10 trips for every type of traveler

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10 trips for every type of traveler

While it's true that most travel destinations arent like haute couture -- in one year and out the next --

there are some points on the map particularly worth visiting.

For good reasons, this is the year to mount a camel, trip through Palu's underwater psychedelia and-- yes, you can -- tackle the mighty Himalayas.

Before the calendar turns, here's a planner for the years best trips.

Best adventure trip: Everest base camp

TheHimalayas' "rock stars" are more accessible than you think.The thrill of high-altitude trekking in

Nepal was once available only to a gung-ho few. Recently, the journey has become more accessible.

In April 2011, co-host of international television show Word Travels and travel writer Robin Esrock

will lead a trek to the Everest Base Camp with World Expeditions.

The journey begins in Kathmandu Valley and ascends through Sherpa villages to Tengboche

Monastery, where awestruck hikers get panoramic views of the rock star mountains of the

Himalayas: Tawache, Everest, Nuptse, Lhotse, Ama Dablam.

Hikers will traverse part of the treacherous Khumbu Glacier, followed by an ascent of Kala Pattar

(18,192 feet), before stopping at Everest Base Camp.

In Nepal, acclimatizing is going to be key, as is exercising for several months beforehand to

ensure your body can take it, Esrock cautions. Wearing in your gear is a must, although those



incredible Sherpas will no doubt be worth their weight in stardust.

The World Expeditions hike to Everest Base Camp runs April 4-24, 2011, and begins in Kathmandu.

Price is US$2,768 per person, including food, trek pack, porters and accommodation.

Best foodie trip: Chengdu, Sichuan

Don'tworry, after the first eight or nine bites, you won't feel the burn anymore ... or anything else.In

August 2010, the Sichuan capital of Chengdu was honored as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy.

That same month on Twitter, American TV host Andrew Zimmern could barely contain his

enthusiasm for the budding food scene. He uploaded a photo of local dumplings that could be

mistaken for giant jellyfish. Chengdus meat market was packed with every type of dried pork,

including pig skin face.

For those less adventursome, an easy first stop on the Chengdu food safari is the bustling Chuan

Chuan Xiang hotpot restaurant. Here, meat and vegetables are cooked together rather than

piecemeal. (Chuan Chuan Xiang, 45 Double Bridge Road, Chengdu, tel: +028 8433 6879)

Another Chengdu favorite: Grandma Jins Handmade Noodles (Xiaojiahe St, Chengdu, tel: +028 8518

6457), where hand-pulled bedspread noodles resemble a online poker real money large and chewy

sheet. The most popular order is noodles topped with spicy red braised beef.

Located near Wen Shu Temple, the intimate BuddhaZen hotel is highly rated on TripAdvisor and

other web forums. The spacious rooms go for US$64-$76. (BuddhaZen hotel, B6-6, Wenshufang

Street, Qingyang District, Chengdu, tel: +86 28 8692 9898)

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Best road trip: Ireland clockwise

Cliffs of Moher: Somewhere down there is a pint of Guinness with your name on it.The endless highways of

North America or Australia are inviting, but in 2011, the Emerald Isle makes for a more mystical

(and affordable) setting for a long, freewheeling drive.

Ireland native Herbie Brennan is the bestselling author of more than 100 books, many with themes

of mystic exploration.

For a short trip, Brennan recommends driving 32 kilometers northwest from Dublin to Newgrange.

It is probably the most spectacular megalithic site on the planet, beating Britains Stonehenge, he

says.

Far more satisfying is a ten-day, 1,320-kilometer Ireland clockwise road trip starting from Dublin.

First big stop is Kilkenny, a preserved medieval village, followed by a session with the Blarney

Stone.

The route takes in Kerrys 4,000-year-old stone forts, majestic Cliffs of Moher and rugged

Connemara, then zips back around to Belfast. Along the way you'll get your fill of sodden bogs,

picturesque towns, Irish music, charming country pubs and, yes, green, green, green hills.

Visitors can lease a ride from Dublin-based Argus Car HireIrelandfor as low as US $10 a day (See

what we mean about affordable?) Go Ireland lists rates and specials for hotels all over the country.

How to make the most of the drive?

Visit the country pubs and talk to people, advises Brennan. Or rather, listen. With the Irish its

difficult to get a word in edgeways.



Ireland out of reach? Asia is loaded with once-in-a-lifetime roaders. Check out these 8 spectacular

driving adventures in Asia.

Best eco trip: Borneo

Wherethey're headed no one knows for sure.Described by Charles Darwin as a great luxuriant hothouse

made by nature for herself, Borneo is one of the worlds most eco-diverse zones.

On Sipadan Island, the most famous island off Borneo, divers can swim with exotic creatures --batfish, clownfish, lionfish, harlequin ghost piefish. To get there, fly to Kota Kinabalu or Tawau, then

continue for one hour by car to Semporna for a boat launch.



Animal lovers can play with primates at Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, a rehabilitation center that

re-trains the displaced animals for life in the jungle. The sanctuary is reached by bus or taxi, a 23-

kilometer ride from Sandakan town. (Sepilok Orangutan Sanctuary, Batu 14, Jalan Labuk Sandakan

Sabah, tel: +6 089 531180, admission US$10.)

Selingan Island is home to green and hawksbill turtles that creep onto the beaches after dark to lay

their eggs.

Since access to Selingan Island is restricted, joining a day tour is the best option. There are several

tour operators at the floating village on the Sandakan waterfront. A guided tour and overnight stay

from Journey Malaysia begins at US$280.

Another way to help preserve the island's future: stay at an ecolodge. North Borneos Sukau

Rainforest Lodge has its own generators and uses solar-heated water. Down south, Rimba

Orangutan Eco Lodges offer rainforest strolls and wooden boat rides.

Best tropical island trip: Palau

Makingnice with the world's friendliest jellyfish in Palau.In 2010, Palau withdrew support for Japanese

whaling, called for an end to shark finning and became the third country worldwide to ban the

bottom-trawling fishing method of dragging nets across the sea floor.

That commitment to marine health put the Pacific Island nation on the 2010 Ethical Travelers list of

10 best destinations in the developing world.

With ongoing eco-initiatives in 2011, Palau is preserving its reputation as a destination for undersea

exploration.

Jellyfish Lake is famed for the millions of harmless gold jellies that pulse through its waters. To



reach the lake, take a 45-minute boat ride from Koror to Eil Malk island. Highly regarded Sams

Tours offers a full day of diving and snorkeling for US$139. (Sams Tours, P.O. Box 7076, Koror,

Palau, tel: +680 488 1062)

Sams also operates land tours of the big island Badeldoab, best known for its 98-foot high Ngardmau

Falls. Also of note: ancient stone monoliths and WWII gun emplacements. Sams Tours has US$150

day trips.

The only hotel with its own beach is the Palau Pacific Resort. Rooms with oceanfront views begin at

US$280, and the hotel is conveniently located in the business district of Koror. (Palau Pacific Resort,

PO Box 308, Koror 96940, Palau, tel: +680 488 8888)

Best budget trip: Morocco

They'repractically giving them away. Well, not really, but go ahead and bargain, anyway.Owing to a certain

Humphrey Bogart film, many think of Morocco as a mysterious and extravagent place. However,

once travelers touch down in North Africa, the sightseeing costs are surprisingly bearable.

In Marrakesh, foodies can fill up at the vegetarian Earth Caf for US$5-$8 (Earth Caf Marrakesh, N 2,

Derb Zawak, Riad Zitoun Kedim, Medina, Marrakech, tel: +212 6054 4992). The restaurant is known

for its fresh juices and generous portions of flavorful food, such as pastille (savory pie) and amlou, a

thick almond dip.

A camel trek is a classic Moroccan experience that wont break the bank. For US$20, travelers can

ride up the Sahara dunes at sunrise and catch a glowing red view of the desert.

At sunset, your Ship of the Desert ambles to a desert hotel, where you can relax and listen to live

Berber drumming.



To access the Camel Tours takeoff point, take a bus from Bab Doukala station in Marrakesh to

Rissani; it departs at 3 p.m. and arrives 7 a.m., and costs US$21. Guides will then transport you to

the Erg Chebbi dunes.

The Riad Charlott has four-star-quality rooms for US$98-$183. Visitors enter a classic courtyard and

are greeted with mint tea and biscuits, and rose petals on the bed. (Riad Charlott, Derb Sidi Ahmed

Bennacer, Kaat Bennahid, Marrakech 40000, Morocco, tel: +212 05243 91689,)

Moroccos best hostels and riads (family run guesthouses) are ranked in this article.

Best gambling trip: France

If you'renot wearing at least three piecs of jewelry in this color, don't bother going inside.Gambling in

France is a classy affair, with nearly 200 upscale casinos around the country populated by elegant

socialites imbued with the highbrow 'tude of the Riviera.

In February 2011, the France Poker Series finals play out at Cercle Haussmanns 25 tables. (Cercle

Haussmann, 22 rue de la Michodire, 75002, Paris, tel: +01 47 42 67 82)

Blackjack originated in 17th-century Paris, and Cercle Wagrams paneled walls and chandeliers keep

the old-time feel. (Cercle Wagram, 47 avenue de Wagram, 75017, Paris, tel: +01 43 80 65 13)

The casino in Divonne-les-Bains, a spa town bordering Switzerland, is the largest in France.

Gamblers can choose between French and English roulette, and shift from Texas hold em to stud

poker. (Domaine de Divonne, Avenue des Thermes, 01220 Divonne les Bains, tel: +33 04 50 40 34

34)

Lorraines Casino de Contrexville was established in 1900, its Baroque architecture inspired by the

Paris Opera House. The casino recently added a hall for nearly 200 slot machines. (Domaine de



Contrexeville, 13 Rue de Metz, 88140 Contrexville, tel: +03 29 07 61 61)

Best trip with kids: Vancouver, Canada

TimHortons coffee and donuts across the harbor. Wildlife nearby.Prettiest big city setting on the planet?

Vancouver, British Columbia, has got to be in that discussion.

And the scenery isn't just for show -- in British Columbia, kids can wet their pants over the towering

Coast Mountains while getting up close to wild animals, such as whales, eagles, sea lion and deer.

Outdoor activities, like hiking and kayaking, are available right from the city, and at fairly affordable

rates," says Asta Mail, a marine biologist at Vancouver Science World.

Mail recommends a walk in Richmond Nature Park, which has four easy trails totaling seven

kilometers in length. The Nature House has a small collection of live animals and an active beehive.

(Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Highway, Richmond, BC, tel: +604 718 6188)

After catching age-appropriate buzzes on Tim Hortons famous coffee and/or donuts, families can hit

Deer Lake Boat Rentals to rent canoes, rowboats or pedal boats for CAN$17 an hour, while blue

herons, beavers, turtles and other creatures dart between the lilypads. (Deer Lake Boat Rentals,

5435 Sperling Ave., Burnaby, BC, tel: +604 839 2201)

Several kid-friendly music and theater festivals are slated for summer 2011.

The popular Childrens Festival moves to Granville Island for the first time in 2011, increasing the

number of performers and stage capabilities. The May 30-June 5 lineup includes Al Simmons Juno

Award-winning musical comedy.

Best revolutionary trip: Che Guevara's Route, Bolivia



Do youhave to be sociable to be a soclaist? Find out by following Che Guevera's footsteps through isolated

Bolivia.Because of its high, isolated plateaus and devout, indigenous population, Bolivia is sometimes

called the Tibet of South America."

The trails are welcoming to backpackers, and the living is easy: trekkers can eat and sleep well for

US$25 a day.

On one of those trails, modern history buffs can relive a Che Guevara journey on La Ruta Che, which

follows the guerrilla fighters path as he tried to advance a socialist revolution in South America.

Swiss Bolivian Adventures (Swiss Bolivian Adventures, Avenida Mariscal Santa Cruz, Handal Center

Planta Baja, Oficina 6 , La Paz, Bolivia, tel: +591 2 240 6470) offers three- and six-day tours of the

trail, beginning at US$125.

From Santa Cruz, the path leads to the Vallegrande laundry where the leader was exposed, to Abra

del Picacho where his guerrillas fought, and finally to La Higuera, the site of Guevaras execution in

1967. The route is fine for beginners.

Hostels such as Jodanga in Santa Cruz are tailored specifically to backpackers. The communal

atmosphere and Spanish lessons let fellow trekkers meet and exchange info. A bed in the dorm is

US$10; a private bathroom and room with air-conditioning is US$31 a night. (Jodanga Backpackers

Hostel, El Fuerte N0 1380, Barrio Los Choferes, Santa Cruz, Bolivia, tel: 591 3 339 65 42)

Best volunteer trip: Cambodia



StarKampuchea brings together the beauty of Cambodia and the beauty of giving.In November 2010, the

Cambodian bridge stampede that killed hundreds drew attention to both the countrys beauty and

incessant troubles.

Cambodia faces problems of health, corruption, poverty and lack of education, laments Chi Lo, a

travel blogger and volunteer at the Womens Media Centre.

Opportunities for visitors to help Cambodians are plentiful. Visitors can do human rights work, dig

wells and latrines and teach everything from English to hospitality to hairdressing.

Travelersphilanthrophy.com has tips on giving responsibly.

Star Kampucheas volunteer programs are four to 24 weeks long, with volunteers working 30-40

hours per week. The organization helps visitors acquire visas (about US$43) and connect with host

families. Cost begins at US$770 per month; an independent stay is US$490 per month. Training

begins the first and third Monday of each month.

Star Kampuchea, No. 67, Street 123, Sangkat Toul Tompoung 1, Khan Chamkar Morn, Phnom Penh,

tel +855 23 211 612

For more volunteer vacations check out these 6 inspiring trips in Asia.

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10 trips for every type of traveler