How to backpack Malaysia off the tourist trail

Like many backpackers and seasoned travellers, Malaysia was high on my ‘to do’ list for a round the world trip. What many people don’t realise is that there is a lot more to Malaysia than the typical tourist trail down the west coast from Langkawi to Melaka.
If you can get away from the tourist trail, essentially a whole new experience awaits you. Travelling around Malaysia is very easy on local transport and the local people are always friendly and willing to help, the more so the further east you go! The best way to see Malaysia is on the local buses which are air-conditioned and very comfortable, but get used to being asked by the Malaysian students “do you mind if we interview you?” which seems to happen everywhere you go!
I spent 3 months in Malaysia; however you could do this itinerary in around 4-6 weeks if you have less time:

Entering Malaysia from Singapore

Start out by crossing the border between Singapore and Malaysia. This border is an easy crossing and you will be looking for a bus from Singapore to Johor Bahru in Malaysia. There is nothing to keep you for too long in Johor so I would change onto a bus bound for Melaka straight away and then spend a few days exploring this UNESCO World heritage site.

Melaka

Melaka is an attractive, compact city to explore either on foot or on one of the gaudy but fun trishaws you’ll find in the centre. Of course there are plenty of historical sites to visit but my fondest memory was sitting on Jonker Street in the evening watching the numerous street performances. On Sunday nights the whole of Jonker Street is transformed into an enormous street food extravaganza with every type of sweet and savoury fare imaginable.

Traveling north along the Melaka Strait

Further north along the coast, a fantastic place to visit is Port Dickson. Very few tourists end up here, but there are plenty of stunning beaches. If you take a walk up to the view point, you’ll be rewarded with some fantastic views across the Melaka Strait, accompanied by a fair few monkeys! There is backpacker place called Rotary Sunshine Camp that is housed inside an old army barracks. Chances are you will be the only ones here and the prices are around £3 per night, so that makes for a cheap, local beach destination!

Kuala Lumpur

Next I would head up to Kuala Lumpur. Basing yourself in Chinatown is your best bet for a cheap bed and food. Make a trip to the Reggae bar in Chinatown, which is a huge backpacker haunt at night.

Kuala Lumpur is great for 3 days but is really just another city, so after you’ve seen the Petronas Towers, make your way to Jerantut and get ready for a few days exploring Taman Negara National Park.

Taman Negara National Park

From Jerantut you can take a bus/boat to get into the national park. There is a good chance of seeing an array of wildlife from the boat, so keep your eyes peeled at all times.

Once you arrive, there are a number of things to keep you busy. I would briefly recommend a trip to a local working tribe via the river. Here you will see local life, learn how to start a fire from scratch and learn how to shoot a blow-dart.
I’d also recommend a guided trek where you stay overnight in the rainforest. At night the rainforest comes alive and you have a much better chance of seeing the larger wildlife. If this is not for you, you could take a nighttime jeep safari where you are almost guaranteed to see wild cats, reptiles and the odd Tapir. If you're really lucky, you might see one of the 10 wild tigers who live in the park!
You can book the jeep night safari, trip to see the local jungle tribe of the Orang Asli, canopy walking and rapid shooting locally or through your accommodation. If you want to book the longer 1-5 night treks deep into the jungle, this is best done at the entrance to Taman Negara national park with the guides. Its worth knowing that a visit to this whole area can be booked as a side trip from Kuala Lumpur.

Over to the East Coast

Make your way back to Jerantut and from here, take the long, slow jungle railway to Kota Bharu. Now on the east coast you will find Islam is more prominent so you will need to dress accordingly.

Kota Bharu and the Perhentian Islands

Kota Bharu is an overnight stop on your way to The Perhentian Islands, but if you want to experience the local city vibe, you could spend a few nights here. We were invited to a local football match, which was an eye-opener and a fantastic evening experience.
Once you reach the Perhentian Islands you will not want to leave! We decided we needed a bit of luxury and managed to get a 4* beach hotel for £10 a night. Accommodation in Malaysia is very reasonably priced so it shouldn’t be hard to find a comfortable place to stay. This is a beach destination so it’s all about relaxing, snorkelling and visiting different, cheap seafood BBQs on the beach every night.

Heading south down the East Coast

Moving down the east coast you will pass through many local towns like Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan which are worth exploring, but a must is a stopover in Cherating.

Cherating

There is a fantastic eco-lodge here and you will find backpackers staying for weeks! Again this is a beach town which has few tourists.

One of the best things to do here is to take a firefly tour down the river at night. There are literally thousands of fireflies as well as snakes and monitor lizards to see. You could also make a stop at the Turtle Sanctuary in the north of town.

Tioman Island

The last stop on the East coast is Tioman Island. This is my favourite beach destination and has some of the best snorkelling I have ever seen around the world.

You will need to get a ferry from Mersing in order to arrive here, and then you’ll find there are some amazing beach-side bars and cheap private rooms. After you have spent a minimum of a week here it’s back to the typical tourist route - most people head North into Thailand, which borders Malaysia to the North.

Cameron Highlands

En route to Thailand, stop off in the Cameron Highlands in the centre of the country for some trekking and to visit the rolling tea plantations and cloud forest at altitude. I would finish this mammoth trip on the beaches of Penang and the duty free island of Langkawi up towards the Thai border.

Top 5 Cities to celebrate Chinese New Year

Today is Chinese New Year, the first day of the new lunar calendar for 2015, the year of the sheep! Around the world paper dragons will dance through the streets, fireworks will explode in a riot of colour and families will come together, not only in China but all around the world. As China’s biggest annual holiday, the celebrations are echoed around the planet, where around a sixth of the world will join in with the parades, fireworks and feasting. The festivities last over 2 weeks, with each day having different significance – ending with the Lantern Festival on day 15 when parades march through the streets holding swaying red lanterns. Wherever you are in the world, there will be local celebrations happening, so here are our top 5 cities where you can experience the excitement of Chinese New Year!

Beijing

The capital of China was always going to be top of the list – Beijing buzzes with a contagious energy around New Year. The largest human migration on the planet happens as families scattered around the country take to the trains to gather in their hometowns for 2 weeks of celebrations and fun. Beijing is filled with flower markets, lion dances and fireworks shows that unmatched anywhere in the world. Millions of people join in with sparklers and firecrackers – this is the perfect place to experience the craziness of New Year as well as the traditional cultural festivities that have been taking places for thousands of years.

San Francisco

Home to one of the oldest Chinatowns in the USA, San Francisco hosts a parade that takes it straight to the top of New Year celebrations outside Asia. The Golden Dragon that dances through the parade is over 200 feet long and is the finale of the celebrations and emerges from the smoke and bangs of thousands of firecrackers! It takes a team of 100 people to work the writhing beast and the effect is spectacular. Collapse after an exhausting day of festivities with a bowl of dumplings – ready to start it all again tomorrow!

Sydney

If you’re headed down under, why not hit Sydney for the biggest Chinese New Year festivities in Australia? Sydney-siders gather to perform in an array of different events, from street markets to set price meals celebrating the Lunar Feasts. Dragon boats race to the finish line along Cockle Bay while the Twilight Parade lights up the streets as the floats and performers dance and run through Sydney. Head down to the Fish markets for lion dancing and a delicious sea food lunch as you celebrate New Year by the harbour!

Singapore

At this time of year Singapore is awash with red lanterns and decorations bring in the New Year in this melting pot of cultures. Endless market stalls spring up throughout Chinatown, selling clothing, presents and all sorts of delicious street food snacks. New clothes are traditionally worn to bring in the new year, whilst trying to squeeze in a visit to every activity that Singapore jams into its bustling New Year Celebrations - from street performers to professional Chinese opera and music.

New York

With the largest Chinese population in the Western Hemisphere, Manhattan Island is the place to be on Chinese New Year. The exciting Firecracker Ceremony wards off evil spirits while the parade is a real highlight, with jumping dragons and lanterns heading down the street with over 5000 people joining in! Grab some dim sum and chow down on some dumplings while you watch the iconic celebrations take place.

6 Best places in the world to take a ferry crossing

It's surprising how enjoyable a ferry ride can be! Even if in search of a cheap transport option, the views and scenery on many ferry routes around the world rival those of the priciest cruise ships. A fantastic way to experience any city is from the water, and since ferry journeys are often extremely cheap - from a few dollars to completely free, our 6 best places in the world to take a ferry crossings are sure to save you a penny or two whilst enjoying the view of a lifetime...
1. The Staten Island Ferry, New York

The Staten Island ferry carries around 60,000 people a day across the short strait between Manhattan and Staten Island in New York City. With breathtaking views of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, the ferry leaves from the Whitehall Ferry Terminal by Battery Park before making its way across the water to the borough of Staten Island.
Since 1997, the five mile journey has been free, so it's a fantastic way to experience New York from the water if you're on a budget. Check out the incredible view of the Financial District as you leave the port - the iconic One World Trade Centre has just been finished (2014) and is officially the tallest skyscraper in the western hemisphere!

See round the world flights including the USA

2. The Star Ferry, Hong Kong

Since 1898, the best way to travel between Kowloon and Hong Kong Island has been the Star Ferry. From Tsimshatsui in Kowloon, the ferries head either to Central or Wanchai terminals on Hong Kong island and offer passengers some of the finest views of the Hong Kong skyline. The Central terminal route is shorter, so head to Wan Chai if you want to take full advantage of the amazing views for the low cost of HK$2.50 - around 20 pence! Try and take the trip at least twice, during the day and at night, to experience both the blue and silver views of the city by day as well as the dramatic light show that fills the sky every evening at 8pm.

See round the world flights including Hong Kong

3. The Vancouver Island Ferry, Vancouver

The ferry ride from Vancouver to the town of Victoria on Vancouver Island is stunning, taking you past green forests and deep blue inlets and if you're lucky  - letting you spy some Canadian wildlife. In the summer months you might catch a glimpse of the elusive orca whale and if not, you'll have plenty of opportunity once you've reached the island.
Embrace the great outdoors available that await on Vancouver Island, including kayaking, hiking, bear-watching and loads more. The ferry costs around £8.50 per passenger or £28 for a vehicle and is a great way to enjoy the rugged coastal scenery of Vancouver.

See round the world flights including Canada

4. The Golden Gate Ferry, San Francisco

This 30 minute trip between San Francisco and Sausalito is a real bargain - for just $10.25 you can sail past Alcatraz, Angel Island and enjoy fantastic photo opportunities for photos of the Golden Gate Bridge. The iconic red bridge is often shrouded with San Francisco's famous fog, so make sure it's a clear day before embarking on the Golden Gate ferry to Sausalito.
Once you arrive in Sausalito, this quirky town has lots to offer from museums and small, family-run restaurants to fantastic views over the bay. Hike up to the Marin Headlands for the classic shot of the bridge or drive north to the Muir Woods where you can stand amongst California's famous redwood trees and marvel at their immense size.

See round the world flights including the USA

5. The Manly Ferry, Sydney

The ferry ride from Sydney Harbour to Manly Beach is a highlight of any time in Sydney. Beginning at Circular Quay, the bustling ferry port in the heart of the city, this ferry heads out towards Manly, passing the iconic 'coat hanger' Harbour Bridge before turning right and skirting around the edge of the Opera House, giving a unique view into its huge windows that overlook the bay.
You'll sail between yachts and cruise liners as you head further out of the Sydney harbour and past the hundreds of Victorian Sydney homes that overlook the harbour, eventually emerging in the beautiful port of Manly, where long, golden beaches and surf await. If you're lucky, you might spot a bottle nose dolphin or a whale on this stunning 30 minute journey. At around £8 return, this is an opportunity that can't be missed!

See round the world flights including Australia

6. The Cook Strait Ferry, New Zealand

The Cook Strait ferry from Wellington on New Zealand's North Island to Picton on the South Island is the ultimate ferry crossing. Connecting the two sides of New Zealand, this 3.5 hour crossing journeys through stunning scenery. You'll pass the rugged Wellington Heads as you leave the capital, before entering open water where the sea and sky rival each other in their beautiful blue hue.
Dolphins and whales are sometimes seen on this long stretch of peaceful water before the ferry enters the Marlborough Sounds and winds its way through the inlets to the small coastal town of Picton, where the South Island's treasures await. Travelling by sea between the two islands is a must when visiting New Zealand and whether you're travelling by camper, car, or on foot, this ferry ride is bound to impress.

2 Weeks to explore Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands

As I write this, I’m back in ‘sunny’ Brighton coming to terms with my post-holiday blues, the dull muscle ache a week on a not so friendly reminder of my adventures (more of that later...)
When a friend decided to take a sabbatical after a stressful year at work, it was too tempting for me not to gate crash part of it. So after a bottle of wine I invited myself on the last, to Indonesia.
Indonesia has been on my radar for some time after living in Australia – it’s just 6 hours from Sydney, 3h 50 from Perth and only 2h 40 from Darwin. It’s a destination that caters for the masses without you feeling like you’re with the masses...
When planning this 2 week trip I quickly realised Indonesia is huge - 17,508 islands, covering approximately 1,919,440 square kilometres and three time zones. Narrowing it down, it turns out only about 6,000 of the islands are inhabited and the main international airports are Jakarta, Denpasar (Bali) and Lombok.

Bali

I was in two minds about the Bali beach resorts, cautious that they might be to Australians what the Spanish Islands are to the Brits. However, with just two nights at the Bliss Surfer Hotel in Kuta to meet each other and recover, I was pleasantly surprised!
We headed to Legian beach first and scoped out the hotel with the comfiest sun loungers and ordered our fresh fruit juices to set us up for the day. Most hotels run a shuttle to get you around the town and to the beaches, otherwise taxis are readily available and quite cheap – just confirm the price before you get in, as I didn’t see any with meters. There are plenty of food and drink options around and an abundance of shops for the token Bintang t-shirt everyone sports.

Gili Islands

From Bali we moved on to the Gili Islands, somewhere I’ve dreamed of visiting for years.  We took one of the faster boats and paid slightly more (about £30 each way). Our boat was smaller than I imagined and it was quite rough at first so I hate to think how people on the boats £3 cheaper suffered!

Of the three main Gili islands, we opted to stay on Gili Trawangan and although it’s renowned as the ‘party island’ this turned out to be more understated than I expected (thankfully!). Gili Meno is the smallest island in the middle of three and is grass roots paradise. It can be expensive because of the limited resources, but reportedly it has the best beaches. The final island is Gili Air which is a happy medium and like Trawangan, has dive centres popping up everywhere.

Staying on Gili Trawangan

There are no vehicles on the Gili islands so transport is by foot, bicycle or horse and cart – bliss! As we’re both keen divers, we stayed at Trawangan Dive Centre but there is an abundance of independent homestays, bungalows, villas, hostel dorm and private rooms and hotels, apartments and the only Gili 5* hotel, so take your pick. You need to book in advance as the islands get booked out, particularly in peak season between June and September.

There are a host of local and international restaurants and bars and food stalls along the main road. You can expect to pay about £1 for a big bottle of water and a refreshing Bintang beer will only set you back about £2-£3. There are cash machines on the island and some of the restaurants take card as payment, but carry cash on you to get buy and get off the beaten path a bit.
Indonesia is home to 12.7% of the world’s Muslim population, making Indonesia the world’s largest Muslim country. As a result, the call to prayer from one of the three mosques on Gili Trawangan can be heard all over the popular east side of the island. It adds to the character and charm of the island, but if you’d prefer a quieter location, its best to stay on the north side of the island.

Day trips from the Gili Islands

Whilst in the Gili’s there are plenty of options to keep you active (if that’s what you’re after). You could try paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, learning to free dive, yoga, jewellery making  or cookery classes, hire a bike to cycle around the island, explore the night markets, listen to live bands, watch a film at the cinema in the evening, and of course diving.

Diving options

If you’ve never dived before, Indonesia is a great place to learn. The internationally recognised PADI qualification is much cheaper to acquire here compared to what you would pay at home. Whether or not you’re staying at a dive centre, if you have your certification you can pick and choose when and where you dive. You pay per dive and most places run three dives daily, with two on Fridays.

Dives prices are the same across the island - as set out by the Gili Eco Trust. You will be asked to make a one off donation of IDR 50,000 to support their work to protect the amazing eco system at your fingertips, as it’s not funded or supported by the government. There’s a turtle sanctuary on the island which was the highlight of our stay. Our trip was ideal - the right place, right time and right situation for us to see baby turtles being released back into the wild!

Komodo Island

If you have more time on the Gili Islands, try to visit Komodo Island, the home of the Komodo dragon (a giant lizard) - making Indonesia the only country in the world to house dragons! Exodus arrange an amazing tour including the dragons and also the sought after orang-utans in Indonesia which I can book for you.

Lombok and the Mount Rinjani climb

From Gili Trawangan we made the short hop over to Lombok, ready for our Mount Rinjani climb. The volcano had been looming over us from Gili Trawangan for a week and now came the time to face up to the second largest mountain in Indonesia head on! Indonesia is a part of the volcano group known as ‘The Ring of Fire’ and in volcano speak these are active – Mount Rinjani was rumbling away in 2010. Be warned that the paths up the volcano are closed during the wet season (roughly December/January – March/April), so make sure you take this into account when planning your trip.

This climb certainly isn’t for the faint hearted. I admit to nurturing trekking arrogance after conquering Mount Kinabalu in Borneo last year, but despite Rinjani being 370m lower at 3726m – it is harder by far. You can choose between a two or three day route, or even opt to spread the three day trek over four. I would definitely recommend the longer treks to give you the chance to head down to the lake and hot springs (the perfect medicine for tired muscles) and camp on the other side of the crater, the views from here are breath-taking looking across the volcano to the summit.

You can also choose which way round you trek from Sembalun to Senaru or vice versa, but I would recommend starting in Sembalun as it means you start at a higher altitude. The first day eases you in and then you climb to the summit on day two when you still feel almost fresh. Day three is an ‘easier’ downhill through the forest where you get lots of much needed shade.
Make sure you pack a head torch, warm clothes (it gets really cold at night at altitude), and walking poles are a massive bonus, but these can be borrowed from most of the trek companies so you don’t need to lug them around.

This is definitely an experience not to be missed but be warned; you will ache for a few days at least, so make sure you plan in some serious R & R afterwards! We relaxed at the Rinjani Lodge in Senaru – a gem of a find (which will be incredibly popular once everyone discovers it). The lodge opened in April 2014, so I believe the website is still in the making, but it can be booked through the trek companies locally. It’s a mountain retreat with pure luxury, including an outside bathroom and incredible views across the hills, all for only about £35 a night!

Ubud, Bali

From Lombok, we returned by boat to Bali and on to Ubud, the artistic and spiritual heart of Indonesia.  I had heard rave reviews, but Ubud still exceeded expectations. Here you can wile away your days getting into some yoga, having one beauty treatment after another or wandering the streets popping in and out of the shops and art galleries.
We stayed at the Alaya Ubud, and what a high to finish our trip! The service here is second to none and the location is great – you can walk into town whilst still having the peace and serenity looking out over the rice paddy fields.
If you’re a foodie like us, it would be a crime not to visit the restaurant Locavore. Make sure to book in advance as it is booked up most nights of the week. The concept of this restaurant is to use locally sourced ingredients and support the local farming community – the result is world class food. It’s not cheap by Indonesian standards (about £30 - £45 a head), but you certainly won’t be disappointed. The seven course tasting menu will forever more remain a bench mark to judge future meals!

My thoughts on Indonesia

Indonesia will firmly remain on my to-do list, so I can give some much-deserved time to the 5997 islands I missed on this trip. I cannot recommend a visit here highly enough, whether as a holiday or part of a longer trip. It’s not quite as cheap as other parts of South East Asia like Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam but it’s still not hugely expensive – easy to visit on a back packer budget or get luxury for a real steal!

Cruising: taking you closer to Fiji’s islands

I'd never experienced any kind of cruise, so I was really interested to explore the Fijian islands with this Captain Cook Cruise. My short cruise departed in October and I was looking forward to some relaxed island-hopping, great seafood and an introduction to the Fijian hospitality I’d heard so much about!

What kind of traveller is this cruise suited to?

These smaller cruises are suited to anyone looking for a Fiji holiday who enjoys the idea of relaxed sightseeing on the water. On our cruise, the passengers were mainly couples and a few bigger family groups or groups of friends. There were plenty of retired couples with some younger passengers too – not too many children, although they are welcome.

How big are the ships?

The Captain Cook ship (the MV Reef Endeavour) is a small cruise ship, so you certainly won’t feel overcrowded - it caters for up to 130 passengers. The best thing about these island cruise ships is that they’re designed to cope with the shallow waters and bays of the islands, so you can get close up, with short journeys to shore.

What types of cruise are on offer in Fiji?

Captain Cook Cruises offer a 3, 4 and 7 night cruise; the 7 night itinerary that we followed takes you from the marina in Port Denerau, on the main island and makes its way into the Mamanuca Islands, before heading out further into the Yasawa Islands. ‘Yasawa’ is one of the words for ‘heaven’ in Fijian, so you won’t be disappointed when you see these islands!
The 3 night cruise takes you to the Mamanucas and then to the southern Yasawa Islands; the 4 night option takes you through the Northern Yasawas and the 7 night option combines both. If you choose the shorter cruises, you meet or depart the ship via a transfer which is included.
The ship itself has lots of facilities; a pool and top-deck spa pools, plus bars and the cruise package included daily excursions to the islands, guided tours of Fijian villages and schools, reef snorkelling, glass-bottomed boat tours, a traditional lovo feast and a kava ceremony – so you get a full introduction to Fijian life.

What do you see on a cruise that you wouldn’t otherwise see on a visit to Fiji?

I’d never really considered taking a cruise before, so I was pleasantly surprised by a few aspects. As you’re constantly on the move and sailing through beautiful islands, the scenery is stunning – and unlike being parked on a sun lounger on a beach – it’s always changing! Every time you look up from your book there’s a different island coming into view, so it’s never boring.
Fiji has provided a backdrop to several films; on our way through the Mamanucas, we sailed past Monuriki Island which was the setting for the Tom Hanks film ‘Cast Away’ and the Blue Lagoon in the Yasawas was the setting for the 1980s romantic adventure ‘Blue Lagoon’ with Brooke Shields.

The cruise ships take you out to remote beaches which you wouldn’t necessarily reach (or have access to) on your own – some of which are inaccessible unless you take the tender up to the shore. We were also taken to some remote diving sites and tried some cave swimming which was exciting – it would have been quite an effort to reach these under your own steam.

How often does the ship stop?

Don’t feel concerned that you’ll be spending all your time on board a ship. The cruising distances between anchorages in Fiji are quite short (a few hours max), so we were able to spend plenty of time in off-ship activities. I took a guided dive, did lots of snorkelling and took part in a Kava ceremony in a local village - the emphasis is definitely on getting you off the boat.

What is your accommodation like?

The cabins as you might expect are quite small (although not dissimilar in size to the Japanese hotel rooms I’ve been used to). They’re comfortable and functional and in reality we really didn’t spend too much time in our cabin – you’re mainly up on the deck admiring the great views. There is plenty of communal space and a bar on the top deck, so there is lots of room to lounge around outside the cabin.

What are the meal arrangements and what kind of food can you expect?

You can look forward to full-board service on these cruises! We found that eating was really relaxed and informal – breakfast and lunch tend to be buffet-style and some of the lunches were served to us on the beach, which was great. In the evenings we had a very tasty selection of Fijian curries, fish soups, plenty of local fish and also some ‘western’ food and most meals are served with Aussie or Kiwi wines. In the evening there are two sittings for dinner, so you have some flexibility about when you eat.

What is there to do on board?

There’s plenty of entertainment provided on board and they also give you lots of information about the daily excursions on offer. On our departure there was a friendly, young German ents guy who arranged all the entertainment.
On board, we took part in a traditional Kava drinking ceremony (an important, traditional drink that looks like muddy tea and is mildly narcotic!) and we also had a crab-racing night. It sounds bizarre but was quite fun – each table had their own crab and had to compete with others in a race.
On other nights we were entertained with traditional Fijian song and dance. It was a great atmosphere – all the ship’s staff got involved and they really do genuinely love to sing and dance – it was another one of my highlights of the cruise. You also have a folklore night where you can learn more about the local legend and tradition – much flirting was involved between the ship’s staff which in itself was entertaining!

What did you enjoy about cruising Fiji that surprised you?

A highlight for me was being able to see whole-horizon sunrises and sunsets. Every day you’d be watching the sun rise or over the sea or a tropical island, from the comfort of your lounger and every day was different.

Did anything put you off?

I’m normally used to travelling independently, so I wondered if being part of a cruise party would make me feel like I was being ‘shepherded’ around with lots of other people. Actually, this wasn’t the case at all. The numbers on the ship are so small that the day I chose to do a dive, I was the only person who went. When you arrive at an island, you have the freedom to take a guided tour to a local village or to just do your own thing – it’s very relaxed indeed. If you’re at all sceptical about cruising, this kind of smaller cruise is a great place to find out if you enjoy it or not – it’s very friendly and informal and you’re only away for a few nights.

How to see the cherry blossom in Japan

Spring in Japan means one thing and one thing only and that’s cherry blossom season. Every spring time, the nation’s streets, gardens and public buildings and schools are decorated with the beautiful scents and colours of spring.
Everything takes on a delicate pinkish hue as the symbolic cherry trees spring into blossom and carpet the ground below in delicate cherry blossom snowflakes.

When and where?

The cherry trees start blossoming in Japan as early as late January, in the southern regions around Okinawa. Here you’ll be one of the first to see ‘sakura’ (cherry blossoms) and in Okinawa the cherry trees are traditionally decorated with lanterns too.

As the cherry blossom season moves north, the progress of the ‘cherry tree front’ is eagerly tracked, just like leef-peepers who keep track of the turning tide of Autumn in New England, USA. By the end of March or the beginning of April, blossoming has spread to Kyoto and Tokyo.
Most schools and public buildings have cherry trees in front, so if you visit in season, it certainly won’t be hard to find a photo opportunity, whichever city you visit.

Cherry blossom traditions

“Hanami” is the name for the old practice of picnicking under a blooming sakara or ume tree. At this time of the year you’ll find friends and colleagues getting out into parks to enjoy the canopy of blossoms with a picnic. It’s a traditional photo opportunity and one not to be missed!
The cherry blossoms have a special significance in Japanese culture with the short blossoming and fall of cherry trees being symbolic of mortality and the brevity of life. In times gone by, the Japanese government encouraged people to believe that fallen soldiers would be reincarnated in the cherry blossoms.

Some of the best places to see the blossoms

Ueno Park & Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Tokyo (late March to late April) – A beautiful (albeit likely crowded) cherry spot, you’ll find over 1,000 cherry trees all lit up at night so you can combine a viewing with a good night out on the town!

Senkoji Park, Hiroshima (early to mid-April) - whilst you’re there, make a visit to the moving Peace Museum which was built at the site of the only building to survive the impact of the atomic bomb.
Japan Mint, Osaka (mid to late April) – head to Osaka and you’ll find a whole 560m avenue of cherry trees.
Arashiyama, Tenryu-Ji Temple, Kyoto (late March to late April) – combine a visit to the magnificent cherry blossoms with a wander through Japanese bamboo and a climb up the Arashiyama mountains to see native Japanese macaques running free at the Iwatayama monkey park.

How to get to Japan

If you’d like to plan a trip to Japan during cherry blossom, there are plenty of options. You could consider a multi-stop ticket that allows you time to travel over land between Tokyo and Osaka, with opportunities to see the cherry blossoms in Tokyo, Kyoto or Okinawa, depending on your travel dates.

5 Classic movie locations around the world

Movies have long inspired the latent traveller in all of us. Who can honestly say they’ve watched the Sound of Music without wanting to hot foot it to the Austrian Alps?
OK. But, whether you’re a total movie buff or a casual cinema goer, including some of these classic movie destinations around the world is sure to give it star quality!

1. The Godfather, New York

Regularly rated as one of the best films of all time, this Francis Ford Coppola masterpiece was shot on location in the Big Apple. Head to Staten Island to see where the famous wedding scene was filmed. The Edinson Hotel bar will look familiar to Godfather fans... it’s where Sollozo meets Lucia Brasi, who sleeps with the fishes incidentally. If you want to visit all the locations of this gangster classic as part of your RTW trip, you’ll have to travel as far afield as Nevada, Los Angeles and Italy.

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2. The Lord of the Rings, New Zealand

The incomparable natural beauty of New Zealand was chosen as the setting for Middle Earth, a fantasy land of hobbits and goblins. Based on the books written by J.R.R Tolkien, the film was shot on location in the Tongariro National Park, in and around Wellington and the Southern Alps. Like most of New Zealand, these are all areas of mind blowing scenery which you’ll love whether you’ve seen the film or not!

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3. The Rock, San Francisco

Alcatraz Island, also known as The Rock, was the location for... you’ve guessed it, The Rock. It was also the setting for Escape From Alcatraz, so you can kill two movies with one stone, so to speak. Imagine your Clint Eastwood or Sean Connery plotting a daring escape, before hopping on to a boat back to San Francisco’s Fishermans Wharf for a bowl of clam chowder!

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4. The Shining, Oregon

Featuring Jack Nicholson at his maniacal best, this film is an all time classic. Visit the spooky Timberline Lodge in Oregon, the setting for the remote Overlook Hotel, where caretaker Jack Torrance spends a winter with his family and goes slowly insane. Run along the corridors shouting ‘red rum, red rum’ and put an axe through a door and shout ‘Here’s Jonny!!’ On second thoughts, on behalf of those lovely people who run the Timberline Lodge, please don’t do that.

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5. Motorcycle Diaries, Peru

Featuring the ultimate road trip, this movie recreates the journey a young Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and friend take around Latin America on the back of an old motorcycle. The film features footage of the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca ruins. Even if you’ve never seen the film, Peru’s magical presence will leave an indelible mark on you.