We’ve searched our worldwide network for destinations with the top five natural baths and hot springs that are well worth the journey. Some of these pools have attracted powerful patrons, from ancient royalty to modern celebrities, but all of them are unique natural phenomena caused by geothermal activity just beneath the surface of the earth or natural endowments of salt and minerals.

Travellers from far and wide are attracted to the mud bath in Dalyan, Turkey. The naturally cleansing mud treatment is rinsed off in showers and clearwater hot springs. Photo courtesy of Flickr/Rev Stan

Mud Baths of Dalyan, Turkey

On the Mediterranean coast of western Turkey, the quiet town of Dalyan is set in an environmentally protected area of great natural beauty. Myth has it that Cleopatra herself would travel to Dalyan, and in more recent times the likes of Dustin Hoffman, Sting, Jack Nicholson, David Bowie and Prince Felipe de Carlos of Spain have made a point to stop here. What attracts them to this small town? It must be the glorious natural mud baths of Dalyan.

Visitors will smell the mud and pools before they see them as they contain sodium chloride, hydrogen, sulfur, bromide and fluoride; they are also naturally radioactive. The mud may smell and feel strange at first. Under the Mediterranean sun, it dries on your skin and you can feel it cracking if you move or smile. But once you rinse off, your skin is left feeling fresh, tight and exfoliated.

The mud bath is complemented by pools attached to two clear hot springs in which the temperature of the water fluctuates between 30°C and 38°C, and the pH is about 6.5. Two of the pools are located indoors in a traditional dome-topped building used alternately by men and women. The largest pool is outdoors, where men and women can bathe at the same time.

Sonja Grau, the whl.travel local connection and a travel professional in Dalyan, loves the mud baths. “I’ve been going there for over 10 years. I actually go to the hot springs to treat my rheumatic pains. It really helps. After two weeks I feel so much better and the best part is I can take that feeling with me back home and it last for about two more months.”

Safaga, Egypt, is known as the "healing zone" because its waters have high salt concentrations with beneficial therapeutic effects for bathers. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/MatthiasKabel

Healing Salt Waters of Safaga, Egypt

Sometimes all the natural elements conspire to create an environment that is perfect for the rejuvenation of human health. This ideal combination of sun, sea and sand has come together in Safaga, Egypt, to boost the immune system; reduce conditions like rheumatism, muscle tension and psoriasis; and relieve fatigue and stress.

The healing waters of Safaga have a salt concentration that is 35% higher than that of most other seas due to the extraordinary number of corals native to the area. Bathing in this added salinity helps blood circulation, and the chemical composition of the water is therapeutic in many ways, so much so that the area is locally referred to as the “healing zone.”

The type of therapy enjoyed in Safaga is called climatotherapy and many local spas and resorts in the area have capitalised on the unique blend of rich minerals and healing waters. Spas offer other forms of treatments too, like pearl baths, hydrotherapy, underwater massage and water treatments, while specific remedies are geared to the alleviation of common ailments. In addition to the skin-soothing sea, the local black sand contains the added uranium, thorium and potassium 40 that is said to originate from volcanic craters under the Red Sea and help with therapeutic care for arthritis, skin inflammations and joint edema.

This pollution-free port city is an easy trip outside of Cairo and a popular weekend vacation destination for local Egyptians and foreigners alike.

The hot springs in Santorini, Greece, are volcano-heated. The best hot springs are on Nea Kameni and Palaia Kamen, tiny uninhabited islands. Photo by Mega Travel Advisor

Volcanic Hot Springs of Santorini, Greece

A volcano gave birth to the picturesque Santorini archipelago off the coast of mainland Greece in the area that, as legend has it, was the location of lost Atlantis. Here the surface waters have curative properties and, since the volcano hasn’t seen any real action since 1950, swimmers can relax and indulge directly in the warm waters heated by its core or roll around in a pleasant mud bath.

Geologists believe that the water around the islands has more highly concentrated levels of iron and manganese, and that the waters closer to the active core have high levels of sulphur dioxide; all these lovely minerals are known to do wonders for the skin and help with rheumatism, arthritis and other aches. The mud under the water is especially laced with sulphur, so lather up to get a treatment you would pay top dollar for in a spa.

The uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni and Palaia Kameni are the most popular among hot-spring bathers. There are easily organised Santorini springs tours that cart visitors around the islands and, in some areas where the water is shallow, encourage guests to dive right off the traditional Greek boat and swim out to the springs. After a sweat-drenching hike to the volcano’s summit for a view of the complete rim, a refreshing dip in these therapeutic springs and a breathtaking Santorini sunset is the perfect way to close the day!

A highlight of every Salar de Uyuni tour in Bolivia is the early-morning visit to the Laguna Polques hot springs. Here, steam rises from the spring's surface into the chilly dawn air. Photo courtesy of Flickr/einalem

High Altitude Hot Springs of Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia

A visit to the surreal landscapes of the Salar de Uyuni is part of even the most basic Bolivia itineraries. Multi-day tours meander from a train graveyard to the endless white expanses of the great salt flats, then to lagunas full of pink flamingos, and finally a geyser basin full of hot springs.

The hot springs are best enjoyed in the early morning, when the sharp cold of the high-altitude nights hasn’t released its grip. At Salar de Chalviri, the Laguna Polques hot springs are one favourite. Don’t forget your swimsuit and several layers of clothes for afterward; Uyuni is basically a high-desert climate where temperatures reach extremes.

The geothermal activity under the surface of Uyuni creates all sorts of wonders for travellers to explore. Sol de Manana is a cluster of boiling mud pools where geyser pressures spurt up to three metres. Extinct volcanoes, such as the Nevado Sajama and the Licancabur Volcano, rise along the horizon. At the foot of the Licancabur Volcano is Laguna Verde, a green lake coloured by arsenic, lead, copper and other heavy metals.

The thermal building of Hotel des Thermes is set adjacent to the hot-water Lake Ranomafana in Antsirabe, Madagascar. The baths inside are a well-kept local secret. Photo courtesy of wikimedia/Bernard Gagnon

Thermal Baths of Antsirabe, Madagascar

After venturing out to observe lost lemur species and Madagascar’s outstanding biological diversity, head to the central city of Antsirabe to relax in one of its many medicinal hot springs. There are a handful of springs in and around Antsirabe. One can even buy ‘Visy gasy’, bottled therapeutic water.

Some of the recommended thermal pools are found next to Lac (lake) Ranomafana (hot water) in the Ranomafana National Park; the pools are the perfect temperature and one can also get a massage or go for night swims in the complex.

Within Antsirabe, guests staying in the Hotel de Thermes can take advantage of an on-site thermal bath that comes out at a toasty 52°C at a depth of 22 metres, but reaches just the right temperature at the surface. There is also a naturally heated indoor swimming pool. Many of these springs have been in use since the 19th century, when Norwegian missionaries came and named Antsirabe, which means “the place of much salt”.

Silvana Nicholls and her husband, John Nicholls, were some of the earliest local partners to join the whl.travel family. They launched their Vanuatu destination portal in November of 2005 and have been strong collaborators ever since.

Silvana Nicholls and her four-legged baby Chloe at her former home in Kuranda, Cairns (Australia), the morning after the caviar-and-champagne event (see below). Everyone was so delighted to be reunited that Chloe was never left alone again.

Silvana was born in Italy and moved to Melbourne, Australia, at the age of four. In the late 1990s, she slowly moved her way up Australia’s eastern seaboard – first to Sydney for seven years and then to Queensland for five years. She arrived on the island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific in 2001 and spent the first three years on the volcanic island of Tanna before moving to the capital city of Port Vila on Efate Island, where she and John still live.

WHL Group: Which is your favourite WHL Group destination and which would you most like to visit?
Silvana: Favourite? There are so many! I love archaeology, hence Greece would be high on my list in order to visit all that history, but I also dream of trekking in the highlands of Peru.

WHLG: What would you never travel without?
Silvana: After a valid passport, credit card and local currency, it would have to be a reliable map of the destination I was to explore, insect repellent, snack food, a water bottle and a good book. You never know how long that flight, train, ferry or bus is going to be…

WHLG: What do you miss most about home when travelling?
Silvana: It would have to be my husband’s humour (and rants) if he is not with me. When we travel together, I miss the comfort and karma of our home the most. Although I would rather spend money on seeing and doing than sleeping, I have never been the backpacker type; I need a good and clean bed in a secure, private environment at the end of a packed day on the road!

WHLG: What’s the most adventurous trip you’ve ever taken?
Silvana: Moving to Vanuatu. I left a great job, packed all my belongings – including my dog – put my house up for rent and flew to an island that I had never known existed in the middle of the South Pacific Ocean. Not to mention the fact that it was created by its still-very-active live volcano and that the place is known for Melanesian cults and their past cannibal culture. The place did not even have electricity or running water – we had to generate our own!

WHLG: What is your funniest travel experience?
Silvana: When I won a Christmas party costume contest as a very pregnant Virgin Mary. The prize was an ‘indulgent’ weekend in the penthouse of a five-star resort in Cairns, Australia. At 2am the first night, we felt so guilty about leaving our dog Chloe behind by herself that we couldn’t even sleep. So we took the complimentary champagne and caviar, and returned home for what became a great weekend with our four-legged baby.

Silvana Nicholls and her husband, John, pose with a guest's little boy. In addition to her dog Chloe (left), Silvana adopted a Papillon (small breed of dog) whilst managing a resort in Vanuatu. Guests and their children had a menagerie to chose from: two lovable dogs, a pet pig that thought she was a dog, coconut crabs (fed instead of eaten), injured turtles and numerous flightless birds that found sanctuary on the protected grounds.

WHLG: What is your scariest travel experience?
Silvana: Hmmm. Between facing an oncoming four-metre-high tidal surge, a 7.5-force earthquake or a category-5 cyclone, I’m not sure which to choose. They were all terrifying.

WHLG: If you could go on holiday with anyone famous – living or dead – who would you take?
Silvana: Sir David Attenborough. I would just love to forage and find fossils with him.

WHLG: Describe the best and worst accommodation you’ve ever stayed in.
Silvana: It’s ironic, but the best was the penthouse of the five-star resort in Cairns, Australia, mentioned above, that I left to be with my dog. The worst was a hotel in Kuranda in North Queensland, Australia. The mattress was infested with lice and felt as if it was created for an S&M torture chamber.

WHLG: Describe your earliest travel memory.
Silvana: When I was four years old, my family emigrated from Vibo Valentia in southern Italy, to settle in Australia. So returning to Italy some 16 years later to see my extended family and the village of my ancestors was an emotional experience. In addition, we visited other parts of the country I had never been to before, like Florence, Rome and of course iconic Venice to find out who was producing that contorted alien-like glassware in my mother’s home.

Silvana Nicholls stands back, elated after successfully coordinating the first official wedding on top of Mt Yasur volcano, Vanuatu, including negotiating government red tape and completing the celebrant's paperwork

WHLG: Please briefly explain what you think local travel is.
Silvana: I think finding the ultimate solution to changing the prevailing ‘Me!’-travel culture to one of local travel is important. Local travel needs to be felt in order to be manifested. It is akin to comparing real love to self-love. Local travellers will make that extra effort to empathise, understand and share in another person’s life, as opposed to those who use a destination as a new host to satisfy their whims and indulgences.

Frankly, I don’t understand some travellers. Without an emotional interest in a country, what is the point of visiting it? If one cannot feel for the people and country one is visiting, then one will not comprehend the local-travel concept. Caring about others – their welfare and the environment – and balancing your own self-gratification with support for local people when travelling should come naturally. How you behave and what you do will follow, as is mentioned by all my WHL Group counterparts.

WHLG: In what ways do you see local travel benefiting the country in which you live?
Silvana: Travel is a fantastic opportunity to experience how others live and it engenders global tolerance. Independent, sustainable travel in particular can contribute enormously to local communities who need opportunities to develop some economic strength in a fast-moving and interconnected modern world. As whl.travel local partners, we have a role to play as educators, promoters and facilitators connecting travellers to the most effective tourism service providers in our regions whilst leaving as minimal a footprint on the environment as possible.

A more detailed explanation of our activities in this area is found at http://www.vanuatu-hotels.vu/aboutus.

Ecuador’s fairytale capital of Quito is a city of contradictions. Located near the equator where it is possible to place one foot in each of the two hemispheres, it’s a hub of strong traditional influences intertwined with new-age thinking. This city has it all: intricate architecture, natural beauty and a rich culture that locals are proud to display through their brightly coloured clothing and unique (and at times spicy) cuisine.

This panoramic over Quito's 10 de Agosto Street shows the El Ejido Park on the left and the historic city centre on the far right, including Panecillo Hill, which got its name because it is like a piece of bread rising up in the middle of the city. It offers great views. Photos courtesy of Freddy Rivadeneira, Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism

Quito’s historic district was one of the first ever UNESCO World Heritage sites, declared back in 1978 and a testament to its amazing level of preservation despite the constant threat of earthquakes. Locals and visitors alike love strolling along the slightly uneven cobblestone streets while nibbling on an empanada and pondering how the buildings have weathered the tests of time.

There are plenty of accommodation options from which to choose in Quito, whether you seek a charming hostel with an old-world aura or a trendy boutique-hotel with all the modern conveniences. One local tip is to check out the Hostal de la Rabida, which is located in a recently restored traditional home. The hotel team not only offers quality accommodation, but also help the local community with initiatives such as supporting the Otonga Foundation and sponsoring children living in unfortunate circumstances by helping them with school supplies and medical expenses. (The hotel also has an adorable rabbit named Brownie that hangs out in the garden.)

The majority of Quito tour experiences revolve around getting out in the fresh air and thoroughly exploring the area. Whether in the saddle of a bike or a more traditional four-legged steed, there’s plenty to discover, including Cotopaxi National Park, the active volcanoes of which provide an awe-inspiring reminder of the natural forces that created and continue to impact the mighty Andes.

Your whl.travel local connection in Quito, sometimes known as the Luz de América (Light of America), are the local experts at the Yachana Foundation. No simple travel agency, Yachana strives to achieve sustainability through educational programmes in the Ecuadorian Amazon and beyond. They operate the Yachana Technical High School, located in the rainforest near the award-winning Yachana Lodge, which is the only school in the country authorised by the Ministry of Education to offer a degree in Ecotourism and Sustainable Development. The Yachana group also provides opportunities to Yachana Technical High School students – 80% of whom are of indigenous background – as interns in their tour agencies in Quito.

On behalf of the Yachana Foundation, Hugh Yarbrough commented “We are thrilled to have whl.travel as one of our partners in tourism. whl.travel provides yet another opportunity for us to work alongside travel industry professionals and offers the wonders of Ecuador to visitors from around the world. By booking through our new portal, visitors to Ecuador are helping the Yachana Foundation assure that the present and future custodians of the Amazon rainforest receive the best possible education we can give them.”

At www.quito-hotel.com.ec, Quito, the principal gateway to Ecuador, is whl.travel’s second destination in the country, adding to the booking portal for the Galapagos Islands.

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EN ESPAÑOL / IN SPANISH:

Quito, Ecuador, una capital de cuento de hadas es una ciudad de contradicciones. Ubicada cerca de la mitad del mundo donde se puede colocar un pie en cada uno de los dos hemisferios, es un centro de fuertes influencias tradicionales entrelazadas con el pensamiento de la nueva era. Esta ciudad lo tiene todo: la arquitectura compleja, la belleza natural y una rica cultura que los ciudadanos están orgullosos de mostrar a través de su vestimenta de colores brillantes y su gastronomía única. El centro histórico de Quito fue el primer lugar declarado por la UNESCO como Patrimonio de la Humanidad, en 1978 y es un testimonio de su impresionante nivel de conservación a pesar de la constante amenaza de terremotos. A sus pobladores y visitantes les encanta pasear por las calles empedradas ligeramente irregulares mientras saborean una empanada y contemplando cómo los edificios han resistido las pruebas del tiempo.

Founded in 1535 by Franciscan monks, the Convent of San Francisco in Quito is the oldest, largest and most interesting convent in Ecuador due to its art collections and rich history. This building has played a critical role in the history of the country. Photos courtesy of Freddy Rivadeneira, Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism

Hay un montón de opciones de alojamiento entre los que puede elegir en Quito entre un hostal encantador o un boutique-hotel con un aura del viejo mundo y todas las comodidades modernas. Un ejemplo es el Hostal de la Rábida, que se encuentra en una casa tradicional recientemente restaurada. El personal del hotel no sólo ofrece un alojamiento de calidad, sino también ayuda a la comunidad local con iniciativas como el apoyo a la Fundación Otonga y el patrocinio de niños que viven en circunstancias desafortunadas, ayudándolos con material escolar y gastos médicos. (El hotel también cuenta con un adorable conejo llamado Brownie que vive en el jardín.)

La mayor parte de los tours de Quito giran en torno a las experiencias de salir al aire libre y de la exploración de la zona, ya sea en bicicleta o un transporte más tradicional de cuatro patas como un caballo. Hay mucho que descubrir como el Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, los volcanes activos que proporcionan un recordatorio imponente de las fuerzas naturales que crearon y siguen afectando los poderosos Andes.

Su conexión local de whl.travel en Quito, una ciudad a veces conocida como Luz de América, son los expertos del Grupo Yachana, siendo Turisyachana una agencia que se esfuerza por lograr la sostenibilidad a través de programas educativos en la Amazonía ecuatoriana y más allá. La Fundación Yachana opera el Colegio Técnico Yachana, ubicado en la selva cerca del galardonado Yachana Lodge, y es la única escuela en el país autorizado por el Ministerio de Educación a ofrecer un título en Ecoturismo y Desarrollo Sustentable. El Grupo Yachana también ofrece oportunidades a los estudiantes de su colegio técnico (del cual 80% son de origen indígen) de realizar pasantías en sus agencias de turismo en Quito.

En nombre de la Fundación Yachana, Hugh Yarbrough comentó, “Estamos encantados de tener whl.travel como uno de nuestros socios en el turismo. whl.travel proporciona otra oportunidad para que podamos trabajar junto a profesionales de la industria de turismo y ofrecer las maravillas del Ecuador para los turistas de todo el mundo. Al reservar a través de nuestro nuevo portal, los visitantes al Ecuador están ayudando a la Fundación Yachana a asegurar que los actuales y futuros custodios de la Amazonía reciban la mejor educación posible.”

Con www.quito-hotel.com.ec, Quito, la principal vía de entrada a Ecuador, es el segundo destino de whl.travel en el país el cual se une a la pagina publicada de la Reserva de las Islas Galápagos.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

Quito, capital do Equador é considerada a capital dos contos de fadas e por suas contradições. Localizado perto da linha do equador, onde é possível colocar um pé em cada um dos dois hemisférios, é um hub de fortes influências tradicionais entrelaçadas com o pensamento de uma nova era. É uma cidade que apresenta uma arquitetura misteriosa, belezas naturais, comidas picantes e uma rica cultura transmitida através de seus moradores que têm orgulho de vestir suas roupas coloridas.

The facade of the Compañía Church is a baroque and plateresque marvel that took 43 years to complete. The altarpiece and chapels, the transept dome and columns, and the galleries and choir are all exquisitely covered with gold. Photos courtesy of Freddy Rivadeneira, Ecuadorian Ministry of Tourism

O centro histórico de Quito foi um dos primeiros monumentos do Patrimônio Mundial da UNESCO, que em 1978 aprovou um projeto para a sua preservação, principalmente por acontecer ameaças constantes de terremotos. Os moradores e visitantes amam passear pelas ruas em formato de paralelepípedos ligeiramente irregulares, enquanto degustam da empanada, e se perguntam como os edifícios têm resistido a todos os efeitos do tempo.

Em Quito você pode escolher entre as várias opções de albergues, pousadas charmosas com aparência de velho mundo, ou sofisticados hotéis modernos. Uma dica é conhecer o Hostal de La Rábida, que está localizado em uma casa recentemente restaurada. O hotel não oferece apenas acomodações de qualidade, mas também auxilia a sociedade através de iniciativas públicas, como o apoio a Fundação Otonga, ajudando crianças carentes que necessitam de ajuda de materiais escolares e despesas médicas. No hotel existe um coelho adorável chamado Brownie que aparece pendurado no jardim.

As experiências turísticas de Quito giram em torno de passeios ao ar livre, explorando toda sua área. Seja andando de bicicleta, ou em um tradicional passeio a cavalo, há muito que se descobrir. Podemos incluir o Parque Nacional Cotopaxi, e os vulcões ativos que proporcionam lembranças inspiradoras das forças naturais, que continuam a afetar o poderoso Andes.

Sua conexão local pela WHL.Travel em Quito, é também conhecida como a Luz da América e são os especialistas locais da Fundação Yachana. Ela não é apenas uma simples agência de viagens, a Yachana se esforça para alcançar a sustentabilidade através de programas educacionais na Amazônia Equatoriana entre outros.

A Yachana Technical High School está localizada na floresta Yachana Lodge. Ela foi a única escola autorizada pelo Ministério da Educação para oferecer uma licenciatura em Ecoturismo e Desenvolvimento Sustentável. O grupo Yachana também oferece oportunidades para Técnico Yachana, alunos do ensino médio dos quais 80% são de origem indígena, como estagiários nas agências de sua turnê, em Quito.

Hugh Yarbrough , da Fundação Yachana, disse: “Estamos entusiasmados em ter a WHL.Travel como um dos nossos parceiros no setor de turismo. A WHL.Travel oferece mais uma oportunidade para trabalhar ao lado de profissionais no ramo de viagens, e apresenta maravilhosas oportunidades para todos os visitantes de todo o mundo. Ao fazer sua reserva pelo nosso portal, os visitantes do Equador estão ajudando a Fundação Yachana para que ela assegure a melhor educação e garanta o futuro da Floresta Amazônica”.

Com www.quito-hotel.com.ec, Quito tem o orgulho de ser o segundo destino da whl.travel no Equador, em seguida do recém lançamento das Ilhas Galápagos.

Exactly one year ago, we started featuring one picture each week on The Travel Word. We spotlighted favourite images pulled from our growing collections on Flickr (here and here).

We also asked the photographer or owner of each selected Photo of the Week to submit a short and revealing text about it – covering the subject of the photo, the general location, the experience of taking the picture, technical aspects of photography etc.

These text-image combinations have proven to be very popular. We believe that this has a lot to do with the special emphasis we have placed on the honesty of the image. All taken or sourced by our franchise partners, who are local travel experts in their destinations, they conveyed (we believe) something special. We weren’t looking for postcard images, even if we did end up focusing on a gorgeous sunset or backlit kid. We still always knew we were looking at a place through the eyes of someone who’s seen lots of kids and sunsets and knows their worth or when a scene comes along that really is exceptional.

The Shortlist

Our methods were decidedly unscientific. For each month, The Travel Word team singled out one photo of the month. To this list of 12 we added four wild cards that had made a particular impression on us. This list of 16 we put to a group of five skilled photographers for their assessment.

Below is the resulting list of nine images, ranked in order, with comments from the judges:

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+ Winner: Photo of the Year: The Dazzling Colours of Sunset, the Maldives

Comments:
“Nice composition, perfect exposure. I like that the photographer chose
to silhouette the people and the bridge. It definitely makes me want
to be there!”

“This stunning sunset in the Maldives is a classic example of being in the very-right place at the very-right time. What separates this sunset photo from most is the focus the people on the pier gives the viewer. Taking us far away and drawing us into the scene, in doing so we end up wishing that we ourselves were right there in the photo.”

“Sunsets never get old, and this one is quite spectacular. There is something really inviting about the whole scene, and I deeply envy those people on the pier.”

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+ First Runner Up: Mt Yasur Eruption, Tanna Island, Vanuatu

Comments:
“I like the abstract quality of this image. Proper exposure could be
challenging and this is nicely done.”

“I’ve never seen a live volcano up close, and given that I live in Brooklyn in New York City, I count that as a good thing. This view of a sudden and unexpectedly powerful eruption is an instantly-accessible peek into a foreign world. I like the easy way it reminds me of everything we don’t expect to run into in the course of a regular day.”

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+ Second Runner Up: Boats Bob in the Waters of Melissani Lake, Kefalonia, Greece

Comments:
“Crystal-clear waters in a shocking blue against the weathered gray stones of the surrounding cave walls – what’s not to like? This image has a simplicity and a purity to it. It’s a casually-composed shot, a day in the life of some guys who just happen to work in this incredibly beautiful spot.”

“I chose this one because it just had it all. The photograph itself is beautiful, it is wonderfully shot and of a spectacular moment in what looks to be an amazing place.”

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Other Favourites of Our Judges:

+ Yummy Penny Bun Mushrooms in Latvia

Comments:
“This basket of mushrooms picked in Latvia looks simply stunning. The photographer has found a whole world of textures and rich colours framed by the equally tactile grass and basket. The high contrast and dappled light creates a larger-than-life image that makes me crave mushroom soup.”

“Here’s a beautifully composed image that has a nearly artificial tone to it suggesting a leisurely adventure that’s always fantastic: mushroom picking. The photograph with its colors, the arrangement of the mushrooms in a basket, takes the viewer right back to fairy tales and stories of enchanted forests.”

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+ Gorillas in Our Midst, Bwindi Impenetrable Forest, Uganda

Comments:
“Gorillas make very good models and the one in this picture is nearly human in its cinematographic expression. The image has a curious temporality as it freezes the movement of a beast that’s decidedly about to do something. The frame is suggestive of movement and one is tempted to imagine what’s beyond the frame and beyond the time frozen in it.”

“This handsome portrait of the gorilla really struck me. You can really feel the impact of his stare through the photograph; it was captured perfectly. I really have to give it to the photographer for getting that close.”

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+ Sifting Rice for the Day in Muang Sing, Luang Namtha, Laos

Comment:
“This photo of a girl carrying out what is for her a day-to-day chore offers for the casual viewer a brief window into her world in a photo filled with context and brought to life with action. In the background, the rural character of her village on stilts is clear and everything about her from her unwashed clothes to her slight Mona-Lisa smile gives you a wealth of detail in this brief snapshot of her day. Contrasting this detail the rice is a blurred fountain of movement and adds a bit of magic to the every-day.”

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+ Traditional Soap Making, Tripoli, Lebanon

Comment:
“Travel photography is a genre where the portrayed object is more important than the image itself. It’s a matter of finding the most peculiar scene, place or event and then register that in a way that is pleasant to look at. A row of ladies stirring soap in steamy cauldrons is as catchy as a photograph can be.”

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+ Fire-Knife Dancing in Samoa

Comment:
“I love fire as a photographic element; it’s stark and full of motion, and when you capture it right you can almost hear the sizzle and crackle. This shot made me think about how performance is a kind of shorthand, in some ways. While the picture was taken at a hotel during a cultural program, it still evokes dark nights on sandy beaches, on foreign shores.”

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+ Young Novice Monks in Vientiane, Laos

Comment:
“Very nice shot of the playful interaction. Many people are too intimidated to photograph strangers, but the people we meet are such an essential part of the experience.”

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The Judges

We extend sincere thanks to our five judges for their time and effort. We value their professional opinions and their readiness to share them with us.

+ Ian DeLaune is a New York-based artist working primarily with issues of media and information dissemination, and drawing on a wide array of digital and analogue techniques. He received his MFA in 1998 from SVA and currently works and teaches at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

+ Linus Gelber is a photographer from New York City, where he shoots cityscapes and live performances (notably burlesque) and sees way too many movies, if such a thing is possible. His work is represented by Getty Images. Linus would like to go to Antarctica one day, and if you knew how he felt about New York winters you’d think that was weird too.

+ Richard Jephcote has taught traditional photography and Photoshop in colleges in North London and created several films through the artistic collective Tea Fuelled Art, which he co-founded with writer/composer George Lewkowicz and artist Katherine Harding. In addition to freelancing in photography/design and filmmaking, he has been pursuing an MA in Filmmaking (specialising in cinematography).

+ Born in Brazil, Rafael Pinho took up photography after finishing his architecture studies. He set out as a freelancer in 2005 in Belo Horizonte and spent the following years between Berlin, Reykjavík and São Paulo. His work has appeared in Modern Painters (US), Forum AID (Sweden), FFW Mag! (Brazil), Nýtt Líf (Iceland), Trip and Tpm (Brazil).

+ Although Jennie Zeiner received her undergraduate degree in Journalism, it is her images that have appeared in Reader’s Digest, Fast Company, Forbes, Money Magazine, Inc., BusinessWeek, Newsweek, ComputerWorld, Utne Reader and Village Voice. Her corporate/advertising work has been used by Bank of America, General Motors, FedEx, FCB, VISA, Mastercard, Larry King, Disney Latin America and Discovery Network.

Formed from an expanse of transformed, prehistoric lakes, Salar de Uyuni – the largest salt flat in the world – is a truly jaw-dropping sight. This completely unique geographic curiosity features prominently on the majority of Bolivian itineraries that allow travellers to make the most of their time and the gorgeous highlights.

The combination of awe-inspiring beauty and the rich culture of the high Andes creates a unique travel experience in the Salar de Uyuni of Bolivia. Photo by Javier Ignacio Acuna Ditzel

The salar is a photographer’s dream, an awesome natural grab bag of red mountains, red and green lakes, hot springs, geysers, volcanoes, giant cacti and a host of strange animal species, such as vicuñas, Bolivian viscacha, flamingos and culpeos. Even amateur shutterbugs have tons of fun, taking goofy and memorable perspective trick shots. When the salar is coated with water, it becomes the largest mirror in the world, a vast reflection that appears to go on forever. This is a phenomenon not to be missed.

After running around on the salt flat all day, visitors find special welcome in a comfy bed. As the Salar is growing in popularity, tourism infrastructure is keeping pace. There are now Salar de Uyuni hotels to suit all budgets. It’s always advisable to book ahead, as no one would want to be left out in the cold – literally – at Uyuni’s elevation of 3.670m (12,040 ft) above sea level.

Adventure is one of the leading reasons why people come to this region of Bolivia. Luckily, there are plenty of Salar de Uyuni tours ensuring all such needs are met. Tours range from easy day trips to eight-day expeditions that take you from the peaks of volcanoes to ancient tombs from pre-Inca times.

The whl.travel local connection, Terra Andina Bolivia, has plenty of experience in the region. “For more than 10 years, we have worked to improve our business practices and best meet the needs of our employees. We train our employees regularly (language training, cooking and first aid courses); the wages we pay to our staff are above those paid locally; we always respect the environment and we ask that our local providers to do the same; and we participate in local development projects. We believe that we operate our business in a responsible way, such as the other whl.travel partners, and we are proud of joining this network because we share common values regarding tourism activities.”

www.uyuni-bolivia.travel is the first whl.travel destination in the great nation of Bolivia.

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EN ESPAÑOL / IN SPANISH:

Formado por una extensión de lagos prehistóricos que se transformaron, el Salar de Uyuni – el salar más grande del mundo – es un lugar que lo dejará boquiabierto. Esta curiosidad geográfica única, se detalla enfatizadamente en la mayoría de los itinerarios Bolivianos, lo cual permite a los viajeros aprovechar al máximo su tiempo y las maravillas más destacadas.

The Salar de Uyuni of Bolivia is too salty for much vegetation to take root, so wildlife is scarce. One might nevertheless run into a herd of alpacas or llamas in search of some blades of grass. Photo by Phil Whitehouse

El salar es el sueño de todo fotógrafo, una increíble caja de pandora natural de montañas rojizas y lagos color verde y rojo, aguas termales, géiseres, volcanes, cactus gigantes y una gran cantidad de especies de animales raros, tal como las vicuñas, la vizcacha Boliviana, los flamencos y los culpeos. Incluso los recién iniciados en la fotografía profesional pueden divertirse mucho, fotografiando divertidas y memorables tomas complicadas y en perspectiva. Cuando el salar está cubierto de agua, se convierte en el espejo más grande del mundo, un extenso reflejo que parece no tener límites. Este es un fenómeno imperdible.

Luego de recorrer el salar todo el día, los visitantes se sentirán más que bienvenidos en una cama cómoda. Mientras el salar crece en popularidad, la infraestructura turística no se queda atrás. Ahora existen los hoteles del Salar de Uyuni para todos los presupuestos. Se recomienda reservar con anticipación, ya que nadie querrá dormir afuera en el frío – literalmente – a una altitud de 3.670m (12,040 pies) sobre el nivel del mar.

La aventura es una de las principales razones por las cuales la gente viene a esta parte de Bolivia. Afortunadamente, hay muchos tours por el Salar de Uyuni asegurando que todas sus necesidades estén cubiertas. Los tours van desde viajes por el día fáciles a expediciones de ocho días que lo llevarán desde la cima de volcanes a antiguas tumbas de los tiempos pre-Inca.

El contacto local de whl.travel, Terra Andina Bolivia, tiene mucha experiencia en esta región. “Por más de 10 años, hemos trabajado para mejorar nuestros hábitos laborales y así alcanzar las necesidades de nuestros trabajadores. Entrenamos a nuestros trabajadores regularmente (clases de idiomas, de cocina y de primeros auxilios); los salarios de nuestro staff están por sobre el promedio local; siempre respetando el medio ambiente y le pedimos lo mismo a nuestros proveedores locales; y participamos en proyectos de desarrollo local. Pensamos fielmente que manejamos este negocio de una manera responsable, tal y como los otros socios de whl.travel, y nos sentimos orgullosos de ser parte de esta red al compartir valores en común respecto a las actividades turísticas.”

www.uyuni-bolivia.travel es el primero destino de whl.travel en la gran Bolivia.

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EM PORTUGUÊS / IN PORTUGUESE:

Formada a partir de uma extensão transformada de lagos pré-históricos, Salar de Uyuni – a maior planície salgada do mundo – é verdadeiramente uma vista assombrosa. Essa curiosidade completamente geográfica única aparece com destaque na maioria dos itinerários boliviano que permitem aos viajantes fazer a maior parte de seu tempo e as belíssimas destaques.

Incahuasi Island is found far out in the middle of the great Salar de Uyuni salt flat of Bolivia. Thousand-year-old giant cacti (Trichocereeae) have found an unlikely niche on these islands. Photo by Maureen Valentine

O salar é o sonho de um fotógrafo, um amontoado natural de impressionantes montanhas vermelhas, lagos vermelhos e verdes, fontes termais, geysers, os vulcões, os cactos gigantes e uma série de espécies de animais estranhos, tais como vicunhas, viscacha boliviano, flamingos e culpeos. Mesmo os fotógrafos amadores têm toneladas de divertimento, tirando fotos divertidas e memoráveis usando os truque da perspectiva. Quando o salar é coberto com água, torna-se o maior espelho do mundo, uma grande reflexão que parece continuar para sempre. Este é um fenômeno imperdível.

Depois de correr ao redor da planície salgada durante todo o dia, os visitantes encontram boas-vindas especiais em uma cama confortável. Como o Salar está crescendo em popularidade, a infra-estrutura turística está mantendo o ritmo. Há atualmente hotéis no Salar de Uyuni para todos os bolsos. É sempre aconselhável reservar com antecedência, pois ninguém quer ficar do lado de fora no frio – literalmente – em Uyuni que está a 3.670m (12.040 pés) acima do nível do mar.

Aventura é uma das principais razões pelas quais as pessoas vêm a esta região da Bolívia. Felizmente, há uma abundância de passeios no Salar de Uyuni assegurando que todas as necessidades sejam atendidas. Tours vão desde passeios de um dia até expedições de oito dias, que vão levá-lo dos picos de vulcões antigos a túmulos da época pré-inca.

A conexão local da whl.travel, Terra Andina Bolívia, tem muita experiência na região. “Por mais de 10 anos, temos trabalhado para melhorar nossas práticas de negócios e melhor atender as necessidades de nossos colaboradores. Nós treinamos nossos colaboradores regularmente (ensino de línguas, culinária e cursos de primeiros socorros), os salários que pagamos para os nossos funcionários estão acima daqueles pagos localmente, sempre respeitamos o meio ambiente e pedimos que nossos fornecedores locais para façam o mesmo, e nós também participamos de projetos de desenvolvimento local. Acreditamos que operamos nosso negócio de forma responsável, como os outros parceiros da whl.travel, e estamos orgulhosos de participar dessa rede porque partilhamos valores comuns em matéria de turismo.”

www.uyuni-bolivia.travel é o primero destino da whl.travel na Bolívia.

A traditional Santorini cave house is built on and dug into the slope of the caldera rim. Characteristic of the local architecture, it is a cubical and vaulted house with small windows.

The launch of the latest whl.travel portal in Greece, www.santorini-hotels-travel.com, lets travellers tap into the incomparable local wisdom and insights of George and Marika of Mega Travel Advisors. Their family-owned business has been operating for over 30 years and takes great pride in delivering the kind of care and personalised service that bring Santorini to life.

“We want to show travellers the true side of Santorini! Many visitors only see the busy town life and never experience the peaceful islander side of Santorini,” said Marika. “There are many nice, hospitable local people who are active in preserving their cultural traditions in religious celebrations. For example, still today, neighbourhood ladies get together to prepare the festivities, called Panigiria, and are proud of sharing them!”

At the heart of Santorini lies the alluring capital of Fira, a city defined by its fusion of traditional Cycladic and Venetian architecture. Situated atop an almost vertical cliff, the city is accessible from the port only via cable car or by climbing a daunting 588-step flight of stairs to the city gates. The reward is a stunning one-of-a-kind ensemble of white-cobblestone streets, flourishing traditional Santorini markets and shops, and beautiful Santorini hotels.

Santorini is a popular destination for local Greek celebrities and dignitaries both because of its beauty and its abounding historical and cultural significance. Considered one of the most important Minoan settlements of ancient times, Santorini is the leading archaeological locus for researchers investigating this mysterious civilisation, one of the greatest remains of which is the perfectly preserved city of Akrotiri. Like the ancient Italian city of Pompeii, Akrotiri was entombed thousands of years ago beneath a thick layer of volcanic ash. Accessible to sightseers, Akrotiri has become one of the sites for Santorini tours.

In Pyrgos village of Santorini, a folklore dance is performed on the main square by locals wearing Cretan-style clothing

Santorini’s tempestuous volcanic past is hard to ignore in its geography too. The island is actually a caldera, the aftermath of one of the largest known volcanic eruptions in history. Fortunately, today, what’s been left behind are the towering cliffs and unique beaches famous for their dramatically distinctive rock colours. A relaxing ‘beach crawl’ reveals just how aptly the Red, White, and Black beaches are named.

While seismic shocks are now considerably less threatening than long ago, a visit to the active crater at Nea Kameni is nevertheless a reminder that the earth is very much alive. Whether tours stops at the hot springs of Palea Kameni for an opportunity to swim in springs imbued with heat and minerals from deep below the earth’s crust, or sail past rocky outcroppings of the caldera, Santorini is revealed to be utterly breathtaking.

Santorini is the newest whl.travel portal in Greece, following Athens, Corfu and Thessaloniki (read more about Thessaloniki).

Every so often, a photographer finds him- or herself in the right place at the right time, although the circumstances may not be ideal. This shot (one of a series of 10) is the result of such a unique time and place.

Mt Yasur, although a Strombolian volcano only 500 metres high, is indisputably the most accessible live volcano in the world. There is no doubt that every person who makes the short (15-minute) trek to the crater is increasing the prospects of a shortened life, but that’s why thousands do it. There’s a violent explosion of 3,000-degree C magma every five to ten minutes. The experience of witnessing this phenomenon is addictive.

There are different categories of danger, which is carefully monitored. Categories 1 and 2 are relatively safe for viewing from the crater. Category 3 is not; no one should be near the crater. Category 4 means that no one should be within a 20 kilometre radius of the volcano. Category 5 obliges evacuation from the island.

The volcano usually hovers around a category 1.5 to 2. On most occasions, it is a simply beautiful pyrotechnic display and has an natural artistic grace to it. Oddly, the magma splattering softly into the crater resembles illuminated cow dung.

On the night of my photograph in 2002, Mt Yasur was doing its usual category 2 performance for an enthralled audience. Suddenly everything became much more frightening: the explosions increased in intensity and did not appear to be abating. Before we knew it we were in a category 3 situation. Deformed elastic chunks of magma the size of cows flew over our group’s heads. I knew we were definitely too close, but we would not make a run for it down the mountain. It was too dark and far more dangerous to run than to stay. Running, we would trip over black boulders and maybe get hit in the back or on the head with falling magma. The safer option was to stay alert to falling magna. This we did, and as my camera was on a tripod, I continued to shoot whilst looking up in the black sky for magma bombs.

This scanned-from-print image was shot with a Canon EOS 30, on 800 asa Kodak positive film at around 1/125 of a second. It has now become the country’s most-used iconic image of the volcano. Tanna Island is a 45-minute flight from Port Vila, but the volcano is another 90-minute 4WD drive from the airport.

I have returned over 30 times to Mt Yasur and continued to photograph this beast (yes you get to relate to it). It is in continual growth and I have had a different experience every time I visit. On the last occasion, there was an earthquake whilst we were on top of the crater. That certainly adds a new dimension to fear, as I was imagining the whole side of the crater – little more than compacted ash, like giant sand hill – caving into the vent!

You want an adrenalin high? The Tanna beast will give you one every few minutes! I am happy to advise/coordinate anyone’s Mt Yasur volcano expedition (we offer three options – an overnight trip, and a budget or deluxe seven-day option). I have never lost anyone to the beast… yet.

Visit the whl.travel Flickr photostream for a set of more pictures of Vanuatu.