50% travel, 50% charity, 100% meaningful September/October 2022 ISSUE 12 50% travel, 50% charity, 100% meaningful theSoundhorn Rhinos are more at risk of extinction than ever, but could tourism help bring these fantastic beasts back from the brink? DRIVE TIME 12 epic road trips that will take you places MADEIRA Discover an island of unexpected drama HOBBIES ON HOLIDAY Meet the people who take their pastimes travelling
FROM THE EDITOR Laura Gelder
New HORIZONS
2 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022
Writing for Charitable Traveller has opened my eyes to countless good causes, and so many good people making a difference in people’s lives and the world.
DESIGNER:
I’m sad to say that this will be my last issue as editor of Charitable Traveller, as I am moving on to new pastures. It’s been a surreal but wonderful experience, helping to launch a travel magazine in the midst of a global pandemic, when no one could actually go on holiday! Then again, armchair travel came into its own in lockdown.
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I have been a travel writer for 14 years and it will always be a passion, but one of the things I will miss most about this job is not writing about exotic places, but interviewing people like Mike from the charity Brainwave (see page 65). Writing for Charitable Traveller has opened my eyes to countless good causes, and so many good people making a difference to people’s lives and the world.
CEO: Melissa Tilling; MARKETING Rosie Buddell, Ally Ware & Adam Pedley; SALES: Ali Nicholls; MAGAZINE EDITOR: Laura Gelder; MAGAZINE Claire Gates (clairegatesdesign@gmail.com)
Another thing that I love about this job is being able to focus on travel for good. From writing tips about how to holiday with less impact on the environment – or a more positive impact on communities – to shining a light on lesser-known destinations that deserve more visitors, we have always tried to help tourism be a force for positive change. That’s what Charitable Travel is all about.
Since I started in this industry, travel is no longer a guilt-free pastime, but a joyous privilege which comes with immense responsibility. I hope you enjoy this issue, and many more to come, and tell everyone you know how they too can be a Charitable Traveller and create a better world.
INSIDE this issue 50% travel, 50% charity, 100% meaningful September/October50% travel, 50% charity, 100% meaningful Soundthehorn risk of than ever, but tourism help bring these fantastic back from trips take you places drama Meet travelling 4 Get the picture 9 Armchair travel 10 Amazing road trips: 12 drives of your life around the world 18 Get to know: Mauritius 21 Postcard from: Skye 23 Why I donate: The Brain Tumour Charity 26 Get to know: Taiwan 29 Postcard from: Venice 36 Q&A: Anwar Ali, CEO of the social enterprise, Upturn 38 Madeira: An island with plenty of drama and many layers to discover 43 Top 5: Foodie hotspots in South America 44 Hobbies on holiday: Meet three travellers who took their passion with them 54 Four views of... New Zealand 55 Opinion: Greg R. Takehara, CEO of Tourism Cares 56 In numbers: Helping Rhinos 59 Opinion: Mark Bibby Jackson on mindfulnes 62 Girl About: Tips for outdoor adventurers 65 A day in the life of... Mike from Brainwave 66 Global good news UnsplashatMigajS
Barbados feedsthe future
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The Barbados Food and Rum Festival is a starstudded, taste-budded four-day destination event showcasing the talents of Barbados’ most renowned rum producers, chefs and culinary personalities. They will be tantalising your tastebuds with a fully-stuffed menu of events – VIP evenings, food truck mashups, breakfast on the beach, rum tours, community pop-ups and much more, taking place October 27-30. The theme ‘Feed the Future’ will highlight Barbados’ commitment to ensuring the ongoing development of local culinary talent. Part of the proceeds of the festival will support student training and a local feeding programme, blessing those in need. charitable.travel/caribbean/barbados
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All flips, no flops. Charitable.Travel/Fort-Myers Captiva Island, FL
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Street photos nowallowed in Egypt
The Egyptian government has announced that amateur street photography in public spaces is now allowed. Egypt’s Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said: “Taking photographs using all kinds of traditional cameras, digital cameras and video cameras will be permitted free of charge. No permit needs to be obtained beforehand.” However, restrictions will remain in place for photographing children and for commercial photography. The statement also noted: “It is completely forbidden to take or share photographs of scenes that can, in one way or another, damage the country’s image.”
One of the world’s most remote tourism destinations has just opened after more than two-anda-half years. Rapa Nui – also known as Easter Island – is a Chilean-owned island, located 2,000 miles from the Chile coast in the easternmost part of Polynesia, and famous for its mysterious statues. The ancient moai were carved centuries ago but still stand today and are the main attraction, although wild and barren landscapes and pristine white beaches with palm trees and blues seas also lure travellers.
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Rapa Nui opensup to the world
The island reopened to visitors in August for the first time since March 2020, thanks to the pandemic, and the Mayor of Rapa Nui said the locals were happy to welcome travellers, as well as having the freedom to leave themselves.
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By Imogen Lepere
Footage of frozen worlds, tips for sustainable travel, a journey through an ancient civilisation and a trip across an entire continent.
FROZEN PLANET II
The Ethical Traveller offers one hundred tips, all aligned with the United Nations thatpreservingandsupportprotectthatDevelopmentSustainableGoals,willhelpyoutheplanet,communities,exploretheworld,everythingmakesit so special.
BBC One
Illustrated by Julia Murray, this book is a guide to exploring the world and having life-changing experiences, without ruining it for everyone else. Looking at impacts on the environment and the communities we visit, Lepere argues that we all have the power to make a difference and that taking conscious decisions on our journeys can positively change the planet.
By Michael Palin In March 2022, Michael Palin travelled the length of the River Tigris through Iraq, a region that once formed the cradle of civilisation, but has more recently witnessed turmoil and bloodshed. Filled with Michel Palin’s characteristic warmth and humour, Into Iraq investigates a complex country that few outsiders see, taking in its long and dramatic history and the author’s encounters with its people. A journey of sharp, often brutal contrasts, it sees Palin exploring the streets of Baghdad and the ancient ruins of Babylon, as well as the war-torn city of Mosul. This is the journal he kept during his trip, illustrated with photographs to give a vivid and varied portrait of a complex country. The TV series is will be on Channel 5 this autumn.
TV Book
INTO IRAQ
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ARMCHAIR travel time
This landmark sequel is the result of four years of expeditions by BBC Studios’ Natural History Unit to the Earth’s frozen frontiers – the Arctic and Antarctic, plus areas of tundra, boreal forest and high mountains. It shows off animals in their natural habitats as never seen before. Narrated by David Attenborough, the series has an accompanying song – Take Me Back Home – performed by Camila Cabello and multiple Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer. Eleven years after the first series, Frozen Planet II will feature unchartered new worlds and pioneering technology, capturing new behaviour and showing how much these icy worlds are changing and the dramatic impact this has on wildlife and the whole planet.
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SOUTH AMERICA BBC Two In this new five-part series, Simon Reeve travels the length of South America as he completes the second part of his epic journey down through the Americas. The trip starts in Venezuela in the north and ends in the frozen wilds of Tierra Del Fuego in the south. Reeves encounters an incredible range of remotevisitsandenvironmentscharactersandgreatcitiesandcommunities.AdventuresincluderaidingacocainelabwithPeruvianSpecialForcesandstayingwitharemoteAmazoniantribe.Thejourney was interrupted by the pandemic, and also examines the impact of Covid-19 on this vast continent.
THE ETHICAL TRAVELLER: 100 WAYS TO ROAM THE WORLD (WITHOUT RUINING IT!)
amazing road trips 10 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 BOOKINGS@CHARITABLE.TRAVEL / RESERVATIONS: 020 3092 CHARITABLE.TRAVEL1288 Feel the freedom of the open road, discover the hidden gems between the bucket list destinations and take your time, as you explore at your own pace on these 12 self-drive road trips, says Elizabeth Young Hit the road
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1 kooByournext fy drive
This stretch of iconic road runs along the south coast of Victoria. Starting in Torquay, it heads west for around 150 miles. The scenery is varied and jaw droppingly beautiful in places, taking in ancient rainforests and rugged cliffedged coast, with must-see stop-offs for spectacular rock formations like the Bay of Islands and the limestone stacks of the 12 Apostles. It’s not a challenging or long route and it is well set up for visitors and connected by relaxed seaside towns, so plan to take it slowly. Along the way, check out nature trails through rainforest, wildlife like kangaroos, koalas and penguins, sweeping beaches, pretty lighthouses and local breweries.
GREAT OCEAN ROAD, AUSTRALIA
GARDEN ROUTE, SOUTH AFRICA
ROUTE 66, USA Perhaps the most famous of all road trips, Route 66 covers over 2,000 miles and eight U.S states. The original American Mother Road runs from Chicago in the east to Santa Monica in the west, past other cities like St. Louis with its famous arch and the adobe city of Santa Fe. Drive it and you follow generations of adventurers and migrants. Enjoy the freedom of the open road and stop to enjoy quirky landmarks, colourful communities and plenty of Americana diners. Look out for the Blue Whale monument in Cartoosa, Oklahoma; Cadillac Ranch – an art installation with ten cars buried nose-down in the desert; and the ghost town of Oatman, just before you meet the sparkling Pacific Ocean.
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wild ocean vistas
This drive gets its name from the lush Garden Route National Park that it travels through. It runs for just under 200 miles around South Africa’s southern coast. Starting in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape province and ending in the Western Cape province at Mossel Bay, it takes you past lagoons, mountains, beaches, lakes and forests as it links together almost a dozen nature and marine reserves. You can take from three to 14 days to complete the journey depending how many caves and sandy beaches you stop to explore, how many mountains you hike, or how long you stop to admire the sunsets.
MOSSEL BAY AN ARIZONA
Daytona Beach is known as the World’s Most Famous Beach for a reason. We’re famous for our 23 miles of iconic, beautiful beaches. But we’re also famous for beautiful new resorts, incredible dining, romantic getaways, shopping and a myriad of ways to relax and have fun. Ready to enjoy everything we’re famous for? getaway at charitable.travel/Daytona-beach today.
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FAMOUS FOR GETTING AWAY FROM EVERYTHING. EXCEPT EACH OTHER.
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BARILOCHE DESERT HIGHWAY
RUTA 40, ARGENTINA Route 40 is one of the longest in the world at over 3,000 miles long. It is a legendary road, running parallel to the Andes mountains in western Argentina, from the Bolivian border to the southermost tip, and ideally you need three weeks to do it all. The terrains are varied and it offers a true adventure. The road starts at the sea level, crosses 18 national parks, 18 major rivers, and 27 passes on the Andes. You’ll see canyons, craters and cliffs; vast lakes and glaciers; fascinating wildlife from soaring condors to lanky guanacos. You’ll find Welshspeaking communities and Swiss-style lakeside chalets. hit the lakes
travel the corridoormountain
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ICEFIELD PARKWAY, ROCKIES, CANADA
OMAN CIRCLE TOUR
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If you haven’t considered a driving trip in the Middle East before, it is time to think again and check out The Oman Circle route. Oman has excellent roads and good driving standards and the circle route starts and ends easily in the capital Muscat. The drive takes in deserts with towering dunes, ancient forts, exotic souks and amazing geological features, from caves to sink holes. Stop at Ras Al Jinz beach to spot turtles, get a taste of legendary Bedouin culture at a desert camp, experience the fascinating chaos of the goat market in historic Nizwa and cool off in the oasis of Banana Valley.
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Linking Lake Louise with Jasper, in Alberta, the Icefield Parkway is ranked among the most beautiful journeys on the planet. The highway runs 144 miles along the Continental Divide and cuts you through the soaring mountain peaks, icefields and vast valleys of the Canadian Rockies. There are more than 100 glaciers, waterfalls, dramatic rock formations and emerald lakes along the way and plenty of chances to spot elk, moose and bears in Jasper and Banff national parks. Prepare to repeat book because the experience is very different between summer and winter – the waterfalls, lakes and forests will be frozen.
amazing road trips NORTH COAST 500, SCOTLAND
CITY TO PACIFIC, COSTA RICA
As you set off from Inverness Castle, ahead of you on this beautiful road are over 500-miles of scenic Scotland. The rugged mountains, adventure trails and whisky distilleries you might be expecting but you will also find white sandy beaches, charming remote fishing villages, and many an historic stop-off. Fairy tale castles, hidden lochs and mist-covered peaks set a romantic mood to the driving backdrop here, and you’ll also find top-notch golfing and luxury hotels to rest awhile in too.
a fairy tale coast
Public transport isn’t the best in Costa Rica so exploring by car makes great sense. Fly into the capital San José and you can fill your days with incredible wildlife on a circular tour that takes you to the Pacific Coast and back. You’ll see the beautiful biodiverse country around Sarapiqui; the drama of the Arenal Volcano and the magical Monteverde cloud forest, before hitting the coast for some time by the sea. Make time to UnsplashatHornColin Transform a life.
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One surgery at a offers.charitable.travel/cure-uktime.
CURE’s mission is to reach and heal children living with disabilities such as clubfoot, bowed legs, cleft lips, untreated burns, and hydrocephalus. We do this through a global network of paediatric hospitals that provide free surgical and rehabilitative care.
misty drama in fiordland
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KIRKJUFELL
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New Zealand is a scenically stunning driving destination wherever you go, but this route takes in the west coast of the south island where you’ll find rainforests, beaches and glaciers. Head out of Te Anau on Highway 94 and after 75 miles you come to Milford Sound. It’s a winding road through the UNESCO-ranked Fiordland National Park, passing the Mirror Lakes and The Chasm waterfalls, with fabulous mountain scenery at every turn. The Sound itself is an awesome sight with the spectacular mountain, Mitre Peak, beautifully reflected in the waters. Be sure to take a boat trip into the sound to appreciate its dizzyingly high cliffs and more waterfalls.
THE BASQUE COAST
THE BASQUE CIRCUIT, SPAIN An easy hop away from the UK, The Basque Circuit is a 300-mile driving route in northern Spain that you can do over a long weekend. It starts in Bilbao and takes you through Pamplona and the Pyrenees, back along the coast and the Bay of Biscay. Quickly, the bustling Spanish port city is behind you as the dramatic route of hairpin turns and tight corners takes you through rugged forested hills and open plains. You can stop off in Vitoria-Gasteiz, the capital of the Basque Country, before winding your way to the Atlantic Ocean. An extension to France’s Biarritz is also a popular option.
WEST COAST & MILFORD SOUND, NEW ZEALAND
THE RING ROAD, ICELAND Think mossy lava fields, steep mountains, fjords, waterfalls and rocky beaches. The 825-mile Ring Road is a modern motorway running right around Iceland and will take you to many of the best sights the island has to offer. It is easiest to drive in summer but some can also be done in winter, with care. Simply turn off the road for a geyser here, some whale or puffin watching there; horse riding here, hiking a glacier there. You’ll start in colourful Reykjavik, close to the sublime Blue Lagoon, and go on see sights like the spectacular Gullfoss Waterfall, pretty little village Vik and its jet black beach, and the dramatic Dimmuborgir Lava Field.
SINGAPORE AND MALAYSIA ROADTRIP Driving in Asia can be challenging. Cities are full of noise and traffic rules often seem illusive but if you want to give it a try, driving from Singapore up into Malaysia is a good place to start. The modern expressway from Singapore allows you to connect with older roads for easy access to local villages along the way. The route can take you to the Colonial cities of Malacca and George Town, with capital Kuala Lumpur in between, and if you have time for a detour, head into the misty Cameron Highlands for tea and strawberry plantations.
MILFORD SOUND MALACCA
With your help we can end th cats, dogs, donkeys and Registered Charity No 1102985 Help save pets and working animals in the UK and in some of the world's poorest communities. Visit charitable.travel/together-for-animals Extinction Means Forever Let's Make a Difference Today Image: James Eades Visit charitable.travel/how many elephants How Many Elephants is a registered NGO supporting African elephants and front line rangers
From the lively local culture of its west coast beaches to the luxury resorts and lagoons of the east coast, Mauritius has a beach for everyone. Contenders for the most beautiful include the six-mile talcum powdersoft Belle Mare Plage, or the wilder green-backed Gris Gris, with its dramatic cliffs.
Beach beauties
What’s it all about?
The American author Mark Twain wrote that Mauritius was made first and then heaven was copied after. This Indian Ocean isle has floating green peaks, sapphire seas and powdery beaches. Along with luxury resorts is a rugged interior, where tortoises amble, and underwater gardens of dazzling coral. Spicy culturePort Louis is the capital of Mauritius and a bustling town mixing modern and colonial. You can see the influence of India and China but in the city’s central market you get an insight into the days of British rule in the Victorian era. Discover exotic local produce, from fruit and vegetables to traditional medicinal herbs, along with local handicrafts. Go to the food court to sample the local cuisine, a beguiling and spicy mix of Indian, Creole and Chinese, including dim-sum and rotis. The architecture along the city’s cobbled streets is diverse too, from the majestic Jummah Mosque to a Chinese Pagoda.
Madagascar Mauritus
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PORT LOUIS
The Blue Bay Marine Park is home to beautiful staghorn and cabbage corals and a kaleidoscopic array of fish including damsel, butterfly and angelfish. Serious divers can head to Pass St. Jacques, where they can drift along with bull sharks, barracuda and grey and whitetip reef sharks – if they dare.
LOOK OUT FOR COLOURFUL BIRDS
Visit the Mauritius National Botanical Garden, once the private garden of the French governor, to appreciate the island’s bountiful nature. It holds 650 varieties of plants including giant water lilies and fragrant spices. Island wildlife includes giant tortoises, the lime green Mauritius echo parakeet, pink pigeons and vivid geckos.
The famously extinct dodo bird was native to Mauritius –a large flightless bird related to the pigeon
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Flora and fauna
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Natural wonders Mauritius is guarded by the monolithic Le Morne Brabant, a rugged hulk of a mountain enveloped in lush vegetation. Its name translates as ‘bleak’ but that’s because of the sad story of escaped slaves that tried to live on the mountain, but threw themselves off it when they saw French soldiers coming. Mauritius has many impressive natural wonders but none as strange as the Seven Coloured Earths, an area of sand dunes in peculiar rainbow colours, surrounded by forest. Grand Bassin, or Ganga Talao, is a picturesque crater lake in the mountains which is sacred to Hindu Mauritians – they believe it’s linked with the holy waters of the River Ganges in India. The island is also home to numerous breathtaking waterfalls – like Alexandra Falls, which gushes out of the lush jungle of the Black River Gorges National Park. La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park is a great place to see the island’s lush interior – by zip line if you want.
Underwater world Mauritius is virtually surrounded by coral so divers and snorkellers will be in heaven.
GIANT WATER LILIES ALEXANDRA FALLS
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Dramatic style
Postcard fromSKYE
By Elizabeth Young Ragged mountains reach for the sky open roads Harbour ooBk tariptobonny Scotland
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The Fairy Pools are part of Skye’s rich folklore – named after a clan chief who allegedly married a fairy princess is home to 12 Monros –mountain challenges full of scenic drama
Moody landscapesForget rain macs and midges, when I opened the curtains on my first day in Skye there was nothing but clear blue sky and sunshine to greet me over the Sound of Sleat. With my belly full of a hearty Scottish breakfast I headed out to get the mood and the measure of the island with a local who knew every jot and tittle of its rolling hills and the best ways to admire them. Skye – 50 by 25 miles in size – is shaped like a bird in flight and is the most popular of the Hebridean islands, thanks, in part, to the bridge joining it to the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh. I had arrived by Caledonian MacBrayne ferry, one of the many that criss-cross the waters between the isles of the inner Herbrides, or head on to the remote outer isles. The scenery is stunning. Rolling hills of purple, rust and straw yellow; babbling brooks dotted with heavy boulders speckled in vibrant lichens. Hardy sheep and cattle nibble the grass down to neat spongy ‘lawns’, interspersed with bright yellow gorse. The white, slate-roofed cottages tell tales of remote farms and hardy fishing communities.
The Cuillin ranges are huge, domineering and unexpected, and they can’t fail to impress. I craned my neck to look up at the long ridge of the Black Cuillin, said to be the UK’s most challenging mountain range. Nearly seven miles long, it has 12 Munros (peaks higher than 3,000 feet), all with magnetic appeal for climbers. The gentler Red Cuillin range is popular with quickfix hillwalkers who come to snap the famous Old Man of Storr, a rock outcrop, or the translucent spring-fed Fairy Pools. Others come in search of otters or whales, eagles or puffins, and many come just to feel the remoteness. Skye is a land of organic tartans and tweeds, woven by nature in muted tones. That much I had expected, but the surprise was the drama of it and the sense of being in a truly ancient place. It has plenty of Scottish heritage, but it’s the earth shattering geological action it has seen, the ragged peaks and smooth hills, that inspire awe. It’s a small island, yes, but visit and you quickly see it grow in stature before your eyes..
Portree
Welcome Fascinating discoveries await in Greater Fort Lauderdale, from miles of golden beaches and scenic waterways to eco-adventures in the world-famous Everglades, to exceptional shopping, dining and nightlife – all in Florida’s most welcoming destination. Learn more at Charitable.Travel/Fort-Lauderdale CHILL-SEEKERS
Thirty and thriving, Chloe Bain bounced back from a shocking diagnosis and some tough treatment with the help of The Brain Tumour Charity
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I first met ‘Trev’ in September 2020. We had the weirdest of introductions in the middle of the night. I was in a very deep sleep in my hospital bed after a long day of tests and examinations. At 2am, two nervous medics with clip boards arrived and turned on the lights. I woke up dazed and in a deep-sleep muddle. They started talking: “We’ve reviewed all your tests and scans and we’re sorry to tell you, you have hydrocephalus, that’s water on the brain, being caused by a brain tumour. The surgeon will probably operate in the morning.” I couldn’t really take it in. I was half asleep, my bladder was bursting and I replied: “Sorry, I need to pee. Could I go to the loo and you can explain it again.” I felt sorry for them. They looked far more scared about giving me this news than I was, in my blissful ignorance, about receiving it. I didn’t really react at all. I just needed to pee! So I went to the loo and then they started again. The diagnosis hadn’t changed, and they didn’t seem to have any more to add. I was certain I was meant to respond, ask some questions maybe, but I had absolutely no idea what they were, so I just said: “Ah OK”. And they left. In the days that followed I named my diagnosis ‘Trev the Tumour’, I don’t know why – maybe it was just a way to visualize it as we headed off together on a mad journey into the world of neurosurgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, brain imaging and scans. It was a world I couldn’t even begin to understand on that first day, but two years later, I suppose I’m a reluctant ‘expert’. Brain tumour treatment can be tough but Trev is currently under control and I’m getting my life back on track. I have wonderful consultants and nurses supporting me every step of the way but there is an awful lot to learn and so much research work to be done which is why I now donate to The doencourageandTumourBrainCharitywouldyoutosoaswell.
WHY I donate...
makeHelpachange
About 88,000 people have a brain tumour in the UK but they only get 3% of research thebraintumourcharity.orgmoney.
Many questions, once you have them, only time can answer for you, but The Brain Tumour Charity is a hugely valuable source of insight and support for the newly diagnosed and for survivors, for their families and friends. Its team collates all the latest research, shares best practice and true-life experiences, campaigns for treatment change and fund-raises for trials. It provides a listening ear when you most need one. As you navigate the twists and turns of brain tumour treatment, the most valuable commodity is reliable information. Or, at the very least, you find out the questions you are meant to ask!
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On a secluded bay – between the mysterious ruins of Tulum and the energetic Playa del Carmen –Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya looks out on a yacht-filled marina and the Caribbean Sea. Its heavenly accommodations feature a private balcony or terrace, daily refreshed mini-bar, twice-daily maid service, luxury bath amenities and everything you’d expect for an Unlimited-Luxury® experience. The resort has secluded beach spots, thatched palapas, and an adultsonly quiet pool and restaurant. Discover reservation-free gourmet eateries including five à la carte options, a buffet, a grill and a café. Unlimited top-shelf spirits are served at four bars and lounges. Upgrade to Preferred Club status to enjoy hors d’oeuvres and dessert in the members-only Club Lounge.
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Sunscape AkumalBeach Resort & Spa
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Secrets St James Montego Bay Jamaica
The beachfront Dreams Dominicus La Romana is for luxurious family holidays or romantic getaways. The 488 spacious guestrooms and suites are set in Bayahibe, a popular beach destination and fishing town. Only 45 minutes from Punta Cana Airport and 20 minutes from La Romana Airport, the hotel is in an ideal location to explore the region, or to just enjoy some rest and relaxation in the Dominican Republic. The Preferred Club Family Suites section offers one, two and threebedroom accommodation, a family-themed international restaurant, a pizzeria and a pool bar. This section also has a pool and a splash pool with water games for the children, a private lounge with concierge service and shuttle cart service from/to the beach for an Unlimited-Luxury® experience.
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Sunscape Akumal Beach Resort & Spa is located in the heart of the Riviera Maya in the unspoiled Akumal Region, known for the beauty of its pristine beaches. The infinite green jungle merges with the beauty of the Caribbean Sea close to the ruined wonders of the ancient Mayan world. This resort is set on a stunning strip of white sand beach close to the historic and ecological wonders of Tulum and Cobá. Delicious snacks and delightful meals are available at eight dining options, while limitless drinks are available at eight bars. Eleven shimmering pools and endless activities, including the all-new Rex Dino Land, keep the whole family entertained during the day and into the evening.
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7 nights from £1,629pp 7 nights from £2,129pp 7 nights from £1,289pp 7 nights from £2,129pp
Dreams Dominicus La Romana
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Breathless Cancun Soul Resort
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City chic meets edgy opulence at Breathless Cancun Soul Resort & Spa. A cosmopolitan beach experience awaits at this stylish, all-suite resort nestled between the Caribbean Sea and Nichupte Lagoon. Get inspired by its energy, live big and breathe deep at this new Cancun hot spot. Clad in sleek décor with neutral accents, this beachfront haven has 429 suites and two infinity rooftop pools. It’s the perfect destination for sophisticated travellers wanting to experience lively and luxe downtown vibes with relaxing and opulent beach views (just 25 minutes from the airport and situated on the lively Cancun strip). It’s all in the details when it comes to our style and service, and we’ve thought of everything to make your Unlimited-Luxury® experience with us epic!
This adults-only, Unlimited-Luxury® resort surrounded by the crystal-clear Caribbean sea, features 350 opulent suites, impeccable service and superior amenities. Enjoy seven gourmet, à la carte restaurants serving international cuisine, nine chic bars and lounges with unlimited top-shelf spirits, and an air-conditioned theatre offering nightly live entertainment. Find paradise at the Secrets Spa by Pevonia® or on the green at nearby championship golf courses. Should a guest want to kick up the excitement a notch, there’s free-flow access to Secrets Wild Orchid right next door, with its welcoming Jamaican vibe. Book a Preferred Club Junior Suite Ocean View Swim Out room category or higher and have butler service included.
It’s been at the centre of a diplomatic storm between China and the USA recently, but what isn’t disputed is this island’s beauty. Taiwan is often dubbed a microcosm of China, home to mega cities, marble gorges, dense forest, mystic mountains and electric green paddy fields – in one island.
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Mega metropolisSurrounded by mountains but dominated by glittering skyscrapers – including one of the world’s tallest – Taipei is a mega metropolis that blends cultures, eras and traditions. You’ll find Chinese culture, of course, but it’s also sprinkled with influences from Japan, the US and other places in Southeast Asia. It has a banging nightlife scene, omnipresent wifi and a booming technology industry, set alongside incense-infused temples and serene tea houses. It’s also a city with plenty of quirks – from a toilet-themed restaurant to a museum dedicated to fish balls. Above all, Taipei is a friendly city, and the locals want to share it.
Taiwan offers plenty of chances to chill out. Try one of its many hot springs, like the ones at the aboriginal village of Wulai, or head to the glass-still Sun Moon Lake for gentle strolls and blissful boat rides. For a seaside session, head to the tropical archipelago of Penghu, famed for its pale sand beaches and clear seas.
What’s it all about?
And relax...
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Wild places
Temple fever
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Visit the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall to find out more about Taiwan’s fascinating history
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TAIPEI 101
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Sitting along the Tropic of Cancer, Taiwan has both tropical beaches and snowcapped jade mountains. Experience its raw beauty by getting out into its wilder reaches. Taroko National Park is home to the soaring marble-walled Taroko Gorge, rising above the blue ribbon of the Liwu River and home to half the island’s flora and fauna. Also a hiker’s dream is Yushan National Park, home to over thirty peaks more than 3,000 metres in height, including one of the island’s highest, Yushan (or Jade Mountain). The Alishan National Forest Area, once home to the Tsou aboriginal tribe, is famous for its deep green forest and sacred tree, its tea, the highest temple in Taiwan and the chance to look down on a sea of clouds. And Kenting National Park combines beautiful sandy beaches with rugged forest-covered mountains, gushing waterfalls and hidden caves. You don’t have to go far to find nature in Taiwan.
If you love exploring temples you’ll love Taiwan. Enjoy the wacky but ornate roof of Baoan Temple in Taipei. Admire the Eternal Spring Shrine in Taroko Gorge, which perches precariously on a mountain with a waterfall gushing below. And don’t miss the kitsch pagodas around Lotus Pond in Kaohsiung – you enter via a dragon’s mouth and leave out of a tiger’s jaws.
Taste of Asia and beyond This cultural melting pot is, unsurprisingly, an exciting food destination where you can eat almost any cuisine. To dine like a local, head to a market like Shilin Night Market in Taipei. Amongst this maze of aromatic alleys you can try everything from the famous stinky tofu to fried chicken. Other famous Taiwanese dishes include oyster omelette, Taiwanese sausage, and ice cream runbing, a sort of cold spring roll with peanuts.
JIUFEN This old gold rush town in the mountains is famous for its narrow comeshacks.teahousescrowdedalleyways,withold-fashionedandstreet-foodAtnight,thelanternsonandthetheatmosphereincreases.
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OFWORKOWNISMIAMIITSART Beyond the sparkling blue ocean and neon hotels, the arts, culture & heritage scene represents the true soul of Greater Miami & Miami Beach. © Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau The Official Destination Sales & Marketing Organization for Greater Miami & Miami Beach. CS-04106 Image: Tobias Rehberger, obstinate lighthouse, 2011 MiamiandMiamiBeach.com Make plans to explore Miami today. charitable.travel/miami
Hidden charms Today I discovered a secret, and if you’re coming to Venice you need to know it too. I woke early and left my companions sleeping off last night’s Aperols and Cicchetti (typical Venetian snacks
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– bread lavishly piled with delicious local toppings). I slipped out in the early hours, before the shops were open and the tourists had emerged. It was a whole other city – a pure soul –thoughtful and full of depth, hidden below the froth and frivolity of those souvenirs and clichéd photos. I joined the locals at a food market beyond the Rialto Bridge, as they picked out octopus, artichokes, courgettes with their flowers still on, and fresh sardines. I picked up a croissant from a back street baker – the only place with a queue at this hour. Fillings included jam, creme patissiere, chocolate and pistachio paste. I watched old women string out their washing over the back canals, gondoliers lovingly polishing their boats, shopkeepers sweeping their front steps, commuters stepping aboard vaporetto taxis and water buses, and panini sellers taking delivery of fresh, aromatic breads. If you think popularity has ruined Venice or made a cliche of its grand facade, explore it first thing in the morning and you’ll find a living city, full of soul.
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Venice never disappoints. Sit in a cafe overlooking the Grand Canal and it’s like you’re in a Canaletto painting, atmospheric and moody. The historic skyline is unchanged by the centuries, its ancient network of canals and cobbled alleys, bridges and squares, have stood witness to generations of trade and commerce, aristocrats and artists. Today the trade is primarily tourists. Yesterday I walked past the queues waiting patiently in the blazing sun to climb the tower and look out over St. Mark’s Square, tour the splendour of the Doge’s Palace or the Basilica and snap selfies in front of the Bridge of Sighs or the Rialto. They’re everywhere, shopping for leather and Murano glass, queuing for ice cream and pizza. Of course I’ve done all that too. But not today.
By Elizabeth Young hang out with the localsfresh flowersmorningfindtreatthe quieter canals
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Rialto Market is open every day except Sunday. Visit on a Saturday to see locals do their shopping Venice has over 400 bridges, but hidden gem Pont de Chiodo is one of only two with no sides
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GOING LOCAL Obviously those who live in Orlando don’t spend all day every day in the theme parks, so checking out what the locals do is a great way to find the area’s hidden gems. Each town and neighbourhood has its own distinctive vibe. From the upbeat and energetic, to relaxed and casual, these local spots are where you can find the ‘real’ Orlando. Check out the Winter Park area, originally developed over 130 years ago as a retreat for wealthy Find your Orlando Contact our sales team to find out more and book your dream holiday to Orlando, whether that’s kayking in the wilderness or fine-dining in the charitable.travel/sunshine.orlando
E veryone thinks they know Orlando, theme park capital of the world. But do they really? The most visited destination in the United States and the very heart of the Sunshine State, Orlando is renowned for its warm welcome and its buzzing visitor attractions, its multi-acre resorts and family fun. But there is another side to Orlando too and it’s worth getting to know.
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Think you know Orlando? Think again. Go beyond the signature theme parks and you’ll discover diverse dining, natural adventures, art, culture and fascinating local neighbourhoods you never expected
The Other ORLANDO
Yes, Orlando is home to seven of the world’s top theme parks — as well as water parks, outdoor thrill rides and a dynamic entertainment scene. These are the magnets. But beyond the high-action, purposebuilt parks, there are simpler, pleasures which you can build a completely different type of holiday around. There are diverse and quirky local neighbourhoods with their own personality; a top-notch arts and culture scene; fabulous culinary experiences – including high-end Michelin-star dining; and there are spectacular natural attractions and soft adventure opportunities that can connect you with the greatLookoutdoors.beyondthe obvious and you’ll find Orlando has something for travellers of all ages, all tastes and all holiday passions.
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You’ll find authentic Asian restaurants, shops, markets, and fusion specialists
float through Winter Park’s Venetian canals
DRAGONFLY - ROBATAMILLS 50 NEIGHBOURHOOD SCENIC BOAT TOUR, WINTER PARK
Alternatively,collection.head to the Mills 50 neighbourhood, just northeast of downtown and home to Florida’s largest Vietnamese American community. Here you’ll find authentic Asian restaurants, shops and markets. The choice is wide and includes fusion specialists reinventing tacos and empanadas with Asian flavours, and Enson Market, full of novel aromatic produce. This is also one of Orlando’s oldest neighbourhoods, and here your camera will work overtime on the brightly coloured murals which pay homage to local life.
Thornton Park District is a hip, colourful community with an al fresco cafe culture. At Lake Eola Park you can rent swan-shaped paddle boats, snap pictures of the live swans. Don’t forget to experience a show at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre or enjoy the SeeArt Sculpture
reinventing tacos and empanadas with Asian flavours
northerners. Just a short drive north of downtown Orlando, it’s a picturesque, upscale neighbourhood of tree-lined blocks and parkland. At its heart is Central Park, an 11-acre green space surrounding the Chain of Lakes, a stunning network of six lakes linked together by Venetianstyle canals. The neighbourhood’s Park Avenue has more than 140 boutiques and speciality shops, as well as premium restaurants, and the Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, famed for its Tiffany glass
The Milk District is a must-visit, named for its location near the T.G. Lee Dairy factory, and now renowned for alternative culture, great food and a vibrant music and artsThescene.picturesque
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Four restaurants in the city now proudly display a Michelin star rating including a Spanishstyle steakhouse and tapas bar called Capa; a contemporary and intimate Japanese 10-seat restaurant called Soseki, serving creative omakase (a style of fine dining where the diner is in the chef’s hands) featuring local produce; Kadence, a popular sushi and sake bar; and Knife & Spoon at The Ritz Carlton, led by celebrity chef John Tesar and his right-hand man, Gerald Sombright. The Michelin milestone came as Orlando was also ranked among the best cities for foodies in a study by finance website Wallethub. The dining scene scored highly for diversity, accessibility and quality to take the No. 2 position for foodies, out of 182 US cities assessed. The same site also named Orlando one of the best cities for vegans andThevegetarians.culinaryscene in Orlando had already garnered much national praise with AAA Five Diamond listings and five-star recognition in the Forbes Travel Guide, as well as brining home nominations and winners at the coveted James Beard Award, which recognises exceptional culinary talent. But it’s gourmet journey is now complete –the prestigious Michelin star places Orlando firmly on the international epicurean’s map.
Last but not least, the Hourglass District is reimagining its historic core, and has spawned a vast collection of craft breweries and local eateries.
CULINARY SURPRISES Surely no guidebook better reflects the international obsession with food culture and gastronomy than the revered Michelin Guide. Awarding stars and rating fine dining since 1926, the Michelin star has become a beacon of exceptional culinary experiences, and now the Michelin inspectors have turned their attention to Orlando. For the first time this year, the Michelin team set out to discover and celebrate the culinary gems of Florida, and published the results in the Michelin Florida Guide.
ROBATA GRILL & SUSHI
College Park is a vibrant urban neighbourhood with a small-town feel; while the historic area of Eatonville, incorporated in 1887, was one of the first self-governing, all-Black municipalities in the US and is the oldest still in existence today. In trendy Audubon Park you’ll find vintage shops, cafes, bakeries, music and craft beer aplenty. Many neighbourhoods have grown up around Orlando’s lakes. Offbeat Ivanhoe Village is a great place to try out paddleboarding, as well as checking out the new food hall, numerous galleries, funky shops and antique stores. And Lake Nona is innovating with Boxi Park, central Florida’s first outdoor food hall and entertainment venue built from shipping containers. Formerly a citrus-orchard workers’ town, Winter Garden is a quaint community known for its old-Florida style, historic charm and a cool bike trail leading to Plant Street Food Market.
Celebrity chefs are already here with restaurants by Gordan Ramsay, Richard Blais, Masaharu Morimoto, Art Smith, José Andrés, Todd English and Donna Scala, but the choices are not just at the high-end.Orlando’s neighbourhoods offer more than 40 international cuisines as well as Southerninspired eateries reflecting local tastes and traditions. In recent years, informal food halls and trendy food trucks have helped evolve the food scene, and there now really is something to suit all tastes.
Collection, all located outdoors because you can rely on the weather here! Sit outside with a glass of wine, or enjoy a leisurely dinner before catching a show.
TALENTS
The range of dining locations is impressive too, from waterside balconies and rooftop settings where you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks each night, to those food halls, markets and food truck locations with a casual, off-beat vibe. You can even eat beside wildlife if that’s your thing – alongside sharks at SeaWorld or overlooking the zebras and giraffes at Sanaa in Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
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CREATIVE
If you thought the only art in Orlando came out of the Disney animation studios, think again. Orlando is home to countless arts organisations, from galleries and museums to live theatre, music and dance to film.
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The best of Broadway always comes here; there are thought-provoking permanent collections, and multiple art venues host travelling exhibitions of both traditional and contemporary arts. Orlando has is own philharmonic orchestra and ballet company plus repertory theatres, a thriving comedy club scene, choirs, and both classical and contemporary theatreAmongcompanies.thetopmust-sees is The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art, which not only houses the world’s most comprehensive collection of Tiffany glass, but a large assortment of American pottery and extensive collections of late-19thand early-20th-century American paintings, graphics and other decorative pieces. In Orlando you’ll find collections of American and African art,jewellery, blown glass and international, national and Floridian renowned artists. The largest art gallery is the Baterbys Art Gallery, with a diverse permanent collection plus special exhibitions featuring artists such as Picasso and Dali. Roam downtown and you can check out the public art trail of sculptures before perusing the calendar of performance art staged at the world class Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. This is home streetsfull of character
Florida takes its name from the Spanish word for flowers, so abundant were they when the region was first discovered, and combined with its warm sunny climate, Orlando’s natural beauty makes it ripe for outdoor activities.
While the city’s signature theme parks turn entertainment in the built environment into something of an art form, the natural backdrop beyond opens the way to eco-touring, bird-watching, trail hiking, fishing, kayaking and a whole lot Orlandomore.isbig on parks, has many lakes, natural springs, nature preserves, butterfly gardens and acres of pristine wilderness. More than 360 species of birds have been identified around Lake Apopka alone, including bald eagles, great blue herons, snowy egrets and anhingas.
In the Winter Garden area, the Tibet-Butler Preserve has 438 acres of wilderness including the Butler Chain of Lakes, connected by 23 canals and home to a thriving population of birds who love the surrounding wetlands.
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SEA LIFE
There are numerous ways to explore it all too, from soaring through the air on a zip wire or skimming over the water on an airboat, to hiking or biking, hot air ballooning, tandem hang-gliding or tree top canopy trails. Airboat rides are a classic Florida experience, giving upclose views of the beautiful headwaters of the Everglades, alongside native wildlife like bald eagles and alligators. There are also pedal kayaks and stand up paddleboarding opportunities cutting through crystal clear waters rich in marine life. Maybe you’ll spot otters or a manatee. Even within the theme parks, you can get up close and personal with nature. At Wild Florida, for example, there is a drivethrough safari park set over 85 acres; or head off-road in 4WDs in Gatorland, for an adventure into steamy swampland on giant monsterWherevertrucks..youchoose to go, Orlando will surprise you. Cast off your pre-conceptions and discover its authentic, untamed side..
In the past few years of lockdowns and restricted lifestyles, many people have found solace in nature. As more and more of us prioritise time in the great outdoors you might be surprised to discover just how many natural attractions and outdoor adventure opportunities Orlando has to offer.
Downtown is also the place to be every evening at sunset when the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel at Universal Orlando hosts Musica della Notte. This free concert features traditional opera and ‘popera’, a mash-up of pop music performed in operatic style. Nearby, The Improv Comedy Theater & Restaurant has launched the careers of many TV and film stars over the past 40 years. Time a visit carefully and there’s more. Spring brings the Orlando Fringe to the city - the longest running Fringe theatre festival in the US; while the Annual Winter Park Autumn Art Festival sees Central Park converted into a free art show. IMMERSE is an annual performing and interactive arts experience that fills 10 downtown blocks with epic live performances and immersive art installations.
gaze at world-class art streets
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
to Broadway productions and the Orlando Ballet. It has three theatres including the new, world class Steinmetz Hall.
More than 360 species of birds have been identified around Lake Apopka alone, including bald eagles, great blue herons, snowy egrets and anhingas.
WHERE DID YOU GET THE IDEA FOR UPTURN?
HOW CAN YOU UNEMPLOYMENT?SOLVE
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THE ONLY way is up
WHAT IS UPTURN?
The idea came from the question: can we use our business and life experience to make people’s lives better? My background is in the private sector – in business development strategy and marketing. My co-founder Maria’s background is in HR. We love solving tricky problems by getting people together. We bring our commercial experience, our connections and partnerships to the table and we try to solve society’s problems and help people. We might be guiding them back into employment, or helping them build trade and skills, or we could be trying to ensure that people feel less lonely, or supporting those living in poverty. WHAT IS YOUR IMPACT? We’ve got 800-plus people into training, education or employment in the last two years alone. We’ve funded £2 million for outreach programmes working in disadvantaged communities. And 127 new businesses have launched in the last year thanks to our support. But the potential cost to society that we have saved through these actions runs to the millions.
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There are three distinct arms to our business – people, community and enterprise. The people side includes ethical recruitment, our apprenticeship academy and helping specific sectors to find the right people to fill their roles. On the community side, for example, we have just acquired £195,000 from the National Lottery to help 700 disadvantaged people into employment. Oldham has some of the highest unemployment rates in the country – two thirds of youth are out of work in the town. The funding we sourced will help to improve people’s self-esteem, mental health and life chances through employment. Our enterprise arm is all about guiding entrepreneurs through key stages, from having an idea, to starting up a business, growing it and prospering. We help ordinary people with passions and ideas to build a successful business.
For one thing, helping people into work who might not usually be considered. Most employers looking to fill entry level roles ask for four GCSEs, but 60% of kids leaving school in Oldham – and places like it – don’t have that, so they are immediately dismissing a huge chunk of the population, probably without even realising. We ask, why do you need someone with four GCSEs for an entry-level job? What we’re really passionate about is linking values. For example, our health and social care system is on its knees at the moment, so rather than asking for qualifications, Anwar Ali, CEO of Upturn, tells us how he’s unlocking individual’s potential, supporting business and enabling social mobility
We need recognition that social enterprises could help solve society’s problems and we need support. Other companies should work with social enterprises, not purely to be good, but because it makes business sense. I believe that social enterprises are the future, and if the public and private sector work together we can solve society’s problems. The UK is not a poor country – we shouldn’t have food banks.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE CHANGE IN YOUR AREA?
WHAT’S NEXT FOR UPTURN?
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WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE?
Createan upturn
perhaps it’s better that they ask someone – do you care about people? That’s the number one thing that they need in an employee. We can’t help people without helping businesses. Different sectors, be it social care or travel and tourism, approach us for help. The one thing they all have in common is people –they all need people.
Oldham currently has £500 million to spend on regeneration, but what if the town insisted that 50% – or more – of all the sub-contractors involved in this have to come from Oldham? That’s the way to stimulate the economy and provide opportunities for people.
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CAN YOU GIVE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU’VE HELPED A COMMUNITY? We work in one of the most deprived estates in the country in Oldham, and one of the biggest blockers to its residents getting a job or staying in a job is the availability of affordable childcare. We noticed there were lots of self-employed child minders and we talked to them. We found that they were lonely and that they struggled with their self-employed status because, essentially, if they were sick they didn’t get paid. We brought these six child-minders together and helped them create one social enterprise. Working together and supporting each other benefitted them but it also created a source of affordable childcare in the community. Today they have their own nursery and it came from a single conversation.
geromdniFreat social enterprises
WHAT IS A ENTERPRISESOCIALTOYOU?
I’m creating a social innovation hive to bring people, communities and business together. The idea is to have a hive in every town that is looking at solving the problems of that specific locality – a connected eco system that can learn off each other and support each other. The Oldham hive will go live in the next 12 months and I hope more will follow.
It’s not a charity, and I think a lot of people get that wrong. A social enterprise is like any business and every single business in the UK could be a social enterprise if it wanted to be. Just like a standard business, they can make a profit, but instead of giving that profit to shareholders, they reinvest it into their social objectives and into communities. If they are doing well there is nothing to stop them rewarding themselves and paying staff more. With all society’s problems, surely there is room for far more social enterprises? And at the very least, every business should aim to have a social enterprise in its supply chain. We want to make Oldham a centre for social enterprises and make sure that those local authority contracts get picked up by these local businesses.
Find out how you can support Upturn and other brilliant social enterprises and create a fairer society for upturn.org.ukeveryone.
38 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 madeira BOOKINGS@CHARITABLE.TRAVEL / RESERVATIONS: 020 3092 CHARITABLE.TRAVEL1288 A dramatic rock, rising out of the Atlantic and smothered in botanical jewels, there is more to Madeira than you might think, says Elizabeth unexpectedYoung EXPECT THE
THE HILLS ARE ALIVE I am staying on the coast, as most tourists do, but this journey into the green heart of Maderia is a complete revelation. Yesterday I was smothering myself in suncream and lazing on a sunbed in a spa resort with a sea view. I was sipping cocktails, browsing sedate excursions and planning a day trip into the capital Funchal if I could Funchal's
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he narrow road hugs the mountainside tightly. On one side of my hire car, the sheer rock from which my route has been cut towers above me; on the other a steep, lush valley drops away far below. I seem to have entered a prehistoric time, an era of huge, dramatic landscapes where imposing steep-sided mountains are dressed in vibrant greens of every hue. It is a landscape reminiscent of the tropics or the coffee triangle of Colombia, lush and spectacular.
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It is so unexpected I stop at every second turn to take a photo and gasp at another astonishing view. The Portugese island of Madeira is richly fertile and the subtropical climate which makes it a mecca for winter-sun seekers, also makes it a paradise for produce and rampant foliage. Created through volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, here the cliffs and volcanic domes are clearly visible, laced with determined waterfalls that help every manner of flora take hold and grow in every rocky nook and cranny. Look carefully, and in amongst the natural drama, careful terraces have been cut for a home or two here and a farmhouse there, and around them bananas, sugar cane, vines and tropical fruits grow. Way down the hillside I spot tiny white-washed hamlets with terracotta roofs all nestled in; remote communities that have found a way to live in a cinematic backdrop that feels almost unreal. When the island was first discovered, much of its landmass was hard to reach or inhabit because of the size and steepness of these slopes, but over generations, locals worked by hand to create an unbelievable network of slopehugging roads and a stunning patchwork of small inclined terraces which reward them with a bounty of mangoes, guavas, avocados, custard apples and flowers.
I pass determined, muscle-bound mountain bikers, breathing hard and pushing themselves on, and walkers kitted out in strong boots for long hikes. There are gentler routes through pine forests and along levada trails (following the farmers’ irrigation terraces) but it’s the challenging climbs and remoter routes that those with climbing gear and hefty backpacks tick off with glee.
work up the energy. Here, the vibe is quite, quite different and highly recommended. This is a place designed for action, for reconnecting with nature and for truly getting away from it all. It is probably not a drive for the faint hearted. There are tight turns and steep gradients and in places passing another car forces me way too close to the edge for comfort, but it is an exhilarating adventure and reveals a whole new side to this holiday isle. Suddenly it is an adrenalinefuelled adventure playground.
ROAD TRIP I set off this morning from my spa hotel in Caleheta, on the southwest coast, with the intention of circumnavigating the island. I had tried each of the five pools there, booked a few treatments, sampled the hotel buffet and nearby hostelries and felt ready to explore. I had left expecting more of the same – beautiful rugged coastlines and a few key touristy stop-off points, all connected with ease. At Ponta do Fargo (the most westerly point of the island) I’d taken windswept selfies. At Ponto Moniz I’d promised myself I’d return to swim in the volcanic natural swimming pools of vibrant aquamarine. I’d found Santana for its Casas Tipicas - the colourful houses of old Madeira shown in every brochure - and taken the well-worn, somewhat uninspiring path, to the traditional A-frame thatched houses for my clichéd, photo opportunity, along with many on a tour. Here I had stopped, too, for delicious Pasteis de Nata (Portugese custard tarts) and to review my options in the guidebook. And that is when I changed my plan and rerouted the sat nav, having read about the back roads and ways to go off the beaten track. I had abandoned the modern highways and high-tech tunnels that today make getting around the island quick and easy, and instead started meandering the original old roads and local byways where I found the very different, natural wilderness vibe
Created through volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, the cliffs and volcanic domes are laced with determined waterfalls that help every manner of flora take hold
My ears pop as the car climbs and the guidebook explains why - these mountains are roughly one and a half times higher than those of Scotland, and the highest – Pico Ruivo – is over 1,800 metres.
the red roofs of capital, Funchal plants proliferate in Madeira CASAS TIPICAS DE SANTANA
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walk Madeira's levadas tofind remote villagesand dizzying vistas
I rest at a café among the door art and order tea and some Madeira cake. I expect the soft vanilla sponge we call Madeira cake at home but instead I am served a rich and fruity honey cake, dark and moist and full of contrasting flavours. Each mouthful is a surprise and somehow seems to sum up my day. I had arrived here thinking the island was a sedate, somewhat bland place, perfect for the elderly or a do-nothing break, but, like the cake, it turns out to be much more complex. Madeira is an adventure destination too, full of drama and excitement, a place of multiple personalities, where you do well to expect the unexpected.
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of the Ribero Frio National Park. Madeira has many national parks and time exploring them is essential to really understanding how this island ticks. I had arrived thinking of Maderia as a little old fashioned and perhaps a bit stuffy, popular with a refined elderly generation, and possessing a style that echoed those of the European aristocrats of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, who had pioneered tourism here. I had thought of the iconic afternoon teas served at the historic Reid’s Palace Hotel and the simple pleasures of the island’s flower festivals. My detour into adventure territory changed everything, and so too, surprisingly, did time in the capital Funchal.
I abandon the car and start walking the capital. The city is at the heart of a great natural amphitheatre, facing the blue Atlantic with those dramatic mountains now behind me. The wide pedestrianised streets combine historic buildings and contemporary culture with ease, as cobbled paths and sociable squares lead to seaside promenades, modern memorials, parks and quirky historic backstreets. Everywhere there are cheerful restaurants and cafes spilling out onto the pavements.
Like many before me I take the cable car up the mountainside for a birds-eye view of the city and the sea beyond. It’s a sprawling jumble of terracotta roofs and neat gardens, and beyond sits the imposing harbour which welcomes giant cruise ships. The ride drops me at the top of Monte and from here it is just a short walk to the Nossa Senhora do Monte Church, which is also the start point of the famed Madeiran toboggan rides. I step gingerly into the wicker and wood toboggan, whose design dates back to the 1850s when this was the closest thing Funchal had by way of a public transport system. Now they cruise the narrow streets for tourist entertainment and I hold on tight and squeal with my fellow riders as the ‘carriers’ or drivers expertly manoeuvre me on a two kilometre journey, downhill at speeds of up to 30mph. It's a freewheeling rollercoaster in a basket and some might say you have to be a basket case to try it! The men continue to wear the traditional white uniforms and straw hats of old, and have special rubbersoled shoes which they assure me help them steer and brake the toboggan. I am propelled fast around parked cars and we dodge passing cats and pedestrians as the basket glides on greased up rags until we reach Livramento. Everyone disembarking agrees it is ridiculous, bonkers, a bit of a rip off but also great fun and a truly memorable moment that makes your heart sing. It's not to be missed.
HAVE YOUR CAKE
CITY OF SUPRISES
Fresh from this exhilaration I head into the old town where the cobbled street of Rua de Santa Maria captivate me for the rest of the day. The area has been revitalised in the past decade thanks to a unique arts project. Formerly run down and forgotten, with many abandoned buildings, artists breathed new life into the area with their Painted Doors Project. Talented locals started painting the old doors of the street and now it is a living gallery with around 200 door 'canvases', drawing visitors, businesses and a cultural vibrancy back into the area.
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Five foodie hotspots in
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LIMA, PERU Whether you pick the swanky restaurants in Miraflores or the street food carts at the Mercado de Surquillo, Peru’s capital has a well established reputation for gastronomy. No visit is complete without sampling ceviche, the flagship dish. There are many variations across the continent but most consist of raw fish, fresh lime juice and a few chillis. In Peru they add raw onion and coriander and eat it with a spoon so they don’t miss any of the juices. The city’s cuisine also draws on its Incan heritage for its hearty stews and potato dishes.
SANTIAGO, CHILE Santiago offers foodies a great example of culinary fusion, combining Spanish and indigenous flavours, and plentiful homegrown produce ranging from olives to papayas. There are lots of fancy restaurants but check out the hip, artnouveau Mercado Central market for fresh seafood or the stalls of the La Vega market, brimming with exotic fruits and vegetables. Top local choices include aijaco stew, beef rib empanadas and pastel de choclo (a meat pie made with corn, eggs and olives).
BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA
Look no further than South America, a region of fusion foods
If you love firing up your BBQ for a meat feast, you’ll relish Argentinian food. They love meat, preferably grilled over hot coals, and their world-class beef takes this casual dining to an art form. Meats are served with chimichurri, a national obsession made of finely chopped parsley, garlic, olive oil, oregano and red wine vinegar. Add a glass of malbec to accompany and something with dulce de leche for dessert. Buenos Aires’ fine parilla (grill) restaurants are the best places to try this classic meal.
SOUTH AMERICA
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COFFEE TRIANGLE, COLOMBIA Head to Colombia’s Coffee Triangle for lush and verdant landscapes and world class coffee – you can drink a cup while looking at the beans grow on the fertile slopes. Charming Salento is renowned for its colourful houses and great restaurants and you’ll discover the local dish, Sudado– a slow-cooked stew of meat, vegetables, yucca and plantain. Or try snacking on some street food: mazorca – corn on the cob with butter and salt; chorizo on a stick, or arepas de mais – cornmeal bread cooked on coals and smothered in butter and cheese. Combine the coffee region with colonial Cartagena on the Caribbean coast for the best of Colombia’s seafood dishes.
Looking for new flavours to whet your global tastebuds?
QUITO, ECUADOR Ecuadorian staples include beans, rice, plantains, yucca and fresh fish, and the capital, Quito, is the country’s gastronomic heart. Wholesome, home-cooked dining is typical but increasingly ancient indigenous traditions are being reinvented by creative chefs. Encebollado, a spicy tuna fish soup, is a national favourite, as is deep-fried corvina (sea bass) served in a bowl of ceviche. Forget chips, here it is all about the llapingacho – fried potato cakes served with peanut sauce.
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The adrenaline junkie
Ian challenged his body with extreme running and walking routes in the mountains in summer. In winter he sought soft powder in off-piste adventures, and hit remote glaciers on heli-skiing tours of Europe and North America. He took on unpredictable, off-road terrains on mountain biking trips, and hit the road on motorcycle tours all over the world. When he retired from the skies as a pilot, a new passion for paragliding was born.
Ian has stayed in converted caves half-way up a mountain and in a bivouac made out of his ‘wing’. In the Alps he combined two passions by trying para-skiing. To date, he’s taken flights in Morocco, India, Spain and Turkey, and jumped off a glacier and snowy peaks in France and Switzerland too. In India he flew alongside Himalayan griffon vultures (the Labradors of the sky, with a three-metre wing span), and watched other fliers jump in wheelchairs, on tandem paragliders or with their dogs onboard. His longest flight had him airborne for over six hours, travelling 45 kilometres, to land close to the Dalai Lama’s home, in the foothills of India’s Himalayas. His worst flight ended tangled in a mountain tree (which saved his life) near Lake Annecy in France – with a 90 minute walk in 35 degrees without water to get help.
Ian says: “Part of the joy of paragliding is that there is a lot of waiting around for the right conditions to fly. That sounds annoying but you wait in absolutely incredible places with a fascinating mix of other people. You get to some remarkable, remote places and see a completely different side to a destination, even in those places you think you already know.”
Transferring your home hobbies to a novel location can really elevate a trip away. We asked three travellers, each with a personal passion, to tell us about their experiences of taking a hobby on holiday
IAN SKIING IN NORWAY
TAKING FLIGHT
Ian’s bucket list
For 30 years Ian Vokes was a British Airways’ pilot travelling the world, with a sensational birds-eye view from his cockpit and a comfortable bed in a high-end hotel awaiting him wherever he landed. He was required to be cool, calm and collected in his day-job; but after hours he lived life a little on the edge, with the help of some adrenaline-boosting hobbies.
Having learnt the fundamentals of paragliding by jumping off Devil’s Dyke on the UK's south coast, Ian took his first international glide in Tenerife, with a small group and an expert guide. Now he is hooked, and it isn’t just riding the thermals that inspires him, but the incredible landscapes and remote local communities that paragliding gives him access to.
A jump off Mont Blanc in France Colombia, known for its thermals The roof of the world – Nepal
Ellie has tried oozing hot raclette cheese in the Alps, traditionally served with roast potatoes and invented by Swiss shepherds. She has combined bratwurst with fruity stollen cake and gluhwein for guaranteed warmth and festive spirit at Christmas markets in Berlin. She’s stood at bars trialling myriad plates of Spanish tapas and toured Italy on a quest for the best pizza and gelato, as well as juicy tomatoes and mozzarrella crammed with natural flavour. She’s tried spicy, sour Tom Yum soups in Thailand, Portugese sardines by the sea in Lisbon followed by the local custard tarts, and the infamous pie floater (a green pea soup with a pie floating on top of it) in South Australia.
INTO THE WILD
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“The local produce and favourite dishes of a destination really bring it alive for me. I love to join cooking courses and see a local chef cook their favourite dish. I enjoy hearing the stories of how a dish became a national favourite and seeing how trends change. If I see a café or restaurant with a queue I have to join it to find out why; or I sit and watch what the locals order before I choose. The food isn’t always to my taste but it is always an experience and the menus always give me a tale to tell from my trip.”
EATING LIKE A LOCAL
The great outdoors lover
The food fanatic
It's not just fancy Michelin-star restaurants and tasting menus Ellie is interested in – her budget doesn't always stretch to that – but quirky food trucks and creative cafes, back street bistros and produce markets – especially when she travels overseas. “I always read up on local specialities before I travel and try and find out the best places to try that dish in the destination I am heading to. A food speciality usually gives you an insight into the local culture, takes you to places that are off the tourist trail and adds a bit of culinary adventure to the trip,” she says.
Maggie Bowyer first pulled on her walking boots as an alternative to a traditional Christmas during her university days. With a group of seriousbingeingoffyearDistrictinrentedfriends,like-mindedsheahousetheLakeeachandwalkedthefestivewithsomehikesintothe great outdoors; learning survival skills and map-reading as she went. The experiences bred a passion for the great outdoors that would last a lifetime, leading her to take up other hobbies like caving, river and sea-kayaking and cycling, too.
Ellie Baynard is a selfconfessed food fanatic. A Londoner who has eaten her way around the world just by travelling on the underground to find exciting multi-cultural cuisines among the capital’s restaurants. By day, Ellie works as a recipe developer for a large recipe box business, helping to keep their offer fresh and exciting; and when she’s not cooking, she’s reading recipe books or chef biographies, scrolling online food blogs or compiling her list of ‘must-go’ restaurants and foodie destinations into a list that just keeps getting longer. In her spare time she is a culinary nomad, searching the globe for new flavours and the stories that go with them.
The sea kayaking started in Greece, where Maggie has taken almost a dozen kayaking trips to date but she has also kayaked in Croatia, around the islands of west Scotland, and the Lake District where she now lives. Maggie says: “Greece is a great place to learn because the water is warm so you can practice falling in and rehearse the things that might go wrong without freezing! Once you have Trying a local food speciality usually gives you an insight into the local culture and takes you to places off the tourist trail
bucketEllie’s list A South African braai Japan for its ramen and sushi Israel for its world renowned houmous and falafel ELLIE IN VENICE
Kayaking in Kefalonia Majorca, and trekked hut-to-hut in the Austrian Alps, crossing unstable glaciers in summer.
bucketMaggie’slist Fjord kayaking in Scandinavia Glacier walking in Canada Long distance walking tracks in New Zealand
Book your seats at our event extaordinaire with this year’s special guest speaker All funds raised are for the Rafiki Thabo Foundation to enable limitless futures through education for disadvantaged children in Africa. sir ranulph fiennes 10th november 2022 | drapers’ hall, london the basics with kayaking you can choose your level of drama and challenge. The weather and the water conditions make every trip different but if it looks rough or difficult you can just sit it out in a beautiful place and wait for things to improve."
“These kind of trips reward you with a real sense of achievement each day, as well as taking you into some incredible places that you would never otherwise get to see. They are well worth the effort every time," she says.
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GALA DINNER
For Maggie, the appeal is being outdoors, close to the sea and getting lots of exercise. But she also gets to see amazing birdlife, as well as seals, otters, whales and dolphins in their natural environment. It is the natural elements that add a sense of adventure to both kayaking and walking trips, and Maggie loves it when her itineraries include pitching a tent in the bush for some wild camping. She’s pulled on her boots to walk at altitude in the Himalayas of Nepal and in the Cameron Highlands of Malaysia. She's walked through the African bush in Botswana, tackled cross-island trails in Corsica and
There is something special about an island holiday. Being surrounded by water puts an instant barrier between you and the worries of life back home – as your boat casts off, you cast off your cares. And if you are setting sail in Greece, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to islands to cast away on. There are over 200 Greek islands to explore, sitting in ‘hoppable’ family groups in both the Aegean and Ionian seas and knitted together by a ferry system that is an adventure in itself. These waters have attracted travellers throughout history, from Jason and the Argonauts to the Romans; crusading medieval knights to Byzantine and Ottoman rulers. Island-hopping in Greece has been popular since the 1960s. Since then, while tourist numbers have increased and the facilities on the islands have developed, the relaxed vibe, welcoming locals and authentically individual island cultures remain the same. You could take a lifetime (and a lovely life it would be) to visit every Greek island, so it makes sense to focus on those that suit your interests and inclinations. Are you looking for an away-from-it all cove and a quiet local taverna, or a buzzing bar and club scene? Are you a culture vulture drawn by ancient monuments, myths and legends? Or are you simply seeking sun, sea, sand and ways to keep the kids happy? Perhaps you are looking to take a walk on the wild side, and explore remote mountains and forests away from the coastal crowds.
Hop
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In truth many islands have a little something to satisfy all these inclinations, but with a little expert insight, you can create the perfect islandhopping itinerary for you and make the best out of the intricate ferry schedules.
Joining
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The journey between islands is not just about changing location but about experiencing each island in its context. And the sparkling waters, the feel of the sun on your back and the smell of the heat-bleached ferry decks will be among the most evocative memories you collect along the way – sitting with those of the sunset bar you find at the end of the beach or the
Island dots in an azure sea can be effortlessly joined together to create the sublime experience of an island-hopping adventure in Greece
THE DOTS
With each new island destination, a new adventure begins. Get ready to leave your cares behind as we whisk you away on a virtual islandhopping trip to eight distinctly beautiful Greek islands in three groups ripe for hopping.
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SANTORINI
step into the big blue
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The architecture and style of each island is often distinctive too. Many cultural influences have paraded through these islands over the centuries, leaving their marks on walled cities, crumbling mountaintop castles, striking minarets and sparkling white churches.
deserted little cove you kayak to for a peaceful picnic. Island hopping is also a great way to appreciate the unique cultures and cuisines of different islands. Local produce will certainly include fresh fish – pulled in at the local harbour and on the grill within hours – but also tangy cheeses, smooth olive oils, and the sweet honey crunch of baklava.
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Traditional lifestyles persist here, including a culture of natural folk medicine you can best explore in Milia; along with myths and legends from the past that link the island to its viticulture heritage. It was from here that Jason and the Argonauts sailed to Kolhida to retrieve the Golden Fleece, and the ships of Achaeans sailed to Troy.
Stunningly beautiful, Skiathos has more than 60 crystalclear water beaches set against a backdrop of pine forests, so it is perhaps not surprising that it draws the crowds. As a result of its popularity, the island’s infrastructure has a cosmopolitan vibe and there is a buzzing bar and open-air club scene with many vibrant restaurants and cafes.
Chora, the old capital, is a town of stone houses and perfect shady courtyards, narrow streets with relaxed tavernas, and cool churches. Atop it all sits a medieval castle with sweeping sea views.
Skiathos
Alonissos
From the picturesque harbour waterfront of its capital, Patitiri, to its pine forests, olive groves and orchards, Alonissos is as authentically Greek as any traveller could possibly hope for. Its natural rugged landscapes reflect the fact that this is the most remote of the Northern Sporades island group, and perhaps this is also why its National Marine Park is such a perfect refuge for rare seabirds, dolphins and the Mediterranean monk seal, monachus monachus.
GREEN HILLS INLAND PRETTY STREETS
The island is perhaps best known for the popular beaches, including Koukounariés and Banana, but beyond these there are quieter, less developed beaches too with a classic Greek aesthetic and opportunities to get far from the crowd. Nature lovers can follow 25 well signposted walking trails through unspoilt areas, and beaches at Mandráki, Eliá, Agkistros and Asélinos offer peace and quiet. Lalária is a oneoff with impressive white rock formations, while Strofilia includes a rare protected wetland area.
Add Alonissos to your itinerary if you’re seeking a laid-back atmosphere, peace and serenity, alongside opportunities to mingle with the locals. Make sure you leave time to sample the island’s delicious specialties, such as cheese pie, grilled figs with honey, kakavia (fish soup) and walnut pie.
Skiathos Town is built around a natural harbour, now a stylish haven for yachts and sailing boats. Its white houses, with their red tiled roofs and colourful gardens, are typically Greek and very photogenic. Nearby is Kástro, a natural fortress, famed for its breathtaking natural beauty, and the lush peninsula of Bourtzi, where the romantic ruins of a Venetian fortress still stand.
Makrinitsa is nicknamed ‘the balcony of Pelion’, thanks to the fantastic views it offers over the island. Or alternatively fill your instagram feed with stunning views over the Pagasetic Gulf as you board the panoramic steam train of Pelion from Milies.
DRAMATIC BEACHES
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OIA IN THE EVENING
Santorini
The main villages of Fira and Oia line the cliff top and trickle over the terraced rock, defined by their bright white Cycladic houses. Post your snap and watch your ‘likes’ soar. Head up to Fira, the picturesque capital, and take your seat 260m above sea level. You will be perched on the top edge of the volcano’s caldera with breathtaking views. Move along to Oia to see houses carved out of the rock, and check out the villages of Imerovigli and Firostefani where at sunset you and your fellow visitors will likely burst into spontaneous applause at nature’s magnificent display. Take your pick of the high-end restaurants and luxurious hotels, stylish night spots and pretty romantic wedding settings, explore the vineyards, hike black sand beaches or take a road trip to ancient sites, it is all here and waiting. But it will be the villages’ distinctive topography and the way the whitewashed houses and alleys are contrasted by the lavablack terrain and spectacular rock formations that will ensure images of Santorini stay in your memory a lifetime.
On the slopes you’ll find pretty villages like Tsagkarada, defined by its chestnut and plane trees; and Vyzitsa and Makrinitsa with their stone-paved alleys, renovated mansions (known as archontika) and lush greenery.
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Probably the most iconic of the Greek islands, Santorini was created by 12 huge intensive volcanic eruptions over thousands of years. As you approach it from the sea, sheer cliffs soar above the azure sea and you are actually sailing in the huge crater of the defunct volcano.
Pelion
It’s not an island, but a peninsula – pointing into the scattered isles of the Sporades. Pelion is dominated by Mount Pelion, which is snow-covered in winter, bright with flowers in spring and summer and always surrounded by untouched wilderness areas and traditional villages. Hike it, horse ride it, mountain bike it, or just admire it from afar, Pelion’s highest summit, Stavros, is 1.624 metres up from where its soft slopes stretch gently to the Aegean Sea. At the foot of the mountain sits bustling Portaria, with luxurious hotels, restaurants and a cosmopolitan vibe and Zagora, popular for its citrus-orchards that inspire local speciality sweets, marmalades and liqueurs.
The capital town, Hóra, is one of the best examples of Cycladic architecture you’ll find and is overlooked by the town’s famous windmills. Here, narrow marble streets are lined with whitewashed houses and the colourful doors and window frames are draped in pink and purple bougainvillea, whose heady fragrance fills the air. High-end shops and classy cafes draw the rich and famous who come here for luxury stays and smart parties, but students and families are equally at home admiring the fishing boats in the harbour, meeting the resident pelicans or trying the spicy local sausages, almond pastries and honey pies.
OLD TOWN RHODES
Mykonos SEASIDE DINING
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This is a place where style meets simplicity and a party ensues. The island’s popularity cuts across all classes and ages because it welcomes all equally and somehow offers something for them all, whether they island hop from elsewhere, come from the cruise ships or are drawn by its fun-loving reputation.
This is the largest and historically the most important of the Dodecanese islands, and whilst it is one of the most popular, its size means there’s plenty of room for everybody to explore. It is a quieter, family-friendly island where echoes of Greece’s medieval past provide cultural interest and a contrast to its modern cosmopolitan resorts, fun waterparks and all-inclusive hotels. Here you can, for example, combine the fortified medieval old town of Rhodes (recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site) with the natural beauty of pine covered mountain slopes that lead down to lovely beaches. Or, combine seaside favourites like Lindos – winding up the hillside to its own ancient Acropolis – with luxurious stately homes and vibrant nightlife. You’ll find climbing opportunities and watersports; vineyards and mountain villages; coves and castles. Whether you seek archaeological insights and ancient monuments, authentic local communities or sophisticated sea views, Rhodes will deliver, and it will do so with its own unique style of traditional charm always at hand.
Rhodes THE CYCLADES
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THE DODECANESE
Kos A VIVID TAVERNA CATCH OF THE DAY
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THE DODECANESE
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Welcoming cafes and tavernas stand ready to serve, and look out for the elaborately decorated ceilings, skylights and neo-classical decor when you step inside. You can head out to a monastery on Symi’s southern tip, but it is the blue coves and small beaches that are the real draw beyond the town. Fuss-free and with a relaxed awayfrom-it-all vibe, the beaches are varied – some sandy, some pebbly – but all with crystal clear water. Many are truly off-the- beaten track, and some are only accessible by water taxi. Symi
For jaw-dropping visual impact and knockout first impressions, few islands can beat Symi. Its dramatic jumble of indigo, ochre and terracotta-painted stone houses with red roofs and dainty balconies are spectacular and have the cameras working overtime. As you head into this fairytale vision, complete with a castle at the top, the postcard scene splits into two – the main town, Gialos, and the village of Chorion, sprawling gently down the slopes.
Corinthian columns, medieval castles, ancient Greek ruins – Kos is nothing short of an open-air museum! While the majority of people come for the warm hospitality and magnificent beaches, the numerous archaeological sites and monuments never fail to impress. Kos town reflects the many influences of the past, with wide streets, squares and parks to wander or pedal through, via a network of cycle paths. Seaside towns and villages such as Kardamena, Kefalos, Mastihari and Tigaki are never far from both a beautiful beach, historic interest and good quality family activities, including a waterBeyondpark.the coast, the rugged Dikeos mountains majestically mark areas which retain a natural wilderness feel. Here you can join together picture-perfect rural villages, full of local charm. Some head here for the bird watching too. Home to the father of medicine, Hippocrates, the island even boasts a 2500 year-old plane tree (in Kos Town) whose vast shady canopy is believed to have been the great man’s first consulting ‘room’ and ‘lecture theatre’. It’s trunk circumference is over 10m long.
HOBBITON Stroll the lush green meadows of this fictional land, minus the little people with big hairy feet. This is the genuine set for ‘The Shire’ in the film adaptations of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Tour the rolling hills of an ex-sheep farm to see the cute hobbit houses and hear how the magic of Middle Earth came to the silver screen.
LAKE TEKAPO
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This relatively small country has landscapes so varied and dramatic that your jaw is sure to drop more than once in a trip PIHA BEACH It’s a favourite with those escaping the city of Auckland and a scenic mash-up of Cornwall and Hawaii. Piha is home to a laid back beach town and its volcanic graphite sand beach is looked over by rugged cliffs at each end. The water can be treacherous but surf lifesavers patrol for swimmers and surfers flock here to take their chances on the waves.
viewsFour of ZEALANDNEW
PIOPIOTAHI If it rains when you’re here then you’re lucky – it will only increase the drama. Otherwise known as Milford Sound, this is the most famous fjord in NationalFiordlandPark.The inlet is hugged by steep peaks, usually streaked with waterfalls.cascadingKayak it to feel small against the majestic scenery, or dive down to marvel at vivid sea creatures.
This butItofinturquoiseremarkablylakenestlesthecinematicpeakstheSouthernAlps.getsitsintensemilky-huefrom the fine rock-flour (ground by glaciers) in the water. A UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve, the lake lures stargazers by night. In the day, activities include walking, kayaking, cycling, horse riding, lounging in hot springs, or skiing in winter.
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On followingespousePlatform,TravelMeaningfulourwethetenets, with the objective of creating a movement of respectful travellers:
• Recognise the signs of human trafficking Bring your water bottle and skip the plastic
HOW CAN WE make tourism care?
#WhenTourismCares
• Research local culture Travel in shoulder or offseason Purchase local products
• Respect and protect animals in tourism
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• Keep children in communities safe and be mindful when trying to help them
• Understand that your choice of tourism business is an important one –support those who care Leave no trace – ensure you are helping to preserve the place you are visiting
Greg R. Takehara is the CEO of Tourism Cares, a non-profit organisation that brings all sectors of the travel industry together to create positive change and make travel a force for good At Tourism Cares, we unite the travel and tourism industry and act as a catalyst for positive social, environmental and economic impacts on the people and places touched by tourism. We use the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals as guideposts for our work, so we can move the needle on our industry’s progress in the area of sustainable and responsible travel. I am asked all the time what that really means and if I can boil it down in simpler terms. That is no easy task, because being responsible and sustainable means so many different things to everyone involved. I ask that we simply take the time to appreciate our freedom to travel and become more present when we engage in travel. Again, this is much easier said than done, especially with all the distractions of our lives weighing down on us. So how can we truly accomplish this? In becoming more present, we should first take the time to recognise our hosts – the people and places of travel who are welcoming us. Then, no different than how we approach a family gathering or event, we must ask ourselves what is the occasion to which we have been invited? Here comes the tough part – we need to take ourselves out of the equation and focus on the traditions and culture of our host. To analogise, we would not come to a birthday party empty handed, nor would we wear our shoes in a home where they live by the rule of removing them. But this requires consciousness. Perhaps the pandemic has given us a road map to greater consciousness. Consider, for instance, the need to social distance when appropriate, the protection immunization affords us, and the appreciation we have developed that some places must lockdown to protect their elders and preserve their culture. And how about the outcomes – we have seen wildlife restored in places where extinction threatened it and clean air return where toxic smog had become the norm. But can we maintain the requisite level of consciousness, or must we always have to endure a crisis to teach us a lesson? The Libra and optimist in me continues to try and find a balance and I am hopeful that we can become more mindfulBecomingtravellers.more responsible does require work, but it will lead to more meaningful travel experiences and help ensure that future generations will be able to replicate the wonderful memories we bring home with us. Let’s all care more.
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• Volunteer – in a smart way
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56 SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2022 BOOKINGS@CHARITABLE.TRAVEL / RESERVATIONS: 020 3092 CHARITABLE.TRAVEL1288 SurangandFreepik-www.flaticon.comfromIcons RHINO CONSERVATION in numbers Helping Rhinos works to protect and conserve rhinos under threat of poaching and habitat loss in Africa. This keystone species is an ecosystem engineer that encourages biodiversity and the charity’s vision is a network of rhino strongholds – wild places protected forever for rhinos and other wildlife to survive and thrive for future generations. 3 SPECIES OF RHINO ARE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED 4 million hectares of indigenous forest is cut down in Africa every year - twice the global average More than half the population increase predicted between now and 2100 will be in Africa 80% OF THE RHINOSWORLD’SIN HELPING RHINOS RECENTLY FITTED 40 TRACKING COLLARS TO RHINOS LIVING IN SOUTH AFRICA’S EASTERN CAPE $25,000/KG THE ESTIMATED WORTH OF RHINO HORN ON THE BLACK MARKET. DEMAND IS STILL INSATIABLE
CHARITABLE TRAVELLER 57 BOOKINGS@CHARITABLE.TRAVEL / RESERVATIONS: 020 3092 1288 CHARITABLE.TRAVEL FIND OUT MORE AT CHARITABLE.TRAVEL/HELPING-RHINOS HAVERHINOSBEEN POACHED IN THE LAST 12 8,887YEARS There are less than 28,000 wild rhino in the world today. At the turn of the 20th century there were over 500,000 in Africa and Asia On average, 1 rhino is killed every day by a poacher in Africa. There is evidence that poaching spiked significantly in the two years of Covid-19 restrictions 80% RHINOSWORLD’SLIVEINSOUTHAFRICA 7,800 hours of ranger patrols funded by RhinosHelping 54 LOCAL CHILDREN WERE PROVIDED WITH AN EARLY EDUCATION WHEN HELPING RHINOS BUILT A NEW SCHOOL NEAR THE ZULULAND STRONGHOLDRHINO 3 ORPHANS RELEASED BACK INTO THE WILD BY HELPING RHINOS IN 2021 £2.5TENRAISEDMILLIONINTHELASTYEARSTOHELPRHINOS £
MINDFULNESS in Morzine
Mark Bibby Jackson goes “wild’ in the French alps, mixing exercises in mindfulness with great food and fresh mountain air A term that had confused me for years was ‘wild swimming’. I always had an image of people rushing into the sea and screaming at the elements, their hands flapping wildly in the air. It took me a while before I realised that the “wild” part was just a way to rebrand something which many of us are already familiar with – swimming in the sea, a lake or a river. So, as we drove to Lake Montriond, on the outskirts of Morzine in the French Alps, I had a definite sense of déjà vu when wild swimming was mentioned. But while the rest of my group gathered to put on their wetsuits I strode into the waters of the lake, confident that alpine waters could not be a match for the North Sea. For once my confidence proved guided. And as the others in my group struggled with their excess of latex, I floated carefree. After my not-so-wild swim, we ventured into the mountains surrounding Morzine to taste one of the region’s many local dishes.
Originally we had planned to go foraging with chef Véronique Fillon for our food, but unfortunately she had sprained her ankle. Instead, we encountered Véronique at her mountain chalet, her leg raised and a table set for us to enjoy péla. This traditional mountain dish is made from potato, onion and reblochon cheese. Served with bread and salad, it was fulsome fare but well deserved after our morning swim. It was some time about this time, standing 1,490 metres up in the sky and surrounded by the most astonishing countryside, that I remembered to breathe. There is something quite incredible about the alpine air. Filling your lungs with it has to be one of the most healthy things you can do in life. And it prepares you for anything in life –well almost anything. A few hours later I found myself suspended upside down from the ceiling as our instructor Sara talked us through aerial yoga. Initially, I found the experience rewarding. The ‘tissue’ in which you wrap yourself acts as a welcoming support to those of us who are not so familiar with yoga. But with time, as some of my companions managed to contort themselves into shapes beyond my comprehension, I realised that having a body with the suppleness of a battered ironing board was something of a disadvantage. That evening, guided by Hervé, we had a picnic surrounded by wild flowers, with sweeping views across the mountainside down to the town of Morzine. As my colleagues camped around the salads, bread, cheese and wine, I dozed off for a few moments in the hammock Hervé had slung between the trees. I’m still not really sure what mindfullness is meant to be, but I think I might have experienced it at that moment. travel-begins-at-40charitable.travel/
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Absolutely CAPITAL
Presidentialroutes Get in contact Charitable Travel out more and putting together Regioncharitable.travel/itinerarycapital-region
BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS
apital Region USA is a unique combination of two states and one very famous capital city. It’s the perfect destination if you can’t choose between city, coast and countryside, because here you can have it all. Within just one hour’s drive of Washington, DC, with its hip neighbourhoods and worldfamous sites, you can be exploring the charming and historic seaside city of Annapolis in Maryland, or the quaint cobbled streets and trendy breweries of Williamsburg, Virginia. Where else can you combine an iconic capital with the kind of wild beauty offered by the Blue Ridge Mountains, or the epic vistas of Chesapeake Bay? And its all so close together, it’s effortless.
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CAMDEN YARD, BALTIMORE
URBAN TRAILS Begin your trip in Washington, DC, checking out larger than life memorials, like the dizzyingly high obelisk that is the Washington Monument. The capital is bursting with art galleries and museums, covering everything from the world of espionage to African American culture. The Smithsonian Museums comprise the world’s largest museum complex – and it’s free. Across the city are Michelin-rated restaurants serving up dishes from the country’s most celebrated chefs, and there are plenty of highenergy clubs too. Neighbourhoods range from the posh Georgetown, with its leafy parks, elite academies and fancy cafes, to hipster Shaw, which has turned once tatty row houses into trendy restaurants and funky bars. Just a hop across the Potomac River from Washington, DC to Arlington, Virginia, and you’ll find Instagrammable skyline views of the capital. Arlington’s vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods are home to 1,100 acres of parks and open space connected by more than 75 miles of trails you can explore Capture the best of both worlds in Capital Region USA, as you combine the political powerhouse that is Washington, DC, with the cute coastal towns, beautiful beaches and mighty mountains of Maryland and Virginia.
WASHINGTON, DC
CHESAPEAKE BAY
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Explore the iconic Inner Harbor neighbourhood, home to attractions such as the National Aquarium and Camden Yards baseball stadium, before touring the city’s art museums where you can see the largest collection of Matisse in the world – and it’s free! HIT THE ROAD
Iconic road trips include Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park. It runs 105 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains, offering up scenic vistas and wildlife. You’re never far from one of the region’s 400-plus wineries – and there are more than 20 wine trails you can follow to create a tasting itinerary.
Enjoy the journey just as much as the destination, as you wind through the region’s cute small towns, and bucolic countryside.
SEASIDE STYLE
Known as America’s Sailing Capital, it was once the nation’s capital, between 1783 and 1784. Impressive attractions include the US Naval Academy, home to 4,400 future officers in the US Navy and Marine Corps. All roads lead to the sea in Annapolis. After a cruise around Annapolis Harbour, stroll around the city’s unique boutiques and feast on some fresh-from-the-bay seafood.Virginia Beach is where the vast Chesapeake Bay meets the open Atlantic Ocean. This vibrant city has a flourishing culinary scene, a plethora of attractions for arts lovers and entertainment for all ages. Don’t miss the Virginia Beach Boardwalk, a three mile seafront stretch which draws cyclists and rollerbladers. Try kayaking or paddleboarding – and don’t forget to look out for dolphins.
Surrounded by the rolling Catoctin Mountains, steeped in American Civil War history, Frederick in Maryland is the perfect basecamp. Enjoy over 200 locally-owned speciality shops, dozens of restaurants, theatres, galleries, and public art dotted all over. There’s also a host of wineries, breweries, and distilleries! The National Museum of Civil War Medicine tells the story of this brutal but fascinating period in history, while nearby sites like Gettysburg, Antietam, and Harpers Ferry offer more context. Close by, tucked away in the peaceful countryside are three historic covered bridges that you can visit on a driving tour. Charlottesville and Albemarle County pack quite a punch. Must visit spots include Monticello, the historic home of Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, and the exceedingly grand Jefferson-designed University of Virginia. The area is also home to more than 40 wineries. Downtown you’ll find a burgeoning arts scene and one of the longest pedestrian malls in the country – packed with restaurants, shops, theatres and musicWherevervenues.you go, the Capital Region is brimming with history, character and natural beauty.
The gateway to North America’s largest estuary, Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis is a characterful port town founded in the 18th century.
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Greater Williamsburg is where colonial meets cool. Explore the grounds of America’s first settlement in Jamestown, or hit downtown Williamsburg, to enjoy many of the region’s most exciting new restaurants, breweries, and wineries. If you prefer the beach, calm waters and spectacular sunsets await in Yorktown. Here, you can step on a Segway or bag a boogie board to enjoy the breathtaking coastline.
About an hour’s drive from DC, Baltimore is Maryland’s largest city and home to a vibrant community of artists and entrepreneurs.
on foot or wheels. Top attractions include the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery, a 624-acre shrine to America’s veterans.
HISTORIC HIGHS
SEASIDE ALI
POSTCARD-WORTHY LAKES
Girl About Travel Free to join, this all-female club and travel concierge women to dream, plan holidays that can’t be googled. experts, Girl About is a network sharing unbiased advice, and discounts. Charitable partner of Girl About, meaning can book holidays via money to their charitable.travel/favouritegirl-about
There are hundreds of options in the Lake District, but one of my favourite hikes is to Aira Force. This 65-foot waterfall near Ullswater flows down moss-smothered boulders amongst ancient woodland. The circular walk is great for families but you can go further by exploring the pools beyond. Or take the Gowbarrow trail, through lush ferns and evergreen forest, to enjoy epic views over Ullswater from Gowbarrow summit.
Hit the water
the Lake District England’s biggest national park is packed with adventure opportunities. Try hiking and biking – on gentle slopes or up England’s highest peak. How about a spot of wild swimming or standup paddle boarding? Or have you heard of ghyll scrambling? It’s when you clamber up or down a mountain stream using natural rock slides, jumping into plunge pools. If you want to go wild, you can’t beat the lakes.
Girl About’s bloggers from all around the UK have been compiling some snazzy new itineraries to inspire you to explore home. Hit the Girl About website to do a quiz and see if you’re an outdoor adventurer, a galavanting gourmet, a culture vulture or a girly weekender. This issue, get ready for fresh air and muddy boots as we share a selection of bracing ideas from outdoor adventurers Ali, Beth and Kirsty.
TIPS FOR outdoor adventurers
Take a walk
Freepikbyothers
Rock on The Lake District is known as the birthplace of trad climbing – climbing and placing your own gear in the rock. Don’t worry though, we are starting with something a bit less daunting. Head up to Honister Pass, a working slate mine and adventure centre. Follow historic miner’s paths over the mountain on the Via Ferrata, or try rock climbing or abseiling.
There’s a huge amount of water-based activities you can take part in here and, come rain or shine, they will always happen on the lakes. One of my favourites has always been standup paddleboarding (SUP). It’s the perfect way to fully immerse yourself in nature – paddle out into the middle of the lake and sit down to watch the world go by while you munch on an awesome brownie!
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When people think about holidaying in Northumberland, they naturally think about the coast. I don’t blame them – castles and beaches are ideal for adventurers. But I also believe there is so much on offer in-land, so get ready for windswept vistas and pure adrenaline.
KIRSTY Kent
Bird life Head to the Isle of Sheppey, a hidden gem with a gorgeous coast and prisine natural areas. Book a dusk tour at Elmley Nature Reserve and look out for Marsh harriers, merlins and peregrine falcons soaring through the pink sky. You might see owls flitting above too, and hear their spooky hoots as the sky goes dark. SYCAMORE GAP To read the full48-hour itinerariesfor the Lake Kent,NorthumberlandDistrict,andheadtotheGirlAboutwebsite.
Northumberland
Hike into history Kick off your adventure break by walking along part of the famous Hadrian’s Wall, stopping to take photos at the popular Sycamore Gap. You will be instantly rewarded with stunning views across Northumberland’s finest landscapes. This is the most photographed part of Northumberland National Park, now referred to as the “Robin Hood Tree”, thanks to its starring role in the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.
Push the adrenaline button
Enjoy a hearty Northumbrian breakfast before going for a walk in the Simonside Hills. A circular walk takes you to the summit of Simonside, where views encompassing the Cheviot Hills and the North Sea coastline will take your breath away. It’s 4.5 miles in total and should take you a little over three hours, with a steep climb through woodland before it opens up to showcase the drama of Northumberland.
Into the marshes
Evening paddle
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Make the most of the stunning Kent sunsets with an guided evening paddle. Canoe Wild will take you along the beautiful River Stour. The sun will start to dip in Fordwich (Britain’s smallest town) but you’ll see the sky go gold by the time you get to Grove Ferry. If you are lucky enough you will also get to see the wild beavers that live here.
Calvert Kielder, set at the largest manmade lake in Northern Europe, is an adventure centre that welcomes families, individuals and groups. Try the Kielder Zip Coaster, which sees thrill-seekers harnessed into a seated position as they glide amongst the trees, dipping and twisting up to speeds of 20mph. There’s also ropes courses, archery, kayaking, sailing and much more.
Big breakfast, big vistas
If you are a lover of the great outdoors then look no further than Kent for the perfect outdoor activity weekend. It’s called the Garden of England for good reason! There is no end to Kent’s green country fields, woodlands and open coast – perfect for a weekend of fresh air therapy.
Join Rebecca of The Salt Marsh Walking Company for a guided tour of the marshes outside pretty seaside town Whistable. The six-mile Salt Paths and Strawberry Fields walk takes about three hours and combines coast and countryside. If the season is right you’ll see the delicious local strawberries, and Rebecca points out the stunning local birdlife too.
where to go and what to see in Dublin, from her favourite bookshop to the ultimate museum – plus the best places to get cofffee and cake (or an Irish tipple) and the most atmospheric streets. next departure to... This is the first of three TIP episodes we have recorded that explore the Island of Ireland. In episode five – Sustainable Ireland – Rebecca will be journeying to Kerry and the wild west coast, as she chats to John Fitzgerald and his wife Kerryann from Atlantic Irish Seaweed.
And in episode six – Get Outdoors in Ireland – Rebecca meets Barry Flanagan, owner and skipper of the Erne Water Taxi in Eniskillen. Together, they will bring the naturerich waters of Lough Erne and the fascinating history of Eniskillen and its castle to life.
Listen, follow and subscribe - wherever you get your podcasts
Continuing with theme – Culture and Heritage – Susanne shares her tips for PEACE in Dublin
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In the latest Travel Insider Podcast, we go under the skin of Dublin by exploring a building that has been at the centre of city life for 1,000 years. If you’re in need of some quiet time or a calm space to occupy, this episode is the perfect retreat. Our new host, Rebecca Miles, chats to local Susanne Reid, who has worked at Christ Church Cathedral for seven years and has a unique insight into its storied history, including saints and kings. fair city
A typical day...
…starts with checking emails and notes before I see a family. I’ll begin by taking a detailed history. If I’ve seen them before it might take 30 minutes but if they are a new family it can take longer to find out what they’ve been through and what their goals are. In the practical assessment other therapists might be involved, depending on the child, such as a speech and language therapist, learning development specialist or a sensory-trained therapist. I try to make the practical sessions fun, doing activities to work out their range of movement, muscle tone, current abilities and challenges.
...is managing parents’ expectations. Everybody wants their child to achieve the most they can. The parent is on a journey just as much as the child and helping them come to terms with what can be achieved can be hard. Sometimes they hit a plateau or something knocks them back. But we are there to push them forwards.
A day inTHE LIFE OF...
The charity is celebrating 40 years of helping disabled children reach their potential. Help them fund the next brainwave.org.ukchapter.
Brainwave helps children with neurodevelopmental disorders – like Down syndrome, cerebral palsy or autism – as well as rare genetic disorders. I work from our centre in Somerset. Without Brainwave, many of the families we see would not get the same support because local services are so stretched. Our specialist therapy programmes have a huge impact on childrens’ abilities, but also on their confidence. We continue to support them, often into adulthood.
After lunch we devise a personalised exercise plan – incorporating exercises from each therapist. We work holistically to create a realistic plan that works for the whole family. We explain it to them so that they know why they are doing it, film ourselves demonstrating it and then they try it.
dniFmore amazing charities MIKE AT WORK SOPHIE, COUNTESS OF WESSEX VISITS
The hardest thing...
The best thing....
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CELEBRATING MILESTONES Birthday
Mike Sebire, Senior Specialist Physiotherapist at Brainwave, helping disabled children improve their mobility, communication skills and learning potential for Brainwave
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...Is being able to build a relationship with a family. We really get to know them and even though they only come back every six months, having that whole day with them is powerful. You really feel like you’re having an impact. And if you’re there the first time a child acheives a milestone, like walking, it doesn’t get better than that.
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The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan has announced it will open its borders on September 23, but it will raise its “tourism tax” by more than 300%. Bhutan will ask tourists to pay a Sustainable Development Fee of $200 (£167) per person, per day. Dr Tanji Dorji, Bhutan’s Foreign Minister and Chairperson of the Tourism Council, said that the fee would be channelled into projects to reduce carbon, such as tree planting, and renewable energy. Gordon Steer, UK Manager of tour operator World Expeditions, criticised the fee, telling The Telegraph that it would put off low impact holidaymakers such as trekkers, who travel for long periods and support local, often remote, communities. new measures
The charity Helping Rhinos is holding a celebration and fundraising event at the Royal Geographical Society (and live online) on Thursday September 22 – World Rhino Day. The event will be a celebration of Helping Rhinos’ 10th birthday and ticket sales will support the charity’s partnership with Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. Guests will have the chance to hear inspirational speakers from the conservation world, superb entertainment and a live demonstration from an anti-poaching dog. Find out more and purchase tickets at charitable.travel/helping-rhinos
BHUTAN INCREASES TOURISM TAX
VENICE FEE
sustainable tourism
Starting January 16, 2023, day-trippers to Venice will have to buy a ticket to enter the city, costing between €3 on quiet days and €10 on busy days. It’s hoped it will help over-tourism.tackle
A NEW SURVEY PUBLISHED BY THE AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF MARINE SCIENCE SHOWS THAT MUCH OF THE GREAT BARRIER REEF’S CORAL HAS RECOVERED FROM RECENT STORMS AND BLEACHING EVENTS. fundraising GLOBAL GALA FOR RHINOS
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global good news conservation CHEETAHS RETURN TO INDIA
AS GOOD AS IT GETS
Whether you’re dreaming of a silky beach on a private island, a stylish hotel in a vibrant city or a jungle trek to spy exotic wildlife, Charitable Travel Luxury will help you plan your ideal holiday and donate 5% of the price to a UK charity of your choice at no extra cost.
safe at last PŌHUE BAY ON HAWAIʻI ISLAND IS NOW PART OF HAWAIʻI TURTLESSPECIESENDANGEREDPROTECTINGCOURSESRESORTSINTOBEINGSAVINGNATIONALVOLCANOESPARK,ITFROMDEVELOPEDHOMES,ANDGOLFANDINCLUDINGANDBIRDS. UnsplashatGrovesDavid
With over 25 years’ experience in luxury travel and Charitable Travel’s #TravelForGood ethos at heart, our expert Lizzi is waiting to craft a trip that is your kind of luxury. luxury@charitable.travel / 020 3092 charitable.travel/luxury2558
Wherever it is, a luxury holiday always centres on discovering unique destinations and enjoying authentic experiences.
For the first time in 70 years, cheetahs will roam India’s forests introduceconservationistswhenre-eightcats from Namibia. Four females and four males will be released in Kuno-Palpur National Park in the state of Madhya Pradesh. Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952 because of habitat loss and poaching. There are only about 7,000 worldwide and the Asiatic cheetah is almost extinct – about 12 remain in Iran.
charitable.travel / 020 3092 1288 / bookings@charitable.travel Putting our profit to work supporting the work of charitable causes Fundraising Futures Community Interest Company, Contingent Works, Broadway Buildings, Elmfield Road, Bromley, Kent BR1 1LW ALL PACKAGE HOLIDAYS ARE ATOL AND TRUST PROTECTED. Book with confidence #TRAVELFORGOOD WITH CHARITABLE TRAVEL MAKE IT COUNT IN Book a holiday with a difference with Charitable Travel Whether you’re longing for a beach break to build amazing memories with your family, a romantic escape with your loved one, or want to don your backpack and venture back into the great unknown, our team of travel experts can help you plan and book the holiday you deserve. Plus, when you book with Charitable Travel you can donate 5% of your holiday cost to a charity of your choice… completely free! 2022 CAYO COCO, CUBA ATHENS, GREECE UnsplashatNicoiEstera RojasJuan PatWhelen FORT LAUDERDALE, US
