To help inspire your travel plans for the year ahead we asked our local Tripbods around the world to share their best travel moments of 2010.
From family trekking in Nepal to alfresco cooking classes in Italy, whichever corner of the world you’d like to explore in 2011, let the favourite travel memories of our trusted Tripbods guide you there.
Egypt: Shark-watching
We run many whale shark trips every summer but in the middle of the season I travel. I took care of some friends and the day was simply fantastic. We saw around 200 whale sharks and were able to snorkel with dozens of them. It is just an adventure anyone who loves nature and wildlife should experience.
Andalucia: Thunderstorms
Standing under an olive tree in a thunder storm in La Alpujarra, AndalucÃa, with my mate Kate – we were walking in the high hills between the white villages, on our way to the best massage and tea cake I have ever had!!
Thailand: Angthong Marine Park boat trip
My best travel moment of 2010 was probably a boat trip exploring the Angthong Marine Park off Koh Samui in Thailand.
Nepal: Trekking to Rara Lake
Reaching Rara lake. At 3000 meters, it is the largest lake in Nepal, and I making it there with my family – wife and a small daughter – was truly majestic and wonderful.
US & Mexico: Road-trip
My best travel memory would have to be driving from Washington, DC 3800 miles to Merida, Mexico with my husband. We crossed a few mountain ranges, coastal plains, even jungle. We met with family and friends along the way and explored many cities we’ve never before visited.
I only wish we could have spent more time outside of the car! There were so many places we wanted to stop but did not have the time.
Lindy Tripbod Yucatan Peninsula
Italy: Alfresco Cooking classes
Making pasta and pizza at a hotel cooking school in Sorrento and then sitting down and eating it in the garden afterwards. It was a glorious day in late September, and our food, washed down with free-flowing amounts of wine, was the best kind of Italian meal – simple and delicious, and with the added warm glow of us having cooked it ourselves.
Martin Tripbod Norfolk & Suffolk
Liverpool: European Peace Monument opening
My best travel moment of 2010 didn’t really take me too far. I was lucky enough to be invited to the unveiling of the European Peace Monument in Liverpool on what would have been John Lennon’s 70th Birthday. Cynthia and Julian Lennon and various European Ambassadors were there and the atmosphere was amazing.
The Global Peace Initiative has pledged to place a monument in every continent of the world, giving people a place to gather and reflect on the idea of world peace and Liverpool is the perfect setting. One day I would like to visit all of them. We all joined hands and sang ‘Give Peace a Chance” and it was a magical moment.
Christine Tripbod Cumbria & Lake District
Malta: Warm, friendly Christmas
Spending some time on the beautiful island of Malta at Christmas was the best moment of 2010. I can’t think of a better place to escape from the British Winter. Being a strongly Catholic country, the local population take Christmas very seriously and as a consequence the decorations are always elaborate and beautiful; it was lovely to get away from the tacky, consumer-driven fakeness of so many Christmas celebrations we have in the UK.
The friendliness and openness of the local population towards foreigners as well as the palm fringed vistas and abundance of small villages to explore with all their traditions makes it a perfect place for a short break or a longer stay. Plus, there are certainly not many places within a three hour flight from London that can still boast 25 degrees on a December day!
Tokyo: Celebrating the seasons
For me 2010 was about enjoying more of Tokyo in every season.
Spring: we had a big celebration of Hanami which involved eating and drinking under the beautiful cherry blossoms at Ueno Park.
Summer: I went to swimming pool resorts which are very popular in Japan and saw beautiful fireworks at Kamakura beach.
Fall: In Meiji Shrine there was a big autumn festival. I saw the traditional event “Yabusame” which is archery on horseback.
Winter: Singing Beethoven’s Symphony No.9 at a chorus group. It’s getting to be a traditional to listen to this symphony around Dec in Japan and I also went to listen to the Orchestra.
London: Meeting a travel icon
My top travel moment of 2010 was to meet my all time favourite travel writer, Jan Morris, at the Travellers Tales Festival at the Royal Geographic Society (RGS) in London. Over 30 years ago she inspired me to leave a safe teaching job and trek off to Greece and discover my inner Shirley Valentine.
The RGS showed us some of its wondrous collection of travel artefacts including Scott of the Antarctic’s journal, Mary Kingsley’s fur hat and Livingstone’s compass.
Zoe Tripbod Cumbria & Lake District
LA: Last-minute cheap flight to Sydney
My best travel memory was a spontaneous trip to Sydney!!! I had previously been bumped from Delta Airlines and received a $800 travel voucher for Delta Airlines. About two weeks later, I got an email from a friend saying, “Right now, Delta has airfares to Sydney from LAX for $600 RT”. Needless to say, I was able to use my voucher and go for 10 days – I booked on a Thursday and left on a Saturday. I used points to stay at the Sheraton Four Points, Darling Harbour.
Help us inspire others to explore the world this year. What is your favourite travel memory from 2010?
