Europe By Rail

by Kraig Becker on

For many, taking the train is still the most wonderful way to travel. It is a romantic throwback to a long gone era, before modern jets linked the world. For some, taking the train is just too slow, but for those that enjoy it, that is one its charms. It affords travelers the opportunity to see the countryside, often from a comfortable car filled with modern amenities.

The train system in Europe is well known as being an excellent way for travelers to explore the continent. Trains run on a regular basis to nearly every region, offering a convenient, affordable, and leisurely way to get to your destination.

The TImes Online has put together a list of four great European rail journeys offering up suggestions for those who would like to experience the very best that this mode of transportation has to offer. The routes they suggest include a tour through Eastern Europe, a ride through the Alps, a journey along the French Riviera and Italy, and an adventure that will take you to Gibraltar and beyond, into Africa. Each of the routes has multiple legs, and the article gives details on the best and most insteresting of them. It also has tips on how to book your train journey, complete with ideas on how to save money in the process.

There was a time when train travel through Europe was viewed as strictly the realm of students and backpackers. But recently there have been first class and adults only cars added, opening the trains up as a viable option for other travlers as well. With airfares to Europe at bargain rates, now may be a great time to go, and with cheap trains as an option, explore the continent like never before.

South Africa on the Cheap

by Kraig Becker on

Earlier this week we learned how 2009 is shaping up to be the most affordable year to visit Africa ever and now it seems the New York Times agrees, saying that Cape Town has plenty of bargains to offer travelers willing to make the trip.

Cape Town, South Africa is amongst the more unique and interesting cities in the world. The city of 3.5 million people is a thriving modern metropolis, surrounded by some outstanding natural wonders, with amazing beaches, rolling hills, and sheer rocky cliffs making a dramatic backdrop along the city’s horizon. The region is also known for some of the best wines anywhere in the world, and of course, you can’t go to South Africa without taking in a safari.

The impact of the global economic condition on the South African currency is one of the major reasons it is now a more affordable place to visit. The value of the rand versus the American dollar is at its lowest point in more than five years, and inflation has caused prices to go up when paying in rands but down when using dollars, resulting in some excellent deals on hotels and meals.

The article recommends some of the better places to stay and eat, as well as what to see and do while in Cape Town. But the Times also has an excellent travel guide with even more great suggestions. The city is a great mix of culture and cuisine, with access to plenty of nearby outdoor adventures as well.

With the cheap airfares to Africa, and the strong dollar compared to the local currency, we’re all running out of excuses as to why we shouldn’t go!

Gadling Take FIVE: February 14 – February 20

by Jamie Rhein on

You never know what you’ll find out at Gadling. That’s what I thought this week when I perused the offerings. In the midst of Cockpit Chronicles, Galley Gossip, SkyMall Monday, Tuesday Trivia, Through the Gadling Lens, and Undiscovered New York were posts with information I didn’t know about until I read them.

  • For example, Jeffrey’s post that Waterford Crystal’s main factory has closed caught me off guard. When my husband and I got married one of his cousins gave us Waterford wine glasses that he bought in Dublin. Hearing that the factory has been affected so severely by these hard economic times is startling. It’s Waterford Crystal, for heaven’s sake.
  • Alison’s post on driving RVs from one destination to another offers one more idea on how to travel cheaply. Plus, with a RV who needs a hotel room?
  • If you’re thinking of going to Africa, Kraig’s post Africa more affordable than ever in in 2009 points out that you ought to not wait. Prices are expected to skyrocket in 2010.
  • Check out Tom’s post Hotel Gaudi, a comfortable bargain. He recently stayed at this hotel in Madrid, Spain. The gallery pictures prove its stay-worthiness in case you don’t trust Tom’s word alone.
  • Last summer I was enamored with the show “I Survived a Japanese Game Show.” There’s no accounting for taste. On that note, Aaron’s post Osaka Bang! is good for a laugh. This concept would not work in the U.S. in case anyone is thinking about an American version.

Exploring the Kenyan Coast by Dhow

by Kraig Becker on

A dhow is a small sailing vessel that is traditionally found along the coasts stretching from India to Eastern Africa. They have their origins in Arabia, and were once trading vessels that ran far and wide, delivering precious goods far and wide, and while they have been replaced by modern freight ships, the tradition of the dhow still lives on in many countries.

Kevin Gould, travel writer for the The Guardian, found his own dhow experience in the Lamu archipelago, a series of small islands stretching along the northern coast of Kenya and the Somalian border. The archipelago is a place that still holds tightly to its roots, with simple villages with huts fashioned from palms. It is a place where the inhabitants still catch fish using a spear and relax in the shade of mangrove trees hundreds of years old.

Gould describes a place that few outsiders visit. He notes that the locals are friendly and open to visitors from abroad, welcoming them warmly. The crystal clear waters of the archipelago give way to pristine beaches, under cloudless skies, and traveling by dhow grants access to some prime snorkeling locations.

For adventurous travelers on the look out for unique travel experiences, this looks like another amazing experience. The chance to visit a place that few others have the opportunity to see, and to travel there in such a unique fashion, makes this a tempting journey.

Ethiopian Airlines Offering Free Tickets to Africa

by Kraig Becker on

Traditionally speaking, flights to Africa can be amongst the most expensive you’ll find, and there are seldom deals to be found when flying there. But right now, Ethiopian Airlines is running a “buy 1, get 1 free” promotion that makes it more affordable than ever to make the trip.

The promotion is good from February 1st through March 31st of this year, with flights to 32 cities available. Simply book a ticket before the 30th of March, and you receive one companion fare for free. The only restriction, other than the dates of the promotion, is that your stay can not be longer than 21 days, and you must travel by the end of March.

The airline offers service to most of the major airports in Africa, including flights to Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa. Combining this promotion with some of the other travel deals that are currently available could make for a low cost safari or other vacation to any number of amazing places. Grab your tickets while you can!

[via Intelligent Travel Blog]

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