Radio Ga Ga

The last couple of months have seen some big changes for me – least of all a major change of address (more on that in my next post), but also a move off the page and onto the airways. Since early February I've been a regular contributor to ABC Radio North Coast's Thursday travel segment, Planes, Passports and Postcards. At around 10am (EST in Australia) on every other Thursday you'll hear me chatting with Joanne Shoebridge about various travel related topics from what to do when things go wrong to giving you the lowdown on some of my favourite travel destinations. Stay tunned for the next segment on Thursday 19 April.

The anticipation of travel revisited

Today I woke up and realised that in exactly eight weeks I'll be taking off on my next big trip for work to South Africa and Ethiopia. So I thought it was the perfect time to revisit a post I wrote in 2008 about the anticipation of travel and update it taking into account my new trip.

Alain de Botton might argue otherwise, but I really believe that half the fun of travel is the anticipation. Here’s how I’m try to savour the excitement in the build up to a big trip.

Buy a calendar
The first thing to do is to get a calendar and circle your departure date. I’m not advocating that you start wishing your life away in a great countdown to take-off, but it is fun to day dream and of course very useful to be aware of how many days or weeks you have until you leave – especially if you are like me and have a million projects you need to finish before you leave!

Make a list
I love lists. There is nothing more self-satisfying than crossing something off a “to do” list. At the moment I’m working with one long running list (though for every item I cross off, I seem to be adding another two or three “to dos”!). A more practical solution might be to have several lists – the all important “must do” list (organise passport, visas, tickets), a “things to buy” list (new camera, backpack), a “packing” list (T-shirts, underwear), a “things to organise at home before you leave” list (redirect mail, cancel subscriptions) … Just think; I could make a list of “to do” lists!

Buy a guidebook
OK, so the guidebook author is suggesting that you buy a guidebook! Now I’d never recommend that you consider your guidebook 'the Bible', but they do offer heaps of good practical information such as when to go and how to get around which helps make travelling easy as well as providing you with a handy and easily digestible snapshot of the country’s culture, history and politics. I’ve started with the Bradt guide I am updating and plan to buy others from competing guidebook companies (it always pays to know what the opposition is up to!). And for something completely different, I’ve also order the Royal Geographic Society’s updated 1889 guide Handy Hints to Lady Travellersby Lillias Campbell Davidson which I thought might provide me with some insights (and entertainment) on how my Victorian counterparts travelled around Africa.

Learn the lingo
If you are travelling to a country where you don’t know the language, it always pays to know some basic greetings before you arrive. You never know, you might even be able to put a smile on the face of a surly immigration official with a simple “hello” greeting in the local language. Although there are some 70 ethnic languages spoken in Ethiopia, fortunately for me English is the most widely spoken European language. That said, I am still trying to wrap my tongue around Amharigna (also written as Amarigna), which is the official language of Ethiopia.

Get cultural
A great way to absorb yourself in the culture of the country you are about to visit is to rent a video about your destination or read a book set where you are visiting. Not only will you get a better feel for the country, but if you try to locate and visit the places mentioned in the book or movie once you’ve arrived also makes for a more unusual and unique way to experience the country. I’ve ordered Beneath the Lion’s Gaze a novel by Ethiopian born-New York-based writer Maaza Mengiste. A friend also just droped off a copy of The Mountains of Rasselas: An Ethiopian Adventure by Thomas Pakenham.

Read the local papers
The best way to get acquainted with local politics and events is to start reading the local newspaper. Fortunately, with the rise of the Internet this is very easy to. A quick look on line and you’ll discover that almost every newspaper around the world has their own website – even those in Ethiopia such as Ethiopian News and the Ethiopia Daily.

Do you agree that half the fun of travel is the anticipation of travel? If so, how do you savour the excitement in the lead up to an overseas trip or holiday?

Ten ways to stay safe in a big city

Travelling to a big city can be exciting. They're large, chaotic, and always buzzing. Yet it can also be quite daunting, as big cities are often a hives for would-be thieves and robbers. But simply by taking a few precautions you can make your trip easier. In a recent article for MSN NZ's Travel Bite I shared my 10 top tips for how to travel safely in a big city. Here's what I recommended:

Look the part
No matter whether you're travelling to a big city or a small country town, the number-one rule of travel is: don't dress like a tourist. Wearing shorts, carrying a backpack and slinging a camera around your neck will quickly mark you as a tourist and make you more vulnerable to petty thieves and con-artists. Blend in. Dress like a local and don't wear expensive jewellery.

Lose the valuables
The second golden rule of travel is: don't carry anything you can't bear to lose. Leave your valuables locked up safely in your hotel room and only carry as much money as you need for the day. If you have to take a camera, don't carry it around in a professional looking camera bag. And whatever you do, don't pull out your mobile phone or any other fancy gadgetry in plain view on the street. Slip into a quiet doorway, shop or cafe.

Be alert
One of the great joys of travel is thrill of discovering new and amazing sites and places. But no matter how awestruck you are by your discoveries, you need to stay tuned in to what's going on around you. Be on the lookout for pickpockets in crowded public places such as squares, markets and parks and watch your valuables when travelling on trains, buses and subways.

Stay on track
When walking around a strange new city, stick to the main trafficked streets and routes. Avoid taking shortcuts through deserted parks and vacant lots or down unlit passages. At night, don't even think of walking home, no matter how close you are to your accommodation. Take a taxi; it's a safer bet.

Money matters
Only use ATMs during bank hours and use one inside a bank or in a shopping centre rather than on the street. Also, when carrying money on your person, make sure you split it up. Keep some of it in your socks or shoes, some in a wallet or purse and some in a money belt under your clothing with some smaller notes in your outer pockets ready as "mug money" to hand over to thieves. That way, if anything does happen, you'll at least have enough money to get back to the hotel.

Hold on
Whether you are sitting at a street side cafe, at a bus stop, on a park bench or even inside a restaurant, never leave your handbag next to you, on a chair back or on the table. Always keep your bag on your lap or on the ground with a strap wrapped around your leg. In taxis, the best place to keep your valuables is on the floor between your legs.

Exude confidence
When travelling alone (or even with a group) act confident and adopt a no-nonsense attitude. Always look like you know where you're going — even if you don't! Try to avoid looking at maps while you're in the street. Study your route beforehand, or find one of those wallet-sized maps that you can discreetly refer to if necessary.

Watch your back
If you are being followed duck into a nearby shop and wait until the person has passed. If the person continues to linger around outside, don't be afraid to ask the storekeeper for help.

Stranger danger
No matter where you are staying, always lock the door to your room, even when you are in it. And never open your door to anyone you're not expecting and don't know. Use the peephole and call reception if you're in doubt.

Carry a personal safety device
Consider carrying a personal safety device or other noisemaker, and sound it loudly if you are accosted or feel threatened. Even a simple whistle may cause just enough of a distraction to give you a chance to escape an unpleasant situation.

What tips do you have for travelling safely in big cities?

Can you ever be too old for backpacking?

Backpacking around the globe is a great adventure, especially when you are young and don't have any strings to tie you down. But with so many people putting off having families and travelling later in life, should there be an age limit on backpacking?

I was 27 years old when I set out on my first adventure-come-backpacking holiday – a month-long overland trip taking in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. But it wasn't until a few years later, after I'd turned 30 and had landed a job with Lonely Planet, when I finally felt secure enough in myself to take off on my first real extended solo backpacking adventure - this time bussing and training my way around the lesser known parts of Eastern Europe. So as a bit of a late backpacking bloomer, I've usually always been the oldest person in the dorm.

Yet some 10 years on as I unpack my bags from my latest adventure in Cambodia I'm wondering if, at the ripe old age of 41 years, I'm starting to get a little too old for this? I've already traded in my traditional rucksack for a far more practical and convenient – and might I add less backbreaking – trolley backpack, so perhaps it's time I hang up my hiking boots and sign-up for a seniors' only bus tour of Europe?

For me, age always has been, and hopefully will always be, a number. But at the same time, as the years have marched on I've noticed the gap between myself and younger travellers at hostels is indeed widening – while they revel in all-night drinking parties and only crawl into their bunks just before dawn, I'd much rather find a hole-in-the-wall restaurant where I can enjoy a local meal along with a glass of wine (or two) and be in bed well before midnight. I also appreciate a few more luxuries, such as hygienic bathrooms and clean bed sheets, than I did when I was younger. But does this mean I should give hostels a wide berth?

Hostels of course offer a great budget alternative form of accommodation and they are excellent places to meet like-minded travellers. Yet while they were once the domain of drifters and students, today's hostels cater to the young and the young at heart with many dropping the "youth" tag and opening their doors to families and mature-age travellers. Granted I'd find screaming children as annoying as drunken teenagers and late night snorers, but no matter whether my dorm mates belong to Gen Y, Gen X or the Baby Boomers as long as they share my independent travelling spirit then, as far as I'm concerned, they can only make my hostelling experience richer.

Perhaps as Alison Brick once noted for Vagabonding in the end it's all just a matter of definition. That is, if to you the word backpacker means the party-all-night, sleep-all-day gap year student whose round-world trip drifts by in a drunken blur, then by all accounts my backpacking years are well behind me. But if you believe backpackers are in fact independent travellers who don't go in much for set itineraries, who avoid package tours and who relish the opportunity to get off the well-beaten tourist trail, then apparently I'll never be too old to be a backpacker.

Naturally I subscribe to the latter definition. So while I may well be the oldest person at the hostel, as long as I continue to enjoy the challenges and complexities of independent travel, I can’t see myself giving up backpacking anytime soon.

What do you think? Can you ever be too old for backpacking? I'l love to hear your thoughts.

Where do travel writers pay to stay?

Have you ever wondered where travel writers choose to stay when they're footing the hotel bill? Well, this was the question recently pondered by David Wickers and Mark Hodson at 101 Holidays. In a Twitter first, they asked a number of well-known, tweeting travel journalists and editors, including myself, to each recommend their favourite hotel, B&B or guest house. The rules were simple: the recommended place could be anywhere in the world, but it had to cost less than £150 ($250) a night for two people, and, of course, had to be described in no more than 140 characters.

My recommendation? "Tunza Lodge in Mwanza, Tanzania: Between the beach, the bar & the sunsets over Lake Victoria, this is one lusciously laidback lodge." Doubles cost $US45 - 60.

You can read the full list here

Picture? One of the many mesmerising sunsets over Lake Victoria as viewed from Tunza Lodge, Tanzania.

More wicked websites for wild, wandering women

Thank you so much for the positive feedback for my last blog post, Wicked websites for wild, wandering women. In less than an hour after uploading the post I had more than 150 hits not to mention dozens of emails from women all around globe. It seems we sisters are very keen to do it for ourselves!

Amid all the thank yous and twitter retweets, I was also passed on two more recommendations for honours as a wicked website for wild, wandering women. They are:

HERmail.net Recommended by Evelyn Hannon, editor of Journey Woman, this is a free international directory of women who are willing to mentor other women travelling to their part of the world. As Evelyn writes: "It's my personal gift to women, everywhere and it has connected 1000's of women to date."

WAVE Journey An acronym for Women's Adventures, Vacations & Experiences, WJ is an online resource for women travellers around the world co-founded by Vivienne Chapleo and Jill Hoelting of Canada and United States. The travelling duo also run a travel blog, WAVE Journey Women where they'd highlight places they rather be.

If you know of any other worthy wicked websites for wild, wandering women, please let me know and I'll add them to my list.

Wicked websites for wild, wandering women

It's Wild Wednesday and I can't think of any better way to celebrate than to nominate my favourite websites for wild, wandering women. All started, owned and operated by women, the following eight inspirational sites are the ones I seek out when planning my travels:

Go Galavanting Founded by Katy Quissell and Kim Mance, this online travel magazine and community is for gutsy women who believe there is more to travel than staying in expensive five star resorts and finding the world's perfect facial. Think: experiencing new cultures and going on life changing adventures, but all done with style of course!

Journey Woman Award-winning writer, editor and travelling grandma, Evelyn Hannon, has proved that age and gender are not barriers to travel, creating one of the most respected websites designed especially for women along the way.

Thelma & Louise Club Started by gal pals Christine Davies and Grace Frankel, this exclusive female-only network allows members to meet like-minded women and find travel buddies for their next adventure.

UGoGurl Travel writer and self-confessed media maven, Elaine Lee, offers great advice for African American travellers as well as extensive reports and articles.

Wanderlust & Lipstick Founded by Beth Whitlam – a 22 year wild wandering veteran whose career highlights include having a grenade pulled on her in Cambodia – this is a website for women who are passionate about travelling offering tips and hints from experienced Wanderlusters who, like Beth, have seen it all.

Women on the Road Created by Leyla Giray, Women on the Road is a fantastic website aimed at women who love to travel. Along with practical information on planning, safety and money, the website features interviews with inspirational women travellers who share their experiences and philosophies on travel.

Women Travel Tips Started by National Geographic author and editor Marybeth Bond, this website is an excellent resource for women travellers with practical tips and hints for business, adventure, family and solo travel.

Women Travel the World This website is dedicated to connecting women travellers through female-friendly tour and accommodation listings. There’s also a range of articles covering topics from adventure tourism to food and wine shopping.

The parent trap: How to travel with your parents

Why is it there are numerous articles around that highlight the joys and challenges of travelling with children, but very few that deal with how to travel as an adult child with your parents? Hoping to fill this gap, I recently shared my best tips on how to survive travelling with your parents for a new article for MSN NZ.

The last time I remember going on a proper vacation with my parents was when I was 10 years old, packed into the back of a Holden station wagon along with my three siblings for a cross-country road trip to see our relatives. Fast forward some 30 years, I unexpectedly found myself going on a road trip across Southwest USA with my parents at the end of last year. Considering I'm much more independent and well-travelled than when I was living under their roof - and not forgetting that I now work as a full-time travel writer and so am very controlling when it comes to organising travel itineraries - it certainly made for an interesting trip. My parents and I of course had our moments (we were already arguing before we made it to our first destination!), but I can honestly say that this was one of the best trips I've ever taken.

THANK YOU Mum and Dad!

Picture: That's Mum and I trying to do our best alien impersonations in Kingman, Arizona, on Route 66.

Seven tips for dealing with loneliness on the road

I've said it before, but I'll say it again: travelling solo is one of life's greatest experiences. While there are numerous reasons why you should hit the road alone, the downside is that you run a greater risk of experiencing feelings of loneliness than you would travelling with a partner or friend. I recently complied my top seven tips for how to beat loneliness when travelling for MSN NZ and thought I'd share them here.

Keep busy: The best way to overcome loneliness when travelling is to keep busy. Some people like to write or read, but these in themselves are very introspective and lonely pursuits. I find it's better to plan a couple of days of full-on sightseeing. Set your own itinerary and pack your day completely seeing all the local sights. You'll be so busy trying to locate the next destination on your tour or working out the public transport system you won't have time to be lonely.

Go for a walk or run: Doing some exercise is an excellent way to keep active and clear your mind of any thoughts of loneliness. Going for a run or a long walk will not only raise your spirits, but also give you the opportunity to explore areas of a town you may not have seen.

Go to a local bar or coffee shop: Grab a book or your journal and head to a bar or cafe. Find one that is frequented by locals and then deliberately choose a seat where you can maximise your chances of striking up a conversation with other patrons. Most people enjoy talking about themselves and what's important to them, so this is a great way to learn a little more about the local people and the place you're in.

Join a tour: Travelling solo is a fantastic experience, but it doesn't mean you have to spend all your time alone. Whether you take a day-trip or a join multi-day tour, getting out and about with a group of other travellers is a great way to meet people.

Volunteer: A sure-fire way to meet other people is to find work as a volunteer. Whether you help out in a soup kitchen or teach children at a local school you'll not only keep loneliness at bay, but you'll also enhance your travel experience by making a greater connection with the community.

Stay in a hostel: While staying in a hotel with your own private bath and room service might be a tempting option, it can also be very isolating. Hostels on the other hand offer plenty opportunities to interact with like-minded travellers. What's more they're only a fraction of the cost. Most hostels have communal television or computer rooms - some even have bars. So you never know, you might even make a new friend or find a travel buddy for your next adventure.

Communicate with the world: With so many gadgets and gizmos at our disposal these days, it's certainly not hard to stay in touch with family and friends when you’re on the road. Whether you reach for a pay-phone to call home, send a text message on your mobile or log-on to the internet to catch-up with your friends on Facebook or to update your blog, connecting with friends and family is a good way to beat the loneliness blues. A word of warning: just make sure you don't allow technology to get in the way of making real connections with real people.

Get a good night's sleep: One of the biggest sources of loneliness is over-tiredness. At the same time, over-sleeping can also make you tired and lonely. So make sure you get around eight hours of sleep each night and be careful not to hide in bed all day.

Happy travels!

Picture: Taking it all in, Malolotja Nature Reserve, Swaziland

The what NOT to do travel guide

When it comes to travelling everyone has a list of 'must dos' such as learning a new language, experiencing the culture or perhaps even going bungy jumping. But there's another travel list you should pay heed to – the 'what NOT to do' list. I recently compiled my top 10 list of travel dont's for a new article for MSN NZ and thought I'd share them here:

1. Use or carry drugs
Unless you fancy spending your holiday taking in the view from a jail cell, whatever you do, don't use or carry drugs. In some countries drug possession carries severe penalties. Indonesia in particular has some of the toughest laws and currently has around 20 foreigners including three Australians sitting on death row for drug offences. It's simply not worth the risk.

2. Carry someone's bag
Never ever offer to carry someone else's bags or belongings in or out of a country for them. Just ask French national Michael Loic Blanc; he's now serving life in prison for smuggling 3.8 kilos of hashish through Ngurah Rai Airport in Denpasar, found in a bag of diving gear he claims he was carrying for an acquaintance he met in Bali. Unfortunately for Michael, his 'friend' disappeared once the discovery was made.

3. Take photographs of official buildings
In many countries it's against the law to take pictures of anything that might be considered of strategic importance such as military installations, airports, bridges and government buildings. Be aware of what's acceptable and what's not at your destination. If unsure, it’s best to err on the side of caution rather than risk being arrested.

4. Outstay your welcome
Never stay longer in your destination than your visa permits. The penalty for doing so can range from a hefty fine to actually being detained. Bear in mind your embassy will not be able to help you in this kind of situation, so leave when you're supposed to.

5. Bribe officials
Admittedly this is a phenomenon that does exist in some form or another in every country. The problem however is that bribing the wrong person – even if they make the first move – could land you in serious trouble. Don't risk it.

6. Assume immunity
When you're in another country you're a guest and you must abide by their laws. Don't assume you'll receive special treatment because you're a foreigner and remember consular assistance cannot override local laws. Take Michael Fay, the 18-year-old American who ran afoul of the law in Singapore for graffiti; he was jailed, fined, and given four lashes of the cane for his crime.

7. Leave your bags unattended
Never leave your luggage unattended. All it takes is a few seconds for a thief to swipe your bag or rid you of your valuables. It’s also not unheard of for drugs or other contraband to magically appear in your bags, so make sure they’re locked and secured against tampering.

8. Flaunt your wealth
While you might be scraping by on a shoestring budget, as a western traveller you're still richer than more than two-thirds of the world's population. Conceal your wallet, hold on to your purse, and don't flaunt your wealth by flashing your money and jewellery. Also be discreet when using hi-tech gadgets like digital cameras, laptops and iPods.

9. Dress inappropriately
Some cultures find it an offensive or even enticement, for women to wear short skirts, shorts and bathing suits and many even frown upon men wearing shorts. So ensure you pack appropriate clothing for the places you are visiting.

10. Assume everyone can speak English
Guess what? Not everyone in the world speaks English. In fact, English comes in a distant third to Mandarin which is the world's most common native language. So, no matter how loudly or how slowly you speak, you'll always be better off learning the local language.

Picture: View looking out over The Wild Coast, South Africa

Women CAN read maps, men just DON'T listen

I've just finished writing an article for MSN New Zealand titled Are men better travellers than women? (yes, a minefield I know, but I can't wait to see the reader comments on that one!), and one of the arguments that kept popping up time and again in my research against women was the old Women can't read maps chestnut.

While this notion has certainly been bandied around for as long as I can remember, it was made popular by Allan and Barbara Pease in their 2001 book, Men Don't Listen and Women Can't Read Maps. It was then given more credence by a report released by the University of Warwick in 2007 that claimed that women are apparently genetically predisposed to remain forever lost.

Really, I'd just like to say what a load of rubbish! I for one am very adept at reading maps (road maps, that is) and love nothing more than plotting a route and hitting the highway with a map close at hand. Perhaps it is because I've spent so many hours following and drawing up maps for the travel guidebooks I have worked on, but I pride myself on being able to get from A to B without getting lost. I've even, with my trusty map in hand, managed to have a fight with a GPS and been proven to be right (it's a long story).

Personally, I think it is more a case of men not listening to the women who are reading the maps. I have had this happen to me on several occasions while travelling for work, when in spite of the fact that I had a perfectly good map and was providing accurate directions to the destination I was seeking my male driver refused to listen to me and instead continually stopped to ask other men for directions. In one particular instance, the driver had blindly driven past the place we were trying to find, but rather than following my advice to turn around and go back he simply ignored me and continued on down the road in the wrong direction!

So what do you think? Can women read maps? Or are men, as the University of Warwick claims, genetically predisposed to be better travellers than women?

Will your relationship pass the travel test?

By now you all should know that I am a strong proponent of travelling solo. While I love the freedom I feel when grabbing my backpack and setting off to explore the world alone, there are of course those times when I want to share the experience with someone else. Few things though, test a relationship like travelling together. Whether you are travelling with a friend or a romantic partner, the challenges you'll face being on the road together 24/7 will be unlike anything you'll have ever faced at home. So here are my five tips on how to ensure that your relationship passes the travel test:

1. Communication: The key to avoiding disappointment is communication. Discuss what you both expect from the trip and from each other. Determining these things at the start will prevent you from getting into unnecessary arguments and playing the blame game later if the trip doesn't go to plan.

2. Money: Before you think of packing your bags, make sure you have an open conversation about money and your spending habits. How much money are you both taking? Will you be travelling on a shoestring, moderate or top end budget? Who will control the money? Will you split all costs, or rely on one person?

3. Time apart: Travelling in such close proximity for an extended period is bound to drive you a little stir crazy. So before cabin fever sets in, make sure you plan some time apart. Whether it's a short stroll or a quiet cup of coffee or you want to try a different activity or need a few days to go off exploring by yourself, spending some time alone is a great way to recharge your relationship batteries.

4. Sociability: You need to be clear from the start about whether you are seeking exclusive one-on-one time together or are after a more social travel experience. And if you do want company set boundaries for new friendships to avoid upsetting or betraying your partner.

5. Compromise: You're not always going to want to do the same things or go to the same places – you might want to spend the day lazing on the beach while your partner wants to go trekking in the mountains. No matter what the situation, if the travelling partnership is going to work you both need to make some compromises. The key of course is striking the right balance.

Happy travels!

World's best hotels announced

Popular hotel review website TripAdvisor has announced the winners of their 2009 Travellers' Choice Awards, for the world's best hotels as determined by their readers. Fittingly this year they've highlighted the Top 100 Best Bargain Hotels along with the Top 10 Family Favourites and Top 10 Hidden Gems among others. You can download the list here.

In light of their announcement I thought I'd put together my own 'Top 10' list of favourite hotels based on places I personally stayed in this last year (these are in no particular order and cover everything from homely pensions to luxurious tented safari camps and hotels):

1. MeetingPoint Tanga, Tanga, Tanzania
Run by the indefatigable Mama Ruth this inspiring new community-integrated centre is the ideal place for socially conscious travellers interested in more than just your average beach holiday. The focus here is all about the community experience with all profits reinvested into various local projects such as HIV/AIDS education and guests encouraged to "make a difference" by sharing their knowledge and skills during their stay. Find out more here.

2. Tunza Lodge, Mwanza, Tanzania
This lusciously laidback lodge is located right on the edge of Lake Victoria around 8km from the town of Mwanza. Between the beach, the bar, the staff and the sunsets over the lake, I found it hard to tear myself away. Find out more here.

3. Mkoma Bay Tented Lodge, Mkoma Bay, Tanzania
This is fabulous tented camp run by a lovely Danish/American couple has a stunning location in large, landscaped grounds that sprawl down to a swimming pool on a low cliff overlooking the deserted beach at Mkoma Bay..... Bliss! Find out more here.

4.Casa de Jorge Coalla Potts, Havana, Cuba
In my humble opinion, this homely place is one of the best casa particulares in Havana. It's located in Vedado, just two blocks from the infamous Hotel Tryp Habana Libre. And owner Jorge, his wife Marisel, and their daughter Jessica are such great hosts. Find out more here

5. Inn and Spa at Loretto, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
Sadly, I only stayed here one night, but the Inn and Spa at Loretto certainly lived up to its reputation as an oasis of tranquilly and style. Just one block from the historic heart of Santa Fe, it's noted for its traditional pueblo architecture. Find out more here.

6. Utengule Coffee Lodge, Mbeya, Tanzania
Located on a rambling 500 acre property about 20 km west of Mbeya, in the shadow of the 2,834m Mbeya Peak, this attractive lodge is situated on one of Tanzania's oldest coffee estates. The estate is centred on a delightful manor house built and whitewashed in the classic colonial style, reached via a long dirt driveway lined with rows upon rows of fragrant coffee trees. Find out more here.

7. Ruaha River Lodge, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Run by the Fox family Ruaha River Lodge is the longest-serving camp in Tanzania's second-largest national park. All the chalets here have balconies that literally overhang the Great Ruaha River, so you don't even have to leave your room to go game viewing! Find out more here.

8. Hideaway Resort, Coral Coast, Fiji
A tropical island, azure seas, swaying palms, colourful cocktails, pampering spa treatments; need I say more? Find out more here.

9. Vuma Hills Tented Camp, Mikumi National Park, Tanzania
Also run by the Fox family this classic tented camp is set on a wooded hillside in the southern half of Mikumi National Park. Find out more here.

10. The Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston, Jamaica
This cookiecutter business class hotel in the heart of Kingston wouldn't have made my list if it wasn't for the staff. They went above and beyond the call of duty when I arrived at their hotel sick, with one staff member in particular not only personally taking me to hospital but staying with me until I was admitted (some five hours later!) and then coming to visit me during my three-day stay. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Find out more: here.

Recession proof your travel

The global economic crisis is biting hard, making travel seem more and more like a luxury. But there are still ways you can take off for your well-deserved break without breaking the piggy bank. Here are a few simple ideas:

Swap your house
Have you seen the movie The Holiday, where Cameron Diaz's character swaps her flashy mansion in Hollywood for Kate Winslet's cute little farm cottage in England? Okay, so swapping homes is little more complex than the movie makes out, but the basic plot is the same: you simply choose your ideal destination, find a match, then swap your house for theirs and you both get to stay for free. Naturally, you'll need to check references and should make out a contract that covers bills and damages. Also while some home exchange websites are free, many charge a small joining fee, running from around $60 to $250 (AUD). For starters try Intervac and Home Exchange. For more information see my article: The first timers' guide to house swapping.

Crash on a couch
Crashing on a stranger's couch in a foreign country or welcoming someone you've never met into your home might sound like a crazy idea, but as thousands of people have discovered Couch Surfing is a great way to meet new people and see the world for free. With a choice of more than 260,000 couches in some 216 countries, you'll never be short of somewhere to stay. As either a host or couch crasher, you can choose your pairing based on profiles that include languages spoken, location, and interests. Other networks include Global Freeloaders and the Hospitality Club.

Volunteer your services
Taking part in a volunteer holiday program is a great way to save money and do something positive for the environment at the same time. While some volunteer programs charge participants for the chance to work without pay, there are still those that will happily accept anyone willing to work and don't charge a cent. From working with disadvantaged kids in South Africa to clearing hiking trails in the Rocky Mountains, there are plenty of opportunities available. In most cases you'll usually only pay for your flights and transfers to a destination, with your accommodation and meals generally free.

For other ideas check out my Top 10 tips for saving money on holiday costs. Apart from that, cross your fingers let's hope this recession doesn't last long! (Just for the record Australia hasn't yet slipped into a recession, though it may not be far off if tonight's news update is correct.)

Five reasons to travel solo: #5 Personal growth

Finally, here is my top reason why you should consider travelling solo. As Leyla from Women on the Road pointed out in her comment on my first post, the greatest benefit of travelling solo is that it boosts your confidence and helps you grow. Travelling solo is when you really find out what you're made of. With no one else to rely on, you must learn to trust your own instincts and make your own decisions. Things of course will go wrong – remember I wound up in hospital on my last solo trip – but it's these very challenges that'll make you stronger. And with every new hurdle you conquer, your confidence will grow as you discover that you're far more capable than you ever imagined you could be.

Happy travelling!

Five reasons to travel solo: #4 Make up your own mind

Have you ever noticed that when you travel you tend to change your opinions of a place depending on who you’re with? For example, you finally set your eyes on the Pyramids in Egypt and are in total awe, when your travelling companion turns to you and says, “They’re not that impressive.” So you take another look and have to agree your friend’s right – surely they should be bigger? Alain de Botton, author of The Art of Travel, argues that how we see the world when we travel is greatly influenced by those we travel with. Not only do we change our views, but we also limit our curiosity to fit in with our companion’s expectations. Therefore, the only way to truly see and experience a place is to travel alone.

Five reasons to travel solo: #3 Local connections

As a solo traveller not only will you find it easier to meet other travellers, but you'll also be infinitely more approachable to the locals who can easily be intimidated by large groups of foreigners. If you're alone they'll be more inclined to invite you to eat with them, or even to put you up for the night than they ever would if you’re travelling with someone else. I've had some of my best local experiences when I've been by myself: I had dinner with a real Transylvanian Count in his castle in Romania, I celebrated the Orthodox Easter with a local family in the tiny Republic of Moldova, and, I was given a personal tour around Bardia, an isolated town in the far north of Libya, by two elderly men who expected nothing except a heart-felt thank-you in return. I would never have had these opportunities if I had not been alone.

Five reasons to travel solo: #2 New found friends

Most people assume that travelling solo means you travel like a hermit and spend all your time alone. Far from it - you only need to be alone if you want to be alone. In reality meeting other people tends to be much easier when you're on your own. For starters, you'll be forced to come out of your shell and initiate conversations with others. And moreover, as a solo traveller you're far more approachable than a couple or a group of friends.

A casual chat in a local cafe can easily turn into an invitation for dinner or even the opportunity to discover a region of a country you'd never dreamed of going to. For me, a chance meeting with two other travellers in L'viv in the Ukraine turned into a cross-country train journey into the heart of the Carpathian Mountains to trace the family roots of one of my new found friends. It was actually one of the most fascinating, fun and entertaining trips I've ever been on. Yet while most friends you make on the road will temporarily provide you with the benefits of having a travel partner without the commitment, there are those kindred spirits that you'll meet that will become friends for life. In fact, many of the friendships I have to this day have been made when I've been travelling solo - that includes my two travel buddies I met in the Ukraine!

Five reasons to travel solo: #1 Freedom & flexibility

Most people are surprised - some even shocked - when they find out I travel alone. Reactions to my revelation vary from long, sympathetic stares to appalled cries of: "Don't you get lonely?"

Sure it's great to share your travelling experiences with others: Having my friend Dan join me on my recent research trip through Tanzania for the first four weeks was fantastic, but I equally enjoyed the journey when I was on my own (with the exception of winding up in hospital of course!). The fact is travelling solo is one of the most self-satisfying experiences you're ever likely to have. So for anyone who's never contemplated taking-off alone, I thought I'd share five fabulous reasons why you should consider flying solo.

The biggest attraction of travelling solo is the sense of freedom and independence you'll feel. It's one of the few times in life when you get to call all the shots. You decide when to go where and you don't have to consult anyone. When travelling, you're often presented with opportunities to experience new places or sights that weren't in your original plan. If your travel companion doesn't want to go, you'll either end up comprising or, worse still, miss out altogether and then bemoan the decision for the rest of the trip. But if you don't have anyone to consider, you can spend all your time lazing on a beach if you want, or suddenly decide to explore that little-known temple which piqued your interest. What's more, if you don't like a place, you can simply move on. No debates; no arguments; no compromises. Bliss!

Top tips for taking better travel photographs: Part 2

Here are my next few tips on how to take better travel photographs continued on from part 1:

Shoot during the 'magic hour'
The best photographs are taken during the 'magic hour' - the hours immediately after sunrise and before sunset – when the light is golden. So try to take your pictures early in the morning or late in the day when the light is soft and warm, and the colours more intense. Shadows are also elongated during this time, so lookout for great for angles.

Horizontal or vertical?
When it comes to travel photography most people seem to be stuck in a horizontal rut. Remember, your camera works vertically as well as horizontally. So next time turn your camera sideways and consider whether your subject would look better photographed vertically.

Look for leading lines
When framing your photograph, look out for lines that will give depth to your picture. By using the lines such as those made by a wall, a fence, a road or even a shadow you can draw the viewer's eyes through the picture towards the main area of interest. Diagonal lines are especially eye-catching.

Watch your background!
While it's important to concentrate on your subject, it's equally important to be aware of what is happening in the space around them. Make sure there are no distracting elements or that you’re not about to take a picture of someone with a pole or tree sticking out of their head!

Look behind you
I’ve mentioned this previously on this blog in my post on Tourists of reality, but sometimes the best photographs are of what has been left out of the frame. Just because you're in Paris doesn't mean the best shot is of the Eiffel Tower. Turn around and take a picture of what is behind you. You just might be pleasantly surprised with what you see.