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The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, is a common feature on many a- traveller’s bucket list, but with a Solar Maximum that runs in 11-year cycles, experiencing this natural wonder is not as straight forward as one might hope.

The good news is that 2012/13 just so happens to be the peak of the cycle, with spectacular displays predicted by experts. Don’t go packing your bags yet though – wait until autumn arrives. As well as having an 11 year cycle, the aurora borealis keeps its extravagant displays confined to coincide with the equinoctes, which occur in September and March.

Northern Lights Ilulissat (by Klaus Poulsen)

Where to go
Generally speaking, head towards the Arctic, above 60 degrees latitude.
• Iceland
• Norway
• Sweden
• Greenland
• Finland
• Canada
• Alaska
The lights can however be seen as far south as Cuba, but the probability of seeing them is understandably lower. If your prime objective is to see the lights, then it is strongly advised that you choose a location as far north as possible, and to avoid disappointment choose a place that has lots of other things to offer as a destination as seeing the lights IS NOT GUARANTEED EVEN DURING THE PEAK.

Northern Lights by Timo Newton-Syms

When to go
The Solar Maximum may be coming to an end, but that does not mean that you have to wait another 11 years to see the Northern Lights. It is all about probability.
Keep the chances of seeing the lights high by going in Autumn or Spring.
They are more spectacular when it is dark – so avoid a full moon, and go to a remote location. Light pollution from cities and such can dilute the glory of this amazing phenomenon.
Once at your destination, you also want to make sure that you don’t miss any light shows that may appear. Many hotels have an aurora alarm, so that you can run outside if nature decides to show it’s spectacle half way though dinner. If you are out and about or staying in a hostel – this is a handy aurora borealis forecast site.

Northern Lights, Greenland by Nick Russil

What to take
The best places to see the lights are in remote places and at night – so warm clothes are advised – pack as if you are off on a ski trip, layers are essential! Once again, staying in a hotel offers an advantage as most will have snow suits and the like for guests to borrow for tours and trips out to more remote places.
Hot tubs are also very popular where the Northern Lights shine, so pack your swim suit.
Finally – if you are planning to hire a snow mobile, you will also need tour driving license, and we also recommend some wintersports travel insurance to go with that too!

If you decided after our last blog that Sandboarding in Egypt is the trip for you, you’ll need to know a little more about visiting the country itself.

We have compiled some essential information as well as handy hints and tips that every traveller should to know from getting in, to staying safe and of course a few pointers on local custom.

Step Pyramid of Djoser by Dennis Jarvis

Entry

You will need a visa and a valid passport unless staying at Sharm El Sheikh, Dahab, Nuweiba and Taba resorts – visitors to these destinations will be given a free entry permission stamp on arrival. However, if you plan to leave the resort during your stay, you will need a visa. Passports must have a minimum of 6 months left from date of entry.

Etiquette

Egypt is Muslim country, and it is advised to respect their customs – so no public displays of affection, and keep yourself covered up.

On that note, displays of affection between same sex couples is in fact ILLEGAL in Egypt and can result in a conviction for breaching laws on public decency.

Alcohol and Drugs

Drinking is ONLY permitted in licensed restaurants and bars. Drinking outside these permitted areas can result in arrest.

Use, possession and trafficking drugs is illegal in Egypt and the law is upheld with lengthy sentences or the death penalty.

Nubian Stinger, Lake Nasser, Egypt by Dennis Jarvis

Transport

There are 3 main bus services running through Egypt; The Upper Egypt Bus Company, serving the Nile Valley, Inner oasis and Red Sea coast; The East Delta Bus Company operates in the Sinai Peninsula and Canal Zone; and The West Delta Bus Company serving Alexandria, North Coast and Nile Delta.

Taxis are usually cheap, and a much better way for tourists to travel around – best booked from reception wherever you are staying, they will have trusted and reputable drivers that are more likely to have a fixed price for excursions.

Money

The currency is Egyptian Pounds, shown as LE, and the exchange rates are much better in Egypt (at present) than they are in the UK. Note… they will not exchange Scottish notes.

Tipping is common, and although service providers are happy to accept Euros and GBP, it is better to tip in the local currency as the general assumption is travellers are loaded and so they will less likely to give a favourable ‘exchange rate’ in foreign currency.

Banks are open until around 2 in the afternoon, and most major cards are accepted.

Health

• Don’t drink the tap water
• Make sure you drink plenty of bottled water to avoid dehydration
• Always use sunscreen

Safety

Egypt has undergone some unrest of late, and there is a threat of terrorism. Demonstrations most often happen on a Friday, attracting attract military and police attention. If you find yourself near any kind of demonstration, it is advisable to get out of the area as swiftly as possible.

Generally speaking resorts are well protected.

For more information, check out the FCO travel advice for egypt – it has up to date information on law, health, safety, entry and political situations.

The road leading to the Tomb of Pennut. Lake Nasser, Egypt by Dennis Jarvis

Sandboarding is the thrill du jour for extreme sports enthusiast, bringing with it all the fun of snowboarding but with guaranteed sun sand and in a lot of cases swim suits instead of salopettes.

One of the most popular places to seek out a sandboarding holiday is Egypt – it does after all have the much needed sandy dunes needed for the sport, but it also has a great deal of other attractions for travellers who like adventure such as diving in Sharm El Sheik.

If you hadn’t found an excuse as yet to pack your bags and hit the dunes, check out this lively video from Dune Raider, a Cairo based sandboarder.

Sandboarding FAQs

Is it ok for beginners?
Yes

Is it safe?
As with all sports, a small risk is involved – maybe some travel insurance is a good idea!

What do I wear?
Sunglasses, old clothes and trainers/deck shoes (no sandals or flip flops)

 What do I take?
Water, sunscreen, hat

Remember – sand will get EVERYWHERE!

Other popular places destinations sandboarding:

• Australia
• South Africa
• Arizona
• California
• Peru
• Chile

When planning a backpacking trip, many travellers say budget is their number one concern.  It is natural to worry whether you have enough money to keep you going, but the best way to avoid the pitfalls of overspending is to research your destinations, plan a budget before you leave and stick to it!  Exchange rates will affect your budget, so remember to leave a little extra in case they change while you are traveling.

Day in the Life: Lunch Money by Emdot

Budgets Before You leave
Look into what equipment you need for the countries you are visiting and the activities you want to do, get some great deals shopping around online or in the sales. If you are planning on doing any trekking, make sure the budget is adequate for a good quality pair of boots, and don’t forget necessities such as a first aid kit. Ensure you have covered the cost of vaccinations and travel insurance in your budget; these are often overlooked and can be more expensive than you think.

Accommodation Costs
Many countries offer loads of cheap accommodation opportunities, but it is always worth researching before you book. There are many traveler forums online, which offer invaluable advice from backpackers who have stayed there. If you are on a tight budget, consider looking at accommodation just slightly outside the main backpacker areas of a city, that ten-minute walk could save you around 20% and you will get a better night’s sleep at a hostel that is not above a bar! If you are thinking of visiting at a peak time, for example Carnival in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, make sure you budget accordingly and pre-book your accommodation at least three months in advance. Hostels quickly get full, and they can charge ridiculously inflated prices for the last few dorm places available.

Living Costs
Australia and America are some of the most expensive continents to travel in, with accommodation costs draining your budget, if you feel you will struggle, think about altering your trip to spend more time in less expensive countries. Consider getting a years working visa for Australia, the strong dollar gives you the opportunity to earn enough in a few months to finance traveling in cheaper countries such as Asia and India. If you only have a three-month tourist visa for Australia, there can still be volunteering opportunities that will help, offering free accommodation and food in return for work.

Back o’ the Bus by Robert S Donovan

Cutting Costs (and keeping to a budget)
When you are planning your trip, look at transport costs as well as average accommodation and food costs for a country. If you meet people in a hostel who are traveling the same way as you, go to a travel operator together, you can usually barter money off for group bookings. It’s makes good economical sense to travel overland for most journeys, and it’s a great way to see the landscape. Buy snacks for the journey before you leave, stops in many countries are overpriced. When you have planned your budget, you can relax and look forward to an amazing time backpacking around the globe – but only as long as you stick to your budget!

A round the world (RTW) trip is an opportunity to experience different cultures, see amazing landscapes and meet interesting people. Everyone has a different idea of what they want from traveling, whether it’s diving world class sites, trekking challenging trails or partying at famous carnivals! Planning a RTW trip can be daunting as well as exciting, decisions have to be made on destinations, how long to travel for, what to include and how to budget for everything.

Airplane in the Sky by Kitty Terwolbeck

Tickets
The first step is to research airline tickets, many travel agents specialize in these trips, and it is often cheaper to book a round the world ticket with an airline alliance rather than book your tickets as you go. Most round the world tickets have a maximum of one years traveling time, and you must travel in one direction round the globe, you cannot backtrack. Starting and finishing in the same city is also a necessity, although you can change dates and sometimes destinations on other legs of your trip, incurring an extra charge. Although most RTW tickets include the option for some internal flights, it is usually cheaper to book these independently, as you are not restricted to the airlines in the alliance you can use low cost carriers.

Timing
Before you book you tickets, look into seasons in your chosen destinations and whether activities you want to do are available for your chosen dates. Although it is sometimes cheaper to travel in wet season, if you want to trek many paths can be closed due to treacherous conditions. On a trip of six months, if you choose to leave in the autumn, you can follow the sun through Asia, to arrive into the Australian summer!

Destinations
Tickets are more economical if you fly in and out of main destinations, and the Europe, Asia, Australia, America route is a classic. Choose to visit more far-fetched destinations and you can expect costs to rise, but with research and careful planning you can still get to your dream destinations without blowing the budget. Traveling overland is a great way to see more of a country and gives you the flexibility to stay for longer on a paradise island you have found after chatting to another traveler at one of Thailand’s famous full moon parties, or fit in another stage of your PADI diver course on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

Punctuality
Do ensure you arrive in your designated city for your next pre-booked flight, as many airline alliances, if you don’t turn up for a flight, will cancel all subsequent legs of the journey and re-booking can be expensive.

Make sure you have:
• Adequate travel insurance to cover all the activities you want to do
• The right vaccinations for your destinations
• Copies of your insurance documents, passport and driving license

Finally
Once everything has been arranged let the excitement mount as you count down to all the amazing, unforgettable experiences you will have on a RTW trip!

The gorgeous country of Malaysia in South East Asia, is a popular destination for travel, with both backpackers and those seeking real luxury. With everything from ancient rainforests, home to some of the most diverse animals and plants in the world, to stunningly beautiful white sand beaches, Malaysia has something to offer everyone.

Jungle Sunset by Jody McIntyre

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia’s bustling capital city, is a modern metropolis with gleaming skyscrapers, including the famous Petronas Towers.  Rising over 450 metres above the city, the gleaming silver spires are inspiring, completed in 1998 as a statement to the world of Malaysia’s economic strength.  Along with the modern wonders and fantastic shopping opportunities, Kuala Lumpur retains an eastern charm, with old colonial buildings standing proudly in the centre.  With a visit to Chinatown, Little India and the Malay centre of Chow Kit, you will experience the vibrant cultural diversity of the city, and the night markets, with noisy street vendors plying their wares, will transport you back in time.

For those seeking Malaysia’s famous white sand beaches, amazing nightlife and world class diving and snorkeling, there is a huge range of islands to choose from.  Including the tranquil, backpacker’s paradise of Pulau Perhentian, offering crystal clear water and quiet beaches.  Here you can stay in great value accommodation for a relaxing break after trekking in the national parks or exploring the tea plantations of the Cameron Highlands.

Malaysia, Laguna Redang Island Resort By Honey Tee

No visit to Malaysia would be complete without a stop at Taman Negara National Park. This huge area boasts one of the last pristine primary rainforests in the world, with dense jungle that has remained largely unchanged for around 130 million years. With everything from gentle one-hour strolls around the park HQ to hardcore nine-day treks, Taman Negara is a paradise for walking, with fantastic bird and animal life. For a truly memorable experience, stay overnight in one of the park’s many hides, for the chance to see the animals in their natural habitat. Then take a walk through Gua Telinga cave, home to thousands of bats – be sure to take a torch and expect to get dirty! A variety of boat trips round Taman Negara’s rivers and close to the gorgeous falls can be booked, and anglers can get a rod for the chance to battle with the famous fighting fish.

The island of Langkawi is a popular honeymoon paradise, with high-end resorts perfect for pampering! Relax on the beach or take a trip to the island’s fantastic hot springs and waterfalls. Boat trips run to surrounding islands and Pulau Payar Marine Park, which has an amazing underwater observation chamber from where you can view the gorgeous coral reef. Snorkelling and diving is available, so you can get amongst the wonderful, brightly coloured fish for an insider’s perspective on this fascinating underwater world. Experience the delights of fascinating cultures, spectacular beach scenery and beautiful natural habitats for yourself with a visit to Malaysia.

Malay Bride to Be by Viroze