dimanche 4 juin 2017
mardi 23 mai 2017
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jeudi 11 mai 2017
mardi 9 mai 2017
New short break to see Princess Diana exhibition
New short break to see Princess Diana exhibition
A two-day break to celebrate the life of one of the most-loved royals, Princess Diana, has been launched.
National Holidays, the UK’s leading specialist in short breaks and holidays by coach, has launched a new break to celebrate the life of one of the most-loved royals. ‘Princess Diana: Her Fashion Story’ is a two-day break, with prices from £99 per person, and includes a trip to the stunning Kensington Palace to see the widely anticipated exhibition, coach travel, one night dinner, bed and breakfast, as well free time to explore the capital’s sights.
Discovering Uzbekistan: At the centre of the Silk Road
Even more than the Roman Empire, the Silk Road shaped the world we know today. Weaving from Europe to Asia, Russia to the Indian Subcontinent, and everywhere in between, it was along this network of ancient trading routes that people, ideas, inventions, and goods made their way.
At the centre of the Silk Road, and waiting to be discovered, is Uzbekistan. From April 2017, British passport holders (and nationals of more than a dozen other countries) will no longer need a tourist visa: you’ll pay a flat fee of US$50 on arrival, and be able to stay for up to 30 days. When you combine this change with the fact that Uzbekistan Airways also flies directly from London to Tashkent, it’s never been easier, or cheaper, to go.
What are the attractions which make Uzbekistan a must-visit destination? As the author of the Bradt Guide to Uzbekistan, I’ve been fortunate enough to explore almost every corner of the country. Here are my recommendations of what to see, do, and experience in Uzbekistan.
The Silk Road Cities
First and foremost are the great Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, which have been inspiring visitors with their architectural masterpieces for centuries. All UNESCO World Heritage Sites, these cities are bejewelled with majolica tiles, stained glass, gilded ceilings, and exquisite paintings and carvings.
Samarkand
In Samarkand, tourists typically head straight for the Registan Square, which is comprised of three madrassahs (Islamic schools), the earliest of which dates from the 15th century. Each of the structures is highly ornamented, and the facade of the Sher For madrassah depicts strange tigers with human faces upon their backs: they are grotesque and beautiful in equal measure, and clearly challenge the orthodox Islamic view that living creatures should not be depicted in art.
My favourite site in Samarkand, however, is a 10 minute walk away. It’s called the Shah-i Zinda, and it is an extraordinary necropolis of decorated tombs, some of which are more than 1,000 years old. Each of the mausoleums in the complex is unique and beautiful, and together they will take your breath away.
Termez: off the beaten track
I like to get beyond the beaten track, however, and so it’s necessary to leave the charms of the cities behind and head out into the hinterland. Tourists rarely travel as far south as Termez, but as a result, they miss out: this was one of the great Graeco-Bactrian cities at the time of Alexander the Great, and the archaeological discoveries made here are eye-opening.
The most important finds (and well-done displays explaining where they came from) are in Termez Archaeological Museum, but it is well worth visiting the open air excavations, too. In my view, the most impressive of these is at Kampir Tepe, where you can still walk what remains of the city walls, follow the streets, and enter into homes and shops, even though the last residents left two millennia ago.
Savitsky Collection in Nukus
Uzbekistan’s history is rich, without doubt, but there’s also a lot to be said for exploring its more contemporary culture. The Savitsky Collection in Nukus (also known as Nukus Art Museum or The State Art Museum of the Republic of Karakalpakstan), in the northwestern part of Uzbekistan, has one of the most important collection of avant garde art in the world, and the story of how the collection was amassed and protected is the subject of the documentary Desert of Forbidden Art. The museum is undergoing an aggressive expansion programme, so more and more works of art will be put on display throughout the year.
Head to the capital, Tashkent
Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, is a regional hub of culture, too. The glorious Navoi Opera and Ballet Theatre has recently reopened after major renovations, and the affordable tickets offer a chance to see world-class classical performances in a remarkable setting.
There are a large number of museums in the city, of which the Uzbekistan State Museum of Applied Art and the Fine Arts Museum of Uzbekistan are particularly worth exploring.
Make sure you also have time to people watch and shop at Chorsu Bazaar — the modern manifestation of the Silk Road markets of the past — and, funny as it may sound, take a ride on the Tashkent Metro, the stations of which are decorated with carved alabaster, mosaics, chandeliers, engraved metalwork, and more.
Uzbek Food
And then there is the food! Uzbek food is little known outside of Uzbekistan (with the notable exception of Samarkand in London, tipped to become the world’s first Michelin-starred Uzbek restaurant), but even the smell of the grilled meats, soups, and plov (the local variant of pilau, or biryani) will have your mouth watering. Uzbekistan is a major producer of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts, so you can expect to spend a lot of your visit snacking on healthy treats.
Uzbekistan: an up and coming destination
Uzbekistan ticks all the boxes for an exciting, up and coming destination. The country is developing rapidly, and particularly if you travel out of high season, it’s relatively easy to stay away from other tourists and surround yourself with authentic experiences and warm local hospitality. The Uzbeks have been welcoming travellers for thousands of years, and if you are lucky, you’ll soon be among their honoured guests.
Getting to Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Airways flies directly from London to Tashkent twice a week, from £427. If you don’t mind routing via Istanbul, Turkish Airlines has return flights from £320.
Tourist Visas for Uzbekistan
If you are a British passport holder and plan to travel to Uzbekistan after 1 April 2017, you will not need a visa, but can instead pay a $50 entry fee on arrival. Additional information will be available closer to the time from the Uzbek Embassy in London, and so are visas if you decide to go on a last minute winter break before the new rules comes into effect.
Guided tours of Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan is a hot destination for 2017, and a number of UK-based tour operators are offering scheduled departures and bespoke itineraries. For example, Wild Frontiers offers adventurous itineraries in Uzbekistan and the neighbouring countries of Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
Viator also has a selection of local operators:
Recommended Uzbekistan guide books
Bradt Guide to Uzbekistan (published 2016) RRP £17.99
Uzbekistan: The Golden Road to Samarkand (published 2014) RRP £16.95
Lonely Planet Central Asia (published 2014) RRP £19.99
10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Travelling to Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City is fun, chaotic, noisy, part modern, part traditional. Here are the 10 things I wish I knew before travelling to Ho Chi Minh City.
It is fun, chaotic, noisy, part modern, part traditional, and a bit intimidating but most of all Ho Chi Minh City in Southeast Asia, is charming.
But, it is also eccentric. Saigon and Ho Chi Minh City are different names for the same city.
I was there for three days and managed to visit the War Remnants Museum, Reunifications Palace, Saigon Central Post Office, and the Notre Dame Cathedral. And it was a joy just to soak in the atmosphere and stuff myself with delicious Vietnamese food.
It was a great experience but I experienced minor setbacks. The mishaps certainly did not stop me from having a good time but they could have been easily prevented with careful planning. And there are things that I missed or almost missed out on either due to lack of time and preparation.
Here are the 10 things I wish I knew before travelling to Ho Chi Minh City.
1Flooding
(c) Northboer
Ho Chi Minh City is not immune to flooding. I went to Saigon in June, during the rainy season, and although it only rained once during my stay, the downpour was heavy enough to cause a bit of flooding. Luckily, a mall was nearby so I stayed there until the rain stopped and the floodwaters subsided.
2Transportation
(c) Graeme Newcomb
It is easy to blow your budget on transportation costs. I made the mistake of hiring a cyclo (a three-wheel bicycle taxi), and was charged 300,000 VND for my city tour. I was not scammed because I agreed on the price but we only went to 4 sights, which were fairly close to one another. Walking or taking a taxi would have been a better alternative.
3Currency confusion
(c) Amy Wardlaw
The currency in Vietnam is the dong. However different Vietnamese dong notes look similar and one can easily get confused. I was giving a tip to a massage therapist and was meant to give her 60,000 VND but handed her 540,000 VND instead. The girl realized my mistake and handed me back the 500,000 note, which I promptly replaced with a 20,000 note after thanking her profusely.
4Taxi scams exist
A taxi from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to the backpackers’ area in District 1 costs around 6 to 10 USD but I paid 20 USD. The meter was on but I believe the driver took the longer route. It wasn’t until I chatted with my hostel’s receptionist when I realized that I’d been ripped off.
Top Tip: Only take Mailinh and Vinasun taxi when in Saigon.
5Vendors can be aggressive
I shopped for souvenirs at the Ben Thanh day and night markets and I noticed that vendors are pushy, rude, impatient, and even aggressive. If you are not interested in what they are selling, it is best to take a deep breath and just ignore them.
6Not all hotels have lifts
When booking a room in Ho Chi Minh City, always ask if there’s a lift available. If there’s none, ask for a room on one of the lower floors to save yourself from having to carry your bags up several narrow flights of stairs.
7Massages and pedicures are super cheap in Saigon
During my last night in Saigon, I was walking around Bui Vien Street when a young woman handed me a calling card and told me to visit their spa if I wanted to have a massage or a pedicure. I paid less than 10 USD for a full body massage and a pedicure in a clean and well-appointed environment.
8Vietnamese iced coffee is really good
Never leave Saigon without trying ca phe sua da or Vietnamese iced coffee. I ordered a glass at a roadside eatery and it proved to be sweet, refreshing, and definitely a highlight.
9There’s life beyond Districts 1 and 3
It would have been great to spend an hour or two in Chinatown in District 5, or have dinner at a riverside restaurant in District 7.
10Three days is not long enough when visiting Ho Chi Minh City
As my time in Saigon was limited, I skipped the Mekong Delta or the Cu Chi Tunnels Tour. Shame.
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