By Paul Tavner

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The Indian subcontinent, stretching from the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the white sandy coves of Kanyakumari in the south, is one of world’s most popular destinations for travellers in search of diverse experiences. After all, South Asian countries have a distinct energy that combines the spiritual, natural, cultural and human.

Travellers make their way to a Himalayan destination on yak back, accompanied by local guides

The pace of life in South Asia, particularly some of the larger cities, can seem chaotic and disorienting, sometimes even overwhelming to newcomers. While this feeling is usually assuaged after a short period of acclimation, many people still prefer to plan a visit in advance, thereby minimising the sense of first-arrival confusion and dislocation. Fortunately, these people are finding recourse in the growing number of businesses offering their services online.
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Posted under General, India, Nepal, countries, responsible organisations, responsible travel, whl.travel newsletter

The Caprivi Strip of Namibia is a curious, narrow panhandle in northern Namibia that thrusts east to the Zambezi River and borders Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana. Although geographically small – about 450km long and 100km at its widest – it is land rich in vegetation, and host to both dramatic scenery and some of the best bird and game viewing in Africa.

Hippos wallowing in one of the many rivers of the Caprivi Strip in Namibia (photo by Ute von Ludwiger)

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Posted under General, Namibia, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

By Ashley Hiemenz

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It is well known that animals are a powerful tourism catalyst throughout the world. However, after the tragic death of Dawn Brancheau at Orlando SeaWorld on February 22nd, many questions have again been raised about the exploitation of whales and dolphins as entertainment. SeaWorld, owned by Blackstone, is a profitable business that fills its stadiums day after day with thousands of viewers eager to watch animals do circus tricks. The animals live and perform in pools the conditions of which have been likened to a human spending the rest of his or her life in a bathtub.

The spinner dolphin is common to the waters of Fernando de Noronha, Brazil, and most famous for its acrobatic displays. Some have been seen completing 14 spinning jumps one after another.

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Posted under Estonia, General, Malaysia, South Africa, opinion, responsible travel, whl.travel newsletter

TAZAMA HAPA CHINI UJUMBE HUU KWA KISWAHILI / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SWAHILI

Adoringly known as ‘Dar’ by enthusiasts, Dar es Salaam, the former capital but still premier city of Tanzania, borders the warm Indian Ocean. Once a small, Swahili fishing village located in the centre of the East African coastline, Dar now leads Tanzanian access to one of the world’s most important sea routes.

A fisherman floats on the warm Indian Ocean near Mafia Island along Tanzania’s southern coast

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Posted under General, Tanzania, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

The affable cities of Kampala and Entebbe, Uganda, lie a mere 37km apart. Kampala, the country’s capital and largest city, has maintained its unique cultural heritage and spirit despite the march of modernisation, while Entebbe is Kampala’s peaceful neighbour and sits on the north shore of Lake Victoria, the African continent’s largest lake.

A look at downtown Kampala and its jam of boda-bodas (bicycle and moped taxis) (photo by Rob Brierley)

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Posted under General, Uganda, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

By Ethan Gelber

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The lion is one of the Big Five found in Kruger National Park, the country’s largest game reserve and a superb place for a safari (photo courtesy of South African Tourism)

The clock’s ticking. Every hour we move closer to 4pm South Africa time on 11 June 2010, when the World Cup 2010 kicks off in Johannesburg’s Soccer City Stadium. The anticipation is palpable, but so is the growing frustration and sometimes anger about the absurd room rates and out-of-focus travel opportunities in a country driven by high expectations.

So what are you to do? Are there reasonably priced accommodation options anywhere in South Africa? How can one find exciting and responsible travel options beyond the pomp of a month of games? And, as we’ve written about already, is there any way of ensuring that some of the money spent will be fairly distributed, so that the inflated profits benefit as wide a cross-section of people as possible, not just the already rich and powerful?
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Posted under General, South Africa, countries, local tips, responsible organisations, responsible travel, responsible travel news, whl.travel newsletter

SIEN ONDER VIR DIE BOODSKAP IN AFRIKAANS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN AFRIKAANS

Notable as the locations of some of Africa’s preeminent water-sport destinations, Port Elizabeth and Addo National Park lie halfway between Cape Town and Durban on South Africa’s Eastern Cape. With a moderate climate and pleasant temperatures all year round, Port Elizabeth – more affectionately known as P.E. or the Friendly City by locals – and the surrounding region also offer exciting activities to terrestrial sports enthusiasts, nature lovers and history buffs alike.

Traditional wear in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, is still regularly seen. These two ladies are a prime example of the Xhosa heritage common throughout the province and in cities like Port Elizabeth.

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Posted under General, South Africa, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

* MIRAR DEBAJO POR ESTE MENSAJE EN ESPAÑOL / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN SPANISH
* LEIA LOGO ABAIXO ESTA NOTICIA EM PORTUGUÊS / SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN PORTUGUESE

The Chilotes of Chiloé, an archipelago located off the coast of southern Chile, are renowned for their elaborate folk tales and mystical stories inspired by the epic forests and ocean tides that surround them. Over the years this long-established mythology has blended with Catholic traditions to produce an unusual cultural fusion. A trip to Chiloé provides a friendly glimpse of the resultant unique customs against a backdrop of pure natural beauty.

After a rainy afternoon, the vivid colours in the sky blend to create a lovely sunset conclusion to a typical day in Chiloé, Chile

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Posted under Chile, General, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

SEE BELOW FOR THIS MESSAGE IN MALAY / UNTUK BAHASA MELAYU, SILA BACA DI BAWAH

Kuching is capital of the East Malaysian state of Sarawak and, as the fourth largest metropolis in Malaysia, is the most developed and populous area on the island of Borneo. Kuching often goes by the name ‘Cat City’, a nickname the precise origins of which have been lost in the mists of time, although the word kuching means ‘cat’ in Malay. The residents of this vibrant city have nevertheless warmed to the moniker and numerous statues of felines can be spotted in and around the town – along with a great many live cats.

The Sarawak River is the focal point of the Kuching, dividing its north from its south and eventually spilling into the South China Sea

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Posted under General, Malaysia, countries, new local connections, whl.travel news

By Christopher Lewis

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The principal attraction of the small Baltic republic of Estonia is its UNESCO World Heritage Site capital city of Tallinn. Beyond the city lmits and off the beaten track, however, lie several less-well-known pleasant surprises, like Estonia’s Summer Capital, better known as Pärnu, and the surrounding Soomaa National Park.

No matter the season - even frozen and blanketed in snow - the bogs of Estonia's Soomaa National Park are a magical landscape begging for exploration

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Posted under Estonia, General, local tips, whl.travel newsletter