You should see Machu Picchu and other parts of the Peruvian Andes at least once in you life. Seeing the ruins for the first time brought tears to my eyes (yes, even me, the jaded travel writer).
But once-in-a-lifetime trips must be planned properly, especially ones where doing it the wrong way can make you sick.
I met many people during my trip to Peru’s Machu Picchu, Cuzco and Lake Titicaca who were affected by altitude sickness. All of them had visited the Peruvian highlights in the wrong order, and tried to do too much without allowing their bodies to acclimate to the altitude.
I admit, I never really thought of Alicante, Spain as anything other than an airport. Without the reputation of say Seville or Valencia, Alicante can be rather easy to dismiss. Which makes it feel even more of a gem as you get to know it.
It’s got its fair share of beauty and class, as well as more functional or run down areas, but in most cities you’ll take the rough and the smooth and where you stay will very much dictate what it primarily delivers. From the old part of town we found plenty to get excited about for a couple of days – even with a toddler in tow.
Saigon / Ho Chi Minh City is a vibrant, colourful, chaotic, wonderful place. The city can be overwhelming at first, teeming with people. On my first day I wondered how I was going to cross the road. But within hours, I was crossing the road like a pro, shuffling along, not making any sudden movements, allowing the motorbikes to weave around me. A lot has changed since my first visit nearly three years ago but my favourite thing still exists – the food.
I didn’t know much about Vietnamese food before coming to Saigon but it’s easily the best thing about Vietnam. I love the freshness, the chili and the herbs.
Most people have Galàpagos on their bucket list. But when they start to look at all the different ways to see the islands, it can be a little overwhelming to figure out the best plan.
And for a once in a lifetime trip, you want to get it right.
Don’t worry, we have a solution for you!
The first thing to assess is whether you are very prone to seasickness. If yes, your trip planning is simple. Fly to Baltra airport, stay at a Santa Cruz island hotel (though you can puddle jump to Isabella island; as well as fly from the mainland to San Cristobal island). Then book a few day tours, though be aware that most of these involve a boat too …