You can drive for hours through the deserts of Namibia without ever seeing another vehicle.But if it’s absolute isolation you’re after, try cycling through the country. You won’t see many other humans, but every pedal you push will be making a difference to the planet.
The personal challenge and the chance to contribute to conservation has inspired a very different type of holiday for 15 intrepid adventurers who will cycle 350km through the Namibian wilderness …

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Visiting the Grand Canyon is truly a classic American vacation. Most folks have taken the helicopter ride over the canyon or hiked partially down the north or the south rims – definitely inspiring! But how many people have actually spent their vacation in the Havasu canyon? Never heard of it? Well you not the only one, and that’s too bad because it is a piece of paradise right in our backyard.

If you look at

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Its moist spongy cake and sweet dense frosting are enough to conjure up mouth watering childhood memories, but today the cupcake’s popularity extends to grown up events such as weddings and baby showers.

These miniature cakes were first baked in the 19th century and still contain the same basic ingredients, flour, sugar, butter and eggs.   The modern craze started with a cameo appearance of a cupcake from New York’s famous Magnolia bakery in an …

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Getting lost in a new city is not usually on a traveler’s to-do list. But it is highly recommended that you cull your skills in the art of getting lost if you wish to throw off the tiresome stereotypes that come with being a tourist.

It might be harder than you think to truly move off the beaten path and have no idea where you are. When you feel a little disoriented, your survival instincts …

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Bike sharing has exploded all over Europe in the last ten years or so. Now more than ever, it’s easy to sightsee on two wheels in many Western European cities where infrastructure for cyclists has been much improved. Next time you’re in Copenhagen or Barcelona, forget the Segway and rent yourself a classic cycle to get around town.

 

Copenhagen, Denmark:

In central Copenhagen 55% of the population rides to work each day and 37% …

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Dear Travel IQ: I loved the ideas last week about house swapping. What if I want to stay in hotels, though? Do you have some good ways to save on my hotel bills that doesn’t involve camping out in a hostle?

Signed: Cheap, cheap, really, really cheap


Dear Cheap: These days, when every penny counts, no one wants to overspend on vacation accommodations. Some folks figure the only alternative is to crash on …

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Calling all surface-dwellers. These days you don’t have to be a spelunker to seek out the places within so it’s time to explore some subterranean sights. Whether you want to see the secret cities ancient societies dug under the warped and wrinkled landscape of Turkey’s Cappadocia, or witness the sparkling glowworm spectacle of Waitomo in New Zealand, there’s a strange and eerie world awaiting you below.

Underground Cities, Cappadocia, Turkey

Formed by a mother nature …

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There is no better time to visit Holland than in the spring when symphonies of tulips bathe the landscape in a carpet of rich, vibrant colour.

Holland dazzles the senses with Flower Power. The Dutch celebrate their blooms at every opportunity with a procession of flower parades, flower fairs, flower art displays, flower museums and flower markets. Each year Holland’s tulips attracts millions of visitors who gaze in awe at landscapes of crisp perfection, suddenly …

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Ireland is one of the most lush, beautiful countries in the world. Its quiet pace and the warm, friendly manner of the Irish people are sure to draw you in. Whether you are traveling with your family, a solo backpacker or a couple on a romantic getaway, there is no place like Ireland to captivate your fancy. Filled with ancient mystique and bright green landscape, these hidden treasures are some of Ireland’s most unique, unspoilt …

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Yes, the British and the Japanese have their tea customs and rituals, and I wouldn’t want to take away from the special nature of either of those cultures. But if I had to choose where I would most like to have a cup of tea with the locals, it would be Turkey. Tea shops are a focal point for street level Turkish culture and most good things happen in the presence of a cup of …

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Thinking about a biking vacation? If so, you are not alone. Active vacations, including biking, are definitely on the upswing. Individuals, couples and families find that a biking trip allows them to enjoy a vacation that includes plenty of outdoor time, great scenery, physical fitness and bonding with companions.

Biking vacations offer the active traveler the chance to experience a destination on a different level and pace than most travel affords. Bikers see the world …

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Couples looking for romance, privacy, adventure and luxury in the Caribbean can take advantage of a number of excellent resorts. Several companies offer couples only resorts, but Sandals Resorts offers 14 different properties throughout the Caribbean and they specialize in weddings, honeymoons and romantic get-aways. From top shelf liquors, gourmet a la carte restaurants and your own private butler, the following hotels cover all the necessary luxuries for a discreet holiday for two. All inclusive …

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Vacations are a time when we tend to throw out the rules and relax, but that doesn’t mean we should stop being eco-friendly. Green tourism, (sometimes dubbed sustainable or responsible tourism) is focused on not wasting valuable resources, preserving the environment and not upsetting the ecosystem. It encourages us to “take only photos and leave only footprints.”  Here’s how to go eco-friendly visitor while vacationing:

1.    Re-use that towel

Let housekeeping know they don’t need …

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Grey’s Anatomy has made Seattle famous for ferry rides (and hot doctors), but there’s plenty more in this city. You can easily find fun things to do for a day – or even a week.  It’s also a very walkable city so you can try to keep fit while enjoying some of Seattle’s best treats, like gourmet food and chocolate. The only thing you can’t be guaranteed of enjoying is the weather. Bring the umbrella …

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