1
I HEAR THE TRAIN A COMIN
If you’ve not had a chance to take an epic train journey, you must. This list of train trips from the Telegraph is a good one to get started. I nearly booked us a trip just reading through it. Plus we would have gotten to support endangered tigers. How cool is that? “Like the endangered species itself, the Tiger Express – a train journey on Belmond’s languorously luxurious Eastern & Oriental Express, will be a rare beast to behold in 2019. The plan is to run a special version of the signature Singapore to Bangkok journey departing on September 8. The aim of the journey, planned in conjunction with the charity Save Wild Tigers, the aim will be to raise awareness of the plight of (and funds to help preserve) these magnificent creatures.”
2
SO WHO STAYED HERE BEFORE?
I like this. A way to get away from its brutal past, and give local entrepreneurs a way to make a living and hope, not to mention visitors can learn from its rich history and culture. From Lonely Planet: “Some travellers prefer to avoid thinking about the previous occupants of their hotel rooms, but a new crop of Israeli and Palestinian boutique hotels have begun repurposing historic buildings such as hospitals, villas and even prisons into suites and spas, as they seek to cater to visitors who deliberately choose lodgings which claim a long roster of historical tenants.”
And, since we’re already talking about re-purposing buildings in destinations very much related to a large portion of the world’s religions (55% to be exact), here are a few more awe-inspiring holy sites around the world by National Geographic.
3
RE-TREAT YOURSELF TO SOMETHING NICE
What better way to begin the new year by spending some time on you. It’s ok to admit that you’ve been good, you’ve worked hard, and now you deserve some pampering. That is if you believe that several yoga classes a day, a few guided meditations, helping out in the local community, raw eating and collaging (hoping one of you will reply explaining what collaging is) will do the trick for your total renewal. Kidding aside, retreats where you can disconnect from the stresses of daily life are becoming all the rage. The Guardian has listed just a few worth considering such as Moniack Mhor in Scotland: “Moniack Mhor, in the Highlands near Inverness, offers a five-day untutored writing retreat that had everything I needed. Peace, quiet, walks, sunsets, poetry library, whisky, fires, ghost stories, other writers and haggis.”
4
BART!
Retreats are nice to get away from it all, but so are Caribbean islands. Here’s one that’s oft-overlooked: St. Bart’s (or St. Barthelmy’s for those of you who like to use people’s full names). Rather than having exclusive resorts, it’s an exclusive island in and of itself. Here’s a snippet of the island’s guide by TripSavvy: “Those who can afford to stay here enjoy a low-key European sophistication, where the person next to you at the topless beach, waterfront bistro, or fine French restaurant could easily be a famous rock star or movie magnate — but probably not, since most spend their time in one of St. Barths many private luxury villas.”
5
KYO-TO ME YOU’LL NEVER LEAVE
I’ve always put Kyoto in my top five favorite cities in the world. I don’t know what it is about the place. A certain freshness, the surrounding mountains, the historic buildings, the kindness of its citizens? Just so much to appreciate there. I loved it so much, I went back again, and I plan to return in the future – this time using National Geographic’s guide: “Kyoto is a true embodiment of Old Japan awash with beautiful vestiges of its past glory. Beyond the futuristic Kyoto Station, modern shopping complexes, and sleek luxury hotels, lies a city with celebrated centuries-old wonders, breathtaking temples, serene Zen gardens, narrow cobbled alleyways, bustling markets and a vibrant nightlife. By effortlessly blending the past and present, Kyoto is poised to be an alluring destination for history buffs and art lovers, gourmands, and outdoor enthusiasts.” – Nano Betts (apart from having a bad-ass name, she also has an amazing travel blog with stunning photos).
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
Keep Exploring!