Friday, 31 December 2010

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of you!

I hope that all of you have an amazing year and get to travel to all the places you want to see!

Watch this space for the third issue of Shoestring, which will be out in January!

Saturday, 25 December 2010

Walking in a Winter Wonderland


While most of Britain sees the snow as freakish weather that's creating chaos on the country's streets and airports, we at Shoestring like to think that we've stayed children at heart. Snowball fights, building snowmen and hunting through the garage to find the sledge last used before winters became gradually warmer in Europe - snow gets us excited.


So if you're like us and like a walk in the snow, head down to London's Kew Gardens from December 26 until January 3. Their 300 acres resemble a winter wonderland and there are free guided tours at 11am and 2pm.


Enjoy a stroll through the park, or take the romantic option with a horse and carriage ride along the Broad Walk. Or duck into the greenhouse to remind yourself of warmer weather.

Merry Christmas

Frohe Weihnachten!
Merry Christmas!
God Jul!
Joyeux Noel!
Feliz Navidad!


To all Shoestring readers and contributors! This project would not be possible without you! Thank you so much for your support. Shoestring issue #3 will be out in January, so watch this space for updates!

Happy Travels,

Conny Kaufmann

Thursday, 16 December 2010

Journeys of Discovery with World Expeditions

World Expeditions is launching its new Journeys of Discovery brochure for 2011, which features itineraries for the discerning traveller who wants a softer approach to adventure travel.

Rather than simply ticking off tourism spots, World Expeditions’ itineraries are specially planned to reach into the heart of a destination, allow visitors interact with local cultures and offer comfortable accommodation at the end of the day.

There are more than 20 new trips in the Journeys of Discovery brochure for 2011, with highlights including:

All eyes on Myanmar: Tourists have long been discouraged from travelling to Myanmar, but with the ‘travel embargo’ now lifted one of Asia’s most picturesque countries is opening up to international visitors again... With two itineraries to choose from, ‘Highlights of Myanmar’ and ‘Irrawaddy River Cruise’, World Expeditions is one of the first - and few - operators to offer trips to this beautiful yet unexplored corner of the continent.

Middle East on the rise: Most Middle East countries are reporting an increase in international visitors this year and the trend is set to continue… Explore the jewel of the Middle East with ‘Lebanon Explorer’, take in dramatic archaeological sites on ‘Pyramids to Petra’, while for the most daring there’s an epic 26-day itinerary from ‘Iran to Istanbul via Georgia and Armenia’!

More options in Africa: The success of this year’s World Cup in South Africa put this beautiful yet often overlooked continent to the spotlight and reminded a lot of people why a safari is a must-do experience. New trips such as the ‘Okavango Adventure’ in Botswana and the ‘Kenya & Tanzania Migration Safari’ witness the enthralling migration in the Serengeti and Masai Mara, allowing for fascinating and memorable wildlife encounters, while the ‘Ethiopia Explorer’ gives a unique insight in the country’s remarkable cultural heritage and spectacular mountain scenery.

There’s more to Peru than Machu Picchu: Everyone will be talking about Machu Picchu in 2011 as it will be 100 years since it was first brought to international attention – but there is definitely more to Peru… The new trip ‘Hidden Treasures of Northern Peru’ uncovers the very best of the northern - and lesser known - part of the country, including the spectacular Gocta Falls and the impressive pre-Incan culture and ruins of Chachapoyas.

The extreme Antarctica: There is an increased interest lately in the Ross Sea, the wilder - and windier! - side of Antarctica: with winds regularly exceeding 150 miles per hour, it is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the windiest place on Earth! Polar explorer Sir Douglas Mawson was the first to land in Commonwealth Bay in 1911 and to celebrate the anniversary a special ‘Mawson Centennial Voyage’ will be available to this remote, less visited part of Antarctica.

To order the new Journeys of Discovery brochure please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk or call 0800 0744 135. World Expeditions’ all-inclusive policy ensures there are no local payments. Prices do not include international flights, however these can be arranged on request.

Friday, 3 December 2010

Relief for Gatwick air travellers

Good news for everyone travelling to and from Britain via Gatwick.

Although the whole country is still freezing cold and at least in parts covered in snow, London Gatwick Airport reopened today.

The airport had been closed due to heavy snowfall, but crews worked through the night to clear over one foot and a half of snow off the runways. Delays should still be expected, though, as the airport tries to work through the backlog of cancelled and delayed flights to return to its normal schedule.

Thursday, 2 December 2010

Africa Stuck On You


Africa overlanding experts Acacia Africa featured Shoestring magazine today on their Africa: Stuck on you blog!

Shoestring editor Conny Kaufmann has been approached as a travel expert and former Acacia traveller to contribute her advice on overlanding to the popular blog!