Perhaps your flight has been delayed, you’ve missed your check-in, or maybe you’ve got to endure a long airport stopover before you can even think about crawling into your cosy warm bed at home. I’m sure most of us have been there. Waiting around in airports can be a little like a hangover; painful to endure but a necessary cost of having a great time- in this case, travelling.

Many travellers are faced with the same problem of finding ways to kill airport time without draining precious iPhone battery. But what actually is there to do in an airport departures lounge besides perusing the duty-free shelves and wandering aimlessly through coffee shops sushi bars and spending your last foreign notes on tacky souvenirs?

Waiting in an airport doesn’t have to be a drag. Here are a few fun airports to kill time in…

1. Get Arty in Heathrow

For the culture buffs among us, listen closely. If gossip mags and games consoles just aren’t your thing, then why not check out the Expo Fine Art Gallery at Heathrow Airport’s Terminal 5? The gallery showcases an array of new British paintings and sculptures and is a fun & educational way to pass time.

2. Fly a Plane in Hong Kong

Ever fancied flying a plane? And no, I’m not suggesting you hijack the cockpit as a means to end your boredom. No, I’m talking about Hong Kong Airport’s Aviation Discovery Centre. Here you can ‘play pilot’ as you soar through pixelated skies on your own flight simulator. It’s not the real thing, but it’s pretty darn close.

3. Get Back to Nature in Singapore

This is one of my favourites. Get this, at Singapore’s Changi Airport you can actually take a stroll in the midst of nature, surrounded by colourful butterflies in the world’s first airport Butterfly Garden. Very ‘Zen.’ Very awesome.

4. Feel like a Kid in Lyon

Just like Tom Hanks did in ‘Big,’ don’t you sometimes just wish you could be a kid again? Well at Lyon Airport you can do just that- kind of. A giant slide in this airport’s chill out area makes getting from floor to floor child’s play.

5. Pamper Yourself in Bangkok

Perhaps you can’t afford to fly business class but still want to delight in a little pampering before you board your long flight home after your Thailand holiday. In Bangkok Airport you can really put your feet up (quite literally) and enjoy a foot massage & spa. Bliss.

In 2009 I spent six weeks travelling around Brazil whilst on a six month trip to South America and I barely scratched the surface of this beautiful and diverse country. Brazil is the largest of the Latin American countries and the 5^th largest in the entire world, and I could have easily spent my entire trip visiting Brazil alone. Brazil really does have it all; bustling metropolises, deserted tropical beaches, wildlife rich rainforest and thundering waterfalls. I covered quite a lot of distance during my time in Brazil and from my own experiences and hearing those of countless other travellers, I feel like I have a good idea of all the must see destinations within the country. So, if you had just two weeks for a Brazil tour and you wanted to see and experience as must as possible without exhausting yourself, here is what I would recommend!

Rio de Janeiro

Rio is unlike any other city on earth and it quickly knocked New York of the top of my favourite city list. It is set in such a beautiful location and with the combination of all the iconic sights (Christ the redeemer, Sugar Loaf Mountain, and Copacabana beach), the friendly locals, the fantastic nightlife and the awesome beaches; four days here will simply fly by!

Iguacu Falls

From Rio it’s about a two hour flight to the city of Foz do Iguacu, which is just a few miles from the most impressive set of waterfalls to be found in the Americas, the Iguacu falls. The falls are jointly owned by Brazil and Argentina, with the Brazilian side giving you the grand overview and the Argentine side giving you the up close and personal experience. I suggest taking the time on your Brazil holiday to take a full day to visit each side of the falls and if you are feeling brave, taking a jet boat ride that takes you so close to the main falls, you’ll get a proper soaking.

Amazon Jungle

An Amazon jungle experience is usually at the top of most people’s list when planning a Brazil holiday. The city of Manaus is the main gateway to many of these lodges and a typical package includes transfers, by boat, about 2-4 hours deep into the rainforest. I’d suggest fitting at least 3 days into your itinerary to enjoy all the excursions available here- ranging from kayaking trips, night hikes and even fishing for piranha. Finally to finish off your Brazil adventure, you could head to the African influenced city of Salvador, staying in the old town for a night or two and soaking up a bit of the local culture, before spending your final few nights in nearby Praia do Forte, lazing on one of the picture perfect palm tree beaches.

This two week suggestion is really just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what Brazil has to offer, I could probably come up with a dozen more that are all totally different. So my advice to you now is simple; get to Brazil, and pronto!

On return from his trip with Cuba Travel Plan earlier this year, Bryn was kind enough to send us an account of his trip to the tobacco hills of Vinales, where he tried his hand at cigar rolling, and explored the mountainous scenery…

‘We have travelled a fair bit over the years and previously we have always arranged everything ourselves, but this time we booked our trip to Cuba through Rickshaw Travel. We were curious to see the country and we were both impressed not just with all the arrangements but with the people, the atmosphere and the Cuban way of life.

Part of our trip was included a visit to the small town of Vinales, a beautiful part of Cuba known for the growing of tobacco that produces arguably the finest cigars in the world.  We arrived midday at our base- a beautifully positioned hotel overlooking the valley that is surrounded by the prehistoric mountains which looked as if they have dropped out of the sky on to the landscape.  We used our afternoon to relax, take in the stunning views, the mood and character of the town before our guided walk the following day.

We started off from the center of town walking through the countryside when it was not long before came across our first tobacco growing farm.  Here we watched the farmer at work cutting the leaves from the plants and lying them out that he would later store in his barn to dry out.  We then went into the farm house and the next stage of curing the tobacco leaves was explained, followed by the rolling of a cigar with the sampling of the real thing (although a non-smoker-it just would have been wrong not to).  All of this was complimented with a freshly brewed cup of coffee from beans that had also been grown on the farm.

After that we took a short but steep climb up part of the mountains to look at the wonderful caves that were abundant with stalactites.  On the way we were shown the variety of crops grown in the area from pineapples to guava and peanuts to plantains plus a number of edible root vegetables.

Finally after about three hours of a not too strenuous walk we returned to the town that was again buzzing with locals going about their daily business for a well-earned nice cold local beer.  It was a great experience, and one we will treasure for a very long time’.

Bryn Pass 2013

Inspired by Bryn’s trip to Vinales? Take a look at our bite-sized Cuba trips, or longer holidays.

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Our Top 5 music venues in Cuba

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Costa Rica has always captured the imagination of Suze who is a self-proclaimed nature enthusiast. After getting her first dose of the country (and indeed her first dose of Central America) on a trip in 2011, she couldn’t wait to start planning her next trip. Since recently returning from her second Costa Rica adventure last month, we asked her our top ten Costa Rica travel questions….

1. What inspired you to visit Costa Rica?

Having visited Costa Rica in the past I wanted to visit parts of the country I hadn’t previously seen, especially the beach areas. I’m a big fan of nature and wildlife so Costa Rica, as a haven for nature, has always been a country that has appealed to me.

 2. What was the most memorable part of your trip?

One aspect of my Costa Rica holiday that I particularly enjoyed was the jungle experience in Tortuguero where we got to go wildlife spotting in a canoe with a really experienced guide. We got to see remote parts of the jungle and spot the most amazing animals and birds, including a sloth, caiman, toucan, iguanas, turtles and monkeys. The lodge here was also fantastic as it was nice and rustic and we very much felt as though we were in the heart of nature.

 3. Which is your favourite photo from your trip and why?

The photo of my husband shooting a bow and arrow is one of my favourites. This was one of the many fun activities that we did when staying with the Bri Bri tribe in a remote part of Costa Rica.  In a small group, we were all able to have a go shooting at the banana tree; a task that is harder than it looks! This is one of the many great memories I have of this part of my Costa Rica trip.

 4. If you had one word to describe Costa Rica what would it be?

Tropical.

5. Do you have any pearls of wisdom/advice for someone travelling to Costa Rica?

I would definitely advise packing a waterproof and some sun cream. It may sound like a contradiction but you’ll understand when you’re there! I would also suggest travellers who are planning their Costa Rica travel experience, not to rush from place to place, but to spend at least a few days exploring each area as there’s so much to see and do.

6. If you went back to Costa Rica where would you re-visit?

I would really like to go back to Manuel Antonio as I would love to do some more surfing here and perhaps try some parasailing! It’s the perfect place for adventure activities so it’s very much up my street and great if you’re looking for an active Costa Rica adventure.

7. Vice versa, is there anywhere that you missed out of your trip that you’d like to see again?

On my next Costa Rica travel experience I would like to visit Samara as this is a slightly more relaxed beach area compared to the other beaches I’ve visited. I’d also love to travel further South to Tortuga and Corcovado as they are a little more remote and authentic, which would be a nice contrast to the more popular regions of the North.

8. What’s your must-have item when travelling in Costa Rica?

Insect Repellent.

9. Did you meet any interesting characters in Costa Rica?

Our guide in the Bri Bri tribe was a great character and had lots of stories to tell about the way he grew up. We also spotted a local on the beach who seemed to enjoy doing hand stands in the sea and literally climbing trees and hanging out of them like a monkey- very interesting!

10. Can you teach us any useful Spanish phrases?

The one to remember is Pura Vida (Pure Life)! It’s difficult to translate but you hear it said by the locals a lot. You can use it if you want  to say that something is good or you’re having a good time.

We decided to join up with independent review site Trustpilot last year after realising just how important it was for our customers to leave honest and balanced reviews of our trips that would be visible to the public.

Opening the doors to honest feedback can be slightly daunting but we are proud to say that we have now reached over one hundred reviews, 83% of which have rated us 5* and it has been a real eye opener for everyone at Rickshaw. We really value your opinions, and continue to be pleasantly surprised at the detailed and thorough accounts that are submitted. Each review left helps us to understand what we are doing really well, and more importantly what we can improve on.

So we’d like to say thank you… and here’s to the next hundred!

Curious? You can check out our Trustpilot reviews here.

(photo via getimagez)

A former travel specialist at Rickshaw, we were sad to bid David farewell when he left last year to pursue other passions. One of these was volunteering in Sri Lanka. After adding Sri Lanka as a new Rickshaw destination this month we asked David whether he would write a blog post on his experiences so far in this vibrant country… and he kindly obliged…

‘Sri Lanka for me is very much how I expect a good cup of tea to be. It’s hot, it’s potent and incredibly sweet. I ended up travelling to Sri Lanka as a volunteer with SL Volunteers last Summer and have since become employed by the same organisation, which means returning this summer- something I’m very excited about. One thing that struck me about Sri Lanka when I landed in Colombo, was how very at home and calm I felt. I was nervous on the flight that I would experience a strong culture shock, and whilst it is an assault on the senses, there is calmness in the air that dilutes this, and it is a lot less like the panic attack I experienced when I first landed in Bangkok. I think this is down to the people. Sri Lanka is 96% Buddhist, and they are very devout in their ways which makes for a very pleasant social experience.

There are too many amazing things about this country for me to fit into one blog post, so I’ll only be able to cover a couple. First things first is food though. My goodness! You’ll need a strong head for the spices as most things are very hot, and if you like hot food, Sri Lanka is heaven, if not, get used to it! Most curries I’ve eaten in Sri Lanka are made from fruits and veg that I’d never heard of. Jack fruit (apparently the worlds largest fruit) is an awesome curry filler. It’s kind of like a  massive gooey potato and makes the sauce nice and thick. The list goes on. How they make stuff taste so good is beyond me.

I stay in a humble family homestay with my fellow volunteers when I’m in Sri Lanka and Amma (mother) and Tata (father) spend from morning to night crushing spices, grating coconut and peeling vegetables which culminates in a beautiful feast at the table every evening. Plenty of fragrant rice and poppadoms, 5 different curries and away you go. Sri Lankans eat with their bare hands, which takes some getting used to, but I found myself pondering after a while, that knives and forks are in fact a ridiculous disabling invention when we’ve got these perfectly deft fingers that we were born with (this was only after I mastered the skill of course). Street food in Sri Lanka is always so delicious and very cheap. On most corners you’ll see  a great metal cauldron filled with steaming chick peas, coconut and chillis, a great snack when you’re craving crisps, and way healthier and tastier. Vegetable rotis became something I thought I would not be able to live without when I got home. It’s a spicy potato curry wrapped in a roti and grilled until crispy on the outside. For a potato loving, spice obsessed Irishman, it doesn’t get better than that.

Travelling wise, there are so many places in Sri Lanka that are mind-blowing. My favourite experience was the train from Colombo to Nuwara Elyia. It takes about 9 or 10 hours and you would think that’s arduous, but the views are stunning all the way, and because you’re travelling uphill into the tea plantations the scenery changes dramatically as does the temperature (bring a jumper!). What is most striking about this is that very change. Leaving sticky, hot, sweaty, noisy, 35 degree Colombo in your shorts and t-shirt, you are definitely in a tropical country. Arriving in Nuwara Eliya is like being dropped into a scene from The Hobbit. Rolling misty green mountains, sparkling waterfalls dangling from the hills, horses running about. It’s like a different country almost, in fact some call it Little England. The tea plantations are so beautiful. I was a little uncomfortable with how people stared at the tea-pickers but couldn’t help being mesmerised at the same time. It’s the kind of image that you only really see on the TV.

I won’t go on too much about the places I travelled to, and I can always update that later. What I can leave you with is the way Sri Lanka left me feeling. Luckily, because so much of Sri Lanka is as yet untouched by tourism in a heavy way, the locals don’t tend to see tourists and visitors as prey or as targets for a rip off, as much as in South East Asia (I can’t say it never happens though), but people look at tourists more with fascination, and the exchange between tourists and locals for that reason tends to feel more honest and friendly. Sri Lankans would give you the shirt of their back, such a generous nation of people.

Having been there for a while, tuc-tuc drivers began to recognise me and stop to offer me lifts on my way home from volunteering and then would refuse to take my money when we got home. I really tried to insist, but they were just being genuinely kind. Of course, I am there in a voluntary capacity when I visit, so there is a certain understanding between myself, the SL Volunteers team and the locals. We have a certain respect for one another. But this says a lot about conduct and responsible travel, and taking an interest in the culture and traditions of the place you are visiting and having a respect for this and conducting yourself accordingly, tourist, volunteer, whoever. A lot of the reason parts of Southeast Asia are now unpleasant to visit is because the locals are pandering to the needs of tourists (and volunteers in fact). That doesn’t have to be the case in Sri Lanka if people travel responsibly and respectfully.

Sri Lankans are fiercely patriotic and very proud of their culture and heritage, with great reason. It really helps to know a little about Sri Lankan culture and history so that you can share this with the people you meet, and also to try to use their language helps too. The people that I spoke a little Sinhala with were always flabbergasted and flattered that I was attempting it, and it always made for a good conversation in a tuc tuc! The language is very difficult, but one word people might be familiar with is serendipity (originally Serandib in Sinhala). This means ‘happy accident’ and it’s what the travelling Arabs named Sri Lanka when they discovered it accidentally on the way to India, and were so delighted with its beauty. This definitely still stands today.

Sri Lanka is a charming little jewel of a country, and I am happy and lucky that I get to spend so much time there with my job’.

David is currently working for the organisation SL Volunteers, a community of international and local volunteers, sharing their skills and time to contribute to community development in Sri Lanka.

Inspired to build your own Sri Lanka trip? Check out our bite-sized Sri Lanka tours and holidays.

It’s been a hub of activity here at Rickshaw HQ and after much anticipation (and lots of cups of tea), we’re very excited to finally announce the newest addition to our list of tropical destinations…Sri Lanka!

Despite its size, Sri Lanka (which also means ‘beautiful island’) packs a mighty punch; boasting an incredible eight (!) Unesco World Heritage Sites and offering a plethora of things to see and do; from gentle elephants and timeless ruins, to dazzling white beaches and flavoursome curries aplenty!

Using our range of unique bite-sized Sri Lanka tours, you can create your own completely personal Sri Lanka itinerary that really stands out from the crowd. Our knowledgeable travel specialists know all there is to know about travelling in Sri Lanka and they’ll be on hand to help you plan a trip to suit you.

As with our other destinations, here at Rickshaw Travel we avoid using chain hotels. Instead, we offer a range of really authentic accommodation options throughout our tours in Sri Lanka. This is really important to us, as we believe that wherever you visit on your Sri Lanka trip- from turquoise seas to tea leaves- your accommodation should reflect the local character and charm of the country. So, during your Sri Lanka holiday you can drift off to the wild sounds of Yala National Park in your own safari tent, get a real taste of local life on a traditional homestay in Kandy or wake up to lapping waves and rustling palms outside your own wooden beach cabana. Bliss.

Our resident expert, Ceri has recently arrived back in the office after an exciting three-week Sri Lanka trip and here are her top 6 experiences that we have to offer.

1. Easygoing in Negombo

This Sri Lanka tour is the perfect starter pack to ease you into your holiday, allowing you to adjust to the tropical climate and explore the local cultural and historical sites. During this module, you’ll get the chance to learn about life at the lagoon and local fish market as a local fisherman shows you around.

2. Elephants in Buddha’s Garden

 This Sri Lanka tour takes you to some of the most important ancient sites in the country such as Sigiriya rock and Dambulla caves, as well as the Imperial Cities and rock temples for a dose of culture and history. What’s more, you’ll also take a jeep safari to the National Park where you can spot wild elephants!

3. At Home in the Curry Kitchen

 During this Sri Lanka homestay trip you’ll get the opportunity to spend three days immersed in traditional Sri Lankan life in Kandy. Staying in a charming stone cottage in the garden of the family home, during your trip you’ll get the chance to visit a local market and learn a few of Sri Lanka’s best kept culinary secrets.

4. Rafting to Adam’s Peak

This Sri Lanka tour is perfect for those wishing to add a little adventure to their travel experience. The clue is inthe name with this module and you start with a whitewater rafting trip at Kitulgala before climbing to the top of Adam’s Peak to watch the breathtaking sun rise and take in the panoramic views.

5. Explore the Emerald Valleys of Ella

This trip in Sri Lanka takes you on a journey through the stunning scenery of Ella the authentic way… by train. As you travel with the locals, you can take in the beautiful views of the green farmland and in the evening you’ll sleep in a rural hotel situated in a sleepy village in the mountains.

6. Turquoise Bay at Unawatuna

As you might have guessed from its name, the biggest draw of this Sri Lanka trip in Unawatuna is the beautiful turquoise water. Here you can wind down and relax after all your Sri Lanka adventures. Simply sip a cold beer and soak up the mellow, bohemian traveller vibe before drifting to sleep in your cosy beach cabana.

Have Ceri’s top Sri Lanka experiences inspired you? Why not give her a call on 01273 322384 to have a chat about your Sri Lanka Travel Plan?

Alternatively, take a look at our wider range of Sri Lanka tours or browse our selection of longer suggested Sri Lanka holidays.

After years of being seemingly overlooked by travellers heading elsewhere, Sri Lanka is now becoming a popular destination of choice and it’s not hard to see why. Sri Lanka is a small but diverse country with plenty of charm; from pristine beaches and incredible wildlife to famous tea and ancient ruins. Even better, distances are short, which make it easier to discover lots in a shorter space of time than, for instance, its neighbouring country, India.

OK so you might have already read up on the best that the country has to offer, so here are a few lesser known facts about Sri Lanka…

1. Sri Lanka is known as both the ‘pearl of the Indian Ocean’ and the ‘teardrop of India’ due to its shape.

2. In Sri Lanka, when someone shakes their head from side to side with a slight wiggle, it actually means “yes.”

3. Although cricket is the most popular sport in Sri Lanka, the national sport of the country is in fact volleyball.

4. Sri Lanka is one of the world’s largest tea exporters.

5. Adam’s Peak is the most sacred mountain in the country. Pilgrims from all over climb to its peak by candlelight to stand in what they believe to be the footsteps of Buddha.

6. Because the country has lots of waterfalls, most of Sri Lanka’s electricity is powered by hydro-powered energy.

7. The spice cinnamon originated in Sri Lanka and was discovered by the Egyptians.

8. There are eleven universities in Sri Lanka.

9. 92% of people living in the country are literate which means that they boast the highest literacy rate in the whole of South Asia.

10. Sri Lanka’s national flag is said to be one of the oldest flags in the world.

Sources:

http://www.lankanewspapers.com/news/2007/11/21981_space.html

http://www.funtrivia.com/en/Geography/Sri-Lanka-10720.html

http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-sri-lanka-1778.html

http://itstravel.wordpress.com/2008/01/14/interesting-facts-about-sri-lanka/

http://www.10-facts-about.com/Sri-Lanka/id/58

If you’re planning your Vietnam travels but aren’t sure of the best spots to visit, my ‘Top 10 things to do in Vietnam’ might give you an idea of which places to include to really get the most out of your Vietnam travel experience…

Magical Halong Bay

1. Halong Bay

An absolute highlight of my holiday in Vietnam, the enchanting archipelago of Halong Bay lies off the north east coast of Vietnam and comprises around 3000 limestone islands. Cruising around this beautiful bay on board a traditional junk boat is a magical experience that no Vietnam trip should be without. Just try to save some room on your camera for the rest of your trip!

2. Cu Chi Tunnels

An underground maze covering a whopping 250km, the Cu Chi tunnels were dug by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War to act as living quarters, command centres and ammunition stores. Crawling through the tunnels is an eerie yet thrilling experience.

3. Mekong Delta

The Mekong Delta produces one of Vietnam’s most important exports – rice, and thus acts as the backbone of Southern Vietnam’s economy. During your Vietnam trip, you can take a boat trip down the Mekong, where you will pass the colourful floating markets of Cai Rang and Cai Be among others. Here, vendors will offer their wares from their boats jammed with produce.

4. Hue

Hue is the ancient royal capital of Vietnam and is very rich in history and culture. During my trip to Hue, I found that there were plenty of things to do, including a cruise down the Perfume River and visits to historic sights and monuments such as the Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda and the Palace of Supreme Peace.

5. Hoi An

Hoi An is located on the coast in Central Vietnam and is well known for its excellent tailors, its art galleries, and its narrow streets crammed with tiny wooden cafes serving steaming coffee. There is a noticeable Chinese influence in Hoi An. Centuries ago Chinese traders came to offer their goods here and the charm of the town is still completely undeniable. There’s plenty to do in Hoi An, from visiting the historic temple complex of My Son, to relaxing on the beach. Make sure you leave some time in your Vietnam travel plan to try your hand at some traditional Vietnamese cooking.

6. Sapa

Tucked away in Northern Vietnam, this stunning area is home to hill tribes such as the Black H’mong and the Red Dzao. With hikes through the lush green valleys departing every day, and the opportunity to visit the famous Love Market, a trip to Sapa will give you a real taste of rural Vietnam.

7. Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc is a splendid tropical gateway set with beautiful beaches and quaint fishing villages. There’s plenty to do here if you’re looking for more than just lying on a beach though. The interior of the island is a protected area where you can go for walks or even hiking. Phu Quoc is largely considered as one of Vietnam’s star attractions!

8. Ho Chi Minh City

Packed full of interesting things to see and do, HCMC has plenty to keep visitors occupied. Visits to the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace and the Revolution Museum will offer greater insight into the country’s history, whilst trips to the numerous temples and pagodas will offer a far more spiritual experience.

9. Hanoi

The beautiful city of Hanoi is crammed full of local eateries, markets and shops. If you fancy a weird experience, you could visit the mausoleum of former president, Ho Chi Minh. Perhaps you may like to finish a busy day with a trip to the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre, on the banks of Hoan Kiem Lake.

Vietnamese food

10. Cookery School

The Vietnamese cuisine is considered to be among one of the healthiest in the world. It is also widely regarded as one of the most fragrant of cuisines, making use of an assortment of herbs, including Thai basil, lemongrass and Vietnamese mint. Why not take the opportunity to create some typical Vietnamese dishes of your own during your Vietnam tour?

Tom Rogers travelled through Cuba with Cuba Travel Plan in February this year, and we were delighted when he shared his fantastic photos with us. Not ones to keep a good thing to ourselves, we turned his snaps into a photo blog.

Check out Tom and Emily’s Cuba trip through a lens…

Inspired to head off on your own Cuba adventure? Check out our bite-sized Cuba trips which you can piece together to create a unique Cuba holiday.