Victoria Falls

The Victoria Falls are on the Zambezi River, forming the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. A mile wide and 420 ft high, they are far bigger than North America's Niagara Falls, forming the largest vertical sheet of water in the world. They were "discovered" by David Livingstone in 1855 and named for Queen Victoria. Before that, they were known locally by the more apt and romantic name - Mosi-oa-Tunya, or "Smoke That Thunders". The falls are part of two national parks, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park in Zambia and Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe. They are one of Southern Africa's major tourist attractions. They are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. GETTING HERE By Air Fly from Johannesburg Airport to Livingstone Airport (Zambia). Flights take around an hour and a half. Livingstone Airport is a 20 minutes drive from Victoria Falls. Most flights leave Johannesburg early in the morning, so you will need a hotel at Johannesburg Airport for the night before. Overland Several companies organise overland trips to the falls. These can be anything from a couple of hours in a bus from Botswana, to a full-on several-week safari from Cape-Town. The longer trips can be a fabulous way to see Africa. As you would expect, the quality, safety and price of these trips varies enormously. Money Zambia's unit of currency is the Zambian Kwacha, which is divided into 100 Ngwee. Notes are issued in denominations of K10,000; 5,000; 1,000; 500; 200; 100 and 50. Most visitors will find the exchange rate is in their favour so Victoria Falls can be cheap to visit as your money will buy a lot of things. Health It is advisable to take a course of anti-malarial tablets before visiting the Victoria Falls area - just to be on the safe side. Weather Victoria Falls enjoys a mild, dry season from June to August. The temperature then rises steadily until the rains start in mid-November. It is then hot, wet and humid until the rainy season ends at the end of April. The rainy season is characterised by sudden torrential downpours and violent storms followed by blue skies and bright sunshine. Late October/early November is known as the "Suicide Season" with temperatures often exceeding 40 degrees! The Falls are at full power during the March and April floods but the immense amount of spray obscures the view and can make you very wet! For a mild, pleasant visit - come between June & September.

Crime Most of the people you meet here will be wonderful. They are keen to promote this area to tourists - so crime levels are generally very low. Final Word You must, must, must visit Victoria Falls! And try to see the surrounding area too. Take some local excursions - overland and on the river. The people, the culture, the scenery, the wildlife - will leave you wide eyed in wonder. And they will live in your memory forever. Victoria Falls is the greatest show on Earth! Africa is the greatest place on the planet for a vacation!

Ayers Rock
Uluru (The Living Rock) also known as Ayers Rock, is in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, 440 km southwest of Alice Springs in the Australian Outback. It has many springs, water-holes, rock caves and ancient paintings. It is sacred to the Aboriginal people of the area. It is listed twice as a World Heritage Site - for its natural beauty and for its paintings. It is one of Australia's best known natural wonders and tourist sites. Despite its isolated location it is a must-visit for anybody travelling to Australia. GETTING HERE First you need to get to Alice Springs: By plane Qantas run scheduled flights from all Australian capital cities to Alice Springs. Alice Airport is still 450+km from the rock. Quantas can also fly you to Connellan Airport - which is much closer to Uluru - but accommodation is limited here, so it's best to book both your flight and your accommodation well in advance. By train The journey to Alice by train is highly recommended - if you have the time. The legendary Ghan runs twice a week right across Australia from Adelaide to Darwin with Alice-Springs bang in the middle! Book early and get a sleeper. By road The drive to Alice is long and hard! It is not a trip for those easily bored. There are not many gas stations or accommodation, and breaking down can be a nightmare. FROM ALICE-SPRINGS By car The Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park is 465 km or five hours on the road. There are many places to rent cars in Alice Springs . By Coach There are many coach and bus companies running trips from Alice to Uluru. Some of them are very good, and some of them are not! WHEN TO COME If you don't like it too hot - avoid the high summer months Dec, Jan, Feb. Otherwise - any time is a good time! WARNING! Most Australians are honest, fair-minded and great fun to be around! But like any country in the world, we have our share of thieves, rip-off artists and con-men. Don't let these criminals ruin your trip of a lifetime. Take care with your money and your valuables.

Mount Everest
You may not be young enough, fit enough or crazy enough to climb Mount Everest - But there's no reason you shouldn't visit the area and take a close-up look at the highest mountain on Earth. It's an unforgettable adventure, and it's a lot cheaper than you might expect - Three-weeks in the Himalayas will you cost less than a week on a Mediterranean cruise-ship! A trek to Everest Base Camp is a fairly strenuous but highly rewarding walk amid the world's most stunning scenery. The trail has a network of small and well equipped lodges providing food and accommodation for trekkers. There are also excellent camp sites and plenty of comfortable and well managed resting places. When to visit In spring and autumn the weather is generally mild and dry. These are the most popular times for trekking in Nepal. March, April and may are the most colourful months - with wild flowers in full bloom throughout the lower lying areas. September, October and November are also excellent months. During the winter, December, January and February, there is usually lots of snow, and the ice-cold winds restrict trekking to lower regions and sheltered valleys. But there are fewer trekkers at this time of year so you feel more like a true explorer! Summer, June, July and August, is the rainy season. Most of Nepal is drenched by the Monsoon. Visibility can be restricted, and trekking can be difficult. On the plus side - you'll have the place pretty much to yourself! How to get here The best way to start your trip is by flying to Kathmandu. Most flights from Europe or the USA stopover in the middle-east. It's not hard to find flights - there are thousands of websites offering all kinds of deals. Visas You will require a visa to enter Nepal. These are usually granted for 60 days and are obtained on arrival at Kathmandu Airport. You can save time by filling in the visa-form during the flight (the flight attendants have them). The visa will cost you around $30 US. Currency You will need Nepalese Rupees as soon as you arrive. You are not allowed to bring them with you from abroad, so you will be expected to purchase them at one of the currency exchange kiosks within the airport. You will be given a receipt showing how many Rupees you have bought. You will need the receipt to re-exchange any unspent Rupees when you leave. Credit debit cards American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted in tourist shops, hotels, restaurants and agencies. Check with your credit card company for details of services available in Nepal.

Warning Arriving at Kathmandu can be a shock to your senses! The moment you leave the airport the taxi-drivers will tug at your luggage and ask you which hotel you
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want. This behaviour can be scary if you are not ready for it. Nepal is poor, these people are just trying earn some money. Cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination, as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness. All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is so huge and so spectacular that it is impossible to do it justice with a few photographs. Words cannot convey its majesty either! You simply have to go there and experience it for yourself! Carved by the Colorado River over millions of years, the canyon is around 277 miles (446 km) long! There are many ways to see this incredible wonder - including walking trips, mule-treks, flights in small aircraft, and white water rafting expeditions. Whatever your age, whatever your fitness-level, whatever your budget, there is a vacation of a lifetime just waiting to be enjoyed. You must, must, must see The Grand Canyon - it's unforgettable! When to Go Expect heavy crowds during spring, summer, and autumn months. You will find fewer crowds in early spring or late autumn. The South Rim is open year round, but heavy snows close the road to the North Rim from late October to mid May of each year. The North Rim is higher and wetter than the South Rim. It has 25 inches of rain a year compared to the South's 16 inches. The inner Canyon is a desert with less than 8" of rain a year. Temperatures vary widely too. The floor of the canyon can reach 120 degrees in June-July, with much lower temperatures along the rims. Weather Summer temperatures on the Rims are a pleasant (50 to 80F) but lower down in the inner canyon temperatures are extreme. Daytime highs often exceed 100 F (38 C). Winter conditions at the South Rim can be tough: expect snow, icy roads, and possible road closures. Temperatures are low, and with the wind-chill factor can at times drop below 0 F (-18 C). Canyon views may be obscured during winter storms; in such cases, entrance fees are not refundable. The North Rim is closed in winter. Spring and Autumn weather is extremely unpredictable.

New Zealand
New Zealand has it all! Snow-capped mountains, tropical beaches, raging rivers, majestic fjords, steaming hot-springs, ancient forests, spectacular caves - This entire country is a natural wonder! If you want to see natural beauty at its absolute best - you must visit New Zealand. New Zealand is the most beautiful country on the planet! New Zealand is also one of the easiest countries in the world to travel around. The roads are excellent (and almost deserted), crime rates are extremely low, there are no dangerous insects, snakes or predators to worry about, there are no diseases or infections to guard against, the people are helpful and friendly, the exchange-rate is massively in your favour (so your pound or your dollar goes a very long way) and English is the native language. New Zealand is paradise for travellers. Basic Facts New Zealand is located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. New Zealand is made up of two large islands (the North Island and the South Island) and several smaller islands - Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands. New Zealand is also known as Aotearoa, which is usually translated into English as The Land of the Long White Cloud. New Zealand is notable for its isolation, separated from Australia by 2000 kilometres (1250 miles). Its closest neighbours to the north are New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga. Currency is the New Zealand Dollar. Exchange rate is excellent - your money goes a long way! Credit-cards are accepted everywhere. How to get to New Zealand New Zealand is a long way from anywhere! So the easiest way to get here is by air. New Zealand is well connected - with several airlines flying here from all parts of the world. There are six international airports in New Zealand. They are located in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, and Wellington. The three main International Airports are Auckland, Christchurch, and Wellington. When To Visit New Zealand New Zealand is an all year round destination. The weather here is mild and temperate. Temperatures in the sub-tropical far north average around 25 degrees in the summer (Dec, Jan, Feb) and 16 degrees in the winter (June, July, Aug). South Island coastal areas average around 5 degrees cooler. In the mountains temperatures are considerably lower - especially in winter when it can drop to minus 10 but the skiing is great! The seasons here are opposite to those in Europe and North-America, the best time to come is probably in your winter - New Zealand's summer. Escape the cold, you'll love it! What to do In New Zealand If we made a list - it would go on forever! There's so much to see and do here - you'll never be bored! From Abseiling to White-Water Rafting, from Antarctic Encounters to Whale-Watching, you can do it all in New Zealand. Popular activities include visiting spectacular glow-worm caves, jet-boating through canyons, kayaking amid the worlds most spectacular scenery, skiing on pristine slopes, sailing in the Bay of Islands, walking or cruising through majestic Fjords, whale-watching, scuba-diving, trekking, visiting the Lord of The Rings movie areas, etc etc etc.

Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls A group of waterfalls on the Niagara River at the border between the United States and Canada. Niagara Falls (French: Chutes du Niagara) comprises three separate waterfalls: Horseshoe Falls (sometimes called Canadian Falls), American Falls, and the smaller, Bridal Veil Falls. The falls are located 120 km (75 mi) from Toronto and 35 kilometres (22 mi) away from Buffalo. It is the biggest waterfall in North America. It is also the most accessible and best served of all the natural wonders of the world. Tourism here is meticulously organised, and seeing the falls is very easy indeed. There is no strenuous-trekking involved, no hardships to suffer, no problems at all! And one way or another you are guaranteed a perfect view of this great natural wonder of the world. America or Canada? Niagara Falls consist of three sections. Horseshoe Falls are separated by Goat Island from American Falls, which are separated by a smaller island from Bridal Veil Falls. The Falls can be viewed from both America and Canada. Each side offers a different perspective. The American side has great views of Horseshoe falls and the skyline on the Canadian side. The Canadian side has views of American and Horseshoe Falls. The Canadian side is more popular due to its views of both sets of falls and to the number of attractions and hotels. For the best experience you should visit both sides. When To Come The Niagara Falls National Park is open all year round, but many of the attractions - like The Maid Of The Mist - only operate in summer. Most of the 6 million+ visitors come here in summer - and things can get pretty crowded! You will have to queue for a view from all of the public areas. If you want to see the falls properly - and not over the heads of thousands of people - come in spring, autumn or winter. Where To Stay Hotels here are plentiful - but the best of them are busy, especially in summer. Check our "Best Hotels" links for more information and booking instructions. Tip - Come out of season for the pick of hotels at bargain prices. If you must come in summer - stay at a "Best View" hotel. These are located in prime spots overlooking the falls, and will provide you with fabulous, uncrowded views - often from your own room! The down-side is that these are the most expensive hotels - but Niagara Falls is a natural wonder of the world