Indholdsfortegnelse for April/May 2022 i Wanderlust

It’s finally here… Wanderlust’s very own podcast. The spring series of Wanderlust: Off the Page features episodes on our “2022 Travel Hot List”, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), wellbeing in Austria and Vietnam by rail. Each episode in the first series ties in with articles that have run in the magazine and on the website, and features Wanderlust’s brilliant, award-winning writers reading excerpts from their work and giving further insight into the destination. We’ll also be including guest and partner specials too, which have been carefully selected and will run with the same editorial values. Wanderlust: Off the Page is available from the Wanderlust website and on all the usual podcast platforms.…

Screen prints Take a screen-printing class at Thaler Originalgrafik, a gallery in Hall 14 of Spinnerei, a former cotton mill in Leipzig that’s now home to a hip creative community. thaler-originalgrafik.de Porcelain Tour Rudolstadt’s factory to learn how porcelain sculptures are made. You can create your own masterpiece and browse the shop, and buy contemporary pieces from Claudia Biehne in Spinnerei in Leipzig. Tour £8.50; tour and workshop £12.80. die-porzellanmanufakturen.de ; Claudia Biehne – biehne-porzellan.de Brass instruments Matthias Vogt opened Vogt Instruments in 2007. Tour the shop to watch how brass instruments are made and repaired and have a go at making parts for a trumpet. Free. vogt-instruments.com Playing cards Altenburg Castle has been home to a playing card museum since 1923. Take a tour to see rare, miniature and…

It’s important for travellers to be mindful. Make sure any community or indigenous group you visit has control over what experiences they host, and they do so willingly. If you’re unsure, quiz tour operators before booking. Look for an ethical tourism policy that outlines how they work with indigenous and local groups or ask how they avoid exploitation and how tourism benefits the host community. Responsible travel is a two-way exchange, and ideally, experiences should be as transformative for the host as they are for the guest.…

Bittern You’ll hear one long before you ever see it. The bittern (or “butterbump” as it’s known in Norfolk) has a sonic-boom of a mating call, which can be heard up to 2km away (March–June). It’s one of the rarest breeding birds in the UK, so a sighting is special. Chinese water deer This tiny, shy deer was brought to the UK in the 19th century. Today it is faring better in the British wilds than back in its native Asia. It hides among the tall plants in the fens and is a powerful swimmer when required. Swallowtail The pale-yellow and black swallowtail is one of the UK’s most exotic butterflies, yet it’s increasingly rare since the 19th century. Look out for them flitting around the milkweed blooms. Otter Otters…

WIN! A Niko Camera Sling 3.0 Keen photographers will have no excuse to ever miss a shot again with this easy-to-access new camera bag by Chrome. It’s big enough to fit a full DSLR with a 70-200mm lens, and it has multiple pockets for your cables and cards. We have two of these extremely handy bags to give away to lucky winners. WIN! A Pocketalk S Pocketalk is a portable, AI-powered instant two-way voice translation device that has the ability to translate 82 languages in over 130 countries and regions. It also translates text and signs, and can convert currency, length, width and temperature. We have two of the Pocketalk S devices to give away. 15% OFF! All purchases on the Stanfords website Stanfords is the UK’s…

Sri Lankan trains have three carriage classes: first, second and third. Third class – or “sardine class” as it could be nicknamed – is a buy-a-ticket-on-the-day crowded affair that offers unforgettable immersion in local life. Second class has both unreserved and reserved seating and fans. And lastly, a first-class ticket buys quieter cabins, softer seats and air conditioning, but windows and doors tend to be shut, so you’ll miss out on the whole joy and freedom of dangling out of the train as it goes, which often characterises Sri Lankan rail travel. Tickets for first- and reserved second-class seats can be purchased up to a month in advance from stations and local booking agencies, and it’s worth doing so during the high season (Dec–Apr). Outside of these months, you can…

1 Sigiriya The palace of an unstable king who murdered his father and built a fortress around him atop a 200m-high rock (pictured) is every bit as dramatic as it sounds – and the artwork found here is exquisite. 2 Anuradhapura Sri Lanka’s original royal capital is easily explored by tuk-tuk or bicycle, as you flit between 1,500-year-old ruins and grand dagobas that still attract Buddhist pilgrims by the thousands. 3 Galle Fort Galle’s Dutch fort may have a chequered history, but there’s no shaking how joyful it is to wander its streets, gazing on 17th-century buildings and exploring the local artisanal shops and galleries. 4 Wilpattu NP Along with Yala NP, this is your best chance to see a leopard in the wild here. There’s…

Calling all Wanderlust Club members! Every year, we offer you one free gift. It’s our little treat from us to you. This time, however, you can not only pick from five gift options, but also choose to make your gift a gift, meaning we’ll donate to a critical cause or special project on your behalf. Don’t forget: your membership includes a bundle of benefits, including access to our entire online archive. Head to wanderlust.co.uk/security/login/ to read every issue since 2010. 77 ULTIMATE TRAVEL EXPERIENCES Your guide to the greatest adventures on the planet, as chosen by Wanderlust readers. Inside you’ll find stunning images and insider tips on global destinations. WHERE TO GO WHEN: THE AMERICAS The ultimate trip planner, packed with over 130 of the most spectacular places in North, Central…

1 The mysteries of the moat Between the outer city walls of the Old Town of Rhodes dips the deep, dry moat. Walking around it offers an invader’s eye view that makes it quite clear why this city stood secure for 200 years. 2 The Ottoman cemetery Under-visited and overgrown. Where Ottoman cannons stood to fire on the Knights in 1522, there is now a derelict mosque, a little yellow villa once lived in by Lawrence Durrell and, half-hidden beneath untamed vegetation, a multitude of white-stone tombs, skilfully carved with turbans and fez hats, curlicues and calligraphy. 3 A swim beneath the fortifications A local tip led us to a dip off a tiny patch of beach directly below the fortifications of the Old Town, close to…

Getting there: Both Greater Rochester International Airport (ROC) and Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR) are well served by flights. They are in good-sized cities (Rochester and Syracuse, respectively) and most major airlines fly there. The region itself is best experienced by car, with the expectation that, because of the size of the lakes, the average travel time from one lakeside spot to another is going to be around a 40-minute drive. Both of the airports mentioned here are between 1.5 and 2 hours from the wine country region, which can also be explored via various trails. Where to stay: There are a variety of lodging options available across the area, including plenty of upscale stays with waterfront views, such as The Lake House on Canandaigua (lakehousecanandaigua.com) or Geneva on The…

Even in Britain’s earliest literature, Pembrokeshire attracted compliments. The Mabinogi, a collection of medieval folktales compiled in Middle Welsh, proclaimed it “a land of mystery and enchantment”. Centuries on, this remote southwestern corner of Wales continues to beguile with a coastline boasting more Blue Flag beaches than any other Welsh county and the UK’s least populated (and perhaps most magical) city, St Davids. It is also home to Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year with an array of enticing days out. It’s very much in keeping with a theme.While COVID-19 may have deterred visitors these past two years, it hasn’t stopped Pembrokeshire gearing up to welcome them back. Along with the revamped waterfront at Milford Haven, there are newly expanded activity centres around Martletwy (Wild…

Wedged into a highland valley just east of the altiplano – the Andean plateau stretching across western Bolivia – Sucre is one of the most beautiful cities in South America and a place that confounds expectations. Set at an altitude of 2,810m, it was established in the mid-1500s by Spanish conquistadors on the lands of the indigenous Yampara people and has since been known as Charcas, Chuquisaca, Ciudad de la Plata (City of Silver) and finally Sucre, rightfully earning it the title “The City with Four Names”. Sucre’s initial success was down to silver. As well as exploiting deposits in the area, it became an administrative hub for the larger reserves in Potosí, 160km to the south, and a centre of Spanish colonial power. Wealth flowed into the city, funding…

Visit… Sucre is a good base for visiting the town of Tarabuco, a textile-producing centre 60km to the south-east that is famous for its Sunday market, which draws people from far and wide. Learn… There are several interesting museums and galleries in Sucre, including the Casa de la Libertad, where the Bolivian Act of Independence was signed in 1825, and the Museo Universitario Charcas, which is home to a wealth of anthropological, historical and artistic exhibits. Shop… After visiting the Museo de Arte Indígena, head to the in-house shop, which stocks a selection of beautiful textiles and ceramics made by local Jalq’a and Tarabuco artisans. Eat… Sucre is renowned for its salteñas – delicious pasties stuffed with meat, cheese or vegetables – and the best are served at El Patio,…

Day 1: Weimar Start with the new Bauhaus Museum in the birthplace of this world-famous design movement. On student-led tours of the university, see where architect Walter Gropius, artist Paul Klee and others key members of the movement taught. Prefer literature? Then wander around the sumptuous Duchess Anna Amalia Library, the Goethe National Museum and the house where Johann Wolfgang von Goethe lived for 50 years. www.weimar.de/en/tourism/ Day 2: Erfurt Walk through Domplatz square, dominated by St Mary’s Cathedral and St Severus Church; stroll across the 14th-century Merchants’ Bridge, still lined with houses and shops, to St Augustine’s Monastery, which looks much as it did in 1505, when Luther joined as a monk. Visit the thought-provoking Memorial and Education Centre Andreasstrasse in a prison once run by the Stasi, East…

PAUL WADE Thuringia Paul has been exploring Germany since childhood and loves the historic cities of Thuringia (p188), which he believes have not only top-class hiking and biking trails, but the country’s best sausages. What rail journey would you most like to try in 2022? “Riding the USA’s longest narrow-gauge steam railway, the 103km Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad from Antonito, Colorado to Chama, New Mexico.” VICKY SMITH Pembrokeshire Vicky is a travel photographer and journalist who has visited all seven continents. She is fluent in Spanish, though it proved little help in exploring the coastal joys of Pembrokeshire in Wales (p180). What rail journey would you most like to try in 2022? “I’d love to experience the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, spiritual successor to its namesake. It even features restored vintage…

“My most memorable plane ride was 30+ years ago on a 20-ish seater plane in Scotland during a thunderstorm. Seriously thought I wouldn’t make it. Being allowed in the cockpit of an Air New Zealand jet as we landed in LAX in the dark was memorable for better reasons – will never forget the view!” @Robertonjimbob “I was in Madeira two weeks ago, and will go back again in another two weeks. A great place for those of us who like to put on hiking boots.” Travelling Claus “#Namibia’s Etosha National Park has got to be one of the best destinations in the world for self-drive #safari.”@undertourists “[My favourite place to see wildlife is] Londolozi Concession, Sabi Sands Game Reserve in South Africa. Second would be the polar regions, namely…

The Old Way, UK The British Pilgrimage Trust (BPT) offer guided walks on this 402km walking trail, which was rediscovered by BPT co-founder William Parsons while researching old maps. Churches along the Way offer pilgrims a bed for the night at a low cost. Eremito, Italy Deep in the rolling emerald folds of Umbria, this carefully restored monastery is a hotel like no other. Most guests come alone, phones are forbidden, candlelit dinners are taken in silence and days drift between yoga, chanting and walking. Embercombe, UK This 50-acre valley in rural Devon helps guests transform heart, mind, and soul by connecting more deeply with nature on The Journey, a five-day initiation ritual encouraging participants to embrace their gifts and passions. Re.connect, Nepal & Switzerland Monika Schaffner’s bespoke transformational trekking…

Wherry Yacht Charter (wherryyachtcharter.org) offers a programme of day sailings and also private charters. The season for both is May to September but trips depend on skipper and crew availability. Up to ten passengers can be taken on day sailings and they cost £50 per person. Private day charters (up to 12 people) are £425 on weekdays, £450 at weekends. A weekend charter from Friday to Sunday evening costs £995 for a maximum of ten people. The wherries are offered on a self-catering basis and facilities include a fully equipped galley with hob, oven and fridge, a toilet, washbasins and a shower (White Moth only). Each saloon provides both daytime living space and four berths, and features a yacht piano. For overnight charters you need to provide your own bedding.…

1 Beagle Channel Stretching for more than 240km through Tierra del Fuego, this channel teems with marine life, including sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, penguins and several species of whale. 2 Cerro Bandera After a steep climb up to the summit of Cerro Bandera, hikers are rewarded with superb views of Puerto Williams, the Dientes de Navarino, Beagle Channel and the snow-covered mountains that line the Argentine coast of Isla Grande. 3 Museo Antropológico Martín Gusinde This modern museum provides an insight into the history of Tierra del Fuego and the societies and cultures of its indigenous peoples. 4 Villa Ukika On the eastern edge of Puerto Williams, this small Yagán community is home to the Kipa-Akar, a replica of a traditional house that sells arts…

LEOPARD Sri Lanka’s leopard belongs to an endemic subspecies. They occur in all regions and habitats here, but Yala and Wilpattu national parks offer excellent sightings. ASIAN ELEPHANT Some 7,500 Sri Lankan elephants roam the wider countryside and reserves of the island. Hundreds can be seen gathering during the dry season at Minneriya NP. SLOTH BEAR This small, black, shaggy bear inhabits the island’s northern and eastern lowlands. It is unique among bears for feeding largely upon ants and termites. BLUE WHALE Found off Sri Lanka’s eastern and southern coasts, this huge cetacean is commonly spied in the waters off Mirissa in February and March, when krill is at its most abundant. FISHING CAT This shy, nocturnal feline is patterned with spots and stripes. It frequents wetland habitats where it…

KANDY TO BADULLA Distance: 165km All aboard for one of the most scenic rail rides in the world. Once used for the transportation of tea, this British-built line curls for seven-to-eight hours around hillsides tiered with neon-green tea bushes, their rows punctuated by the bright saris of the tea pickers, who wear baskets slung from their foreheads. Be sure to hold your nose to the air to catch occasional wafts of lemongrass, and hold your breath as the train traverses steep ravines and valleys. Look out too for the iconic Nine Arch Bridge, a colonial viaduct on the outskirts of Demodara nicknamed the “Bridge in the Sky” because it hovers above the jungle below. At Ella, be sure to hike back to the bridge later for unforgettable photos – it’s…

Vital statistics County Seat: Key West Population: 82,874 (Monroe County) Time: GMT-5 (GMT-4 Mar–Nov) International Dialling Code: +1 Visas: A visa or ESTA visa waiver (£10.60; valid for two years) is required by British nationals for stays of up to 90 days. Money: US Dollars (US$), currently around $1.33 to the UK £. When to go November–March: Sunny and dry although you may still want to wear a wetsuit when snorkelling due to the temperature of the water. High season is from December onwards. April–June: Shoulder season; fewer visitors. July–October: Hot and humid although tempered by sea breezes. There is a chance of rain showers and occasional hurricanes. It’s low season, so there’s lower prices and more availability. Health & safety Check the UK FCDO guidelines for the most up…

Rennes Population: 218,000 Area: 50 km sq Famous for: its timber-framed architecture and buzzing atmosphere thanks to its large student population. Nantes Population: 314,138 Area: 65 km sq Famous for: its street art installations, fascinating chequered history and riverside setting. Need to know The fastest train between Rennes and Nantes takes 1hr 15 minutes. By car, it takes about an hour and half and it’s an easy drive. If you want to take a scenic route, strike out towards the coast and explore the peninsula at Le Croisic then follow the River Loire to Nantes. How to get there Take the ferry via Portsmouth and Saint Malo (£328), then drive south to Rennes for an hour. Alternatively, take the train from London via Paris to Rennes or Nantes, which takes…

Find your artistic side The Corning Museum of Glass (home.cmog.org) is one of the world’s finest glass museums, attracting artisans from near and far to study, create and collaborate. Set in the small city of Corning, it is home to the largest collection of art glass in the world, picking its way through over 3,500 years of glassmaking history. You can not only enjoy live demonstrations, but there is also the opportunity to create your own works of art and bring them back home. Explore forest trails Around 1,600km of marked trails make up the Finger Lakes Trail system (fingerlakestrail.org), which runs from the Pennsylvania-New York border in Allegany State Park to the Long Path in the Catskill Forest Preserve. Some 48 of these trails thread their way through the…

“Take the circular Abermawr Walk through ancient National Trust woodland to a wild and remote beach with extraordinary wildlife on its shores. Next, cross to Aberbach beach and follow the trail up the valley to Melin Tregwynt, a white-washed woollen mill with restored water wheel that has been weaving iconic patterned blankets from Welsh sheep’s wool since the 17th century and has been run by the same family for over 100 years.”…

International dialling code: +591 Currency: The boliviano (BOB), currently around BOB11 to the UK£. ATMs and casas de cambio (currency exchanges) are commonly found in downtown Sucre. Getting there: There are no direct flights between the UK and Bolivia’s two main international airports, El Alto and Santa Cruz, but there are connections via Madrid, the US and neighbouring countries. Sucre’s modern airport is served by plenty of domestic flights; its long-distance bus station has services to towns as well as cities across Bolivia, and shared-taxis run regularly to and from Potosí. Getting around: The historic centre and the Recoleta district are easy to explore on foot, but you will need to take a taxi to the airport, Castillo de la Glorieta and Parque Cretácico Cal Orck’o. Dedicated buses also run…

International dialling code: +49 Currency: Euro (€). Currently, around 1.15 € to the UK£ Getting there: British Airways and Lufthansa fly regularly from the UK to Berlin and Frankfurt (2hrs; from £100). Thuringia is then a three-hour drive; fly into one and back from the other. Ryanair also flies to Dresden, two hour’s drive from Weimar. Getting around: Fly-drive is a great way to explore. Berlin, Frankfurt and Dresden feature all the major car rental companies. Or take the efficient Deutsch Bahn rail service (www.bahn.com/en) from Berlin, Frankfurt or Dresden; continue on local trains and buses. Weather: Warm, rather than hot, May to September is the best time to visit. In winter, expect snow: perfect for traditional Christmas markets. Cycling: Pedal the easy Towns of Thuringia Cycle Route, linking Eisenach,…

Buy presents and enjoy a drop of mulled wine at the Christmas markets. In Erfurt, 200 booths cover Domplatz square. Think locally crafted toys, jewellery, decorations and Stollen, a cake rich with fruit, nuts and marzipan. Wartburg Castle’s medieval market features woodcarvers, candle makers, musicians, jugglers and more. weihnachtsmarkt.erfurt.de Listen to music by local hero JS Bach, whose works are performed across Thuringia. During the annual Thuringian Bach Weeks at Easter, concerts are held in churches with Bach-connections in towns like Eisenach, Dornheim, Mühlhausen, Arnstadt and Weimar. www. thueringerbachwochen.de Steel yourself to visit Buchenwald, one of the first Nazi concentration camps to be liberated. Permanent exhibitions detail the horror. Take your time; it is a sobering experience. www.buchenwald.de Let your hair down at traditional festivals. Sommergewinn marks the arrival of…

“Excellent evening – really must go there now! Thank you.” Pamela “Georgia and Armenia booked for October. Can’t wait after this.” Alex “The food, drink and hospitality looked amazing. Sounds like my kind of place.” Simon “Thank you. Very interesting. It’s definitely on my wish list now” Ann “I loved that legend about the creation of Georgia. It made me want to go even more!” Dean “Thank you. It was very interesting – and worth getting up at 4am for way over here in Queensland, Australia.” Annette “It sounds like a fascinating place, and I cannot wait to visit.” Kerry “Thank you, Lyn, Jonny and Marc. This has been very informative.” Graham “Great webinar! I really hadn’t considered Georgia and Armenia before.” Sarah…

Memorable train journeys “Colombia’s steam train from Bogotá to Zipaquirá’s Salt Cathedral had carriages as old as its puffing engine, and grand leather seats. The journey passed in a flash as we were entertained by jazz bands, who strolled the train while vendors offered leaf-wrapped tamales, tinto (coffee) and white merengó desserts.” Helen Jackson “We boarded in Cape Town (South Africa) and rode to Ceres and back. I spent the first part chatting to the conductor, who later returned with permission to access the footplate. I was escorted to the front where the heat of the engine burnt the tips of my hair as we departed. I only wish 10 year old me could’ve been there to see it.” Eleanor McBrien “I remember the first day waking up on Via…

The Slow Road to Tehran By Rebecca Lowe £19; September Publishing Figuring that the best way to discover the truth about a place is to experience it yourself, Rebecca Lowe grabbed her bicycle to wind 11,000km through the Middle East. Taking her from Europe to Iran via Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Sudan and the Gulf, the novice cyclist’s oft-punctured journey allows her to see the human faces behind the headlines. Illuminating, gripping and often funny. The Saviour Fish: Life and Death on Africa’s Greatest Lake By Mark Weston £12; Earth Books Once one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, Lake Victoria and the communities that rely on it are grappling with the devastating results of climate change. Mark Weston goes to live on an island on the Tanzanian…

1 SCREEN PRINTS The East German city of Leipzig established a printing industry in 1650, and by the mid-19th century it had garnered a reputation worldwide. Learn more on a guided tour of Leipzig Museum of Printing Arts, which is housed in a former print works. druckkunst-museum.de 2 PORCELAIN The town of Rudolstadt has long been known for its porcelain, as the surrounding region of Thuringia is naturally rich in its key ingredients – kaolin, quarzsand and feldspat. Volkstedter Porzellanmanufaktur was founded in the town in 1762, and has since joined forces with four other companies to form Die Porzellanmanufakturen. 3 BRASS INSTRUMENTS As the birthplace of the composer Wagner and the resting place of Bach, Leipzig has a strong connection with the music world. Today, visitors…

The bright skin-browning mid-afternoon sun drove me and a gaggle of locals toward the cool shaded entrance of Galle Railway Station. In the open hall there was no chattering split-flap destination displays, just a large chestnut board with the stations hand-painted neatly in yellow. A quaint hand-wound analogue clock hung beside each one to denote the departure time. White-sneakered schoolgirls with book-heavy backpacks shuffled forward in the ticket line like turtles. I booked a third-class ticket to Balapitiya. The vendor handed me a purple chit – like an old movie stub – printed with calligraphic Sinhalese. It cost 70 rupees, roughly 25 pence. “Hurry, hurry,” ushered our guide, Richard. “We only have four minutes until the train arrives!” “Diesel didn’t replace the old steam trains here until the 1970s. But…

George Kipouros was a guest of Sri Lanka Tailor-Made (+94 11 462 7739; www.srilankatailormade.com),which curated a bespoke journey focusing on Sri Lankan culture, history and archaeology. They offer tailor-made authentic travel experiences created by a team of specialists and guides. For guests looking for cultural inspiration, their private tours utilise renowned Sri Lankan artists, chefs, historians, archaeologists and architects. Mike Unwin was a guest of Jetwing Vil Uyana eco-resort (www.jetwinghotels.com/jetwingviluyana), which offers 10 days (9 nights) full-board from £2,790 per person sharing, including all accommodation, meals, airport transfers, day excursions and on-site activities. Emma Thomson was a guest of Cox & Kings (coxandkings.co.uk), which has a 12-night tour of Sri Lanka from £1,895pp (B&B), including flights, transfers and guiding. Vital statistics Capital: Colombo Population: 21.9 million Language: Sinhala, Tamil Time:…

1 John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo The first underwater park in the USA. Take a glass-bottomed boat tour or go snorkelling, diving or kayaking. On the shore you can walk the designated nature trails. pennekamppark.com 2 The Turtle Hospital, Marathon Ninety-minute educational experiences provide a behind-the-scenes look at the hospital facilities and rehabilitation area, plus there’s an opportunity to feed the permanent residents. turtlehospital.org 3 Coral Restoration Foundation, Key Largo The CRFs one-day dive programs, run in conjunction with local operators, let you help plant sea coral. coralrestoration.org 4 Eco tour with KeyZ Charters, Islamorada Founded by Captain Samantha Zeher, a typical one-hour eco tour with KeyZ Charters guides visitors through narrow mangrove channels to experience the Keys’ natural wildlife. keyzcharters.com 5…

The Finger Lakes region of New York State is just a short drive from some of the North-East’s most popular metropolitan areas, such as New York City, Washington DC, Philadelphia and even Canada’s Toronto. But for those who visit any of its 14 counties, 11 lakes and countless picturesque small towns, it can often feel like you’re stepping into another world entirely. What sets the region apart from the rest of New York State are not just its crashing waterfalls and lush forests that tumble down craggy rock faces, but the historic moments that occurred here down the years. From the dawn of the women’s suffrage movement in Seneca Falls to the anti-slavery efforts undertaken by those in the Underground Railroad and elsewhere, which helped so many slaves escape bondage,…

The sheer remoteness of Namibia’s traditional rural communities is, in some ways, the key to their distinctiveness and resilience. Living a semi-disconnected life within challenging wilderness regions, far from urban influences, has helped cement many of the ancient customs and philosophies that other similar indigenous peoples have lost. That’s not to say that their lifestyles are frozen in time. Due to a combination of external pressures, environmental changes and personal preferences, very few Namibians live a fully nomadic life these days or, for example, wear entirely traditional attire on a daily basis. Nonetheless, many communities have taken steps to preserve their precious traditions, and community-run cultural heritage tourism projects are helping make this financially worthwhile. They are fitting partners for Namibia’s pioneering wildlife and habitat conservation projects, which recognise that…

Location: South-western Uruguay, 180km west of capital Montevideo, 50km from Buenos Aires (Argentina). Getting there: There are no direct flights from the UK to Uruguay. Iberia (iberia.com) flies direct to Montevideo from Madrid. British Airways (ba.com) has connecting flights from London Heathrow to Ezeiza International, near Buenos Aires, from around £608 return. From Buenos Aires most people take the fast ferry to Colonia del Sacramento, which takes 75 minutes; from £47. Getting around: The city is small and walkable, though cobblestones make it bumpy going. To explore the region, there are good bus services along the coast. While a tour is useful, Uruguay is one of the easier South American countries to explore independently. A hire car is handy if you want to visit the Pampas or northern beach towns.…

HIKE the Pembrokeshire Coast Path. This glorious 300km trail ranges from secluded coves and pastel ports to over 50 beaches and 40 Iron Age forts. You don’t have to tackle it all at once; the official website (pembrokeshirecoast.wales) has a wealth of suggested itineraries, taking in relaxing strolls alongside more challenging stretches. SAIL to an island. Another highlight of the county’s coast is its islands, which promise the same fusion of ancient history and soul-stirring scenery as their mainland counterpart. Many are now nature reserves, with residents such as endearing puffins and grey seal pups. ENCOUNTER more wildlife. Whether meandering down the River Teifi in a Canadian dug-out canoe with Top of the Woods (topofthewoods.co.uk), spotting red deer and peregrine falcons as you go, or looking out for kingfishers and…

Budget Kultur Berlin Set in a historic building close to the action, this is a welcoming, German-run hostel with a wide range of clean dorms and private rooms. It also has a peaceful garden, economical cafe-bar-club, in-house Spanish-language school and an array of activities, from dance classes to cultural nights. Doubles from £22pn; kulturberlin.com Mid-range Hotel Boutique Mi Pueblo Samary A short walk from the Plaza 25 de Mayo, this renovated 18th-century mansion has spacious rooms set around a flower-filled patio. There’s also a fine restaurant and a chichería, a rustic bar serving traditional Andean beer made from fermented corn. Doubles from £48pn; samaryhotel.com Best address in town Parador Santa María La Real A restored 18th-century townhouse in central Sucre. This five-star stay has elegant rooms filled with period details…

“Gardening is a way of life here. If I have to pick three must-sees in Thuringia I would start with Erfurt’s egapark, one of Germany’s largest gardens. I enjoy spending time in the sculpture garden, especially when the peonies are in bloom: a feast for the eyes and the soul. I also love the orangery at the Schloss Belvedere in Weimar. But strolling through the historic gardens and flower beds surrounding Altenstein Palace, near Eisenach, is extra special.”…

A sterling sight, Guanajuato, Mexico Sometimes one look can tell you a city’s story. The view from Guanajuato’s Monumento al Pípila reveals every Baroque and Neoclassical excess the 18th-century silver boom bestowed on its centre. The yellow and orange of the Basílica Colegiata de Nuestra Señora de Guanajuato (centre), remodelled by the silver barons, ripples across town – fitting for a building at the heart of life here and home to a revered statue of the city’s patron. Behind it, the faded Churrigueresque facade of La Compañía church, the Jesuits’ last hurrah before their eviction, aptly stands apart. It’s history in a gaze.…