Machu Picchu - The Inca Trail

My first solo trip and adventure was to hike the Inca Trail in Peru.   I had never been anywhere a little different on my own, nor had I hiked anything that involved altitude and the potential for altitude sickness.   So it was definitely an adventure for me, but it opened the door to the world of solo travel and adventure and I haven’t looked back.

Arriving in Lima at night with no domestic flight to Cusco leaving until the morning, I ended up sleeping on the floor of the airport with the other backpackers. There were no seats, or benches anywhere to be found, so there was no option at all.  I could have taken a cab to a hotel, but I had read to many scary things about women in cabs in South America that I decided the floor was a better option.   Quite a start to my adventure!

Landing in Cuzco with an altitude of 3,400 metres (11,200ft), it was higher than I had ever been before and as I waited at the baggage carousel my heart was racing.  I was seriously worried about the altitude and was very happy that I had arrived a week before I was starting the Inca Trail to give me more time to acclimatise.   

As soon as I arrived at the hotel I was given a cup of Coca tea, also called mate de coca, which is an herbal tea (infusion) made using the raw or dried leaves of the coca plant, which is native to South America.   Apparently, this was what you had to drink to combat the altitude sickness and over the next few days I found it did help quite a lot.    My room was on the 3^rd floor and every time I returned to the hotel I made myself walk up the 3 floors to try and acclimatise, by the 3^rd floor I was completely exhausted and trying to catch my breath.   If you’ve never experienced altitude, it’s really quite amazing how it affects you.   It also interrupts your ability to sleep well and I had a few really bad nights of sleep before getting used to it.  

Cusco is a lovely city which I enjoyed exploring, although I was surprised at the size of it and the amount of pollution, staying off the main streets was better.   My favourite area and one I would recommend is San Blas, tucked away to the north of Plaza de Armas.  You can see the architectural influences of the Spanish after the conquest.   It seems like a quieter, more interesting area of the city to wander around.   There is no end of history and Inca sites to visit throughout the city.

The Inca Trail itself was much more than I thought it would be.  Initially I had thought only about the finale, the big arrival through the sun gate to see Machu Picchu below, but the hike turned out to be if not more enjoyable, at least as enjoyable as that magical moment.    Along the way you see many other old Inca buildings and settlements and although the trail is something that many people hike, it was less crowded than I thought it would be.  We didn’t see any other groups until we reached the campsite the night before the Sun Gates.     The number of permits issued is tightly restricted to keep the numbers down so it’s something that you need to book quite a long time in advance to avoid disappointment, although there are other trails that lead to Machu Picchu, just not the ‘Inca Trail’.   Plus, you need to carry your passport with you to get stamped at the check points or they will deny you access.    It was quite hard going, and very slow at times as that was the only speed you were capable of doing with the altitude affecting you.  At night in the tent it got very cold, so definitely make sure you have lots of warm clothes as it was deceivingly hot in the day. 

Walking through the Sun Gate and seeing Machu Picchu sprawling below you is a very special moment.    It was a little disappointing to have to share it with so many clean, sweet smelling tourists who had just got off the train instead of hiking for 4 days and I have to admit I did resent them a little, but it was still wonderful.      We were able to go back in the afternoon to enjoy it after we’d cleaned up and there were far fewer tourist there then, so it was much better.

It really was a wonderful experience and planted the seed for future adventure trips.

Tahiti... more afordable than you think! #lovetahiti

Moorea

As a Travel Professional I am invited to various supplier and tourist board events throughout the year.    This week I went to a couple, one of which was a presentation by the Tahiti Tourist Board.   These sessions are always very informative, and you learn so much about the destination, accommodation options, how to get there and what you can do once there. 

I think that I thought of Tahiti as just one island, or maybe I hadn’t really given it that much thought as it seemed to be one of those mythical destinations, bringing to mind visions of an idyllic island paradise that only the very fortunate are lucky enough to visit, so it was never really on my ‘bucket list’  

It turns out that Tahiti is more affordable than you think and belongs to a group of islands collectively know as French Polynesia and comprises of 118 islands in total stretching more that 2000 km, divided into 5 groups of islands; The Society, Austral, Marquesas, Tuamotu and Gambier, located in the Pacific ocean, south of the equator and is in the same time zone as Hawaii, about an 8 hour flight from Los Angeles.   These islands receive the same number of visitors in a year that Hawaii receives in a week, so they remain more unspoilt, are very safe and friendly.

 

The most well-known islands are Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora known for their coral fringed lagoons and of course the famous over-the-water bungalows.  The islands feature mountains, waterfalls, rugged backcountry and beautiful unspoilt beaches, both black and white.

The average temperature is 27°C (80°F), summer is from November to April with a warmer, more humid climate and winter is from May through October, when it’s slightly cooler and drier.   

There are many ways to explore the islands on foot, by bike, horse, 4x4’s, or fun activities to enjoy such as go ziplining or paddle boarding.  Go swimming in the pristine waters, marvel at the under water life with amazing snorkeling and scuba opportunities or just lay back and enjoy this beautiful paradise.  

French Polynesia takes advantage of the fantastic year-round weather to grow a wide variety of fruits, vegetables and spices.   Fish from the lagoon or from the ocean, ranging from perch, mahi mahi and parrot fish eaten raw or sometimes marinated in lime juice and coconut milk.  There are even specialized tours that let you discover the flavors of the islands on picnics organized on beaches.  You can also sample the local foods in restaurants, food trucks and bars.

The most interesting fact about this area is that it’s not as expensive as you would imagine.   7 nights accommodation starts at CDN $2000 per person, (US$1600, €1300), plus the flight to Papeete the capital.    But still, I think this a very affordable alternative to the Caribbean especially for special life events, birthdays, celebrations and anniversaries.  

https://tahititourisme.ca/en-ca/

Bora Bora

Vienna - The city of Music

Mozart

Vienna, Austria’s capital, the city of Music, lies in the east of the country on the banks of the Danube River.  It was a lovely surprise as I had no real expectations about the city other than I wanted to see my favourite artists work, Gustav Klimt, so the rest was all a bonus.  

The cities grandeur is the result of the powerful Habsburg monarchy over the course of six centuries.  There is so much to see in this small city full of so much art and culture, from the obvious art galleries, to the Lipizzaner stallion’s performance at the Spanish riding school, to simply sitting sampling the famous Viennese coffee cake in one of cities many opulent coffee shops.   

The cities artistic legacy was shaped by other famous residents including Mozart, Strauss, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud.    There are many museums, art galleries and Palaces and at every turn the streetscape is full of Baroque buildings. 

There are numerous concerts to attend showcasing some of the famous resident’s music to going to Sunday mass and hearing the famous Vienna Boys choir. 

If you take one of the many river cruises that journey along the Danube, make sure that you take some time to research what you want to see in Vienna as it has an overwhelming amount of options.

Belvedere Museum

(18th century palace and gardens)

Gustav Klimt - The Kiss

Strauss Monumnent

A short stay in Berlin

Part of the Wall

I visited Berlin for a few days in July and was lucky to be able to stay with a friend who lives there.  It’s always better to get a tour from someone local.

Berlin, Germany’s capital dates back to the 13^th century.  Very few cities have experienced such frequent, radical changes transforming the face of the city.  

Reminders of the turbulent 20^th century history are visible at every turn, the difference in architecture from the ornate, untouched by bombs Victorian town houses, sitting next to plain soviet built apartments.  Remains of the Berlin wall, some standing in their original place reminding everyone of what happened here dividing the city from 1961, until the wall came down in 1989.  

The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe (Holocaust Memorial) is a somber reminder, a very moving, emotional acknowledgement of what can happen.    The memorial to the Sinti and Roma victims, a monument dedicated to the memory of 220,000-500,000 murdered in the Nazi genocide, another very moving place to visit. 

Nowadays Berlin seems to embrace everyone and it is a city full of diversity.  Berlins street- art scene has exploded in recent years, transforming grey into colour.   From the wonderful art painted along the Wall, to various other areas of the city, if art is your thing you should take an Alternative tour of Berlin. 

There is a large amount of things to see and do in Berlin, something for everyone, a fascinating city.    

The Memorial to the murdererd Jews 

More of the Wall

'I run to the hills for the The Sound of Music' - Salzburg, Austria

View from the terrace at lunch

While enjoying the River cruise along the Danube, one of the day excursions offered was a ‘Sound of Music’ inspired visit to Salzburg.    Being a fan of the wonderful movie, I had to visit some of the landmarks. 

  

But Salzburg was much more that just a series of filming locations, it was a wonderful, pretty Austrian town surrounded by amazing countryside. 

Salzburg’s most famous son is Mozart and enjoys being known for his birthplace in 1756 at No. 9 Getreidegasse in the town centre. Today, Mozart’s Birthplace is one of the most visited museums in Austria and is an absolute highlight for fans, he also lends his name to any number of souvenirs from chocolates, ice creams to rubber ducks and you will bump into his likeness at every turn.

Hohensalzburg Fortress is enthroned on the Festungsberg, high above the rooftops of the Baroque historical district.  In the year 1077, archbishop Gebhard had the fortress built and changed the Salzburg skyline forever.  The largest fully preserved castle in Central Europe, this emble mof Salzburg draws millions of tourists every year.   I had lunch at the top over looking the town below and the mountains in the distance.  One of the most beautiful locations I’ve had the pleasure of eating lunch and I savoured every moment. 

 

St. Peter's Monastery & Cemetery & Catacombs just below the fortress are another lovely place to visit.  Since St. Peter’s was founded in the 7th century, the church and abbey have been the spiritual heart of the city of Salzburg.  Aside from its striking architecture and the wonderful feeling of peace and calm, the cemetery and catacombs are also a must-see for fans of “The Sound of Music”.

Also, fans of the The Sound of Music will recogise Residenzplatz square as another highlight: During their carriage ride through the city, Maria and the children sing as they pass the Residenz Fountain.

When I visited Salzburg there was a market that extended about 1 km along the river with a varied assortment of things to buy, from local honey, hand made jewellery and clothes,  to local beers. A lovely way to round off the day. 

I could have definitely spent longer here and would recommend a visit if you are in Austria.      

Budapest - Visit a spa. #szechenyibaths #gellertbaths

Budapest is a popular destination for many reasons, spas and thermal baths being one of them.     When I was there recently I took the opportunity to check out two of them to see what it was all about.

The Romans first settled in this area so that they could take advantage of the 120 hot springs created by a fault line.   In the 1920’s Budapest gained the reputation as a ‘city of spas’ and now hosts an impressive selection of thermal baths and spas, some dating back to the 16^th century.

The most ‘instagrammed’ one is the Szechenyi Baths which is one of the largest bathing complexes in Europe built in 1913 housed in a neo-baroque palace near the city park on the Pest side of the city.   There are 15 indoor pools and 3 large outdoor pools with various temperatures.   Inside there are saunas, steam rooms, whirlpools and jets.   The thermal water is considered medicinal as it is high in calcium, magnesium and hydrogen carbonate which is said to ease joint pain and improve blood circulation. There is a very grand entrance hall and maps to navigate the maze of rooms and pools within the complex.  

I spent a whole afternoon at Gellért Baths on the Buda side of the Danube.  I had only planned to visit for 30 minutes but enjoyed it so much that I ended up staying for about 3 hours and could have stayed for longer.  With its mosaic walls and floors, stained glass windows and Roman style columns it is one of the most beautiful spas in the city.    It was opened in 1918 in the art nouveaux style and has indoor and outdoor baths fed by the thermal springs.  It was a challenge finding your way around inside the building, and as I wondered around in a confused daze I found saunas, small thermal pools, and a wonderful steam room where I completely lost all sense of time.    There are also treatment rooms for medicinal massages.   Outside there is a wave pool, another thermal pool and large sauna.   There is also a lovely café on the terrace overlooking the outdoor pool where I enjoyed a cappuccino and pastry. 

If you find yourself in Budapest I would definitely recommend making time to relax and enjoy one of the spas.   

Travel Agent Myth

Myth - Travel agents will charge you a huge fee just for talking to them.

If you’re worried that working with a travel agent will result in expensive fees, you may be surprised to find that many charge nothing, unlike numerous high profile travel websites that charge extra fees you don’t see until checkout. 

Even when booking an All Inclusive there is NO additional fee. The commission comes from the travel provider (the company that packages the vacations) so whether you book online or through a Travel Agent the total paid is identical. But when you book with a Travel Agent you have peace of mind that if a problem arises they will be able to assist you.

If a fee is charged to work on a complicated itinerary it is often put towards the final total when you decide to book. This pays for the hours they’ll spend making sure every detail of your vacation is perfectly planned and should you decide not to book then the fee covers the time worked on the project.

Email me for more info on how I can help you kate@littletravel.co