Little Travel Co.

The Little Travel Consultant. Helping You Create Memories. Based in Whitby, Ontario, Canada. The Little Travel Consultant is affiliated with Nexion Canada, ULC 100-235 North Centre Rd, London, On N5X 4E7 HQ Phone 519-660-6966 TICO Reg# 1549342 kate@littletravel.co ~~~ www.littletravel.co

Saturday 27 February 2016

Brighton, England

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Brighton Pier

I always find that people who make a quick visit to England, go to London and then leave.   Of course there is so much to see in London,   but just an hour south by train is Brighton, an English seaside resort town and a popular day-trip destination.    It doesn’t have your typical sandy beach, instead, it has a famous pebble one, but that doesn’t stop people flocking to it when the sun shines,  sitting on the beach and looking out to the English channel and France just 82 miles across the sea.
Stroll along the bustling promenade and enjoy the atmosphere at the cafes and bars or relax on the famous beach and enjoy an ice cream.   The promenade area is backed by Regency-era buildings and a variety of different shops.   The town is known for its nightlife with some of the best clubs in the country, also the arts scene and festivals. Brighton, with its bohemian atmosphere has long been considered the UK’s gay capital and everyone is welcome here.  
The Brighton Pier is a famous Victorian land mark reaching out to the sea.  It was opened in 1899 and now has various food/drink outlets, fairground attractions and a large arcade.   It’s worth a walk to the end just to look back at the town.
The Royal Pavilion is just a short distance inland from the Pier.    A spectacular seaside palace created for Prince Regent (George IV) between 1815-1823.  A dazzling and exotic building which houses furniture and works of art.  
If you are looking for some a different shopping experience, take a stroll through the The Lanes a short distance from the beach and the Royal Pavilion.   Full of independent shops and boutiques set in a historic maze of lanes and alleyways you can get lost in here for an afternoon.  Crammed with antique shops, jewellery, designer boutiques and art shops.   Take a break at one of the wonderful cafés or funky restaurants where you can sit in the sun and enjoy the live music played by the buskers.  
Just north of The Lanes, is North Laine, oozing retro chic,  a real mix of the ethnic, exotic and funky, vintage clothing, over 300 shops and a very laid back atmosphere,   a lovely place to relax and watch the world go by.
Brighton train station is a short walk from all of these places, and an hour from London, so next time you visit, try to get out of the city and spend a day by the sea.



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Brighton Pavilion

Wednesday 24 February 2016

How to Pack for Your Cruise

By: Windstar Cruises

A salty breeze blowing through your hair, far-off places waiting to be explored…your Windstar cruise is just days away and it’s hard to think of much else. Except for how to pack for your cruise, that is. What will you wear on board? How should you prepare for the shore excursions? Do you need a guidebook?
Windstar cruises are all about having fun and letting go, and we intend to help you do just that. We’ve packed for more than a few cruises by now, so we have a few good tips to help you get the most out of your voyage. Just throw these items in your suitcase and let your worries fade with each passing wave.
Let’s start with the essentials. Items like these should not be left at home:
  • The little things: sunglasses, sunscreen, any medications or special toiletries you might need
  • Electronics: a camera or video camera to record your memories, plus chargers and extra batteries ID, travel documents, foreign currency, and credit cards (don’t forget to warn your card company that you’ll be traveling)
  • 2 swimsuits (so you have a back-up suit to wear while the other dries)
  • Appropriate footwear: one pair each of sandals, everyday shoes, and good walking shoes
  • Workout attire (there’s nothing more relaxing than yoga on deck at sunrise)
  • Flexible clothing: aim to bring a few sets of tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched so you get multiple outfits out of a few items. Be sure to bring light clothing that can be layered on or removed as the temperature changes. Don’t worry about dressing up unless you want to—Windstar is a luxury cruise line but we don’t want formality to get in the way of true escape. Windstar’s laundry package makes it easy to travel light and enjoy the feeling of freshly washed and pressed clothing every day from our professional laundry. With 24-hour (or less) turn around, this is a great convenience and bargain at only $109 per cabin for a 7-day voyage.
Now that we have the basics of how to pack for your cruise out of the way, let’s talk about a few things you might not have considered yet.
  • Bring an empty travel bag/backpack. Use it for the souvenirs you pick up when you dock. Whether your shore excursions take you to the traditional lace shops in Venice or the open markets in Turkey, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to pick up souvenirs.
  • Get something special for your special someone. Bring a romantic gift for your partner and surprise him or her on a special night at sea. The memories you make on your voyage will last a lifetime, so make it count.
  • Pack an outlet for your inner artist. There’s nothing like fresh air and time off to get your creative juices flowing. Come prepared with a sketchpad or poetry notebook. And why not bring a journal to record your thoughts and observations about the trip?
  • Sight-see like a pro. Read up on the land excursions you'll be taking in advance so you can be sure to make the most of your time on shore. This will also help you pack appropriate clothing and footwear. And don’t forget your binoculars. You never know what you’re going to want to view off in the distance.
Whatever you do, just don’t forget to pack your sense of adventure!

Sunday 21 February 2016

Buenos Aires


God of Tango

By: Globus
You don’t have to be in Buenos Aires long before you hear the haunting strains of the Tango wafting from an open window, or see the notorious dance itself, whose thrusting hip movements and intertwined limbs once shocked polite society in Europe. It may now be Argentina’s beloved national music, but the Tango had a scurrilous birth in the 1890s, in the impoverished bars and brothels of La Boca—a disreputable underworld populated by lonely Italian immigrants, which explains the deep melancholy of most Tango lyrics. “Get yourself a drink,” one typical Tango goes, “For today I must forget/That I’m without a friend/And far from home.” Other jolly themes include betrayal, jealousy, despair and homesickness.
The erotically charged dance steps first infiltrated France and Britain in the early 1900s, but the Tango really took off in 1917, when an unknown 20-year-old singer from the Buenos Aires slum of Abasto recorded the song Mi Noche Triste (My Sad Night). The handsome baritone, Carlos Gardel, caused the sort of shock Elvis would later create in the 1950s. Dashing and romantic (he had once been shot in a barroom brawl with Che Guevara’s father), Gardel became an overnight sensation around Latin America, soon touring to play before adoring crowds from Santiago to Mexico City, and even the clubs of New York and Paris.
From 1929, he made a series of Spanish-language movies that are now considered classics, including El Dia que Me Quieras. Then, in 1935, at the pinnacle of his fame, the plane carrying Gardel and some fellow musicians crashed in Colombia. Gardel was killed, ensuring his immortality. Recently, the Abasto house where he grew up has been turned into a museum, and digital remastering of old recordings have almost brought him back to life. As Argentines joke, “Gardel sings better every day.”
We design our journeys around the stories they will tell. What story might you discover next with Globus and The Little Travel Consultant?

Wednesday 17 February 2016

My visit to Maui - part IV

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North Coast sea cliffs of Maui from helicopter

I’ve never been in a helicopter, it’s not something that you often get the opportunity to do, so what better place to try it than in Maui.
There are a number of different companies offering flights over Maui and the other Hawaiian Islands.   I went with Blue Hawaiian which is one of the popular ones.    There are also various route options and it was hard to decide, but I went with West Maui and the island of Molakai.   Check out their website for an example video of the flights.   The flight was 50 minutes long, we flew over the steepest sea cliffs in the world, one of the wettest valley’s where the hills tops are always lost in the clouds and saw waterfalls cascading down to become streams on the rainforest floor. Flying back over the sea from Molakai the pilot searched for whales so that we could see them from above.  It was really quite amazing, and well worth the money.   I would highly recommend it. 
Another first was whale watching.  I’ve never seen a whale up close, except in captivity.   The island of Maui is a popular place for the hump back whales to come from November through to May, but the peak season is January and February.  The whales travel over 3,500 miles from the Alaskan waters to Hawaiian oceans every year during their winter migration for breeding and birthing in the warmer waters.  It is believed that an average of 8000 make this journey. 
You can easily see the whales from the beaches,   or see the stream of misty air and vapour being forced out of their blow hole pinpointing their location.   But treat yourself to an up close and personal encounter with these giants.   There are many options for whale watching trips leaving from Lahaina on the west coast of Maui.  You can take a charter boat, or passenger raft out for a couple of hours with an expert to see the whales breaching and tail slapping.    We were very fortunate on our trip to have a female come right up to the boat, check out the passengers on one side, then swim underneath to see what the people on the other side looked like.  It was amazing to be so close to these inquisitive giants. 
There is a lot more to be seen on these islands than one would imagine.   The varied landscape, parks to hike in through bamboo forests, beaches of different types to explore, nature at its best.  There are the tourist areas with shops and restaurants,  the typical North American malls full of shops,  or the more exotic road side food stands offering banana bread, fresh fruit and various fish, the laid back surfing areas and quaint little towns.
I look forward to my next visit to these wonderful islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. 
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Waterfalls, north Maui
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Whale breaching






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Flying over a whale

Sunday 14 February 2016

Happy Valentines Day

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Little Beach - Makena State Park, Ma

Thursday 11 February 2016

My trip to Maui - part III

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Sunset from Lahaina, north west coast, Maui

There is something for everyone in Maui. There are sixteen golf courses, 10 State Parks and 94 county parks.   The Hawaiian Islands are generally drier on the Western side, and wetter on the Eastern.   The sunset/sunrise only change by an hour throughout the year and the climate doesn’t vary too much either, the average temperature is between 23 – 29 degrees making it very comfortable.  Maui is -10 (GMT).
The northwest coast of Maui was once the capitol of the Hawaiian kingdom and a retreat for Hawaiian Royalty.   This is one of the main tourist resort areas of the island as it tends to be drier that the East.     There are lots of lovely beaches to explore, shops, restaurants and a great place to enjoy an amazing sunset.
The driest area of the islands is the southwestern coast, which has some more great beaches, but a little more laid back and peaceful.
 The central area is where the airport is located, and many of the large familiar US stores.   But in contrast to the downtown area, there is Iao Valley State park,   which is a sacred area, very green and lush and great for hiking.      
Upcountry Maui is where, from early times the Hawaiians farmed on the volcanic soil, and farming is still seen here today. You can take a farm tour and enjoy some of the farm–to-table produce served in the restaurants.  Rolling hills and misty mountains bring a cool breezes.  There are botanical gardens to visit and this is where the road to the summit of Haleakala begins.  
On the lush east coast of Maui is where you find the famous for the Road to Hana which takes you winding along the cliffs with magnificent views of the coast line and sea.  There is also a black beach you can visit at Waianapanapa State park.      Another spot to visit on the North East coast are the surfing beaches where you will be mesmerised by the huge waves and where the Green sea turtles come to sleep.
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Iao State Park




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Green Sea Turtle

Tuesday 9 February 2016

My Trip to Maui - Part II

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Sunset from Haleakala

I’m not sure which part of my trip was the highlight, there were so many wonderful experiences. 
I think I had expected the landscape to be the same all over the island, and for it to be very busy with tourists.   I was wrong on both fronts.     The island, known as the Valley Isle is 727 square miles, 48 miles long and 26 miles and has 120 miles of coastline with 81 beaches.  Sands may be white, gold, black, salt and pepper, green or garnet, due to ancient volcanic activity. It is dotted with quaint towns, artist communities and perfect for visitors looking for the exotic, but in a safe familiar environment.   
A ‘must do’ during a visit to Maui is a drive to the top of Haleakala mountain.   At 10,000 feet you are above the clouds and the views to the west of Maui, and to the east to Big Island (Hawaii Island) are spectacular.  It is really is like being on top of the world.  
The most popular time to do the drive up is for the sunset or sunrise over the clouds.  But be sure to take warm clothes at is about 20 degrees cooler than at beach level, and as soon as the sun goes down it gets very cold.  I had a light down coat on, gloves and hat and was very pleased that I had brought them with me.  It’s a 28 mile drive up zig zag roads to the top.  There is only one road up and down, and the views are fabulous the whole way.    It is a National Park so there is a US$15 entrance fee, but this is good for 3 days and well worth it.   
One evening it was pouring on the North shore where we were staying, but we wanted to see the stars as there is so little light pollution.  So we got in the car and drove up the mountain,   through the clouds, and out of the rain, it was a strange experience.   But it made me think; any time you want to see the sun or the stars in Maui,  there is always an option,   you don’t have to let the weather dictate what you can do,  just take a drive to the summit of Haleakala, it’s really quite magical.
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Big Island in the distance





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Haleakala Crater

Monday 8 February 2016

My trip to Maui - part I


As a world traveller, I’m not sure why Maui/Hawaii was never on my bucket list, but I recently had the opportunity to visit and was very pleasantly surprised.
For the cost of going to a 5 star resort in the Caribbean I was able to fly to this remote group of islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.   A group of islands with nothing to the north or south until you reach the artic/Antarctic regions.  A group of islands at the edge of the International date line where today becomes tomorrow.
I went with an open mind,  being part of the US I thought that it may be similar to going to other US states like Florida,  but Maui has managed to keep its cultural identity far more that I had thought it would.
Hawaii became the 50th state only as recently as 1959,  but the history of Hawaii goes back over 1500 years when the Polynesians first arrived.   500 years later, settlers from Tahiti came bringing their beliefs and social hierarchy.   In 1778, Captain James Cook ‘discovered’ the islands opening them up to the West.
In the 20th century the main industry was sugar and pineapple plantations.   However,   the last sugar plantation still producing will be closed by the end of this year.    Tours of the Pineapple plantations are a popular attraction.  
All the beaches,   of which there are many,  are open to the public; ‘they belong to no one and everyone’  Developers are required to provide public access and parking to residential/hotel areas which is a lovely idea and gives you the ability to visit some superb stretches of coastline. 
In an 8 day visit,   I was able to take a helicopter flight over West Maui to the island of Molokai, rent a car to explore the whole island,   go whale watching,  drive up to the top of a 10,000 feet mountain to watch the sunset, hike through bamboo forests to see watherfalls,  snorkel,  watch Sea turtles come up onto the beach to sleep and wonder at the surfers as they ride the waves.   Or  I could have sat on a beach in the Caribbean – guess it depends on the type of vacation you are looking for. 
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Friday 5 February 2016

LeShan Grand Buddha: One Rocky Project


By: Globus
Carved into a cliff and more than 230-feet high, the LeShan Grand Buddha appears anything but hidden. Its stories and secrets, however, create an aura of mystery surrounding this world’s-largest Buddha. Sitting tall above the Dadu He and Min He rivers, the Grand Buddha took 90 years to complete. The dedication to this construction was inspired by the threat of a deadly river monster and the fundraising skills of a Buddhist monk.
In 713 AD, a river monster was allegedly terrorizing local seamen by flooding and capsizing boats. A Buddhist monk suggested construction of the Grand Buddha, promising that its presence would calm the waters. In addition to the spiritual safety offered by the looming Buddha, and to further safeguard the monk’s pledge, the construction team built the statue with a hollow body to allow sailors a place of refuge. Another creative (and functional) touch is the Buddha’s drainage system. Still in working order, pipes carved into the sculpture’s body ensure that rain water flows off of the structure to reduce weathering.
As a testament to the Buddha’s excellent construction, it continues to reign as the tallest carved statue in the world. And with a big toe nail measuring 28-feet long and 1,021 buns of curly hair and individual rocks so large they could each host a picnic, the Grand Buddha is poised to face any challenger that comes its way – river monster or otherwise. The legend of the Grand Buddha is but one of many that flourish in the Chinese countryside; which will you discover when touring this majestic land with Globus and The Little Travel Consultant?

Wednesday 3 February 2016

Your Passport to a Vacation in Rome

 
By: Globus
Rome is an ancient Italian city that is home to some of the most famous and well known sights in the world. Centuries ago, the Roman Empire called this city its home and the remains of their power and eventual fall are frozen here in time. In Rome, you’ll explore ancient structures such as the Coliseum and Roman Forum and be taken aback by the magnificence of some of the world’s most famous churches. Grab your passport and get ready to “do like the Romans do” in Rome!
In Rome you will discover stories from the past about some of history’s most well known places and people. The Vatican Museum is a must see in Rome, but not many know much of the art housed in this enormous museum was once covered in the rubble and dust of the remains of the fallen Roman Empire. Learn about the discovery and excavation of many famous pieces of art during the Italian Renaissance! You’ll also learn about the grueling 5 years that Michelangelo spent painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and how he and the Pope clashed over what this famous ceiling would depict. After much debate and hard work, this fresco of the Last Judgment will take any visitors breath away.
A trip with Globus will ensure you see all of Rome’s must see sights during your trip. You won’t want to miss any of the sights on this list! Stroll down Rome’s streets to the Spanish Steps, head to St. Marks Square to marvel at the vast columns and statues, and stop in the Pantheon, a tribute to the gods of ancient Rome.
After you’ve finished sightseeing, make sure to wander down some of Rome’s famous streets of boutiques and designer shops, stop into a restaurant for a bowl of pasta, and don’t forget to save room for gelato! Book your trip today with Globus to discover the “Eternal City” & mdash; culture, history, architecture, and art await in Rome!
Great storytellers don’t use scripts. They use itineraries. Follow your Globus itinerary with The Little Travel Consultant to experience Rome's history and stories today!

Monday 1 February 2016

There! The Sydney Opera House



By: John Geysen and Collette Vacations 
On a peninsula, jutting into the harbour rests the gleaming white curves of the iconic Sydney Opera House, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This amazing structure, designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon, has been described by UNESCO as a “masterpiece of 20th century architecture.”
After an earlier behind-the-scenes look at this acoustic marvel, you already know why the Opera House remains the busiest performing arts venue in the world.
Now see it in all its glory as you cruise spectacular Sydney Harbour.