cox & kings COMPASS MAGAZINE ISSUE ONE | 2017
Five TRAVEL
RESOLUTIONS
for 2017
Snow, Ice & Northern Lights Around Britain in 10 famous objects
Top 11
GREEK ISLANDS 1
COX & KINGS / ISSUE 1
we know
TRAVEL Beautifully crafted travel experiences from our trusted travel experts
AFRICA • ASIA • EUROPE • INDIAN SUBCONTINENT • LATIN AMERICA • MIDDLE EAST
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Welcome to
cox & kings compass magazine
Nothing compares to the feeling of stepping out onto a new street in a new city for the first time, finding a hidden restaurant and listening to the locals chatting in their native tongue, or walking into a monument you’ve only seen in photographs. Being there is everything: the air feels different, the sounds are distinct, every sense is alive to the experience. Travel is about being in the moment, finding a new sight around every corner, a new road to take or a new horizon. No matter how much you’ve travelled, or how many countries you’ve visited, there’s always something new to see, and somewhere new to explore. In this issue we feature our favourite destinations, and those places that our travellers keep going back to. A beloved destination for us is Greece. Our team on the ground are passionate, expert and truly committed to providing the best advice, the best support and the best experience. It was almost impossible for us to choose the top spots amongst all the stunning islands – each one is unique, breath-takingly beautiful and steeped in history and tradition. But after hours of painstaking deliberation and a few calls to our friends and family in Greece, we present you with our Top 11 Greek Islands. Another treasured destination we are eternally drawn to is Italy. We chat to our team in Tuscany about their local traditions, cherished experiences and insider knowledge for places to go now before the crowds descend. If you’re considering a trip to Italy, Tuscany is a must-do and our story on page 23 is a must-read. A gastronomic tour or a vineyard visit is at the top of the list of experiences in this idyllic region. We also talk Norway (fjords, seafood and Northern Lights!) and Iceland, and profile some unique qwuxe accommodation that could only emerge from the sleek, inventive originality of Scandinavian design! There’s loads more, from a guide to Galapagos Islands to the ultimate Japan, we’re excited to bring our inaugural issue to you and hope you find inspiration for those moments that become legendary and those experiences that stir and awaken the spirit. Damian Perry
Editorial Cox & Kings Australia Contributors Compass Magazine Art & Design Designers: Veronica Mellere & Maria McConkey COX & KINGS AUSTRALIA Call 1300 836 764 Email reservations@coxandkings.com.au 72 Market Street, South Melbourne, VIC, 3205
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CEO Australia & New Zealand
ESTABLISHED 1758 Cox & Kings, the world’s longest established travel company, organises high quality escorted small group journeys to many of the world’s most fascinating regions. Our holidays range from the luxurious to the adventurous, and are planned by experts. We love everything to do with travel. Not just the A to B, but the many revelations along the way, from the grandest landscapes to unexpected minutiae. Compass is designed to inspire, inform and entertain on the subject of travel in its broadest sense. There are articles by travel writers, Cox & Kings experts and our well-travelled clients; interviews; reviews; travel tips; surveys; competitions; great photography, recipes; and much more besides.
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contents Treasures of Latin America
Ultimate Japan
Persian Vision
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Top 11 Greek Islands
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05-06 / Top Five
15-16 / Iceland
33-36 / Japan
Cox & Kings’ Top 5 is your reference for where to travel next in 2017.
Get ‘The 411 on the Northern Lights’ and how to photograph them including trips to Iceland.
Learn about ‘Ultimate Japan’ and the best places to visit, including insider tips and trips.
07 / How do you like to travel?
17-22 / Greece
37 / Spain
Whatever way you want to travel we’ve got you covered with our variety of different styled trips!
See our feature ‘Top 11 Greek Islands’ and learn the secrets of the islands from our experts.
A ‘Snapshot of Spain’ with top spots to help you plan for your Spanish break.
09-12 / Norway
23-27 / Italy
38 / Iran
Read about ‘The legendary fjords of Norway’ and see our holidays including ‘Follow the Lights.’
We interview Leonardo Balli and Elisa Pozzoli from Tuscany, plus share our favourite wine!
Read about the new booming destination for 2017 in ‘Persian Vision.’
13-14 / Snow, Ice & Northern Lights
29-31 / Antarctica
39-42 / Latin America
Unique and luxury accommodation across Scandinavia that will have you amazed!
Read about first hand experiences in Antarctica and see our packages to the frozen continent.
Unlock the ‘Treasures of Latin America’ with plenty of countries for you to choose from.
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The 411 on Northern Lights
Italy: Tuscany treasures
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Uncover the gems of Russia
Champagne; a sparkling legacy
Exploring Sri Lanka
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43-46 / France
53-54 / Time to travel
63-64 / Competitions
Discover the charming region of Champagne and see our ’48 hours in Paris.’
Cox and King’s have mapped out the best destinations for each month so you don’t have to.
Win a prize and be featured in our magazine in our photography competition.
47-49 / Kenya
55-56 / Galápagos Islands
65 / Bookmark
Learn about ‘First time safari’ in Kenya and also get a glimpse of some unique Africa experiences.
Read about the ‘Natural wonders of the Galápagos Islands’ as well as insider tips about the islands.
Enjoy Cox & King’s staff picks for some great reads, for travel inspiration or just enjoyment.
50 / Indian Subcontinent
57-58 / Russia
‘Serenity, spice & solitude’ takes you through Mysore, the Keralan backwaters and the Maldives.
‘Uncover the gems of Russia’ and gain insight into the beautiful country.
51-52 / Sri Lanka
59-62 / UK
‘Exploring Sri Lanka’ explains the magic and charm of Sri Lanka.
Read ‘Around Britain in 10 famous objects’ and the filming set of popular show ‘The Crown.’
WANT MORE? Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or visit coxandkings.com.au and see our range of trips and destinations! *Conditions apply. Dates and prices are subject to change. For booking, availability and detailed itineraries consult your travel agent or check online.
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TRAVEL INSPIRATION
top
FIVE
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL?
Cox & Kings’ Top 5 is your reference for where to next. From all over the globe, we’ve hand-picked the top spots for travel in 2017.
All aboard! Short on time but still want to experience Switzerland by rail? Jump on the scenic Bernina Express starting from Lugano to St Moritz
Switzerland
6 Days from $1130*
/ GRAND TRAIN TOUR A perennial favourite with seasoned and novice travellers alike, this little country has everything - lakes, mountains and...chocolate. And yes, all those quaint stereotypes are true: adorable chalets, bell-wearing cows and elaborately grand clocks. Leave no mountain unseen on our grand tour of the breathtaking Swiss landscape. Includes: • 10 nights accommodation • Rail travel • Reserved seats on the Golden Pass Line, Glacier Express, Bernina Express & Gotthard Panorama • Independent mountain excursion to Jungfraujoch • St Moritz, Lucerne and Interlaken transport cards
11 DAYS from $2602*
Call your tailor-made travel specialist or see your agent! 5
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Our specialists are here to help. Our partnership with on-ground teams in each of our destinations allows us to deliver in-depth knowledge, support and insight. Tell us about your dream holiday and let us craft it for you.
Ireland / LIVE LIKE A LORD History presents itself everywhere in Ireland. Castles, ruins and prehistoric monuments are seen from almost every bend in the road. A unique castle stay allows you to recreate history with original tapestries, restored rooms and period furniture adding the authentic touch. Includes: • 7 nights accommodation • Highlights include: Rock of Cashel, Cliffs of Moher, Limerick, Dingle Peninsula • Heritage Island Touring Guide and discount card • Breakfasts
8 DAYS from $1081*
India / CLASSICAL RAJASTHAN India at its most exotic, Rajasthan’s majestic temples, forts and palaces provide the backdrop for bursts of colour, ancient traditions and ornate garments. Explore the princely state at its best, visiting sites from the ever-astounding Taj Mahal to lesser known sites such as Bikaner. Includes: • 12 nights superior & heritage accommodation • Highlights include: Qutab Minar, Bikaner, Jaisalmer Fort, Udaipur, Amber Fort, Taj Mahal • Group touring with English speaking guide • Entrance fees at monuments
13 DAYS from $1542*
Uzbekistan / HEART OF CENTRAL ASIA Uzbekistan overflows with ancient cities, fascinating architecture and an incredible history tied into the Silk Road. The legacy left behind can be seen in the towering fortresses of Khiva and Bukhara, and the Islamic architecture of Samarkand. Since independence from the Soviet Union, the transition has allowed more freedom, and the locals as a result are extremely friendly and welcoming. Includes: • 10 nights superior accommodation • Visit the ancient fortresses of Ayaz Kala & Toprak Kala • Tour Bukhara’s Ark fortress, the Summer Palace & the Samanid mausoleum • Visit Shahrisabz, birthplace of Turko-Mongol conqueror Timur
11 DAYS from $2382*
Myanmar / THE GOLDEN LAND OF BURMA Myanmar has a rich cultural heritage and a long, eventful history. Visit the highlights of this diverse country, beginning in Mandalay then on to the thousands of pagodas in ancient Pagan. Visit beautiful Inle lake, famous for its floating villages and gardens, and the legrowers of the Intha tribe, before finishing in the former royal capital of Yangon. Includes: • Enjoy a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy river from Pagan (Bagan) • Visit the former British hill station of Maymyo • Discover rural Burma around Inle lake • See the magnificent Shwedagon pagoda in Yangon
13 DAYS from $2388*
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how do you like to travel? Love to immerse yourself in a journey alone? Can’t imagine travelling without a group? We’ve got the low down on how to get around.
Coach Touring See the best of the region with other international travellers and expert assistance throughout. Travel in comfort and share your experiences with like-minded people and soon-to-be friends. Exceptional value with amazing inclusions including sightseeing, guides, and meals. Your journey is planned and catered for you from start to finish. Relax and enjoy – hassle free.
Want to stretch your legs? Walk your next journey! From trekking to Machu Picchu to intimate tours of the famous battlegrounds of France, a walking tour can be self-guided or fully supported to suit your fitness level and interests. Ask our experts for more details. Call 1300 836 764
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Independent Travel
Self Drive
Ready-made or tailor-made, Cox&Kings travel experts will match a trip to your needs with the flexibility to do it your way. Join other travellers for day tours or do it all privately – it’s up to you. Jump in and out of organised tours, see exactly what you want to see and stray from the crowds. With the guidance and advice of our experts you’ll travel in freedom.
Pick up your car and hit the road. Follow our planned itineraries, enjoying the sights and arrive at your pre-booked accommodation. A fantastic way to travel independently, at your own pace, with the security of knowing a bed is waiting for you in each new destination. Choose the car and itinerary that suits your needs and interests. Our experts will provide all the guidance you need for your journey, including local road rules, features of the landscape and common mistakes.
Cruising Take incredible adventures exploring the islands, rivers and coastal regions of the world. We offer a wide selection of sightseeing and expedition cruises with great facilities, outstanding meals and breathtaking sightseeing options.
Rail The romance of rail is back. A classic, comfortable and convenient way to experience the varied landscapes of a destination or an efficient way to hop between cities. Soak up the journey in ease and comfort.
#1
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
Be a little bolder
#2
If you tend to play it safe when it comes to destinations, always choosing locations in the same broad region or that have a lot in common, why not resolve to be a little bolder with your choices this year? This doesn’t have to mean plunging yourself into the unknown – though you certainly can! Instead, make a smaller change that’s slightly out of your comfort zone.
Ticking off your bucket list
Should you have been put off certain destinations by a language barrier, for example, make 2017 the year that this doesn’t stop you. Or, pick a destination a little further afield than you would normally feel comfortable travelling – or treat yourself to a longer break so you can explore in more depth.
As the years roll by, it’s all too easy to put off the very things that we most want to do, promising ourselves that we will get round to them ‘next year’ – and so it often is with travel. Begin 2017 by taking a fresh look at your bucket list of destinations – you may have a few additions or subtractions to make.
Ready to be bold? Try a tour to Iceland, a cruise to Svalbard, an airsafari in Kenya or a journey through Iran.
Five TRAVEL
RESOLUTIONS
How to make this year, your best year for travel yet? Here’s some inspiration for your New Years resolution list!
#4
#3 Take more care with your travel plans If you are already making good progress with your bucket list destinations or currently push yourself to visit more adventurous destinations, why not make your resolution to take more care with your travel plans?
One of the simplest ways to do this is to plan your trip through a specialist tour operator, which can offer expert knowledge and a wealth of advice. Make sure you compare travel insurance plans in advance.
After all, often you will visit a destination only once in your lifetime, so there is a lot to be said for making sure you’re doing it justice.
#5
See coxandkings.com.au and start planning your next holiday!
Try something new Habits are hard to break – and travel habits are no exception. These can take far more forms than simply visiting the same destination over and over again; perhaps you always choose the same kind of activities, for example, or select the same type of holiday. While there’s nothing wrong with focusing on what you like, it does rather limit your potential to have new experiences and discover new things. So, if you’re a creature of habit, in 2017 purposefully choose a trip that offers something different – no matter how strong the temptation is to revert to form. Try walking the Himalayas, hopping to a different island in Greece, or try a foodie tour in France.
Learn something All travel offers the opportunity for learning in some fashion, but if you are particularly eager to broaden your horizons, it is worth considering a trip with something of an educational element.
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NORWAY TRAVEL
The legendary fjords of
NORWAY Cox and King’s Paula Jacobson recently travelled to Norway and was captivated by the vast landscape that the country has to offer.
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NORWAY TRAVEL
N
orway has been my number one dream destination for years, and when I was invited to visit by Norwegian; the national airline, and Visit Norway, it was like Christmas had come early. (It might have had something to do with being closer to the North Pole…)
greenery carpeted the mountains next to the glittering silver water of Geiranger fjord. A renowned UNESCO site, this fjord is regarded as one of Norway’s most impressive, snaking its way through the great, carved mountain faces to the enchanting village of Geiranger.
Growing up I had always been fascinated by stories of Vikings and warriors and the land that they came from, and visiting this part of the world truly brought all the myth and folklore to life. I was awestruck by the landscape of the western fjords, it looked like it had not been touched for thousands of years, and there was not a soul in sight. Norway is in fact the second least densely populated country in Europe.
I zipped through the fjord on an RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), an experience that quite literally took my breath away. The boat took about 25 minutes to navigate its way through the fjord, with the speed and strong wind robbing me of my ability to speak to my fellow passengers, but allowing me to concentrate on the view.
Far from bleak, at this time of year the snow had not yet fallen, and lush
Highlights of the fjord included the mountain farms, precariously balanced hundreds of feet up on the mountains. These farms were inhabited by families
many years ago, and they were on a gradient so steep, that it was necessary to ensure the safety of their children by tying rope around their waists! Before arriving at the town, we passed the notorious “Seven Sisters” (De Syv Søstrene) waterfall, which is faced by the single waterfall, “The Suitor” (Friaren) on the other side. Legend has it that the friar asked seven sisters to marry him and was turned down by each one of them. As a result of this rejection, he took to the bottle, while the seven sisters continue to mock him by playfully dancing down the rocks. I know that Norway has so much to offer, and in short; I cannot wait to see more of this majestic country!
...an experience that quite literally took my breath away...
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NORWAY TRAVEL
Take your selfie to the next level on the spectacular Trolltunga!
insidertips. eat Seafood is the centrepiece of Norwegian cuisine, featuring at breakfast, lunch and dinner! It’s fresh, local and delicious. Popular Norwegian meals include Røkt laks (smoked salmon), fiskesuppe (fish soup), gomme (sour cream porridge) and gravlaks, a salmon fillet marinated with a dill mixture and served with piquant mustard sauce.
Bergen
see Bryggen (pictured) is one of Bergen’s and Norway’s main attractions and listed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. While fascinating to explore this area, be sure to get a sweeping birds eye view of Bergen from above – by taking the Floibanen funicular up to the top of Mount Floyen.
Take a stroll through Bergen - surrounded by majestic fjords and rich in history - it’s nothing short of a magical city. Whatever direction you look you’ll be impressed, the traditional peaked wooden houses have been beautifully preserved and now protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit it’s excellent art museums, take a ferry around the harbour or just sit back at a café and soak in the beautiful scenery and unique culture of Norway.
Classic Round Voyage
Norway in a Nutshell
The full 12 day return voyage gives you the best opportunity to experience the entire Norwegian coast; ports and areas visited at night on the northbound voyage are visited during the day on the southbound voyage. Discover the beauty of Norway’s coastline and Arctic communities on this spectacular voyage along the rugged Norwegian coast. Each season brings its own unique beauty to the Norwegian fjords, whether it’s snow covered mountains in winter, brightly coloured spring flowers, glaciers gleaming in the summer sun or the red hues of autumn leaves.
From an exhilarating train ride through the Flam Valley to the cobbled streets of ancient Bergen, this classic journey by rail, bus and ferry offers four days of incredible scenery and charming towns. Experience landscapes dotted with fjords, adorable villages and lush forests.
Includes: • 11 nights in cabin category of your choice • Some included meals • Fuel surcharge
Includes: • 3 nights accommodation with private facilities • Some included meals • Norway in a Nutshell rail, bus and ferry ticket • 2nd class seat reservations (where possible) The Norway in a Nutshell tour is available as a 1, 2, 3 or 4 day package. The 1 day package consists of the rail journey only, while the 2 and 3 day options give you more time to explore this breathtaking area. However, we strongly recommend the 4 day option, which includes plenty of time to see the sights at a leisurely pace.
Departs: DAILY
Departs: DAILY
12 DAYS from $1990* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
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4 DAYS from $950*
NORWAY TRAVEL
Special Feature
2017 - 2018 Our specialist team has put together a unique 15 day tour series, especially designed to give you the opportunity to see the Northern Lights for yourself. The Northern Lights – or Aurora Borealis – are a natural phenomenon often seen in northern latitudes during the winter months.
There’s so much to experience in this magical winter wonderland as you will discover on a six night cruise through Norway’s picturesque fjords heading north destined for the Arctic Circle. Later, the tour takes in Finnish Lapland where you experience an overnight stay in a specially heated glass igloo. Imagine lying back and gazing into the night sky – who knows – you may have another chance to see those Northern Lights. Our tour finishes in Helsinki, Finland after a full day excursion to the medieval town of Tallinn in Estonia. Please remember the Northern Lights are a natural occurrence, visibility is subject to weather conditions and sightings are never guaranteed. However, our carefully planned itinerary and knowledgeable guides will give you the best possible chance.
Includes: • A night in a unique glass igloo, where you can lie in bed and gaze at the stars (and if you’re lucky, the Northern Lights) • Discovering the Sami culture and remarkable Arctic wildlife of Finnish Lapland • A visit to Rovaniemi, the home of Santa Claus and one of Finland’s best areas for winter activities. • A traditional husky dog sled or wagon ride through the arctic wilderness. • Visit to a traditional reindeer farm. • A unique 6 night Hurtigruten cruise along the coast of Norway, by far the best way to experience the country’s stunning fjords and historic coastal towns. • A day trip to the medieval town of Tallinn in Estonia. • The services of a Bentours’ tour escort throughout the journey. • A full complement of “optional excursions.” Tour Type: Small Group Escorted Departure Departs: Bergen, Norway 2017: OCT 26; NOV 6, 17, 23, 28; DEC 4, 26 2018: JAN 6, 11, 22; FEB 2, 8, 13, 24; MAR 2
15 DAYS from $5995*
See coxandkings.com.au for more details!
Glass Igloo SLEEP DIFFERENT And admire the shimmering Northern Lights above in a Glass Igloo at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
Santa’s Village
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Snow, Ice & Northern Lights Celebrate snow and ice with a bit of Nordic know-how. A trip to Sweden, Finland, Norway or Iceland will see you experiencing winter in style. And it’s not only the excursions out into sparkling white landscapes that are thrilling – the hotels will also take your breath away. Eleanor Day introduces the cream of ‘qwuxe’ – that’s quirky luxe – that will leave you wishing for winter year-round.
FINLAND
SWEDEN
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
ICEHOTEL
You won’t miss a single opportunity to spot the northern lights if you stay here – accommodation is in glass igloos, allowing you to see up into the night sky as you keep cosy in bed! There are also snow igloos, log cabins and kammi, or earth lodges, which are concealed beneath turf roofs. In true Finnish style, many of the cabins offer the added bonus of a sauna.
If you’re after a winter wonderland, but one with adult sophistication and qwuxe, then look no further. First created in 1989, this was the very first snow and ice hotel in the world, and every year it’s reborn again. Specially selected artists, chosen from around the world for the originality of their designs, create a wondrous ice installation using ‘snice’ (snow and ice) from the River Torne. In the spring the structure melts back into the river and magically disappears, as if it never existed. Apart from the ice rooms, there is also warm accommodation in rustic chalets, while this winter will see the opening of ICEHOTEL 365, a permanent structure with luxury suites, an ice bar and ice gallery.
Situated 250km north of the Arctic Circle in Finnish Lapland, in midwinter the land here is bathed in a soft, magical glow while the blankets of snow create a soothing silence. Discover this ethereal landscape on reindeer or husky safaris, take a sleigh ride drawn by horses, embark on an adventure in the snow tank or even cruise out into the Bay of Bothnia on an icebreaker. Nocturnal quests in search of the northern lights are a highlight, but if you feel the need to reach even closer to the Arctic sky then the 30-metre-high Glass Igloo Tower opens in 2017, offering spectacular views of the surrounding wilderness.
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Begin your Arctic adventure from the airport itself with an airport transfer by dog sled. From there, the possibilities are endless: venture into the forests on horseback in search of moose, handle your own reindeer sled and slide out into the wilderness, learn how to capture the northern lights on camera and try your own hand at ice sculpting (just a shame that you can’t take your finished artwork home with you).
C&K experts recommend:
C&K experts recommend:
Let friendly huskies speed your sled through majestic forests and sleep under the magical aurora borealis.
Experience the wonders of snow and ice in the ICEHOTEL with this package.
Lapland Circle Adventure
The World Famous ICEHOTEL
Includes: • 2 nights accommodation in glass igloo • Meals • Return airport transfers from Ivalo to Kakslauttanen • Husky safari • Snowmobile safari • Northern lights excursion by snow mobile 3 DAYS from $1460*
Includes: • 1 night ‘ice room’ accommodation • 1 night ‘warm room’ accommodation • Meals • Return airport transfers from Kiruna to Jukkasjarvi • Reindeer safari & dogsled safari • Protective clothing for excursions
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3 DAYS from $1490*
SWEDEN
Treehotel Do you still think about that tree house you had as a child? Do you wish you could crawl back into it and escape everyday adult life? If so, Treehotel in the north-east of Sweden is for you. Accessed via ramps, bridges or stairs, the innovative ‘treerooms’ come in all sorts of shapes and sizes: The Cabin, The UFO, The Bird’s Nest, The Mirrorcube, The Dragonfly and the Blue Cone (which is red). All peak through the tall pines to views of Lule river. And if the rooms aren’t enough fun for you, get out into the surrounding wilderness on a range of inventive excursions. You thought qwuxe was bad – have a go at skijoring (horse-pulled skiing – good balance is helpful on this one), explore the snowy forests and fields on a Fatbike, snowshoes, dog sled or even a Segway, and visit the reindeer pastures of a Sami family and enjoy a typical Sami lunch. Finish the day with a soak in a wood-fired bathtub amid the trees and dine on a frozen lake, lit up by candles, the stars up above and, with any luck, the northern lights.
C&K experts recommend: Have your very own tree-house adventure with this 4 day package. TreeHotel Adventure Includes: • 2 nights accommodation in the Blue Cone • 1 night accommodation in Brittas Pensionat • Return transfers from Lulea airport • Sightseeing tours, including a meal with a local family
4 DAYS from $1600*
ICELAND
ION Luxury Adventure Hotel Hunker down in ION, a refuge of comfort and warmth surrounded by barren mountains and knobbly Icelandic lava fields. This alien form on the landscape somehow blends seamlessly with the environment. The interiors are large, light and airy with huge windows that let the outside in. Furnishings are simple but of the highest quality and environmentally friendly wherever possible. Invigorating natural spa treatments will leave you feeling at one with the world while the restaurant serves seasonal, sustainable Icelandic fare. In short, everything has been designed with an eye towards harmonising with Mother Nature. A stay here will leave you refreshed for daily outdoor adventures: challenge yourself with a hike across a glacier, visit the bubbling hot springs and spurting geysers of the Golden Circle, take an Eco Super Jeep tour to active volcanoes, fly over the landscape in a helicopter for stunning aerial views or drive out to deserted spots free of light pollution for a glimpse of the northern lights.
C&K experts recommend: Stay in a deluxe double room with breakfast from $ 700 per room per night! from $700* per night
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ICELAND TRAVEL
the 411 on the northern lights Cox & Kings’ Toby Langley delivers the 411 - the low down - following his visit to Iceland to witness the Northern lights. The “northern lights” are a unique natural phenomena, which will be at their most intense for 50 years this winter season. Optimal conditions require no light pollution, a clear sky and preferably no wind, and such are the perfect conditions this year that NASA scientists have predicted the northern lights could even be seen as far south as Rome. Iceland is the place to be for the ultimate show however, as the last time the solar cycle peaked, in 2000, the lights were visible every day in the winter months. I travelled from Reykjavik to the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, a stunning
drive along the coast with views of the surrounding mountains and extinct calderas. The settlement museum at Borgarnes is a must see en-route, as it gives an excellent audio tour of Icelandic history and one of the more important Sagas. From Borgarnes, the scenery becomes ever more impressive as you reach the Snaefellsnes Peninsula, one of the most dramatic and scenic parts of Iceland. The mighty Snaefellsjokull Glacier was the inspiration for Jules Verne’s “Journey to the Centre of the Earth” and dominates the landscape.
Ready to see them for yourself ? Find out more about our Hidden Powers & Northern Lights coach tour! 6 Days from $1130*
See coxandkings.com.au for more information and packages on the Northern Lights!
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ICELAND TRAVEL
insidertips.
Photographing the Northern Lights Our photographer Sasha Robertson explains all you need to know to take stunning photographs of the Northern Lights.
Reykjavik
Blue Lagoon
#1 Basic settings for all digital cameras • Switch off the flash – if it can’t be switched off put black tape over it • Set the camera speed to ISO 800 or 1600 – the darker the sky, the higher the ISO setting should be • White balance – choose the ‘daylight’ setting • Exposure time/shutter speed – typically 10-30 sec (possibly not adjustable on all cameras). If you are on a moving ship, or the Northern Lights are changing rapidly, use shorter exposure times but expect some blurring of your pictures • Focus the camera manually – switch off ‘autofocus’ if you have it • Set delayed action timer to 2 seconds – if you have it, it will reduce camera shake • Reduce the brightness of the camera display
#2 Additional settings for digital single
Reykjavik, the world’s most northerly capital, boasts wonderful museums and restaurants, quirky buildings, creative design and a bustling nightlife, set to a sweeping backdrop of the sea and snow-capped mountains.
Take a trip to The Blue Lagoon and soak your cares away as you relax in the naturally hot, milky blue water and gaze out at the moon-like volcanic landscape.
lens reflex (dslr) cameras
• Recording mode – set to manual (M) • Aperature – use the widest aperature possible, i.e. the smallest f/no, usually f/2, f/2.8 or f/3/5, depending on the lens you have • Lens type wide angle – ideally less than 35mm focal length, preferably 14-24mm • Remove any UV or polarizing filters
#3 Tips for getting the best northern lights pictures • Be well prepared – make sure your camera batteries are fully charged, that you have plenty of space on your memory card and that you have warm, comfortable clothing • Steady your camera – preferably by using a tripod, or by resting it on a rail • Be considerate to others – do not obstruct the view of people around you • Be patient – the Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, by their very nature they are unpredictable and may vary in form, brightness and colour quite rapidly
#4 Most important piece of advice The Northern Lights are one of nature’s greatest spectacles. Enjoy them with your eyes and feel them in your heart before using your camera. The mental image you take away with you is far more important than any picture captured by your camera.
Ring Road Highlights Discover Iceland’s unique character & rich natural beauty on this independent self-drive tour. Our economy self-drives offer you the chance to travel around Iceland in a worry free spirit, staying in accommodation with private facilities without stretching your budget. Throughout your stay you‘ll be residing in a combination of standard hotels, farmhouses and guesthouses. Your final night will be in a 3 star hotel in Reykjavik. Includes: • Rental car hire for 7 days with CDW, theft protection, unlimited mileage, VAT and one authorized driver • Delivery of rental car on first day • 7 nights accommodation with private facilities in a combination of farmhouses, guesthouses and hotels • 7 breakfasts • Detailed road map • Road book in selected languages • Emergency phone line available 24 hours
8 DAYS from $2297* Call your tailor-made travel specialist or see your agent!
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Top 11
GREEK islands
We asked Cox and King’s Greece specialists Nick Good & Katie Rodopoulos to share their pick of Greece’s Top 10 Islands. “It’s impossible to choose!” they said, and gave us 11.
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fter much deliberation, hair-pulling and a few tense moments, Greece specialists Katie Rodopoulos and Nick Good from Cox and Kings’ Greece team assembled their list of the Top 11 Greek Islands. The result is a detailed guide to some all-time favourites and some lesser known beauties that should feature in every island-hopping holiday.
#1 Santorini
#3 Crete
Boasting stark, multicoloured cliffs and incredible sunsets, Santorini is undoubtedly the most spectacular of the Greek Islands. The remnants of an ancient volcano, Santorini’s immense caldera is home to a fantastic selection of cliff-top hotels that offer amazing views over the crater to the shining blue water below. The eastern side of the island is flatter but no less beautiful, with volcanic beaches and glorious vistas of the Aegean Sea. The wine is known for its unique taste due to the volcanic soil the grapes are grown in. Take a wine tour to the underground caves, wine storage and enjoy some local food along the way.
Crete is Greece’s largest and most diverse island. Explore and discover its treasures – rugged mountains, endless beaches with turquoise seas, exciting cities, picturesque towns and tranquil villages, stunning countryside, fantastic gastronomy and vibrant entertainment. The island is best explored by car, giving you the freedom to discover its quaint fishing ports, Venetian-style towns and Minoan archaeological sites at your leisure. Be sure to visit Knossos Palace, capital of the Minoan empire. You can also discover the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. The local arts and crafts are also a highlight, you’ll find artisans on every corner of the charming villages.
OUR TIP: Walks around the island include lots of steps so may not always be ideal for small children.
#2 Mykonos Once an exclusive haven for the jet set, Mykonos can now be enjoyed by everybody. Blissful beaches, old windmills and whitewashed buildings with blue trim typify this ruggedly beautiful island. The cobblestone streets of Mykonos Town are crammed with shops and bars, and its reputation as the glamour island with a party-hard reputation is evident everywhere, especially in summer. Its also the jumping off point for the archaeological island of Delos - one of the most important in Greece and teeming with history. OUR TIP: Mykonos can be extremely busy, especially when the cruise ships are in port. Book tours early to avoid disappointment.
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OUR TIP: Try the local cuisine: cheeses, olive oils, liquers, dakos (like bruschetta), and fried snails!
#4 Naxos The Cyclades’ biggest and the greenest island with impressively high mountains, lush green gorges, stunning seascapes and villages perched high on mountain tops where traditional dress is still worn. Naxos is also an island of beautiful old churches, monasteries and Venetian castles where you can admire a unique blend of Cycladic and Medieval architecture! Mt Zeus is the central focus point and a visit to the interior will uncover traditional villages such as Halki and Apiranthos where you can visit ceramics workshop, or the citrus distillery. OUR TIP: Take a walking trail between villages for an indepth insight into the traditions and culture.
Previous Page: Church of the Seven Martyrs, Sifnos Island Top: Traditional street, Mykonos Above: Seitan Beach, Crete
Mykonos & Santorini Wandering around the Greek islands is a lifelong dream for many. One of the most popular island hopping holidays in the range, this package takes you to our top two islands with an opportunity to explore Athens before and after your island adventure. Choose accommodation in standard or superior hotels. Includes: • 2 nights’ accommodation in Athens • 3 nights’ accommodation in Mykonos • 4 nights’ accommodation in Santorini • 9 breakfasts • Arrival and departure transfers in Athens, Mykonos & Santorini • Fast ferry tickets from Athens to Mykonos, Mykonos to Santorini and Santorini to Athens
10 DAYS from $1415* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more trips!
GREECE JOURNEYS
Sifnos, Milos & Folegandros See the beauty of Greece away from the crowds, on stunning Sifnos, Milos and Folegandros islands. Beginning and ending in Athens, you’ll be whisked away by ferry to the archipelago’s most stunning and best kept secrets. Includes: • 2 nights’ accommodation in Athens • 2 nights’ accommodation Sifnos • 2 nights’ accommodation Milos • 2 nights’ accommodation Folegandros • 8 breakfasts • Port and airport transfers • Fast ferry tickets
9 DAYS from $1510* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
#5 Milos
#6 Paros
Lying halfway between Athens & Crete, the island’s volcanic origins have produced surreal rock formations and beaches of extraordinary beauty, leading to its nickname ‘the island of colours’. A visit to some of Milos smaller villages is an absolute must. Hiking, hot springs and rock exploration are also must-dos. The famous Venus de Milos was discovered in a niche in the ancient city ruins of Milos on 8 April 1820 by a farmer. The iconic statue with no arms is now displayed in the Louvre in Paris.
Paros is watched over by a single mountain, its gentle slopes dotted with vineyards and fruit trees. Parikia is the island’s capital, a gorgeous Cycladic township of winding cobbled streets lined with whitewashed houses. Situated on the north coast is Naoussa, a picturesque fishing village with typical Greek taverns and outstanding views. If you’re looking for a quieter, slower pace, Paros is Mykonos but without the crowds, hype and price tag!
OUR TIP: Milos is perfect for beach exploring, there are 75 to be enjoyed! Make sure you spend time finding your perfect spot.
OUR TIP: Make some time for Antiparos, only 10 mins from Paros, it feels like a proper secluded getaway, with a couple of really good beaches.
Above: Paros Right: Enjoying the view, Santorini Below: Portara Gate, Naxos
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GREECE JOURNEYS
#7 Rhodes This popular holiday island has beautiful white sands that fringe the dazzling waters of the Aegean. The medieval arches, ramparts and cobbled streets of Rhodes’ Old Town are a legacy of the Knights of St John and have earned the town a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The entire island has a rich collection of historical sites and monuments that represent Greek history and are well worth visiting. Climb the 116m rock wall to the beautifully preserved Acropolis of Lindos. OUR TIP: Rhodes is a great option for families. Many resorts and hotels are equipped for little travellers.
#8 Lefkada
Take yourself on an independent tour of the best of Crete. A self-drive holiday is perfect for those wanting to take their time. Heraklion, Chania, Agia Galini and Sitia are just some of the sites you will see along the way. With 6 days car hire, breakfast and accommodation included, this holiday is one of our best value for money deals available.
OUR TIP: An island of contrasts, the west coast is wild and untamed, and the east coast has been more fully developed. Choose which suits your taste and mood!
Includes: • 6 nights’ in selected hotels in Crete • Daily breakfast • Transfer to your hotel in Heraklion • 6 Days car rental (category B) including GPS
#9 Sifnos Sifnos is a beautiful and dreamlike island located in the western part of the Cyclades. It is a typical example of a Cycladic Island, with traditional architecture, calm beaches, seaside taverns and low hills. The most popular beaches are located on the southern side of Sifnos and have crystal clear water and soft sand. The picturesque village of Kastro is lined with narrow paved streets, stone houses and great sea views. The island also offers a unique culinary heritage and is known for producing excellent chefs, including the creators of the first Greek internationally-distributed cookbook. OUR TIP: An excellent choice for independent travellers, there are well-organised bus links on the island and a plethora of walking trails to explore. Top: Rhodes Old Town Top Right: Heraklion Knossos Palace, Crete Right: Agiofili Beach, Lefkada
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Charming Crete
Hugely popular with kite surfers and wind surfers due to favourable winds, Lefkada is also ringed by stunning blue water and beaches ideal for sailing and diving. The only island linked to mainland Greece by road, there are also intriguing archaeological sites and a traditional island way of life to explore. The island is now attached to the Greece mainland by a bridge, however it used to be accessed by an isthmus until the Corinthians breached it with a canal.
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7 DAYS from $759* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
Looking for something truly special? There is so much to see on the island of Crete, and the Samaria Gorge hike is one of the most stunning sights. The 16km walk provides beautiful flora and fauna, and remnants of churches and villages along the way.
GREECE JOURNEYS
#10 Symi A perfectly painted traditional village scene is what first greets visitors while approaching Symi. Beautiful houses rise on all sides to create an unforgettable vista. The island is surrounded by blue coves and beaches, with water so clear that boats appear as if they’re floating on air. Ideal for those that want a quiet getaway in a distinct corner of Greece. Be sure to visit Horio and Pedi, the islands smaller towns. The rest of the island is mostly deserted, so a visit to Symi makes for a perfect day trip from one of the nearby islands. OUR TIP: Don’t miss a trip to the southern-most tip and the statuesque monastery Panormitis.
#11 Amorgos Step off the well worn path and visit an island ideal for soft adventure lovers and those who enjoy unspoilt villages and open countryside. With ancient footpaths leading through steep rocky terrain, azure waters fantastic for diving, gorgeous caves, scenic bays and a long cultural history, Amorgos is that island that offers something for everyone. Discover the extraordinary Monastery of Hozoviotissa, built into a cliffface, and take yourself on an exploration of the fascinating landscape.
Corfu, Lefkada & Kefalonia Hop amongst Greece’s most picturesque spots, beginning and ending in Athens. This package allows you to see Greece from east to west. Fly to Corfu for 2 nights before flying on to Kefalonia. Take a ferry to Lefkada, where you’ll find yourself on some of the most stunning beaches on offer. Head back to Kefalonia, famous as the setting for Captain Corelli’s Mandolin. Includes: • 2 nights’ accommodation Athens • 2 nights’ accommodation Corfu • 2 nights’ accommodation Lefkada • 2 nights’ accommodation Kefalonia • 8 breakfasts • Port and airport transfers • Fast ferry tickets
9 DAYS from $2208* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more experiences!
Looking for something truly special? A Santorini Photo Safari will provide an insight into how to capture this stunning vista with experts. Get crucial tips on your holiday snaps and create works of art to be treasured for years to come!
OUR TIP: Visit Agia Anna, the location of scenes from Luc Besson’s cult classic ‘The Big Blue’ and perfect for a secluded swim away from the crowds.
Top: Donkeys of Thirassia Middle: Chora the capital of Amorgos island Below: St Paul’s Bay, Rhodes
Kos, Symi & Rhodes Spend 9 days discovering stunning Kos, Symi and Rhodes. An excellent contrast for those wanting to explore the well-known and the little-known pockets of Greece. Relax in spectacular Symi away from the crowds, then discover what makes Rhodes so popular. Combined with Kos’ endless surprises and ancient treasures, this package covers it all. Includes: • 1 nights’ accommodation Athens • 2 nights’ accommodation Kos • 2 nights’ accommodation Symi • 3 nights’ accommodation Rhodes • 8 breakfasts • Port and airport transfers • Fast ferry tickets
9 DAYS FROM $1686* COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
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ITALY Tuscany treasures
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ITALY INSIGHTS
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e chat to Leonardo Balli and Elisa Pozzoli from our on-ground team in Tuscany and discover their passions, hints for Australian travellers and their traditions which are still so important to the Italian way of life.
Gastronomic Tuscany An intensive course in Tuscan cooking while surrounded by some of Italy’s best scenery. This enticing package includes delectable gourmet meals, daily cooking lessons and private tours of Tuscany’s exquisite hill towns.
How do you like to work? LEONARDO: We tailor-make holidays. We listen to what travellers would like and we create a special package just for them. This is what everybody is looking for, nobody wants to be a number. We create a personal experience, so when they are back from their holiday they can tell their friends and family how important this trip was, because of the experience, the unique experience. ELISA: Especially if you are coming from Australia, you need to get the insider knowledge.
What are your top 3 tips for Australian travellers? LEONARDO: Well we are the country of arts, if you are going anywhere from the north to the south you will always find a town, village or museum and you will be spending time in front of a statue for example, and you will feel the history of the past. We say many times that Italy is an open-air museum, you don’t need to go into a museum to see a masterpiece. Just walk on the street! Every building takes you back to the past.
ELISA: If you are for example in the middle of a village in the Chianti area, you are not only able to enjoy the local wine but you are in the centre of a medieval village, built in the 11th century. Just stop and look and you will see the history all around you. You can experience and feel the history. That’s the first thing! Second, of course is the food. Enjoy a real pizza from a local pizzeria, it is amazing.
Includes: • 4 nights’ accommodation • Return transfers from Florence • 3 cooking lessons • Half day tours to Arezzo and Chianti Classico
5 DAYS from $1847* See coxandkings.com.au for more details!
LEONARDO: Yes it’s very important, to enjoy being out in a local restaurant. It’s very important to join the locals for example in the main square and share a meal, share your stories of the day. We are losing this, you know everybody is on their phone, but you can still find this especially in the small villages, the people really like to share. So you play cards together, you’re talking about what your mother did, what your children are doing, what trip you’re dreaming about…this is our culture.
LEONARDO: You should start in Florence, the capital of the Renaissance. There is not a new building inside the city. If you don’t have time to spend in a museum, just walk. You will see the beauty of the city.
ELISA: Yes so important. So experience the art, the local food…and drink a very good glass of wine. That is the third thing.
ELISA: Yes Florence is a must. And then you must lose yourself in the Chianti area. In Chianti you are in the heart of Tuscany.
Top: Rolling hills, Tuscany Top Left: Narrow street in Florence, Tuscany Top Right: Leonardo and Elisa
What should we do with 5 days in Tuscany?
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Travel like a local! Don’t miss Palio de Siena, a traditional horse race held in the town square in Siena dating back to the Middle Ages. Be a part of the passion and festivities! Call your travel specialist today! There are 250 wine producers in this small region. There are four major medieval villages, and you only need to follow the road through the area and visit the vineyards. They’re open for lunch, and you can spend at least a day travelling through Chianti. And then of course you must visit Siena. Siena is the city of the Palio de Siena, the famous horse race.
those contrada are competing, even during the year, there’s this competing between the contrada – it’s like a sort of fight going back to the medieval ages! During the race they don’t speak to each other! It’s very intense! So this is something very unique to see. On the 2nd of July and the 16th of August, you must see it.
LEONARDO: It’s not for tourists, it’s an important tradition. Now travellers are coming and it’s popular to travel at this time. It’s a medieval-age sport, it’s a competition that has been going for hundreds of years, held in the main square, which was the meeting place for people living in Siena.
LEONARDO: And it’s really nice to take part in the pre-dinner of the Palio, because the contrada organise private dinners outside in the narrow streets. And the housewives cook for one thousand people, they have very long tables going up the street. And there is the blessing of the horse, there is so much to share. It’s very special.
ELISA: Nowadays, this event takes place over 3 days and there are a lot of things to see and do before the final race. Siena is divided into 17 districts, or contrada, and
ELISA: On another day, you would visit the famous Montalcino Brunello. This is the famous countryside producing the Brunello
Arts & Motors See the incredible Byzantine masterpieces of Ravenna and sample the culinary delights of Modena. For a different pace discover the origins of Ferrari sports cars and explore their home at Maranello. Includes: • 3 nights accommodation • Private transfer from Bologna to Ravenna with English speaking driver • Welcome dinner in Ravenna, wine included • 3 hours guided tour of Ravenna, half day excursion from Ravenna to Maranello with arrival in Modena • Entrance at Sant’Apollinaire in Classe, Mausoleum Galla Placidia and San Vitale, Casa Enzo Ferrari 4 DAYS from $1343*
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wine. And there are many small villages you can visit, like Pienza, and of course Pisa, where you can see the famous leaning tower. You need much longer than 5 days to see everything in Tuscany. LEONARDO: Yes much longer! What a lot of people don’t know is that Tuscany is also overlooking the Mediterranean sea, so there are really nice beaches also. People spend a lot of time at the beach during summer. The arcipelago toscano are ten islands which are fantastic for summer holidays, and for wine as well. It’s a must, if you’re coming from May to September to spend a couple of days on one of these islands. ELISA: In Tuscany you can have the beauty of the countryside, and you have the seaside coast, from north to south you have many diverse regions to visit.
ITALY INSIGHTS
What do you do to relax? LEONARDO: Well of course, we’re Italian, so one of our main things to do is enjoy food with family. We try to have the best breakfast, lunch and dinner! But the most important meal is dinner, because it’s the way we can share our day with the family. With our parents, children, this is how we have our connection. For example, in my family it’s not allowed to have a cellphone at the table during dinner, the TV has to be switched off… that’s important! Because at dinner time we have to talk, we have to explain the day, how it was, that’s the most important thing. The other things important to us is sport, going for a swim at lunchtime and take care of ourselves. We are from Florence, we follow the soccer team, Florentina. ELISA: And of course we follow Formula 1, Ferrari is our team.
Where do you take the family to eat? ELISA: Mostly we eat at home, we prefer to cook a meal at home with the family. But once or twice a week we go out, and there are so many possibilities. Because Italy is so full of cafes, bistros, trattorias…it’s very easy to go out for dinner. LEONARDO: And what we do on the weekend, on Saturday morning we usually go to the market to buy fresh food for the week. Seasonal produce is always changing so it’s always different. It’s a great attraction, you can find so many things. The open air markets are a usual tradition for family and friends. There are two big markets in Florence that are very good to visit.
When in Rome, what is your favourite hotel? ELISA: My favourite high end hotel is Hotel de Russie, five stars. It is very centrally located, you are very close to the Spanish Steps, and it has a courtyard garden and beautiful restaurant. The location is perfect for travellers. LEONARDO: My favourite, if you don’t want to stay in the city centre, you can stay in Via Veneto, which is a street that became famous after the movie La Dolce Vita, where many celebrities such as Audrey Hepburn would visit. So you can have this experience and stay in Grand Hotel Via Veneto. And this hotel is not crowded. It’s very close to my favourite museum in Rome, the Galleria Borghese. You will find masterpieces of sculpture, of Bernini and Canova. It’s a beautiful gallery. ELISA: And if you are looking for a four star hotel, I recommend Hotel Rose Garden Palace.
What’s your favourite vineyard? ELISA: There are many, and we love to drink wine. From Tuscany, the white wine I love is Querciabella in Chianti. The wine is called Batar. And for red, I would say the area of Podere, along the Tuscan coast we mentioned… the winery is Podere Sapaio and the wine is bolgheri. Very famous wine from this region. Italy used to produce very low quality wines for local consumption, because we were a poor country. Now, with the Super Tuscans, we produce a wine that is in competition with reds from Bordeaux and other wine internationally. LEONARDO: She is a sommelier, she has the best recommendations! •
Previous Page: Palio de Siena, Siena Top: Vineyards, Tuscany Top Right: Traditional Tuscan home
Como & Maggiore Combined Combine two of Italy’s finest lakes as you experience the breathtaking beauty of Lake Como and Lake Maggiore. Admire snow-capped mountain vistas, explore villas and impossibly picturesque town squares, cruise past grand mansions and discover why the rich and famous flock to the region. Includes: • 4 nights accommodation • Return private transfers from Milan • Private transfer from Como to Stresa • Round trip ferry ticket to Bellagio • Round trip ferry ticket to Borromean Islands
5 DAYS from $1393* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more trips!
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ITALY WINE & DINE
wine & dine
Compiled by Melbourne-based sommelier Shar Debney Experience the flavours and sensations of Tuscan wine with these stand-out picks from Italy’s best cellars.
Highlights of Chianti Chianti wine is a staple at Italian restaurants all over the world, and this beautiful area’s rustic cuisine is regarded as some of the country’s best. This tour includes vineyard visits, a cooking class and excursions to Tuscany’s finest medieval hill towns. Includes: • 3 nights’ accommodation • Return private transfers from Florence • Full day private guided tour to Siena and San Gimignano • Cooking Class
4 DAYS from $1289*
Vagnoni
San Felice
Fanti
Toscana Rosso IGT 2014
Chianti Classico DOCG 2013
Brunello di Montalcino 2010
This Toscana Rosso reflects the San Gimignano style by complementing the Sangiovese with small amounts of other local varieties. Handpicked grapes are put through 10 days of maceration to produce a wine that is packed with flavour, fresh acidity and fine grained tannins, it leaves your palate with a harmonious and dry finish.
Indisputably, the best results for Italy’s most common red grape variety are achieved in Tuscany. This is 80% Sangiovese with 10% Colorino and 10% Pugnitello to add depth and hue. Long-lingering aromas with nuances of dark cherry, raspberry and sweet violets, this wine offers a palate that is ultimately savoury and classicly Italian.
Brunello is the name for the strain of Sangiovese that is grown in the vineyards surrounding Montalcino in Tuscany. The youngest of Italy’s most prestigious red wines, it is made from an isolated clone of Sangiovese called Sangiovese Grosso. Sweet dark cherries, spices, new leather, cedar and vanillin add nuance on the supple, persistent finish.
AU$25.90 rrp
www.fratellivagnoni.com
AU$42.50 rrp
www.agricolasanfelice.it
AU$135 rrp
www.tenutafanti.it
Taste of Cinque Terre Consisting of 5 enchanting villages overlooking the Mediterranean: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore, the villages are only a few minutes apart by train. See the best of Cinque Terre on this 4 day tour of one of the world’s most beautiful and most famous seaside vistas. Includes: • 3 nights’ accommodation • Return transfers from Genoa to Santa Margherita Ligure • 2nd class rail travel • Return ferry ticket to Portofino
4 DAYS from $861* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
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SPAIN FOOD
a guide to pintxos in...
SAN SEBASTIAN San Sebastian is a food lover’s dream and pintxos are the stars of the show: the city’s old town is packed with more than 100 pintxos bars. In the evening, rather than a visit to one of the Michelin-starred restaurants for which the city is famed, the locals will visit a few different bars to have a couple of drinks and their favourite pintxos in each, before moving on to the next. One of the easiest ways to spot a good bar is to look at the floor. If it’s covered in napkins and skewers, it’s worth going in. Those in the know drop everything on the floor after finishing, leaving the waiters to quickly clear the plates (until the bar closes). The bars are lined with plates of different cold pintxos that you help yourself to. Be sure to save room for the hot ones, which are listed on blackboards and cooked to order. Expect to pay €3 for a cold pintxo and around €4 for a hot one. Keep tabs on what you’ve eaten as the Basques are very honest and don’t write your order down, and you simply pay as you leave. They do have an impressive memory though! Borda Berri
Txepetxa
Address: Fermin Calbeton 12
Address: Calle Pescaderia 5
Famous for its Idiazabal and Hongos (sheep milk cheese and wild mushroom) Risotto made from orzo, not rice. Melt in your mouth Veal Cheeks are also a specialty as is the pulpo (octopus).
Famous for the spicy Gilda, a pintxos invented in San Sebastian and named after Rita Hayworth because she was “tall and spicy”. For something completely different, try anchovy toast with blueberry jam.
See coxandkings.com.au for more information and where to stay!
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Taking the Polar
PLUNGE Travel writer Marybeth Bond recalls the thrill of her cruise into the frozen Antarctic Ocean .
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ANTARCTICA JOURNEYS
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ever have I felt so small as when I cruised past one of Antarctica’s gigantic icebergs. In the ice-locked Antarctic Ocean, I felt like a speck on a speck at the bottom of the world. The majesty increased my sense of awe and appreciation. The serenity and silence heightened my awareness of how trivial and unimportant I was, and it humbled my soul.
It is good to remember that the world doesn’t revolve around me. That said, I was thrilled every day in Antarctica, each beyond my wildest expectations and better than the day before. Of the very many highlights of my trip, here are just a few that will remain with me forever. Spotting the first iceberg As it loomed into view on the horizon, I ran onto the deck of the ship for photos. It looked like a mirage on the water: raw, colossal, monstrous and majestic. Sneaking up on napping humpback whales, floating on the surface of the calm sea, was exciting. Hovering nearby in kayaks, we snapped photos up close. At other times they would just come out of nowhere. One evening I lingered on the deck as we glided
TRY THIS! Want to experience the frozen land with a bit of South America flavour? Discover Patagonia & Antarctica A 16 day expedition that takes you through the mighty waters of the white continent, as well as seeing the epic fjords of Chile!
through a narrow passage between towering snowy mountains and glaciers. In a split second a glacier calved into the sea and a minke whale surfaced beside the ship. The Polar Plunge, this voluntary jump into the frigid polar waters is not for the faint hearted. Adrenaline and excitement kept me warm until my entire body was submerged in the shockingly cold waters, then I gasped and struggled to climb the ladder back onto the ship. The cheering of new friends kept me sane, or made me take this insane leap of faith. It was truly a oncein-a-lifetime experience. Kayaking through thin ice with each paddle stroke we broke the thin crust over the freezing waters. It reminded me of breaking the caramel top of a crème brûlée with a spoon. On every kayak excursion we stopped paddling for 5 minutes and no one talked. The silence was so loud you could hear the icy mountains move. Camping after dinner on board the ship, a number of us motored on smaller boats to an icy, snowcovered plateau where we were greeted by seals and penguins. After we pitched our tent in a howling wind, we settled in for an exciting night. We unzipped the tent door for one last peek outside and a curious penguin 3 feet away nodded his head ‘goodnight’. You don’t often get the chance to sleep next to a penguin, drifting off to the awesome sounds of glaciers creaking and cracking. •
Far Left: Zodiac in front of enormous ice berg Top: Antarctica sunset Top Right: MS Fram, Hurtigruten Ship
Polar Circle Expedition Venturing the furthest south of all our Antarctic cruises, Polar Circle Expedition is a truly remarkable voyage inside the Antarctic Circle. Discover a pristine, glittering white world teeming with wildlife and known to very few others. Includes: • Return flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia • 14 nights in the cabin category of your choice • All meals • Personal jacket • Shore landings in Polarcirkel boats • Lectures and educational programs by expedition team • 1 night pre-cruise accommodation in Buenos Aires
16 DAYS from $11,478* See coxandkings.com.au for more details!
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ANTARCTICA JOURNEYS
antarctica expert. Paul Medley
C&K Product & Operations Leader
I feel privileged to have experienced Antarctica. To be lucky enough to have witnessed what only a very limited number of people have. To have stood on the ship’s deck in the crisp, still, early morning and be spellbound as a Minkie whale broke the perfect mirror of the sea and punctured the silence with its blow. To realise the vast numbers of blues hidden in the sculpted icebergs and to be brave enough to take a plunge into those icy waters. The pureness of Antarctica fills you up, it inspires and envelops you in its magic, drawing you back.
#1 Learn how to use your camera.
Being able to adjust for the bright whites
and changing light will mean capturing incredible images. (But also remember that the best memories can’t be captured by a lens - use your eyes)
#2 Layer up. Yes it can be cold on shore excursions but it is better to have several layers rather than one thick jumper. A down jacket provides great warmth for very little weight.
#3 Don’t fear the Drake Passage. It can get rough but the goal of reaching Antarctica is worth it. If it were easy everyone would do it and merely emphasises the remoteness of Antarctica, and as Ernest Shackleton said “Difficulties are just things to overcome”.
ARCTIC
Choose the polar opposite and experience the Arctic! Circumnavigating the Realm of the Polar Bear The epic voyage circumnavigates the large island of Spitsbergen. It takes you well above the 80th parallel and places you closer than 600 nautical miles from the Geographical North Pole. Discover the Great Eastern Nature Reserves and some of the most spectacular highlights of the Arctic. The eastern part of Svalbard is more barren and characteristically High Arctic than any other place we visit with the MS Fram. Enjoy expedition landings, hikes, kayaking and other activities in the largest Arctic wilderness in Europe. 10 DAYS from $4474* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more trips!
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FIND YOUR INNER EXPLORER
Set sail to: Antarctica • Iceland • Svalbard Scandinavia • Europe • Greenland Transatlantic • Canada • Latin America
bentours.com.au/hurtigruten COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
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ultimate
JAPAN It’s a fantastic time to visit Japan. Our list of the ultimate highlights should furnish you with plenty of travel inspiration.
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JAPAN JOURNEYS
W
hile there is plenty of veracity in its reputation as an expensive country to visit, 2017 is an excellent time to travel here in terms of value. And considering Japan’s abundance of utterly arresting destinations and attractions, this really is an opportunity not to be passed by. Select an itinerary that allows you to get a sense of the wondrous variety Japan offers. Here, we offer an overview of the nation’s ultimate highlights, which should provide more than a soupcon of inspiration to kick start your travel plans.
The intermingling of the traditional and modern This quality is one of the defining factors of Japan’s uniqueness. Of course, the country is by no means alone in the fact that it manages to marry its past and present with aplomb. However, the scale with which it does so, the sense that the past is very a part of living culture and the vast gulf between its deeply traditional and modern facets renders Japan more than a little different from the norm. That is what makes a carefully chosen itinerary such an important factor on any tour of Japan. One that can reveal these different qualities to you – not only to unveil contrasts but to demonstrate how they harmonise – is one that will truly cement itself in your memory.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to gain a well-rounded experience of Japan. Visiting a number of the destinations that follow is a good starting point, but the accommodation you choose also has a part to play. For instance, staying in a Ryokan is the perfect way to experience traditional Japanese hospitality first-hand.
Kyoto Home to 17 Unesco World Heritage sites, Kyoto is the ideal place to discover Japan’s traditional side. In fact, for more than 1,000 years it was the imperial capital, and is one of the few places where it is still possible to get a glimpse into geisha culture. The Gion District is the place to do so. A simple stroll is perhaps the best way to explore here,
Far Left: Mt. Fuji with Red Pagoda, Hakone National Park Top: Tori Gates at the Fushimi-Inari shrine, Kyoto Top Right: Sushi dining, Tokyo
as this will give you the chance to observe local life unfolding in this historic part of the city. As you amble, you will encounter a variety of traditional teahouses which look tempting – but remember that these will almost certainly be the preserve of geishas and their clientele. However, enjoying teahouse culture is an important part of visiting Kyoto and indeed Japan as a whole. By visiting the teahouse at Kinkaku-ji Temple, you can do this while discovering another aspect of Kyoto’s charm – its temples. This particular temple is splendidly decorated with gold leaf – a feature which has earned it the name of the Golden Pavilion. COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
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JAPAN JOURNEYS
Tokyo
Hiroshima
Japan’s fast-paced, intensely modern capital could hardly present a more dramatic contrast to traditional Kyoto. That is not to say that heritage has no place here; indeed, part of the intrigue of Tokyo, as with Japan as a whole, is the fact that its past manages to maintain a very present hold on the current day.
Hiroshima’s name may, inevitably, evoke images of a war-torn past and the horror of the world’s first atomic-bomb attack – but this city is far more than a dark point in 20th-century history. And indeed, its tragic past now serves to spring hope, because once you see this city’s thriving, leafy streets, it’s impossible not to feel a flood of inspiration.
However, the fact remains that this is one of the best places to experience Japan’s modern side. This effervescent cocktail of pop culture and commerce offers cutting-edge cuisine, high fashion (particularly in the ultra-modern Ginza district) and dramatic skyscrapers. Shibuya Crossing is the place to go to see the city’s neverending throng of people –a famously busy intersection (perhaps the busiest in the world), it is a visual cacophony of neon, traffic lights and bodies. Step off the main streets, however, and you’ll often find yourself getting reacquainted with traditional Japan – quiet alleys, bars made of wood, hanging lanterns.
Natural beauty – Mt Fuji and beyond In amongst all Japan’s cultural highlights, its natural attributes often get somewhat overshadowed. However, this is country as blessed with scenic beauty as with heritage – from its glorious cherry blossom season to the elegant grandeur of Mt Fuji. Of course, being something of a symbol of Japan, Mt Fuji is certainly an exception to the idea that its natural wonders often get forgotten. Standing some 3,776 metres tall, this conical dormant volcano has been a mainstay of Japanese art and literature for centuries. While it is certainly possible to climb it, its simple beauty is best admired from a distance. Hakone National Park is a particularly lovely spot from which to do so, and is itself blessed with a wealth of natural wonders, including volcanic hot springs and lakes. Visit Japan during April, meanwhile, and you will catch one of its most beautiful natural spectacles – the cherry blossom season. This is, of course, when the nation’s cherry blossoms burst into bloom, and is as such one of the most visually appealing times to visit Japan. Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture possesses one of the best displays. The Japanese Alps and Hokkaido are just a few of the other destinations awash with stunning scenery.
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Indeed, this friendly city is an endlessly refreshing place to visit, and one that contains important, if upsetting, windows into Japan’s past. One of the most unmissable attractions here is Peace Memorial Park – a beautiful place that stands in memory of the day the atomic bomb fell. It is home to many moving monuments, including the Flame of Peace, which will remain lit until every nation has destroyed its nuclear weapons. • Behind: Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo Below: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Hiroshima Bottom: Mt. Fuji, Hakone National Park
JAPAN JOURNEYS
insidertips.
Get a birdseye view!
eat Kagizen Yoshifusa / KYOTO Skip the Starbucks across the road, you can’t go past one of Kyoto’s oldest and well-known sweet shops! Here you’ll find a variety of beautiful Japanese sweets and a lovely tearoom deep indoors where you can relax and sample cold kuzu kiri - cold kuzu noodles served with sweet black sugar syrup dipping sauce. Or try a nice cup of hot or iced matcha green tea and warabi mochi. www.kagizen.co.jp/en
Kyūbey Ginza / TOKYO Your trip wouldn’t be complete without trying what has been claimed as “the best sushi in Tokyo”. This restaurant has been crafting renowned cuisine since 1936, making and serving your sushi, piece by delicate piece. Be sure to ask a local or your hotel to make a reservation for you, and don’t order from the menu, just try whatever the expert chef recommends! www.kyubey.jp/en
Experience the sights of Tokyo from 202m above ground from the observation deck of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. If you’re lucky you may have the chance to see the famous Mt Fuji on a clear day. The views are just as impressive at night, catch a magical sunset or see the vibrant city lights dance below you. www.metro.tokyo.jp/english
Japan’s Cultural Treasures
best seller
Discover the cultural heritage of Japan on this exciting journey between Tokyo and Osaka. Pass the stunning alpine landscapes between Yudanaka and the charming historic mountain town of Takayama, before exploring the imperial city of Kyoto with its many temples and shrines. Includes: • Tea ceremony in Kyoto and watch gold leaf production in Kanazawa • Tour the Hiroshima Peace Park with a talk by an A-bomb attack survivor • Spend three days exploring the temples of Kyoto and Nara
9 DAYS from $3259* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more trips!
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SPAIN JOURNEYS
Choose one, or all of these top spots for your Spanish break! Spain is a country bursting at the seams with sites and marvels to see. From magnificent buildings to historic museums Sarah Clayton outlines the attractions that should be at the top of your sightseeing list.
Snapshots of Spain Santiago de Compostela Cathedral A feat of architectural splendour the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is simply stunning. Built upon the tomb of Saint James, the patron saint of Spain, after the tomb was discovered in 819 AD, this iconic landmark became the last stop on the pilgrims’ journey. Known as the Way of St. James or Camino de Santiago, medieval pilgrims walked for months to arrive and lay their hands on the pillar inside the doorway, a practice still performed today. Parts of the cathedral date to 1060 and it is one of the finest Romanesque churches in Spain with its Baroque façade adding to its grandeur.
Museums of Madrid
See it for yourself Check out our package Splendours of Andalucia! 8 Days from $2715*
Few cities can rival the sheer volume and quality of Madrid’s art scene, with iconic Spanish painters such as Picasso, Velázquez and Dalí, The Prado Museum, the Thyssen-Bornemisza and the Reina Sofia National Museum form the famous Art Triangle in Madrid and are located just a few metres from each other. Begin at the Museo del Prado, Madrid’s best-known attraction and premier art gallery home to more than 7000 paintings. For 20th-century art continue on to the Reina Sofia Museum and be amazed by the star attraction – Picasso’s “Guernica”. Conclude by exploring the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum’s eclectic collection ranging from medieval to modern.
Alhambra Described as a ‘pearl set in emeralds’ by Moorish poets, the astounding UNESCO listed Alhambra, meaning ‘the red one’ in Arabic, is a beautiful testament to Moorish culture and design. Located strategically overlooking the whole of Granada the initial Alcazar fortress has expanded out over the centuries to be a complex of breath-taking and intricate buildings The Nasrid palaces are the jewels of the Alhambra. Built for 37
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royalty they possess incredibly ornate stucco walls, beautiful tiling and wooden ceilings engraved with Arabic inscriptions and symbolic patterns. One of the most magnificent Islamic buildings in all of Europe, a visit here is not optional.
La Sagrada Familia If you’re after truly impressive architecture then look no further than La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. World-renowned architect Antoni Gaudi designed this extravagant church, which is still under construction after more than 100 years. Gaudi was famous for his dislike of straight lines, preferring to take influence from nature. Following his untimely death in 1926 the construction of the church was taken up by architect Francesco de Paula Villar, who seized the opportunity to express his religious and baroque characteristics. The elaborate and unique design has made La Sagrada Familia the most visited monument in all of Spain. •
The Road to Santiago Follow the Way of St James, the pilgrimage route to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Start in the Basque Country and continue through the regions of Castile and Leon before finishing in Galicia, where you’ll stop and visit the various architectural highlights and museums. Includes: • Entrances to the cathedrals in Burgos, Valladolid, Leon and Santiago de Compostela • Wine tasting in the prestigious wine region of Rioja
9 DAYS from $2852* See coxandkings.com.au for more details!
IRAN JOURNEYS
Persian T
vision
Iran is ready to take off as the
ourism in Iran is on the rise, and fast. Hilary Smith, expert lecturer and co-writer of the Bradt guide to Iran, explains why this rewarding country should be your next holiday destination.
hot destination for 2017
Iran is an exciting country teeming with people radiating warm curiosity and hospitality. Iranians want to welcome and meet people from the English-speaking world. Most of us who visit – and I include myself here – are not Farsi speakers and many would be surprised to discover that Farsi, the language of modern Iran, is an Indo European language.
Dotted throughout Iran are nine gardens, which collectively make up a Unesco listing simply called The Persian Garden: one, the Dolat Abad garden, surrounds the tallest wind tower in Yazd while another on the desert edge is the Shahzadeh in Mahan. Others belong to the Safavid era and are to be found in two cities particularly associated with them: Isfahan and Kashan.
once played but now fountains, lights and horse carriages delight the eye and the ear, is a joy. More serious but equally breathtaking is the complex architecture of the old Friday Mosque, built like many early mosques on the site of an earlier fire temple and whose architecture in part provokes in me the same kind of shivers I experienced when I first entered Durham cathedral.
What might we expect from a trip to Iran? It’s true, we women in particular must go ‘in disguise’ from the moment we land to the moment we take off, but it’s really not too daunting. Colour is certainly allowed and I wear Indian dress: loose long drawstring trousers, long-sleeved loose over shirt reaching down at least to mid-thigh and often longer, and the scarf, or dupatta, arranged over the head and neck.
The thirst experienced in the desert can be slaked by a visit to the oasis city of Isfahan. The appetite for the glowing colours of the tiled domes and minarets will have been whetted in Yazd’s Timurid Friday Mosque and other buildings, but in Isfahan are numerous jewels to choose from: for me it is the coffee-coloured exterior of the dome of the Sheikh Lotfollah mosque. The whole of the central Safavid square, where polo was
Iranians love to eat and meals are a shared family occasion. If evenings are warm in, say, Isfahan, you may expect to see families picnicking in the gardens by the river. And the food is tasty but not too spicy for our palates: rice with barberries, almonds or saffron with egg, and meat either cooked on skewers or in wonderfully spiced stews called khoresht. Above all, Iran promises warmth, smells, sights and lasting memories. •
Treasures of Persia The fantastically rich and varied history of Iran has left behind a dramatic cultural heritage. This tour reveals the best of that legacy, including the supreme Islamic architecture of Isfahan and Shiraz, the ancient Achaemenid capital of Pasargadae and the splendid bas-reliefs of the Palace of Persepolis. Includes: • Visit Pasargadae, Cyrus the Great’s capital • Two full days exploring Isfahan Tour Type: Small Group Journey
8 DAYS from $1451* COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
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Treasures of
Latin America Curious about Latin American culture? Katie Liddell explains how you can experience this extraordinary region like a local.
W
hether it’s the rhythms of salsa and tango, the thought of succulent Argentine steaks or the chance to learn more about indigenous peoples and traditions that first springs to mind when thinking of Latin American culture, few will deny that the idea of discovering it for yourself holds a certain allure. At once exotic yet familiar, the modern trends and long-held traditions of this region always rank among the highlights of travelling here. Discover the laid-back, fun-loving spirit of the people, the fantastic flavours of local cuisines and the rhythms of Latin American music.
Top: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Above: Woman weaving, Peru Bottom Left: Tango, Buenos Aires, Argentina Bottom Middle: Colourful cars, Havana, Cuba Bottom Right: Samba Parade, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Grand Tour of South America
A traveller’s introduction to Latin American culture Being a vast region, Latin America of course has much variety when it comes to culture; different countries have different traditions and each offers its own unique attractions and experiences. Today, we will be taking a broad view of the wider elements of the culture, then focusing on how you can experience these in individual countries. Shaping your experience almost as much as the attractions you visit and the activities you try, the people you encounter along your travels always represent the local culture. While we can only speak in general terms here, as people Latin Americans tend to be laid-back and fun-loving, with a passion for music, food and parties – something that makes this a really vibrant, enjoyable region to visit. The fantastic flavours of the various cuisines is also a staple of any cultural discovery is the cuisine, and in Latin America there is a real variety of culinary experiences to be had. When exploring big cities such as Santiago or Buenos Aires, you’ll notice a distinctly
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Revealing South America’s cultural and scenic diversity, this tour focuses on the continent’s cultural and natural highlights. Crossing the Andes through Peru to Lake Titicaca, the journey continues through Bolivia’s capital of La Paz and on to cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. Discover the magnificent Iguazú Falls and conclude your trip in the exotic Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro. Includes: • Coast to coast multi-country experience • Overnight stays at Machu Picchu & inside Iguazú National Park • Train journey across the Altiplano & cruise across Lake Titicaca • City explorations in Buenos Aires & Rio de Janeiro
17 DAYS from $6995* See coxandkings.com.au for more detail and more experiences!
LATIN AMERICA JOURNEYS
Spanish influence that harks back to colonial times – but if you get the chance to head a little off the beaten track and visit some indigenous cultures, you will have a completely different gastronomic experience. Among the more unusual, particularly to European tastes, is guinea pig, which you may come across in Peru. For most of us, Latin American culture is synonymous with the lively rhythms of salsa and the sass of the tango, alongside many other musical styles. The fact that music springs so readily to mind when thinking of this culture is indicative of just how central it is and, as we’ll explain below, losing yourself in the rhythm is one of the best ways to have an authentic cultural experience during your travels. In the 16th century, the Spanish and Portuguese colonised Latin America – and this has had one of the biggest influences on its culture. Stroll through the streets of places like Santiago today and you’ll be struck by the Spanish colonial architecture and the prevalence of Spanish-style cuisine – but perhaps what’s more fascinating still is the contrast provided by the presence of indigenous cultures such as the Mapuche people. This contrast can be seen not only in Santiago but across different parts of Chile and through wider Latin America.
Ways to delve deeper into Latin American culture Sightseeing is a cornerstone of any culturally focused holiday, but arranging to take part in activities is a simple way to make sure you really experience the culture, rather than simply observe it. While the best things to do will, of course, vary depending on the country (or countries) you intend to visit, here are some of our favourite ways to delve deeper into Latin American culture. Mixing with local people is always a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the culture – so it’s best not to leave this element of your holiday to chance meetings. Instead, take advantage of tours that give you the opportunity to meet people. For example, it’s possible to take a tour of a coffee plantation and meet the farmer,
Best of Peru & Bolivia
Many more trips available from our specialists!
View the incredible ancient Ruins and heritage monuments of Cuzco and Machu Picchu, the colourful Indian Market of Pisac and Ollantaytambo Fortress in the Sacred Valley. Travel through the stunning scenery of the Altiplano. Walk on the amazing floating islands then cross the spectacular Lake Titicaca to La Paz to complete this fabulous journey. Includes: • 10 nights accommodation • Flight from Lima/Cuzco • Coach transfers and land transportation with bilingual guides • Machu Picchu Sanctuary Fee (1 day entry) • Train Tickets Ollantaytambo/Machu Picchu/Poroy return on Vistadome • Bus Tickets Cuzco to Puno • Coach excursions with bilingual guide • Hotel pick up/drop off for all excursions & transfers
11 DAYS from $3665* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more trips!
Travel smarter across Latin America Don’t try and cram too much in. Travel distances are long and flight delays or cancellations not uncommon. Unlike travel in Europe, currencies and visa requirements differ in each country. To travel in safety and comfort, take a group package with like-minded travellers and a knowledgable guide. Insure yourself well in advance of your departure date for peace of mind.
Turn the heat up and watch tango dancers in Buenos Aires, or try it yourself !
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LATIN AMERICA JOURNEYS
latin expert. Rod Vargas
Latin America Product Manager Latin America is a destination that I hold very dear to my heart. My passion stems from being born in Chile and having a fascination for showcasing the very best of Latin America. There is nothing like seeing Machu Picchu for the first time or being blown away by the absolute beauty of Patagonia. Wherever your heart leads you there’s no doubt that you’ll be going back to discover more.
see
Highlights of Patagonia
Top: Women in traditional clothes, Peru Top Left: Colourful buildings, Buenos Aires, Argentina
The Torres del Paine in Patagonia are spectacular in photographs, but far more breath-taking face to face. These dramatic mountain peaks reach high into the crisp blue sky, and are one of the highlights of travelling through the southern end of Chile. 6 Days from $1400*
or to visit a village and watch the locals making tortillas – this way, you can add a human element to your cultural discoveries. A similar option is to visit an estancia in Argentina or Chile. These traditional ranches were established by the first settlers, and are where gauchos farm cattle and breed horses. As well as simply seeing the gauchos at work, you could taste the fruits of their labour at a delicious barbecue later in the day. And indeed, tasting the food is always an important step on the road to cultural discovery. In Argentina, the absolute highlight is the steak, though its delicious empanadas (which are similar to Cornish pasties and can also be readily found in neighbouring Chile) are also something of a must-try. In Mexico, forgo the restaurants in favour of street food, as this country is renowned for its street food culture – particularly dishes such as tacos and burritos. Venture off the beaten track to discover indigenous cultures and you may come across more unusual fare; in Peru, for example, it is possible to try guinea pig – something that may appeal to the more adventurous traveller! With music being at the heart of Latin American culture, taking a dance class is a fantastic (and extremely fun) way to get in touch with your Latin American side. In Buenos Aires, you can take part in a tango class, allowing you to try for yourself some of the culture’s most distinctive dancefloor moves. • 41
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Jungle & Inca Discovery Spend your days discovering stunning jungle areas, walking through ancient towns and marvelling at impressive Machu Picchu and the Sacred Valley. Get there early for an ethereal sunrise over the ruins. Stay overnight in Cuzco and Lima. 9 Days from $2750*
LATIN AMERICA JOURNEYS
A different
latin america Cox & King’s most unique experiences to take you deeper into Latin America!
Take a flight to another planet!
BALLOONS OVER ATACAMA Located in north-west Chile and spanning 105,000 square kilometres, the Atacama Desert is a spectacular landscape of haunting beauty. Likened to landing on Mars, with sculptural rock formations, dramatic peaks and fascinating moon-scapes stretching for kilometres in every direction. Drawing on years of experience operating the famous balloons over the temples of Bagan in Myanmar, Tempo Holidays and their highly-trained team of on ground experts now offer sunrise hot-air balloon flights over this extraordinary region. Get all the details at coxandkings.com.au
Luxury Hideaway! Tucked away in the cloud forests of the Ecuadorian Andes, Mashpi Lodge, Ecuador, is a 1300 hectare rainforest biodiversity reserve. Teeming with rare and beautiful wildlife unique to this region, naturalist guides provide in-depth tours of the jungle surrounds, including dawn and night-time exploration, for even closer encounters. Stylish and comfortable rooms ensure you’ll wake refreshed and ready to absorb the stunning beauty of this lush wonderland. 3 DAYS from $1925*
Wine and Cultural Tour of Argentina, Chile & Uruguay Visit famous wine regions of Argentina and Chile and experience life as a local, uncovering fascinating cultures and hearing from the families that live on the vineyards. Discover idyllic landscapes, traditional and modern working wineries and taste delicious wines from the depths of the cellars.
Airstreams in Bolivia Spend the night in a deluxe Airstream Camper, surrounded by stretches of sparkling salt landscapes and blanketed by a sky bursting with stars. The largest salt lake in the world will transport you to another time and another planet. Taking in the unlimited miles of dazzling crystalline salt pentagons of the Uyuni Salt Lake is a vision you will never forget.
Includes: • Accommodation in Estancia Finca Piedra and Casa Silva • Fresh, locally-sourced cuisine • A visit to the Colchagua and Maipo valley in Chile • Wine, city and culture tours
12 DAYS from $7900* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
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Champagne a sparkling legacy
Vanessa Couchman explores the magical Champagne region, home of ‘the king of wines,’ boasting sparkling towns and villages, labyrinths of chalk wine cellars and countless gastronomic treasures.
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FRANCE JOURNEYS
T
he historic home of champagne, listed in 2015 as a UNESCO heritage site, is just 45 minutes from Paris by highspeed train. The vineyards and extensive cellars of Épernay, the capital of champagne production, have long been a mecca for visitors. And the former coronation city of Reims is today the headquarters of prestigious champagne houses. Other gems await too.
Previous Page: Vineyards at sunrise, Champagne Top: Traditional Champagne cellar Top Left: Beautiful house in town, Champagne
Canals and Cellars
Puppetry and Poetry
Champagne Superstay
A visit to the ‘Sparkling Venice’ of Châlons-enChampagne is a must. This tranquil town of half-timbered houses, interlaced with rivers and canals, is easily reached from Épernay, Reims and Paris. From March to September, see the buildings from an unusual angle with a tourist office boat trip on rivers that flow in tunnels beneath the historic centre. Sightseeing by Segway around the town’s parks, gardens and heritage sites is also recommended – the hire even includes a training session.
Charleville-Mézières, northeast of Reims, is noted for its varied architecture. The arcades of Place Ducale, modelled on Paris’ Place des Vosges, is its showpiece. The town is the world capital of puppet theatre, where puppeteers train and the World Festival of Puppet Theatre takes place every second year. Puppets even emerge on the hour from Le Grand Marionnettiste, a huge clock, to play a scene from a local legend.
A tour through the who’s who of Champagne and all those names you know and love: Mumm, Veuve, Moet & Chandon. With guided tours, tastings and lunches at the vineyard, you will well and truly feel satiated on this stand-out tour of Champagne’s best.
Châlons is the headquarters of the celebrated Champagne Joseph Perrier. Don’t miss a visit to their chalk cellars, where you can learn about the history of the brand and taste its treasures. For fine dining and modern comfort, look no further than the Hotel Renard, conveniently situated in the town centre. Its gourmet restaurant offers dishes combining local products with seasonal inspiration.
Arthur Rimbaud, renowned for his hallucinatory prose-poems, was born here, and 2016 marked the 125th anniversary of his death. The Rimbaud Museum, set in an imposing watermill on the River Meuse, reopened in July 2015, following refurbishment. Enjoy post-modern comfort in a former warehouse, the Dormeur du Val Hotel, named after a Rimbaud poem.
Includes: • 3 nights’ accommodation • 2 full day guided tours • Tours and tastings a Grande Maison de Champagne • Wine tastings and lunch with beverages • Services of National Licensed Guide
4 DAYS from $1011* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more experiences!
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FRANCE JOURNEYS
Champagnes and Canvases Travel via medieval Troyes to the delightful stone village of Essoyes, amidst the Côte des Bar vineyards. Its most famous resident was the great Impressionist painter Auguste Renoir. You can gain a glimpse into Renoir’s world in the great master’s studio and at the Renoir Centre. The Renoir theme continues at l’hôtel des Canotiers, named after one of his most famous paintings, with superb views of the village and vineyards. •
MOËT & CHANDON UNVEILS MAKEOVER
Loire Valley Superstay Follow in the footsteps of French royalty in the Loire Valley. The magnificent Chateaux – vast, ornate mansions – provide an awe inspiring cultural and architectural backdrop to some of the world’s finest vineyards. Discover the terroirs, sample Vouvray, Montlouis, Chinon and Bourgueil wines, explore Chenonceau, Chambord, Blois and Amboise, wander the gardens of Villandry. 4 DAYS from $1195*
Provence Discovery Indulge your senses in Provence, a land of vibrant colours, flavours and senses. Immerse yourself in the palettes of Van Gogh and Cézanne. Avignon is the capital of Provencal cuisine and Côtes du Rhône wines. Celebrate the history and culture of this region with a cooking class, tours of medieval villages and wine tastings. Includes: • 7 nights’ accommodation in superior hotels • Full day Provence Tour • Short Cruise on the River Rhine • Tour to Gordes & Visit to Lavender Museum • Provencal Cooking Class • Wine tasting at Châteauneuf-du-Pape • Half Day tour of Nimes • Transfers and sightseeing • Transportation by mini-bus • Admission and entrance fees
8 DAYS from $2320*
Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764
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Extend your stay and see Provence, Burgundy, Loire Valley or Bordeaux. Each region has a unique history that will leave you with an intimate understanding of the architecture, arts & viticulture!
The cellars of iconic champagne house Moët & Chandon reopened to the public in October 2015, following an extensive makeover. Including lift access for visitors with reduced mobility, and an upgrade of the visitors’ centre. Moët & Chandon also offers a new prestige cellar visit and tasting. www.moet.com
FRANCE JOURNEYS
Sightseeing
Stroll along the Seine and admire the enormous river barges; visit Notre Dame and the Arc de Triomphe; visit the Pompidou Centre and take the lift to the café at the top, even if you don’t pay to enter the museum – the views are fabulous. Don’t miss a visit to the Louvre, one of Europe’s finest museums. The Mona Lisa is somewhat anticlimactic, but worth a visit, and there are some great art collections. For second (and third, fourth and fifth etc etc) time visitors, it’s easier to forgo the ‘schedule’ and the ‘to-do list’ and simply take your time and stroll around. You’ll notice things you didn’t on other visits, and have more time to simply soak up the atmosphere.
48 Hours in...
PARIS
Cox & Kings’ PR Executive Laura Smith compiles your must-do’s in Paris if you are short on time.
Travelling
Eating
The Eurostar is a quick, stress-free way to reach the French capita. I was completely won over by the whole experience- the trains were clean and very comfortable, fast and, most importantly, on time!
Head up to Montmartre in the early evening and watch the sun go down from the viewing point by Sacré Coeur. To reach Montmartre, take the Metro to Blanche, close to the Moulin Rouge. Then head up the winding, cobbled streets and steep steps to the bustling Place du Tertre, which is lined with restaurants and ice cream parlours and brought to life by musicians and the odd caricature artist. Continue to the Sacré Coeur at the very top of the hill for one of the best viewing points over Paris. You can climb to the top of the church for 360 degree views or simply stand at the viewpoint outside. There are dozens of excellent restaurants to choose from, serving fresh Moules Frites and Steak Haché.
/ TRAVEL TIPS
Get a decent map The centre of Paris is fairly compact and much of it is easily navigable on foot, but you’ll need a good map to keep you on the right track.
For snacking, eat delicious hot crepes from one of the countless stalls along the Seine or at Montmartre, and stop at a gelaterie to choose from a rainbow of ice cream flavours.
Buy a travel card Paris is easily navigable by underground, and the Metro is far more spacious and airy than public transport in other major centres. It’s cheaper to buy multiple ‘journeys’ at the start of your stay than individually. Visit coxandkings.com.au
Stay
La Villa St Germain from $257* pppn
La Villa St Germain is an original benchmark of style for the most sophisticated travellers. Ideally located in the cultural and artistic heart of Paris, contemporary décor creates a relaxed environment. The hotel’s lounge bar provides a stylish and cosy corner to relax. 4
Hilton Paris Opera from $197* pppn
Set in the lively Opéra quarter, Hilton Paris Opera is close to Paris’ top attractions and famous department stores. Inside you’ll find stylish suites, fantastic dining options and first class amenities for business and recreation. 4
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Kenya
FIRST TIME SAFARI
Cox & Kings expert Hannah Busby’s passion for travel stems primarily from an interest in people and culture. However, after spending some time in Kenya, Hannah discovered a new found love for wildlife.
I
love nothing more than walking around a city, town or village, learning about the culture, eating the local food and soaking up the atmosphere. However, ever since watching The Lion King as a child, the idea of going on a safari holiday has intrigued me greatly. Working at Cox & Kings, I had grown familiar with the language of the safari holiday, the ‘game drives’, ‘the bush’, the ‘sundowners’, the ‘Big Five’, but had still not experienced any of this for myself. When the opportunity arose to go on a safari holiday in Kenya for a week, I jumped at it.
My journey began at the Sweetwaters tented camp, a private conservancy set in the foothills of the Aberdares and Mount Kenya, about three hours’ drive north of Nairobi. On arrival, I was keen to get going on my first ever game drive. It was extremely thrilling and I was happy with each animal sighting; giraffes, elephants, warthogs, jackals, buffaloes, black rhinos, zebras, etc. Even the many impala sightings were exciting. Within an hour I had seen three of the Big Five, but then it rained. November is the season of the ‘short rains’ and so downpours can happen. When it rains, the animals shelter under trees, making it much more difficult to spot them. Consequently, I didn’t see any big cats on this occasion. Ol Pejeta has a higher concentration of wildlife compared to any Kenyan national
Classical Kenya From the open plains of Masai Mara, the shimmery pink waters of Lake Nakuru and the wetlands of Amboseli, this popular safari takes in three of the most picturesque regions in Kenya. It also provides the perfect opportunity to spot the Big-5 and to capture some diverse scenery. Includes: • 6 nights accommodation • All transport and game drives on safari sector will be in a 4x4 vehicle with pop-up roof • Guaranteed window seat • Meals and accommodation • All park fees and government taxes 7 DAYS from $2606*
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park, as well as having all of the Big Five. I have no doubt that, had I been staying there for an additional day, I would have seen lions and possibly more elusive leopards too. The conservancy has the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa, an animal that is critically endangered after years of illegal poaching. What I particularly liked about the area was the lack of tourists. I saw only one or two other vehicles while I was there and even then, only for the briefest of moments. It really felt like it was just us and the animals. I continued to Mount Kenya National Park, just a short road journey from Ol Pejeta. I stayed at the Serena Mountain Lodge, located 2,134 metres above sea level on the slopes of Kenya’s highest mountain. The lodge
KENYA JOURNEYS
Looking for something truly special? Take a balloon flight over Masai Mara. You’ll be woken before dawn for your 1 hour flight over the plains. On landing enjoy a champagne breakfast with Kenyan coffee and fruits. From $565*
is a rustic timber building, fairly simple but with a warm and friendly atmosphere. I did a guided nature walk in the forest accompanied by a gunman to protect me from any potential danger and Benson, a guide so informative and animated that this short walk became a real highlight of the trip. The walk I did was a gentle stroll, although longer and more difficult walks can be arranged. I observed a variety of flora, including the dramatic-looking strangling fig tree, and some wildlife including an assortment of birds, a hyrax and some colobus monkeys. However, it was the knowledge that Benson imparted and the enthusiasm of the delivery that I most remember. Before this excursion, I knew relatively little about Kenya and the wildlife that lives here, but now I can tell you a great number of things from how Kenya got its name, to the gestation period of an elephant, to how to identify hyena dung.
every room, there was plenty of opportunity to sit back, relax and observe nature at work. Before dinner, I sat on my balcony and watched as a herd of buffalo came down to the water, and then two genets started rolling about playfully below, before an elephant ambled slowly out of the trees, all the way to the front of the watering hole, had a drink and sauntered off. After dinner, I rushed to the viewing platform to enjoy a glass of wine and to continue watching the stage below. Even though I knew I had another early start in the morning, I didn’t want to go to bed in case I missed anything. Luckily, the hotel will give you a wake-up call should any animals you have specified be spotted during the night. After spotting a hyena on the prowl, I finally headed off to bed in the safe knowledge that I would be woken should a leopard make an appearance, and with three sightings of leopards in the past week, I was feeling hopeful. When morning came, I had still not seen a leopard, but I was greeted with spectacular views of Mount Kenya’s peaks, crystal clear in the morning light. •
“Since watching The Lion King as a child, the idea of going on a safari holiday has intrigued me greatly.”
Aside from the nature walk, the wildlife experience at Mountain Lodge was much more about waiting for animals to come to us. The lodge is built on stilts so animals can walk freely underneath it. It overlooks a watering hole and natural salt-lick; with a viewing platform, a hide and balconies in
Top Far Left: Sunset on African Plain, Kenya Top Left: Mother and child giraffe Top Middle: Masai Kudu Horn Blowing, Kenya Top Right: Balloon Flights over Masai Mara, Kenya
Kenya Highlights Shaba Reserve, located in the ‘northern frontier’ is home to mammals found only north of the equator – the Gerenuk, Grevy’s Zebra, Besia Oryx, reticulated Giraffe and the Somali Ostrich. Lake Nakuru, famous for its prolific birdlife and home to the Rothschild giraffe and rhino is an ideal stop as you cross the country north to south. Finally end your safari in the Masai Mara, home of the big 5 and host to the awesome spectacle known as The Great Migration, generally occurring between July and October. Includes: • 6 nights accommodation • All transport and game drives on safari sector will be in a 4x4 vehicle with pop-up roof • Guaranteed window seat • Meals and accommodation • All park fees and government taxes
7 DAYS from $2710* See coxandkings.com.au for more details and more trips!
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AFRICA JOURNEYS
Above & beyond
Africa
Take to the skies on an Air Safari, or extend your stay for an unforgettable African adventure.
Once in a lifetime adventure! Elewana Tanzania Air Safari The Elewana SkySafari is one of Africa’s ultimate travel experiences. Participants on the Air Safari are treated as VIPs from the moment they arrive until their reluctant return home. Departing on alternate days, you travel by dedicated aircraft fitted with executive seats. The safari is packed with added values making it a truly special experience. There are a number of options with the Air Safari. Plus to allow for an extension of the great experience. Includes:
GOVERNOR’S CAMP FLY-IN SAFARI For some, it is the crossroads in their lives, an emotional rebirth, a lightening of the spirit at the sight of so many animals and so much space. Governors’ opened Kenya’s first exclusive safari camp in the early 1970s and today it still upholds the best-kept traditions. This safari is small and exclusive, where days are spent on game drives, and boating in the Rift Valley. Expect the guides to be excellent, food delightful and accommodation very comfortable.
• 7 nights’ accommodation • Daily breakfast, lunch and dinner • Internal flights using special executive aircraft with all fees and taxes • Soft drinks, drinking water, juice, local beer, house wine & non-premium spirits • Services of an English speaking driver-guide
8 DAYS from $8965*
6 DAYS from $3995*
Heritage Air Safari The Heritage Hotel Group takes pride in the facilities and programmes offered at their Kenya properties that take into account the interests of children. Their Adventurer’s Club offers a unique opportunity to show your little ones some of the last great wilderness areas on earth, in the company of some of its most hospitable and knowledgeable hosts. Travel by air between destinations ends the chants, “are we there yet?” The Kenya Intrepids Sojourn is not just for families though. The warm hospitality and high levels of service added to the perfect balance of three great Kenyan locales makes this safari great for families, couples and friends. 8 DAYS from $4849*
Simba Safari The Simba Safari remains Tanzania’s best selling adventure. Now offering three levels of accommodation standards operating with a total of 6 weekly scheduled departures, there is certainly an option suitable for most travellers. The safari provides a chance to see the top four Tanzania game parks and can easily be combined with a trip to Selous, an extension to Zanzibar or a safari in Kenya. Includes: • 7 nights’ accommodation • Daily breakfast • Journey through Serengeti National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, Ngorongoro Crater, Tarangire National Park
8 DAYS from $3710* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
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SMALL GROUP & TAILOR-MADE TRAVEL
COX & KINGS
AFRICA • ASIA • EUROPE • INDIAN SUBCONTINENT • LATIN AMERICA • MIDDLE EAST
SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS
OUR JOURNEYS EXPLAINED THE TRAVEL EXPERTS
Travelling in a small group not only gives you a more personalised and intimate way to explore a country, but you’ll also be travelling with like-minded people from Australia, New Zealand and the UK. Our group size averages 15 guests with a maximum of 25, and they are made up of solo travellers, people travelling with friends or as couples. There is nothing like being able to share your stories and experiences with a group of people, this opens up another new and exciting perspective to explore. A small intimate group provides you with the chance to experience deeper personalised interactions. You could find yourself meditating alongside Burmese monks, sampling wines in a centuries-old Sicilian cellar or visiting the dressing rooms of a traditional Kathakali dance troupe in southern India.
Our philosophy of delivering inspirational journeys at affordable prices stems from more than 250 years of organising travel around the world. We also recognise one size doesn’t fit all, which is why many of our escorted small group tours can be taken as private journeys. Behind each journey, there is an entire team of unrivalled expertise working to ensure you have the experience of a lifetime. Our specialists are passionate about travel and are keen to share their knowledge. These are just a couple of reasons why we think you should travel with us, but read on and we’ll tell you some more. ALL COX & KINGS SMALL GROUP JOURNEYS INCLUDE: • • • • • • • •
QUALITY OR BEST AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATION A HAND-PICKED EXPERT LOCAL TOUR MANAGER PRIVATE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE TRANSFERS SIGHTSEEING AND ENTRANCE FEES SPECIFIED IN THE TOUR ITINERARY COMFORTABLE AIR-CONDITIONED LAND TRANSPORT DOMESTIC OR REGIONAL FLIGHTS SPECIFIED IN THE ITINERARY BREAKFAST DAILY, OTHER MEALS AS SPECIFIED QUALITY COUNTRY INFORMATION AND DOCUMENTS
TOUR MANAGER Our Tour Managers are extraordinary people whose organisational and management skills are only matched by their travel experience. Their enthusiasm and genuine love of the regions they are working in, combined with their first-hand and extensive regional knowledge – all contribute to your holiday experience. On most tours you are also accompanied by specialist local guides who are keen to share their extensive regional knowledge and love of the places you visit. Our journeys provide you with the opportunity to develop a strong connection with the destination and its people.
AND EXCLUDE: • • • •
INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO OR FROM DESTINATION TIPPING & INSURANCE ITEMS OF A PERSONAL NATURE OPTIONAL TOURING, SOMETIMES AVAILABLE LOCALLY AT THE DESTINATION
ASSURANCE Cox & Kings Australia, part of Tempo Holidays, is an approved participant of the AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme (ATAS) and member of the Council of Australian Tour Operators (CATO).
COX & KINGS
ACCOMMODATION
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Generally we use first class 4 or 5-star hotels, or the best available on our tours. On some discovery journeys simpler accommodation may be necessary.
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LOCAL SUPPORT In addition to your Tour Manager we also have local offices and representatives that will look after you ensuring you have peace of mind throughout your trip.
TRANSPORT We use buses appropriate to the group size, with air-conditioning where available. On rail journeys groups are booked in the best available class on the train.
DAY 1 SYRACUSE
Arrive in Catania and transfer to Syracuse.
DAY 2 SYRACUSE
Tour of Syracuse including visits to the Greek theatre, considered one of the most important examples of its kind, the Ear of Dionysius, and the island of Ortygia, the centre of the old city. Continue to Ragusa, a UNESCO world heritage site due to its magnificent baroque architecture. Return to Syracuse. B
DAY 3 AGRIGENTO
View the mosaics of Piazza Armerina. Drive to Agrigento to visit the Valley of the Temples, one of the world’s most impressive ancient Greek sites. B
DAY 4 PALERMO (VIA SELINUNTE & ERICE)
Head to the Temple of Selinunte, an excellent example of Doric architecture. Drive to Erice, a medieval town with imposing fortified walls overlooking the city of Trapani. Continue to Palermo. B
DAY 5 PALERMO
Morning visit of Monreale to see the Norman cathedral, founded in 1172 and considered a leading example of Norman-Arab architecture, the Palatine Chapel, in the Norman palace and covered in Byzantine-influenced mosaics, and the historic old town. B
DAY 6 TAORMINA
Drive to Cefalu to visit the Norman cathedral and head on to Castelbuono, a typical medieval hamlet. Continue to the elegant resort town of Taormina. B
2968
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7 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Catania – Taormina
CLASSIC SICILY
The Mediterranean’s largest island, Sicily, is as culturally rich as it is beautiful. It is home to superb Norman architecture, vibrant Roman floor mosaics, Arab-inspired gardens, and probably the finest Greek temples to be found anywhere in the world. Alongside this, the island has some magnificent natural scenery, from volcanic Mt Etna to quiet beaches in the south.
DAY 7 MOUNT ETNA
Visit the highest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, which offers panoramic views of the Ionian Sea. Afternoon at leisure to visit the renowned Greek theatre in Taormina. B
DAY 8 TAORMINA
Transfer to Catania airport. B
Head to coxandkings.com.au or call 1300 836 764 to talk to your tailor-made travel specialist for full details and dates!
DAY 1 BUCHAREST
On arrival transfer to Sinaia. D
DAY 2 SINAIA – BRASOV – BRAN
Visit the magnificent German Renaissance-style palaces of Peles and Pelisor. Take in medieval Brasov with its fine baroque square, vast gothic Black Church and Romania’s first school. Continue to Bran castle, famously associated with Dracula. B
DAY 3 GURA HUMORULUI (VIA NEAMT MONASTERY) Travel north via the Red Lake, the Bicaz gorges and the spectacular eastern Carpathians. En route, visit Neamt monastery, the oldest in Romania. BD
DAY 4 GURA HUMORULUI
See the remarkable UNESCO listed painted monasteries, considered to be among Europe’s greatest artistic monuments including Sucevita, Voronet and Humor. BD
DAY 5 SIGHISOARA (VIA BISTRITA & TARGU MURES) Drive to Sighisoara, via the Borgo Pass. Visit Bistrita a small market town in the Bârgau valley, and Targu Mures, a Hungarian stronghold. B
DAY 6 SIBIU
Tour the UNESCO listed Sighisoara, a beautifully preserved medieval settlement with city walls encircling cobbled streets. Visit the citadel, the Church on the Hill and the clock tower. Take in a preserved gothic fortified church at Biertan, and continue to Sibiu. B
DAY 7 CORVIN – DEVA
*
9 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Bucharest – Bucharest
TIMELESS ROMANIA
With its wealth of folkloric heritage, picturesque villages and wonderful scenery, Romania is fascinating. Discover the country’s highlights, including Transylvania’s fortified Saxon churches, Bucovina’s exquisite painted monasteries, dramatic castles and palaces, medieval towns and the beautiful Carpathian Mountains.
Morning visit to Corvin, one of the largest Renaissancegothic castles in Europe, and the fortress of Deva. Return to Sibiu. BD
DAY 8 BUCHAREST
Travel to Bucharest through the scenic Olt valley. Afternoon at leisure. B
DAY 9 BUCHAREST
Tour of Bucharest, known as the ‘Paris of the east’ due to its boulevards and belle époque buildings. View the Old Princely Court, the Royal Palace and visit the Palace of Parliament. Transfer to the airport. B
B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner • *Terms and conditions apply. Prices are per person, twin share and subject to availability. See coxandkings.com.au for more information
COX & KINGS
1592
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2
DAY 1 TALLINN
On arrival transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 TALLINN
Morning walking tour of Tallinn, one of northern Europe’s best-preserved medieval towns. Founded in the early 13th century, Tallinn has been influenced by periods of Danish, German, Swedish and Russian control. Highlights include the gothic town hall and square, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral and Toompea castle, seat of Estonia’s parliament. Optional afternoon visit to Rocca al Mare open-air museum. B
DAY 3 TALLINN Day at leisure. B
DAY 4 RIGA (VIA PÄRNU)
Drive to Riga, stopping en route at the 13th century ruins of Sigulda castle, Turaida castle in the Gauja valley and the beachside town of Pärnu. B
DAY 5 RIGA
Morning tour of Riga, the Baltic’s largest and perhaps most beautiful city. The city’s extensive history has left a legacy of fine architecture, including art nouveau. Highlights include the Romanesque Dome Cathedral, the castle, St Peter’s Church and the House of Blackheads. Afternoon at leisure. B
DAY 6 VILNIUS (VIA THE HILL OF CROSSES)
Morning journey across Latvia to Lithuania via Rundale Palace andthe Hill of Crosses, a place of national pilgrimage. Continue to Vilnius. B
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JOURNEY THROUGH THE BALTIC STATES
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8 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Tallinn – Vilnius Since regaining independence in 1991 and joining the EU, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are flourishing. The countries’ rich and colourful history can be best appreciated in their capital cities, which all possess beautiful architecture, while the surrounding countryside features lakes, forests and wetlands, dotted with manor houses, medieval castles and splendid roccoco churches.
DAY 7 VILNIUS
Morning tour of Vilnius, including Cathedral Square, the Gate of Dawn, St Casimir’s Church, the Holy Spirit Church, the KGB museum and Gediminas Tower. Afternoon at leisure or optional visit to the picturesque 14th century Trakai castle. B
DAY 8 VILNIUS
Transfer to Vilnius airport. B
Head to coxandkings.com.au or call 1300 836 764 to talk to your tailor-made travel specialist for full details and dates!
DAY 1 MOSCOW
Transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 MOSCOW
Morning tour of Moscow. Explore the renowned Red Square with St Basil’s Cathedral, GUM state department store, Moscow State University, Novodevichy Convent, the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour and Gorky Park. Afternoon at leisure. B
DAY 3 MOSCOW
Full day at leisure or enjoy an optional morning visit to Sergiev Posad. Built around the Trinity Monastery of St Sergius, it is one of Russia’s most important religious and historical landmarks. Afternoon optional tour to the Tretyakov Gallery. B
DAY 4 ST PETERSBURG
Morning visit to the Kremlin, including Cathedral Square and the Armoury Museum, with its collection of Imperial treasures and Faberge eggs. Take a late afternoon train to St Petersburg (4 hours). On arrival, transfer to your hotel. B
DAY 5 ST PETERSBURG
Morning tour of St Petersburg, including Nevsky Prospekt and Vasilevsky Island, and the entrances to the Church of Our Saviour on Spilled Blood and the Peter and Paul Fortress. Afternoon at leisure to visit St Isaac’s Cathedral. B
DAY 6 ST PETERSBURG
Tour of the Hermitage. One of the largest and oldest museums in the world, it has an unrivalled collection of European masterpieces. B
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COX & KINGS
$ * 8 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Moscow – St Petersburg
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CLASSIC RUSSIA
Russia’s two greatest cities provide an ideal base from which to explore the country’s rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage. Moscow is now the epicentre of the ‘new Russia’, while St Petersburg is renowned for its magnificent palaces, world class museums, elegant canals and grand architecture.
DAY 7 ST PETERSBURG
Morning tour of Catherine’s Palace at Pushkin, including the Amber Room. Afternoon visit to Peterhof to view the exterior of Peter the Great’s Summer Palace and gardens. B
DAY 8 ST PETERSBURG Transfer to the airport. B
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SPLENDOURS OF JORDAN 1745
$ * 8 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Amman – Amman This tour highlights the rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes of Jordan. The journey takes in the fantastically well preserved roman city of Jerash, the biblical site of Mount Nebo, and Petra, the rock city lost to the world for a millennium. The shifting sands of Wadi Rum and the curative waters of the Dead Sea complete your exploration.
DAY 1 AMMAN
DAY 2 JERASH – AMMAN
Morning tour of Amman, visiting the citadel and the Jordan Museum, which contains a copper version of the renowned Dead Sea Scrolls. Afternoon tour of Jerash. Optional walking tour of Amman by night. BLD
DAY 3 PETRA
Travel along the King’s Way, visiting Madaba home to a Byzantine mosaic map of the region, Mount Nebo from where Moses first viewed the Holy Land, and the 12th century crusader castle of Shobak. Continue to Petra. BLD
DAY 4 PETRA
Take a guided tour of Petra, the rose-red city rediscovered by JL Burckhardt in 1812. Enter the city through the Siq canyon, which opens out in front of the dramatic Treasury. BD
DAY 5 PETRA
Return to the main site for more exploration with your guide. Optional evening visit to Petra by candlelight. BD
DAY 6 DEAD SEA (VIA WADI RUM)
Morning visit to Al Beidha, known as ‘Little Petra’, before arriving to Wadi Rum for a 4x4 excursion into the desert. Afternoon transfer to the Dead Sea. B
DAY 7 DEAD SEA
Day at leisure. Optional morning excursion to the baptism site at Bethany on the banks of the Jordan River. B
DAY 8 AMMAN
Transfer to the airport. B
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$ * 10 DAYS • FROM Discovery Tour • Tehran – Tehran
$ * 11 DAYS • FROM Discovery Tour • Tashkent – Tashkent
The fantastically rich and varied history of Iran has left behind a dramatic cultural heritage. This tour reveals the best of that legacy, including the supreme Islamic architecture of Isfahan and Shiraz, the ancient Achaemenid capital of Pasargadae and the splendid bas-reliefs of the Palace of Persepolis.
Set on the Silk Road, Uzbekistan has played host to waves of conquerors and nomads. The legacy they left behind can be seen in the towering fortresses of Khiva and Bukhara, and the Islamic architecture of Samarkand.
DAY 1 TEHRAN
On arrival transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit to Tehran’s museums.
DAY 2 SHIRAZ
Fly to Shiraz. Afternoon city tour of Shiraz, including visits to the Hafez and Saadi tombs, the Narenjestan e Ghavam historical house, the Nasir-ol-Molk mosque and the Vakil bazaar. B
DAY 3 PERSEPOLIS – NAGHSH-E-ROSTAM
Full-day visit to Persepolis, Darius the Great’s summer capital, to view the magnificent stone terrace and palace. Continue to Nagsh-e-Rostam, the site of the royal tombs and Sassanian rock reliefs. BD
DAY 4 YAZD (VIA PASARGADAE)
Transfer to your hotel.
UZBEKISTAN: HEART OF CENTRAL ASIA
Morning drive to Yazd, via Pasargadae, the first dynastic capital of the Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in the sixth century BC. View the Mausoleum of Cyrus the Great, Tall-e Takht and the palace. BD
DAY 5 YAZD
Full-day tour to the Dolat abad garden, the Zoroastrian Fire Temple and the Jame mosque. Other highlights include the Amir Chakhmaq complex. B
DAY 6 ISFAHAN (VIA NA’IN)
Drive to Isfahan, stopping at Na’in to view the Jame Mosque and Pirnia House. BLD
DAY 7 ISFAHAN
Full-day tour of the city’s monuments, including Naghshe Jahan Square, the Imam and Sheikhlotfolah mosque and the beautiful Khaju Bridge. Conclude with a visit to the Ali Qapu Palace. B
DAY 8 ISFAHAN
Full-day visit to the Vank church, the Chehel Sotoun Palace and the Jameh mosque of Isfahan, which is inscribed as a UNESCO world heritage site. B
DAY 9 TEHRAN (VIA KASHAN)
Drive to Tehran, stopping at Kashan en route to visit the Fin gardens and the former merchant’s house of TabaTabai. BLD
DAY 10 TEHRAN
Transfer to the airport. B
DAY 1 TASHKENT
Arrive in Tashkent and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon tour of the old city, Revolution Square, the Museum of Decorative and Applied Art, the bazaar and Kukeldash mosque and madrasa. D
DAY 2 KHIVA
Transfer to the airport and fly to Urgench. Visit the ancient fortresses of Ayaz Kala and Toprak Kala before an afternoon drive to Khiva via Ulli Khovli. BLD
DAY 3 KHIVA
Full day tour of Khiva, including Kunya Ark, Islam Khoja minaret and Tash Havli Palace. BD
DAY 4 BUKHARA
Transfer to Urgench airport and fly to Bukhara. Afternoon city tour including visits to Poi Kalyan complex, the silk market, Magokki Attori mosque and Labi Hauz. BLD
DAY 5 BUKHARA
Visit the Ark Fortress, the Samanid mausoleum and Chashmai Ayub as well as the Summer Palace. B
DAY 6 BUKHARA
Full day at leisure or optional tour to the ancient city of Gijduvan site of one of the finest ceramic productions in the Bukhara region. BD
DAY 7 SAMARKAND (VIA SHAHRISABZ)
Drive to Shahrisabz, surrounded by the foothills of the Pamir Mountains, and Tamerlane’s birthplace. Visit the summer palace, mosques and mausoleums. Continue to Samarkand. BL
DAY 8 & 9 SAMARKAND
Full-day tours of Samarkand, including a visit to Registan Square enclosed by the towering facades of three madrasas. Also see the enormous Bibi Khanum mosque; the remains of an observatory built by Timur’s grandson, Ulug Bek; the Afrosiab Museum and the Shah-i-Zinda complex, a street of tombs. BD
DAY 10 TASHKENT
Free morning in Samarkand. Late afternoon transfer to the train station to board the Afrosiyob Express for the 2 hour journey to Tashkent. BD
DAY 11 TASHKENT
Transfer to the airport. B B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner • *Terms and conditions apply. Prices are per person, twin share and subject to availability. See coxandkings.com.au for more information
COX & KINGS
IRAN: TREASURES OF PERSIA
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GRAND TOUR OF NORTHERN INDIA 3439
CLASSICAL INDIA 922
$ * 7 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Delhi – Delhi Experience a taste of India on this outstanding introductory tour of the country’s most fabled sights. Exploring the Golden Triangle, this journey combines travelling from the country’s capital city Delhi to the wondrous sites of the Mughal capital of Agra, the legendary Fatehpur Sikri and the Pink City of Jaipur.
$ * 13 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Colombo – Ahungala
Explore the diverse cultural influences and rich heritage of northern India. See the holy city of Varanasi, the resplendent Taj Mahal, Jodhpur’s bluewashed houses, and the beautiful lakes and palaces of Udaipur. Go in search of the elusive Royal Bengal tiger in India’s premier tiger reserve.
The island nation of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is rich in cultural, archaeological and natural treasures. This comprehensive tour visits both the popular and some of the lesser-known sites offering a full flavour of the rich diversity of this enchanting island.
DAY 1 DELHI
DAY 2 DELHI
Morning tour of New Delhi, including India Gate and the viceregal residence. Continue to the tomb of the Mughal Emperor Humayun and the Qutb Minar tower. B
Drive to the ancient city of Anuradhapura. For 1,400 years, this city was the capital of Sri Lanka and contains fabulous Buddhist shrines and relics. Afternoon visit to Mihintale, where Buddhism originated in Sri Lanka. B
DAY 3 VARANASI
DAY 4 SIGIRIYA – POLONNARUWA
DAY 4 AGRA
Morning visit to Dambulla, home to Asia’s most impressive cave temples. Continue to the beautiful hill station of Kandy. In the evening, watch a cultural performance & visit the Temple of the Tooth. B
Early morning boat ride on the Ganges. After breakfast, fly to Agra. B
DAY 6 RANTHAMBORE (VIA FATEHPUR SIKRI)
DAY 5 JAIPUR
Drive to Jaipur, en route visiting Fatehpur Sikri – the beautiful deserted capital of Emperor Akbar. Explore this historic monument that was abandoned after 14 years due to lack of water. Continue on via Abhaneri and view the fascinating ‘Baoris’ or stepwell, built to harvest rain water. B
COX & KINGS
DAY 6 JAIPUR
5
Visit the Amber Fort to experience its latticed galleries, the silver door on the Kali Temple and the mosaic ceiling in the Hall of Victory. Continue with a visit of the stunning City Palace, the Palace of the Winds and the Jantar Mantar Observatory as well as the famous Laxmi Mishtan Bhandat (LMB) sweetshop in the old bazaar and Anokhi Museum of Hand Printing. BD
DAY 7 DELHI
Transfer back to Delhi. B
DAY 3 ANURADHAPURA – MIHINTALE
Morning visit to the rock fortress of Sigiriya. Continue to the 11th century medieval capital of Polonnaruwa. B
DAY 2 DELHI
Enjoy a tour of Agra Fort, which features fabulous courtyards and fountains. In the afternoon visit the Taj Mahal. Built by emperor Shah Jahan in the 17th century as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz, the Taj is a masterpiece in marble and one of the world’s most famous landmarks. B
Morning transfer to Sigiriya / Kandalama. B
Morning flight to Varanasi. Afternoon tour of Sarnath, the site of Buddha’s first sermon. This evening, visit the Dasaswamedh Ghats to witness the fascinating Ganga Aarti ceremony. B
Arrive in Delhi.
DAY 4 AGRA
Arrive and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 KANDALAMA
Early morning visit to the Taj Mahal. After breakfast, visit the huge Agra Fort and the tomb of Itmad-ud-Daulah. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursion to Akbar’s Tomb at Sikandra. B
Afternoon drive to Agra. B
DAY 1 COLOMBO
Transfer to your hotel. Afternoon tour of Old Delhi, including the Red Fort, Jama Masjid mosque and Raj Ghat. A guided evening walking tour takes you through bustling alleyways and hidden monuments.
DAY 1 DELHI
DAY 3 AGRA
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$ * 14 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Delhi – Udaipur
DAY 5 AGRA
Enjoy a guided tour of Old and New Delhi with a short walk through bustling narrow by lanes of Chandni Chowk, a drive past the Red Fort, visit Jama Masjid, one of the largest mosques in Asia, and Raj Ghat, the simple but moving memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. Drive past the imposing India Gate, the Parliament buildings and the President’s residence. End with a visit to Qutub Minar, a masterpiece of perfect proportions. B
SRI LANKA: ENCHANTED ISLAND
Morning drive to Fatehpur Sikri, the deserted 16th century. Continue to Bharatpur and take the train to Sawai Madhopur. Transfer to Ranthambore. BD
DAY 7 RANTHAMBORE
Early morning and late afternoon wildlife viewing. BLD
DAY 8 JAIPUR
Morning safari. Afternoon drive to Jaipur. B
DAY 9 JAIPUR
Morning tour of the ancient palace of Amber Fort. Afternoon visit to the City Palace and the Jantar Mantar astronomical observatory. B
DAY 10 ROHET (JODHPUR)
Full day drive to Rohet via Jodhpur. Visit the magnificent Mehrangarh Fort and the imposing Jaswant Thada at Jodhpur. Continue to Rohet. BD
DAY 11 ROHET
After lunch, take a 4x4 safari to visit the Bishnoi tribal villages. BD
DAY 12 UDAIPUR
DAY 5 KANDY
DAY 6 KANDY
Kandy is set on the shores of a beautiful man-made lake and the area abounds with rich and varied plant life. Morning visit to the Royal Botanical Gardens. B
DAY 7 NUWARA ELIYA
Early morning drive to the hill station of Nuwara Eliya via a tea plantation. The cooler climate attracted the British in the 18th century and their legacy can be seen in the Victorian houses, parks and trout-stocked streams. B
DAY 8 HORTON PLAINS
Early morning hike on the Horton Plains, situated on Sri Lanka’s highest plateau and home to large populations of monkeys and sambar deer. B
DAY 9 YALA
Transfer to Ella, taking in the spectacular view through the Ella Gap before visiting the Rawana Ella Falls and continuing to Yala. B
DAY 10 YALA
Morning wildlife safari in Yala National Park in search of elephants, leopards, sloth bears, spotted deer, sambars, wild pigs, jackals, marsh crocodiles and a great variety of birdlife. B
DAY 11 AHUNGALA
Drive to Ahungala, stopping en route for a tour of Galle Fort. B
Drive south to the lake city of Udaipur, visiting the exquisite Jain temples at Ranakpur en route. B
DAY 12 AHUNGALA
DAY 13 UDAIPUR
DAY 13 AHUNGALA
Morning tour of the City Palace and the Jagdish Temple. In the afternoon, visit a miniature painting studio to learn more about this traditional art form of Rajasthan. B
DAY 14 UDAIPUR
Transfer to the airport. B
Day at leisure. B
Transfer to Colombo Airport. B
Head to coxandkings.com.au or call 1300 836 764 to talk to your tailor-made travel specialist for full details and dates!
$
4318
*
14 DAYS • FROM Discovery Tour • Kathmandu – Kathmandu The remote kingdom of Bhutan, with its fascinating cultural heritage and beautiful mountain scenery, was off limits to tourists until 1974. Discover age-old traditions as you travel through western and central Bhutan visiting the forts, monasteries and markets of the ‘Dragon Kingdom’.
DAY 1 KATHMANDU
Arrive in Kathmandu and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 KATHMANDU
Morning tour of Kathmandu. Afternoon visit to the temple at Pashupatinath and Bodhnath, a religious centre for Nepal’s considerable Tibetan population. B
DAY 3 THIMPHU
Morning flight to Paro. Drive to the Bhutanese capital of Thimphu. Afternoon city tour includes the National Library. BLD
DAY 4 THIMPHU
Morning sightseeing in Thimphu, including the National Memorial Chorten. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner with a local family. BLD
DAY 5 PUNAKHA
Travel to Punakha. Visit a traditional farmhouse for an authentic village experience. BLD
DAY 6 PUNAKHA
Morning tour of Punakha, including the Punakha Dzong, a 17th century fortress. Afternoon visit to the Nalanda Buddhist Institute to meet with Buddhist monks. BLD
DAY 7 GANGTEY
Drive past dense oak and rhododendron forests, colourful prayer flags and picturesque Himalayan scenery via Dochula Pass (3,100m). BLD
DAY 8 GANGTEY
Morning visit to Ta Dzong and Trongsa Dzong, a masterpiece of Bhutanese architecture built in 1647. BLD
DAY 9 BUMTHANG
Proceed to Bumthang, one of the most spectacular valleys in Bhutan. BLD
DAY 10 BUMTHANG
Morning visit to Kurje Lhakhang, regarded as one of the most sacred places in the kingdom. Continue to Jambey Lhakhang Temple, erected by Tibetan kings in the seventh century. At Tamshing Lhakhang see the ancient Buddhist wall paintings and visit Jakar Dzong, a former monastery. BLD
DAY 11 PARO
DAY 12 TIGER’S NEST – RINPUNG DZONG
Morning trek to Taktshang (Tiger’s Nest). The monastery is perched on a rocky ledge with a sheer drop of more than 800m. The return walk takes about five hours. Afternoon visit to Rinpung Dzong and Ta Dzong, the national museum. Enjoy a cooking class in spicy Bhutanese cuisine. BLD Morning flight to Kathmandu. B
DAY 14 KATHMANDU Transfer to the airport. B
3095
JAPAN’S CULTURAL TREASURES 7457
$ * 10 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Mandalay – Yangon
$ * 11 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Tokyo – Osaka
Burma (Myanmar) has a rich cultural heritage and a long, eventful history. This journey visits the highlights of this diverse country the royal city of Mandalay, the thousands of pagodas in ancient Pagan (Bagan), beautiful Inle Lake, and the capital of Yangon with its magnificent Golden Shwedagon Pagoda.
Discover the cultural heritage of Japan from Tokyo and Osaka. Pass the stunning alpine landscapes between Yudanaka and the charming historic mountain town of Takayama and explore the imperial city of Kyoto. Experience the sombre modern history of Hiroshima, an end with a visit to the picturesque island of Miyajima with its iconic Torii gate.
DAY 1 MANDALAY
Arrive in Mandalay and transfer to your hotel. Afternoon visit to Mahamuni pagoda, then on to Amarapura to visit the Mahagandayon monastery, ending with sunset at U Bein bridge. D
DAY 2 MAYMYO
Visit Mandalay Palace and fort, followed by a trip to Maymyo (Pyin Oo Lwin), a former British hill station. Take a horse-drawn cart to see grand colonial houses, and visit a local market. Lunch is at the Club Terrace in Maymyo, followed by a visit to the National Kandawgyi Gardens. BL
DAY 3 PAGAN
Visit the Sagaing Hill pagodas and the ancient royal capital of Inwa (Ava). Take a horse-drawn cart to the Bagayar monastery, before flying to Nyaung U and transferring to Pagan. BL
DAY 4 PAGAN (TEMPLE VISITS)
Optional sunrise balloon ride over Pagan (October to March only). Full day tour of Pagan, including the Ananda, Dhammayangyi and Htilominlo temples. B
DAY 5 PAGAN (TEMPLE VISITS)
Full day tour of Pagan, including Shwezigon pagoda, Lawkananda and Dhammayazika temples. End the day with a sunset cruise on the Irrawaddy River. B
DAY 6 INLE LAKE
Fly to Heho and transfer to Inle Lake. In the afternoon, take a tour of the floating villages, gardens and temples around the lake. BLD
DAY 7 INLE LAKE
Full day boat tour of the Sagar region, including the sunken stupas of Sagar and local villages. BLD
DAY 8 YANGON
Drive to Paro. BLD
DAY 13 KATHMANDU
THE GOLDEN LAND OF BURMA
Fly to Yangon, then visit the Kalaywatawya monastery. Continue to the city via a stop outside Aung San Suu Kyi’s gated home. B
DAY 9 YANGON
Visit Shwedagon pagoda, then take a walking tour of the downtown area. See the reclining Buddha and the National Museum. BD
DAY 10 YANGON
Transfer to the airport. B
DAY 1 TOKYO
Arrive and transfer to your hotel.
DAY 2 TOKYO
Full day excursion to the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park for views of Mt Fuji, a cruise on Lake Ashi and ride the Mount Komagatake Ropeway. BL
DAY 3 TOKYO
Visit the Asakusa Kannon Temple and Tokyo National Museum’s Japanese gallery, followed by a kushiage lunch of deep-fried meat or vegetables. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial East Garden and end the day at the tranquil Meiji Shrine. BL
DAY 4 KANAZAWA
Morning departure by Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kanazawa. Visit the Kanazawa castle park, the Kenroku-en garden, and see the production of gold leaf in the historical Higashi-Chayamachi district. B
DAY 5 KANAZAWA
Visit the Omi food market and explore the Higashi-Chayamachi district and witness gold leaf production. Afternoon excursion to Shirakawago and the gasshozukuri houses. B
DAY 6 KYOTO
Depart by express train to Kyoto, and visit Nijo Castle and the Nishiki food market. Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony in a machiya (wooden townhouse). BL
DAY 7 KYOTO
Morning visit to Ryoanji temple, with its famous zen rock garden, and Kinkakuji temple, also known as the Golden Pavilion. Afternoon visit to the historic city of Nara, and see the Todaiji temple and Kasuga-taisha shrine. B
DAY 8 KYOTO
Morning visit to Kiyomizu temple, followed by an afternoon walk in the Arashiyama district, including Togetsukyo (‘moon crossing bridge’) and the Sagano bamboo grove. B
DAY 9 HIROSHIMA
Travel to Hiroshima by train, and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. A short talk by a bomb attack survivor or relative has been arranged. BL
DAY 10 MIYAJIMA ISLAND – OSAKA
Tour of Miyajima Island including the Itsukushima Shrine and the Torii Gate. Ferry back to the mainland and train to Osaka. B
DAY 11 OSAKA
Transfer to Osaka Kansai airport. B B: Breakfast L: Lunch D: Dinner • *Terms and conditions apply. Prices are per person, twin share and subject to availability. See coxandkings.com.au for more information
COX & KINGS
BHUTAN: THE DRAGON KINGDOM
6
PERU: TRAIN TO MACHU PICCHU 4560
$ * 15 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Lima – Lima
GRAND TOUR OF SOUTH AMERICA
Machu Picchu is perhaps the most breathtaking archaeological site in the world. Yet Peru also offers a wealth of other magnificent sights: ancient, colonial and scenic - this tour reveals Peru’s many wonders.
DAY 1 LIMA
Transfer to your hotel.
6394
$
*
17 DAYS • FROM Superior Tour • Lima – Rio de Janeiro
DAY 2 LIMA
Morning tour of colonial Lima, including Casa Aliaga, the oldest colonial mansion in Lima and the architectural masterpiece of San Francisco monastery. B
Discover South America’s cultural and scenic diversity. Cross the Andes through Peru to Lake Titicaca to Bolivia and on to cosmopolitan Buenos Aires. Discover the magnificent Iguazú Falls and end up in the exotic Rio de Janeiro.
DAY 3 AREQUIPA
Fly to Arequipa, an attractive city of beautiful white buildings and colonnaded plazas. B
DAY 4 AREQUIPA DAY 9 LA PAZ
DAY 1 LIMA
Arrive and transfer to your hotel.
Morning tour of La Paz, including the Witches’ Market and Moon Valley. B
Full day tour, including the beautiful 16th century Santa Catalina convent and the Juanita Mummy Museum. BL
DAY 5 COLCA CANYON
Morning tour of Lima, including the colonial centre and a stop at the historic Cordano tavern for a local pisco sour. B
DAY 10 BUENOS AIRES Fly to Buenos Aires. B
Drive into the Andes to the Colca Canyon. The scenery is breathtaking, with snowy volcanic peaks, the terraces of the Colca valley and herds of llamas scattered around. BL
DAY 3 THE SACRED VALLEY
DAY 11 BUENOS AIRES
DAY 6 COLCA CANYON – LAKE TITICACA
Morning tour of Buenos Aires, a city of grand architecture and European influences. Visit the cathedral, La Boca district and the Recoleta cemetery. B
Early morning excursion to Condor’s Cross, to view condors flying over the canyon. Visit the town of Maca, famed for its pre-Columbian textiles. Travel to Puno and Lake Titicaca. BL
DAY 12 BUENOS AIRES
DAY 7 LAKE TITICACA
DAY 2 LIMA
Fly to Cuzco and transfer to the Sacred Valley of the Incas, via the local market in Pisac and Ollantaytambo Inca fortress. B
DAY 4 MACHU PICCHU
Take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu and explore this spectacular Inca city. BL
Today is at leisure. B
DAY 13 IGUAZÚ FALLS
DAY 5 CUZCO
Morning at leisure or further explore Machu Picchu (purchase ticket at time of booking). In the afternoon, return to Cuzco by train. B
Fly to Iguazú and visit the Brazilian side of the park for panoramic views of Iguazú Falls. Transfer back to the Argentinian side. B
DAY 14 IGUAZÚ FALLS
DAY 6 CUZCO
Morning tour of Cuzco and San Blas. Afternoon at leisure or optional excursions. B
At leisure to explore the falls. B
DAY 7 PUNO
Fly to Rio, set among mountains, tropical forests and golden beaches. Transfer to Copacabana beach. B
Take the Andean Explorer train across the Altiplano (high plain) to Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca. BL
DAY 8 LAKE TITICACA – LA PAZ
Travel by road and hydrofoil across Lake Titicaca to La Paz, visiting the floating reed islands and Sun and Moon Islands. BL
DAY 15 RIO DE JANEIRO
DAY 16 RIO DE JANEIRO
Full day tour of Rio including Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain. B
DAY 17 RIO DE JANEIRO Transfer to the airport. B
Full-day tour of the floating Uros reed islands and Taquile Island, with a home-cooked lunch prepared by a local family. B
DAY 8 CUZCO
Take the stylish Andean Explorer train to Cuzco passing high Andean peaks, mountain streams and rivers, cultivated terraces and small valley towns. BLD
DAY 9 SACRED VALLEY
Travel to the Indian village of Chinchero to see its Inca terraces and traditional weaving. BL
DAY 10 SACRED VALLEY
visit the Inca fortress at Ollantaytambo, an astounding feat of construction and ingenuity. B
DAY 11 MACHU PICCHU
Drive to Ollanta and take the Vistadome train to Machu Picchu. Tour the ruins. BLD
DAY 12 CUZCO
Morning at leisure or optional extra visit to Machu Picchu. Return to Cuzco by rail. B
WHAT TO SEE MORE PACKAGES OR WANT MORE INFORMATION ON THE ONES FEATURED? Head to coxandkings.com.au or call 1300 836 764 to talk to your tailor-made travel specialist or prefered travel agent!
DAY 13 CUZCO
Tour of Cuzco, including the San Blas district, the cathedral and the extraordinary Temple of the Sun at Koricancha. B
DAY 14 CUZCO
Day at leisure in Cuzco. B
DAY 15 LIMA
COX & KINGS
Fly to Lima. B
AUSTRALIA
NEW ZEALAND
72 Market st, South Melbourne Victoria 3205 Australia
Level 4, 130 Broadway, Newmarket Auckland 1023 New Zealand
Reservations Australia
Reservations New Zealand
PH: 1300 836 764 • reservations@coxandkings.com.au
PH: 0800 269 263 • reservations@coxandkings.co.nz
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INDIAN SUBCONTINENT JOURNEYS
Serenity, spice & solitude Enid Astley enjoyed the palaces of Mysore, the quiet Keralan backwaters and also took the opportunity to retrace some family history whilst on a Cox & Kings holiday to India combined with the Maldives.
I
ndian dawn … I awake to the sight of a river delta many thousands of feet below as my flight makes its gradual descent into Bengaluru.
On arrival in Bengaluru I was met by my driver and guide for the next four days and in whom I would entrust my life among the Indian traffic. I’d forgotten the alarming and highly inventive driving styles. Arriving in Mysore, the hotel, once the summer palace of a maharaja, was redolent of the faded elegance of ‘old’ India. I ate in what was originally the ballroom, reacquainting myself with the delights of Indian food. Coonor was next. The roads contained the usual assortment of animals and livestock together with the accompanying cacophony of horn blowing. The drive through Balimpur nature reserve revealed elephants, monkeys, small gazelles but sadly not the elusive tigers, which were reported to be present.
Coonor is close to Wellington and I was greeted on arrival with garlands of marigolds, cinnamon and honey tea and a fax from my brother. The hotel was charming, an old monastery with bungalow style rooms dotted around the gardens where I sat, drinking masala tea in the gentle warmth, reflecting on the significance of this place in my personal history. My journey continued by road to the coastal city of Kochi. Leaving the rolling Nilgiri hills and lush tea plantations, we descended 1,800 metres through dusty villages and towns, negotiating hairpin bends and a proliferation of animals and people, eventually reaching the seclusion of a modern, waterside hotel. Fertile landscapes with coconut groves and banana palms, latex trees together with humid heat replaced the earlier temperate climate. A noticeably more affluent lifestyle was apparent – ‘rubber rich’ as it’s sometimes called. Life expectancy here is 76, another indicator of ‘wealth’, coupled with higher levels of literacy and employment. Kochi is an old Portuguese port, ‘discovered‘ by Vasco de Gama and remains a mix of ancient and modern. Chinese fishing nets adorn the harbour against a backdrop of shipping containers hoisted by skeletal cranes like industrial insects, and high rise properties ‘with harbour view’ frame the coastal scene. The next day took us to the village of Thekkady and the spice trail. Wandering
through the dusty village in the afternoon heat, my senses were assailed by the aroma of nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, pepper and soft notes of vanilla lessening the sharpness of the spice. Perched on an elephant, some tourists were observing from a superior perspective as their ‘beasts of burden’ lumbered through the groves of trees and plants, surprisingly dainty in their incongruous setting. My Indian journey ended in Trivandrum, where I boarded my flight to the Maldives. Arriving in Male, I was transported to paradise by speedboat. A dome of sky above me, surrounded by glistening water and dazzling white sand , I removed my watch and sandals, donned a sunhat and SPF50, positioned myself on a sun bed and watched and listened to the azure ocean encircling this stunning archipelago set astride the equator. Self-taught snorkelling provided me with much stifled hysterical laughter but the rewards were immense; a kaleidoscope of colour was revealed as tropical fish glided among the coral beneath me. Service and food in the resort were unrivalled and I quickly adjusted to the allure of tropical solitude among these aquatic jewels. Time in paradise slipped by and eventually I reluctantly reassembled myself for return to a wintry UK relaxed; filled with wonder and a deeper sense of my history. •
Ready to see them for yourself Find out more about our Treasures of Southern India! 12 Days from $3006*
For the Maldives talk to us and let us match your needs to the perfect property for you! Visit coxandkings.com.au
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50
Exploring
Sri Lanka Cox & Kings’ writer Jennifer Cox travels to Sri Lanka and discovers some exciting changes. Immerse yourself
Y
ou must try the pepper crab. It’s the best in the whole country. I must warn you to go easy with the sambal though, it’s pretty fiery.”
In the stylish restaurant, music, conversation and chinking glasses create a soundtrack of conviviality, as waiters slip between crowded wooden tables, bearing platters of fresh crabs the size of small helicopters. This is Ministry of Crab, an extremely popular new restaurant in the heart of one of today’s most exciting Asian cities. Not South Korea’s Seoul, not China’s Chengdu, not even Tokyo, with its ever-evolving appeal. No, the city currently attracting the attention of foodies, fashionistas and – most importantly – investors, is Colombo in Sri Lanka. Until recently, Colombo had a reputation for traffic and chaos at best; a city that tourists sped through on the way from the airport to the beaches in the south-west, or east to Kandy and the Cultural Triangle beyond. It seemed there was little reason to stay in Sri Lanka’s tense, run-down capital. But these days Colombo is in the grip of a profound renaissance, as a wealth of restaurants, artisan shops, galleries and festivals – not to mention luxurious 5-star hotels and characterful boutique properties – spring up across the city. 51
COX & KINGS / ISSUE 1
Take a tour through an elephant orphanage, or visit the ancient World Heritage listed city of Polonnaruwa for a different view of Sri Lanka’s beauty.
Delights of Sri Lanka Ministry of Crab is a good example. The chic seafood restaurant, launched in 2011 by Sri Lankan cricketing legends Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara, is set inside the iconic Dutch Hospital, a magnificent landmark property in Colombo’s Fort financial district. Dating back to 1681, the Dutch Hospital was originally built as a treatment centre for staff serving under the Dutch East India Company, but during recent years had fallen into disrepair and was taken over by the military. There is a wider sense of life returning to Colombo, and another factor contributing to the city’s new-found vitality is the regeneration of public spaces. Colombo’s abandoned public parks have been reclaimed and landscaped: now convivial communal areas, many feature a network of new walking and cycling trails, that have proven extremely popular. Colombo resident Kalpana Wijesinghe is full of praise for the new green
Explore the gems of the Sri Lanka, from its beaches, ancient temples, and natural wonders. Wander through exotic marketplaces and gain amazing personal insights from of your personal chauffeur-guide. Includes: • 9 nights accommodation in standard rooms • Breakfast each morning • Transportation by air-conditioned vehicle • Arrival & departure transfers • Private touring with English-speaking Chauffeur-guide • Tours to Dambulla Rock Cave Temple, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Matale Spice Garden, Galle, Kitulgala rain forest.
10 DAYS from $1451* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
SRI LANKA JOURNEYS
public spaces: “Independence Square, for example, used to be a place that everyone knew about but no one had reason to visit. Since it was pedestrianised though, suddenly it’s become the place we all go: Muslims, Tamils, Singhalese, foreign visitors … everyone meets there to walk and talk. Gyms in the area have lost business because we’re all outside walking. For all Sri Lanka’s modernising though, leave the city and you will quickly discover a country that is the very picture of a lush tropical paradise, filled with natural wonders and a history stretching back more than 2000 years. Travelling through Sri Lanka is like turning the pages of a richly illustrated history book. Its landscape is filled with images and sites that tell the story of the country’s ancient origins (early Muslim scholars taught that Adam and Eve were offered sanctuary here after being expelled from the Garden of Eden) through to the modern day. A four-hour drive east takes you up into the Hill Country to the sacred city of Kandy. Valleys of glinting stork-staked rice paddies morph into hillsides richly dressed with fruit plantations of fig, banana (92 different varieties), papaya, coconut, mango and pineapple (each carefully checked, as cobras love to stick their fangs into the sweet juicy flesh). The landscape exudes a kind of primordial fecundity: deep, dense, verdant, vibrant, you can almost hear the plants straining against the soil in their impatience to grow. These crops are at the heart of Sri Lanka’s economy: as you rise ever higher, fruit trees give way to cashew, almond,
LOOKING FOR A BEACH BREAK? Sri Lanka is fringed by more than 1300km of idyllic sandy beaches. From surf waves to calm glassy waters, Sri Lanka has a beach suited for everyone! Find out about our Beach Break package and the range of accommodation options. 3 Days from $316*
cinnamon and nutmeg, before the highest altitudes open out into Sri Lanka’s famed tea plantations. It’s a truly glorious drive, and that’s before you’ve even reached Kandy, with its spectacular Temple of the Sacred Tooth (where Lord Buddha’s tooth is said to reside within seven golden caskets) and the library with its precious collection of books owned by Marco Polo. All this lies along a brand new road, which follows the original built by the colonising British when they forced the Dutch out in 1815. Galle was first colonised by the Portuguese in the early 1500s. It was the Dutch East India Company who, in 1640, forced out the Portuguese, and upgraded the fortifications to walls of solid granite complete with three, canon-proof bastions (the Sun, Moon and Star). This sturdy 450-year-old bulwark was to save Galle’s historic world heritage-listed heart, when the tsunami crashed ashore in 2004, killing thousands and destroying much of the city beyond the walls. Nearly a decade on and Galle has made an extraordinary recovery, to the extent that as you walk along the pretty lanes of historic white-washed buildings, you’d be hard pressed to know its more recent history (a visit to the sensitively curated Maritime Archaeological Museum, which opened in 2011, will give you the necessary insight). Galle is a wonderfully
Previous Page: Sunrise over the Sri Lankan jungle Far Left: Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, Kandy Top Right: Tranquil road at sunset Top: Traditional stilt fishermen, Galle Bottom: Lighthouse with palm trees, Galle
friendly and vibrant place: elegant mansions, historic churches, quirky coffee shops and gorgeous boutiques lead down to a beautiful sandy beach where local families gather to play cricket and splash around in the surf. Galle is often dubbed the Goa of Sri Lanka. In fact, many describe Sri Lanka as India-lite, a country that shares much of the history, culture and natural attractions of India without the vast distances or sensory assault. But visit Sri Lanka and you’ll quickly discover a country with a unique and wonderful identity of its own: one drawing upon its history as wholeheartedly as it embraces its future. •
Enchanted Island The island nation of Sri Lanka, formerly Ceylon, is rich in cultural, archaeological and natural treasures. This comprehensive tour visits both the popular and some of the lesser-known sites in northern, central and southern Sri Lanka. Includes: • Discover ancient ruins and historic monuments in Sri Lanka’s archaeological triangle • Wildlife safari in search of elusive leopards, elephants and sloth bears • See the spectacularly-located plantations and visit a tea factory
8 DAYS from $1451* See coxandkings.com.au for more details!
COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
52
TRAVEL INSPIRATION
time to
TRAVEL
We’ve got your travel calendar sorted for the next six months! Cox and King’s have mapped out the best destinations for each month so you don’t have to.
Tick one of the seven wonders of the world off your bucket list!
april
Europe / THREE IMPERIAL CITIES
With spring bursting out across Europe avoid the summer crowds to marvel at the inspirational cities of Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Follow in the footsteps of Mozart and Kafka through palaces, castles, cathedrals and opera houses. Be sure to step into Café Diglas for a great coffee and slice of Sachertorte. Includes: • Visit the Museums of Fine Art and Natural History in the musical city of Vienna • See the best of Prague on a half-day Grand City Tour • Cross the Danube River and experience Budapest, a magnificent city full of history and culture
8 DAYS from $2099*
India / CLASSICAL INDIA
march
/ CLASSIC SICILY
Before the heat and monsoon arrive enjoy the cooler drier days in Delhi’s bustling streets and Lutyens designed grandeur. Be inspired by the iconic monument to love - the Taj Mahal. Step back in time at Fatehpur Sikri and sit down to mouth-watering food in the pink city of Jaipur.
Filled with UNESCO listed sites, Sicily is a dizzying blend of cultures and influences - Greek, Roman, Arab, Norman, Baroque. Art, architecture, ancient ruins and stunning beaches and the largest volcano in Europe combined with amazing food - pasta alla Norma, parmigiana di melanzane, cannolo con ricotta, sarde beccafico.
Includes: • Enjoy a guided tour of Old Delhi and New Delhi • See the Red Fort, Agra Fort, Amber Fort and the renowned Taj Mahal • Observe the method of handblockprinting, from carving of wooden blocks to transformation of raw fabric into a piece of art.
Includes: •S ee Syracuse, Ragusa, Palermo and Taormina •S ee the mosaics of Piazza Armerina •E xplore the temples of Agrigento and Selinunte •T ake in the Arab-Norman church of Monreale
7 DAYS from $809*
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may
Italy
COX AND KINGS / ISSUE 1
8 DAYS from $2968*
Norway / COMPLETE NORWAY
june
Head north of the Arctic Circle to experience the magical midnight sun. The sun dips slowly towards the horizon but never actually sets. Make the most of the never ending days to explore Norway’s pretty towns, stunning coastline, fjords and dramatic Flam Railway. Includes: • Enjoy the ‘Norway in a Nutshell’ excursion which takes you through the breathtaking fjord region • Visit the renowned Polar Museum in Tromso, which offers a fascinating insight into Arctic life over the centuries • Sail through the spectacular Lofoten Islands and travel across the Arctic Circle
16 DAYS from $4600*
Germany / BEST OF GERMANY
july
Experience the icons of Germany during warm summer days. Take in Berlin’s Museum Island, Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie. Archetypal Bavarian buildings in Nuremberg give way to the grand cathedral and Marienplatz of Munich. Head to the fairy tale castle Neuschwanstein before cooling off with a tasty local beer. Includes: • Explore the eclectic architecture of Berlin, from modern museums to landmarks rebuilt from post-war rubble • See Munich with a city Hop-on Hop-off tour • Take a historical journey through Nuremberg
9 DAYS from $1926*
Croatia / CROATIAN HIGHLIGHTS
august
With the Mediterranean heating up nicely take in crystal blue waterfalls and the idyllic beaches of the Adriatic islands. Explore the Roman palaces of Split, the narrow streets of Korcula and imposing city walls of Dubrovnik. Order some prsut (ham), a cold Karlovacko beer and soak up the evening sun. Includes: • Visit the Upper Town of Zagreb and see the city’s historical centre • Journey through the 16 crystal blue lakes and 92 spectacular waterfalls in the Plitvice National Park •E xplore the Old Town of Dubrovnik and soak up the beautiful medieval town
11 DAYS from $3048*
COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
54
Natural wonders of the
Galápagos Islands Journalist Jane Archer discovers animal magic on a voyage around the Galápagos Islands. A group of islands on the equator 965km off the coast of South America, famed for its incredible wildlife and unreal landscapes, the Galápagos Islands is nothing like you’ve ever seen! The first landing was early on our first morning. It turned out to be a keep-fit field trip, as we clambered 388 steps to the top of Bartolome island for a view over Santiago’s sprawling lava fields. That afternoon, on a walk around Santiago’s Playa Espumilla, we were introduced to some of the 13 species of finches that live in the Galápagos. Fascinatingly they have evolved with different beaks, depending whether they feed on fruit, seeds or insects. The finches spark great excitement as some credit them as being the main inspiration for Charles Darwin’s theories on evolution, developed after his visit to the Galápagos in 1835 and laid out in his book The Origin of Species. I have to confess to being more a fan of the humble lava lizards. There are seven species in the Galápagos, and they communicate via a sequence of ‘push-ups’, which are different on each island. It means lizards from, say, Bartolome, can’t ‘talk’ to lizards from Fernandina. Next morning, we took a cruise around a small bay off the island of Isabela. This was one of the highlights of the cruise for me – a first glimpse of a Galápagos penguin, sea turtles and the flightless cormorants and marine iguanas that are endemic to the islands, as well as numerous pelicans. It was so magical I could have stayed for hours.
In San Cristobal, we saw our first giant tortoises and programme that helped save them from extinction. It was a great morning out, but my tortoise highlight came the next day in Santa Cruz, where we headed up to the highlands to watch them in the wild. My final wonderful memory was watching cheeky pelicans and sea lions trying to pinch the goodies in Santa Cruz’s fish market. In the Galápagos, nature packs a personality you will never forget.”
Take a once in a life time voyage!
M/Y La Pinta
This luxurious 63-metre motor yacht accommodates up to 48 guests. M/Y La Pinta combines ultra-personal service with state of the art expedition equipment. Each of the ship’s 24 cabins is tastefully appointed to create a stylish and great atmosphere. A glass-bottom boat is available for underwater wildlife viewing. Departs: MON – FRI (YEAR ROUND) * Based on C route see website for more information or alternative routes.
5 DAYS from $5559*
See coxandkings.com.au for more information and packages to the Galapagos Islands!
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GALAPAGOS JOURNEYS
Island
Did you know?
hopping
Galapagos tortoises are buoyant and are able to survive months without food or water. Scientists believe this is how the tortoise came to find itself on the islands!
To see the Galápagos at it’s best, understand which itinerary or program will give you the best island and wildlife coverage that caters to your interests. To see animals at their most active, know what time of the year mating rituals begin! Here are four islands you simply must visit.
Santa Cruz
You’ll likely begin and end your trip in Santa Cruz, home to Charles Darwin Research Station where you can see enormous tortoises. Cerro Dragon is a great place to see the unique Land Iguana.
Isabela
This is the largest island in the Galapagos, formed by the volcanic activity with the joining of six volcanoes, five of which are still active.
San Cristobal
If you spend time on San Cristobal, you’ll probably stop at El Lobería, a pretty beach with sea lions, red crabs, and colourful lava gulls.
Fernandina
This is the youngest island in the archipelago and one of the best islands for wildlife encounters and the largest colony of marine iguanas.
How to travel? LAND
SEA
• F lexibility of dates and schedules, go at your own pace
• Get a big-picture panorama of the archipelago, reach uninhabited islands only accessible by boat
• I nland activities such as bicycle rental, volcano hiking, shopping or simply taking a walk in your own time • M eet the locals, human as well as animal! More time on land means you’ll meet and become part of the community
• Fewer daylight hours spent in transit, ships travel while you sleep • S it back and let the ship do all the work. Meals are included. And you only have to unpack and pack your suitcase once
Finch Bay Complete This hotel offers the perfect option for Galápagos visitors who prefer not to sleep on a cruise boat. Guests can choose from a variety of activity packages covering all interests and abilities. The diving package includes dives at the islands’ best underwater sites, where you can see sharks and giant sea turtles. If you’d rather stay above the water, the hotel’s naturalist excursions offer close encounters with blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, sea lions and land iguanas. 4 DAYS from $2705* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent! COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
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uncover the gems of
RUSSIA We help you to discover the answers to all the little questions you have about visiting Russia for the first time with our handy FAQ.
What are the main things Russia offers travellers? Russia is the largest country on earth, with nine different time zones. There are massive differences between each destination, so it offers real variety. Of course, Russia is famous for its rich history and wealth of cultural attractions, which makes cultural discovery a prime reason to come here. Spectacular architecture, world-class museums and prestigious theatre and ballet companies are among its many highlights.
What are the country’s top destinations? For first-time visitors, Moscow and St Petersburg are the best destinations, being two of the country’s most fascinating cities. Trips to Moscow are typically focused on the Kremlin, which sits on the founding site of the city. Built in the 15th century, this spectacular brick complex is the seat of Russia’s political power, and is enclosed by 2.25 kilometre-long walls. St Petersburg is very different. While Moscow has a lot of high-rise buildings, this isn’t the case in St Petersburg where in historic areas, building height is often restricted. Often referred to as the Venice of the North, the city has a large canal network and has a reputation for its beauty – and particularly for its spectacular palaces.
What is Russian cuisine like? Russian cuisine is largely vegetable-based, and is known for its hearty, heavy food – food 57
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that is good to eat during harsh winters. A particular highlight of traditional Russian cuisine is borscht, which is a must-try. This traditional soup is typically made with beets, cabbage, meat and potato to make a very hearty, warming meal. Of course, Russia is a vast country so the kinds of food you have will vary depending on where exactly you go. For instance, if you decide to cruise between St Petersburg and Moscow, you’re likely to be able to try a lot of fish dishes.
DO YOU NEED A VISA TO VISIT RUSSIA? Yes, you do need a visa, and the process takes about three to four weeks. There’s a long form to fill in, so it is a good idea to use a third party to help you with it.
Russian Explorer Russia’s two greatest cities provide an ideal base from which to explore the country’s rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage. Moscow is now the epicentre of the new Russia, while St Petersburg is renowned for its magnificent palaces, museums and grand architecture. Includes: • Visits the famous Red Square and the Kremlin in Moscow • Enjoy a panoramic orientation tour of St Petersburg •V iew the world-renowned Hermitage Museum •S ee the beautiful Catherine’s Summer Palac Tour Type: Coach
8 DAYS from $1730* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 or see your agent!
RUSSIA JOURNEYS
When’s the best time to visit Russia? Does this differ from destination to destination and if so, how? Generally speaking, the best time to visit Russia is between March and October, when the weather is milder. June is the most popular month, not only because of the weather, but also thanks to the White Nights Festival in St Petersburg. This arts festival takes place during the white nights – a natural phenomenon of 24-hour daylight, which occurs due to the city’s northerly geographical position. Winter is a much less popular time to visit due to plummeting temperatures and, while summer is definitely the best time to travel, there can be advantages to travelling during the colder months. There are fewer crowds, for instance, so if you’re hoping to visit lots of museums, you should find you’re competing with far fewer tourists for a good view.
What are the country’s top attractions? Many of Russia’s finest attractions can be found in Moscow and St Petersburg. Looking at Moscow first, the sights you shouldn’t miss include Red Square, St Basil’s Cathedral and Gorky Park. Moscow’s central square, Red Square, is also often said to be the centre of Russia. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is surrounded by some of the nation’s most important buildings, including the aforementioned Kremlin, St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s Mausoleum. St Basil’s Cathedral is one of Russia’s real icons. The colours and patterns of its architecture make it rank among the country’s most instantly recognisable sights, but there’s
more to see than just the beautiful exterior – be sure to make your way inside to view its beautiful paintings too. Gorky Park is a wonderful place to have a break from the bustle of the city streets and look out over its skyline – something that is well worth doing before you leave. In St Petersburg, the Hermitage should definitely feature on your itinerary. The largest museum in the world, it has an internationally renowned collection of art, including prehistoric paintings and Renaissance works, as well as an exceptional collection of historical and cultural artefacts. It is also worth bearing in mind that the building it is housed in, the Winter Palace, is spectacular and merits a visit in its own right. The Tsar’s Village at Pushkin is another mustsee – particularly Peterhof and St Catherine’s Palace. At Peterhof, the main attraction is the gardens, so it is best to visit in summer. The Peter and Paul Fortress, which was the first place to be built in St Petersburg, is also very worthy of your attention.
And are there any lesser-known attractions you’d recommend? If you are keen to discover some lesser-known attractions, consider taking a cruise between St Petersburg and Moscow, which will call in at some little-known gems, such as Kizhi Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A visit here will give you the chance to see The Church of the Transfiguration – a remarkable building that is made entirely of wood, but doesn’t feature a single nail. •
Cruise through Russia Undoubtedly one of the best ways to view the fascinating sights of the famous cities and interiors of Russia. See our Volga Dream River Cruise! 13 Days from $3695*
Previous Page: The Kremlin, Moscow Far Bottom Left: Peterhof Fountain, St Petersburg Far Bottom Right: Traditional Russian pancakes Above: Locals in market Below: Sunset over the river, Moscow
Russia’s Two Capitals Explore two of the world’s greatest cities on this private tour of Moscow & St Petersburg. Includes: • Be fully guided and see the Russian capital on an expertly-designed city tour. • Visit Red Square and the Sofiyskaya Embankment, which offers a superb view of St Sophia’s Cathedral and the Kremlin • See some of the St Petersburg’s glorious highlights, including its most famous edifice, the extraordinary Winter Palace • Visit the extraordinary Hermitage Museum • Enjoy a trip to Pushkin to visit the late baroque inspired Catherine Palace
6 DAYS from $1320*
Classic Russia Russia’s two greatest cities provide an ideal base to explore the country’s rich and diverse cultural and historical heritage. Moscow is now the epicenter of the ‘new Russia’, while St Petersburg is renowned for its magnificent palaces, museums and grand architecture. Includes: • Visits to the Summer Palace at Pushkin and the fountains of Peterhof • Explore the armoury museum in Moscow and the Hermitage in St Petersburg • 5-star centrally located hotels
8 DAYS from $1451* See coxandkings.com.au for more details!
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UNITED KINGDOM AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT
Around Britain in ten famous objects
#3 #2
The Kiss, Cardiff, South Wales
Auguste Rodin’s The Kiss has been a worldwide symbol of romance since its 1898 unveiling. Paolo and Francesca, doomed 13th-century lovers immortalised by poetry in Dante’s Inferno, are the kissing pair. Originally carved at monumental proportions from marble, Rodin produced several smaller versions in plaster, terracotta - and bronze, the edition shown at the National Museum of Wales, Cardiff.
Vespa Clubman, London, Southeast England
Designed in the late 1950s, the motorised and iconic Vespa Clubman scooter has a sleek wasp-shaped body that inspired its name; Vespa means wasp in Italian. One of 138 Vespa variations, it was designed by Italian aeronautical engineer Corradino d’Ascanio. Find it and other world-shaping design at the new Design Museum, which reopened in November after relocating to High Street Kensington in London.
#1
Menu from the Titanic, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Glimpse life aboard the Titanic during its disastrous 1912 voyage at Titanic Belfast, recently named the world’s best tourist attraction at the World Travel Awards. Among the exhibits is a firstclass menu, dating from the day of the ill-fated vessel’s sinking. It was taken from the ship by Ruth Dodge, who was onboard with her wealthy husband Washington, and their son. All survived the disaster thanks in no small part to ship steward Frederic Dent Ray, who got Washington on to a lifeboat. Prior to the sinking, Ray wrote a short note to the Dodge family on the back of the menu. Opened in 2012, Titanic Belfast is a visitor attraction located on the city centre shipyard where the RMS Titanic was built. www.titanicbelfast.com
www.designmuseum.org
www.museum.wales
#4
Cat mummy, London, South-east England
Egyptian mummies are synonymous with the British Museum, which holds more than 120 of them. Less well known are its 300 animal mummies that include dogs, fish, snakes, lizards, a bull, a gazelle, a crocodile and a famous cat wrapped in geometric-patterned linen that was excavated from the city of Abydos, Upper Egypt. The museum holds the biggest collection of Egyptian artefacts outside of Egypt and is visited annually by more than six million people from all across the world, including a few mummies. www.britishmuseum.org
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#5
My Bed, Liverpool, North-west England
A snapshot of Tracey Emin’s life after a traumatic break-up, her 1998 artwork My Bed challenged public perceptions of what constitutes as art. The installation - an unmade bed surrounded by cigarette butts, discarded condoms and vodka bottles - sold to a German Count for £2.54 million in 2014. On longterm loan to the Tate, it’s shown at the Tate Liverpool exhibition Tracey Emin and William Blake in Focus (until 3 September 2017) before travelling to Kent’s Turner Contemporary gallery in Emin’s hometown of Margate, south-east England. www.tate.org.uk/visit/tate-liverpool
UNITED KINGDOM AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT
#7
#6
Dolly the sheep, Edinburgh, Scotland
Dolly the sheep was the first mammal ever to be cloned. Starting life in a test tube, she was transplanted into a surrogate mother and born on 5 July 1996. Dolly passed away in 2003 but not before becoming a mum herself. The taxidermied ‘transgenic’ technology pioneer now resides at the Museum of Scotland. www.nms.ac.uk
Glorious glass, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Important work by the world’s most iconic glassmaker resides at Ulster Museum in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens. Dale Chihuly’s gorgeous Waterford Sconce, 2011 is made of blown and cut glass, including some the American artist saved from Ireland’s acclaimed Waterford Crystal factory, before its 2009 closure. www.nmni.com/um
#8
Iron Tree, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England
In 2014, Yorkshire Sculpture Park presented an exhibition by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and his 2013 Iron Tree has remained on long-term loan ever since. The six-metre high sculpture is one of a series inspired by street vendors in southern China who sell pieces of wood. Made up of assorted tree branches, roots and trunks cast in iron and bolted together, it’s one of the 18th-century country estate’s many exhibits shown outdoors. www.yps.co.uk
#9 By User:J3Mrs, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48985205
#10
Shakespeare’s First Folio, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, Central England
The most famous playwright of all time, many of William Shakespeare’s works went unpublished until the posthumous 1623 collection, Mr. William Shakespeare’s Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies. Known as the First Folio, it collated 36 of the Bard’s plays including The Tempest and Macbeth. Visit a copy in 16th-century house where Shakespeare was born. www.shakespeare.org.uk
A Controversial Venus, London, South-east England
See Diego Velázquez’ only surviving female nude at the National Gallery in Trafalgar Square, London. Painted in oils, it depicts a bare-bottomed goddess gazing at her reflection in a mirror. Created by the Spanish artist between 1647-51, The Toilet of Venus is an often controversial survivor. It evaded rampant church censorship, and in 1914 had to be restored after being slashed seven times with a meat cleaver by suffragette Mary Richardson. www.nationalgallery.org.uk
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the
CROWN Filming locations around Britain
The Crown follows the story of Her Majesty The Queen in her accession to the throne, and as a young monarch faced with a country in the depths of turbulent post-war Britain. Set in the 1950s, the Netflix series has utilised some of the nation’s most regal locations to tell the story of Queen Elizabeth II.
Hatfield House, Hertfordshire, England
Wrotham Park, Barnet, Hertfordshire, England
Home to the 7th Marquis and Marchioness of Salisbury and their family, this grand location also includes the Old Palace, which was owned by Henry VIII. The King had his three children raised in the palace, including Elizabeth I - she was there when she was told of her accession to the throne, making it a fitting place to use in filming for The Crown.
This grand estate has been little changed since its design in 1754, and still remains in the care and charge of the Byng family. Surrounded by 300 acres of parkland, the secluded estate is an idyllic location for hosting private functions, banquets and parties.
Ely Cathedral, England Ely Cathedral was founded in 672 AD, with the current building dating back to 1083 AD. Used in the filming of The Crown, this spectacular location stood in for Westminster Abbey on the wedding day of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, re-enacted just as it was 68 years ago. The regal location has also starred in The Other Boleyn Girl, Elizabeth: The Golden Age, and The King’s Speech.
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Heart of England & Shakespeare Indulge yourself in history and beautiful countryside. Visit Shakespeare’s birth place and look back on 800 years of history. Stunning castles and landscapes will surround you as you take in highlights such as Warwick Castle that is infamous for its troubled history and Charles Darwin’s home town. Includes: • Visit Stratford Upon Avon including Shakespeares Three Houses Pass • Go by rail to rail to Warwick Castle and Royal Leamington Spa • See Shrewsbury including Sightseeing by Boat Tour
5 DAYS from $677* See coxandkings.com.au for more details!
UNITED KINGDOM AS YOU’VE NEVER SEEN IT
Lyceum Theatre, London Wind back the clock and you’ll see Matt Smith (Prince Phillip) and Claire Foy (Queen Elizabeth) looking suave in 1940s garb at the Lyceum Theatre, oozing elegance in a postwar Britain. The Lyceum Theatre, opened in 1841, has a dramatic front facade and has hosted performances for nearly 200 years. Today the theatre is home to the ever-popular The Lion King.
Knebworth House, England Take a walk through 500 years of history, both on and off screen. With generations of the Lynton family residing at Knebworth since the Tudor times, each has been sure to make their mark on this magnificent building. With a romantic exterior adorned with turrets, domes and gargoyles the house is definitely worth a visit. Used, of course, as a location in The Crown, the house has also starred in The King’s Speech, and Batman the Movie.
Slains Castle and Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland Standing on a cliff top overlooking the North Sea, are the ruins of Slains Castle. This enchanting spot was once ruled by the powerful Clan Hay and in its prime the castle was a Scots Baronial Mansion with three gardens. Used in the The Crown the hauntingly beautiful spot is the perfect reason to explore Scotland’s rugged, wild coastline, steeped in its own history. It is often said that the castle was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Make sure to stop at Cruden Bay, also used for scenes in the Netflix series.
Take a walk through 500 years of history!
Previous Page: Hatfield House Left: Detail from Ely Cathedral interior Top: Ely Cathedral Right: Knebworth House
Cotswolds & West Country Explore quintessentially English villages. Travel through winding roads, rolling hills with dry stone walls to visit some of the country’s greatest palaces, castles and country houses. Visit Bath and its natural hot springs and be immersed in remarkable 18th-century Georgian architecture. Includes: • Day visits to Cheltenham, Worcester, Bath and Cotswolds • Enjoy a full Day Cotswolds Explorer Ticket allowing free use of rail and bus services around Cotswolds
5 DAYS from $586* Call your tailor-made travel specialist on 1300 836 764 COXANDKINGS.COM.AU
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COMPETITIONS
Photography
competition Tell me more Every issue, we’ll choose a theme for your travel photographs. Take your photographs with any camera you like and email them to us at cnk_photo@coxandkings.com.au. We’ll choose the best images and a winner and feature them in our next issue. The more images you enter, the more chances you have to win! First prize will go to photographs that show originality or ingenuity in using the theme.
/ PALIO DI SIENA Sasha Robertson Siena, Italy
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WIN! Choose your prize
1st 2nd
Either your choice of a digital camera to the value of $1000 OR a travel voucher to the value of $1000 A travel voucher to the value of $500
In this issue, we feature images by photographer Sasha Robertson. “These photos of London were taken with a smartphone. It’s possible to take a great shot with a phone: take your time, compose your image and think about your view point. Don’t zoom, move closer to your subject. Look at third party camera apps as these will allow you to tweak the settings in your camera and greatly improve your photos. Lastly, do not use the flash, your camera’s flash gives harsh light and results in yellow skin and redeye. Have fun and practice, the more you experiment the better you’ll get!”
profile.
Sasha Robertson Sasha first started studying photography at the age of 15. After a few years she decided she could never make a career of it and became a pharmacist, but not before becoming a professional backpacker. In more recent years Sasha has gone back to photography studies, at both RMIT and Photography Studies College. Now that she has her camera firmly placed back in her hand, the passion for photography has never been stronger. Whether it is abroad or in her own back yard with her husband and 3 rat bag boys, Sasha takes great joy in finding beauty in everyday life and capturing those moments which make her smile. A small collection of work can be viewed on her website sasharobertsonprints.com and all images are available as limited edition prints. Or check her out on Instagram @sasharob
Tips for budding photographers Learn your camera modes
The quickest way to improve your photography is to get to know your camera and the features your camera has. Taking your camera out of the comfort of the automatic mode and experimenting with different settings will help you understand how your camera works and dramatically improve your images. If reading the manual doesn’t excite you, you can always look online for particular tips and pointers.
Light
Dusk and dawn offer beautiful soft lighting for landscapes and backlighting can give your images a wonderful romantic feel. Always consider the light and shadow in your images and make a decision about which is more important to the mood you are trying to create and shoot accordingly. Point of View and Composition Move your camera to different heights and angles when shooting. When shooting animals or children, get down to their height and shoot at their eye level. Shooting from a bird’s eye view can give great perspective to streets and landscapes. Also experiment with your composition, make sure you look at everything in your view finder and take note of your background. The most important thing is to shoot what you love and have fun while you do it!
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BOOK REVIEWS
bookmark
“A great book should leave you with many experiences...” – William Styron
Enjoy Cox & King’s staff picks for the far-flung, familiar or foreign. We’ve selected some great reads to take you deeper into our feature stories. Find some travel inspiration, or immerse yourself whilst you create your own adventure!
top pick
Burial Rites
by Hannah Kent Living in Australia it can be hard to imagine life in Iceland’s serene yet formidable landscape but Hannah Kent’s 2013 novel Burial Rites manages to bring to life the final days of a young women accused of murder and the last person to be executed in Iceland on 12 January 1830. Based on a true story, researched and written by Kent during an exchange to Iceland, we experience both the life and death of Agnes Magnusdottir, a women whose life depended on the stories of others. Feared and isolated by her peers, Agnes is sent to wait for execution at a local family’s farm, where only Tóti a priest mysteriously requested by Agnes, seeks to uncover the truth. As time is running out we learn of the true events that transpired that night and a story of love and betrayal leading up to it. Burial Rites is a story you will be thinking about long after you close the final page. www.hannahkentauthor.com/burial-rites
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Antarctica on a Plate
A Food Lover’s Pilgrimage to France
Chrysanthemum and the Sword
She came. She saw. She burnt the toast. A young Australian woman on the brink of 30 with a stellar career in financial services but an increasing dissatisfaction with life, applies for the position of cook with a private company which organises Antarctic operations. Her idea of a ‘remote location’ is the distance between a taxi rank and a shoe shop but armed with an old cookbook, she attempts to create three-course meals with no electricity or running water and struggles to defrost meat in sub-zero temperatures. Life in a thin nylon tent in the company of scientists, explorers and eccentrics soon begins to take on extraordinary dimensions. She battles with fear (and her need to visit the bathroom tent during a savage Antarctic storm), and helps guide a DC3 in for landing using mirrors and the sun. As 75-mile-anhour winds blow and tensions rise, friendships - and love - are forged in this frozen neighbourhood.
Armchair travellers, accomplished cooks and Francophiles alike will revel in this delicious account of how France’s gastronomy evolved through centuries of the bounty-rich nation being a pilgrim’s thoroughfare. Author and traveller Dee Nolan journeys through the vineyards of Burgundy, food capital of Lyon, the trout-filled rivers of the Pyréneés and further, gaining accounts from artisan providores and presenting her readers with recipes, maps and rich details on planning a French food pilgrimage.
Whether visiting Japan for a short time, or considering living longer term, this book provides a rich foundation of understanding that explains the many curious and quirky culture shocks that every visitor will encounter while travelling through this wonderful country. Though it was written just over 70 years ago, the insights remain as evident and vivid as any contemporary account of Japanese life. While much literature about Japan describes the romance of cultural particulars (think Memoirs of a Geisha or The Snow Empress), Chrysanthemum and the Sword is an unparalleled account of social phenomenon portrayed through the theories of anthropologist Ruth Benedict. While she herself never set foot in Japan, her 1946 account sold two million copies in Japan and has continued to influence research practices and observations of Japanese culture and society. The depth and breadth of her insights still provide a nuanced window into Japanese behaviour and cultural practices. A must-read for anyone looking to dive deep into this multi-faceted nation.
by Alexa Thomson
by Dee Nolan
www.deenolan.com
Looking for your own food-lover’s pilgrimage? Visit coxandkings.com.au to see our range of specialist foodie tours!
by Ruth Benedict
CATCH A RIDE WITH THE LOCALS Bentours are the Scandinavian specialists. We take you beyond the everyday, to places that energise and inspire. The sheer thrill of the beauty of Scandinavian and Nordic landscapes, and the astonishing works of nature, captivate you in a way no other destination can.
bentours.com Call 1800 487 844
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Call: 0800 269 263 Email: reservations@coxandkings.co.nz Level 4, 130 Broadway, Newmarket, Auckland, New Zealand ISSUE ONE | 2017
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