This trip provided a very varied experience showcasing both the animals and the scenery of the countries we passed through. We weren’t sure what to expect from camping in Africa and the facilities on offer, although basic at times, surpassed our expectations. We did the trip from 16 June – 5 July, and benefitted from seeing Victoria Falls in full flow, uncrowded campsites and great weather (though a couple of nights and early mornings were cold until the sun was up). Not sure if we were just lucky, but we saw no rain until Cape Town. Every day provided a new adventure and made the early starts and long journeys on some days absolutely worth it. We couldn’t have asked for a better ‘introduction’ to Africa.
Winter Tours in Italy
Italy Winter Tours
Best 5 Places for Skiing in the Dolomites
Sexten Valley: Making up Italy’s iconic Dolomites, the Sexten Dolomites is a fabulous region full of history and skiing trails that snake through the South Tyrol and north-eastern Italy. Nestled between the Sexten Dolomites and the Carnian Alps is the Sexten Valley, a wildly beautiful and nature-filled area that has become synonymous with skiing and mountain climbing. Alpine meadows and ancient pine trees create a romantic backdrop while the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, the Three Peaks of the Dolomites, are the main focal point.
Alta Badia: Arguably one of the most well know skiing regions in Italy in the heart of the South Tyrolean Dolomite Mountains, Alta Badia is a popular destination for winter holidays in Italy. Its gentler slopes of San Cassiano and Corvara are perfect for anyone that is new to skiing but still wants to explore the stunning scenery of the Dolomites. There’s a real sense of calm in the air which provides a relaxing atmosphere where you can develop your skills. But if you’re a seasoned skier, there are 130km of well-maintained slopes to explore.
Madonna di Campiglio: Affectionately known as the Pearl of the Dolomites, Madonna di Campiglio is a popular location for awinter activities in Italy. Skiing was introduced to the area in the early 20th century owing to its picturesque setting and alpine peaks that are hugged by the Dolomites and the Adamello Presanella range. With approximately 150km of slopes to explore, Campiglio is one of the largest ski areas in Italy. If you like a challenge, you can also trek along the Via Ferrate for some of the finest views in the world.
Villabassa: Enjoying a mild climate with plenty of sun and a dreamy position high up in the heart of the Dolomites, Villabassa is a much-loved destination for winter trips to Italy. This pretty spa village has become the starting point for skiing and winter walking along the Val Pusteria trail. But it’s not all about the skiing here, Villabassa also has a rich history and is home to several religious buildings such as St Anna Chapel and St Magdalene Church which houses a splendid Franz Kock organ.
San Cassiano: One of the prettiest alpine villages in the Dolomites, San Cassiano nestles at the foot of Continurines and Lavarela. In the winter months, adventure seekers travel here to ski down the famous Foram toboggan run, which stretches for over 7km from Lagazuoi. The Armentarola cross-country skiing centre also attracts the regular skiing crowd as it forms a part of the exceptional Dolomiti Nordic Ski. For some wonderful apres-ski, there’s a wide selection of restaurants and bars in the village where you can mingle with other skiers and walkers in the area.
Katie Illingworth Victoria Falls to Cape Town – Camping
Vivienne Hodgins Bosnia & BeyondThis was one of the best Exodus holidays I have been on…and I’ve been on a few! The guide really was excellent and made the trip fun, interesting and unforgettable. He really knows the region , both its history and the natural environment. The bus was very comfortable and spacious which made the journey undemanding. There were 16 of us in the group and we all enjoyed the trip .The hotels were good and we didn’t move on every day which was good. It’s a full on trip so not much time is spent in the hotel. Breakfasts were very good and the location of the hotels meant it was easy to go out on your own. The itinerary is varied… Sarajevo and Dubrovnik are great cities. Mostar ,although very busy, is a must see and the smaller places especially in the mountains were fascinating.
Christopher Mather Cycle Indochina & AngkorThis was a good adventure through three countries, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. Starting with Thailand, the first day’s cycling had a mix of temples to see as well as cycling but I felt that day 2 and 3 we were just cycling to get out of Thailand with not much to see and was a bit boring. Cambodia was amazing with not just the amazing Angkor complex, but also the more sombre sights of Phnom Penh, S-21 and the Killing Fields, where our local guide’s personal stories really made you think. Vietnam was different again, with much better scenery for cycling and a lovely stay in the Mekong Delta. Saigon, you are left to explore on your own. I visited the War Remnants museum and the Independence Palace, which both were an interesting visit. The local teams who organised the cycling, were well organised with a special shout out to the Vietnam team, though their roads were the bumpiest.
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