Nature

You just can't beat a holiday Down Under to escape the gloom of winter.  But if that sounds a long and expensive slog, think again.  Thanks to improved flight options and the introduction of quiet and spacious planes, this is a good time to grab a bargain ticket to get some Aussie sunshine. It is not just Sydney sparkling harbour, cricket, barbeques and beaches that Australia has to offer.

The Great British Summer pulls us out of our homes out into the outdoors but the ideas of sleeping on the ground inside a zipped up bag is not really something most of us really enjoy.  Glamping on the other hand gives us the pleasure of living under the convas enjoying lush countryside, beautiful views and a real sense of escape.  The difference, Glamping offers a bit more luxury that makes camping a bit more enjoyable from a living standpoint.  Below are list of locations where you can enjoy the Great British outdoor in style.

Sweden and in particular Lapland is famous for its constant day light and midnight Sun during the summer months of June and July.  The area is also home to one of Europe’s largest wilderness areas, and this is where you find the Kungsleden otherwise known as the “Kings trail”, a 440Km-long hiking trail.  Kungsleden is a perfect natural escape destination taking you away from the hustle and bustle of city life or if you are a walker and relish the challenge then this is for you.

Getting to the Kungsleden is via Stockholm from there you take the train to the beginning of your trek.  The route goes up to the northerly point of Abisko, from there it winds back South to Hemavan, a route featuring several weeks of trekking.

Are you thinking or planning a short break to a sub-tropical region? Maybe you want your child/children or yourself to enjoy the adventure of exploring nature and learning about it. Well there is no need to go overseas to do it when you can do it here in the UK.

Trek Kings Canyon, Australia
Hiking around the ochre sands of the 440 million-year-old Kings Canyon, which cuts through Australia’s Watarrka National Park, is a true outback adventure. Follow the orange signs for Kings Creek Walk, an hour-long stroll along the boulder-strewn bowels of the gorge, or hunt the navy blue sighns for the ore challenging Kings Canyon Rim Walk, will reward you with incredible views of the prehistoric red-rock gorge. It also gives you a great excuse to wear one of those silly corked hats-there are flies everywhere.

Most of us visiting Argentina flock to popular Buenos Aires, Mendoza and other hotspots, but the outback of Salta and its adjoining Puna Desert in the Catamarca are some of the gems waiting to be explored.  At altitude of over 3000m, Salta and Catamarca are located in northwestern Argentina; this giant adventure playground shows you another side to Argentina. The scenery of the region rivals that of Atacama and Uyuni allowing you to come up close to its volcanoes: llamas, flamingos and vineyards.

As you travel south of Salta down to Puna and Catamarca, you pass through the red-rock canyons of Quebrada de las Conchas, home to the Devil’s throat – a sort of stone amphitheatre.  Next is Cafayate, one of Argentina’s most famous wine towns, known for the fruity white Torrontes, the red malbec, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Copper Canyon also called Barranca Del Cobre in Spanish is a lush canyon system in Chihuahua state northwest Mexico.  The Barranca Del Cobre canyon system is four times the size of neighbouring Arizona’s Grand Canyon and deeper in some areas. Apart from its natural beauty and breath taking views the Copper Canyon offers a train journey that travels from sea level to 7,500 feet in less than 150 miles; giving it the name “Train in the Sky”.

The ride on the Copper canyon railway is the main attraction of the region because from the train it’s like you are seeing the entire world.  The railway system took almost 100 years to build and is considered to be an engineering marvel.  The copper canyon rail excursion is voted the most exciting train journey in the world.

If you thought Thailand was just a beach holiday destination, then think again. With its incredible diversity, it’s hard not to love Thailand. From a vibrant metropolis to a hammock on a deserted island, bustling streets to a digital detox in the world of meditation – in Thailand there is something for everyone.

Pictures of beaches in Scotland were shown to the public and they were asked where in the world they think the beaches were. Surprisingly many thought the pictures were of beaches in Thailand and other places in the Far East. From the north (Scotland) down through Wales to the southern tip of England there are beaches to suit different beach activities. So whether you live in the UK or on holiday why not give one of its beaches a try – my favourites are in Cornwall.

Depending on who you speak to Colombia is synonymous with Coffee, Cocaine and Football. That is because that is mostly what is printed in the news and shown on television but there is more to this South American, Spanish speaking country, than we hear in the news. Colombia is rich in history and culture and unlike the Caribbean islands to the north of it; it has manage the keep some of its indigenous people along with some of their historical sites.