit. Having VPN software already pre-installed on your device is highly recommended if you intend on visiting somewhere like China which is becoming increasingly popular with tourists as accessing basic services such as Google are impossible without one.

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T R AV E L A DV I C E

What are you packing?

You would think that people who expend prodigious amounts of thought, planning and effort into making their travel arrangements would also apply similar attention to detail when packing for those same trips, but

Download your own printable copy of our travel expert’s packing list with our compliments at www.travelbug.ie/ packing-list

anecdotal evidence would appear to suggest that this is often not the case. or lots of you out there, packing is almost an afterthought; something that is left to the last possible minute and thus, is rarely optimised for the task at hand. If you identify with that scenario, then here are a couple of simple, practical tips that you should bear in mind when filling your suitcase for your next overseas odyssey. In the interests of brevity, we’ve just included our top ten tips here but if you navigate your way over to our website on www.travelbug.ie/packing-list, you can read the whole article there.

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Choose your luggage carefully and opt for lightweight materials such as carbon (if you can afford it) and nylon or fibreglass if you can’t as the weight of your suitcase can often account for as much as 25% of your overall baggage allowance. Avoid natural materials such as leather as they tend to be particularly heavy.

Avoid packing heavy or bulky items. Instead, rely on the use of layers of clothing if your itinerary requires you to pack for both warm and cold environments. Modern fleeces are quite light but thermally very effective.

Pack half of the clothes that you think you’ll need as remember, you’ll be able to wash small items such as underwear, socks and tee-shirts as you go, particularly if you are spending more than one night at any one location on your itinerary.

Use luggage organiser bags (which can be purchased either online or through retail outlets like Muji) to separate clothes into different bundles within your suitcase.

They are also great for protecting other items from scuff marks from shoes etc.

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luggage weight allowance, consider wearing your heaviest clothing and footwear while travelling.

6 Another trick is to wear a coat with multiple pockets which can be stuffed with multiple items to keep your checked-in luggage weight minimised.

7 If you don’t already have one, then consider investing in a Kindle or other similar electronic reading device which will replace your heavy and bulky reading material. A typical device can hold the equivalent of 2,000 or more books.

8 To extend the versatility of your wardrobe, consider packing items in complementary colours that will all mix and match well with each other.

9 Pack an additional lightweight bag to accommodate those purchases that you’re more than likely to accumulate along the way and which are unlikely to fit in your already ‘bursting-at-the-seams’ checked in baggage.

10 If you have space (and weight to spare) in your carry-on luggage, try to pack a change of underwear and possibly a fresh shirt or blouse, in case your main luggage goes missing or is delayed. Your ‘emergency’ pack should also include some travel sized toiletries as well to help you freshen up.

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I N S P I R AT I O N

A random T list of things to do before you die…

he term ‘Bucket List’ has entered the lexicon in recent years and so this is our take on just a random selection of the things that you can (and should!) do before you die and more importantly — some of the places around the world, where you can do them. The list is far from complete so just think of it as an appetiser. We’ll provide you with plenty of other suggestions in subsequent editions.

See the Northern Lights

and where to do them!

If you are one of those people who subscribe to the theory that life isn’t a rehearsal but the real deal, then it only follows that you should take every opportunity to indulge your desire to both see and do whatever it is that you want to do (within reason) whilst you still can.

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Obviously, the further north you go the better, but our top tip is Iceland, where you’ll hopefully get to experience not only the Northern Lights but an amazing landscape. Better still, Iceland is more accessible than other Northern Lights destinations like Norway, Alaska, Sweden, Greenland or Canada with direct flights readily available from Dublin.

Ride in a hot air balloon The Serengeti, Loire Valley and Sedona, Arizona are all stunning destinations to see from altitude, but for us, Cappadocia in Turkey just wins out (check out the article on adventure travel on page 22).

I N S P I R AT I O N

Go whale watching

Go on Safari

Nothing beats the thrill of seeing one of these majestic leviathans breach the water’s surface in front of your very eyes. The sheer scale and drama of the event is an unforgettable experience. We recommend looking for eco-tourism options where some of the tourist revenue is directed back into conservation projects. Places renowned for whale-watching include the following: Vancouver island (Canada), Quebec, Iceland, Dominica, Baja California, Colombia, Scotland, The Azores, Western Cape (South Africa), Tonga.

Want to feel like David Attenborough and get up close and personal to some of the most magnificent wildlife on earth without compromising your safety?

Many people cite South Africa as their favourite holiday destination in the world and mostly because of the safari experiences that they have there. Here are some other destinations to consider: Serengeti (Tanzania), Amazon (Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela), Etosha (Namibia), Masai Mara (Kenya), Chobe, Okavanga Delta (Botswana).

Do a bungee jump If adrenaline is your high, a bungee jump is the ultimate thrill. You’ll find reputable operators with modern equipment and high safety standards in Thailand, South Africa, New Zealand, Macau, Mexico and Switzerland.

I’ve already done three. What’s your score?

Experience white-water rafting Believe it or not, this is actually something that you can do with your kids, no kidding! In our case, it was on the Deschuttes River in Eastern Oregon back in 1990 when our two boys were just 8 and 9 and they still talk about it! Here are some other locations to consider: Magpie River (Canada), Rio Upano (Ecuador), North Johnstone River (Australia), Coruh River (Turkey), Zambezi.

The best places to see icebergs You would think that you’d have to travel all the way to one of the poles to see icebergs so it may surprise you to hear that they are literally just over a four-hour flight away which is roughly the same time that it takes to get to the Canary Islands. Where is this mysterious land of icebergs that I speak of? None other than Newfoundland where they float down to from Greenland, when they break away from the massive ice shelf. You can also marvel at one of nature’s great spectacles in: Alaska, Chile, Iceland, New Zealand, Greenland, Argentina and Antarctica.

Swim with dolphins If you think playing with your pet dog or cat is the ultimate stress-buster, wait until you swim with dolphins! These amazing creatures will blow your mind. (Where: The Azores, Baja California, The Red Sea, Fiji, Hawaii, La Gomera).

Ride in a helicopter Riding in a helicopter is not for the faint-hearted or for anyone who is afraid of heights or flying but by god, is it exhilarating so you’ve got to do it at least once in your life and here are some suggestions as to where: Hong Kong, Grand Canyon, Rio De Janeiro, Hawaii, Victoria Falls, Niagara Falls, Great Barrier Reef.

See the seven wonders of the modern world And finally, if you’re not an adrenaline junkie and would prefer just to see some places rather than do some things, surely this has to be the ultimate list to tick off: Machu Picchu (Peru), Christ The Redeemer (Brazil), Taj Mahal (India), The Colosseum (Italy), The Great Wall of China, Petra (Jordan), Chichen Itza (Mexico).

And that’s just for starters …!

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T R AV E L A DV I C E

How to book your first cruise n case you haven’t heard, cruising is, and has been, the fastest growing trend in travel in recent years and yet despite all the hype and the promotion, less than 2% of Irish travellers have experienced one to date, according to CLIA, the professional trade body that represents all the main cruise lines. There are many reasons for this which broadly fall into three categories, so this article hopes to bring some clarity to the subject and help you on your way, if it is your intention to sample your first cruise experience in 2019.

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Perception

Many people are put off cruising because of a perception that persists with many people that cruising is a staid, old fashioned form of travel that is mainly experienced by what they disparagingly call the ‘blue rinse brigade’. Indeed, there used to be an old saying in the travel industry that cruising was primarily for the ‘newly-wed, over-fed or nearlydead’! Nothing, let me tell you, could be further from the truth nowadays. For starters, there are so many different cruise lines offering so many different ‘experiences’ that there is no single size that fits all.

Every demographic is catered for and increasingly, the big cruise lines are going for families and young couples with the average age group starting from the mid-thirties upwards. The facilities and attractions on board also reflect this focus with activities such as rock climbing, ice-skating, surfing (yes, surfing!),

zip-lining and sky-diving all possible on many of the new super ships that are sailing in all the main holiday hotspots around the world. With a staff to guest ratio of approximately 1:2.5, service levels are way beyond what you could expect even in a 5-star hotel. The food on board is generally excellent with some cruise lines making much of their culinary reputations and the entertainment is often as good as you’ll get in the West End or Broadway.

“Every demographic is catered for and increasingly, the big cruise lines are going for families and young couples…”

Price

Consumers who are used to making travel arrangements that include just flights, accommodation and transfers often forget that with a typical cruise, the price includes all your meals (up to nine a day, if you’re greedy) and all your entertainment and activities so it is unfair to compare typical cruise prices with such pared down travel arrangements as you are not comparing apples with apples. Cruise packages offer some of the best value for money out there although this will necessarily vary from time to time, depending on whether or not you’re availing of some of the free drinks packages and other incentives that the major cruise lines promote from time to time, usually during the peak booking seasons such as January, February and March although they sometimes offer similar inducements at other times of the year as well.

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T R AV E L A DV I C E

Complexity One of the biggest impediments to consumers booking their first cruise is the relative complexity of the product and how difficult it can be to navigate your way around the bewildering choice of different cruise brands, itineraries, ships, cabin types, deck plans and dining options to name but the obvious variables. One good reason of course to choose a travel agent that knows their way around this sector of the industry!

The Booking Process So where to start? Like most things in life, the filtering process usually starts with the issue of budget as that will determine which cruise brands are going to be automatically excluded and which ones remain.

The following brands sit at the top of the cruise food chain: Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, Ponant, Azamara.

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Once you’ve decided on your budget and which cruise lines that budget provides you with access to, the second step in the booking process is usually to decide which itinerary tickles your fancy? Most people usually start close to home with a Southern Mediterranean itinerary of seven days.

The benefits of choosing the Med is that there are plenty of flight options and access to cheap fares with low-

Once you have zeroed in on your itinerary and cruise brand, the next decision you need to make is your choice of cabin type. Simple economics prevail here too with the cheapest priced cabins usually being interior with no sea views — perfectly adequate for those on a budget — if you don’t suffer from claustrophobia!

The price rises proportionately as you go from inside to outside to balcony to suite and of course the price varies depending on the overall square footage of your stateroom.

Price will also be a determining factor, based on the specific location of your cabin (fore, aft or midship) and the deck that its on. All cruise lines publish detailed deck plans, so you can identify the exact location of your cabin relative to major facilities and obstructions (e.g. lifeboats) that might otherwise interfere with the view from your stateroom (cabin).

…cruising represents a whole new world of experience to those who have grown up with traditional, resort-based holidays” cost carriers — particularly with popular ports such as Barcelona or Civitavecchia, which is the port that serves Rome. 7-day itineraries typically take in three destinations so represent the sweet spot of price v content.

Also, most of the Mediterranean itineraries featured by major cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean, MSC and NCL are usually 7 days in duration whereas brands like Celebrity often feature 10, 11 and 14-night cruises.

It is, of course, possible to do two, 7-night cruises back-to-back to undertake a 14-night cruise that doesn’t repeat the same ports on call.

Finally; one of the decisions you may also need to make is your choice of dining times onboard since the main dining rooms usually do two sittings each evening and that has a bearing in turn on whether you have dinner before your show or immediately after. Increasingly though, new onboard innovations such as dynamic dining and specialty dining have made it easier for ‘cruisers’ to enjoy flexibility in their dining experience.

In summary, cruising represents a whole new world of experience to those who have grown up with traditional, resort-based holidays but don’t let that put you off as it is most likely to exceed your expectations of it, provided of course that you choose carefully!

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ADVENTURE

Far from the

Madding Crowd Our top 10 guide to some of Europe’s best undiscovered gems for your next break away from the tourist hoards

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ne of life’s great conundrums is that popular destinations only become popular in the first place because they have something to offer a lot of different people — whether that ‘something’ be atmosphere, friendliness, cheapness, accessibility, safety, culture or any number of other attributes.

Destinations don’t become popular out of the blue or by accident; there is always a very definable reason for their popularity. The conundrum occurs when the very things that made the destination popular in the first place, succeed in becoming the same reasons why a whole other cohort of people decide to give them a wide berth.

These are the people who abhor crowds, noise, commercialism etc. Do you fall into the latter category? If so, then you may be interested in these, the least visited destinations in Europe!

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Being the least visited destination in Europe doesn’t necessarily mean that the destination has nothing to offer the adventurous tourist; its lack of popularity could be down to something as simple as lack of accessibility so don’t necessarily write the following off before considered reflection.

If you want to get away from it all (and that’s a relative term anyway) then some of the following places may well be right up your alley, or down your boreen!

Starting at number 10, we have Luxembourg, sandwiched between France and Germany and which exhibits aspects of both countries and their respective cultures which received just 905,000 visitors last year.

*A phrase adapted by Thomas Hardy from the ‘Elegy written in a country churchyard’ by Thomas Gray and which means to be removed, either literally or figuratively, from the frenzied actions of any large crowd or from the bustle of civilization.

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ADVENTURE

One position below Luxembourg at number 9 is the former Yugoslav republic of Serbia. Whereas Croatia has rebounded well in recent years, following the Balkan wars of the 90’s, Serbia hasn’t fared so well and last year received just 810,000 visitors which is a real shame as the country has quite a lot to offer, particularly its capital Belgrade whose nightlife is much renowned.

Curiously, Iceland, one of the hottest destinations in the world now sits in 8th position with 673,000 visitors in 2017 but that figure needs to be put into context as it is nearly double that of the entire population of the country. Certainly not a place where you are likely to experience overcrowding, that’s for sure.

Position 7 in this Top Ten league goes to Bosnia & Herzegovina, a stablemate of Serbia in that it experienced terrible privations during the war in the 90’s and the jewel in its crown — Sarajevo with 439,000 visitors last year! Macedonia comes in at 6th position with 351,000 visitors.

Perhaps even more surprising than seeing Iceland occupying position 8 on this list of least visited destinations in Europe is the surprising fact that world-famous Monaco, which boasts the highest concentration of millionaires in the world, is in 5th position, having received just 292,000 visitors in the past 12 months whilst San Marino received just 139,000. At just 60 square kilometres in size, very few tourists overnight in the country which is one of the main reasons why it doesn’t rank high in visitor numbers as an overnight is one of the criteria by which such records are compiled.

Meanwhile, Belarus which is almost 3,500 times larger than San Marino saw even less visitors with just 119,00 arrivals in 2017. Occupying the 2nd and 1st positions in this list of least visited countries in Europe are Liechtenstein with 54,000 visitors (located between Switzerland and Austria) and Moldova with an embarrassingly low figure of 11,000.

The fact that Moldova is sandwiched between the Ukraine and Romania may account somewhat for its less than impressive annual roll call of visitors so in fairness, it’s not the easiest place to get to and even part of Moldova itself — Transnistria — is a defacto breakaway republic of its own!

“Being the least visited destination in Europe doesn’t necessarily mean that the destination has nothing to offer the adventurous tourist So, there you have it; unless you want to decamp to the Gobi or Atacama deserts, or just couldn’t be bothered travelling all that way, the above destinations are where you need to skedaddle off to if you’re looking to avoid other annoying tourists like yourself!

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ABTA No.W3940

EXPERIENCE

Palma

Mallorca welcomes 10 million holidaymakers every year, yet only a tiny fraction set aside a day to explore the island’s splendid capital, Palma.

Most visitors board coaches at the airport and are whizzed off to the popular resorts, so they don’t know what they’re missing -- but cruise ship passengers do (500 luxury liners dock in Palma every year).

Travel writer Tom Sweeney explores this often overlooked jewel of the Balearic Islands

Above: the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria, commonly known as “La Seu” featuring one of the largest gothic rose windows in the world

he first thing they see on approach is the magnificent Cathedral of Santa Maria, commonly known as La Seu, which overlooks the bay and is floodlit at night. Built on the site of a Moorish era mosque, it was completed in 1601 and is most noted for having one of the biggest Gothic rose windows in the world. Gaudi’s hand is evident inside – the architect of Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia was involved in renovations during the early 1900s.

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Close to the cruise port is Marivent Palace, the summer residence of the Spanish royals and a favourite retreat of regular guests Prince Charles, Princess Diana and their boys during the 1980s.

The palace’s sculpture-filled gardens are open to the public and admission is free.

A short stroll down the hill from the cathedral is Paseo del Borne, the delightful cafe-lined and tree-shaded boulevard. El Borne and the nearby Avenida Jaime III are the two main big brand shopping strips, but in the side streets off of them are exclusive boutiques and artisan souvenir shops.

After a stroll around the old town in the morning, adventurous visitors might hop aboard the quaint little electric train for the hour-long trip to Soller on the spectacular north coast.

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EXPERIENCE

Above: Puerto de Sóller Left: The historic tram in Soller

Built in 1912, the rickety, woodenpanelled train travels through valleys clad with citrus groves and centuriesold olive trees, along the sides of lofty mountains, over viaducts and in and out of tunnels. It’s like something from a Wild West movie, and you can easily imagine flaming arrows flying through the windows at any moment.

On arrival in Soller, grab a freshlysqueezed orange juice from the kiosk outside the station before boarding the tram for the short ride down to the port, which is home to some of the island’s finest seafood restaurants.

There were two must-dos when I lived in Palma and wanted to impress my guests. The first was the Soller train trip, and the second — and best by far — was a visit to the vibrant

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Apuntadores-La Lonja neighbourhood.

Here, behind big wooden doors, you’ll find Abaco, arguably the poshest, most beautiful bar in the world, that was once the townhouse of a wealthy nobleman who clearly knew the value of his five a day.

white doves flutter around the rafters, rose petals rain from the minstrels’ gallery, burning incense fills the air and that fellow sitting over there in the corner, doesn’t he look remarkably like King Felipe of Spain? Oh, it is King Felipe, all six-foot-four of him in his deck shoes (he’s an avid sailor and patron of the annual King’s Cup yacht race in Palma Bay), and that lady sitting beside him is Queen Letizia.

On another night you might find yourself sitting near supermodel Claudia Schiffer, Hollywood hotshots Michael Douglas and Catherine

“…you might find yourself sitting near supermodel Claudia Schiffer or Hollywood hotshots Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones” Step inside of an evening and it looks like he has never left, especially as the place is littered with baskets full to spilling of every fruit you could imagine. If you’re ever going to come a cropper on a banana skin, this is the place. Baroque music and Gregorian chants play from the hidden speakers,

Zeta-Jones, Princess Stephanie of Monaco or Richard Branson -- they’re all Abaco regulars. Abaco is Spanish for abacus, and you can count on having a memorable evening here after a great day exploring the city that most holidaymakers ignore but cruise passengers enjoy to the full.

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Live a little!

T H E R I S E A N D R I S E O F E X P E R I E N T I A L T R AV E L

Adventure Travel isn’t all white-knuckle thrills and low budget backpacking. It’s more about getting off the beaten track and fulfilling some of those lifelong ambitions. hen the term ‘Adventure Travel’ is conjured up, what do those words mean to you? If you type in the term in Google, you get the following two definitions: ‘an unusual and exciting or daring experience’ and ‘engage in daring or risky experience’ It’s those two words ‘daring’ and risky’ that almost certainly put most people off (assuming that they’ve googled ‘adventure travel’ in the first place) but even if they haven’t, there continues to be a persistent assumption that, that indeed, is what adventure travel is all about which is unfortunate as it unnecessarily pigeonholes a whole sector of travel that is actually what a lot of people are looking for!

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If you replace the word ‘adventure’ with the more appropriate ‘experiential’, it more accurately defines this niche market. True, there are some companies that focus on more strenuous activities; out-of-theway places and generally help people to move well outside of their comfort zone.

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Indeed, that is the type of imagery that one tends to conjure up when the subject of adventure travel gets discussed.

People who have been weaned on a diet of package holidays, traditional city breaks, and mass market cruise itineraries assume that adventure holidays are aimed at a target market that is young, fit and adrenaline seeking. The stats, therefore, may surprise you!

Believe it or not, the single biggest demographic group represented within the world of Adventure Travel (40%) varies in age between 40 and 70 with the average age being 47 — not exactly your skateboarding, backpacking, beerloving architype, now is it? The typical adventure travel client is much more likely to be quite mature in age with a grownup family of their own and an appetite to discover more of the world that they live in. Adventure travel is more about the experiences one can have rather than the destinations to be visited although often, one is inextricably linked to the other.

ADVENTURE

People who opt for this kind of travel experience are adventurous only in the sense that they want to explore more of the world around them — but on their terms. It doesn’t mean that you necessarily have to compromise on the standard of your accommodation; the mode of transportation between points on your itinerary or even the level of ‘culture shock’ that you must endure as there is more than enough choice out there for every type of traveller to be accommodated.

Itineraries tend to be graded according to their activity levels, comfort levels and so on and each metric is designed to help you find a point of equilibrium where you can customise the various component parts of your itinerary in keeping not only with your personal preferences but also within the limitation of your budget.

Always fancied doing Machu Picchu but felt that you were too old, too young or too unfit? Perish the thought as I have seen young parents with infants in arms visit

the Peruvian citadel, as well as couples well into their 80’s! How about dancing with Masai warriors in Kenya. It can be easily arranged and is great fun. How about experiencing the thrill of whitewater rafting? It’s not as dangerous as you think but the water can be cold alright.

Samuel Langhorne Clemens (known to you and me by his pen name, Mark Twain) and who, coincidentally wrote a rather famous and much loved tale entitled ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn) was a great man for the one-liners and quotable quotes but one of his most apt expositions was when he observed ‘’Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.’’

Couldn’t have said it better myself!

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did” 23

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PHOTOGRAPHY

Photography

tips for travellers

ccording to industry source Infotrends, approximately 1.2 TRILLION photos were taken by people on their smart phones in 2017. This figure was estimated to be 100 BILLION more than were taken in 2016! Clearly, we love taking photos and cataloguing every aspect of our lives and probably no more so than when we are travelling abroad and experiencing new destinations. The smartphone is, by far, the most common device with which such snapshots are taken — largely because smartphones are so compact,

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and we also have them with us practically all the time. The quality of the optics and photo software on smartphones are improving all the time but the quality of such devices is still no match for a dedicated digital compact or SLR camera where the resolution is usually much higher than that of even the most expensive and sophisticated smartphones.

So, what are the golden rules of good photography that should always be observed, if one wants to be assured of optimum results every time?

While modern smartphones are capable of capturing stunning images, for more creative control and flexibility of printing, you still can’t beat a dedicated camera with a good quality lens

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PHOTOGRAPHY

1 Make sure that the sun is behind you If you shoot into the sun, the inbuilt light meter on your camera phone (or indeed your digital camera) will over compensate and everything else in the photo will be severely under-exposed and end up in silhouette. If you must shoot into the sun, try turning on the flash as it will help to illuminate those underexposed parts of the shot but bear in mind that as the flash only extends a few feet, only those parts of the photo that are a few feet in front of the lens are likely to be properly exposed. By having the sun behind you when you take your photo, everything in front of your camera lens should be properly exposed.

2 Avoid taking photos at midday The position of the sun in the sky at midday tends to be directly overhead (this will necessarily vary, depending on where in the world you are) and so the light is usually too harsh to deliver optimum results.

It also causes people in your photographs to squint as they’re facing the sun. Better results can be obtained when the weather is slightly cloudy or overcast and colours are less ‘washed out’. The colour ‘temperature’ of photographs is also warmer immediately after sunrise or around sunset when using the flash facility on your smartphone or digital camera can provide ‘fillin’ illumination to great effect.

3 Avoid camera shake Spread your feet apart to give your stance more stability and keep your phone/camera steady to avoid camera shake. As the sun begins to go down on the horizon, lighting levels reduce dramatically and thus the use of a tripod or other device that takes the phone/ camera out of your hands altogether is preferable. When using a camera where you have a degree of manual control over variables such as shutter speed or aperture, the general rule of thumb is that the shutter speed should never be slower than the reciprocal of the focal length of the lens being used. For example, if you are shooting, using a standard 50mm lens, you should never choose a shutter speed less than 1/60th of a second.

4 Avoid using the digital zoom function Don’t use the digital zoom function on a smartphone or camera as you’ll invariably be disappointed with the results. Limit yourself to the optical range of the device in use and then selectively crop your photograph afterwards, when editing the photo.

5 Use your smartphones’ editing functions The software that sits underneath the bonnet on modern high-end smartphones is very sophisticated and can transform a poorly-taken photograph into a thing of beauty by adjusting parameters such as contrast,

white balance, exposure, highlights, shadows, hue, saturation and a myriad other factors so don’t automatically delete photos that look either over or under exposed as modern day digital photography is very forgiving, as long as the image itself is in focus.

6 Enhance your photos with HDR The acronym HDR stands for High Dynamic Range and basically means taking a series of photographs at different exposure levels (one exposure optimised to capture highlight details; one to capture shadow details and perhaps one to get an overall average exposure of the whole scene.)

Traditionally, photographers would take a series of shots of the same scene and bracket them (i.e. overexposure by one or two stops; under expose in a similar fashion and then merge the two images into one, single image). Modern smartphones often have an HDR option as part of the camera settings, so it can automatically take a series of shots with each shot in the sequence being taken with a different exposure setting. Because HDR combines multiple exposures of the same scene, such shots need to be taken using a tripod or other stabilising device.

7 Compose Like a Pro Treat your camera viewfinder like a canvas and place the subjects and main points of interest in the most pleasing position. This is very easy to achieve if you follow the simple rule of thirds. Divide your frame in thirds vertically and horizontally. Where the lines between those thirds intersect are the focal points or sweet spots for the main subject of the shot.

Many modern smartphones and cameras helpfully overlay these lines for you in the viewfinder, so why not use them! The rule of thirds roughly equates to the golden ratio, the compositional technique employed by great artists like Leonardo DaVinci.

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Try the HDR function on your phone if you have it to create rich, almost otherworldly images

PHOTOGRAPHY

8 Don’t forget the foreground

q The Power of Reflection

A landscape shot can be made much more interesting by looking for something in the foreground to add interest. A plant, rock, building or even a person placed in the foreground at one of the rule of thirds sweet spots can immediately give a visual cue as to the size and scale of the landscape making for a much more captivating image

A great technique for adding wowfactor is to look for reflections of your subject in the foreground, especially in water. The shimmer, sparkle and distortion created in the water lead the eye up to the sharp crisp main subject in a very pleasing way. If you’re feeling creative, experiment with a tripod and slow shutter speed and see the water turn to an ethereal mist in the camera!

9 Crop don’t chop!

w Use Filters for Killer Shots

If you’re photographing a monument or building, try to include the entire feature in your frame, even if it means pulling back and including a lot of irrelevant background in the image.

You can always crop it out later, but it’s virtually impossible to all but the most seasoned CGI artist to rebuild missing features convincingly.

If you have a DSLR, invest in a few screw-on lens filters to really broaden your capabilities. A graduated neutral density filter adds a dark overlay to your lens that gently fades out toward the bottom. This allows you to expose correctly for the foreground without ‘blowing out’ the sky making for stunning landscape shots. A circular polarising filter allows you to dial in and out polarised light.

Crossword Test your geographic knowledge with our short but perfectly formed brainteaser. Top marks if you manage to get the spelling right on 8 Across!

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ACROSS

DOWN

4 Shah Jahan will be forever associated with this famous mausoleum (3,5)

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6 The longest river in Asia? (7)

2 Namibian bones by the seaside (8)

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3 Known by its Basque name, this city has more Michelin-starred 8 Try pronouncing the name restaurants per capita than of this village in Greenland any other city in the world (8) when you’re inebriated (16) 5 The Icelandic name for this 11 Birthplace of a famous delicacy (6) Georgian despot (4) 13 One of two official languages of Sri Lanka (9)

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19 A famous waterway but often overlooked (4, 5) 20 One of the most isolated islands on earth (7,2,5) 21 This famous Syrian landmark was in the news in recent years for all the wrong reasons (7)

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16 The official geographic centre of the contiguous United States (i.e. 48 states excl. Alaska and Hawaii) (7) 17 The world’s largest cruise corporation (8) 18 These lines still divide scholars (5)

22 Still waters run deep (4,6)

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© Compiled using Eclipseword.com

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9 You’ll find the gates of hell located here (12)

10 Where the bell tolls 14 The European city for liberty (12) where you will find the most expensive hotel room 12 The location of an in the world (6) infamous unexplained explosion in 1908 (8) 15 Location of the largest castle in the world (7)

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African nation with most borders with neighbouring countries (5)

7 A peninsula of fire and ice in the Far East (9)

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Without getting into the science, what this means is that you can control the reflectivity of water or glass surfaces and make blue sky and green grass absolutely sing!

Check out www.travelbug.ie/crosswords for the answers!

EXPERIENCE

Cruising – What’s not to like?

Muriel Bolger

W H AT ’ S N O T T O L I K E ?

To cruise or not to cruise?

That’s a difficult decision to make for the first time. found out the easy way. I won my first cruise at the Dublin Horse Show many moons and many voyages ago.

Recently separated I couldn’t afford to take my three teenagers with me to the Caribbean, so the boys accepted bribes of Doc Martens to stay with friends while my daughter opted for the adventure.

We both went on to become travel writers.

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Bestselling author of The Captain’s Table. A book inspired by her cruise to Israel.

Choosing a cruise holiday for the first time can be a confusing prospect, but it needn’t be if you do a little research first.

These ships are designed to be a destination in themselves. Some are definitely family oriented, some real party ships, while others are more stately. They offer different activities, live theatre and entertainment to fill every hour of every day and the chance to withdraw, relax and recharge with wonderful spa facilities. And all this before your ports of call and shore excursions along the way. Nothing is compulsory. You just indulge yourself as the mood takes you.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of freedom and adventure you get from sitting under blue or starry skies, enjoying breakfast or a cocktail listening to the sounds of the oceans.

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Never before has an island been so packed full of action. Just wait until you discover the supercharged splash-a-thon at Thrills WaterparkSM, with the tallest waterslide in North America and the biggest wave pool in the Caribbean; this drench-a-minute thrillspot is not to be missed.

All you chill seekers will be in heaven when you discover the private overwater cabanas, sitting amongst the tropical blue sea providing the perfect relaxation retreat.

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Images and messaging for Perfect Day at CocoCay reflect current design concepts and may include artistic renderings. All destination features and experiences, and related delivery timing for these features, are currently in development and are subject to change without notice. Perfect Day and CocoCay are trademarks of Royal Caribbean. © 2018 Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Ships’ registry: The Bahamas. 18061315 • 3/8/2018.

EXPERIENCE

…go North

for the breathtaking fjords of Norway Finding a shared interest can be a great way to make new friends and a great introduction to life on the open seas for newbie cruisers. Whether your recreational pursuits lie in deep sea diving, jazz, grand prix racing, food, golf, art, music, dancing, whale-watching or photography, it’s all been catered for. Same sex and clothing optional ones are also available - these are not in the brochures, but you can ask about them!

Cruising grows in popularity every year and the vessels vary greatly in size, carrying from between 200 to over 5000 passengers.

It’s estimated that in 2018 over 25 million people spent more than two nights on the oceans.

Because of the variety of on-board activities, cruising is a wonderful inter-generational holiday and the grandparents won’t have to baby-sit either. There are kids’ and teenager clubs and activities to keep them occupied, giving parents a break too.

When it comes to destinations, the world is literally there waiting for you. It’s up to you to decide whether you’d like to head down under and circumnavigate New Zealand or sail into Sydney Harbour, go North for the breath-taking fjords

of Norway, or through the Baltic to St Petersburg and the incredible treasures in the Hermitage and the former royal palaces. Carnival in Rio may pull you westwards.

Or perhaps island-hopping in the Caribbean or the prospect of navigating the Panama Canal calls out to you.

The Med is always a favourite and there are countless combinations of itinerary to make sure you’ll never get bored cruising there. The Greek islands, Malta’s spectacular harbour at Valetta and docking in the opulence of Monte Carlo all hold special memories for me.

For those who don’t like flying there are now numerous cruises originating in Ireland. These eliminate the hassle of airports. You simply go on board, hang up your clothes and let the captain change the scenery for you, while an army of chefs creates the most extraordinary meals and delicacies to tempt you at all hours of the day, and another battalion of staff looks after everything else to ensure a perfect journey.

A word of advice - wear your skinny clothes in the first few days because they won’t fit you later on!

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T R AV E L A DV I C E

Measuring Expectations There are few things more annoying than arriving at a destination or property and feeling as if you’ve been shortchanged. The reality turns out to be nowhere near as good as your expectation of it and such disappointment can invariably lead to dissatisfaction and complaint or worse still — litigation. It’s a phenomenon that happens more often than you think and there are usually logical reasons for it:

Having realistic expectations is often the key to enjoying your well-earned and much anticipated holiday. Heed the advice of travel consultants who may have done the same thing dozens of times rather than the acquaintance or work colleague who may only have done it once!

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ver-expectation can sometimes happen when certain words are used to describe the property, resort or destination under discussion. Words like fantastic, amazing, exclusive, luxurious and so on.

Some people can be over exuberant in their use of language and such adjectives invariably help to conjure up certain imagery in the mind’s eye. Indeed, in rare cases, such exuberance can cause people to inadvertently exaggerate or

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allow their own, personal experience to influence what should, ultimately, be an objective description of the offer under discussion.

Some psychologists claim that expectations are premeditated resentments — merely expecting something to happen will not, of itself, make it happen. People also tend to conjure up unrealistic images in their imaginations that can rarely be

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T R AV E L A DV I C E

Measuring Expectations continued from page 32 experienced in reality because of the degree to which, increasingly in modern-day travel (and life in general) everything is so much more complicated and inter-connected.

To avoid such disappointments, there are several things that one can do, of which the following are but a small, representative example: You generally get what you pay for. The holiday package to Tenerife that costs ¤399 will almost certainly never be as good as one that costs ¤599 or ¤899. Since the flight costs are likely to be the same in both instances then it’s reasonable to assume that the hotel itself will be of lesser quality; have fewer facilities or be in a less favourable location within the resort.

There can of course be exceptions but that is all they are — exceptions.

Everything in life (and travel is no different) tends to be at the mercy of the ‘Law of Supply and Demand’ which is to say that the more demand there is for something, the more expensive it’s going to be. Purchasing a set of travel arrangements at Christmas, Easter, the August bank holiday or at Holloween is always going to cost you more than at other times of the year. The price may be twice as expensive as normal, but the quality will not necessarily be any better.

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Be realistic. Beaches are going to be crowded in most popular resorts during high season.

Strikes and bad weather occur and are no one’s fault. Anywhere can get infested with ants and sometimes things break down. If your expectations are realistic rather than idealised, then the likelihood of you being disappointed recedes considerably.

Complaints can often grow out of the most innocuous of ‘events’. The sliding door in your apartment doesn’t lock properly or you didn’t get a room with the view that you hoped for can sometimes lead to everything else in the property being unreasonably critiqued and expected to meet a standard that is both unrealistic and unattainable.

Having realistic expectations is often the key to enjoying your well-earned and much anticipated holiday. That, and the realisation that, more often than not, you invariably do get what you pay for. It’s one of the main reasons why travellers are increasingly moving up the value chain and paying that little bit extra to stay in better standard accommodation; choosing to be based in more central locations, flying non-stop direct rather than with connecting flights and heeding the advice of travel consultants who may have done the same thing dozens of times rather than the acquaintance or work colleague who may only have done it once!

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T R AV E L A DV I C E

Remember — don’t forget!

We’ve all done it. We’ve gone on holiday or a short trip, only to realise that we’ve left something behind — Whether it’s a phone charger, some medication, a driving license or, God forbid — a passport. So, because human memory is such an undependable resource, we’ve compiled the following suggestions which should help serve as a reminder of what you need to check for your next trip abroad. In addition to the things that you need to take with you, there are also things that you need to do, before you travel, some of which are as follows:

Advise your banks and /or credit card companies of your dates of travel and destinations being visited as otherwise, you run the risk of a block being put on your cards for security reasons.

Check before you leave if there is an exit or departure tax that needs to be paid when you leave the country that you are visiting so that you set aside enough locally currency to pay for it.

If travelling to destinations where access to the Internet is restricted, consider investing in some VPN software (see separate article in this publication.)

Ensure that your passport (and those of anyone else in your party) is valid for at least six months beyond your return date of travel as otherwise you might be refused entry.

Book your vaccinations well in advance as they are not always stocked locally and need to be ordered, plus some inoculations take several weeks to ‘activate’ in your system.

You may also need to start taking antimalarial tablets several days before you enter an area where the disease is endemic.

Take copies of important documents such as passports, visas and proof of inoculations, in case the originals are lost or stolen as otherwise you may encounter difficulties trying to leave certain jurisdictions.

Apply for an international driving permit well in advance of your dates of travel, if you intend to drive in a country where English is not widely spoken or understood.

These can be obtained through the AA. Purchase comprehensive travel insurance and advise any pre-existing health conditions to the insuring company or their broker. Be aware that certain activities are not covered under your policy so make sure to read the small print.

Purchase some local currency in advance (remember to request well in advance as your local bank branch may have to order it from head office). If the currency in question is not available, bring a supply of Euro and/ or American dollars in cash with you — preferably in small denomination bills.

Clean out your fridge and dump any perishable items that will not outlast the duration of your trip.

If your house has a glass front porch through which delivered mail is clearly visible. Arrange with your local post office/sorting office to retain your post until your return so as not to alert potential burglars to your absence.

If travelling for an extended time that is not in winter, you might also consider turning off your central heating and any other electrical items that could potentially represent a fire hazard during your absence.

If travelling outside Europe, Australia/ New Zealand or the Americas, make sure that you research your intended destination in full — particularly where the consumption of alcohol or outward displays of religious affiliation are concerned.

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ADVERTORIAL

AN

he year is 2015, the month is October and the cold Autumn mornings are starting to become a familiar acquaintance. On this particular morning, I’m waking up in the back of a 15-year-old Volvo estate car, lying on a blow-up mattress (that has, of course, partly deflated during the night) wrapped tightly in a duvet to prevent the cold from creeping in. Opening the makeshift curtain – a dewy towel that’s hung up over the car door – and wiping the condensation away, my morning view is revealed to me: the breathtaking Austrian Alps mountain range. Suddenly, the bitter cold is forgotten as my eyes are drawn to the beauty

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…my morning view is revealed to me: the breathtaking Austrian Alps mountain range.” of these white, snow-capped peaks, standing strong and proud against the clear blue early morning sky.

My admiration of the setting lasts only a moment as I snap back to reality and realise I have more pressing matters to focus on; I need to think about the day ahead, to plan my route and where my next meal is coming from plus how much time I have to get to the next destination before sunset.

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E SSAY !

Fast forward three years to September 2018 and I find myself once again in the Austrian Alps, this time in Seefeld, an Alpine town in the Tyrol state.

I am fortunate to be on Riviera Travel’s Austria, Tyrol and Innsbruck tour. My concern this morning isn’t the biting cold or if the car is going to start, if I have enough noodles to keep me going, where I can leave the car whilst I wander around, or if I’m even going to find anywhere enjoyable to spend the day.

Instead, my biggest concern this morning is whether I should have my eggs scrambled or fried when I go down for breakfast in the inviting hotel restaurant.

I’m staying at a hotel situated perfectly in the heart of Seefeld with a luxurious feel and four-star rating, that’s a far cry from my nomadic accommodation of a few years ago. Nothing beats waking up in a double bed feeling refreshed, warm, cozy and shiver-free, knowing I can have a hot cup of tea when I roll out of bed – a real priority since I’m British!

What a great way to start the day. Remembering the sodden towel that once shielded me from the bright mountain sunrise, I part the plush hotel room curtains and am once again greeted by the familiar backdrop of these huge, imposing, grey mountains.

I’m not starting to organise the day ahead of me because I know it’s already taken care of, so this time around I’m simply enjoying the morning view.

Explore the untamed wilderness and ancient culture of Namibia with expert knowledge guiding you through the journey

ADVERTORIAL

Plan, Plan Plan This is the first escorted tour I have ever been on. Having previously arranged all of my holidays independently, I know just how much time it takes to organise everything: the flights, transfers, entrance tickets for places of interest, how to get from A to B and so on, so I was truly excited over not having to worry about the logistics of this holiday, knowing that it was already arranged for me by the experts. I just had to get to Gatwick on time with my passport, travel documents and suitcase in tow.

During the tour, daily excursions are pre-organised

by Riviera Travel, entrance fees into places such as Neuschwanstein Castle and Stams Monastery are arranged for when we arrive, skipping the queues that we’re so used to standing in. Not only can I admire the scenery during the coach journeys rather than keeping my eyes fixed to the road and the confusing Austrian road signs, but these journeys are made even more enjoyable by the quick stops to take in the surroundings, such as mountain passes and places like old Curon Venosta.

We even have an entertaining and knowledgeable commentary from the tour manager – did you know that the Italian alpine town of Curon was artificially flooded to join Lakes Curon and Resia together? All that remains of Old Curon for our eyes to see is the half-submerged bell tower, its pointed upper half standing tall in the middle of the water. I just stumbled upon places like this when driving through Europe, or drove straight past in some cases, so being taken there intentionally and having the opportunity to learn about them is wonderful.

As the week goes on, I’m starting to really notice the benefits of having everything planned out on an escorted tour – it provides such a tremendous sense of freedom, one that, until now, I hadn’t realised was missing in my previous self-planned travels. I haven’t had to spend any time thinking about petrol or local transport arrangements, or getting lost looking for museums and restaurants. Our tour manager, Mary, helps us with all of these things. She points us in the direction of good eateries and explains how we should use the train services should we wish to venture

to a nearby town, and if she doesn’t know the answer to one of our many queries, she can easily find it out for us. The days seem to last longer and every moment feels well spent. I can really open my eyes to the world around me, as the hours usually spent deliberating over operational decisions and pouring over maps and road signs soon dissipate into mere moments of fleeting thought. I know where I need to be tomorrow morning and at what time, thanks to Mary. It is just so freeing to have someone else think about the schedule and timings so I can focus my energy solely on having a good time.

New Found Friends Before joining the tour, the thought of travelling with 42 other people was a little daunting, especially since I am used to travelling alone or with one other person. But after the first day or so of friendly introductions over a relaxed morning coffee or on the coach, we soon settled into each other’s company. I have a room to myself at the hotel, so I retire to my own space when I feel like I need it, though I get on with other members of the group so well I’ve hardly spent any time alone! The walking tours are done with the tour manager and the group, but there is usually plenty of time afterwards to explore alone and it’s lovely to see familiar faces around the towns. As the week goes on and friendships are formed, I’m happily spending much of the free time adventuring with other members of the party. A group of 42 hardly seems overcrowded after all as camaraderie and friendship prevail.

Take The Plunge Experiencing an organised tour for the first time is terrific: from the fascinating and thrilling excursions to the first-class dining and luxurious accommodation, to someone else doing the driving and the privilege of sharing memories with people I didn’t know I wanted to meet.

A week after the tour to Austria ends, I’m going away again on a trip I’ve planned myself, and I can’t help but wish I was travelling on an easy escorted tour again.

If you are at a point where organising your own holidays is starting become a bit of a burden, I would highly recommend an escorted tour with Riviera Travel.

Let the experts do the hard bit – just show up and have a great time.

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Neuschwanstein Castle, Bavaria, Germany

Š 2019 United Airlines, Inc. All rights reserved. United Premium Plus will be available on the first DUB to EWR flight as of May 23 2019.

Say hello to United Premium Plus

Where comfort meets conuenience, our international premium economy seat is on sale now.

To find out more, contact your travel agent or visit united.com/premiumplus

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ASIA & SOUTH AMERICA

Asia and South America –

Two diverse continents

ADVERTORIAL

waiting to be discovered by you! t was over 20 years ago that Wendy’s first tour departed. Ever since, Wendy Wu Tours have been perfecting the formula for creating extraordinary touring experiences.

Their comprehensive range of tours are designed to capture the very essence of your chosen destination, so you’re not just admiring the country’s top sights but truly discovering them — Wendy Wu’s awardwinning national escorts and their unparalleled knowledge are an integral part of this. Offering a range of different touring styles from culturally immersive to solo’s to tailormade; Wendy Wu Tours takes travellers to explore the best bits of two spectacular continents: Asia and South America.

I

South America is one incredibly diverse continent.

It’s full of unbelievable nature – from the Amazon to the mighty Iguacu to ragged Patagonia. It boasts magical wildlife like penguins, sloths and toucans; there’s fascinating indigenous cultures like the Incas who built Machu Picchu and tribal communities who call the rainforest their home.

There’s colonial history too, with many cities boasting plenty of beautiful architecture. And let’s not forget the great food and wine that the traveller can indulge in – Peru’s foodie reputation is already well established internationally, and Argentinian and Chilean wines are world class. We challenge anyone to resist the infectious fun and fiery Latino rhythms that pulse throughout the continent, so why not discover it with tours to Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Costa Rica and Panama, plus two multi-country explorer tours through South and Central America. You can even add Easter Island or the Galapagos Islands onto your tour!

The world’s most populous continent, Asia is an eclectic mix of peoples and cultures, each bringing their own characteristics to the mix. It is a paradise for any type of traveller, from the staunchest culture vulture to the most relaxed of beach bums, offering a breath-taking diversity of culture, heritage, history and spectacular landscapes. Find your inner explorer as you discover Angkor Wat or the Great Wall, get swept into China’s glorious history, India’s colourful culture or Japan’s ancient traditions. Stand awestruck by the beauty of Halong Bay or Mt Fuji or get back to nature in the rainforests of Borneo or national parks of Sri Lanka. Exuding an air of the exotic and encompassing some of the world’s most

“…Asia offers a breath-taking diversity of culture, heritage, history and spectacular landscapes… captivating countries, Asia is a destination that few can resist – in fact, it’s best not too! Discover its many wonders with Wendy Wu Tours on holidays to China, Vietnam, Japan, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Borneo, Indonesia, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

For further information on our award winning fully inclusive tours flying from Cork, Dublin or Shannon visit your local Travel Centres Travel agency.

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WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE CAN

HELP YOU We are a full-service travel agency. What that simply means is that we can handle all your travel requirements — no matter how complex or convoluted. Some travel companies (such as tour operators) tend to specialise in niche products or destinations whereas we are like the travel industry equivalent of a GP. Not only can you book traditional package holidays through us but you can also book flights, ferries, car hire, transfers, attraction and theatre tickets, cruises, golf groups, sports events, conferences, meetings, weddings abroad, honeymoons, bespoke itineraries and unique experiences etc. We are, effect, your one stop shop and we liaise, where necessary, with other specialist travel companies to provide you with the services that you require. The only limitations are your budget and your imagination!

Your local travel experts