Wanderlust Tips Team, Author at WANDERLUST TIPS • Page 110 of 195

Autumn isn’t just about the changing colours of the leaves!

[Wanderlust Tips August 2019] Autumn – the season of melodious love songs intertwined with hazy afternoon sunshine. Not only is autumn adorned with carpets of golden yellow and burnt orange leaves but autumnal trips also allow travellers to be transported to remote lands, making for countless unforgettable experiences. Travelling in autumn is just a sweet dream. Close your eyes and inhale deeply to feel the spirit of the land and sky. Through discovering 10 “stunningly unparalleled destinations”, you will see how beautifully exquisite autumnal life truly is.

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APPRECIATE THE LIVELY ATMOSPHERE OF THE MID-AUTUMN FESTIVAL IN BEIJING

Travelling to Beijing in autumn, you will not only get lost in the magnificently colourful scenery of the vibrant landscape but you can also reminisce over childhood memories at MidAutumn Festival. The traditional Mid-Autumn Festival often falls in September promoting a wonderful cultural atmosphere. Meander along the buzzing streets clad with colourful lanterns and take a moment to take it all in. If you are looking for a more peaceful way to enjoy the festival then hop on a boat and silently float on the lake in Beihai Park, whilst watching the full moon silhouetted against the water. In this moment, you will feel at peace, the trials and tribulations of daily life will feel like a distant memory.

The next destination on your journey is the eastern part of Marco Polo Bridge. Here you can immerse yourself in the unique religious fairs, watch the excellent lion dance performances or take part in traditional arts and crafts. Of course, you cannot forget the infamous Great Wall of China, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and Yangtze Mountain to learn about the unique Chinese history and culture, and marvel at the beautiful autumnal scenery.

Be sure to taste sweet moon cakes – a truly unforgettable culinary experience for any traveller.

KYOTO – THE QUEEN OF JAPANESE AUTUMN

For those who fell in love with autumn in the land of the rising sun, a trip to Kyoto – the queen of Japanese autumn is not to be missed. The miracles of mother nature provide autumn with a marvellous brush to create a zealous painting of life and Kyoto makes for a marvellous picture. When autumn arrives in the historic city of Kyoto, the beauty of the temples is only amplified with a spectacular array of colourful maple leaves in all shades of green, yellow and burnt orange. It really is a sight to behold, one which tourists can not resist.

Visiting from early October, you will not be able to resist the realm of beautiful temples awash with colourful leaves. Particularly noteworthy is Tofuku-ji – the city’s oldest and largest temple; Ginkaku-ji – The UNESCO Japanese authentic architectural Heritage Site; Takao Village, nestled in the mountains, is renowned for its idyllic scenery with the dense foliage standing out against the vast cerulean sky; or marvel at the magnificent autumnal scenery whilst sipping a cup of green tea at Eikando Temple. All of these landmarks will make your autumn journey through Kyoto more memorable than ever.

ENJOY THE AUTUMNAL SCENERY ON THE BOSPHORUS STRAIT IN ISTANBUL, TURKEY

September is a time when autumn begins to “captivate” travellers in Istanbul. After the burning summer days, the gentle autumnal atmosphere oozes out and spreads across this beautiful city. The fresh breeze and gentle sunshine make the city seem more charming and poetic. Not to be missed when travelling to Istanbul in autumn is to sail on the illustrious Bosphorus Strait. With a length of 33km connecting the Black Sea and the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus Strait – the soul of Istanbul is considered a boundary dividing Asia and Europe. Wake up for breakfast in Europe and watch the sunset on Bosphorus Bay before devouring dinner in Asia.

Boating on the Bosphorus Strait is an extremely popular activity for tourists when visiting Istanbul. It takes 2 hours to get from the Golden Horn Seaport to the Bosphorus Bridge. You will have the opportunity to enjoy the stunningly beautiful scenery on both sides of the strait in the cool autumnal weather. Discover the spectacle that is the towering Topkapi Palace, the Maiden Tower nestled on the turquoise ocean, and the Great Mecidiye Mosque located within the beautiful Ortakoy Old Town. The city of Istanbul is a harmonic melange of Eurasian styles, which has conquered the heart of travellers because of its idyllic and distinctive beauty.

THE FERVENT TASTE OF WINE IN THE DOURO VALLEY, PORTUGAL

If you are dreaming of a leisurely autumnal holiday with captivating views, the Douro Valley is exactly what you are looking for. Situated on the crystal clear Douro River, the beautiful terraced vineyards stretching over the rolling slopes and curving elegantly around the dreamy hillsides will leave any tourist mesmerised when visiting this area. Notably, autumn in the Duoro Valley is also the grape harvest season, sample succulent ripe grapes in the gorgeous natural surroundings and bask in the gentle rays of autumnal sunshine.

The Douro Valley has long been a famous land for grape cultivation across the world. Over the past two thousand years, the Porto wine region has gained a worldwide reputation for its quality products. Visiting the Douro Valley feels like you are getting lost in the world of wine, sipping glasses of delicious wine at the large factories of Quinta do Popa and Quinta das Carvalhas – the exquisite tastes make you not want to leave. When the journey ends, the sweet grape aftertaste and delectable aroma will follow you everywhere you go.

OKTOBERFEST – A BEER TENT PARADISE IN MUNICH, GERMANY

Your autumnal trip will be more colourful as with a stop at Oktoberfest Beer Festival, which runs from late September to the first week of October in the beautiful German City of Munich. When thinking of Oktoberfest, the first thing that springs to mind is the giant beer tents. Each beer tent can accommodate up to several thousand people, so this is a great festival for those who love a buzzing atmosphere. Moreover, here you will have the opportunity to enjoy countless types of freshly brewed beer from the world renowned breweries in Munich.

During Oktoberfest, you will see many women dressed in traditional dirndl dresses and men dressed in lederhosen, all wearing the same joyful expression on their faces. This is not a compulsory costume, but almost everyone at the festival sports the traditional dress to match the lively atmosphere of the festival. Standing in the enormous tents, enjoying steins of delicious beer and celebrating with the crowds will certainly have you forgetting about the everyday burdens back home.

TRUFFLE HUNTING IN THE AUTUMN IN ALBA, ITALY

Travelling in autumn is not only about marvelling at the changing colours of the flora, but also brings the exhilarating opportunity to hunt for truffles in Alba. The truffles are amongst the most expensive foods in the world, thought of as an endless inspiration for chefs worldwide and dubbed the ‘diamond of the kitchen’.

Located in the Italian region of Piedmont, Alba is the perfect town for hunting white truffles that grow mainly in the lush green forests during the autumnal months. During this hunt, it is essential to have truffle-sniffing dogs which help hunters seek out the white truffles that have a signature spicy flavour, hidden in the ground.

Additionally, you can participate in the Fiera del Tartufo Truffle Fair which is held every weekend from early October to late November. Enjoy an array of distinctive dishes made from prized mushrooms along with other featured products such as honey, olive oil, cheese and chocolate.

Experiencing autumn in Alba will be enough to make you want to return here next autumn.

“MEETING” GRIZZLY BEARS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

The North American grizzly bears are quite shy among the species, so it is difficult to detect them if there are lots of people present. However, when autumn falls in Canada, the flocks of salmon migrate into British Columbia for the breeding season. During this time, the grizzly bears will go in search of food, so you will easily have the opportunity to get up close with this wild animal.

Swing by the Great Bear Rainforest in the autumn. You will not only be able to see grizzly bears, but you can also admire wolves standing along the river; large eagles spreading their wings and swooping high in the sky; sea lions, dolphins and whales making the most of the fresh cool water. The autumn here is really both a paradise for wildlife lovers and a great opportunity for you to get up close and personal with Mother Nature.

Stepping out of your comfort zone and plucking up the courage to take part in these unique experiences, will allow you to achieve marvellous things in life. If you have never explored the natural world, this is your chance to experience the most fascinating and memorable things.

PERITO MORENO GLACIER IN ARGENTINA

While autumn falls in northern countries from September to November, the southern hemisphere countries say goodbye to the winter and welcome the spring with the most intense energy. This is also a good time to begin your trip to Argentina and admire the beautiful Perito Moreno Glacier located in the Glaciers National Park, in Santa Cruz Province – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

Imagine a refreshing morning, the crystal clear blue sky dappled with sparkling rays of sunshine spreading over the peaks of the mountains and shining on every leaf, stand in front of the white river full of ice and snow, in that moment it will feel like time is standing still. The ice here is not flattened, it is smooth yet rugged with the surrounding channels entrenched with ice. The ice sparkles in the sunlight like pearls, leaving people dumbfounded by the magic of nature. Moreover, when stopping at the Glaciers National Park, you also have the opportunity to marvel at the magnificent scenery, which is blended with an array of bright colours of the turquoise ice, the azure water and the lush green of surrounding trees, all forming a unique painting. One great experience not to be missed during your trip is a stroll around the glaciers, leaving you fascinated by the remarkable capabilities of ice.

WATCH WHALES IN HERMANUS, SOUTH AFRICA

When picturing South Africa, people often think of an adventure safari or a majestic sunset that captures the last glorious rays of sunshine on the vast savannah. Nevertheless, when you arrive on this splendid continent, don’t hesitate to come to Hermanus – a charming little beachfront town to see another miracle of nature – the giant Atlantic whales.

The gentle breeze carries the saltiness of the ocean, lightly skimming the faces of travellers urging them to take a closer look, maybe even a dip. Watching the whales glide smoothly through the water, you undoubtedly will be stunned at their gargantuan size. They sometimes disappear from view, leaving only a giant propeller-shaped tail mark on the vast ocean. The whales arrive in Hermanus to catch the breeding season, find their partners, mate and eventually give birth. Therefore, Hermanus is dubbed the “mecca” for those who love admiring this giant marine creature – a real once in a lifetime experience.

DISCOVER KARIJINI NATIONAL PARK IN AUSTRALIA

The Karijini National Park is an ideal destination for any traveller who desires a true adventure. Nestled behind Hamersley Range, Karijini boasts enormous canyons that create beautiful water holes and otherworldly waterfalls. It is said that the Far West region of Australia is home to the most raw but striking beauty and only when you travel there will you really understand these feelings lodged in the depths of the gulfs and in the unique reflections of the towering red cliffs. At each canyon, there are roads running from the top of the cliffs, to the bottom of the hundreds-of-meter gulfs. Over the course of the ages, the rock surface close to the bottom has been worn away due to the crevices in the sediments, allowing it to form spectacular terraces. You can hike through the ancient canyons and hear the echoes of times gone by. To explore Karijini, you need to have good spirit and health, because climbing and conquering slippery canyons is quite dangerous and requires a lot of concentration. However, the sense of achievement that you feel after this adventure will be truly special.

Lan Thi | Wanderlust Tips

How does Mid-Autumn Festival differ across asian countries?

The Mid-Autumn Festival is a festival to celebrate the successful rice harvest. It is a time when farmers can kick back and relax after working hard. The festival falls on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month and has gradually become an important and meaningful occasion in the cultural life of many Asian countries.

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Indulge in autumn delicacies

When autumn falls, it makes its mark on every street corner. Trees adorned with a mixture of deep sparkling red and yellow, a gentle breeze stirring up the fallen leaves and an early frost, chilly enough to have you yearning for a warm drink by a cosy open fire. There is no need to hurry on such a clear autumn morning. Just sit and watch the world go by whilst sipping a cup of hot tea and leisurely devouring delicious, local delicacies on your balcony. Feel your senses come alive with the sights, sounds, smells and flavours of autumn.

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JAPANESE FRIED MAPLE LEAVES

In Japan, autumn food is diverse and abundant with an array of signature delectable dishes such as Matsutake, grilled Sanma (or saury), Oden hotpot, pumpkin pie, ripe persimmon and sweet potato. Nevertheless, the most notable dish has got to be the fried maple leaves. In the land of the rising sun, falling maple leaves not only make the autumn landscape more romantic but also make for a unique, aromatic and crispy dish.

People often think that this maple leaf dish is simple and easy to cook, but it actually takes around one year to make this typical autumn snack. Firstly, people have to collect the leaves. Not all maple leaves can be used to cook and the Japanese only choose the leaves from certain locations to ensure cleanliness. Additionally, only the yellow maple leaves are selected as they are soft, easy to eat, and their yellow colour still remains unchanged after the process, making the dish more eye-catching. Next, each leaf is soaked in salt and left in a big tank for a year. Afterwards, people will remove the maple leaves from the tanks that had been prepared from the previous season, cut off the stalks and then wash them with water to remove any remaining salt from the leaves. Finally, the leaves are dipped in tempura that is sweetened with sugar and sesame and they are then fried until golden brown.

After this process, the cakes still retain the natural shape and colour of the maple leaves, a delicacy enjoyed by many foodies. Strolling along the peaceful Japanese streets awash with signature autumnal colours, whilst enjoying a piece of crispy fried maple leaf is indeed a wonderful and unforgettable experience.

DRIED PERSIMMON A STAPLE AUTUMNAL SNACK IN KOREA

The ripe and succulent persimmons are signals of autumn arriving in Korea, and it is the best time for you to taste the signature dried fruit. The unique yet attractive dish will definitely give you a feel for the land famed for its kimchi.

Making delicious dried persimmons is not easy because the process requires many sophisticated stages.

Ripe persimmons are picked, peeled and hung up for about 2 months until they have dried. Next, the persimmons have to be dried out again at a high temperature before being finished. Korean dried persimmons are often served with tea. The tea’s mild acrid taste blends with the sweet fragrance of the persimmons, making the autumn days more pleasant.

PORCINI MUSHROOMS THE ITALIAN DELICACY IN AUTUMN

Italy is the most charmingly beautiful country in the world, so autumn here not only boasts a stunningly spectacular landscape but also brings an assortment of beautifully flavourful dishes. In particular, you have to try Porcini mushrooms, this delicacy is only available in autumn and and does not appear again in winter. Because of the fleetingness of the seasonal ingredients, Porcini mushrooms play an important role in Italian meals and they are certainly made the most of in the autumn.

Italians encourage everyone to try Porcini mushrooms whether they like mushrooms or not because of their exquisite taste. Porcini has a peculiar aroma, and you can feel their subtle flavours melting when devouring this tasty fungus. There is an abundance of Italian Porcini mushroom-infused delicacies that are not to be missed such as stir-fried mushrooms, grilled mushrooms, smooth spaghetti topped with grated mushrooms, and scrumptious Risotto rice with Porcini mushrooms.

Thu Ha | Wanderlust Tips

Share the love: Careers in Tourism

With the theme “Careers in Tourism”, the Share the love section of the Wanderlust Tips travel magazine July Issue 2019 will share inspirational trips and unforgettable memories of travel enthusiasts. The readership will have opportunity to meander around the untouched lands around the world through an array of tremendous real-life stories.

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TRAVEL HAS OPENED UP SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AND DEVELOP MY BUSINESS

NGUYEN HUY TAM – A CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND AUTHOR | HCMC

As is the case with a lot of young people, I have spent many years feeling extremely skeptical about my capability in my youth. My French friend, Julia told me many fascinatingly bizarre stories of her travels around the world. She talked so passionately about how stunningly gorgeous the world is and raved about the importance of getting out there and broadening your horizons instead of sitting pondering the unknown! So, that is where my journey began. The further I ventured, the further the doubts of my youth were from my mind. Travelling allowed me to become self-aware, to understand how to move forward and the importance of sharing and loving everyone around me. Travel not only broadened my mind, by enhancing my geographical knowledge but also opened up a wealth of business opportunities. The cities I travelled to, the books I wrote, the articles published in magazines, it all helped me to express my personality clearly. I met many attractive, positive and inspirational people with the same perspective. Thanks to this journey, my job opportunities have taken a more positive direction.

In recent years, travel isn’t merely a hobby, many young people today consider it a developable career. Every career has its difficulties but as long as you are always serious, invest in your work and are driven by constant innovation and creativity you will go far.

THE HAPPINESS AND HARDSHIP OF A TOUR GUIDE

NGUYEN THANH DANH – A TOUR GUIDE | HCMC

I have been working as a tour guide since 1991, so 28 years up to now. Deriving from my true passion for travel and exploration, I opted to pursue this career and it is a decision that I have never regretted. Being a tour guide makes me happy because I have the opportunity to go everywhere.

Usually, I lead tours for foreigners travelling to Vietnam. I enjoy introducing, promoting or simply telling short stories about Vietnam to new international friends. Each and every trip provides a wealth of valuable experiences, whether travelling far away or near HCM City, I am always engrossed in my current job. Of course, as a tour guide I have had to “sacrifice” a lot. I am not very well acquainted with weekends or holidays and there have been occasions where I have had to lead tours during the peak season without a single days leave.

Being a tour guide, I get to travel a lot through the provinces and cities in Vietnam. The most unforgettable memory was when I was a tour guide for a 10-person tour around Dalat. On the way, we encountered a landslide in Bao Loc, the rocks and soil blocked the path so the driver and I got down from the bus to clear the road and get things moving. Luckily, all of our visitors helped us and we were on our way a lot quicker.

WORKING AS AN MC ALLOWS ME TO VISIT MANY REGIONS AND MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE

DO NGOC SON – AN MC | HANOI

The role of MC is a truly interesting job. Son have the opportunity to travel to many places, meet many people and gain a lot of valuable experience.

In addition to the role of host in Hanoi, where Son live and work, I have to visit various attractions regularly. For instance, the role has allowed me to visit more than 30 provinces and cities across Vietnam including Ha Long, Sa Pa, Thai Binh, Nam Dinh, Ha Tinh, Nghe An and Phu Yen and HCM City, to name a few. Each destination evoked different emotions, but my most memorable destination would have to be Sapa. The trip made me lose most of my strength as I was constantly on the go and battling the inconvenient conditions caused by unpredictable weather and terrain. On that day, we filmed “S Vietnam” a program at Fansipan peak where the fog swirled thickly around us. It was not until late morning that the sun rays burnt off the worst of the flog. My clothing was not warm enough, so I caught a chill. However, I had a burning desire to ensure that the audience had the most realistic views of the beautiful country so I did my upmost to perform well. After a long day, I thawed out and chose to forget about the chilly cold winter by indulging in a fantastic array of delicacies local to the region, including fragrant grilled meat skewers and scrumptious hotpot.

I DESIRE TO TRAVEL TO MANY PLACES AND RECORD LIFE’S HAPPY MOMENTS!

NGUYET NHI – A PHOTOJOURNALIST | HCMC

There was a time when I did not care much for travel and never thought that I would be yearning for adventure. That was until I started taking part in remote volunteer trips with my friends, including “Voluntary Spring” for 10 days or a whole month at “Green Summer”. Going on those trips made me realize how much I love adventure, new experiences and even meeting new friends. What’s more, after each trip, I am more mature, I appreciate what I have and have come to realize just how lucky I am.

I aspire to become a photojournalist, I want to explore many places and record life’s happy moments in the hope I will inspire others.

At this point, I have not yet travelled to many places but I am making countless plans for the near future. By the end of the year I am going to make a trip to the North, to take a photo collection for the highlands. Additionally, a visit to a few Southeast Asian countries next year, will be a great opportunity for me to learn more about religion and spirituality, thus, I think Thailand and Myanmar might have to be the first two countries on my travel list.

Wanderlust Tips

Việt Nam ơi!: A journey to promote the beauty of Vietnam to the world

Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! – the travel program to discover new destinations will be organised to promote the phenomenal beauty of Vietnam to the world. The program will officially launch from 3rd to 10th September 2019 with 20 famous guests from around the world.

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Hello World #5 has invited famous guests from many countries around the world to travel to Vietnam. They will introduce the beauty of Vietnam through exhilarating adventures across the Can Gio District in HCMC; ancient Hue City and charming Lang Co Beach in the Thua Thien Hue Province.

The new travel exploration program Hello World #5 has been organised by the English – Vietnamese bilingual travel magazine Wanderlust Tips, under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department (Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City) and sponsored by Banyan Tree Lăng Cô – Vietnam’s leading luxury resort located in Lang Co Beach (Thua Thien Hue Province).

Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! will welcome 20 celebrity guests from many countries around the world, known as influencers in the travel community, including travel bloggers, photographers and authors to discover Vietnam. To name a few; Miss World Myanmar 2017 – Ei Kyawt Khaing; French Travel Photographer – VuThéara Kham who has an impressive Instagram following; American Travel Blogger – Cherrie Lynn; American Travel Couple – Xavier & Katie Ritzi (xkflyaway). Additionally, with the participation of many other distinguished guests, Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! promises to bring exhilarating and unforgettable adventure in “distinctive” destinations throughout the splendid S-shaped land.

This trip will take guests to uncover hidden gems that even the Vietnamese have not discovered yet. It is said that travellers are filled with longing for Vietnam’s lush green nature, diverse regional culture and the hospitality of the local people. Thus, this adventure promises to bring worthwhile and breathtaking experiences to guests and our readership. More importantly, Vietnam’s reputation will be enhanced in the global travel community through renowned travel bloggers’ stunningly beautiful photos after the Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! What’s more, the number of international tourists coming to Vietnam will hopefully increase year on year.

In addition to the itinerary lined up for our esteemed guests, the new travel exploration program Hello World #5 will also offer many interactive activities to global travel lovers. The guests will share their useful information and tips for travelling to Vietnam and they will share their practical experiences and thoughts through photographs on social media, such as Facebook, Instagram and Youtube. Following the trip, the articles related to Hello World #5: Việt Nam ơi! will be published monthly in the Wanderlust Tips travel magazine. Wanderlust Tips will be released for free to nationwide libraries, travel businesses, resorts and hotels and program coordination units. Readers can subscribe to Wanderlust Tips travel magazine for its monthly release or read the E-book version on the website: wanderlusttips.com or on e-newspapers (Issuu, Alezza, Magzter).

For further information, please contact the organizers:

Do Huyen Trang (Ms.) – Managing Director of Wanderlust Tips magazine

Mobile: (+84) 911 068 883 | Email: trang.dh@wanderlusttips.com

Information about the organisers

Hello World is a series of programs exploring new destinations with unique types of tourism, launched and organised by the English – Vietnamese bilingual travel magazine Wanderlust Tips. The program is dedicated to promote the tourism potential of popular domestic and international attractions. Each trip will bring completely different experiences and will be honestly evaluated by travel enthusiasts. Through thrilling experiences and practical reviews from celebrity guests, Hello World promises to provide the most useful tourist information and authentic destination photos for travel enthusiasts. Additionally, the program promises to be a bridge to boost tourism, multi-dimensional interaction and promote high-end products and services of prominent brands at destinations across the world.

Wanderlust Tips is a leading travel magazine specializing in providing great travel tips and useful experiences to help readers enjoy the perfect holiday, not only in Vietnam but also in other beautiful countries around the world. The magazine’s articles always strive to be brief, practical and useful. These are the three goals which help Wanderlust Tips gain the love and a warm welcome from the community of travel enthusiasts. Wanderlust Tips magazine is published on the 5th of every month with 30,000 copies in print. The magazine is released in business class airport lounges, 1,500 hotels, resorts, luxury cruises and bookstores nationwide.

Information about the leadership:

Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department is a specialized agency of HCMC People’s Committee, taking charge of managing the state tourism in the city; under the direction and management of the organization, personnel and work of the HCMC People’s Committee as well as under the direction, guidance and inspection of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Information about the sponsorship:

Banyan Tree Lăng Cô – The resort received the “Leading Luxury Resort” award at the prestigious award ceremony for Best Hotels & Resorts Awards 2019. A stay at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô will allow guests to immerse in an idyllic green paradise nestled among the crystal clear waters of the East Sea and the majestic Truong Son Mountain Range. Banyan Tree Lăng Cô is like an entirely separate world, where the ancient meets the modern and unspoilt natural beauty is complimented by unparalleled luxury. The vast space is perfectly located overlooking the sea and the spectacular lagoon, the resort’s villas are fully equipped with exceptional amenities and state-of-the-art decor. There are four extraordinary restaurants with four distinctive culinary styles leaving guests spoilt for choice when it comes to dining. Additionally, natural aromatherapy treatments available at the exceptional spa sanctuary will awaken all of your senses and leave you relaxed and refreshed. An array of exemplary facilities including private infinity pools, stunning beaches and exquisite gardens will allow guests to indulge in a life of luxury and have a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Location: Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province

Wanderlust Tips

Vietnam Hotelier of the year honoured General Director of Muong Thanh Group

Thanks to Ms Le Thi Hoang Yen’s excellent and visionary management style, General Director of Muong Thanh Group has been gaining increasing popularity and reaching new heights in the international hospitality industry. Notably, Ms Hoang Yen was awarded an honour the “Vietnam Hotelier of the year” in the award ceremony for the Best Hotels & Resorts Awards 2019.

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Taking a position as the General Director of Muong Thanh Group at the age of 26, Ms Le Thi Hoang Yen earns people’s respect and admiration by her excellent leadership style. Thanks to this, Muong Thanh Group has been gaining increasing popularity and reaching new heights in the international hospitality industry.

“Muong Thanh Group has been established and developed in the spirit of Vietnamese culture, the unique identity of the wet rice civilization and the warmth and openness of the Vietnamese people. And the most distinguishing feature of the Muong Thanh Group is its purely Vietnamese name.” Ms Hoang Yen revealed.

In her 6 years leading Muong Thanh Group, Ms Le Thi Hoang Yen has been continuously expanding Muong Thanh hotel brand from 13 hotels up to nearly 60 hotels and hotel projects in 2019. Up to this time, Muong Thanh brand has been present in a variety of famous tourist destinations around Vietnam as well as in international markets, creating stable jobs for over 12,000 employees. The Group also pays thousands of billions of dong in taxes annually. Besides that, under Ms Yen’s management and development, the quality of services has been greatly improved, and hotels in the chain have been renovated and adjusted to suit the social and economic development of their individual localities.

Thanks to her effective strategies that are in line with market trends, Muong Thanh Group has made impressive progress, deserving its position as the largest hotel chain in Southeast Asia.

Wanderlust Tips

Banyan Tree Lăng Cô won the Leading Luxury Resort Award 2019

Perfectly situated in charming Hue Citadel, Banyan Tree Lăng Cô boasts its sumptuous beauty and world-class services. Thanks to that, the resort won “Leading Luxury Resort Award” in the award ceremony for the Best Hotels & Resorts Awards 2019 presented by the prestigious magazine Wanderlust Tips.

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Escaping from the bustling and hustling world and visiting Banyan Tree Lăng Cô, you will immerse yourself in a green paradise nestled by the clear azure water of the East Sea and the majestic Truong Son Mountain range. It seems like an entirely separate world where the ancient meets the modern and unspoilt natural beauty is accompanied by unparalleled luxury.

With generous living areas, exceptional amenities and modern furniture, the resort’s villas overlook the sea and lagoon along with featuring private infinity pools, a sandy beach and lovely gardens which help guests enjoy a life of luxury.

Four distinctive restaurants with four different culinary styles leave guests spoilt for choice when it comes to dining options. Besides this, natural aromatherapy treatments at the exceptional spa sanctuary will awaken all senses and restore your spirit.

Guests experience unforgettable moments at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô when strolling along the beach enjoying the cool breeze, discovering the picturesque lagoon of Lang Co or playing on the award-winning golf course. For all guests, there are so many unique experiences waiting at Banyan Tree Lăng Cô.

BANYAN TREE LĂNG CÔ

Address: Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District, Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam

Website: www.banyantree.com/vi/vietnam/lang-co

Wanderlust Tips

Johnny Ward and epic journeys beyond your imagination

Running a marathon in the freezing north pole, 6 marathons in 6 days in the Sahara, or setting foot in 197 countries and territories around the world… Well, Johnny Ward completed these wildly impressive experiences during his travels! The discerning travel blogger has left his footprints in every corner of the world.

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Welcome Johnny Ward, the readers of Wanderlust Tips are curious about your journey around the world, where did you start and how did you pluck up the courage to go?

I was born and raised in Ireland. My childhood was difficult with my single mother raising both me and my sister. We used to live on social benefits, without a car, holidays and often heating, nonetheless, I was very happy. When I turned 18 I left Ireland for England to begin 4-years studying at university. After graduating, I started travelling. From 2006 to 2012, I encountered some financial difficulties, so I had to find work in the US, Thailand, Korea and even Ireland to save money to travel. At that time, I spent around USD10 to USD20 per day on personal living expenses, so an estimated USD5,000 per year. In 2012, I surpassed a milestone and began to have a more stable income from blogging and the development of my website, namely onestep4ward.com meaning I had more money to spend comfortably.

Can you tell us more about the places you visited?

Since 2006, I have spent 10 years reaching my goal of travelling to 197 countries and territories (193 member states of the United Nations and special cases include the Vatican, Kosovo, Palestine and Taiwan). I travelled to the North Pole and South Pole and I have been reaching dizzy heights conquering the seven highest peaks on seven continents including Everest in Nepal, Asia; Aconcagua in Argentina, South America; Denali in the United States, North America; Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Africa; Elbrus in Russia, Europe; Vinson Massif in Antarctica; and Puncak Jaya in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, Australia.

Would you travel to all the countries for a second time?

I may do it again in my lifetime, but I am not in any rush because I am currently busy with other plans. In addition to my blog onestep4ward.com, I am focused on taking people on adventure tours to explore special lands. For example, I took 18 people to Baghdad in Iraq, organized trips to Socotra Island in Yemen and I am planning an upcoming trip to Syria. Additionally, I also started a charity, GiveBackGiveAway. com, where I organize for people to support and develop communities, build playgrounds, dormitories, classrooms, etc. for poor and disadvantaged children around the world.

You are extremely positive and enthusiastic about your travels and must have experienced countless unforgettable moments. Could you tell us about your most impressive journey recently?

Around 3 months ago, I participated in the “Marathon des Sables” or “Marathon on sand” race, which is one of the longest and harshest races in the world. The race takes place every April with approximately 1,000 participants who have to complete a distance between 210km and 260km in total (it differs each year). The race is always run in the Sahara Desert in Morocco, near the Algerian border. It’s a self-sufficient race, which means you must carry everything you need such as clothing, a sleeping bag and mat, medical equipment and food. Water is supplied every 10/15km at different checkpoints.

I am not a runner and in fact I have only ever run more than 10km once before participating in “Marathon des Sables”, and that was when I ran the North Pole Marathon with a 42km track at -400C. The challenge this time was much harder because we had to run 200km over 6 days in extreme temperatures reaching over 400C. I do feel a sense of trepidation and fear because my body is not as strong as it once was, I am 35 years old now and the recovery process takes a little longer than before. I have had so many injuries for instance, a broken foot in Korea, broken ankle in Norway, broken leg in Thailand, broken nose in Ireland, broken hands in England and many other injuries. I also managed to get a stress fracture from over training, less than a month before the actual race. All-in-all, I am not really cut out for this running lark, so I channel all my determination and energy in order to not give up.

The first 3 days are the harshest when I have to cross the dunes in the seemingly unbearable heat of the desert with blistered feet. The fourth day is the longest journey of 80km taking you from day to night, sometimes you cannot see the surrounding landscape, head torches help you avoid any dangerous species that might be lurking in the shadows like scorpions and snakes. The fifth day is a rest day. The sixth day is both the last day and the time to use up all the painkillers to finish the marathon. I finished the race in 200th place. At that moment, I was a little drowsy, my socks were soaked in blood, but crossing that finish line is just the most unique experience, you feel an overwhelming sense of relief, pride, appreciation and gratitude. Only visiting Yemen, one of the last destinations on my list of 197 countries and territories, could match those emotions. But that is why we travel, that is why we push ourselves.

You mentioned Yemen, is that one of your most meaningful journeys?

With my target of travelling to 197 countries and territories, I wanted to finish with my last country as Norway, chosen because it is a safe, easily accessible beautiful country where my friends and family can come and celebrate with me. The dream seemed to become a reality when I visited Saudi Arabia in January 2017, fulfilling the life goal of 195/197. However, things didn’t quite go to plan when I attempted to enter Yemen yet failed five times, I spent so much money, effort and time without feeling that it was ever going to happen.

I thought that although the country is dangerous and tricky to access I couldn’t just step one toe over a geographical line and move on. For me, travel should not be a race to the finish line, a stunt for a few minutes of fame nor merely a collection of stamps in a passport. To travel is a privilege, so I honestly believe we should respect that. Travel is about breaking down barriers, discovering the world, making new friends and learning as much as you can about new cultures. Travel is purer and deeper than that at least it used to be.

And I so am glad I did it right. I was lucky enough to meet YahYa – the great Yemeni guy from Socotra. YahYa enthusiastically helped me in any way that he could so that I could enter Yemen, to visit his native Socotra. I really could not express how grateful I am for what YahYa did for me and thanks to him I finally reached my Yemeni goal. I got onto a boat for the 50-hour journey to Yemen. After that, my adventure to Socotra began spectacularly and unforgettably.

Despite the difficulties, all of the positive things far outweigh the negatives on this journey.

A huge number of people dream of travelling around the world, and it is certainly true that among the paid jobs to travel around the globe, travel bloggers would get first mention. As a travel blogger with many years of working experience, could you share your perspective with Wanderlust Tips’ readers?

Successful people work hard. They focus on their dreams and make it happen. Nothing is a gift, no one is lucky. If you dream of exploring the world, go and make it happen. Sitting around complaining and feeling unlucky never got anyone anywhere.

Don’t be a fantasist. Get your finances in order first. We need to earn money to survive, so first focus on building around USD1,000 income per month. From there, anything is possible.

So, after all your time travelling, have you ever wanted to stop, or do you plan to stop and settle down in the future?

I will never stop completely. I want to feel alive. I want to experience everything, do everything but I will not travel fulltime anymore, 4-6 months a year is ample.

Thank-you Johnny, for sharing your honest experiences. Wishing you the best with your upcoming plans.

Wanderlust Tips

Stories from travels around the world

[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] “Life is a valiant adventure or nothing” Helen Keller hit the nail on the head for travel enthusiasts. For travellers, each journey is an exceedingly meaningful adventure and thanks to inspirational travel stories from around the world, we too want to get out there and enjoy the journey.

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A NORDIC GUY HIKING AROUND THE WORLD MEETS A VIETNAMESE GIRL AND FALLS HEAD OVER HEELS

Meigo Märk (born 1990) set off on his round-theworld trip on May 11, 2014 from Tallinn, the capital of Estonia – a Nordic country seven times smaller than Vietnam with a population of only 1.3 million. In December 2016, after travelling through 19 countries, the Estonian musician came to Hanoi and lived solely on the money he had put by from the sale of his house and residents’ help. Meigo was planning to leave Hanoi via northern Vietnam and then on to China.

However, after staying for nearly one month in Hanoi to apply for a visa, Meigo met Nguyen Thi Sam. It just so happens that this was the beginning of their charming love story. Nguyen Thi Sam, originally from Thai Binh, was fascinated by the Nordic guy and his epic walking adventure. Ms Sam jokingly suggested that she would like to join Meigo on his journey, but he was concerned that the route would be too difficult and that she would not be able to join him.

For the following two weeks, they ran 5km every day and 16km around West Lake at the weekends. This intensive training helped them to share their feelings and get to know each other better. Sam learnt that despite Meigo being a vegetarian he had a healthy heart, thus she decided to also become a vegetarian.

So far, Meigo and Sam have walked 740km together through 5 countries, namely Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. For Meigo, in 4 years and 3 months, he has travelled to 22 countries crossing a distance of 20,000km.

Due to health problems, Meigo was forced to pause his itinerary in August 2018. However, the Estonian returned to Vietnam and proposed to his beloved Sam with a simple but beautiful bamboo ring on the top of Langbiang in Dalat. The couple celebrated their wedding in October 2018 in the bride’s hometown. They are planning to continue their adventure as a family and will set off when their children are strong enough. Meigo revealed that they aim to walk at least 20,000km more to complete a total distance of 40,075km – the same distance as the equatorial length of the Earth.

THE FAMILY TRAVELLING AROUND THE WORLD WITH NO PLANS TO RETURN

Burdened by the mundanity of everyday life, a British couple, Zyleen and Benjamin Hewins decided to sell up and take their two children Emiliana, 6 years old and Zacharia, 3 years old, on a trip around the world, with no plan to return to London.

In November 2017 the couple started putting the wheels in motion. They wanted to leave London to explore the world, so they sold all their possessions. In March 2018, their journey officially began.

Their first destination was Canada with the purpose of attending their relative’s wedding, and then they moved on to Mexico and Central America. Zyleen said: “We could at any moment return to a peaceful life, but for now we have no plans to return home”.

After 12 months on the road, the family has travelled through more than 20 countries and territories including Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Polynesia, New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, India, and Cambodia. They are planning to visit Vietnam, the Philippines and Japan in the near future.

The British family have had many thrilling experiences on their journey so far. For example, in Polynesia, they slept in a floating bungalow which brought them closer to nature. In New Zealand, the family discovered and immersed themselves in native Maori culture. During their journey they have truly relished spending time together as a family.

They have fully embraced a colourful life of adventure and have realized not only how beautiful the world is but how fortunate they are to have met so many amazing people. Zyleen revealed that “We do not know where we will be in the next few months, but one thing for sure is that nobody can take away this wonderful experience and all of our fun-filled memories”.

TRAVELLING AND BREAKING WORLD RECORDS

Lexie Alford, a 21-year-old girl, has set a Guinness record for becoming the youngest person to set foot in 196 sovereign nations.

On May 31, Lexie Alford arrived in North Korea – the last country on her journey through 196 countries and territories around the world. With such a “tremendous” performance, Lexie broke James Asquith’s former record in 2013 (James had been to 192 countries at the age of 24) and is honoured to be up there with Cassie De Pecol, the woman set foot in the most countries in the shortest time.

Since her childhood, Lexie Alford had a strong passion for tourism because she was raised in a family who owned a reputable tour company in California (USA). Her parents did not place too much emphasis on their daughter’s schoolwork, which gave her the opportunity to travel independently and learn first-hand about the world around her.

Growing up, Lexie and her family visited many renowned attractions in various destinations including the floating villages in Cambodia, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, Ushuaia city on the edge of Argentina and the Great Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

In 2016, Lexie graduated from high school and got an associate degree from a college in her homeland of California. The determined traveller realized that she didn’t have much time to conquer the remaining 124 countries on her list. Therefore, the American blogger spent her gap year travelling the world. At the beginning of the trip, Lexie just wanted to be a true traveler and breaking the record hadn’t even crossed her mind. Lexie was determined to show people that the world was not the scary place depicted in the media, instead she wanted to show the kindness of people in the world. Lexie revealed that saving religiously since the age of 12 had paid for around eighteen months of travel. Being strapped for cash, Lexie did not spend many weeks in each country, especially the places that she was uncomfortable as a solo traveller.

During her trip, West and Central Africa were the most challenging countries to travel through due to a whole host of disadvantages including her visa, the lack of tourist infrastructure, language barriers, and expensive costs for her safe transportation. South Sudan, Somalia, Central African Republic, Mali, Chad and Papua New Guinea are the places she stayed for the least amount of time due to feeling unsafe as a solo traveller.

The 21-year-old blogger is writing a book about her firsthand experience and the lessons she learnt in each nation. At present, she has sent all the evidence to Guinness World Records to validate her trips. She plans to spend a few months resting and recuperating her mind and body before planning for her future.

Thi Thi | Wanderlust Tips

The jobs that pay you to travel the world

[Wanderlust Tips July 2019] Everyone must have once daydreamed of dropping everything, packing a bag and travelling the world. However, money can be a big issue and not everyone has the courage to quit their jobs, meaning that the travel dream remains just a dream. However, this article will change your mind. In addition to those tourism specific roles such as tour guides, travel agents, travel bloggers, you can absolutely do the following jobs that will allow you to earn income while exploring the world.

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WORKING ON YACHTS

Working on a cruise ship requires you to have a strong “stomach” metaphorically and literally, as you are going to have to spend a lot of time out at sea. If you don’t have the right skill set, you can initially work as a steward, but if you can equip yourself with artistic talent and the correct qualifications, you can go down the route of more specialized jobs for instance, chefs, engineers, bartenders, singers or even captains. Whatever your role, these jobs allow you the thrills of travelling on splendidly luxurious yachts across the vast turquoise sea, enjoy the fresh air and make a home anywhere you go. Moreover, with the benefit of having accommodation and food provided, you will still have a great amount of your savings to spend on whatever you wish.

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Becoming a photographer helps you discover and take lots of photos of breath-taking scenery, friendly people and beautiful everyday life everywhere in the world. Some people can work for themselves and sell their photos through popular web sites. Others often work on a freelance basis. To incorporate your travel dream, it is a great idea to consider becoming a travel photographer or a photojournalist for newspapers and large agencies like National Geographic or AP because they are always on the lookout for full-time photographers. Working as a photographer allows you to take trips across the world to take photos of everything from luxury restaurants and resorts to cultural and tourist events.

AU PAIR

Au Pair is a term used for somebody who is sponsored by a foreign family. As an Au Pair, you can take on a share of your “host” family’s responsibility for childcare for a few hours after school, you could be asked to do some housework, cooking, cleaning or perhaps the gardening. In return for this, you will be provided with accommodation, food and also receive a monetary allowance for personal use. Some families also require you to take part in native language and cultural courses so that you can better integrate into a new environment. It can be said that this is an excellent opportunity to help students who are not financially qualified, to study and practice their skills as well as discover a new part of the world.

HOTEL REVIEWERS

Hotel reviewers secretly act as overnight traveller to scrutinize and evaluate the quality and service of the hotels. This occupation not only allows you to travel the world but also experience stays in luxury hotels and resorts whilst sampling delectable cuisine. After checkin, the expert hotel reviewers will begin scrutinizing every single amenity ranging from premium categories like swimming pools, spas, restaurants and recreational areas to the smallest items like toilet paper, shampoo and shower gel. Everything will be documented and photographed for use in the reviews and of course, there is no preference or bias. These reviews will affect hotel ratings for prospective travellers.

FASHION BUYERS

True to its name, your main task for this job is to represent a business or a brand by travelling all over the world to find new and impressive fashion designs to deliver to the factory. However, this job is not merely “buying”, you will play a vital role in bringing fashion to the public, you want the clientele to feel the beauty of the items. You will be responsible for deciding whether the products discovered at boutiques, shopping centres and worldwide famous markets will be loved by your potential customers or not.

TEACHING-RELATED JOBS

Proficiency in a foreign language and the ability to speak various languages fluently is an instant ticket out of your home country. The easy-to-apply jobs include foreign language teachers, diving instructors or yoga teachers. From East Asian countries with close cultural backgrounds to distant South American countries, teaching or classroom assistant roles are always available for those who can speak foreign languages fluently and possess basic teaching and training skills. If you are serious about working as a diving instructor, you can start with a quick and inexpensive course and have a certificate from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI).

INTERPRETERS

In addition to the teaching-related jobs, you can use your foreign language skills as an interpreter. Language experts are always required in political or business meetings, international conferences or multinational companies; thus, working as an interpreter is a great opportunity for you to have a career and travel the world. Although the work sometimes requires you to work from a small space in a specific location, a short-term business trip is often enough for you to get a feel for a place. In order to become a good interpreter, you need a foreign language certificate, a degree in translation, and extensive knowledge in the fields of science, politics, law and economics.

EVENT ORGANISERS

You do not need to be a world famous singer or artist to be on a world tour. As an event organiser, whether working with sound, lighting, finance or logistics, you will also be able to travel with the rest of the team, setting up stages, organising different events and festivals. It’s a good idea to start your business by organising small-scale events before you assert your capability and participate in important events around the world.

WORKING ON AIRPLANES

With around 30 to 50 flight hours per week, regardless of distance, meeting passengers and crew from all over the world is ideal when working on airplanes. Whether you are a pilot or a flight attendant, the “job above the clouds” will give you the opportunity to set foot in many different countries, explore the surrounding landscape and learn about culture. What’s more those long-haul flights will leave you with a lot of time to catch up on your sleep. Additionally, crew members have the opportunity to receive many incentives for instance, free flights or promotions on super cheap air fares.

AID WORKERS

Not only do you contribute a hugely important part of your energy to the community, but also the social activities presented by the role, give you an opportunity to explore new countries and communities. It is a truly inspirational role, hearing stories from the heart from forgotten distant lands or from people experiencing terrible living conditions, this vital role in the community can help so many people overcome difficulties and instead look towards a bright future. You can start-up your business by signing up for volunteer projects in the country before travelling and participating in volunteer organizations for example, Save the Children, Oxfam, Greenpeace and the World Wildlife Fund. To become a volunteer, you need to possess relevant knowledge and qualifications needed in the field of education, agriculture or health, etc.

Lan Anh | Wanderlust Tips