Visit to Jordan….

A short haul magical destination, we had a long weekend Thursday – Monday and managed to fit in an amazing amount of this very special, friendly country. With only a 5 hour flight from London this is very doable – I would recommend 6 days though to relax as well or longer to add Wadi Rum, the desert, and stay under the million star hotel. 

From Amman we travelled the Kings Highway, the oldest route in the world. Visiting Mount Nebo the site of the death of Moses.

Crossing Wadi al Mujib, Jordan’s answer to the Grand Canyon – 900 meters dam marking the Roman road. Visiting  Karak Castle where you are free to explore all over. We had a great lunch opposite the castle.

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My children are 6 and 8 years and I felt they were old enough to join me and my husband on one of my research trips, combined with a family holiday to Costa Rica. They loved it and a great highlight for them was Arenal Volcano near Lake Arenal, the largest volcano in the world, erupting every day since July 1968.

The local Costa Rican guide had the children in the front of the vehicle so he could explain all about the geology of the Arenal Volcano to them and answer all their millions of questions, what a coup for their next school project.

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The Galapagos Islands with their extraordinary wildlife and home to Darwin’s theory of Evolution, recently announced that what was thought to be the last remaining La Pinta tortoise in the World, Lonesome George, may soon be a father.

A female tortoise – the closest living species to the La Pinta tortoise, and one that has accompanied George since 1993 laid three intact eggs that are being cared for in an artificial incubator at the Charles Darwin Centre. Found in 1972 on Pinta island, George is estimated to be in his 70s, middle age for a giant tortoise.

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A new species of palm tree has been found in Madagascar – one which grows for as long as 50 years and as high as 60-feet high, bursts into flower and then dies. Named Tahina Spectabilis which is Malagasy for ‘blessed’ or ‘to be protected’, the new Palm is so massive it can be seen in Google Earth.

Opening of New Hotel on Lake Titicaca – May 2008
I have just received information from our agents that this new hotel Titilaka Inkaterra has opened on the banks of Lake Titicaca. It is the first ultra-luxury hotel which is perched on a private peninsula on the Lake, legendary birthplace of the Incas and an ideal base for exploring the natural, cultural and historical treasures of Peru’s most remote and mystical region.

This all-inclusive luxury lodge is a haven for re-energizing after a day of excursions either by boat, private transfers, mountain bike or trekking. Activities you can include are visits to the Andean communities on the Islands of Taquile or Uros; Tours can be arranged to archeological sites and colonial churches or you can spend a day bird watching around the lake. The day’s climax is at dusk when afternoon tea is followed by cocktails served on the terrace at Titilaka, an ideal spot for viewing sunsets and the night time canopy of stars.

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February 2008 – the launch of “La Pinta” the newest yacht in the Galapagos Islands. What an honor to be on the launch of this lovely, luxurious ship as it left Guayaquil. La Pinta started service in the Galapagos in April of this year offering plush, luxury cabins, with all mod cons including ipods – which proved to be the perfect respite after a long day exploring! This yacht operates only on a 7 day cruise but I really would not want to get off any sooner!

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I’m back from my first inspection trip in Peru, it was more than wonderful than I imagined it would be. I could write forever on the amazing sights in Peru but then it would end up being a short story. So I think – of course my highlight has to be the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu it was brilliant see this famous place (it has got to be the 8th Wonder of the World – vote online). Our private guide was so good and informative it made it even more worthwhile.

The train back from Machu Picchu was fun with a fashion show and Andean musicians to while away the time. Cusco – what a city so much to see and do and not what I expected, from the Cathedrals to the cult centre of Sacsayhuaman and if you like shopping then Cusco has so much choice you need more than a couple of days.

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I’m off to Peru for two weeks on 18 May – my first trip and I am really excited about the fantastic places I am going to visit. Flying into Lima and after a couple of days acclimatisation flying to Chiclayo overnight visiting Tucume the Valley of the Pyramids, back to Lima for one night and then flying to Cusco, the Sacred Valley of the Incas which I hear is totally amazing and so much to see, I can’t wait to go to Macchu Picchu a place I’ve always wanted to visit and at the top of everyone’s list. From Cusco by train to Puno staying by Lake Titicaca. By Hydrofoil to the Bolivian side of Lake Titicaca visiting Sun and Moon Islands – what a day its going to be. The following day Colca Canyon to see the giant condors – how great is this going to be. My last night is in Arequipa and then unfortunately back to Lima and a flight home.

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Many of our staff are off on trips to our specialist countries. Fiona and Sam are going to visit Fiona’s first love – Costa Rica – at the end of April. See Fiona’s blog on their return in early May for full details of their trip.

Alison and Fiona will re-visit Peru in May, this will be Alison first trip to Peru, which she is really looking forward to – Alison will help Fiona on the Peru desk on her return as Peru is such a popular destination for us.

Our team continue to grow and we are pleased to have Naomi as our admin manager, Naomi has a background studying Tourism Management – and has an interest in Ecuador and Madagascar.

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