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Oxford is a city that revels in its eccentricity. Street-performers, gowned students punting up the Cherwell river, mad dons conversing in pubs – all of these make up the bizarre and wonderful landscape that is Oxford, coexisting with Medieval and Neo-Gothic buildings and the staid formality of the University of Oxford’s cerebral influences. Here are five moments, places, or activities in Oxford that capture some of the city’s blend of tradition and insanity. If you’ve visited the Oxford colleges and found that, while beautiful, they seemed empty without their students, here is a chance to experience the vibrancy of life within and without.
1) Buskers on Cornmarket Street
In most cities, the bustling road that houses all the area’s necessary chains is a painful necessity. But in Oxford, the pedestrianized Cornmarket street is home not only to the requisite McDonald’s, Pret, WH Smith, and Orange shops, but also to a variety of buskers, from the moving to the tone-deaf. Recently on view were a capella groups, soulful guitarists, men inexplicably in top hats and tails in the late afternoon, and, most bizarrely, a man playing the Irish fiddle while traversing a portable tightrope. Also to be found are leaflet-distributers, from pro-life and political causes to Muslim and Christian groups seeking converts. All these groups make up Oxford’s wonderfully weird anthropological landscape.
 Cornmarket Street - Photo by flickr's dlisbona ›Continue reading The Magic of Oxford
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Lancaster, Pennsylvania Amish country is a good hour and half drive from Philadelphia, but one doesn’t have to leave downtown Philadelphia to find a huge selection of authentic Amish food.
A stop at Reading Terminal Market, located at 51 North 12th Street, is home to row after row of merchants including a dozen Amish vendors who sell the same homemade selections you’d find in Amish country.
Baked goods, homemade candy and fudge, fresh produce, farm raised meats and home style favorites such as ribs, barbeque, blueberry pancakes and much more is available, all in one location.
There are plenty of tables available for those who want to eat in the marketplace. In addition to the items already listed, other Amish staples, such as apple butter, chow chow and an endless list of other home canned goods are also available for sale. ›Continue reading Authentic Amish Food in Philadelphia
- A Vacation with the Lancaster Amish
If visiting the beautiful Amish country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania sounds appealing, there is a way to find many of the important elements of such a vacation in one place.
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Kentucky, a state that is known as the ‘Bluegrass State,’ is a destination that is popular with tourists. Scenery of the best kind is what draws most people to Kentucky, but there are a million other reasons to come. Thoroughbred horse racing is another popular tourist draw in the commonwealth of Kentucky, but if you want to stay off the beaten track, there is much to see and do. Find your own niche in Kentucky tourism by visiting some of the more unique Kentucky vacations.
One of the most prominent features of Kentucky’s geography may not even be apparent to many who visit. Kentucky is actually home to the world’s largest cave system; one place to definitely see while in the state is Mammoth Cave, which is both a national park and a World Heritage Site. The cave affords visitors the chance to see some spectacular underground scenery, so make sure it is on your Kentucky itinerary. The Mammoth Cave area is also home to the Mammoth Cave Wildlife Museum and the Mammoth Cave Wax Museum, both of which are interesting stops. ›Continue reading Unique Travel Fun in the Bluegrass State
Most places that make for interesting travel also have some frustrating quirks that just a small amount of advice can help you avoid.  Italy is no exception. From shop closures to regularly scheduled transportation strikes, there are some easy ways to avoid common pitfalls that can mar your travel experience. Hopefully an Italian dream vacation is on your horizon and not a comedy of travel errors.
A difficult night can be avoided by verifying what time the hotel you will be staying in closes for check-in. Coordinating your flight to have a good cushion time in the event of a delay is vital if you are staying in a smaller hotel, especially in the smaller cities. Many of the smaller and boutique hotels do not offer check-in later at night, but with larger hotels this should not be a problem. A good resource for minimizing flight delays is to check with http://www.bts.gov/xml/ontimesummarystatistics/src/index.xml, which is based on the US Department of Transportation statistics.
›Continue reading Italy Tips and Quirks to Know
As Africa’s second tallest peak, Mt Kenya is a challenging technical climb for those who want to reach it’s summit. Made up of the three peaks, Bation is the highest point at 5199m and Nelion, the second highest at 5188m is adjacent to it. To summit either of these peaks requires rope work and good technical climbing experience. The grades of the climbs are not extreme but the combination of altitude wind and icy weather make it a challenging type of expedition.
If planning to climb these routes it is highly recommended that you hire professional local guides. Their knowledge of the mountain and climbing expertise can make the difference between a successful summit and a frustrating climb. Most local operators provide an all inclusive package which includes tented accommodation, meals, guiding and transportation to and from Nairobi.
›Continue reading Climbing and trekking options on Mt Kenya
Florence has been a favorite travel destination for centuries, and that will not change any time in the foreseeable future. The city is geared towards tourism, with every conceivable type of lodging, restaurant and entertainment. Combine these things with the amazing collection of art and architecture that the city boasts and you can see that everyone from the student or backpacker on a shoestring budget to the five-star all the way traveler happily find their way to the cradle of the Renaissance.
 Photo by Jim Linwood When you are looking for a place to stay when heading to Florence you will be astounded how many options that a city of less than 400,000 residents has to offer. From hostels in virtually every quarter to family owned bed and breakfasts to large hotels and culminating in Four Seasons Florence you literally can find a room from about 30 Euro a night to 15,000 Euro a night. The damper that the economy has placed on tourism has had a big impact on the prices of hotel rooms in the city, with prices dropping typically about 30% over what they have been the last few years. If you are aware of how consistently high the prices on hotel rooms in Florence tend to be, then you realize how significant that is.
›Continue reading The Basics of Florence
Lose the Khaki:
There is only one place for khaki, and that is in the bush when you on a game drive or bush walk and want to avoid being noticeable to a slightly peckish lion. So keep the khaki firmly tucked away in your suitcase until such time as you are in the game reserves. Wearing it whilst browsing Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront just shouts tourist a mile away.
Giant water bottles:
This one is my personal favorite. I have travelled to many countries worldwide and I am yet to see any locals lugging their daily water supply with them, unless it’s in rural Africa. But tourists for some reason can never be found without their 1,5 litre water bottles. The tap water in South Africa is safe to drink, pretty tasty and it’s free. A small 500ml bottle that can fit into your bag is adequate if you are exploring the cities as there is always a tap or corner store where you can replenish your supply if needed.
Camera happy:
Yes South Africa is indeed a beautiful country, but if you want to blend in you may just want to keep one camera around your neck as opposed to three. Nowadays there are comfortable camera specific backpacks which make it easier to store and carry your cameras around if you are an avid photographer. It’s also a safety issue, I am sure your cameras are very valuable, and the last thing you want is some dodgy person deciding they need one of your cameras more than you do.
Feel at home:
South Africa, and particularly cities like Cape Town are very cosmopolitan. Dress as you would at home and it’s quite likely you will fit right in. Unless of course you have terrible dress sense, and believe that socks and sandals go together – in which case you are entirely on your own!
Most people visit Miami for the shopping, people-watching, the beaches and the fabulous dining. I came to Miami for the Everglades, one of the natural wonders of the world. Heading out of the sprawling city early, I drove down the aptly named Tamiami Trail. This two-lane highway was considered a feat of engineering 75 years ago as it cut through the sandy pines, oak hammocks and inhospitable swamp land. As the sun warmed the banks of the drainage ditches on either side, alligators lumbered ashore and lay out for a day’s sunbathing, a bit like their two-legged counterparts back in Miami. The ditches gave way to canals, then after a couple of sluice gates, opened out into the mighty Everglades; 70 miles of slow-flowing River.
 Photo by milan boers Passing the last casino, I stopped by an Indian village and waited under a porch. A weathered Indian ambled towards me and nodded to the airboat. With earplugs in and perched on a bench, the huge air propeller on the back roared into life and we were off. Zipping through the eight foot high reeds and disturbing wading birds, herons, egrets and more, a tiny frog jumped and landed right on the front windscreen!  Stopping eventually at a boardwalk in the middle of nowhere, I explored an Indian hammock settlement and saw the biggest alligator yet – all eleven feet of him. I bought beads from the Indian women and smiled at the children playing before boarding the airboat again. Flying back towards civilization, the wind in my face, I laughed as the airboat turned sharply and spray flew up in our wake. These airboats are so agile, noisy and exhilarating. Back on dry land I shook hands with my new friend, one of the last Miccosukee Indians, and returned to the 21st century again.
By Gillian Birch
Nile cruises are ten a penny; well perhaps a little more pricey these days, but certainly very common. However, there is one trip on the Nile which is truly unique. The SS Karim was the Royal Paddle Steamer in the early 20th century and was used by King Fuad and King Farouk as well as Presidents Nasser and Begin. As you can imagine, the steamer was made to the very highest design. Now fully restored it still has beautiful wood paneling, brass stair plates and stained glass windows. These are complemented with an old HMV Record player with a brass trumpet, busts of famous Egyptians and lovely mother-of-pearl and silver antiques throughout the boat. There are only 16 cabins aboard, thankfully each with its own 21st century bathroom! The upper deck has a plunge pool and sunbeds to relax and watch the Egyptian countryside go by.
We were greeted on board by our knowledgeable Egyptologist guide with a glass of hibiscus juice. Sitting on deck in wicker chairs as we set sail, we felt like extras in a scene straight from Agatha Christie herself!
›Continue reading A Nile Cruise with a Difference
There is something about standing in a spot where history was made. Where men made decisions that altered the shape of the country and where countless well-known men and women came to visit.
One such place is the White House of the Confederacy located in Richmond, Virginia. This historical treasure was almost lost forever when, about 30 years after the end of the Civil War, some wanted the house destroyed.
 Confederate White House - Photo by bmpowell Some of the ladies of Richmond society joined forces to form a committee that discouraged the demise of a building that was important to the history of not only Virginia, but the entire country.
They won their battle and the Museum of the Confederacy was born. They solicited donations from Confederate soldiers and the families they left behind for any items that would provide a glimpse into the life of a Confederate soldier. ›Continue reading Museum and White House of the Confederacy
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