We've Got Another Fast Five! Hitting Some International Vibes Here!

 

1.    Bornholm Island, Denmark.  Denmark is one of those places.  We love good food, and some of the best restaurants in the world are there.  We want to be happy, and the Danes are consistently ranked as some of the happiest people in the world.  Probably the food.  Maybe the Legos, being as they are home to the world famous building blocks and have the first and flagship Legoland.  But Denmark has a great secret that most tourists don't know about, because they're just too busy seeing the other stuff.

Bornholm Island is more off the coast of Sweden than Denmark, but it's part of Denmark.  It's a beautiful island, not far from the main collection of islands that make up the country.  You can take a boat, ferry or plane to get to the island and experience a different part of the country.  

The world is laid back on Bornholm.  There are castle ruins, old villages and towns, beautiful roads, and even cliffs.  Denmark is famous for being flat, so this is the scenic part of the country where you can walk cliffs and have dramatic views of the Baltic Sea.  

Do they have a Michelin Star Restaurant on Bornholm?  Rumor has it that the island is home to the only Michelin Star Beach Shack.  So, there's obviously great food, lots of history and fabulous scenery on Bornholm Island.

2.    Japan's Vending Machines.  This one isn't so much as you have to go and see it, but you should know about it and take time to try them out while in Japan.  It's been said that you can get just about anything from a Japanese Vending Machine.  They're so many of them that they say there's one machine for every 10 people in the country.  Japan is one of the most populous countries on Earth, so that's a lot of machines.

I would say to stop and get a drink at one, but you can get almost anything.  They have drinks and food, hot and cold.  They have toys and games, groceries and fruit.  They have puzzles and all kinds of things.  It's incredible what you can get from a machine.

Are they safe?  Here in America, vending machines are a bit taboo for a lot of things, like food.  But in Japan, they're clean, and the materials are kept fresh.  So, while in Japan, give that a try.  You might really be surprised.

3.    Swim with Humpback Whales.  That's right, people do that.  We've all been on a whale watch and just seeing the giant creatures, no matter how gentle they are is a little intimidating.  But there are companies that will take you to swim with them and some of the most popular ones are in Tonga.

Where is Tonga?  Well, it's east of Australia and North of New Zealand in French Polynesia, so if you happen to be visiting there, congratulations!  I hear it's one of the most beautiful areas of the world.

This is an excursion that tends to take a few days in order to have the full experience and find the whales.  They are enormous wild creatures after all and will be where they want, when they want.

The cruises allocated for this activity last three to five days and give you more than one chance on average to swim with the gentle giants.  So, if in Tonga, it looks like a massive great adventure.

4.    Wild Camel Spotting in Australia.  Now, I don't know who is driving around the outback in Australia, but I do know of a train that cuts through it (The Ghan).  I do know you can rent a vehicle whether RV style or car and drive in the outback, so this is a valid concept.

Many many years ago, camels were imported from the Middle East to be used as work animals and transportation.  They hauled many people and products around the outback and were ideally suited to the climate and terrain.  After trains and cars came along, they were not really needed much anymore.

However, camels are tough and as I said were suited for the outback so they flourished.  There are thousands of wild camels roaming the outback and you can see them all over the place.  So, while on a road trip, train trip or some kind of safari, keep your eyes open for the feral camels of Australia.

5.    The Winjiri Wiru Story at Uluru.  That's a mouthful for us Americans.  Uluru is what we were taught to refer to as Ayers Rock.  Uluru is in the outback in Australia on Indigenous People's Land and has long since been known around the world as a sacred location.

In modern times, many people took tours to try and climb it and all kinds of things, but now, there's the Ayers Rock Resort and their world famous drone show to tell the story of Winjiri Wiru.  It's a one of a kind show that happens every night.  You'll need to stay in the area and the resort is the most convenient place.

The one of a kind drone show teaches the story of old and is a one of a kind experience, not to be missed if you happen to want to see Uluru; it's the perfect combination.

There you have it; an added fast five.  This is a great list because it covers a lot of different things in a lot of different parts of the world.  If you happen to be in any of these locations, check out some of these lesser elaborated on activities and further immerse yourself in the local culture.  Whether it's an educational drone show, swimming with whales, experiencing life with crazy vending machines or spending some time in the wild with camels or on a historical scenic island; there are so many experiences to be had.  Don't miss out on seeing the world.  Pack your bags and enjoy! 

https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/destinations/bornholm/bornholm-0

https://bornholm.info/en/

https://visitbornholm.com/en/bornholm/explore/bornholm

https://www.visitdenmark.com/denmark/things-do/attractions/bornholm

https://ovationdmc.com/bornholm-denmarks-trendiest-island/

https://thenordicnomad.com/stay/the-best-hotels-on-the-danish-island-of-bornholm/

https://tokyotreat.com/blog/vending-machines-in-japan-a-deep-dive-into-its-history?srsltid=AfmBOorhwvtbUTnoKUYtldqh-ehNhvoRNRixnJfbssVSJpf2O0uFPN6F

https://tokyocheapo.com/entertainment/tokyo-best-vending-machines/

https://www.bokksu.com/blogs/news/the-world-at-your-fingertips-exploring-japans-vending-machine-revolution?srsltid=AfmBOooWOXAkjxEFWIBNz2XqECiIYZf_2Z74TliNUTO-EMW7NZnVA57R

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2010.html

https://asia.nikkei.com/Editor-s-Picks/Tea-Leaves/Japan-s-vending-machine-culture-is-ahead-of-the-curve

https://humpbackswims.com/?utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&utm_campaign=National&utm_term=swim%20with%20humpback%20whales%20tonga&utm_content=162815234595&matchtype=e&creative=698911807105&device=c&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5qC2BhB8EiwAvqa41orlVFGYKY3p-TK5kXRLeYPIJcFZWNj3GsDVkP82phlcdlZ_vzPNQxoCGUwQAvD_BwE

https://www.airguides.com/product/tonga-jono-allen?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5qC2BhB8EiwAvqa41o5e_VyyfDhIrOLGlSr-oGx3ACaOtqRXcuArWayrkkSLaHxo6swL9xoCOLkQAvD_BwE

https://afsa.org/swimming-whales-tonga

https://www.oceanicsociety.org/expedition/tonga-snorkeling-with-humpback-whales/

https://sdmdiving.com/tonga-humpbacks

https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20180410-the-strange-story-of-australias-wild-camel

https://rusticpathways.com/inside-rustic/online-magazine/why-are-there-camels-in-australia

https://theculturetrip.com/pacific/australia/articles/did-you-know-there-are-wild-camels-in-australia

https://www.ayersrockresort.com.au/wintjiri-wiru/about

https://www.qantas.com/travelinsider/en/trending/wintjiri-wiru-ayers-rock-resort-uluru.html

https://www.australiantraveller.com/nt/red-centre/uluru/wintjiri-wiru-light-show/

https://concreteplayground.com/sydney/travel-leisure/wintjiri-wiru-drone-and-light-show-uluru

https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US/inspiration/travel/uluru-drone-show.html

Trains? I Love Trains! A Fast Five!

 

I haven't done a fast five for a bit.  I've been doing a lot of traveling and had a lot to say, but I was getting behind and had a lot of notes, so I thought I'd throw a fast five out there for some ideas.  This week, it's all about the trains!

I've rather randomly picked out five truly famous luxury trains and their itineraries to discuss.

1.   The Belmond Royal Scotsman.  These trains are in no particular order and they are not all the same.  The Royal Scotsman is a luxury train with several journeys you can book to get a look at the rugged and beautiful country of Scotland without giving up comfort to do it.

Sometimes, it's not that easy to figure out an itinerary on your own, and that can be particularly tough if you only have that one chance to see the best of an entire country.  Train travel is one of my favorite ways to get around and I've taken a lot of trains.  I've never taken a luxury train, but honestly hope to one day.

The Belmond Royal Scotsman has several different choices from tours that revolve around gourmet food to wilderness journeys and even journeys that focus on castles or historic cities.  It's an amazing way to get a look at a country like Scotland.  The train is historic and has you living in the lap of luxury.  The comfort is highly regarded, the views are fantastic according to the guests and the locations the tours visit are carefully chosen by experts on what to and not to see in Scotland.  You'll enjoy the country, not have to pack and unpack along the way and live in the lap of luxury while you travel.

2.  Known as one of the most luxurious train excursions in the world, the Maharaja's Express is the premiere way to experience India.  Have you always wanted to see the Taj Mahal?  Rajasthan?  Jaipur?  It's all part of the journey on this train.

This train hails back to the British Pullman days and you'll feel like you've stepped back in time and are traveling with the royal family.  Every detail is made perfect for the passengers.  The staff do everything they can to give you an entertaining experience while you glide through India and experience the history of one of the more amazing places in the world.

India is a crowded country, and it's difficult to just find your way around.  This is one of those times where taking a tour can really pay off.  

  

3.    The Canadian.  This is a once in a lifetime journey.  This trip takes you all the way across one of the biggest countries in the world.  Canada!  There will be multiple stops along this approximately week long journey.  The best part is that you'll be living in luxury while the engineers and staff take care of everything. 

Not only will you have your own cabin, dining facilities, lounges and so forth, but the Canadian Railway has some of the best observation cars in the world.  The view is amazing, because it's Canada, and you'll have the perfect seats to watch it from.

4.    The Ghan.  Have you ever thought about seeing Australia by train?  Well, they have a number of luxury excursions, but the Ghan goes right through the heart of the country.  Being in the outback can sound dangerous and scary, but on the Ghan, you'll be riding in the lap of luxury the whole way and the staff can worry about the details.

There are several different lengths of excursions for this train alone, so you can choose how much of the country you visit and how long your journey is.  As with most luxury trains, the train cars are antique and there are various options for accommodations.  The Ghan has everything from dining to observation, lounge and even the occasional art exhibit on board.

5.    The Al-Andalus.  No one does it quite like the Europeans and no one does anything quite like Spain.  This train has excursions that are both by bus during some days and by train the rest of the trip.  You will get to see some of Southern Spain that isn't easy to see.  I tried it once and the whole thing fell through.  I probably should have taken the train.

You'll meet up in Seville, go to Grenada, Ronda and so much more.  You'll see some of the most amazing scenery and history in the world.  Spain has been inhabited by so many different peoples from Moors, to Romans, to the current group of Spaniards.  Each and every history is represented and this trip will show you some amazing things without all the hassle of trying to plan a trip through southern Spain.

So, if you don't mind spending the money, because there's not a trip here that books for less than $6,000; it's something to keep in mind.  Most of the trips have excursions included, meals included, lodging included and so much more.  The Al-Andalus has both train and bus excursions as part of their core tours.  The Belmond Royal Scotsman has a spa on board.  They each have their specialty.  They each show you a portion of the countries where they operate that you can't really see any other way.  I mean, would you really just rent a car and drive through the outback of Australia?

I don't spend a lot of money on travel most of the time, but remember, travel is also about the experience.  Train travel whether it's Metro North or the Maharaja's Express is almost entirely about the experience.  And face it, seeing the royal provinces of India is way better than seeing Greens Farms along Metro North.  It's all about the experience and with a train, you get a historic experience, great food, comfortable accommodations and tour guides.  It's something that you probably won't do more than once, but that one time could be great.  So, consider what you get for the price you pay, think about the hassle and worry you won't have, book a great trip and enjoy! 

https://eltrenalandalus.com/en/

https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/scotland/belmond-royal-scotsman/

https://www.maharajaexpress.co.uk/?https%3A%2F%2Fwww_maharajaexpress_co_uk%2F&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjww5u2BhDeARIsALBuLnOLElbBB6NiUwMZsRI-vu1myikHglO6pV67TcNHPbKPXKKbg2y2eIgaAnpTEALw_wcB

https://www.journeybeyondrail.com.au/journeys/the-ghan/

https://canadiantrainvacations.com/trips/cross-country-train-trip

https://www.irtsociety.com/trains/

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/bus-train/worlds-most-luxurious-trains

https://www.railbookers.com/blog/a-guide-to-7-of-the-worlds-best-luxury-train-rides

https://theluxurytraintravelcompany.com/worlds-most-luxurious-trains/