APT is a leading operator of luxury coach tours and once-in-a-lifetime rail journeys across Australia & New Zealand. We are proud to announce that Goway is now the exclusive provider of APT’s extensive selection of award-winning tours.
The new APT by Goway is your way to experience the magical landscapes, friendly faces, and unforgettable connections that await you in Australia & New Zealand.
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A freelance writer and novelist, Christian’s first globetrotting adventure saw him get lost exploring the streets of Saigon. Following his nose to Asia’s best coffee, two lifelong addictions were born. His favourite trips so far have been through Japan, Egypt, and Brazil.
Aren is a seasoned traveller with a special love of global stories, whether written or filmed. When he’s not on the road or sharing travel inspiration, he’s making or writing about movies as an independent filmmaker and critic.
Gareth has a passion for all things editorial, design and street style from around the globe. A music lover of all languages, it’s been one of his main inspirations for travel, notably Japan where he has travelled across the country from Osaka to Yamagata.
Lakshay is a graphic designer and freelance visual artist who has practiced painting for six years and has a great passion for food, classic rock, Indian classical music, and yoga. To satisfy his aesthetic urges, he loves to travel to places with great architecture and a lot of history.
What a difference six months make. In the return of Globetrotting Magazine in fall of 2022, we focused on “How to Travel in the Age of the Pandemic” and offered advice for globetrotters who wanted to keep “Six Feet Apart” as we all adjusted to the new normal in the world of travel. But if travel teaches you anything, it’s that good things come to those who wait. Now, in spring of 2023, we’re abounding with optimism as travel has returned with a renewed passion. We’re matching this passion with inspirational stories to help travellers explore more, make meaningful cultural encounters, and craft some once in a lifetime travel memories.
We all cherish those bucket list travel experiences, the kind that we’ll remember for the
rest of our lives. As Our Destination Specialists Share Their Unforgettable Travel Memories (p. 6-7), we’re encouraged that every corner of the globe holds a travel experience to transform you. For instance, you can find whale spouts, preening penguins, and other Wonders at the Bottom of the World (p. 8-9) or the ideal Honeymoon in The Islands of Tahiti (p. 10).
Of course, there are dynamic travel experiences to be found when you explore more and go beyond borders. Our Senior VP Carolyn Weppler shows the value of “staying longer and exploring more to truly experience a destination as if you lived there yearround” (p. 12). She discovered this truth in Costa Rica, where pura vida is both a salutation and a way of life—an outlook even shared by their adorable three-toed sloths. New insights abound from the northern reaches of England’s Birmingham (p. 14) to the southern coastlines of Tasmania (p. 13), New Zealand (p. 15), and South Africa’s Western Cape (p. 17). In these destinations, art, wine, and wildlife complement any taste and a new favourite travel memory lies just beyond the bend in the road.
When going globetrotting, there are few
Thank you to our tourism partners for their support in this issue:
Tahiti Tourisme
Tourism Tasmania
VisitBritain
Tourism New Zealand & Air New Zealand Tourism
The Western Cape Tourism Trade and Investment Promotion Agency
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Visit Victoria
Destination New South Wales
Tourism Australia
pleasures greater than making a meaningful connection with a local. Our team explores the human connections made possible when you go beyond borders in stories such as Omotenashi: The Joy of Japanese Hospitality (p. 18-19), Memories & Gothic Beauty on the Day of the Dead (p. 20), and The Real Treasure of Northern Thailand (p. 21). We also don’t forget about the transformative possibility of art as we look at the artistic culture of Australia’s State of Victoria (p. 22) or the daring architectural beauty of the Sydney Opera House (p. 23).
There are so many ways to explore the world and part of the joy of globetrotting is discovering the way that speaks most to you. We’ve shared 23 Ways to Go Globetrotting in 2023 (p. 26-29) to help you get started on planning your next transformative travel journey. As the stories in this issue demonstrate, travel is full of surprises that’ll help you see the world in new ways.
Adam Hodge VP Marketing, Goway
By Aren Bergstrom
Travel changes things. We believe this in our bones at Goway. It’s not just the good food, the great sights, and the new friends you meet along the way. It’s also the experience that you never saw coming, the encounters and moments that burn into your memory and will stay there for the rest of your life. Travel has a way of helping you see the world in new ways. These formative experiences are key to that newfound understanding.
Over the past year, our Destination Specialists have explored all corners of the world. They’ve climbed volcanoes, dived into frigid waters, hiked through rainforests, and listened to the beating heart of some
I was fortunate enough to go to Fiji in November and I’m forever changed by the trip and the hospitality I experienced throughout my visit. From the moment of my arrival, the friendliness of the Fijians was on full display. We were greeted by lovely folks singing with huge smiles on their faces and beautiful voices ringing out. Everywhere I went, I was struck by how friendly and genuine the Fijians were. They remember your name. Everyone says bula! (welcome) all the time. They were excited to hear about our travels and were happy to have foreign travellers visiting once again. One day we did a Sigatoka River Safari to a traditional Fijian village, where they welcome you with a kava ceremony and show you how they prepare their food in a traditional manner. Afterwards, there was singing and dancing and everyone was so happy. Seeing their genuine joy at life was a very humbling and life-changing experience. It makes you grateful for what you have. Fiji is in my heart forever.
— Michelle Furtado, Destination Specialist (South Pacific)
of the world’s busiest cities. Our specialists are dedicated to being experts in the destinations they sell. They are also endlessly curious explorers in their own right, passionate adventurers that want to push forward and experience new things in new ways. They’ve travelled a lot and along the way, they’ve made some unforgettable memories.
The following is a taste of our Destination Specialists’ travels and the experiences they’ll never forget. Let them inspire you to realize a lifetime of travel and experience the profound wonder that comes with exploring the world your way.
Rising 2,400m/7,800ft above sea level in the Andes Mountains, Machu Picchu has a spectacular location. It’s a place that seems like magic when you visit. Everyone knows about South America’s most famous ruins, but being there is a whole other experience. You walk along these mountaintop ruins with snow-capped mountains as your backdrop and you feel like you’re living in a dream. The stories of the Inca Empire, the expertise of the guides, the unbeatable natural setting—it all combines to make a tour of Machu Picchu something you’ll never forget. Everyone should visit this place at least once in their lifetime. I’m grateful I did.
— Virginia Dameno, Destination Specialist (Central & South America and Polar Voyages)
I was incredibly fortunate to go back to Thailand in the fall of 2022. I had a good expectation of what to expect from my past experiences there, but that didn’t preclude this trip from staying with me. I stayed at the Tower Club at Lebua Hotel in Bangkok, which is featured in The Hangover Part II. Being a fan of the film, it was fun to stay at the hotel, but it was the view from the rooftop lounge that really stunned me. The view is awe inspiring by day or night (but especially at night). You see the towers and lights of the city spread out for kilometres in all directions. But the ground level of Bangkok is remarkable in its own way: the food stalls and Buddhist temples and crowds and the constant activity filling the streets. It opens your eyes to see a city from both sides.
— Patrick Carleton, Destination Specialist (Asia)
Iceland has always been extremely high on my bucket list, ever since I was little. But what made this Icelandic experience so outstanding was the Northern Lights, which I was able to witness on our secondto-last night. It was simply breathtaking. The entire sky lit up in soft greens and yellows and whites dancing away in front of us. What made this event even more special was when we saw the crown, when the lights seemed to ring the sky in a heavenly circle descending from on high. What a sight to see! There are many amazing things to see and do in Iceland, but watching the Northern Lights crown is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
I was very privileged to visit Uganda and go on a mountain gorilla trek to see our primate cousins in the deep jungle. We trekked through the jungle for hours for an interaction with the mountain gorillas. It only lasted an hour, but it was a remarkable experience. They could see us and weren’t bothered with all these human strangers watching them. They simply carried on doing their own thing during the whole encounter, offering us a glimpse into their ordinary lives. It was the highlight of my trip and something I’ll never forget.
— Alice Teramoto, Reservations Supervisor (South Pacific)
— Melissa-Lee
Matheson, Destination Specialist(Central & South America and Polar Voyages)
Where would you like to travel next? We’ve all been asked this question. I usually give two kinds of answers. The first is the practical one, the place I know I can visit in the near future. The second is a very short list of my dream destinations, those spots I have a small chance of ever visiting. But sometimes life surprises you as it did me this past December when I finally explored my dream destination: Antarctica.
The opportunity came when I least expected it and within three weeks, I was in Buenos Aires meeting fellow travellers and members of Swan Hellenic’s crew. The next day we flew to Ushuaia, the world’s southernmost city, a windswept port surrounded by mountains to the north and the waters of the Beagle Channel to the south. We boarded the SH Vega, the second of three new cruise ships in Swan Hellenic’s fleet, and began the fated voyage to a place where unforgettable experiences awaited.
Ushuaia is 1,000km/621mi from Antarctica. It takes approximately 48 hours to cross the calm waters of the Beagle Channel and then the famously tempestuous Drake Passage, so you’ve got a lot of time to think. But even when you know you’re going somewhere special, life can still surprise you. We were lucky on the crossing. While the Drake Passage is reputed to have some of the roughest seas in the world, we experienced relative calm. I can only imagine what it would’ve been like 400 years ago when the first sailors in their wooden ships
navigated through it. Today, we’re fortunate, as polar-ready vessels like the SH Vega are equipped with the latest marine technology, safety procedures, and experienced crew members. You might get a bit of sea sickness, but you can prepare for that too.
After two full days at sea, we finally spotted land: the South Shetland Islands. We anchored at Yankee Harbour on Greenwich Island and I geared up for my first excursion. Armed with endless layers of winter gear, we head to the zodiacs, probably looking more like waddling penguins than intrepid explorers, but you could feel the excitement. We tapped our ID cards, disinfected our boots, and boarded the zodiacs. Only a few minutes later we were on the icy shore and surrounded by gentoo penguins, southern elephant seals with their bulbous noses, and south polar skuas. It was amazing, but it was only a taste of what awaited once we reached the Antarctic Peninsula, a further 120km/75mi to the south.
Even that small distance marks a striking change in the geography. For instance, at Danco Island, everything was blanketed in snow, which wasn’t the case in the South Shetlands. We’d entered the white world, where it’s just you and the landscape to the farthest edge of the horizon.
Of course, there are locals, such as the Weddell seal that greeted us on Jougla Point. It was sunning itself on the rocks and wasn’t bothered by the people shuffling by in skyblue parkas and ski pants. On rare occasions,
you may come across a few people as well, as we did at the post office and museum on Goudier Island. Of course, there’s also your fellow expedition team. But you hardly notice, as you’re overwhelmed by the views and the enormity of nature.
We cruised through the Lemaire Channel, known as the Kodak Gap due to how photogenic it is. It’s one of the most majestic places I’ve ever seen. The calm waters mirror the rugged, snow-capped peaks. Icebergs float silently along as you cross the 11km/7mi passage. It was 9pm by the time we reached the channel, but it was still the golden hour for photos—22 hours of daylight in summer makes that possible.
The next day we climbed the 150m/500fthigh vantage point on Orne Harbour, where you can gaze out over the glaciers and the channel. Your only companions are chinstrap penguins and some rare lichen that grows on the exposed rocky outcrop, expanding at a rate of 1cm/0.4in per 100 years.
Later, we ventured to nearby Cuverville Island and weaved our way through the icy gaps to approach the shoreline. We traded chinstrap colonies for gentoo colonies. These curious penguins waddled about as we climbed to another viewpoint where we could soak in the brilliant blue skies and the snow-white landscape as far as the eye can see. Returning to the ship, we cut the motor and drifted through the icy channel, watching huge icebergs float close by. We felt at peace with the world and the enormity of what we were seeing.
On my last full day on the Peninsula, I geared up for kayaking in Foyn Harbour near Enterprise Island. The water was so still, almost glass-like. We cut through the water and transitioned from the zodiac into our kayaks to spend 90 minutes gliding alongside icebergs of all shapes and sizes, making sure not to get too close in case one decided to flip itself over—which happens more often than you think. We spotted the wreck of the whaling vessel Governoren, which was purposefully run aground by its captain in 1915 in order to protect his crew from a fire onboard. It’s one of the few physical remains of human activity in Antarctica. We capped off our kayak experience with a glass of champagne while still on the waters of Foyn Harbour.
I took my final steps on the Antarctica Peninsula at Portal Point, where the remains of an old British refuge hut lie buried beneath the snow. We climbed up the slope for the final views. I hardly bothered to take any photos, knowing a picture could never capture the majesty of what I was seeing with my own two eyes. I soaked in the 360-degree views of the peninsula and the striking colours: the deep blues, the stark whites. I still
wasn’t used to the scale of what I was seeing. I’m not sure I could ever get used to it. While most of the team had returned down the slope, a few of us remained at the top. The walk back was likely to be our final steps on Antarctic earth, so we wanted to savour the moment and make it last.
About 20 hours after leaving Port Point, we were back in the Drake Passage. A storm was coming and our captain wanted to make good time heading north. But Antarctica still had a little magic waiting for us. We were in the Swan Restaurant for lunch when someone spotted them off starboard: whales. We had seen a number of humpback and fin whales on our way down, but this was different. We were surrounded.
We quickly geared up and headed on deck as the captain slowed the ship and turned south, knowing that even with a storm coming, he couldn’t waste this special moment. We came to a full stop in the open sea and they saw their cue.
The whales came closer until we were entirely surrounded by over a hundred hump-
back whales from different pods migrating south. The adults surfaced every few minutes to blast the air with their blowholes, while the juveniles took their turns breaching the surface to get a glimpse of us on the ship. They were so close that I had to lean over the railing and shoot straight down to capture some pictures of these gentle giants. For the next two and a half hours, these whales entertained everyone on board with their presence, their gentle grace, their calm, their good humour. Eventually, they decided to continue on their way south and we turned back north. It was the best cruise delay you could ever hope for.
Sixty hours after leaving the Antarctic Peninsula, I was back in Ushuaia waiting for my flight to Buenos Aires. I had some time to reflect on what I had seen over these unforgettable 11 days, but it wasn’t enough time. Even now, writing this, it’s hard to process. All I know is that I’ll never forget what I saw at the bottom of the world and that sometimes you get to make your travel dreams come true.
You’ve seen the Instagram posts, the idyllic visions of overwater bungalows and sparkling waters, warm sunshine on chiseled bodies relaxing on the white sands. But what is it actually like to go on a romantic vacation to The Islands of Tahiti? You’re about to find out. Let’s take you on a hypothetical journey through a single day in The Islands of Tahiti, where romance and relaxation and sensual bliss await you.
9AM
You wake up and hear the gentle crash of the surf. You get up and take three steps to the door. You pull back the shades and throw open the door and step onto your private patio right over the lagoon. The sun warms you and the water stretches out endlessly towards the horizon. The blue of the water and the sky seems to match, a perfect blend. You and your special someone retire to the lounge chairs on the patio and watch as an outrigger canoe slices through the water en route to your bungalow. They paddle up to the patio and deliver a feast: fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, croissants, some bacon, coffee, and tea. You thank them and they return to the water and you dig into the hearty meal in the most enviable al fresco environment imaginable. You’re in paradise.
11AM
Armed with flippers and a snorkel, you wade into the house reef and peer beneath the waves. The colours are astounding. The soft pink and white of the coral; the yellow of a pygmy angelfish darting beside a sea anemone; the blue of a female parrotfish with her distinct beak. There’s so much movement, like an underwater dance. You catch the faintest glimpse of a stingray 20m to your right, the quick dart of a reef shark venturing left (don’t worry, they’re harmless). You dog paddle and surface for a moment and dive back under only for a friendly giant to surprise you: a green sea turtle is patiently swimming by. You look at your partner and their eyes say what you’re thinking: is this for real?
1PM
You board a small boat and the staff member drops you off on the white-sand beach of a private motu. A dining table sits out a few metres into the surf, the water lapping the legs of the table. You sit under the shade of the umbrella and dine on the barbeque lunch. There’s no one else in sight, except for the single staff member who waits patiently for your drink order. Cheers!
By Aren Bergstrom3PM
You head to the resort spa for a couples massage. You lay down on parallel tables and listen to the calm music and smell the sweet scent of coconut and vanilla. You relax and close your eyes. The expert massage therapists work vanilla and coconut oil into your skin, loosening your muscles. They start gently and then work harder, focusing on the knot in your shoulder blade, the ache in your knee, the sore spot on the sole of your right foot. You feel like you’re melting. You could get used to this.
6PM
You’re aboard a cruise vessel to watch the sunset on the water—a daily ritual in The Islands of Tahiti. As the sun dips towards the horizon, you start to understand why the locals never miss a sunset. The colour explodes across the sky, bold pinks and reds and oranges blanketing the dark blue waters. You’re handed a champagne flute and sip on sparkling wine while you snuggle up to your partner. Together, you watch the sun touch the water and eventually pass beneath the waves.
11PM
You walk across the sands of the beach. The air is cool. The noise of the resort is a distant murmur in the background. You’ve come
far enough and your partner taps you on the shoulder and points up. You follow their hand and gaze into the sky to see the billions of lights of the Milky Way. The entire sky is alive. A meteor zooms past. You hear the waves hit the shore. You watch the universe come to life and take in this symphony of light.
You’ll never forget this day and the magic of The Islands of Tahiti.
DARLENE STEVENSON
I recently celebrated a milestone anniversary in The Islands of Tahiti so I can tell you that Tahiti will leave a permanent impression on your soul and capture all your senses.
There’s nothing quite like that first glimpse of an African elephant in the wild. You might hear it before you see it, the distinctive trumpet, and then follow the sound to notice the massive grey creature feasting on the leaves of a tree. You notice the size and the playful trunk and the striking eyes that hold such a deep emotional intelligence. It’s a beautiful experience seeing an elephant in the wild—one we’re committed to preserving for generations to come.
Over the past year, Goway has recommitted itself to animal conservation and the preservation of the African elephant in Kenya and beyond. Goway has supported elephant conservation and human-wildlife coexistence through a series of fundraising efforts, contests, and awareness campaigns. Key to these efforts has been a conservation campaign spearheaded by Save the Tembo (tembo being the Swahili word for “elephant”) and award-winning actor Edward Norton. Partnering with Magical Kenya, Goway ran an awareness campaign for Save the Tembo
throughout fall 2022, which encouraged globetrotters to sponsor Kenyan elephants and work towards their conservation.
“I challenge anyone to spend even a few hours sitting still and watching elephants up close and not then feel appalled and furious that anyone would hunt these animals or trade in their ivory. Contributing in any small way to their protection really is a very worthy cause,” Edward Norton said of the urgency behind conserving African elephants.
In conjunction with this campaign, Goway also gave away an unforgettable Kenya Odyssey safari for two lucky globetrotters. This contest offered travellers a chance to experience the magic of these mammals in the wild and inspired them to live a life of conservation. Goway also sponsored a baby elephant in partnership with Kenya Wildlife Services and ran a contest with travel professionals to determine its name. In the end, the elephant was named Tumaini, meaning “hope” in Swahili.
We are hopeful of a long and happy future
By Moira Smithfor African elephants and encourage others to join the movement to protect these precious animals and their habitats.
The beating heart of modern Colombia, Bogota is a vast city, rapidly moving over a rich history and one of the best food and nightlife scenes in South America. Where do the locals catch their breath? Bogota native Maria Torres shares insider tips for visiting her home city.
Plaza de Bolivar and La Candelaria are part of Bogota’s historical centre, so they’re a great place to start. Most of the houses and buildings are from colonial times, and there are amazing museums here, including the famous Gold Museum with its pre-Columbian
artifacts, and Museo Botero, honouring one of our most beloved artists. For lunch, I suggest trying ajiaco, a soup made with different kinds of potatoes, chicken, corn, and herbs, then served with white rice, capers, and avocado. Ajiaco is my favourite Colombian comfort food.
Monserrate is a church located on one of the highest mountains in Bogota. You’ll find many tourists there, but also locals who enjoy hiking. I highly recommend taking the cable car though to see an amazing panorama of the whole city. There are also coffee shops, a souvenir store, and restaurants at the top.
Usaquen is Bogota’s prettier entertainment district. People of all ages gather here, enjoying traditional restaurants, malls, and cafés in the colonial buildings. I used to go there with my friends to have lunch, dessert, and a coffee to warm up (super important on a damp Bogota day!). There are themed cafes that offer several kind of coffee so it’s a complete experience, and, of course, Colombian coffee is the best you’ll taste anywhere, not that I’m biased.
Still, Zona Rosa was my place! Also known as “Zona T” for the T-shaped area at its heart, cafés, bars, restaurants, and clubs can all be found there. The architecture is more modern, but the party goes all night!
a room with a view, whether ocean, mountain, or city, and maybe a private pool or hot tub to help you unwind.
The idea of the digital nomad has taken off during the pandemic. So too has the idea of staying longer and exploring more to truly experience a destination as if you lived there year-round. North Americans have always jetted off to a Caribbean island in the winter for a week of fun in the sun, but rarely do these vacations stray from the resort. They’re all about leisure. Staying longer and exploring more is about truly immersing yourself in a specific destination.
There are some obvious benefits to staying longer and exploring more. For instance, it gives you the opportunity to eat where locals eat, go where locals go, and, most importantly, get to know some locals as new friends. Those casual experiences at cafés, restaurants, and grocery stores open up opportunities to engage with people you wouldn’t normally meet on the tourist trail.
When staying longer, it’s smart to choose a hotel or villa-style accommodation, which offers a blend of indoor and outdoor private spaces, and easy access to local amenities and attractions. It’s also worth splurging a bit on
Walkability and convenience are key. You want to be able to easily get to local hotspots and cultural hubs. If you have a specific experience in mind, you also want to be able to access that experience with minimal fuss. For example, if you want to delve into a region’s wine culture, you’ll want four to six wineries nearby your accommodation—as well as a local driver available, so you can sample without risk. You won’t find this an issue in some of the world’s most popular wine regions, from the Douro Valley in Portugal to Tuscany in Italy, not to mention the many Australian wine regions, such as the Hunter Valley in New South Wales.
An ideal destination to stay longer and explore more is one of the world’s five Blue Zones—Barbagia, Sardinia; Ikaria, Greece; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Loma Linda, California; Okinawa, Japan—where people reportedly live the longest and are the happiest and healthiest in the world. I recently had the chance to spend 10 nights in Santa Teresa on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. We stayed at a beachfront property, which gave us some personal space and comfort, as well as easy access to waterfalls, national parks teeming with wildlife, daily yoga classes, and miles of uninterrupted beach to walk on.
The Nicoya Peninsula offers the perfect atmosphere to stay longer and explore more. There are laid back surfing beaches stretching along the Pacific. Every evening at 5pm, you
can join the locals on the beach and watch the spectacular sunsets of ever-changing purples, reds, and yellows. There’s an abundance of local dining that emphasizes fresh ingredients, especially freshly-caught fish cooked in either the Costa Rican or Japanese style. The people are friendly and the atmosphere is calm. You can understand why people live so long here.
It’s also a convenient base for exploring nearby parks. You can easily extend your trip to more popular regions, such as Arenal, where hanging bridges, waterfalls, volcanoes, and ziplines abound, as well as Monteverde, home to the fabled cloud forest.
The birds of Costa Rica are particularly stunning, although don’t make the mistake of thinking you can go birdwatching without a guide. The jungles are dense and an expert guide has the equipment and experience necessary to spot all the delightful animals. My first time in Costa Rica, I ventured into Mistico Park on my own and saw nothing; the next time, I smartly went with a guide in the early morning and saw a delightful array of animals, from keel-billed toucans and magnificent scarlet macaws in the canopies to three-toed sloths dozing in cecropia trees and red-eyed tree frogs hiding under leaves.
Whether you delve into a Blue Zone like the Nicoya Peninsula or venture to other beautiful destinations around the world, I encourage you to stay longer and explore more on your next vacation. Slow down a little, explore in depth, and experience the full breadth of what travel can be.
Tasmania is the wildcard of Australia, with unique wildlife, its own history, and its own way of doing things. Discover why this island state is the place to come down for air, and to relax and immerse yourself in nature, incredible food and wine, and adventure. Tassie has it all.
The smallest of Australia’s state capitals, Hobart is a city punching well above its weight when it comes to culture, history, cuisine, and lifestyle. It offers one of Australia’s most charismatic waterfronts, top notch art and history museums, a vibrant creative community, and a surprising food scene. It’s not unusual in Hobart to step inside what looks like an ordinary Aussie pub only to be greeted with a menu serving up gently seared wallaby medallions, gourmet croquettes, delicious vegan creations, or a splendid spin on a pub favourite like the humble “chicken parm.”
Nowhere is Hobart’s unpretentious style better embodied than at the Museum of Old and New Art (Mona), a short ferry ride up the River Derwent. Without a placard in sight, Mona instead invites you to wander its collection and focus on the art, with a handy audio device in hand if you want more information about the work you’re seeing. Explanations are tongue-in-cheek, so bring your sense of humour as you explore this incredible space built into a cliffside, then relax with a glass of wine from Mona’s Moorilla
Estate winery onsite.
If beer is more your scene, take a tour of Cascades Brewery, or Lark Distillery for spirits. You won’t want to take on either with an empty stomach, so stop by Coal River Farm for a fresh lunch. If it’s a clear day, work off those calories with a hike up kunanyi/Mount Wellington for incredible views (don’t worry, there’s also a bus). If it’s more of an indoor day, you can explore the less famous, but free, Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, right downtown in Hobart. If your visit lands on a Saturday morning however, the Salamanca Markets are a must for delicious treats and uniquely Tassie souvenirs.
As a penal colony, Tasmania was reserved for convicts the crown had no intention of reintegrating into society. A trip to Port Arthur Historic Site from Hobart reveals just how isolated Tasmania’s convicts were from the rest of the colony, even after free settlement began. It’s connected to the rest of Tasmania only by a thin isthmus called Eaglehawk Neck. The same geographical isolation that frustrated escape attempts has been a saving grace for the Tasman Peninsula’s Tasmanian devil population, isolating them from the deadly facial tumour disease that has ravaged the species. Stop in at Tasmanian Devil Unzoo on the peninsula, or Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary closer to Hobart, to see these furry furies up close.
Does Tasmania have Australia’s best national parks? Ooof! Big call! But Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park surely ranks among them. Take the easy, picturesque walk around Dove Lake, climb Cradle Mountain itself, or strap on your camping gear for the full 6-day Overland Track hike. There are few places in Australia better for seeing echidnas, wombats, and Tasmanian pademelons (smaller than a wallaby but twice as cute) in the wild. You’ll have to look sharp to catch a glimpse of those devils however, unless you stop in at Devils@Cradle, one of Tasmania’s top sanctuaries devoted to the cute and furry carnivores. If beach tranquility grabs you more than epic multi-day hiking, follow the track down to serene Wineglass Bay in Freycinet National Park. This gorgeous slice of Tasmania’s east coast offers walking tracks, spectacular coastal views, and some of the best oysters you’ll eat anywhere.
After years hidden away as “the industrial city” far from the bright lights of London, the pretty facades of Bath, or the trendy rhythms of Manchester, Birmingham have entered the new decade refreshed and re-energized. The new “Brum” is more than just the product of a pre-games glow-up. It’s the culmination of years of expanding diversity, along with a growing cultural appetite that’s allowed a top-notch creative scene to flourish, unbattered by the gentrification that’s choked some of its rivals.
Did someone say food? Birmingham boasts no fewer than 15 restaurants in the Michelin guide, five of which carry coveted Michelin stars. What’s more, the nearby village of Hampton in Arden is a pint-sized foodie haven with three Michelin entries, most notably Peel’s, specializing in creative British cuisine. If you’re looking for flavour-packed eats on a budget, head to Birmingham’s renowned Balti Triangle, where one of the world’s favourite curries was first invented by a Pakistani “Brummie” restaurateur. Since then, Balti has spread to become not just a staple at South Asian restaurants, but a more health-conscious take on curry that sacrifices none of the flavour. There’s nothing like having it in the neighbourhood where it all began.
Birmingham is a cultural powerhouse too. Catch an eyeful of its spectacular Symphony Hall, regarded as one of, if not the, best concert venue in the UK, both aesthetically, and acoustically. Check out the Fine Arts Museum, housing modern masters in a fabulous Art Deco building. If that’s a bit sedate for you, culture takes a very different turn at the National Motorcycle Museum, with over 100 restored machines to thrill enthusiasts. The nearby town of Cosford is a must-visit for aircraft afficionados, with an RAF Museum with hangars full of decommissioned warbirds.
Looking for history? One of Birmingham’s most popular attractions is the Birmingham Back to Backs houses, which unveil the city’s working-class history via guided tours each day. The old Jewellery Quarter still delights visitors, albeit these days more with its history and charisma than with precious creations, though a museum invites you for an up-close look at how these were made. A walking tour of the district is the best way to understand it, and find some top spots for lunch or dinner while you wander. The area also contains a Pen Museum if you’re serious about your writing implements, or you can even visit
a museum devoted entirely to the art of creat ing coffins. Yes, coffins.
Historic houses aren’t in short supply throughout England, and Birmingham’s, while less famous, don’t disappoint. Baddesley Clinton is an estate in the Forest of Arden, steeped in lore as a religious haven during the tumultuous Tudor period. Aston Hall is a magnificent Jacobian mansion with symmetrical gardens that draw visitors from around the world, while Winterbourne House offers pure countryside serenity in its botanic gardens.
If there’s a time-honoured British tradition second only to tea, it’s going for a walk. Birmingham offers plenty of parks, as well as its famous canals, best enjoyed in the historic Gas Street Basin or at Brindleyplace. On Brum’s doorstep, explore the Shropshire Hills, where incredible wildflowers bring colour to the wild, rocky slopes.
Elsewhere in the West Midlands, take in some history along the Battle of Worcester City Centre Trail. It commemorates one of the largest land battles ever fought in England. The Cut Visitor Centre is a starting point for one of the region’s most popular wildlife trails, while Shrewsbury River Walk invites you to explore one of the region’s prettiest small towns.
By Anthony Saba
If you seek to rediscover a love of travel, you should seek New Zealand. The Land of the Long White Cloud is a place to venture beyond the horizon, explore beyond the ordinary, and discover a connection that’ll last a lifetime. The towering mountains, the big skies, the sweeping coastlines, the friendly people, and the unforgettable flavours—they all reward those travellers that come seeking a meaningful travel experience.
Start your journey with Air New Zealand, which offers competitive rates on direct flights from across Canada and the United States, including from Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and now New York City.
For most travellers, the entry point is Auckland, the City of Sails, so named for the attractive sailboats that fill the harbour. More than a gateway, Auckland is a city to experience, from the heights of the Sky Tower to the movie and rugby tours of Wētā Workshop Unleashed and the All Blacks Experience, respectively. A 40-minute ferry ride from the city will reward you with unbeatable harbour views before you arrive on Waiheke Island, where you can wander the age-old beaches and forests and sample fantastic food and wine.
If you seek a place to unwind, you’ll find it a few hours north in the Bay of Islands, where 140 islands dot a sweeping coastline warmed by a subtropical microclimate. It’s a place to stroll sandy beaches, learn about the nation’s settlement at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, and relax for a few days in picturesque accommodations dotting the enviable landscape.
On the southern edge of the North Island lies the capital Wellington. You’d do well to slow down and discover the city’s funky atmosphere, hopping bar scene, and café culture that’s long been a favourite for Australians and New Zealanders. Unlock the secrets of the nation at world-class museums and exhibits, including the national museum Te Papa and ecosanctuary Zealandia. There are few better places to encounter manaakitanga, the Māori practice of “showing respect,” which is essential to New Zealander hospitality.
Cross the Cook Strait to reach the northern edge of the South Island, where you can experience a microcosm of all that New Zealand has to offer. If you’re seeking to slow down and witness nature at its most peaceful and awe-inspiring, this is the place. To the northwest lies Abel Tasman National Park, where hiking trails weave through forests and along-
side granite cliffs. To the northeast lie the Marlborough Sounds, glass-like waterways cutting through majestic green hills. The beauty of the sounds is said to rival that of Milford Sound. Visit both to see if it’s true. Marlborough also boasts one of the world’s best wine regions. Its Sauvignon Blanc put New Zealand wine on the map. It also doesn’t hurt to sip this vintage while surrounded by stunning scenery, where the possibilities for leisure and adventure collide in startling ways.
New Zealand is one of my favourite places to go globetrotting. I have visited many times, and each time I experience something new, from its stunning wineries to its cosmopolitan cities to its welcoming Māori culture.
Venture down the East Coast to reach Kaikoura, a marine wonderland where nearby sperm whales delight visitors year-round. Further south lies Christchurch, a city revitalized in the aftermath of tragic earthquakes. The so-called Garden City is most famous for the Botanic gardens, but don’t sleep on its food scene either. Whether Christchurch is your final stop or merely a step on your journey to more famous wonders in Milford Sound and Queenstown, you will have experienced something profound along the way.
New Zealand is a land for seekers. It holds something for all those travellers who strive to unlock the majesty of this world. It encourages you to seek beyond the ordinary. What you’ll find when you do so is a beauty unlike anything you’ve seen before and a kind of travel you’ll never forget.
Every globetrotter knows a bit about the American South. The music of Nashville; Mardi Gras in New Orleans; the Everglades of Florida. Yet, many travellers don’t have a full picture of what the region can offer. Luckily, Goway knows a thing or two about the South, and with our help, you can appreciate and experience the full breadth of its magic.
Start in the major cities, Atlanta, Miami, Nashville, Memphis, and New Orleans, which are serviced by major airlines, but use them as your gateways to the landscapes, history, music, and culture of the South, as well as smaller centres such as Savannah, Asheville, and Louisville.
The landscapes can be breathtaking, from Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains to the swamps of the Louisiana Bayou. Follow scenic stretches of road, such as the Blue Ridge Mountain Parkway, which links Shenandoah National Park to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, or the Natchez Trace Parkway, which evolved from an Indigenous trading route and now connects Natchez, Mississippi with Nashville, Tennessee. Goway’s Coasts & Mountains of the South allows you to experience this sort of scenic road trip for yourself.
The South is bursting with history and
I’ll always remember a trip with my parents through Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains—what amazing views! We ended up in Savannah, Georgia, enjoying beautiful pre-Civil War architecture and southern comfort food.
culture. History buffs will want to visit Jamestown, Virginia, where the first European settlers landed in America, or Yorktown, where the final battle of the Revolutionary War was fought. The Civil War looms large over the South, with major battlefield sites in Richmond, Fredericksburg, and Appomattox in Virginia, Shiloh in Tennessee, and Vicksburg in Mississippi. You can also trace the history of the Civil Rights movement and the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Birmingham, and Selma, all within Alabama, as well as important sites in Jackson and Memphis. Goway’s Civil Rights History Trail and Civil War Battlegrounds offer in-depth tours of these key historical events.
Travellers looking for culinary delights will find them throughout the South. Culinary diversity is on full display as are regional favourites, such as shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, biscuits and gravy, and fried catfish. If you’re in Louisiana, you’ll quickly learn there’s a distinction between Cajun and Creole cooking as you enjoy highlights such as gumbo, jambalaya, and, of course, those sugar-drenched doughnuts called beignets.
Perhaps most of all, the South is a paradise for music lovers who want to delve into the history of music and visit popular musical attractions. Nashville is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, the world’s greatest country music venue. Meanwhile at the Bluebird Café famous musicians often drop in for impromptu gigs, but seating is limited, so you want to grab a ticket around 8am when they’re released to the public. Memphis boasts Beale Street, which played an important part in the history of the Blues, and Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. There’s also Sun Studio, where B.B. King, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis were among the high-profile recording stars. The French Quarter of New Orleans pulses with musical rhythms, but make sure you visit Frenchmen Street, adjacent to the Quarter, which sports an amazing block of small music venues and clubs.
You’re not limited to the big three. For instance, Clarksdale Mississippi is the heart of Delta Blues, with the Delta Blues Museum showcasing memorabilia from B.B. King and Muddy Waters. Goway’s Rock ‘n’ Roll, Bluegrass & Elvis and Bluegrass & Bourbon Trail are great options for travellers wanting to discover the South’s musical heritage.
If you want to see it all, Goway’s The American South offers a selection of the South’s intriguing history and culture all in a relaxing motorcoach drive. As you’ll quickly discover, there’s no shortage of magic to experience.
In South Africa’s Western Cape, Table Mountain stands tall above everything else, literally and figuratively. You’ll find this 3.2km/2mi-long flat-topped mountain just to the south of Cape Town. It watches over the Mother City year-in, year-out, rewarding those individuals who ride the cable car or brave the hike up to its 1,086m/3,562ft peak with astounding views that capture the majesty of the Western Cape. It’s a marvel and an omnipresent reminder that natural beauty is always in sight in this region of South Africa.
The Western Cape stretches from the deserts of the northwest to the Cape of Good Hope in the south and all the way to the end of the Garden Route in the east. Cape Town is the natural starting point. Easily reached by international airlines and boasting unmatched cultural diversity, Cape Town consistently ranks as one of the top cities to visit in the world. Travellers who stroll along the V&A Waterfront will enjoy views of the Atlantic and a sampling of the city’s best-dressed influencers, who’ve all come to
appreciate the views and the enviable array of award-winning restaurants, shops, art exhibitions, and hotels. It’s also the spot to catch the ferry to Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for 18 years during his heroic long walk to freedom.
To the north lie the heritage fishing villages, quirky towns, and abundant spring flowers of the West Coast. Travellers who reach as far as Paternoster will have the chance to dine at one of the world’s best restaurants, Wolfgat, which serves seven-course meals inspired by the landscape. Follow the coastline south past the shadow of Table Mountain to discover the Cape Peninsula, the most south-westerly point of the African continent. Chacma baboons live along the hillside while African penguins waddle along the sand at Boulders Beach. Golden mountains give way to deepblue waters. Wineries line the path back to the city, including Groot Constantia, the nation’s oldest wine farm, first established in 1685. South African wines might be New World wines according to international standards, but these vintages are anything but “new.”
Travellers who follow the line of bluetinged mountains east of Cape Town for an hour will discover the picturesque towns of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, two of the nation’s 17 official wine routes. Mountains provide the ever-present backdrop to abundant vineyards. Two nights is the minimum to experience a taste of the gourmet food and excellent wines that await travellers here— my personal favourite is the dry crispness of Chenin Blanc.
Further southeast lies Hermanus, the port town that’s the world’s premiere base for whale watching. Between June and November, migrating southern right, humpback, and Bryde’s whales fill the waters offshore to the delight of locals and visitors alike.
Continue to the eastern edge of the Western Cape and you’ll reach the Garden Route, home to some of the nation’s oldest forests as well as inlets and bays that provide endless active adventure opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts. Knysna is an ideal coastal stop along the route, while Oudtshoorn delights with the presence of ostriches. It is named the ostrich capital of the world, after all.
To the north, the wide open spaces of Cape Karoo allows travellers to escape the pace of city life and enjoy magical sunsets and clear, starry nights. The area abounds with game reserves, as well as charming towns, such as Prince Albert, a burgeoning foodie haven, and tiny Matjiesfontein, a 19th-century town seemingly untouched by time.
There are experiences for all interests in the Western Cape, but it’s the natural beauty that unites them all and invites visitors to “get in a good space.” Follow the coast west and a world of majesty awaits.
You don’t have to understand Japanese to understand omotenashi. The meaning becomes apparent soon enough on a trip to Japan. It’s Japanese hospitality. “Omote” means “public face,” the false front you display for the public. “Nashi” means “nothing.” Taken together, it means having no public face, as in, no fakery, no guile, no false humility. Instead, it is politeness and hospitality from the heart. It’s a core part of Japanese culture. It’s a core part of what makes travelling to Japan so special.
It’s Sunday, October 16, 2022. I’m in the 16th floor lobby of Mesm Tokyo Autograph Collection, a new luxury property in Minato City, Tokyo. The Hamarikyu Gardens and Tsukiji Outer Market lie just below. I’m here at the invitation of the Japan National Tourism Organization, which has invited Canadian travel professionals to return to the nation after it has dropped its visa restrictions.
The director and regional manager of Mesm
By Aren Bergstrom
are both here to greet my travel group. They want to make a good impression, but there’s nothing false about their delight at our presence. We are ushered up to the property’s premium lounge around 30 stories high. We enjoy views of the Tokyo Skytree in the distance and the still waters of the Sumida River reflecting the city lights. I ask the director whether he’s excited to have foreigners return to the country. There’s a pause. He smiles and takes a deep breath. He nods, vigorously, and looks me in the eye: “Very much so.”
There’s a pop! and I turn and champagne is being poured. We head to the edge of the terrace and I steal a glance over the balcony, into the waters, all those stories below.
Everyone grabs a glass and we toast the journey ahead. Our hosts are delighted. Their smiles are larger than ours. They’re glad we’re here. They truly are.
This is omotenashi
It’s Wednesday, October 19, 2022. I’m in the
lobby of a stunning ryokan, Azumi Setoda, in the municipality of Setoda on the island of Ikuchi in the Seto Inland Sea. I’ve just spent the previous day cycling the Shimanami Kaido, which takes cyclists from Shikoku to Honshu. The views are spectacular, the towering white suspension bridges cutting across the sunny sky and blue waters, the islands dotted with shrines and citrus groves and small towns full of some of the friendliest people you’ll meet in all of Japan. This is the only part of Japan that grows citrus so drinks and fruits and sweets are offered everywhere you go.
It’s just after dawn and I have half an hour before breakfast. I want to explore. I consider going down Shiomachi, the pedestrian shopping arcade, but instead head up the hillside to watch the morning light on the Inland Sea. I stop above a family garden, ready to take some pictures over the rooftops.
I hear the creak of a door and spot an older woman shuffling along behind me. She smiles and wishes me ohayo gozaimasu (good morn-
ing) and I return the greeting. I turn to take a photo, but feel a tap on my shoulder. I turn back and she holds one of the green lemons from a nearby tree. “Lemon.” She moves closer. “For you.” I’m a little stunned in the morning light. I shoot her a puzzled “really?” in English and she nods and gives me the lemon. I take it and bow and thank her and she smiles and continues up the hill to her next stop.
Later, I have another hour to myself before we continue north to Onomichi. Others are walking to an eastern temple, but I want to climb the hill to reach the pagoda that overlooks Setoda. It’s a bit of a maze up the hill, so I retrace my steps back to the garden from earlier. And there she is again. She spots me and her eyes light up and she comes forward. “Koko ni kite.” She wants me to come, so I do, and she leads me up a wide staircase to a temple.
She wants me to see the garden. She doesn’t speak more English than a “yes” or “please,” but I understand what she means. She reminds me to remove my boots and welcomes me inside the drawing room and through the sliding doors into the traditional garden. The garden is past its bloom, but it’s still lovely, and I can imagine the glory of the colours in spring. As if reading my mind, she rushes back inside and returns with a framed picture, one of the garden in spring, the cherry tree in full bloom. I tell her it’s beautiful and take some photos and eventually I head back into the courtyard. I ask her if I can take her picture and she blushes and straightens her apron and poses in front of the temple doors. I take a photo; it’s not my best, but it captures her smile. I thank her again and bow deeply and turn to go, but she rushes up to me, producing
a phone in hand. I pose next to her and smile. She gets her own keepsake, a photo to remember our small encounter, just as I do. I bow and thank her again and she waves and we part, but we won’t forget this moment. This is omotenashi.
It’s Friday, October 21, 2022. I’m back in Tokyo, gazing out upon the Imperial Palace Gardens from the balcony of my room at the Palace Hotel Tokyo. My official duties are over and I have a few hours before I need to connect to Narita International Airport. I want to grab some ramen, and I know exactly where to go.
During the pandemic, I had reviewed the documentary Come Back Anytime about the ramen chef, Masamoto Ueda, and his restaurant, Bizentei, in Chiyoda, Tokyo. So after grabbing a Yomiuri Giants ball cap at the Tokyo Dome, I ride the train two stops west. Bizentei is only a few minutes from the station so I head south and then east and after a few streets, I spot the dark drapes and the sandwich board out front. The movie poster confirms that this is the place.
I go inside and there he is: Sensei Masamoto Ueda, in his blue working clothes with a handkerchief tied around his neck. He’s manning the massive bowl of broth in the kitchen and his regulars sit along the bar happily feasting on ramen. He seems to have been expecting me. My scant understanding of Japanese eludes me at the moment and I summon a feeble “Konnichiwa” as I enter and sit at the seat furthest from the door. Sensei laughs and answers with one of the English phrases he knows, “Very good.” The other patrons laugh in response. I smile and bow and take my seat.
I order shoyu ramen, the house specialty. He nods and goes to work. I tell him I’ve seen the movie, Come Back Anytime, and he’s amazed and looks at me, and then asks, “Toronto?” Yes, I tell him, I’m from Toronto.
Soon enough, he places the bowl before me, the broth a rich caramel colour from the soy sauce, steam coming off the bowl, the noodles awaiting me alongside the boiled egg and pork chashu. I mutter itadakimasu and dig in. It’s everything I can hope for, remarkably light considering the rich flavour of the sauce, salty, but not overwhelmingly so, soft noodles with a touch of firmness, and very, very hot broth. I finish the bowl in mere minutes.
Mrs. Ueda appears and asks me whether it was good and I tell her oishii, delicious. I pay her and I’m ready to go, but I want to mark the occasion. I ask Sensei if I can take his picture. He nods, and then stands up straight and beckons me behind the bar into the kitchen.I hesitate, but he enthusiastically waves me over and tells another patron to take the photo. I hand my phone over and step behind the bar and the rest of the patrons’ eyes are on me now. They know this isn’t what I expected. I’m thrilled and Sensei puts his arm around me and I smile and they snap the photo. I bow deeply and thank him and he laughs it off, as if it’s just another part of welcoming me to Bizentei.
I get up to go and thank him again for the wonderful meal and he smiles and nods and the other patrons bid me farewell. He tells me to come back anytime. I step out into the Tokyo street, basking in the light of day and the contentment. My stomach is full, as is my heart.
This is omotenashi.
By Gareth Adamson
Smiling calaveras fill the streets as Mexico prepares for its most iconic holiday. Some of the faces behind them are local, some are tourists looking to take part in the colourful celebration. Stalls packed with flowers, pan de muertos and sugar skulls line the streets, inviting everyone to participate in the spirit of Día de Muertos, the Day of the Dead. I have always had a fascination with Halloween and the macabre, but despite its timing, sweet tooth, and gothic aesthetic, this holiday is more about family than fright. Making the spirits of the dead feel welcome is the whole point.
As a creative traveller who had Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows on heavy rotation in my youth, the imagery of Día de Muertos was irresistible. I knew one day I had to experience it first hand. I’d been to Mexico before and enjoyed the whole Yucatan resort experience. But this trip was about feeding my imagination. So, on October 30, my fiancé and I flew to San Miguel de Allende to experience this amazing holiday in the most authentic way we could.
A world away from Cancun, San Miguel de
Allende feels like a small slice of Italy with its gothic architecture. The colourful buildings and blossoming bougainvillea provide a stunning backdrop as you watch the locals set up ofrendas decorated with family photos, candles, and marigolds. My fiancé had spent time in San Miguel in the past and wanted to show me the sights. We knew experiencing Día de Muertos there would satisfy both my wish to see the celebration, along with his love for the city.
I soon shared it! There were a few moments I thought I was right back in Florence, where I’d spent a month when I was younger. San Miguel is the kind of city that ticks all the cliches of romantic Mexico, with narrow streets of cobblestone, rustic, gothic architecture, and steep hills…except it’s very real. There’s a reason I signed up for a painting class at Lorenzo y Taquito art gallery, painting a scene of San Miguel while sipping wine! It was a magical night, and a great way to connect with other tourists while flexing my creative muscles.
At the Tianguis de los Martes (Tuesday flea market), we found everything from candy to
clothing, to food, to toys, to furniture made by local artisans. I recommend the horchata for a hot day. We didn’t skip the older, historical side of Mexico either. A short cab ride took us to see Cañada de la Virgen, a fascinating pyramid and museum in San Miguel. Ultimately though, I was here for Día de Muertos, and it didn’t disappoint! The family celebrations were what surprised me most. I learned more about the actual meaning of this day, watching locals celebrate loved ones who’ve passed. San Miguel also resembles the town featured in Pixar’s Coco, suggesting I’m not the first illustrator to have made this trip.
We did have makeup and costumes ready to go for the day of the parade, but after chatting with some local shop owners, we decided against it. This as a sacred family celebration, and many locals don’t appreciate foreigners treating it like a Halloween costume party, so we chose to respect that and leave the dressing up to them. It’s a personal choice, I’d just urge any outsider attending Día de Muertos to understand what it means, and approach it with respect and sensitivity.
By the end of our Bangkok sightseeing, I feel as if we’d seen and done so much on what is only my first trip to Asia. Yet, I’m not fatigued. Maybe it’s all the fresh fruit, the daily foot massages, the sunny weather, or the smiling locals, but Thailand’s famous sense of wellness and balance has silently crept into my suitcase. Bangkok has exceeded all my expectations and I can’t shake the sense as we board our flight north that I’m leaving a better person.
Even an early wake-up hasn’t dented my excitement. All I can think about on the plane is our destination, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort in Chiang Rai. Our first glimpse of Anantara pays off any sleep deprivation in spades. Alongside the Mekong River, it offers stunning views over the bor-
ders of Myanmar and Laos. Those who want to perfect their Thai cooking skills can learn from Anantara’s master chef and, of course, the spa invites guests to soak away their worries with some pampering. But Anantara is also an award-winning elephant rescue camp. You can dine out on the terrace while watching the elephants play and even join the resident caretakers on an unforgettable non-contact walk with these giants. Staying in a Jungle Bubble room allows us to watch the elephants by day and feast our eyes on the stars at night.
But it’s the human smiles of North Thailand that really win us over. The long drive up a winding road to Hioyo Village takes us to the Akha hill tribes. Our walk to the community takes us past tea and coffee plants, neatly
fenced homes with robust vegetable gardens, and what at first appears to be a row of laundry hampers along our path. In fact, it’s the community’s recycling program.
I round the next corner and find a local woman wearing Akha hill tribe traditional clothing at the one and only souvenir shop. A quick chat with this lovely person and a fair payment later, I come away with a beautiful trinket that now has a place of pride in my home.
As we reach our host’s multi-generation home, the local dogs greet us with tails wagging. I’m in heaven. We enter the home, and like all good hosts, he asks what we’d like to drink. From behind a state-of-the-art coffee machine that wouldn’t look out of place at your local Starbucks, he whips us up espresso, lattes, and flat whites. It’s remote travel with style, and the outstanding coffee is an unexpected treat.
The kitchen area is filled with fresh ingredients to make any food stylist envious. As we lend a hand preparing lunch, we learn about the community’s history and desires for the future. Fresh mountain air cuts through the kitchen’s mouth-watering aromas and my group and I waste no time returning to the café seating area. We linger over lunch and local fresh fruit while the family matriarch and her grandchild teach us traditional beading techniques. After creating our own bracelets, we are invited to take one home as a highly fashionable lasting memory.
We spend the afternoon watching daily life in this community. From creating meals to raising children, getting laundry done, sorting recycling, and checking in with the wider world on smartphones, it all feels so familiar. Even searching to learn about a different community’s way of life, I’m struck instead by our similarities as we wave, hug, and bow our goodbyes.
Now, I suspect I know how my love affair with Thailand started with food. So many aspects of the country are akin to its cuisine: tantalizing, sensory, and with a new flavour or sensation around every corner that leaves you eager to return.
It’s not unusual to hear Melbourne called the cultural capital of Australia. But what does that really mean? Art? Music? Theatre? Food? Melbourne has all these things, and the rest of the state of Victoria doesn’t disappoint either. With just a few days in town, it can be hard to work out what’s on. What if you want your art crawl to be that special “only in Australia” experience? Don’t worry! From Hosier Lane to the world’s most remarkable silo art, Victoria has your culture lust covered!
In the shadow of gorgeous Victorian architectural gems like the Hotel Winsor and cutting-edge modern creations like Federation Square, Melbourne’s creativity hits the streets in alleys like Hosier Lane and Presgrave Place. You could spend a whole day, coffee in hand, hopping between astonishing street art creations in the CBD alone. But the stories behind these creations, AC/DC Lane, for instance, are just as fascinating, so it’s worth taking a guided walking tour. Local tip? Don’t call it graffiti…ever.
Part of the National Gallery of Victoria, the Ian Potter Centre is free and solely devoted to Australian art As such, it holds one of the
best showcases of First Nations art in the country. After a couple of hours here, continue your discovery of Melbourne’s Indigenous history at Birrarung Marr. This gorgeous public park honours the traditional owners of the land, and treats visitors to thoughtful sculptures and fantastic city views. Enjoy a picnic lunch here before meeting your laneway and street art tour, or take your Aussie art exploration into the world of moving pictures at the Australian Centre for the Moving Image. This top-notch showcase of Aussie film, television, gaming, and the technologies that shaped them is located in the centre of Fed Square.
Don’t forget the rest of Victoria when you visit Melbourne! It’s a compact state (by Australian standards) and the day trips are worth it. Just out of town, you can explore some truly original art spaces built in the spectacular countryside. The Yarra Valley is famous for its wine, but stop by TarraWarra Museum of Art, housed in a building as impressive as its collection. If you’re heading down the Mornington Peninsula, or even to Phillip Island, stop in and explore the McClelland or the Pt. Leo Estate Sculpture Parks. The former Gold Rush towns of Bendigo and Ballarat are now cultural hot spots as well, each with a sizeable gallery space showcasing Australian art.
If you’re the kind of artistic soul who looks at the naked wall of a silo or shed and thinks “That’s a waste of a good canvas,” have we got a driving vacation for you! Spanning a good part of Northwest Victoria, the Silo Art Trail is a circuit from Horsham to nearby Rupanyup, taking you up to the edge of Lake Tyrrell on an adventure dotted with massive murals and (at last count) 41 colourful sheep. It’s a country Australia road trip like no other, so grab a meat pie and lamington from a small-town bakery and discover the Outback as only culture-loving Victoria can redefine it.
Whether you’re sipping Prosecco at a chic gallery opening in South Yarra, bargaining for fresh vintage finds in Fitzroy, or exploring the colours of country Victoria, Australia’s art hub offers new discoveries around every corner.
By Christian Baines
From insider tours to epic symphonies, sweeping operas, pop hits on the steps, cutting-edge theatre and visionary dance, to the queen of talk TV, Oprah Winfrey, Sydney Opera House has seen it all, done it all, and wowed the world all the way.
But a diva’s journey is never easy. From initial naysaying to in-fighting over the biggest hall the world’s most recognizable opera house almost never came to be. In 1973, when the finished product finally opened, it was… not quite finished. Now, after a 50-year battle for acoustic perfection, Sydney Opera House has a big reason to celebrate beyond its golden anniversary. Its glorious concert hall emerges refreshed and remodeled with improved accessibility and sightlines, and the incredible acoustics Danish architect Jørn Utzon originally envisioned.
Sydney Opera House’s story begins in 1940 when creative minds frustrated by the lack of venues for large productions set their sights on Bennelong Point on Sydney Harbour.
Greenlit in 1955, nobody was quite ready for Utzon’s unique vision when it got the nod two years later. It wasn’t an easy one to realize, either. The large, multi-purpose opera/concert hall was turned into a dedicated concert hall. This didn’t thrill the Danish architect, nor did the relegation of opera and ballet to the smaller theatre. Ongoing changes set in motion a battle not just for acoustic quality, but between the government and Utzon, who quit in 1966, describing his experience as “Malice in Blunderland.”
Aussie architect Peter Hall took over the project, and the Sydney Opera House officially opened on October 20, 1973. In time, as the layered white sails stood their vigil over Sydney Harbour, its troubled beginnings felt more and more like a distant memory. Only the engineers, artists, patrons, and planners behind the scenes remained busy, trying to undo the mistakes of a troubled construction.
They at last reconciled with Utzon in the late 90s, and by 2004, the first room rebuilt
1,056,006 tiles cover Sydney Opera House. Inspired by Japanese ceramics, each one is a mixture of crushed stone and clay, creating a glossy finish without glare, a design now known as the “Sydney tile.”
to Utzon’s original plan opened, appropriately named The Utzon Room. In September 2022, work was completed to fix the acoustics of the beautiful Concert Hall, ensuring an even quality throughout the entire venue. These renovations ensure Sydney Opera House Concert Hall’s future as an accessible venue where all visitors can celebrate the beauty of music and visionary architecture alike.
To celebrate its 50th birthday, Sydney Opera House has launched an outstanding season of opera, ballet, symphony, jazz, popular music, drama, dance, and more. Launching Opera Australia’s summer season, it then dons its best rainbow frock to celebrate Sydney WorldPride 2023 with drag, dance, cabaret, gender-bending late-night opera, and more. Inside/Out at the House brings sumptuous classical music to the steps of the Forecourt, while the unforgettable Indigenous dance storytelling of Bangarra hits the stage in June and July with Yuldea.
This is just a fraction of what’s on offer “at the House” to celebrate its 50th year. Even if you don’t have time to take in a performance, the famous Opera House Tour will sum up this incomparable venue’s story in just one hour. You can even add lunch if you wish. If you’re more interested in Utzon and Hall’s journey than Dame Joan Sutherland’s, take the Architectural Tour to learn the ins and outs of this incredible design, or for a closer look, dive deep on a Backstage Tour for the ultimate insider’s look at the symbol of Australia’s Harbour City.
You probably have an idea of what a group vacation is, but may not know how to plan one. That’s where we come in. Our dedicated groups department, Goway Groups Only, plans nothing but tailor-made vacations for groups of 10 or more travellers. The size of the group—10 or more—is the only thing that makes a vacation a “group vacation.” Everything else, from where you go to who you go with to what you do, is up to you.
Want to see the world alongside other travellers? Great! Now think specifics: where do you want to go and when? What do you want to do? Who do you want to travel with? What kind of food do you want to eat? Is there an occasion for the trip such as an anniversary, milestone birthday, or a special event? Fix that vision of a dream vacation in your mind.
Yes, you! That’s right, anyone can plan a group vacation. All you need is an idea and a desire to travel with 10 or more others, be they family, friends, club members, or fellow professionals. After that, you can rely on our Groups Specialists to do the rest. Perhaps best of all, if you plan the group, you can travel for free. Here are the 10 steps to planning a group vacation with Goway Groups Only.
Get in touch with us, ideally at least a year in advance. You can send a quote request through our website, call us at 1-800-8380618, email groups@goway.com, or even send us a Facebook or Instagram message.
Together, we’ll review your quote to see what you like, what you love, and what you might want to change. We want to make sure your trip will live up to your travel dreams.
Communication is key.
We’ll contact our partners to check availability and pricing and prepare some rates that are as special as your group is. We’ll then send you a personalized quote.
Once you’re happy with your itinerary, deposit $1,000 for the whole group and we’ll lock in the space and rates. We may require an additional deposit for air or the odd hotel, but we’ll let you know this information in your quote.
We want to get to know you and your group. We’re going to ask you a lot of questions: about your dream vacation, your timeline, your needs. Your vacation will be completely customized and private. We’re going to gather as much information as possible to make it special for you and your group, whether that includes planning a private cooking class in Tuscany or a cultural exchange learning traditional head-carrying in a Cape Town township, complete with Diski dancing, Djembe drumming, and a classic local meal.
Once we’ve confirmed everything with our partners, we send you a confirmation letter with the full details of your trip, as well as a group management tool to assist you in getting all the necessary information from your travellers. If you’re looking for more travellers to join your group, we’ll help you find them with a variety of marketing tips, tricks, and tools.
It’s time to go and experience the group vacation you’ve dreamed about and worked so hard to plan, whether a family vacation to Bali, a golf club trip to Scotland, or a private wildlife safari in Kenya. While travelling, you’ll have the assistance of our local operators, our 24/7 worldwide customer service, and, of course, your Groups Specialist, who has been with you from the start. Once you’re back home, hopefully we start the whole process over again and plan your next group vacation.
Six months before your trip, we’ll check in on your group and see if you need anything, from more rooms to more promotion. This is also a perfect time to check passport validity.
90 days before your departure, we finalize all the details of your trip. Once everything is perfect, we prepare all the documentation for you and your group.
When you travel beyond borders, you positively transform the way you see the world. This is true for us as well for our community of globetrotters. To celebrate the transformational nature of travel, we invited our Instagram community to show us the ways they #travelbeyondborders by entering our photo contest. The following winners capture the magic of globetrotting with inspirational imagery and touching stories about how travel can transform lives. Thank you to everyone who submitted and we can’t wait to see more evidence of how travel is expanding the way you see the world.
@endlessdestinationstravel
This bucket list trip to Botswana was everything I had imagined it would be and more! The knowledge we learned from our guide about the wildlife was priceless. I thought the lions had it easy and a kill wasn’t much work for them. That’s not the case! The lions work hard for their food and every hunt doesn’t result in a kill. Look how good the female is blending in with her surrounding.
This is a once in a lifetime experience following the footsteps of Charles Darwin, a dream come true. #travelbeyondborders
@kne1980
There’s something magical about seeing a wild animal in its natural habitat. Can’t believe it was 6 years ago today that I left for my bucket list vacation to South Africa at the age of 36. This is one of the many photos I took while out on safari.
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE | 9 DAYS
Start in Sydney, where you’ll tour landmarks, such as the Sydney Opera House, and discover the famous harbour on a yacht cruise. Onwards to the Red Centre to see iconic Uluru and learn about Australia’s Indigenous heritage. Cap off the trip in Northern Queensland where you’ll cruise the Great Barrier Reef and see the Daintree Rainforest.
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE | 8 DAYS
Split your time between the Coral Coast of Viti Levu and the Mamanuca Island chain. Relax in pristine resort accommodations and enjoy several days at leisure, during which you can enjoy the premium amenities, relax on the beach, and snorkel the world-class coral reefs just off shore.
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE | 9 DAYS
Explore rainforests and black-sand beaches outside Auckland, experience a taste of Māori culture in Rotorua, cruise magnificent Milford Sound near the adventure capital Queenstown, and pass through enchanting Otago en route to the Garden City of Christchurch.
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE | 10 DAYS
Split your time between beach resorts on Tahiti, Moorea, and Bora Bora and enjoy exquisite accommodations as well as effortless access to the sunny beaches and warm lagoons of these islands. Sunset cruises and ATV tours add a touch of adventure to an otherwise relaxing stay in paradise.
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL-GROUP | 11 DAYS
Exploring England, Scotland, and Wales, you’ll connect from timeless London to romantic Edinburgh, tour the Cotswolds, visit the birthplace of Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, see the majestic nature of Snowdonia and the Lakes District, and stop by Liverpool and York along the way.
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE | 10 DAYS
Start in Paris, where you’ll see the iconic landmarks including the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. Head south into Provence to tour cobblestoned medieval villages and local markets. Cap off the trip with a tour of the French Riviera and some downtime in Nice.
Photos from top to bottom, left to right: Unsplash (Dan Freeman), Unsplash, (Prem Kurumpanai), Unsplash (Sebastien Goldberg), Unsplash, (Hugues de Buyer Mimeure), Unsplash (Heidi Fin), Unsplash (John Towner)
Photos from top to bottom, left to right: Unsplash (James Ting), Unsplash (Joshua Sortino), Unsplash (Wallace Bentt), Unsplash, (Damiano Baschiera), Unsplash (Vita Marija Murenaite), Unsplash (Mesut Kaya)
It’s a big world, with a lot of places to see and things to do. No two Globetrotters are the same, and no two trips should be the same. In order to help you realize a lifetime of travel, we’re sharing 23 of our best travel packages, which feature 23 different destinations and a wide variety of accommodation and travel styles.
To help you get started on your next globetrotting adventure, simply use the code GOWAY23 and you can save $150 per person on these travel packages. Let’s go globetrotting together.
DELUXE |
See the masterworks of Ancient Greece in the capital Athens before you connect to picturesque Santorini to stroll along volcanoes and relax in whitewashed towns. Onwards to Crete to uncover the treasures of Heraklion and take advantage of the island’s many beaches before returning to Athens for a final night.
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL-GROUP | 5 DAYS
Get your bearings with a sightseeing tour of the quirky capital, Reykjavik. Then hit the road to visit black sand beaches, volcanoes, and majestic waterfalls. On your circuit tour, you’ll see the famous glacial lagoon of Jokulsarlon and tour the iconic Golden Circle before returning to Reykjavik.
FIRST-CLASS | PRIVATE-GUIDED | 10 DAYS
Start in Dublin, where you’ll have time at leisure to see the sights. Connect into Northern Ireland to tour Belfast and learn about the city’s history before returning south to explore the Giant’s Causeway. Final stop is stunning Galway on the west coast, where you’ll tour the famous Cliffs of Moher.
Tour the Colosseum and see the treasures of the Vatican City in Rome. Connect to Florence to savour the masterworks of the Renaissance, including Michelangelo’s “David.” End the journey in Venice, where you’ll tour the canals and visit iconic landmarks including St. Mark’s Square.
Start in Porto, where you’ll unlock the wonders of Portuguese wine in the Douro Valley. Onwards to the capital Lisbon to see Belem Tower and stroll the stunning Alfama district. Close out the journey in style on the sunny beaches of the Algarve.
In Istanbul, you’ll tour the Grand Bazaar and the Blue Mosque. Onwards to Cappadocia to explore a magical landscape of fairy chimneys. Final stop is the west coast, where you’ll visit ancient wonders in Izmir and follow in the footsteps of St. Paul in Ephesus.
DELUXE | TAILOR-MADE | 10 DAYS
Splitting time between deluxe resorts across the island, you’ll balance relaxation with soft adventure, tour jungle villages, spot breathtaking island temples, explore the slopes of an active volcano, and have plenty of time to unwind with wellness treatments and at the beach.
FIRST-CLASS | PRIVATE-GUIDED | 8 DAYS
Start in Kyoto, where you’ll learn why it’s known as Japan’s most beautiful city with visits to temples and Zen gardens. Onwards to Hiroshima to see the iconic shrine of Itsukushima and learn about the city’s tragic nuclear history. Final stop is Tokyo, with home to ancient temples and towering skyscrapers, with a day trip to nearby Mt. Fuji.
FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE | 8 DAYS
Get things started on the right foot with a stay in a beach villa on Kuredu, enjoying the soft white sands and unbeatable island views. Connect onwards to Hurawalhi for the quintessential Maldives experience: a stay in an overwater bungalow and unforgettable lunch in a glass undersea restaurant.
DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED | 10 DAYS
Start in the world’s most popular city, Bangkok, where you’ll tour temples and palaces and enjoy the famously bustling vibe. Connect north to enjoy the hillside atmosphere in Chiang Mai and tour temples and nearby hill tribe villages. Cap off the trip with several days at a luxury resort on sunny Phuket in the south.
DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED | 10 DAYS
Enjoy views of the pyramids at the Mena House in the capital Cairo, settle into the Winter Palace in Luxor in between visits to the tombs of ancient rulers, and join a long line of distinguished guests, including Winston Churchill, at the Old Cataract Hotel in Aswan—when you’re not touring temples, that is.
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL-GROUP | 8 DAYS
Search for elephants in the shadow of Mt. Kenya in Samburu, see rare rhino species and learn about conservation at Ol Pejeta, spot flamingos feasting on the soda waters of Lake Nakuru, and track lions, cheetahs, and migrating wildebeest in the iconic reaches of the Masai Mara.
Photos from top to bottom, left to right: Unsplash ( Dikaseva), Unsplash (Andre Benz), Unsplash (Ishan Seefromthesky), Unsplash (Jakob Owens), Unsplash (Spencer Davis), Unsplash (Leonard Von Bibra)
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL-GROUP | 11 DAYS
Start in Cape Town, the Mother City, where you’ll experience untold cultural diversity and enjoy unbeatable views from Table Mountain. Then head into the Winelands and follow the Garden Route to sample famous vintages and visit the country’s “ostrach capital.” End your trip searching for the Big Five in Kariega Game Reserve.
FIRST-CLASS | SMALL-GROUP | 7 DAYS
Connecting in and out of Arusha, you’ll spend several days on safari game drives in the most famous game park in the world, the Serengeti, as well as Lake Manyara and the Ngorongoro Crater. You’ll have a great chance to spot lions, cheetahs, elephants, and giraffes as well as hundreds of thousands of migrating wildebeest and zebras.
DELUXE | TAILOR-MADE | 7 DAYS
First stop is Abu Dhabi, the Garden City of the Gulf, where you’ll have a couple days at leisure to explore the capital and enjoy its international art scene. Connect onwards to Dubai for a sunset desert safari and time at leisure to enjoy the acclaimed shopping scene and futuristic architecture, including the Burj Khalifa.
Photos from top to bottom, left to right: Unsplash (Kylefromthenorth), Unsplash (Dawn
W.), Unsplash (David Rodrigo), Unsplash (Zdenek-Machacek), Shutterstocvk
DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED | 7 DAYS
Settle into a resort with thermal hot springs in the shadow of Arenal Volcano and tour the surrounding jungle, spotting toucans and sleepy sloths. Connect to the coastline to relax for a couple days on Punta Islita, with plenty of leisure time to swim in the ocean waters and ride a zipline!
DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED | 7 DAYS
Head into the foothills of the Quindio Coffee Region to enjoy a taste of life in the Andes and learn about the Colombian coffee industry—with the aid of some tastings, of course. Then connect to Cartagena on the Caribbean to soak up the sun on a coastal island and tour the city’s gorgeous old town.
ACROSS
1. Gothic Mexican city reminiscent of Florence
6. Birmingham is the gateway to the...
8. New Zealand’s iconic rugby team
10. Portugal’s famous wine valley
11. Famous honeymoon island in French Polynesia
13. World’s most famous country music venue
14. Tasmania’s historic penal colony
19. Spanish phrase for “Day of the Dead”
21. Ostrich capital of the world
22. Northern Thailand hill tribe
25. This strait separates New Zealand’s North and South Islands
26. Mississippi’s home of the Delta Blues
28. Tasmanian Bay named after glassware
29. Famously relaxed peninsula on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast
30. Mountain overlooking Bogota
32. Five regions in the world where people live the longest
33. A ___ cruise is a daily ritual in The Islands of Tahiti
34. A group vacation with Goway Groups
Only is for groups of ___ or more travellers
35. Jurassic Park’s fictional location, Isla Nublar, was an island off the coast of this country
36. The town of Setoda is found on this Japanese island
38. Colombian artist famous for plus-sized subjects
41. Japanese name for ramen made with soy sauce broth
44. A ring of Northern Lights is called a...
45. “Tumaini” means ___ in Swahili
46. Famous whaling shipwreck in Antarctica
50. The channel before the tempestuous
Drake Passage
51. Number of Birmingham restaurants in the Michelin guide
52. New Zealand town famous for whale watching
53. Tasmania’s most irreverent art museum
54. Famous curry invented in Birmingham
55. The famous natural landmark opposite this page
56. Where Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet
1. Type of wine that put New Zealand wine on the map
2. The Land of the Long White Cloud
3. On New Zealand’s North Island, you’ll find the famous Bay of...
4. American actor dedicated to African elephant conservation
5. NGV’s Aussie Art Collection: The ___ _____ Centre
7. Flat-top mountain over Cape Town
9. Bangkok hotel features in The Hangover Part II
12. Fijian phrase for welcome
14. Virginia city where the final battle of the Revolutionary War was fought
16. Birmingham houses the National ____ Museum
17. Distinctive blue, beaked fish found in the waters of The Islands of Tahiti
18. Popular name for Antarctica’s photogenic Lemaire Channel
20. University town and famous South African wine route
23 Popular modern central square in Melbourne
24. Famously sleepy mammal that feeds on cecropia leaves
27. Southernmost city in the world
31. This pre-Columbian empire built Machu Picchu
