Kandy
The former capital of Sri Lanka, Kandy is famed for sheltering a tooth of the Buddha — the country’s most holy Buddhist relic — along with botanical gardens, temples and an artificial lake.
Ella to Kandy Train Journey
The Ella to Kandy train is one of the world's best and most unique rail journeys and all this on a shoestring budget in 3rd class! The train gently rocks around steep mountain passes and through lush green tea plantations. The trip takes around seven hours and really was one of our top highlights of our trip!
Ella, Sri Lanka
Ceylon as Sri Lanka was previously known, and particularly Ella which is is set high in the hills of this idyllic area evokes visions of colonial tea plantations ...this is a place to soak up the peace and quiet and to watch the tea grow... It is a place where the Sinhalese and Tamil cultures co-exist. Learning to cook the local cuisine here is a MUST and it is the starting or end point for the famed blue train rail journey which winds through the tea plantations and mountains passes and must be done in 3rd class to yield the full experience! Don't forget to scale Ella Rock or Little Adam's Peak, go zip lining and visit Nine Arch Bridge as well as the roaring Diyaluma Falls...
Sri Lanka
Apart from the myriad of landscapes, cultures, climates and food it is the warm, gentle people that make this one of our favourite countries in the world. It is a tropical paradise with white beaches and incredible wildlife and what is more is that it is highly affordable ... we need to go back to continue exploring!
South Africa
From rugged sun-soaked coastlines with whale watching to dramatic mountain scenery to the vast wilderness hosting the magnificent Big 5 to wine tasting, culture and vibrant cities - South Africa is indeed the RAINBOW NATION!
Blue Train: Pretoria to Cape Town
A luxurious window into the soul of the Rainbow Nation! The route between Pretoria and Cape Town is a circa 31-hour journey (give or take a couple of hours - this is Africa!) of 1 600 kilometres, through some of the most diverse and spectacular scenery offered by the African sub-continent.
Spirit of the Andes: A Belmond Train – Puno to Cusco, Peru
Discover the Spirit of the Andes as you journey aboard this luxury train from Puno to Cusco. Let yourself be enchanted by some of South America’s most beautiful scenery as you travel along one of the highest train routes in the world. The Spirit of the Andes journey departs every Wednesday at midday.
Peru
Peru is a country in western South America which is incredibly diverse. From the Amazonian jungle to the iconic Inca Trail leading you to the bucket list landmark of Machu Picchu to smoking volcanoes and condors riding the thermals of Colca Canyon to the ancient and mysterious Nazca Lines to the rugged Ballestas Islands teeming with seabirds and penguins to the man made islands of Lake Titicaca ... this is a fascinating country to lose yourself in....
Orient Express to Venice: 20th Wedding Anniversary
Step aboard the historic carriages of the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and uncover a hidden jewel, glittering and timeless. Accompanied by Newly Weds and Nearly Deads we had a memorable 20th wedding Anniversary!
Canada
When I think about Canada the following springs to mind: Maple Syrup, Marijuana, Ice Hockey and stunning vistas! Canadians are also the most polite people that we have ever come across. The wildlife is spectacular - bear and whale watching off the remote Knight Inlet made forever memories. The National Parks are out of this world and we covered many miles in our huge RV - the only way to do it! We were also fortunate enough to take the Silver and Blue train coast to coast across Canada - an amazing journey!