Like ‘slow food’ and ‘slow media,’ ‘slow travel’ is a part of the movement. It’s a reclaiming of what has been lost in today’s hyper pace of life and travel. It’s a state of mind while travelling. It’s a personal approach.

Today, to launch a couple of weeks of focus on Slow Travel we’ve asked the WHL Group staff what their thoughts and experiences with slow travel have been. Their answers were varied yet unified. The common message is simple – when travelling, slow down.

After you’ve read what we think (you can also click on any picture to see it on our Slow Travel Pinterest pin board), please tell us your ideas in the comments space below.

The bamboo railway in Battambang, Cambodia, is a good lesson in slow travel. Photo courtesy of Len Cordiner

“To me, slow travel is less about the number of dots on your travel itinerary and more about the quality/size of those dots. I have been travelling the world for around 40 years now, and have lived for periods of between one and five years in places as diverse as Japan, the USA, Vietnam, Austria, Nigeria, Switzerland and the UK.

Living in all these countries taught me a few things. First was that in all cases my first impressions shifted quite significantly as I got to know the people and the country better. This is not so surprising, but what was a little surprising to me was that it usually took a full year (or more) to really start to get under the skin of a place and feel comfortable, getting to a point where I could call a place ‘home.’

Being a better slow traveller required experience in my case. It is a learned skill; it is a life skill, really. I’ve found that people who are best at slow travel have a lot of empathy, and are decent people (fair, honest generous and considerate). They relate well to others.”
~ Len Cordiner, CEO, WHL Group

Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica, is great place to spot wildlife. With no roads leading here, it's only accessible by boat, slowly. Photo courtesy of Laurel Angrist

“Slow travel, to me, means slowing down your pace to appreciate the journey you take along the way – to see sights that travellers often bypass, to experience local culture far away from the tourist traps, to meet people and get a feeling for their lives while treading lightly on the local environment.”
~ Laurel Angrist, Editor, The Travel Word

A slow travel experience through Mai Chau, Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Jen Aston

“To me slow travel is about developing a sense of belonging in the communities you visit. Learning your way around and finding the amazing bakery or the unusual market that never gets featured in guidebooks. It’s about cultural experiences and making memories. It’s not about the places you saw, but rather about the people you met and what they taught you along the way.”
~ Jen Aston, Director, whl.travel Africa regional office

In France, two wheels are the only way to go, to go slowly, to see the in-between treats. Of course, some cyclists may never get anywhere. Photo courtesy of Ethan Gelber

“My preferred form of travel is by bike. Whether I’m making a short hop as a commuter in my home city or spending weeks (and sometimes months) on the road covering hundreds or thousands of kilometres, I prefer the speed – or, relatively speaking, lack thereof – of self-propulsion. It gives me a sensory-rich sense of place. I feel the rain when it falls; I smell herbs and flowers when I roll by home gardens; I hear the braying of cattle or, better yet, a soothing depth of silence. I see the overlooked treasures between the points of departure and arrival.

Best of all, I meet the locals. It’s impossible and foolish not to, because they impart the true depth of experience that makes slow travel – travel at human speeds – so poignant. For as long as my body allows, and soon with the youthful vigour of my sons to help propel me, I intend to keep to my pedal-powered steed. And hope to continue to be able to claim that, true to this day, I have steered over more ground on two wheels than I have on four.”
~ Ethan Gelber, Chief Communications Officer, WHL Group

Can you do THIS on a plane? Photo courtesy of flickr/moyerphotos

“Does anything truly interesting ever happen on a plane? Watching a rerun of a movie you first saw 15 years ago is not interesting. Folding yourself into a bathroom mere feet from your fellow passengers is not interesting. Picking at a cube of reheated food matter as your elbows vie for space with those of your neighbour is certainly not interesting.

Slow travel may not always be fun, but it’s almost always interesting. If it’s a choice between a plane and a four-hour bus journey sitting next to a goat, give me the goat every time. You get the best views, you get the best price and you get the best stories. Even if you don’t enjoy it at the time, think about how good it’ll be when you get there.”
~ Paul Tavner, Developer, The Travel Word

When you've made it as far as Argentine Patagonia, what's the hurry? Photo courtesy of Cynthia Ord

“Slow travel is lingering somewhere rather than just passing through. It’s unpacking your bag and staying long enough to find a routine. To travel slowly is to leave your lodging without a camera sometimes, and to be able to say ‘I’m living here.’ It’s strolling, sitting, watching and absorbing the beauty in tiny details.”
~ Cynthia Ord, Newsletter Editor, The Travel Word

“Slow travel for me involves heading to a destination without a plan. In this way, instead of running around trying to hit all of the ‘major must-dos,’ I wander through neighbourhoods taking in the sights, smells and sounds of what life is like in a particular destination, giving myself permission to stop where I like and explore any street that beckons me.

Then of course there’s slow travel through slow transport. I’ve ridden through rice paddies on an elephant in Thailand, travelled calmly down waterways in India on a traditional houseboat and been pedalled through the madness of Hanoi traffic by an ultra-calm pedicab driver. When your means of transport changes, so does your perspective.”
~ Michael Franco, Chief Communications Officer, Lime&Tonic

Take a moment to stop and connect with the local people - these moments are what slow travel is made of. Photo courtesy of Klaudija Janzelj

“For me, slow travel is taking the time to hang out with local people. It doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to stay in one place for longer a period; it can be just a few hours, as long as you take the time and get to know a place through its locals. I would skip a sight or two for the opportunity to chat with locals, have a tea or coffee with them, and just talk about their lives, their families or even the weather.”
~ Klaudija Janzelj, Global Sales Manager, Urban Adventures

Part of a Polish backpacking adventure can involve crossing the border between Poland and Slovakia by bike, as there are no buses that take you across. Photo courtesy of Jenna Makowsky

“To me, slow travel means getting to know the vibe of a place by experiencing local, day-to-day life and its routine patterns. I love doing this by going to local coffee shops, eavesdropping on conversations (or even arguments!), taking public transportation, eating local food in local restaurants and listening to music that’s popular at the time. My favourite way to travel slowly, though, is by walking. Walking forces you to slow down and to pay attention to your surroundings. It’s a practice in observation. You catch the small details that are otherwise hard to see when you only spend a few days in a place, or only go to the main tourist attractions. Even little things, like the style of shoes that everyone seems to be wearing, can provide great insight into local trends and habits.

An example of slow travel? I recently spent a month backpacking across Poland by myself and without a car. My goal was to visit the villages that all of my great-grandparents came from. As many of these places were off of dirt roads, I was literally travelling ‘off the grid.’ I was forced to take local public transportation (and when that didn’t exist, to walk or hitchhike); I was forced to learn language skills; and I was forced to rely on the kindness of strangers to provide help. They always did. And I got to know rural Poland in a way that I never would have otherwise. I also learned a lot about myself and my ability to be self-reliant.
~ Jenna Makowski, Content Editor, whl.travel

Taking some time to get to know the locals in Varanasi, India. Photo courtesy of Maureen Valentine

“Slow travel to me is spending a solid amount of time in a place where you can see more than the Lonely Planet highlights, which usually throws the itinerary out the window. It’s about seeing the humanity in the eyes of the local people rather than crossing a destination off the bucket list. It’s about taking the time to step back and let it all sink in.”
~ Maureen Valentine, Director, whl.travel Asia and the Pacific regional office

From Varanasi to New Jalpaiguri, India, slowly, by train. Photo courtesy of Ashley Hiemenz

“Going slowly, travel is much more than ticking off a box on a list. It’s about taking time to meet the locals, learn their stories and, in return, leaving a little bit of your story behind. It’s about discovering every facet of a destination – beyond the major highlights – and taking the chance to discover a place with all your senses.

My slow travel experiences always make the best stories, even if they aren’t always the most pleasant situations! Last month, I decided to take the local train from Varanasi to New Jalpaiguri in India. The train was 12 hours delayed, so I had to spend the night in the cold train station with monkeys, dogs and cows. There weren’t any other foreign tourists there and we slept amongst other locals and families in the station. We met a lot of people during the delay and I’ve told this story at least a hundred times since I’ve returned. If things had run smoothly, then the experience wouldn’t have been nearly as interesting.”
~ Ashley Hiemenz, Product Manager, Gunyah

Slow travel is about long, lazy days and becoming the ultimate 'flâneur.' Photo courtesy of flickr/whltravel

“Slow travel is travelling without a strict schedule or itinerary. It is about staying longer and merging with the local scene, doing the regular things you would normally do in your own place: taking a bus, sending a correspondence, buying groceries. It is talking to a stranger for a long time and enjoying even the silent minutes of no talking. It is walking with your camera and realising that at the end of the day you took less than a handful of photos. It is entering an appliance shop and not buying anything, just to watch the people and their ways. It is about being the ultimate flâneur every time you walk down a street during your holiday.”
~ Andre Franchini, CEO, Hotel Link Solutions

“Slow travel to me means taking in the sights, sounds, smells and history of a destination, connecting with the locals and experiencing their culture, their cuisine and day-to-day lives, so you walk away with a real understanding of place and lasting memories of its people. The best way to do this is to take your time, being adventurous and using the slowest form of transport available, preferably ‘shanks’s pony.’”
~ Rob Shortland, CEO, whl.travel

A slow food market in Latvia. Latvia's new tourism slogan is "Best Enjoyed Slowly." Photo courtesy of Anda Cirule

“To me slow travel is about becoming a part of local life of the destination you visit. It’s about connecting to a place, its people and culture. It is something totally different from trips where you just follow the list of all ‘must-sees’ and after getting home you realise that you actually need a holiday to recover. Slow travel means to me that I can stay in one place long enough to have a favourite dish in the local restaurant.”
~ Anda Cirule, Director, whl.travel Europe and the Middle East regional office

Slow travel is straying from the postcard sites and creating your own picture-perfect moment. Photo courtesy of Wallace Faria

“Devagar se vai ao longe. This old Brazilian saying defines quite well what slow travel is to me. It means something like ‘slowly going further.’ In my opinion, haste is the enemy of the perfect trip. Rent an apartment instead of staying in a hotel. Read the local newspaper. Stray from the postcard sites and get lost!”
~ Wallace Faria, Director, whl.travel Americas regional office

Slow travel is about making local friends along the way, like here, in Yemen. Photo courtesy of Luke Ford

“Slow travel is about slowing down your travels to fully appreciate a place, its people and their culture… and making a few friends on the way.”
~ Luke Ford, CEO, Gunyah

Some transportation, like the Trans-Mongolian Express, lets you take a very long look at the world around you. Photo courtesy of Adrian Cordiner

“Slow travel is about the journey, not just the destination. Being excited about where you’re going, but being just as excited by how you get there, the people you meet, the sights you see and the experiences you have along the way. About slowing down to acknowledge that the journey you’re on allows, for the briefest moment, the chance to peer into someone else’s life and to share that moment in time with them.”
~ Adrian Cordiner, CEO, Green Path Transfers

The Transcarpathia region of southwest Ukraine is a unique area, a tourism pearl sometimes called "Little Switzerland." Photo courtesy of Iloveukraine/Tetyana

Today, this grand state beckons travellers to explore its intricate church architecture and delicate frescos, bustling cities and authentic rural villages, and gorgeous natural resources. Along the way, you will discover that there are plenty of cultural myths and stories, the kinds about unique local archetypal characters that will capture your imagination and keep you coming back for more local travel experiences in Ukraine.

Here are just three stories with which to whet your appetites.

The Babushkas of Ukraine’s Cities

Babushka (in Russian) or babusia (in Ukrainian), as Ukrainians call their elderly ladies, are an inevitable sight in any city or town in Ukraine, no matter where you go. Stroll along the cobbled sidewalks in Lviv and you will see them, chatting and singing folk songs in front of the impressive Opera Theatre. Hop on a train headed east and you will be greeted by their curious eyes and voices selling homegrown apples and freshly baked buns with jam or poppy seeds. Head further east and you will find them sitting on every street bench, letting the world pass by in the greenery of Kharkiv’s parks, or selling everything from sunflower seeds to flower bouquets in Donetsk.

Kyiv (Kiev) is the capital city of Ukraine. Photo courtesy of IloveUkraine/Marynka

The cultural phenomenon of babusia in Ukraine is directly tied to the country’s troubled history. The 20th century saw an epic tug of war waged between five empires parceling up the country, two world wars fought on Ukrainian territory, tragic famine and a repressive communist regime. Together, these afflictions laid waste to most of Ukraine’s men, leaving behind the now-familiar crowds of babushkas. It is the stories of these women that make Ukraine so different from other cities in Central Europe.

But there is much more to Ukraine’s cities. Charming Lviv will leave you with the smell of freshly ground coffee, the memory of cosy cobblestone streets in a World Heritage-listed town centre and the air of jazz and classical music. Kyiv, the capital city of Ukraine, has the ruthless bustle of a teenager, but also wide promenades and maple trees, the sparkling golden domes of St. Sophia Cathedral and painful insights at the National Chernobyl Museum. Further east and south, grandiose Tsars’ palaces pop up along the Black Sea shore, Tatar mosques call for prayer, and statues of Lenin and Karl Marx crowd the streets of like Donetsk and Odessa.

The Hutsul highlanders of Ukraine are an ethno-cultural that group that still uses ages-old traditional practices and wears traditional clothing for major celebrations. Photo courtesy of Igor Melika

The Traditional Hutsul Highlanders

Far from the urban scapes of Ukraine’s cities are traditional rural villages dotting the hills of the Carpathian Mountains. Lush pine forests and hard-to-access trails make it difficult for many travellers to explore the countryside of the Hutsuls, an ethno-cultural group of Ukrainian highlanders. Unlike more heavily explored areas in Central Europe, Ukraine’s Carpathian Mountains remain largely cut off from the main tourist routes. You will find few marked walking trails; organised campsites are virtually non-existent. Most highland roads can only be reached via four-wheel-drive vehicles, on foot or by the horse cart. Few if any people speak English, and most still live by the centuries-old customs of their ancestors.

Hutsul society was traditionally based on forestry and logging, as well as cattle and sheep breeding. Right up until the present day, the month of May marks the Hutsul’s most exciting and colourful celebrations, a time when Hutsul shepherds leave their homes to spend three months herding flocks of sheep and producing delicious cheese known locally as brynza.

Stepping into a Hutsul house in Ukraine is a trip back in time. One of the joys is a taste of delicious homemade cheese known locally as 'brynza.' Photo courtesy of Igor Melika

Stepping into a rural Hutsul house is a trip back in time: you can sample delicious homemade bread, enjoy fresh water from deeply-dug wells, taste vegetables from the local fields and even try on colourful Hutsul clothes, still worn on major village celebrations.

Hutsul people are also famous for their incredible craftsmanship. At the local bazaar, you may find beautifully and intricately decorated eggs, ornate clothing and delicate woodwork.

Travellers lucky enough to spend a day or two in the Hutsul villages during traditional holiday celebrations will come away mesmerised by the whirlwind of colours, timeless customs, plentiful dinners and authentic culture carefully preserved on the outskirts of Europe.

The Carpathian Mountains of Ukraine in winter. Photo courtesy of Igor Melika

The Vast Expanses of Nature

The Dnieper – Ukraine’s largest and Europe’s second-longest river – is bested only by the Danube. So great is its presence, ”Rare is the bird that flies to the middle of the Dnieper,” wrote Nicolai Gogol, a well-known Russian and Ukrainian writer. And while the Dnieper is definitely not the majestic waterway it was during Gogol’s lifetime, it remains an impressive and imposing sight, a symbol of Ukraine’s stunning natural landscapes.

Beyond the Dniepr, due to the sheer vastness of the territory, Ukraine can satisfy even the pickiest nature lover. Dense forests in the north hide countless rivers, marshes, lakes and swamps. In the west the gentle peaks of the Carpathian Mountains tower over the lush valleys, underground caves and World Heritage-listed beech forests boasting an abundance of wildlife. The south brings the warm sunshine, pebbled beaches and the grand Black Sea.

The Dniepr River is Ukraine's largest and Europe's second-longest river. Photo courtesy of Iloveukraine/Yevgen Pohulaylo

Whether you choose to go hiking in the Carpathian highlands, kayaking along the winding rivers or just enjoy sipping your morning coffee at the artsy cafes of Lviv, don’t forget to listen to the background stories of caring babusias, welcoming Hutsuls, cheerful women, ambitious youngsters, fearless Cossacks and countless others that form an eccentric and yet truthful-to-the-core mosaic of Ukraine, Europe’s largest unexplored frontier.

For an up-close glimpse of local Ukrainian culture – the unique combination of a proud and cosmopolitan European past, eclectic communist history and newly reasserted independence – try the wide range of Ukraine holiday packages available though Gunyah, a marketplace of authentic local experiences and tours for independent travellers.

Phnom Penh demands your attention from the moment you arrive. Vibrant, exciting and utterly unpredictable are just a few words to describe Cambodia’s capital. It’s a city of stark contrasts: slick SUVs share the road with old-world cyclos; visitors can relax in a posh cafe and think they are in Paris, or join the locals at a pop-up stall selling fried noodles; the memorial at the Killing Fields is heart wrenching, while the Temple of the Emerald Buddha will lift the spirit.

The self-sufficiency of vendors in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is an amazing sight: they carry everything with them, even mini-kitchens. Here a man cooks hard-boiled eggs on a coal brazier. Photo courtesy of Cindy Fan

Just when you thought you’ve got the hang of the city, though, it’ll surprise you with glimpse of something fascinating and unexpected. One wrong turn on a walk and you may find yourself a guest of honour in a Khmer wedding!

Yet if the stimuli ever become too much (and it will happen), simply head to Sisowath Quay, the grand boulevard along the river. The Tonle Sap and Mekong rivers, which merge at Phnom Penh, are intrinsic to life and livelihood in Cambodia, so naturally activity in Phnom Penh gravitates to their banks. From your spot in a riverside cafe, bar or restaurant, unwind and watch as the city hustles on by.

Day Trips

A trip to Phnom Penh wouldn’t be complete without a boat ride on the Mekong River at sunset. Slipping away from the shore, one is blessed with the quiet that eludes the city’s relentlessly busy streets. Watch fishermen haul in a catch and maybe visit a village of silk weavers to learn about the fascinating process.

The memorial stupa at the Killing Fields outside Phnom Penh is a startling but important reminder of Cambodia's past. Photo courtesy of Cindy Fan

A trip to the Killing Fields, now known as the Cheoung Ek Memorial, is an important, eye-opening lesson on the Cambodian Genocide and Phnom Penh’s past. From 1975 to 1979, 1.7 million people perished at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. A Buddhist stupa containing the bones and skulls uncovered from mass graves is a place to reflect on Cambodia’s sorrowful history.

A less sobering alternative is to dine, shop and get pampered for a good cause. Daughters of Cambodia is a nongovernmental organization that trains, employs and empowers victims of sex trafficking in Cambodia. Their Sugar ’n Spice cafe serves lunch (salads, sandwiches), as well as tasty baked goods. The centre is also a spa and a shop selling handmade products.

Shopping

If you’re on the hunt for designer and brand-name clothes at bargain prices, the Russian Market is the place to shop in Phnom Penh. Since there are numerous garment factories in Cambodia, if an item doesn’t meet quality standards or a designer’s specifications, it somehow ends up here. The Russian Market also teems with other items ranging from tasteful to wondrously tacky. This is the best place to pick up good quality, inexpensive silk.

The Central Market (Psar Thmey) of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is well worth the visit for the building's stunning art deco architecture. Photo courtesy of Cindy Fan

Handmade, high-quality products can be found at boutique stores such as Artisans Angkor and Couleurs D’Asie, while Bodia Nature sells 100-percent-natural bath and aromatherapy products made using locally grown ingredients. The herbal ginger balm is good on sore muscles after a long day of sightseeing. There is a shop riverside at #10, St. 178 and a small stand within the Russian Market.

Mekong Quilts is a non-profit group that provides sustainable employment to women from poor rural regions of Cambodia. The hand-sewn quilts and other handicrafts, from laptop covers to yoga bags, are beautifully made and inexpensive. Shop employees are pros at packaging up large quilts tightly but if you still don’t have room in your luggage, international shipping is available at #49, St. 240.

Restaurants

The eating in Phnom Penh is outstanding. The thriving expat community in the capital city means there’s every sort of international cuisine available, with prices ranging from a worrisome “Why is this so cheap?” to a jaw-dropping “Why is this so expensive?” Generally speaking though, there is good value for meals.

One of the many treats of time spent in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, is a tasty and fresh green-mango salad. Photo courtesy of Cindy Fan

You can test your stomach’s mettle with street eats: Hot woks dish up stir-fried noodles (mee cha), noodle-soup stands dot every corner, meat kebabs sizzle on grills and whole pigs slow-roast over red-hot coals.

Rice, fish and coconut milk are staples in Cambodian cuisine and Amok trey, the signature dish of Cambodia, uses all three ingredients. Fish coated with coconut milk is steamed or baked in banana leaves, then served with rice. It is delicious, light and fragrant. Try your own hand at Khmer cuisine with a Phnom Penh cooking class.

Cafes and restaurants line Sisowath Quay (riverside) but travellers should make an effort to explore the excellent eateries throughout the city.

Local Treats

Local Angkor beer is everywhere – fortunately it’s also good and cheap.

Tired of ubiquitous Angkor Beer? The German-owned Kingdom microbrewery offers tours and tastings of their flavourful pilsner at their factory in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo courtesy of Cindy Fan

The Seeing Hands Massage Centre is a great place to get a no-nonsense massage. Opened in 1995, it now employs 22 blind massage therapists with professional training. In a country with no social assistance, this centre gives those with a disability a sustainable livelihood and skills they can pass on to others. For US$7 you get a one-hour shiatsu massage and you’re contributing to a good business; it’s win-win. The centre can be found at 12E St. #13, across from the large post office near Wat Phnom.

Instead of walking or taking a tuk-tuk to get around, why not hire a cyclo? Slow down and see Phnom Penh in a whole different way.

Night Out

A night out in Phnom Penh starts early, with generous happy hours kicking things off – sometimes at an unsavoury hour. In the sultry afternoon heat, begin on the patio of one of the many riverside bars, cooling off with a cold drink and, if you’re lucky, a breeze off the water.

Happy hours indeed! The perks of time spent in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Photo courtesy of Cindy Fan

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) is one such riverside spot. The FCC is located on the second floor of a colonial-era building, away from the street-level hustle of touts and tuk-tuks. It was once a popular watering hole for diplomats and journalists. While there aren’t many shady deals and intrigue going on these days, the FCC still retains the historic charm of its past. The nibbles on the menu are also a treat.

Once upon a time, the nightclub Heart of Darkness would have capped a wild night out. Unfortunately, it now has an unsavoury reputation, with security and crime an issue. Today, expats favour Pontoon.

Good friends take a day trip to Pirenopolis, Brazil. Photo courtesy of Renan Rigo

You see, Goiania sits on the Cerrado, the vast tropical savannah that is one of the biggest and most diverse of Brazil’s ecosystems. And not far from Goiania lies the special jewel of the Cerrado: the historic city of Pirenópolis. It’s the right place to go when you want to escape the hectic big city and it was the destination we had chosen for a brief holiday among friends.

A Stroll Through the Centre

We left Goiania early, so that it would still be morning when we arrived at Pirenópolis. The roads had been very quiet as we moved away from the city; the presence of the Cerrado grew stronger until we got to Pirenópolis at the foot of the Serra dos Pirineus (Pirineus Mountains).

On the road to Pirenopolis (barely visible in the distance) and the surrounding Pirineus Mountains, twisted trees are typical of the Cerrado in Brazil. Photo courtesy of Renan Rigo

We parked our car, so that we could walk to and through the historic town centre. Pleasant ladies immortalised as statues above the wooden windows of colonial houses watched passersby as we made our way to the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosario (Church of Our Lady of the Rosary), a traditional architectural landmark in Pirenópolis that hosts folk religious festivals such as the world-famous Festa do Divino Espírito Santo (Divine Spirit Festival). The street was full of cheap craft shops being admired by a few people sporting hippie-style clothing. The easy rhythm of the town made minutes pass quite slowly.

The famous Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosario (Church of Our Lady of the Rosary) is one of the most beautiful places in Pirenopolis, Brazil. Photo courtesy of Renan Rigo

For visitors like us from the capital of the state, the surroundings provided many opportunities for us to renew our Facebook photo galleries, and we began snapping pictures of the church, the colourful colonial houses and even the ‘Mascarados.’ These masked characters, typical of the local folklore, are often seen during the Cavalhadas festival, which reenacts the epic victory in the Middle Ages of Charlemagne over the Moors.

Next we enjoyed a typical lunch in one of the local restaurants, where you can savour foods like galinhada, one of my favourite dishes of rice and chicken prepared with saffron in a special way; or feijão tropeiro, a full-bodied bean stew made with flour, sausage and bacon. Delicious!

Tourists enjoying the very cold waters of the Cachoeira do Abade (Abbot Waterfall) outside the city of Pirenopolis, Brazil. Photo courtesy of Renan Rigo

The Waterfalls of the Highlands

After a quick rest, we went off again, choosing as our destination one of the dozens of spectacular waterfalls embedded in the surrounding Brazilian Central Plateau.

We chose the Cachoeira do Abade (Abbot Waterfall), which was a little far from the city, yet our efforts were rewarded since contact with nature is all part of the charm. The Cerrado’s twisted native trees and exotic flowers filled small canyons along the route to the lush little waterfall. Once arrived, we found only a few tourists and water so cold that it made even the sea where the Titanic sank feel warm. OK, it wasn’t so extreme, but the waterfall is really cool! Here we enjoyed time just to rest and think things over.

To replenish our energies, we had bought some homemade chocolate-chip cookies in the tourist office near the waterfall – the perfect boost with which to return to the city. After another walk in the town centre, we stopped for a cold beer at an outdoor café where we could enjoy this typical late afternoon. The cobblestone street was crowded with tables, chairs and tourists. Some boys with scary masks reminiscent of the masked bullies commonly seen during Cavalhadas were asking visitors for money.

We ended with a late snack of empadão goiano, a regional delicacy similar to a salt pie filled with meats and spices.

As our plan had been to escape the frantic pace of the capital, we headed back to Goiania feeling rejuvenated, even after a such short time. Pirenópolis is such an amazing place! It truly has a different energy, which inspired the good memories in this story!

Although he had planned to inherit the book store owned by his dad, Renan Rigo graduated with a degree in journalism and began writing about anything and everything. His favourite stories are those where he plunges headlong into his subject. Travelling, in this sense, is inspirational and he enjoys writing about his experiences on the road. Rigo is a regular contributor to the pocketvillage blog series called Inside-Out Latin America.

Eastern Europe in particular is a great place to check out the growing markets – try those in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania – while farther in the west of the continent, the funky holiday Christmas stirred up in Amsterdam each year is not to be missed.

Riga, Latvia, site of the very first decorated Christmas tree, has not forgotten its heritage. Don't miss the annual Yule-log lighting ceremony meant to burn away the previous year's sins. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Jani.Halinen

Riga, Latvia

Nestled in the snowy enclave of Dome Square of Riga, Latvia, the two-month-long Christmas Market pays homage to the place where the world’s first Christmas tree was decorated! It was apparently adorned with flowers to honour the birth of Christ. Today, as we know, the practice has evolved and spread to all corners of the world. Still approximately 350,000 people visit the Riga market each year.

In addition to Christmas trees, visitors can peruse a variety of handmade wooden toys and woollen sweaters, sample freshly made gingerbread and sauerkraut (not together!) and, of course, imbibe some of Riga’s famous piping-hot mulled wine.

Be sure to book a hotel in Riga for the night of December 22, when the famous winter solstice celebration marks the decoration of the central Christmas tree in Riga and the lighting of the Yule log to burn away the sins of the previous year.

WHEN: The Christmas Market in Riga is usually from around the last week in November through the first week in January, and opens daily at 10am.

With its dramatic air aerobatics, numerous music concerts and Old Town charm, the Christmas Market in Vilnius, Lithuania, is quickly rivalling larger showings elsewhere in Eastern Europe. Photo courtesy of Evaldas

Vilnius, Lithuania

Vilnius’ Christmas Market is a newcomer to the Eastern Europe festival scene, but has quickly grown to rival its bigger brothers in Prague and Poland.

Music is the highlight of this celebration, with music halls and cafes enlivened by classical concerts and carols. Vilnius’ surrounding Old Town is set aglow with soft twinkling lights and rollicks with events in the city’s 50 churches.

WHEN: The Christmas Market in Vilnius takes place on Odminiu Square and runs from mid-December through early January with nightly fireworks displays and singing in the streets.

Home to 26 separate Christmas markets, from the funky to the aromatic, Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, can liven up any holiday, even at the Christmas Flower Market (seen above). Photo courtesy of Flickr/Northcountry Boy

Amsterdam, Netherlands

It should come as no surprise that Amsterdam is home to not one, but 26 Christmas markets! One of the more unusual of the bunch, though, is the Funky Christmas market, where craft stalls offer a variety of aromatic and handmade crafts. The Winterland Christmas market is much more traditional, complete with an ice-skating rink, snowmen and too-numerous-to-count Christmas trees between stalls of hot cocoa and mulled wine.

While choosing a hotel in Amsterdam can be a bit dizzying, all markets in the city are as unique as the districts in which they are held. The Flower District’s market, for example, is filled with the fragrance of pine and mistletoe.

Not to be missed is the mid-November Saint Nicholas Parade and the Christmas tree at Dam Square.

WHEN: The Amsterdam holiday markets are generally held throughout the month of December.

The Christmas Market of Tallinn, Estonia, may be off the beaten track, but travellers would be hard pressed to find a more fairytale-like display away from the usual crowds. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Katja Maasing

Tallinn, Estonia

In Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, the Christmas Market is legendary, hailed as one of the 10 best Christmas markets in Europe. It regularly draws tens of thousands of visitors to this picturesque town that, with its usually timely blanket of snow, resembles a picture-perfect Christmas card.

Although the temperature at Christmas in Estonia is customarily well below zero, it doesn’t stop revellers from bundling up and taking in the lights and wooden stalls of felted hats and holiday wreathes made from the finest artisans from all over the world. Also not to missed is the fairytale-like Christmas Village, where children can feed and pet rabbits and lambs, while dancers from Estonia’s ethnic groups take the stage. Kids also love to mail a handmade Christmas card home from the aptly named Reindeer Express located in Santa’s Cabin.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without the food and Tallinn doesn’t disappoint. Wooden barrels are filled with mulled wine and long platters display spiced gingerbread, blood sausage, cookies and marzipan, while locally made honey and piping hot soups abound.

WHEN: The Tallinn Christmas market is held on Rotermann Square (not Town Hall Square) from the end of November until early January, every day between 10am and 7pm

The author grates zucchini under the watchful eye of Koula Barydakis, the chef-instructor who believes that the food of Crete, Greece, is the healthiest in the world. Photo of Heather Rath

Koula Barydakis, our ebullient chef instructor, began our local cooking lessons by pouring a shot of raki for herself and her students as we toasted the traditional Cretan diet, one of the healthiest in the world, which is a quality Barydakis makes clear in her book, Foods of Crete: Traditional Recipes from the Healthiest People in the World.

Cretan Cuisine Through the Eyes of a Local

“We Cretans eat abundantly but simply, consuming much olive oil, olives, seasonal fruits and vegetables including wild mountain greens (horta), yogurt, cheese, lentils and beans,” Barydakis explained to us. “We eat meat once a week and on special occasions. We always drink a lot of mountain tea (malotera, good for the stomach) while eating bread and olives.” It doesn’t hurt that the food is routinely flavoured with native herbs like oregano, thyme and sage, and that red wine commonly accompanies lunch and dinner.

Even cats have something to contribute to food sustainability in Crete, Greece. Photo courtesy of Heather Rath

When it comes to food, Barydakis even proudly proclaims that Crete has practised sustainable living without using the name. Raki is derived from the residue of grape pressings. Most fruits and vegetables consumed are seasonal, not imported from faraway places. Crops are grown naturally without fertilisers and pesticides, just as they have been for generations. In Barydakis’s village, goats make short work of any scraps of food. Chickens are free range and their fresh eggs contain bright orange yolks. Even the scavenger street cats of Crete are part of the solution!

Modest Origins, Modest Practice

Barydakis recalls how her parents sent her to hairdressing school to learn how to earn a living unaware she also attended cooking school, where she refined the culinary skills learned from her mother and grandmother. At 16, she left Crete to travel abroad but spent most of her new life as a chef in Toronto, Canada’s Greektown before her “blessed island” lured her home again.

Delicious handmade dolmades (grape leaves stuffed with rice) are typical of the cuisine on Crete, Greece. Photo courtesy of Heather Rath

Now she conducts her cooking classes under a patch of cobalt blue sky in an old olive oil press building renovated 10 years ago in Vamos, a traditional Cretan village. In case of rare inclement weather, she moves to a house.

During our session, we chopped, grated, mixed, pressed, formed – and dined on – rooster with Cretan pasta, kalitsounia pies (a sweet cheese pastry), grape leaves with rice (dolmades), zucchini fritters, Greek salad and garlic beets with yogurt salad washed down with liberal amounts of village wine.

A Greek Island Full of Grace

Cretan cooking is not the only lesson Barydakis taught us. She is an exuberant ambassador for her island.

“Crete is a beautiful island filled with bountiful food.’ she enthused. “The wild, natural beauty of the mountains and the ocean make you think that when God created Crete, He created all the beauty the human mind can imagine. The land is so rich with olive, lemon and orange trees, and gardens, the smell alone can make you drunk. The wide variety of herbs and flowers from ancient times found on Crete is still used to cure pains and diseases. Writers, explorers, scientists and tourists all come to Crete to see it, study it, eat the tasty foods, drink the raki and get high on its immortal wines. The people of Crete live simply and always win your heart.”

The market of fresh greens in Crete, Greece, help to make the local cuisine so rich in variety of and nutrition. Photo courtesy of Heather Rath

Barydakis lives her philosophy. Following my lesson, our weekends in Crete soon featured Saturdays with Barydakis. Each week we met for coffee in a different place of Chania, the ancient city on the island’s western shore, after which she took us on a leisurely walking tour to show us excellent local restaurants, and markets, and pointed out where to purchase good local wines. She led us to special churches, monasteries and gave us a thumbnail sketch of Cretan feast holidays. Our education included the island’s Second World War history and how it affected her village and family.

A Dish to Savour: Cheese and Spinach Pie

The dough
Ingredients
4 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup raki (Barydakis says white wine or lemon juice can be used instead)
a pinch of salt
warm water (as much as needed)
½ cup olive oil

Directions
Mix the ingredients and knead them well. The pastry must be a little soft. Leave it to ‘rest’ for half an hour, covered with a towel.

Zucchini fritters frying in olive oil in Crete, Greece. Photo courtesy of Heather Rath

The Cheese stuffing
Ingredients
Equal amounts of ricotta and feta cheese
2 eggs
chopped sprigs of fresh mint
salt

Directions
Mix all the ingredients together and place on the pastry as below. Roll the dough until it is not more than 1-2 mm thick and then cut it into round shapes of about 8 cm in diameter. Put in a little stuffing and fold in a half moon shape. Seal the edges with a fork. Fry in hot olive oil. When they are browned on both sides, remove and serve.

Kali oreksi, enjoy your meal!

A gorgeous sunset at Kagaba Beach, in Lughu Bay, which is the gateway to Solomon Islands' East Rennell World Heritage Site (Lake Te'Nggano). Photo by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

Can this precarious balance be achieved? Can an island like Rennell, which is the highest raised coral atoll in the world, expand its tourism offering while still maintaining its precious ecological integrity? After all, there is more to Rennell’s natural heritage than its inherent value to the environment; it is also Rennell’s main tourism asset.

The Vision of Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

Attempting to strike this balance are the local leaders at Rennell World Heritage Site Tours. They established their tour company with the clear goal of enlightening local stakeholder (including business owners, the provincial government and the national government) about Rennell Island’s potential as a national tourism asset and of turning it into a significant contributor to the country’s economy. They aim to raise Rennell’s profile as a popular destination in the Solomon Islands and in the South Pacific. At the same time, the new tour operator is careful to capitalise on existing infrastructure and attractions so as to leave the island’s special natural conditions as unaltered as possible.

A boat transfers tour passengers to Tuhugago Beach after a morning of bush trekking from Niupani Village on Rennell Island, part of the Solomon Islands. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours

As its name makes clear, Rennell World Heritage Site Tours is a local specialist in adventure circuit tours on Rennell Island, including trips to Lake Te’Nggano World Heritage Site (also known as Tegano and Tungano, the largest freshwater lake in the South Pacific). Their guides are very experienced in the terrain and know how to make each visit comfortable and memorable. They take great pride in exploring the unexplored with their guests, so much so that some of the sites they visit have never even been photographed, meaning their guests may be the first to frame them.

Low-Impact Activities and Lodging

The itineraries of trips organised by Rennell World Heritage Site Tours focus on immersive and low-impact activities. On the Lake Te’Nggano tour, for example, guests enjoy swimming in the lake, interacting with the friendly local people and just enjoying the singing of the birds in the early morning. In fact, given its huge number of endemic bird species, all of Rennell is a prime birdwatching destination.

On the Solomon Islands' Rennell Island, a trail from Tuhugago Beach leads into the lush foliage of the interior. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Tours

On the Niupani Village to Tuhugago Beach tour, bush treks lead guests to scenic vista points such as the unforgettable Tuhugago Lookout. Closer to (and below) sea level, adventurous travellers can glimpse the underwater world while swimming and snorkelling in the clean crystal sea at the Tuhugago and Kagaba beaches. Anyone interested in diving can even opt to explore the underwater shipwreck of the US WWII PBY Catalina at Hutuna Village.

On their tours, Rennell World Heritage Site Tours is careful to partner with ecolodges that are owned and operated by local people. Meals consist mainly of fruit and Rennellese local-style cuisine, including the plentiful and fresh seafood. Toilets and bath facilities rely on basic but effective rainwater catchment systems, also used for drinking and cooking.

A fuzzy lake bird looks back at travellers trekking to Niupani Village on Rennell Island of the Solomon Islands. Photo by Rennell World Heritage Tours

“A True Natural Laboratory”

East Rennell (Lake Te’Nggano) was listed by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site in 1998. It is the only one belonging to Solomon Islands in this subregion of the Pacific, which also includes sites in Australia and New Zealand, as well as two other official sites – Easter Island and Henderson Island – under the auspices of Chile and the U.K., respectively.

East Rennell is described by UNESCO as “a stepping stone in the migration and evolution of species in the western Pacific, and an important site for the science of island biogeography.” Due to the great biodiversity, not to mention its status as the largest insular lake in the Pacific and as the largest raised coral atoll in the world, “East Rennell is a true natural laboratory for scientific study.”

To explore the natural heritage of Rennell Island, contact Rennell World Heritage Site Tours.

It is said that you haven’t really visited Mexico until you’ve tried at least one of the delicious dishes that have made our gastronomy famous worldwide.

Without a doubt, Mexico as a country is rich in both natural beauty and living traditions that reflect centuries of history and ancestral cultural legacy. It is known as a place where people receive their guests with incomparable warmth and enormous smiles, always willing and eager to show a little more of what makes Mexico unique.

Nonetheless, Mexican cuisine is indisputably the main attraction that captivates locals and visitors alike.

In coastal Los Cabos, Mexico, tacos de pescado (fish tacos) are the local variation of the national favorite 'tacos al pastor' with grilled meat. As always in Mexico, add a little salt and lime.

What Makes Mexican Food Famous

Who has never tried enchiladas, guacamole or tacos? I would venture to guess that everyone who has visited Mexico, no matter what regions they have found themselves in, has tried at least one of these famous traditional dishes. Surely they were surprised by the richness, flavours and textures that they possess, not to mention the colourful presentation that, thanks to the special blend of ingredients, forms an attractive picture as pleasing to the eye as it is to the palate.

Our cuisine is a mix of different cultures, recognised worldwide for the masterful way it mixes spices, intense seasoning and a vibrant presentation. Above all else, our cuisine is appreciated for the way many of our dishes – the majority of which usually start with a base of corn, beans, spices, chilli peppers, tomatoes, onion and garlic – still preserve their pre-hispanic origins and are truly unique.

There’s Nothing Like Mole Poblano

Among the delicacies to be sampled while visiting Mexico, we find the classic mole, a chocolate-coloured salsa (sauce) made of a mix of around 20 ingredients, including a few varieties of chilli peppers such as the pasilla and mulato, spices, seeds and chocolate.

'Mole poblano' has been named the "National Dish of Mexico" and is often served at traditional family celebrations and parties.Photo by Mi Casa Restaurant, Los Cabos Mexico

Mole is a dish with huge regional variations; some are sweeter, some are spicier, some are more reddish or yellow in colour, and they all go by different names depending on their tint and most dominant ingredients. For example, mole rojo has a red hue and mole almendrado has a distinct almond flavour. A mole dish consists of some kind of meat (generally chicken) bathed in the sauce, all accompanied by rice and tortillas.

Without a doubt, the most famous mole is mole poblano, with its characteristic taste and exquisite aroma, which has earned it the title of “national dish of Mexico.” For special celebrations such as birthdays, weddings and family reunions, mole poblano is often served as the main course.

Chile en Nogada

Another highlight from Mexican cuisine is chiles en nogada, which is prepared in a way that resembles the flag of Mexico. Its origins are traced back to the year 1821, when the nuns of the Santa María Convent in the city of Puebla made it for the first time as a tribute to Agustín de Iturbide, the first leader of Mexico after the Independence Movement.

This dish mixes the sweet with the savoury, and is known throughout the world for its beautiful presentation and the wealth of textures and flavours that it offers to even the most discerning palates.

Garnished with pomegranate seeds as one of the sweet flavours among the savoury, 'chiles en nogada' is meant to resemble the Mexican flag and has a fascinating history. Photo courtesy of flickr/A30_Tsitika

Regional Diversity and National Pride

Mexican cuisine is as varied and diverse as its geographic territory. In each of the different states that form the whole of Mexico, you’ll find distinct ingredients, flavours and cooking styles. The coastal states prepare their dishes differently than the mountainous highlands regions or the desert regions. To visit each region is to cross a new gastronomic boundary that takes us to a new adventure with every bite.

Proudly, Mexican cuisine was in 2010 listed by UNESCO for its Cultural Intangible Heritage, gaining Mexico recognition for its traditional dishes that retain the names, ingredients and cooking practices dating back to the pre-hispanic era and incorporate influences and contributions from other cultures.

For that reason and many others, you can’t travel to Mexico and miss the opportunity to try the specialties of each region, from the mole poblano and chiles en nogada of Puebla to the Tikinxic (Mayan barbecue-style fish) of Cancun, the fresh fish of Veracruz and the special Damiana liquor of Los Cabos.

Dare yourself to discover the boldest flavours that Mexico has to offer!

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EN ESPAÑOL / IN SPANISH:

Gastronomía Mexicana: Patrimonio Intangible de la Humanidad

Se dice que no has visitado México hasta que no has probado al menos uno de los deliciosos platillos que han hecho famosa a nuestra gastronomía.

Carne tampiqueña es un corte de carne acompañado de guacamole, arroz, frijoles refritos y entomatadas, es un platillo mexicano muy comùn que mezcla sabores mexicanos en todo su esplendor. Photo por Jazmin Restaurant, Los Cabos Mexico

México es sin duda un territorio rico en bellezas naturales y tradiciones que se observan incluso hasta ahora y que reflejan los siglos de historia y legado cultural de nuestros antepasados, por su gente quienes reciben a todos los visitantes con una calidez incomparable y su enorme sonrisa, siempre dispuestos a mostrar un poco más de aquello que nos hace únicos. Más sin embargo, es indudablemente la gastronomía Mexicana la principal atracción que cautiva a locales y visitantes por igual.

Lo que hace famosa la gastronomía mexicana

¿Quién no ha probado las enchiladas, el guacamole o los tacos? Puedo aventurarme a decir que quienes nos visitan no importando la región donde se encuentre, han probado al menos uno de nuestros platillos típicos y han quedado sorprendidos de la riqueza de texturas, sabores y olores que poseen, no olvidando la colorida presentación que gracias a la mezcla de los ingredientes forma un atractivo cuadro a la vista y obviamente, un deleite al paladar.

Nuestra cocina es una mezcla de diferentes culturas, apreciada mundialmente por la magistral manera de mezclar especias, sabores intensos, su colorida presentación y sobre todo, porque muchos de nuestros platillos aún conservan sus orígenes pre-hispánicos y son verdaderamente únicos. La base de la mayoría de los platos usualmente incluye maíz, frijoles, especias, chiles, tomates, cebolla y ajo.

Mole poblano ha sido denominado el "plato típico de México" es comùnmente servido en fiestas tradicionales o familiares. Photo cortesía de flickr/avlxyz

No hay nada como el mole poblano

Entre las delicias que podemos probar al visitar México, encontraremos el mole, una salsa de color chocolate que es mezcla de alrededor de 20 ingredientes, entre los que podemos encontrar diferentes chiles como el chile pasilla y el chile mulato, especias, semillas y chocolate. Hay una variedad muy grande de Moles, algunos de sabores dulces, otros de sabor picante, algunos de colores rojos o amarillos y todos reciben un nombre diferente dependiendo de su color o el ingrediente que más predomine en la receta (mole rojo, mole almendrado, etc.). El platillo consiste en la salsa bañando algún tipo de carne que generalmente es pollo y acompañado de arroz y tortillas.

El mole más famoso sin lugar a dudas, es el conocido como mole poblano de un sabor tan característico y exquisito olor, que ha sido llamado el “Platillo Nacional de México.” Es muy común que en las celebraciones como cumpleaños, bodas y reuniones familiares se sirva el mole poblano como platillo principal.

Chile en Nogada

Otro de los platos que ha hecho famosa la gastronomía mexicana es el chile en nogada de colorido decorado que semeja la bandera de México y tiene sus orígenes en 1821, hecho por primera vez en Puebla por las monjas del Convento de Santa María en homenaje a Agustín de Iturbide, la primera persona que gobernó México después del Movimiento de la Independencia.

Chiles en nogada es un colorido platillo mexicano que hace honor a la bandera mexicana en los colores de su presentación. Su receta data de 1821. Photo por Mi Casa Restaurant, Los Cabos, Mexico

Este platillo mezcla los sabores dulce y salado y es conocido alrededor del mundo por su hermosa presentación y la riqueza de texturas y sabores que ofrece y deleita a los paladares más exigentes.

Diversidad regional y orgullo nacional

Y así como diverso es nuestro territorio Mexicano es nuestra cocina, que varía de ingredientes, sabores y formas de preparación en cada uno de los diferentes estados que forman el país. Las costas preparan sus platillos de diferente manera que las zonas montañosas o las desérticas. Al visitar cada territorio, cruzamos una frontera gastronómica que nos lleva a una aventura nueva con cada bocado.

Orgullosamente, la gastronomía mexicana recibió en el 2010 el reconocimiento de Patrimonio Intangible de la Humanidad reconociéndose así que aún sus platos mantengan nombres, ingredientes y formas de preparación que datan de la época pre-hispánica y que hayan incorporado con el paso del tiempo aportaciones de otras culturas.

Por esto y más, si viaja por el territorio mexicano, no puede dejar pasar la oportunidad de probar las delicias tradicionales de cada región, desde el Tikinxic (pescado al estilo barbacoa Maya) de Cancun, el mole poblano y los chiles en nogada de Puebla, el pescado a la veracruzana o tomar un poco de licor de Damiana de Los Cabos.

¡Atrévete a descubrir los sabores que México tiene para ofrecerte!

Malawi, known as the Warm Heart of Africa, is nestled in between Zambia, Mozambique and Tanzania. When I first arrived here in 2005 and piled into the back of an open truck with hordes of colourfully dressed girls, the country instantly lived up to its reputation. The girls chatted with us for over four hours on our bumpy journey! We didn’t really understand each other, but the enormous smiles and happy faces were enough to serve as the basis for solid friendships during our time together on the road.

The tranquil shores of Lake Malawi are drawing more and more visitors to Malawi, the Warm Heart of Africa. Photo courtesy of Kate Webb

Malawi is perhaps most famous for its dominant geographical feature; Lake Malawi is where visitors come to enjoy local culture, warm clear water and wonderfully sandy beaches almost all to themselves. While tourism is slowly picking up along the lakeshore, visitors can still relax or go kayaking or diving without stepping on others’ toes! Of course, the appeal of this small hidden gem of Africa extends beyond the lake, all the way to the peaks of Mulanje Mountain, the highest peak in Central Africa.

Day Trips

If you are staying in the cities of Blantyre or Lilongwe, you have plenty of options for day trips away from urban hustle and bustle. Many people choose to head straight to the lakeshore or Luangwa National Park, but there is another option: village visits.

The Responsible Safari Company has partnered with some extraordinary rural communities eager to welcome travellers on day visits to their villages for close-up glimpses of Malawian culture. Visits can include an afternoon playing with the children in a small orphan care centre, visiting a community project or watching traditional dancing and sampling some local delicacies. Overnight village stays are also a possibility.

Each visit has one thing in common: it always culminates in everyone singing and dancing – and that includes the visitors! A village excursion is also a fantastic way to ensure your visit to Malawi benefits local people.

On day trips to local Malawian village communities, a highlight for visitors is always the energised drums and dance party with local people. Photo courtesy of Kate Webb

Shopping

If you are looking for a truly unique gift, check out the handful of stalls situated at the base of Mount Mulanje. Here, local artisans prepare and sell crafts made from Mulanje cedar wood. As well as smelling gorgeous, it is ideal for carving intricate patterns and inscriptions.

While the Mulanje cedar is a endangered species, we have it on very good authority that selling these items – a key source of income for local communities – helps stop villagers from getting involved in the all-too-frequent illegal logging activities that remove huge quantities of this precious wood. The amount of wood used for curios is very small and can be sustainably replaced, especially when compared to what is destroyed by logging, so we are comfortable advising travellers to support these craftsmen! Even if you are not buying it is fascinating to spend time watching them.

Another highlight of shopping in Malawi is a visit to the fruit and vegetable markets. Our favourite is Bvumbwe market. Set amidst the tea estates, this small market has some of the best produce in the country.

Restaurants

The food of Malawi is perhaps not its strongest point, unless you are an adventurous eater looking to sample the field mice or caterpillars sold on kebab sticks along the side of the road!

On Lake Malawi, you catch glimpses of local Malawian life, such as the launching of this sailing dhow. Photo courtesy of Kate Webb

Off the beaten track, though, we do have two favourite family-run places that always keep us coming back for more. The first, called Veg Delight, is in Blantyre and run by an Indian family. The owner, Aisha, is a fantastic cook who offers delicious all-vegetarian Indian and Chinese food.

The second is one of the highlights of hiking Mulanje. After your descent, you can be sure of a delicious freshly baked pizza at rustic Pizza Basilico. Positioned to give stunning views of the mountain, it delivers each and every time with some of the best food in Malawi.

For more dining options, check out our Malawi restaurant guide.

Local Treats

A river boat safari is one of the best ways to appreciate the wildlife and beauty of Malawi’s national parks.

On a recent visit to Majete Wildlife Reserve, we were passengers on a lodge boat equipped with a hamper of nibbles and gin and tonics, when we eased along the riverbank to where a group of elephants was feeding on a small island. After about 20 minutes of wonderful family interaction, the elephant mothers edged their babies toward the water. One by one they then swam across the deep river, babies dipping in and out of the fast-flowing currents and mothers doing an incredible job of ensuring everyone got across safely. Emerging on the other side, the whole family waited until reassembled and then, after a quick dry, headed off into the forest. An incredible sighting!

On a river boat safari in Malawi, you will see amazing wildlife moments such as this herd of elephants crossing the river in Majete Wildlife Reserve. Photo courtesy of Kate Webb

Night Out

Once a year, The Lake Of Stars music festival comes to Malawi. In 2004, event founder Will Jameson visited Malawi and, inspired by events like Live Aid, WOMAD and Glastonbury, dreamed of having a music festival on the shores of the lake. Lake of Stars Festival, though, would use arts-tourism to generate revenue and exposure for the country.

We have just been to the 2011 festival and it was fantastic! Under the Malawi skies, international and local bands performed right on the beach and the atmosphere was incredible. We danced the night away to the likes of Beverley Knight, The Foals and Freshly Ground.

The festival happens every October and many travellers visit Malawi at this time to combine their travels with this unique event, staying at the cool backpacker havens of Cape Maclear and Senga Bay.

All year round, for an exclusively local feel, catch The Black Missionaries, usually playing on the weekend in either Blantyre or Lilongwe.

The theme this year was ‘Food Prices – From Crisis to Stability’ in an attempt to spotlight the need for global practices that can prevent the devastating price upswings we have seen all over the world. According to the World Bank, over the last year alone the rising cost of food has pushed nearly 70 million people into extreme poverty. It has also brought hundreds of thousands of others together in everything from peaceful rallies for food equity to sadly violent demonstrations against the deeper political, economic and societal issues that affect every part of our lives, especially nutrition and health.

After all, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that “Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food…” Sadly, the principles enshrined in those words fall sorely short in practice these days, especially in places where access to food and water is no longer certain and the kind of real political will needed to confront looming crises is in just as appallingly short supply.

Enter: the people and their efforts to chart a clear way forward. In keeping with The Travel Word’s focus on responsible, sustainable and local travel, we believe that popular grassroots efforts – like Slow Food and the local food movements – are on to something. They may not yet have the legs for far-reaching impact (please prove me wrong if I am!), but they espouse values that put people first, not the pursuit of political and economic power.
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So, in recognition of World Food Day and the too-often understated drive to effect real systemic solutions, we would like to look back at some of the fantastic local-food contributions that have been made on The Travel Word.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Local Food: A Culinary World Tour

(which includes a mouth-watering picture gallery)

Thanks to the efforts of our local partners around the globe, we’ve assembled an extensive selection of typical local appetisers, soups and stews, main dishes, vegetarian dishes, desserts, drinks and snacks and street foods, many even with recipes, but all recommended by inside local experts.

Other Great Articles with a Special Focus on Local Food

+ All of our Inside Word articles, which include a section about local restaurants and food

+ Top Five Picks for Mouthwatering Street Food

+ Care for a Fried Tarantula with Your Guinea Pig? Some Foods Are an Acquired Taste

+ Epicureans Rejoice! A Celebration of Food and Drink Festivals from Around the World

+ Savour the Taste of Thailand with Bangkok Food Tours

+ Zabíjačka! Braving a Pig-Killing Feast in Rural Czech Republic

+ Local Food Favourites from the Newars of the Valley of Kathmandu, Nepal

+ Lifting the Lid on Salvador: Exploring Brazil’s Culinary Delights

+ Namibia: A Truly Meat-Loving Country

+ The Undiscovered Festival of Europe: Wine in Moldova

+ Discovering a New Horizon: A Taste of Belo Horizonte, Brazil

+ Photo of the Week: Easter in Lithuania

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We believe that whether you are at home or abroad, you should eat local fare. That means eating what locals eat, sourced from local sources. It’s better for you. More importantly, it’s better for the people and businesses working to help make your experience of their home a remarkable one.

This Citroen Jumpy Business 2.2 HDi at the Akropolis shopping center in Vilnius, Lithuania, is one of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind's two vehicles. Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind

Two Cities

The impact of a rich and tumultuous history can be felt throughout Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. Located in the country’s southeast, Vilnius is a superb example of a place where everything has been influenced by different and ever-changing artistic and cultural currents. Its many churches stand as proof of this with their Renaissance, Classical, Gothic and Baroque architectural styles, while the picturesque medieval Old Town of Vilnius, one of the largest in Europe, has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.

In contrast to Vilnius, Klaipeda is located on the shores of the Baltic Sea in the country’s northwest and serves as its main sea port. Small and quaint, it also has an enchanting old town with its own blend of architectural styles and peculiarities. Of particular noteworthiness though is the region’s geological wonder: the Curonian Spit. Also listed as a World Heritage Site, this thin strip of sand dunes stretches for over 98 kilometres and separates the Baltic Sea from the Curonian Lagoon.

Kestas and Vilija of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind enjoy other forms of transport too. Here they are canoeing on the Ula River in Lithuania. Photo courtesy of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind

One Company

The Beautiful Land of Nevermind was founded in 2005 by Kestas and Vilija as an inbound travel agency focusing on accommodation and tours for independent travellers. Since then, the business has grown and acquired a reputation as a leader in promoting responsible travel and local forms of tourism in Lithuania.

Aside from being genuinely friendly and helpful, Kestas and Vilija also are very knowledgeable about their homeland, capable of pointing you toward the unique off-the-beaten-track adventures, authentic local experiences and hidden gems of Lithuania.

Recently, in a response to increasing customer demand for greener and more fuel-efficient ground transportation, Kestas and Vilija expanded their existing car-rental and transfers business to include airport and intercity shuttle service. As an important environmental step, they decided to partner with Green Path Transfers, a far-reaching global network of eco-friendly airport transfer and ground transportation operators.

A view of the Curonian Spit of Lithuania as seen from space in 2006. The Baltic Sea is to the west and the Curonian Lagoon to the east. Courtesy of NASA Earth Observatory

Going Green

Building an eco-friendly fleet of vehicles has become an important goal of The Beautiful Land of Nevermind’s burgeoning ground transfers business. The company currently owns and operates two vehicles that run on diesel, a vital first step in reducing carbon emissions when compared to those from regular petrol engines. Through the Green Path Transfers 100% carbon-offset policy, all remaining emissions produced are neutralised.

In addition, Kestas and Vilija share a determination to pursue even greener forms of transport; they plan to convert entirely to hybrid vehicles in the near future. Of course, this commitment to going greener is in no way a compromise on service quality or attention for detail. “We’re always adding a personal touch to the transfer – our company’s drivers speak fluent English and are always trying to be extra helpful to travellers,” remarked Kestas. “We provide top-quality service without compromise, because we are travellers ourselves and treat our clients the same way we would like to be treated.”

“For these reasons and many others, we are excited at the opportunity to work with The Beautiful Land of Nevermind in Lithuania,” said Adrian Cordiner, CEO of Green Path Transfers.

Local Sights

The airport and inter-city transfer services provided by The Beautiful Land of Nevermind are available in all Baltic States, although there’s an understandable focus on the Lithuanian cities of Vilnius and Klaipeda, where vehicles are also available for sightseeing and touring.

Where should you go? Kestas recommends the historic town of Trakai, an easy day trip from Vilnius. Located 28 kilometres from the capital, it is a place where locals like to relax around quiet lakes, enjoy outdoor concerts and stroll through Trakai Castle’s stone passageways to reflect on its turbulent history.

Not far from Klaipeda is the rustic village of Nida on the Curonian Spit. Home to approximately 2,000 people, the village is known for its surrounding sand dunes and UNESCO-listed World Heritage forests. The views truly are magnificent as one contemplates the Baltic Sea to the west and the Curonian Lagoon to the east.

Finally, how about joining The Beautiful Land of Nevermind in trying one of the local culinary specialties? Skilandis is a pig’s stomach stuffed with meat and then smoked to perfection. Feeling adventurous?

To learn more about Green Path Transfers and how to be part of carbon-neutral travel arrangements that emphasise green technology in a growing number of destinations around the globe, visit www.GreenPathTransfers.com

Fes, Morocco, is considered one of the holiest cities in the Islamic world. Parts of it barely changed since it was founded at the beginning of the 9th century by Moulay Idriss II, this enchanting city has been a seat of government, philosophy, medicine, music and religion for more than a millennium. In fact, Fes is considered one of the best surviving examples of an ancient Arab city. It comprises the ‘new’ city, established in the 12th century, and the much more ancient medina, a market where goods-laden donkeys and mules still amble alongside buyers.

One highlight of visiting Fez, Morocco, is the panoramic view of the ancient city from a rooftop or other high point like the Merenid Tombs. Photo courtesy of Marrakesh Voyage

Visitors enjoying this amazing car-free zone will encounter a fascinating maze of lanes, blind alleys and bustling souks (markets) assaulting the senses with spices and exotic delicacies. With so much on display, it is the perfect place to sharpen your bargaining skills while buying souvenirs, brightly coloured hand-loomed carpets or fine-crafted artisanal goods. Also not to be missed are the famous leather tanneries – a honeycomb of vats erupting in an explosion of brilliant colour – and the venerated Merenid Tombs, where the spectacular panoramic views of Fes defy words.

Day Trips

An exciting day trip from Fes begins at Meknes, one of Morocco’s ‘Imperial Cities’ and a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site complete with lush rolling hills studded with ancient olive groves and vineyards. After a pleasant lunch in this holy city of Moulay Idriss, you can explore the spectacular arched gateways of Bab El Mansour and Bab El Khamis. Then the tour is off to the ancient Roman ruins of Volubulis, where the remains of palaces, baths, soaring arches and magnificent mosaics await discovery on a wildflower-dotted hillside.

Bab Boujloud is one of most famous gateways into the old city of Fez, Morocco. Photo courtesy of Marrakesh Voyage

Another compelling day trip lets you explore the Middle Atlas Mountains of Morocco, where a hidden, fragrant cedar forest is filled with chatty Barbary macaques and the mountainsides are home to many rustic Berber villages. Here is where to make a wish by a rushing waterfall or stroll the banks of a placid lake in one of many pleasant parks. At the weekly market in Azrou, you’ll discover fine wooden handicrafts and handmade Berber rugs.

Shopping

Shopping in Fes can be a high-intensity experience. In Morocco, bargaining is a way of life, so always remember that the price you are initially offered will be highly inflated and that it’s up to you to ask for lower. When negotiating with vendors, surrounded by the noise and confusion of the market, you may at first find it difficult to gain confidence and stand your ground, but with a little bit of practice, the haggling process becomes a captivating part of the Moroccan experience.

Handcrafted silver plates like these ones are used for serving biscuits along with tea in Morocco. They can be found in any city's labyrinthine souk (market). Photo courtesy of Marrakesh Voyage

Striking a good deal is well worth your while, though, as Fes is world-renowned for its handcrafted Moroccan decorative items, such as textiles, rugs, antiques, hand-woven and embroidered shawls, Berber cushions, handmade garments, leather, wood and much more.

Restaurants

It would take ages to visit all the good places to enjoy the amazing traditional Moroccan cuisine in Fes. To narrow it down: some of the best restaurants are Yacout, Medina and La Maison Arabe. If you wish to try local food while rubbing shoulders with the people of Fes, eat your fill at the small shops of the souk in the ancient city.

Local Treats

Fes is known for the strong presence of Sufism. We still have Sufis who get together every once in a while at someone’s house for a special musical event. Contact us about attending one of these events.

In the famous leather tanneries of Fez, Morocco, hundreds of pots of dye are used in the leather tanning process. Photo courtesy of Marrakesh Voyage

We can also help you to experience the Moroccan culinary scene by going to the market to do your own shopping for all the ingredients needed for a cooking class at one of our Moroccan guesthouses. Learn how to make couscous, chicken with lemon, lamb with prune or chicken pastilla.

Night Out

The best place to relax during the daytime is a local café at the souk. Watch the people wander by, each with his own story, as you sip a cup of coffee or tea with the locals. As Fes is a sacred town, the evenings are best spent dining on some of the best food in the country at a local restaurant or on the rooftop of a guesthouse. You just won’t find the kind of nightlife for which places like Agadir, Casablanca or Marrakech are known.

Are you planning your trip to Morocco? For a real insider experience in Fes, reach out to Akim and his team at Marrakesh Voyage, the whl.travel and Urban Adventures local partner in Fes.

At the heart of Indonesia’s South Sulawesi territory lies the vibrant provincial capital of Makassar. Formerly known as Ujung Pandang, the city has for centuries made its mark in Indonesian history as a bustling port. Today it’s a sprawling metropolis, still rich in history and culture – a perfect gateway from which to discover the rest of South Sulawesi and East Indonesia.

These 'Pinisi' can be found at Paotere sailing boat harbour, one of the points of interest in Makassar, Indonesia. Many pinisi are now used as live-aboard boats for tourism purposes in Indonesian waters, especially for diving. Photo courtesy of Ng Sebastian

Of particular interest is Tana Toraja, or “Torajaland,” a highland region that sits peacefully in the mountains more than 300 kilometres north of Makassar. This “Land of Heavenly Kings” is home to the indigenous Toraja people, who are known for their unique funeral rites, traditional houses with high-peaked roofs called tongkonan and their friendly and hospitable nature.

As a base of operations, though, the city of Makassar has something to offer to urbanites and outdoor enthusiasts alike. In town, a Makassar city tour takes visitors to see the most important cultural and historical icons, such as Fort Rotterdam, which was built during the Gowa/Makassar Kingdom in the 15th century and taken over by the Dutch in 17th century, Katangka Mosque, the oldest in the city, and Paotere Harbour, where you will find the traditional Pinisi sailboats.

The nature reserve of Bantimurung, located a short distance from Makassar, provides a snapshot of Sulawesi’s captivating natural beauty, while the Leang-Leang Caves, which can be covered as part of the same tour, opens a window into the lives of some of mankind’s ancient ancestors. Alternatively, sun-seekers can opt for a visit to Samalona Island, one of several neighbouring isles where guests can spend a day toasting under the sun on a powdery white-sand beach or go skin diving amongst thriving coral reefs. These are just a few of the many things to see and do in Makassar.

Of course, even further afield, various Tana Toraja tours allow travellers to immerse themselves in the traditional village life of the Toraja people, see the ancient graves where they bury their dead and walk through the region’s extensive, picturesque rice paddies.

A village of traditional Toraja houses, called Tongkonan houses, found in Tana Toraja highlands of Sulawesi, about 300 kilometres north of Makassar, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Ng Sebastian

The new portal to Makassar and Toraja is now proudly owned by Ng Sebastian and the rest of his team at Incito Tours, also the local connection in nearby Komodo and the Lesser Sunda Islands. The launch of www.makassar-hotels.com gives travellers direct access to Makassar and Toraja hotels for every budget, as well as insight into the best places for shopping and eating, all of which contribute to an ideal getaway experience.

“Makassar and Toraja are destinations I know well as I live in Makassar and I started my tourism involvement here back in 1987 as a tour guide,” Sebastian gladly shares. “Makassar is my home base and my involvement in tourism at the destination is far more extensive than what I started 24 years ago. My whole life since then seems to be devoted to tourism, not only as a field where I earn my living, but also where I share my passion with others to make the destination better developed through my participation in various tourism activities. Operating the Makassar & Toraja portal, I talk about tourism but also take action in serving would-be visitors through the latest tourism trend: the use of information technology in planning the trips. whl.travel provides a great platform to work with, and there is always someone to help us out.”

Makassar is whl.travel’s newest travel portal in Indonesia, adding to those for Aceh, Manado and Komodo & Lesser Sunda Islands.

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IN INDONESIAN / DALAM BAHASA INDONESIA:

Datanglah ke Makassar dan Toraja – Indonesia bersama whl.travel

Di jantung Indonesia terletak Makassar, Ibukota Propinsi Sulawesi Selatan. Makassar adalah salah satu kota dengan pertumbuhan ekonomi tertinggi di Indonesia. Ini tidak mengherankan karena Makassar yang dulu sempat dinamakan Ujung Pandang ini adalah Bandar Perdagangan yang ramai sejak berabad silam. Saat ini Makassar adalah kota metropolitan yang terus tumbuh dengan warisan budaya yang kaya serta latar belakang sejarah yang kuat. Makassar adalah pintu gerbang yang ideal untuk menjelajahi Sulawesi Selatan, Pulau Sulawesi dan Indonesia Timur pada umumnya.

This closeup of the facade of a Tongkonan House shows some of the characteristic items, each of which is important in the Toraja culture of Sulawesi, Indonesia. There are more than 100 Toraja house-engraving patterns, each of which has a name and a meaning. Photo courtesy of Ng Sebastian

Berjalan ke utara anda akan menemukan Tana Toraja, yang bertengger di ketinggian pegunungan di jantung Sulawesi, sekitar 328 km dari Makassar. Tana Toraja yang dinamakan juga sebagai “Tondok Lepongan Bulan, Tana Matarik Allo” ini terkenal karena keunikan budayanya yang terjelma dalam Rumah Tongkonan, upacara penguburan serta masyarakatnya yang ramah dan bersahabat.

Makassar menawarkan daya tarik perkotaan dan juga aneka kegiatan luar ruang bagi pengunjungnya. City Tour Makassar mengantarkan wisatawan ke berbagai Ikon Kota Makassar seperti Fort Rotterdam yang dibangun oleh Raja – raja Gowa tetapi kemudian diambil alih oleh Belanda pada tahun 1667 setelah perang selama 7 tahun, Mesjid Katangka dan juga Pelabuhan Paotere dengan Perahu Pinisinya.

Melangkah sedikit ke Timur dari Makassar anda akan memasuki Bantimurung yang merupakan etalase keindahan alam dari Taman Nasional Bantimurung Bulusaraung (Babul) dengan air terjun, hutan tropis, gua – gua eksotis serta kupu – kupunya. Berdekatan dengan Bantimurung anda akan menemukan Gua Leang – Leang di mana anda seperti menengok dari jendela ke kehidupan prasejarah. Semua ini terangkum dalam tour yang sama. Sementara bagi anda yang suka dengan keceriaan di pantai dan laut, Pulau Samalona dan pulau lain di sekitarnya menanti dengan pasir putih dan air yang jernih serta keindahan bawa lautnya mengundang anda untuk menikmatinya. Semua ini hanya bagian kecil dari aneka Daya Tarik Makassar.

Aneka Paket Wisata Toraja memungkinkan pengunjung untuk merasuk jauh kedalam kehidupan Toraja dengan daya tarik budayanya yang erat berkaitan dengan penghargaan yang tinggi kepada nenek moyang melalui kuburan dan upacara pemakaman. Alam Toraja yang menawan dengan pemandangannya yang indah dan persawahan yang memikat mengundang pelintas alam menikmatinya.

A Toraja girl in traditional costume, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Photo courtesy of Ng Sebastian

Portal Makassar dan Toraja sekarang dimiliki oleh Ng Sebastian dan timnya di Incito Tour yang juga merupakan pemilik dari Portal Komodo & Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara. Peluncuran www.makassar-hotels.com memungkinkan pengunjung mendapat gambaran yang lebih jelas tentang berbagai Hotel di Makassar dan Toraja. Pengunjung juga ditunjukan tempat – tempat belanja dan makan terbaik sehingga melengkapi pengalaman perjalanan.

“Makassar dan Toraja adalah destinasi yang saya kenal dengan baik karena saya tinggal di Makassar serta keterlibatan saya dalam dunia kepariwisataan dimulai di sini pada tahun 1987 sebagai Pramuwisata”. Demikian dikatakan Sebastian. “Makassar adalah di mana saya berada dan keterlibatan saya dalam dunia pariwisata destinasi ini jauh lebih luas daripada apa yang saya mulai 24 tahun lalu. Sejak itu kehidupan saya tercurah dalam kepariwisataan tidak hanya sebagai lahan tempat saya menghidupi diri tetapi juga tempat di mana saya berbagi dengan sesama untuk memajukan kepariwisataan di destinasi ini. Dengan meluncurkan Portal Makassar dan Toraja saya tidak hanya berbicara tetapi juga berbuat langsung dalam melayani calon wisatawan melalui trend perencanaan perjalanan paling mutakir, yaitu penggunaan Teknologi Informasi (Internet). Whl.travel mempunyai platform sistem yang andal dan selalu ada orang yang bisa ditanyai jika menemukan persoalan”.

Makassar adalah portal di Indonesia yang paling baru untuk melengkapi portal lain yang telah ada sebelumnya yaitu Aceh, Manado dan Komodo & Kepulauan Nusa Tenggara.

This photo was taken in the Bizorriah Area, which is located next to the Ummayad Mosque – the Great Mosque of Damascus. This holy building’s distinctive dome and minarets can provide a fixed point of reference for those lost in the area around Old Damascus’ Al-Hamidiyah Souq, or shopping area. Glancing skyward and catching a glimpse of the bright, white stone allows you to orient yourself, preventing a shopping trip from turning into an escape attempt. This trick won’t work in the souq itself, however, as it is covered with a fabulous roof to provide shade from the heat of the midday sun.

Historically, Damascus was a key stop on the spice route, which brought exotic concoctions from across all of Asia. Merchants would operate out of the city, venturing to China and India on marathon journeys that could take years to complete. Their journey was fraught with peril, but also promised great riches for those who dared to take the risk.

Nowadays, spices are a lot easier to get your hands on, but still offer the tantalising thrill that drew men across continents in years gone by.

The One Day on Earth project began in 2008, with the vision of uniting the entire world in a single film-related project. The potential for collaboration offered by the internet is something that continues to be explored to this day, but the group behind One Day on Earth set out to achieve something that had never been seen before: a collection of moments, experiences and events from all corners of the globe with a single unifying experience – they all took place on the same day.

The 10th of October 2010 (10/10/10) was the distinctive date chosen to be documented in never-before-seen detail by crews from around the world. The beauty and diversity displayed in every country on the planet was captured for all to see. It has now been compiled into a full-length feature. You can view the trailer below:

One Day on Earth – Motion Picture Trailer from One Day On Earth on Vimeo.

Despite some confusion with director Ridley Scott’s Hollywood offering, Life in a Day, One Day on Earth, which is due to be repeated on November 11th this year (11/11/11), aims to raise awareness of the environmental issues that we face together as a race, as well as the interconnectedness of all aspects of life on the planet. In addition, it specifically intends to draw attention to causes in need of your support, including 350.org, Human Rights Watch, Oxfam and the WWF.

You can pre-order the complete 10/10/10 feature and find out how you can get involved in upcoming events on the One Day on Earth website.