Become a part of your journey
You are here
Further Afield's Journal
The Travel Nook
Machu Picchu
Tucked away in the Andes, the ruins of Machu Picchu reveal the mysteries of the Inca Empire
Tucked away in the Andes, stands the most amazing archaeological structure chosen as one of the New 7 Wonders of the Modern World on July 7, 2007. This is the 15th-century Inca citadel located northwest of Cuzco on a mountain ridge 2,430 metres (7,970 feet) above sea level. This engineering work of art, balances on this ridge laid out in a series of terraces each one above the other. For over 500 years, the stonework supporting the layout stands with no mortar or cement. The ruins of Machu Picchu reveal the mysteries of the Inca Empire.
Yes evidence of the pressure exerted by the weight of the soil and stone shows that not all were successful. With an average rainfall of 70 inches we can understand why. These terraces built for farming purposes were for the growing of potatoes and corn. Water was needed for growth but it also had to be managed. Too much water and the mountaintop were eroded, too little and the crops failed. Parts of the dwellings are 2 and 3 stories high. It is believed that Machu Picchu was constructed as an estate home for the supreme ruler or emperor Pachacuti 1438 - 1472. He was the single ruler of the Inca Empire. Addressed as Chief Inca, Son of the Sun or Lover of the Poor, thought to have descended from the Sun. Like the Pharaohs of Egypt he took his sister for his Queen in the belief of true royal blood. The small American Indian people built one of the largest tightly controlled empires the world has ever known. Their skill in Government was matched only by their feats of engineering. Walls, roads and irrigation works constructed by these crafts people are still in use today. To appreciate the Incas achievements it helps to visualize the different terrain of Peru. Some of the world's driest deserts, looking upwards as the land rises to the jagged peaks of the Andes mountain range. The Inca Empire had ruled a population of 12 million people.
With the invasion of the Spanish however in the 1500's South America was under serious danger of being overthrown. The Spanish first overcame the Aztec Empire in Mexico. Crossing over to the west they discovered the Pacific Ocean in 1513. Sailing down the coast over a number of expeditions they went as far as present day Colombia, later to Ecuador, then to Peru. Having heard of the wealth in Peru the Spanish governor financed Francisco Pizarro to explore it. In 1533 under the guise of an act of friendship the 13th emperor came to dinner with the Spaniard. The Spanish had an army of 180 trained soldiers. The Inca Emperor was ordered to take the bible and convert to the new religion, he refused and the Spanish army attacked leaving thousands of the unarmed Incas dead. The execution of Atahualpa, the last Inca Emperor, marked the end of 300 years of Inca civilization.
Machu Picchu was never reached by the Spanish conquistadors and lay abandoned to the world until 1911 when an American explorer Hiram Bingham reached there with the help of some local farmers who were struggling to survive generation after generation had seen the end of the glorious Inca Empire.
AFRICA AT ITS FINEST
The Great Migration
This epic event, of millions of mammals thundering across the plains of Tanzania and Kenya, is one of the most spectacular sights that nature can offer. Over the months ahead various herds are forming. The one ingredient that it depends on is the weather. The migration has no time clock but as the scent of rain is in the wind the wildebeest get restless. Thousands upon thousands start to move and this event continues for months.
Leading the charge are the Wildebeest, next their colleagues, the Zebras, followed by thousands of Antelope. Young and old alike gather on the dry plains of the Serengeti, to start the trek north in a clockwise direction in search of food and water in the eco-rich Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya. The Great Migration is a journey of almost 2,000 miles, an ongoing event throughout the year. The best time to see the Great Migration in the Northern Serengeti and Masai Mara is between July and October.
Following closely are the Predators, Lions, Wild dogs, Leopards and Hyenas. You may witness a kill - that's nature. Now look, there's a newborn calf, it's first feed of colostrum and its ready to run with the herd. Only the strong survive, an estimated 250,000 Wildebeest are lost annually but their birth rate is close to 350,000, enough to compensate for the natural loss of the herd. Their demise on the journey is not in vain. The rivers of Grumeti and the Mara are filled with crocodiles and the currents are just as unforgiving but the corpses of these animals contribute to the rivers ecosystem by adding 1,000 ton of biomass to feed the Serengeti Plains.
Why do the Wildebeest and the Zebras travel together? One compliments the other. Grasses that one won't eat the other will. Directions are another. One's ability to detect danger. What is it with this mass migration? Simply put it's for food or the lack there of. Since time immemorial humans and animals alike follow the food chain. Why in such large numbers? Survival and safety in numbers, with predators following close, waiting for an opportunity.
To watch this wonder is a lesson of nature in action. The Greatest show on earth has to be seen to be believed, and it's there on the plains of Africa.
RIVER CRUISING - 4 INCREDIBLE COUNTRIES
We recently sailed the Rhine River with a wonderful Further Afield small group.
We added extra time in Amsterdam and discovered the most amazing restaurant. The name of the restaurant is Long Pura, an Authentiek Indonesisch Restaurant. Don't be dissapointed, be sure to make a reservation. This restaurant is popular with locals. Friendly people and fabulous food!
Watch for our next group sailing the Rhine on AmaWaterways. Here is what to expect:
Fabulous rooftop pools, jacuzzies, and wellness programs—plus their exquisite cuisine and delicious cocktail drinks available around-the-clock—it’s tempting to many to never leave the ship. But as much as they take pride in their impeccable service, we know that the main reason travelers choose a river cruise is because of the adventure—the amazing, breathtaking stops along the way. With that in mind, the countries you’ll explore with AmaWaterways on the Rhine are historic, romantic and truly awe-inspiring.
On an AmaWaterways cruise, you can choose from a selection of amazing tours, all of which highlight a unique aspect of Europe. With 25 incredible river cruise options throughout Europe, it can be a tough decision…but we knowthat we’ll find something that fits your budget, taste, and sense of adventure.
Do you want to spend more of your time in Switzerland, Germany or France? What about the Netherlands? Let’s take a closer look at our destinations on the Rhine River and you’ll see why our clients keep coming back for more.
Switzerland
A pristine alpine wonderland, Switzerland is beautiful any time of year. It’s known for its snowy mountain caps in the winter and lush green hills in the summer. Whether you’re taking a scenic train ride through the Alps or traveling the Rhine by ship, Switzerland will have you wondering if you’ve walked straight into a fairytale.
Basel
Many river cruises on the Rhine start or end in Basel, a city known for its love of art and museums. The city has the highest concentration of museums in the country and is centered around a market square, making it perfectly easy to tour.
Basel is a fantastic representation of Switzerland as it’s situated right between France and Germany, two countries which have significantly influenced Swiss culture. Enjoy this melding of cultures as you dine alfresco at a cafe along the banks of the Rhine.
But why stop with Basel when there’s so much more of Switzerland to see. We’d recommend tacking on a trip to Lucerne or Zurich.
Lucerne
Lucerne is the ideal pitstop on your trek through Switzerland. Wandering through its majestic streets, you’ll encounter a city dotted with beautiful bridges, cafes and chocolate shops that will satisfy your sweet tooth. A summer evening in Lucerne will make you never want to leave. Let’s book a ride on Lake Lucerne while we’re at it!
Zurich
The banking capital and economic hub of Switzerland, Zurich combines pre-medieval roots with modern-day business and entertainment.
In addition to its world-class shopping venues, there is plenty of sight-seeing to do.
From the Hauptbahnhof—Switzerland’s largest railway station—you can catch a train and be on a crisp, glistening mountain peak in a matter of minutes. You can also explore the city’s incredible rivers and magnificent lake, which has superior water quality for swimming. Whether its fine dining or hiking trails up Uetliberg, the perfect adventure is waiting for you in Zurich.
France
Parlez-vous français? Non? Well, no worries. A good translation app can do wonders to help you navigate the luscious countryside of France, and its mouthwatering cafes and menus. For its food, wine, and historic sights, we love this country for all the right reasons.
Wine & Dine
Wine and France go hand-in-hand, and if you haven’t had a bowl of French onion soup, you’re seriously missing out. Whether you’re stopping at a bakery in the morning for a fresh croissant and cafe au lait, a light lunch of a croque monsieur or a full 3-course French dinner, you will not be disappointed.
Book a Rhine River cruise with us and you’ll stop in Strasbourg, the capital city of the Alsace region and a charming city for a day trip. We’d recommend the Cave des Hospices for a wine tour and light beverage during the afternoon.
Leisure
If wine tasting isn’t your idea of a relaxing afternoon, there is no shortage of other soothing activities in Strasbourg. The Parc de l’Orangerie, Parc de la Citadelle and the botanical gardens are all equally serene places for an afternoon walk or bike ride.
Shopping
Are you looking for modern stores, local boutiques or street markets? You can find them all in Strasbourg. Most of Strasbourg’s old town is centered on Grande Île, an island in the middle of the city.
Christmas markets in Strasbourg are so popular you can find them any time of year. Make your way to the southwest corner of the Grande Île to Un Noël en Alsace to browse Christmas decor. And if you happen to be in Strasbourg during the holiday season, we recommend a glass of vin chaud (mulled wine) to keep you warm along the way.
Germany
Traveling to Germany usually takes tourists to Berlin, Munich and other metropolitan areas. On a river cruise with AmaWaterways, however, you’ll experience a whole new side of the country—one that is more traditional and inviting.
Cruising down the Rhine, you’ll see cultural hubs as well as quaint cities you may not otherwise experience. Rüdesheim and Cologne both offer a variety of entertainment including local musicians and museums, providing for a well-rounded German experience.
Rüdesheim
Rüdesheim is a charming little city on the Rhine known for its production of Reisling wine. The first thing you’ll notice here is the beautiful combination of history and modern winemaking. Cobblestone streets and medieval-style castles lie just outside the vineyards and tasting rooms of Rüdesheim.
During the stop in Rüdesheim, you can choose between Siegfried’s Mechanical Musical Instrument Museum, a gondola ride or a wine tasting hike through the vineyards.
Our favorite way to spend time here is to take the cable car over the vineyards, up to the Niederwald monument and then stop at the local shops on the way back to the ship.
Cologne
A 2,000-year-old city, Cologne is best known for its colorful rows of houses and its famous Christmas markets. In contrast to the small-town charm of Rüdesheim, Cologne is a much larger city and cultural hub of this area of Germany.
Where Rüdesheim is medieval and rustic, Cologne is more Gothic and modern. Visible from the Rhine River, the Cologne Cathedral is a must-see landmark. Its two towers are still some of the largest peaks in the city.
The stop in Cologne offers the options of a Holy City walking tour and cathedral visit, Kölsch Beer tasting or Cologne bike tour.
The Netherlands
What better way to end the Enchanting Cruise than right in the heart of the Netherlands- Amsterdam.
A city known for its red-light district and overall carefree way of life, Amsterdam offers an incredible array of cultural experiences. Cruising one of the world’s most elaborate canal systems will show you much of the beauty this city has to offer.
If you prefer to observe the canals by land, you can opt for a tour through the bohemian neighborhood of Jordaan, which boasts trendy cafes, eateries, and shops. After grabbing a coffee, head to one of the many historical landmarks in this part of town. The Anne Frank House is located just outside Jordaan and across from the historical Westerkerk Cathedral where Rembrandt was buried in 1669.
The People
The people in the Netherlands are truly some of the kindest and friendly people in Europe. Described as modest, direct and very prompt, don’t be surprised by how welcomed you feel in this city.
The Food
One of the most pleasant surprises of a trip Amsterdam is the food. If you’re craving something with a pinch of salt, we would recommend Bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs), kibbeling (deep-fried fish) or snert (split pea soup).
After dinner, enjoy a variety of different sweets including Dutch licorice, poffertjes (puffy pancakes) or stroopwafels(remember to eat them hot and gooey).
The Creativity
You will find more peculiar shops and art displays in Amsterdam than almost anywhere else in the world. From stores with cows on the ceiling to mouse mansions and displays dedicated entirely to tulips, entertainment in Amsterdam lies around every corner.
These are just a few of the amazing destinations on a Rhine River cruise. Which country is calling your name? Although I enjoyed all of the countries, my favourite is the Netherlands. Give us a call today to talk about all the options available! Or maybe you would like to come along with one of our small groups.
IRISH PUB ETIQUETTE
The Unspoken Rules of Pub Culture
Planning a trip to Ireland? You are likely to spend some time in a pub, so do your homework before you arrive. It’s easy to visit a pub for a pint, but understanding the unspoken rules regarding pub culture will ensure how not to look like a tourist. The pub is the centre of the social universe in Ireland.
The Irish are fun and friendly so there’s a good chance that during one of your pub sessions, you’ll end up drinking with a couple of locals. When everyone is done their drink, one person will go up to the bar and buy for everyone in the group. When that round is over, the next person buys and so on. DO NOT SKIP YOUR ROUND. Pony up when it’s your turn. Tip: Couples do not count as one; you are each having a drink so you each need to buy a round.
If you order a Guinness, you can say to the barman, “I’ll have a pint please.” It’s basic currency in this country and manners are everything – no need to specify what kind, as they’ll assume you want a Guinness. Have patience! According to the official Guinness custodians, it takes exactly 119.5 seconds and a 45-degree tilt to pour the pint of Guinness. After that you need to let it settle. The cardinal rule in drinking Guinness: do not drink it without letting the head settle and for goodness sake; don’t order a glass (a half pint).
There is little table service. To get the barman’s attention, move near to the bar. Know exactly what you want! There are no fancy cocktail menus. Do not waive your money at them. Once served, pay up! No tabs. Seating – there is never enough seats in a bar, but don’t dare to jump into an empty seat without first asking. They may be keeping a seat open for a regular senior.
If you are going for an afternoon pint, casual dress is the attire. But if you’re out for the evening, dress up a little. For the lads, we suggest you don’t pair your jeans with “runners”, and try a dress shoe instead. Locals like to get dressed up.
Tipping in Irish pubs isn’t expected but always appreciated. Tipping is usually left at the end of the evening. The value of 10-15% of your total bill is a suggested amount.
Pubs welcome many occasions celebrating birthdays, births, weddings and the post mortem of a funeral. Irish pubs are a place of fun, storytelling, music and craic. So come join us on one of our tours!
SOLO TRAVELLERS - Article
Single Supplement - Alternative Solutions
Will the single supplement put a dent in rising solo travel numbers? More & more companies offering alternative solutions
TORONTO — Solo travel is on an upward trend, says the 2015 Visa Global Travel Intentions Study, with travellers who ventured alone on their most recent overseas leisure trip jumping to 24% from 15% in 2013.
This market has more than doubled amongst affluent and first-time travellers (32% up from 14% for the affluent, and 37% up from 16% for first-time travellers), while solo ‘Superboomers’ are also seeing a slow but steady increase (18%, up from 16% in 2013).
The study also revealed that solo travellers make for the ideal client: they engage in activities that speak to their passions (sporting events, water sports, etc.), they’re set on their destination but spontaneous about their itineraries (of 2,485 surveyed, 69% of solo travellers said they knew the destination they wanted to go to and did not consider others), and they seek bespoke travel experiences (personal guided tours have become increasingly popular among this market). In fact, the number of solo travellers that seek bespoke travel arrangements has increased almost three-fold compared to 2013 (24% compared to 9%).
As a result, many tour operators and cruise lines are taking notice and going out of their way to cater to solos and their needs. In fact, there are enough companies currently focusing on solos to warrant the first annual Solo Travel Awards, which takes place in October and is being sponsored by Solo Traveler and World Nomads. Designed to “acknowledge companies that are serving the solo market well, and to motivate others to follow suit”, the awards identify those with no or very low single supplements.
Of course, the single supplement, which ranges from 10% to 100% or more of the standard rate, is an industry-wide practice that has long been regarded as a necessary evil. But as solo travel continues to increase, so too will the need for single supplements. And with more people being slapped with a hefty surcharge, the more risk there is of disgruntling a growing segment of the market.
So is there a way to abolish the surcharge once and for all?
Not anytime soon. Katharine Bonner, SVP, Tauck River & Small Ship Cruising says that the single supplement results from the fact that tour and cruise companies price their products with the assumption that the cost of accommodations will be split between two guests occupying a single room or cabin. “So if a tour operator’s cost for a hotel room in Europe for one night is €300 and two guests sharing that room are paying €150 each, the tour operator breaks even. However, the tour operator’s cost for that room remains the same whether one or two guests are occupying it. So if you have a solo traveller in that same room, paying that same per-person rate of €150, suddenly the tour operator is incurring a substantial loss.
“The single supplement is a way of addressing the fact that hosting a solo traveller reduces the tour operator’s or cruise line’s income by half, while their costs haven’t been reduced accordingly.”
From a cruise line’s perspective, Dana Gain, National Director, Sales – Canada for Norwegian Cruise Line says single supplements are a way to remain competitive.
“The cruise model is based on sailing double occupancy, so if only one guest sails in a room it affects the overall model. In order to offer competitive pricing and rich, value-added promotional offers, the single supplement aligns to the double occupancy model,” she says.
So it looks like it’s not going away anytime soon, but this isn’t to say that solo travellers will always be stuck with the short end of the stick. Tauck, for example, has eliminated the single supplement entirely on all of its Category 1 European riverboat cabins, is waiving the supplement on over 230 river cruise departures this year, and reducing the surcharge by up to $1,000 on 187 departures of 64 itineraries to five continents.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), in addition to waiving or reducing the single supplement from time to time, is credited with being the first cruise line to offer Studio cabins, designed specifically for solo cruisers. First debuting on Norwegian Epic in 2010, the well-received Studios (which charge no single supplement) have since been added to five of NCL’s ships.
“There was clearly a market need and demand has been strong for these unique staterooms,” added Gain. “We recognized that families are the second largest cruising segment, second only to the 55+ age group. On average, between 15-20% of guests on each cruise are part of a multi-generational travel group, and that often includes family members that may be travelling solo.”
A growing number of millennials is also choosing to go at it alone. As the largest generation in history, they’re on track to also be the largest market in travel in the next several years. According to a 2015 MMGY Global survey of 2,300 U.S. adults, 37% of millennial respondents indicated they plan to take at least one overnight leisure trip alone during the next six months, up 5% from the previous year and 8% from two years prior.
“We have seen an incredible increase of solo travellers as it is now more common – especially among millennials – today than it ever was,” says Damien Bennett, VP Sales North America, Busabout. “Because of this shift in travel habits, operators are realizing that there is a huge market in this sector and are now catering accordingly.”
Bennett also cites a recent study by the UNWTO (United Nations World Travel Organization), which found that given the fact that the number of international millennial trips is expected to nearly double to about 300 million by 2020, solo travel will play an even larger role in how young Canadians travel.
“From my experience, tour operators have traditionally seen solo travellers as an afterthought and have typically charged them extra for travelling alone. We’re seeing more and more operators following what Busabout is doing, that is by recognizing the benefits of solo travellers travelling with them. They have and continue to be a big part of our business,” he says.
Solos are making a similar impact at Tauck, with Bonner saying that solo travel has certainly been a growing part of its business. “I think it points to an increased awareness that guided group travel is a smart choice for solo travellers. Prior to a trip, the work involved in planning a vacation is normally divided among two people. For someone travelling alone, all of that work falls on a single person, and it can be a lot,” she says. “With a guided group tour or cruise, the only work involved is picking the itinerary and departure date. Tauck does the rest.”
Posted by Travelweek Group
This story originally ran in the August 3rd, 2017 issue of Travelweek magazine.