Escape Routes

ESCAPE ROUTES

TRAVEL NEWS | FLIGHT DECK | CHARITY UPDATE | CHECK IN

↘ WHAT’S NEW

Drift off in Thailand

Tucked away in a cove on Cheow Lan Lake, Panvaree The Greenery is a floating lodge backed by jungle-topped limestone cliffs. This new addition to Southwest Thailand offers a different way of exploring Khao Sok National Park. The lodge is reached by longtail boat and, during your stay, you can kayak across the lake, visit nearby caves or hike through virgin rainforest. Relax in the air-conditioned comfort of your floating cabin and enjoy dinner overlooking the karst-framed lake. For more information, please contact our Thailand specialists on 1-833-640-8006.

8 | AUDLEY TRAVELER

ESCAPE ROUTES

FLIGHT DECK

The latest flight news

Japan Airlines will launch a daily nonstop service between Seattle and Tokyo (Narita) starting from March 31st, 2019. This service will operate on a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.

Norwegian Air is adding a nonstop seasonal service from Boston to Rome and Madrid. Service to Rome will begin on March 31st and service to Madrid will begin on May 2nd.

TAP Air Portugal is adding a new nonstop service to Lisbon from two major US cities. TAP will begin operating five round-trip flights per week between Chicago O’Hare and Lisbon on June 1st. They will also add five weekly round trips between Washington-Dulles and Lisbon on June 16th.

In October 2018, Virgin Atlantic completed its first flight – from Orlando to London – using a fuel partly made from industrial waste gas. The cleaner, more efficient fuel converts waste gas from manufacturing into ethanol.

Dash direct to Durban

New direct flights from the popular hub of London Heathrow to Durban has made visiting South Africa’s third-largest city easier than ever. Sitting on the Indian Ocean coast, Durban is a lively, colorful, cosmopolitan spot – a great gateway for accessing the province and worth visiting in its own right. It boasts some of South Africa’s best contemporary artists and galleries displaying traditional Zulu artworks and textiles.

Thanks to its multicultural population, the city’s culinary scene is also a highlight. You’ll find street vendors using Indian spices to create delicacies such as samosas and bunny chow (a hollowed half-loaf of bread filled with curry). For more information, contact our South Africa specialists on 1-833-640-8029.

Patagonia in numbers

19 miles The length of the Perito Moreno glacier

Less than 5 People per square mile of land

1.5

million+

Pairs of Magellanic penguins

356+

Glaciers in Patagonia

76 tons

Weight of the largest dinosaur – a Patagotitan mayorum – found in Patagonia

Visit Italy’s European culture capital

With an estimated 7,000 year history of inhabitance, Matera is Europe’s oldest continuously inhabited city and now a 2019 European Capital of Culture. Known as a city of caves, it’s neighborhoods feature structures carved right into the limestone hills defining both the city and the experience of visiting. Having known for four years that Matera would be recognized in 2019 the city has been preparing, turning caves into unique hotels and restaurants, and is ready for the curious visitor to explore.

Matera is located in Southern Italy a mere hour long flight from Rome making it an easy destination to add to any trip to Italy. For more information, please contact our Italy specialists on 1-833-640-8040.

AUDLEY TRAVELER | 9

CHECK IN

The most exciting new stays

The Neem Tree, Udaipur, India Named after the tree that shades its pool, this eight-room hotel (pictured) has a boutique feel. There are views of the City Palace from the roof terrace, and hosts Helena and Manu ensure a memorable stay, thanks to their in-depth and invaluable knowledge of the city.

Zuri Zanzibar, Kendwa Village Zanzibar, Tanzania Recently opened in July, this hotel is situated on a sunset-facing beach – a rarity on Zanzibar. It also features a funky, bohemian atmosphere and smart features, such as beds with individual cooling systems, putting it in a class of its own when it comes to style and technology on the island.

Alkina Lodge, Great Ocean Road, Australia Set amid native forest, only a 20-minute drive from the Twelve Apostles, Alkina Lodge is a luxurious option near the Great Ocean Road. Its three fourbedroom lodges come with full cooking facilities or the option of chef-prepared meals.

Futangue Hotel & Spa, Patagonia, Chile Located in virgin forest, this hotel allows you to experience the wilderness while staying in comfort. It has an indoor pool and sauna, and several communal spaces for relaxing: sit out on the porch or by a roaring fire.

Crowd-free Mount Cook

Our new wilderness experience in New Zealand gives you an uninterrupted view of the Southern Alps heading off the beaten path in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. After driving into the open tussock grasslands of the Hooker Valley, you’ll hike a short trail leading to Mueller Lake. You’re unlikely to encounter other visitors or hear

sightseeing helicopters whirring above. You’ll spend a few hours kayaking the lake, and might see distant rock avalanches thundering into the Mueller Glacier, before disembarking under towering Mount Sefton. For more information, please contact our New Zealand specialists on 1-833-640-8052.

Plastic bag ban in Botswana

As the drive to be eco-friendly strengthens, several African countries have been leading the way in banning the use of plastic bags and other plastic items, including Rwanda and Kenya. From November 1st, 2018, Botswana has followed suit. This ban extends to international travelers visiting the country – we advise not taking any plastic bags with you, as they will be confiscated and you may be issued with a fine.

Beyond not taking plastic bags we also suggest traveling with minimal plastic to help support this movement in keeping Botswana’s ecosystem clean and healthy. For more information, please contact our Botswana safari specialists on 1-833-640-8037.

New sails in Seychelles

Discover Seychelles’ rich marine life and photogenic isles on our new catamaran experience. From Mahé, you can visit Sainte Anne Marine Park, one of the first protected marine areas in the region, which shelters six islands, coral gardens and seagrass meadows. Stop at Moyenne Island where giant tortoises roam and there’s opportunity to snorkel alongside turtles and manta rays.

Alternatively, a boat from Praslin can take you to Grande Soeur Island, before snorkeling at Félicité or Coco Island beside eagle rays and turtles. For more information, please contact our Seychelles specialists on 1-833-640-8023.

10 | AUDLEY TRAVELER

ESCAPE ROUTES

↘

CHARITY UPDATE

Supporting ShelterBox for another year

At the start of 2018 we aimed to raise $70,000 for ShelterBox, a charity that provides aid and hope to those who have lost their homes. Through a range of fundraising activities, from raffles to golf tournaments and pub quizzes, we have reached our target.

This year, ShelterBox has sent teams to assess the aftermath of major disasters,

including the tsunami in Sulawesi and flooding in Kenya. The charity has provided essential items such as tents, tools and water purification kits to families in need.

After seeing the impact of ShelterBox’s work, we’ve decided to support the charity for another year, increasing our total target to $140,000. This will help to rebuild the lives of around 400 families.

To learn more about our partnership with ShelterBox, please visit www. audleytravel.com/us/about-us/fundraising

What to READ

What to WATCH

What to SEE

What to DOWNLOAD

After completing a ten-month round-the-world trip with Audley, David Moore has recorded his adventure in Turning Left Around the World. Read about his journey through 15 countries, exploring landscapes, wildlife and food along the way. Available now at Amazon.com.

The creator of Planet Earth has once again teamed up with Sir David Attenborough for a new Netflix show, Our Planet. The eight-part series promises to take viewers through some of the world’s most precious natural habitats. Netflix, out April 5th 2019.

For the first time Boston’s Museum of Fine Art will be displaying the work of Frida Kahlo alongside the arte popular that influenced her work. Frida Kahlo and Arte Popular will show from February 27th to June 16th. For tickets, visit www.mfa.org/tickets.

Using the Google Translate app, you can take a photo of text and instantly translate it. This feature is now supported in nearly 50 languages and will take away the challenge of deciphering menus and street signs on your travels. Available on iOS and Android.

AUDLEY TRAVELER | 11

ESCAPE ROUTES

↘ RECIPE

Crema Catalana

By Allan Palmer, Spain and Portugal Specialist

Decadent custard topped by a thin

layer of caramelized sugar, crema Catalana is the southern relative of France’s crème brûlée. The contrast between the smooth, sweet custard and the bittersweet, blistered topping creates a satisfying end to a fulfilling Catalan meal. On my most recent trip to Barcelona, I had the opportunity to create this centuries-old treat with a local chef, Carlos, as the finale to our indulgent meal of seafood paella.

Ingredients

Serves: 6-8 2 tbsp cornstarch 2½ cups whole milk A large slice of lemon peel (the whole peel, not just lemon zest) 1 cinnamon stick 5 large egg yolks ½ cup sugar Additional sugar to caramelize on top Fresh berries to garnish

Method

1. Bring the milk, lemon peel, and cinnamon stick to a boil. At the same time dissolve the cornstarch in a bit of water. Once the milk is boiling, beat in the dissolved cornstarch.

2. Remove the cinnamon and lemon peel from the milk and reduce the heat. 3. Beat the egg yolks and the sugar together until the mix turns a pale yellow. Slowly add the egg yolk mixture to the milk; stir constantly over low heat until thickened. 4. Once thickened, remove the mixture from the heat and pour it into ramekins. Let it cool for a bit, then cover in plastic wrap and let it chill for about four hours, preferably overnight. 5. Before serving, let the mix come to room temperature. Once it has, sprinkle a thin layer of sugar over each ramekin and caramelize the sugar with a kitchen torch. Top with fresh fruit and serve. Buen provecho!

Have you recreated a recipe we’ve featured in Audley Traveler? Or have you sampled a delicious local cuisine on your travels? We’d love to see your images of your favorite food and drink experiences. Tag your Instagram and Twitter posts with #TheAudleyWay and @AudleyTravel.

12 | AUDLEY TRAVELER

@FRANZISKA_SCHAERLI

@STEVIEG52

@NATSGEOGRAPHIC

EUROPE

DISCOVER

WITH OUR NEW BROCHURE

Written by our Europe specialists, this brand new brochure is packed with our latest findings, hand-picked accommodations, and individually crafted authentic experiences

Start planning your journey to Italy, the UK and Ireland, France, Spain, and Portugal. Download our new brochure at www.audleytravel.com/us/brochures