When most people think of Maui, they imagine relaxing under picturesque swaying palm trees along soft pacific sands, drink in hand, sporting nothing but shorts and sunglasses.  While this is probably one of the first things you’ll probably do while visiting the island, it is important to note that Maui has tons of other adventures and activities that might pull you off the beach for just a little while.  Here are some of the things you won’t want to miss before leaving Maui…

Hiking In Haleakala National Park

Miles and miles of trails cut through the sub-tropical rain forests of this gorgeous protected land.  You’ll quickly notice how noisy this thriving ecosystem is, as it is home to a wide variety of tropical and endangered species of birds and mammals.  Fresh streams cut paths down the mountain towards the coast as they pass over lushly covered waterfalls.  A hike to the summit of the Haleakala volcano will grant you one of Hawaii’s most stunning panoramic views. Haleakala National Park has a lot to see in just one day, so don’t be afraid to find one of the park campgrounds and split it up over a day or two.

Driving Around the Island

There are a number of different ways to get around the island, but renting a car will enable you to see and do everything at your own pace.  Maui’s major highways hug tightly around the coast’s cliffs and beaches, making it an absolutely beautiful drive.  And unlike public transportation, a rental car gives you the freedom to stop off wherever you like for a photo or maybe a quick dip in the ocean.   Route 37 takes you across the island and up to the summit of Haleakala, perfect for those who still want to catch the view without putting in the miles hiking.

Outrigger Canoeing

These outrigger canoes are a staple of Hawaii. Designed to be more stabilize than traditional narrow vessels (like the canoe), outrigger canoes are ideal in the rough and unpredictable surf of the Pacific Ocean.  Having two hulls also spreads out the weight of the canoe along the surface of the water, which means that they are also much quicker moving.  They also happen to be a whole lot of fun!  Filling up a canoe with a few friends or family can make for an exciting day out on the water.

Snorkeling

You can’t come to Maui and truly understand it’s natural wonders until you take a look below the surface.  From the beach, these crystal blue waters look void of anything but soft white sands. But when you put on a face mask and dive in, you’ll be amazed at all the sea life bustling about just under foot.  Vibrantly colored fish dance between a wide array of coral as you look down floating above.  If you’re lucky enough, you may get a glimpse of one of the island’s real treasures: the endangered giant sea turtle.  One other tip: don’t forget the sunblock.  It’s easy to lose track of time while snorkeling around but you are keeping your back and legs in direct exposure to the sun for an extended period of time.  Take breaks, reapply, and always use waterproof sun block.

Maui Botanical Gardens

There are a number of botanical gardens on the island all working towards the preservation and conservation of Maui’s plants and flowers.  For just a small donation, you can take a tour with a guide who can explain all hundreds, even thousands of brilliant species.  Many of the gardens also host unique workshops and events to help raise awareness and support.  So, take a minute to stop and smell the flowers – you’ll be glad you did.

Experience a Luau

This probably requires no explanation, but even if you aren’t familiar with what a luau entails, just plan on going there with an appetite and ready to have a great time.  Simply put, a luau is a meal or feast accompanied by entertainment, typically music and hula dancing.  The menu can vary anywhere from fish to kalua pig with plenty of beer and wine to go around.  The festivities take place outdoors, typically right along the beach, and you can find many of the hotels and resorts putting on their own for their guests.  Check out the Maui Ocean Club, as they put on a great luau right on Ka’anapali Beach.

These are only just a few of the things you won’t want to forget to put on your itinerary when visiting Hawaiian paradise.  What are some of your other favorite things to do while in Maui?

Check out more great places to go backpacking in North and Central America here. Or take a look at our USA travel guide for more info on the best places Stateside!

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Zanzibar is an island paradise set in the Indian Ocean just off the Tanzanian coast in East Africa. It offers beautiful beaches, stunning coral reef and an intriguing mix of cultures. With a mix of traditional African culture, as well as influences from colonial eras and Arab backgrounds, it is not just the beaches that make it worth the trip.

If you’re on an overland backpacking trip through Africa and are taking in areas of East Africa then Zanzibar should certainly be on your itinerary. It doesn’t have to be an expensive place to visit, you can certainly enjoy this beautiful archipelago on a budget.

Enough talk, the pictures can say it better than I every will:

A big thanks to Adeel Halim for the fantastic images, visit his site for a bigger taste of his work.

You can see more stunning destinations in Africa on the Top Backpacking Destinations Facebook page

January saw the release of Issue #1 of the all new Wild Junket Magazine! APPLAUSE APPLAUSE APPLAUSE!!!

This is an exciting moment for the travel blogging community as we see one of our own demonstrating a great way of monetising their travel blog and taking a step closer to the dream of supporting a life on the road with your blogging exploits.

Wild Junket

Wild Junket, run by the lovely Nellie Huang, has long been one of the most prominent and well followed sites in the travel blogging community (if you don’t know of it you must have been living in a cave!) and Nellie has done a fantastic job of taking the style and ethos of the blog and translating it into a bi-monthly magazine which entertains, informs and encapsulates the reader.

Issue 1 is chock full of fantastic features, stunning photography and personal travel stories, not just from Nellie, but from a raft of other well-travelled contributors too.  From Oman to China, the magazine leads you on a number of personal travel trails, all the while maintaining the goal of Wild Junket since its inception:

“Inspiring readers to travel light and travel far.  As an advocate of active travel and environmental awareness, we encourage readers to travel beyond the conventional trail and seek out extraordinary experiences – while keeping our environmental impact to a minimum.”

Great Content, Great Value

It’s an amazing read, with photography that will take your breath away. And at just $2.95 for an issue or or $14.95 to subscribe for a year its a snip! Once paid you are given a code to download the latest digital issue of the magazine and enjoy the pleasure of scrolling through on your ipad or computer wherever you may be.It’s that simple!

The Wild Junket Magazine is a fantastic and more affordable alternative to the conventional travel magazines on the market and, if you haven’t already guessed, I loved it! You can get Issue #1 now, so what are you waiting for?!?!

Great work Nellie, I’m already excited about Issue #2…

Malaga: think fiesta, flamenco and fiery summers. The city has plenty of attractions in itself, but it is also a major hub for Andalusia, connecting you to all the different flavours of the South of Spain – and beyond. Indeed, one of the things that makes this city so popular with travellers is its airport.

Those travelling from the UK can easily find cheap flights to Malaga. A range of airlines operate routes between the two, including Monarch. Once you’ve got to Malaga, there are a bus and train connections that will take you to all kinds of destinations…

Granada
Although Granada has its own small airport, most international flights go to Malaga. You can drive to Granada from here in an hour and a half, and the bus takes 2 hours and 20 minutes.  A city that needs no introduction, once you get here you can explore the tiny old streets of the Albaicin, visit the Moorish Alhambra palace, or take in an authentic flamenco show. And remember: if you plan to go for drinks one evening, don’t bother with dinner, as each beer you order will come with a free tapas.

Marbella
On the other side of Malaga and with a very different vibe, Marbella is the seaside resort of the rich and, well, the rich. The bus from the airport is a mere 40 minutes. And even if you don’t have cash to burn, it’s worth wandering the beach promenade to see how the other half live. Take a midnight stroll through Puerto Banus for yacht-spotting and, if all this gets a bit too much, head to the old town for quaint streets and a more laid-back atmosphere.

Cádiz
The bus between Malaga and Cádiz takes about four hours, but if you’re a surfing enthusiast, it’s definitely worth it. Having said that, there’s loads more to the city than big waves. The skyline offers a range of different architectural styles and the walled old town is the definition of charm. Make sure you try the Spanish version of fish n’ chips here: pescaito frito.

Ronda
The bus from Malaga to Ronda takes 1.5 – 2 hours. Perched on El Tajo canyon, this little city offers history dating back to the Neolithic Age. Due to its mountainous location, you can glimpse stunning views of the surrounding area. And whether you love it or hate it, Ronda is home to the oldest bullfighting ring in Spain.

Tangier
That’s right, as in Tangier, Morocco. A bus and a boat ride may not be as simple as getting flights from North Africa to the UK, but it’s a lot of fun to cross the border like this. The bus directly from Malaga to Algeciras takes three hours, but you’ll probably want to stop at some of the above destinations on the way. Once you get to Algeciras, simply hop on the ferry to be transported to the buzz and hubbub of Tangier. Drink mint tea, wander the Medina, or hop on a night train to Marrakech…

And let’s not forget Malaga itself. You might fancy hanging around, and if you do, there’s plenty to do:

5 Things Not to Miss in Malaga:

• Hit the beautiful beach at La Malagueta
• Sample the Malaga that Picasso grew up in via the museums and tours on offer
• Have a proper tapas session at the many great bars on offer, swilled down with some good Spanish ale
• Venture up to the Castillo de Gibralfaro to get great views over the city
• Explore the unique and beautiful Renaissance cathedral

Why not share your favourite tips of places to go backpacking on the Top Backpacking Destinations Facebook page!

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In December, Jeremy Branham of Budget Travel Adventures came up with the great idea of travel bloggers summarising their travel experience of 2011 as part of the Best of Travel 2011 series. You should now by now that I love a good summary list so I was only too happy to take part!

Best Domestic Travel Destination – London

Sorry, this is a really obvious one, but I still love London every time I visit. There’s always something new to do (and on a budget too), and the standard tourist attractions never get boring. Stroll down the South bank, take in St Paul’s Cathedral, marvel as the Shard continues to grow. I’ll still be going back in years to come and still loving every second.

Best Travel Experience – Getting Engaged in Turkey!

That’s right, I took the plunge earlier this year and proposed to my girlfriend Claire in Cappadocia, Turkey. Goreme is an enchanting place, so I thought it would be fitting for a proposal and give me a better chance of getting a positive response! Fortunately she said yes, so we now we’ve got an even better honeymoon to plan…

Best International Destination – Riga, Latvia

Riga is a fantastic place for a short break; wind your way down quaint cobbled streets, chow down on beautiful bohemian cuisine and enjoy the Latvian hospitality. Just remember that if you go in December it will be really f$+%ing cold!

Worst Travel Experience

Fortunately I don’t have any awful stories to speak of from this year that spring to mind. So rather than dwell on it and risk remembering something that upsets me, i’ll just move on!

Most Embarrassing Travel Moment

Constantly being caught out when not being able to speak the language. This year is the first time for a long time when i’ve travelled to countries where I don’t have any ability in one of the local languages (usually a bit of French, Spanish or English gets you by!). Complacency got the better of me and I found myself on numerous occasion putting my acting skills to the test…

Best Local Destination – Otley Chevin

Living in Yorkshire, the best local destination is always going to be one up n the hills. Otley Chevin is a beautiful area up on the moors which looks out over the local towns. And there is an amazing cafe called The Cheerful Chilli where you can warm up with a cup of tea and a cake after!

Best Travel Lesson

Find a better way to transport an engagement ring than keeping it in your rucksack!

That’s my lot from an exciting year of travel. 2012 has the potential to be even better with trips to South Africa, Texas, Mauritius, Ibiza and Budapest already on the cards.

Now it’s time to play tag and nominate 5 more bloggers to take part. My nominations are:

Nomadic Samuel

Quirky Travel Guy

Vagabond3

Journeying James

Chasing the Unexpected

Can’t wait to read them! Be sure to use the hash tag #BestTravel2011 on Twitter, Facebook etc..

Happy travels in 2012!

Aspen is the kind of place that intrepid travellers aspire to visit by any means necessary. Whether you’re a huge fan of skiing or snowboarding, a person who simply wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of cities, or simply an individual looking to recreate the epic journey of Lloyd and Harry from Dumb and Dumber, Aspen could be the perfect place for you to start or finish a holiday as a backpacker in 2012.

The Colorado-based city is described by its Teletext Holidays guide as the company’s “favourite American resort”, though it goes on to claim that “it has everything we look for – except, obviously, convenience”. For this reason, it serves as the perfect place for people to make their own way to. While it is still an option to transfer to Denver on a flight from one of the main airports of the US, the chance to backpack from somewhere like Las Vegas, San Francisco, Chicago or New Orleans could be one of the most life-affirming experiences you may ever have.

While the chance to join in on festivities has passed for 2011, the Christmas period for Aspen is one of the busiest and most exciting periods. There are a bunch of free holiday activities that will undoubtedly keep visitors happy in the “12 Days of Aspen”, an event held in a large number of venues across the city for skiers and snowboarders alike.

After making your own way to Aspen, you will find it to be the best place to relax and unwind. Due to its 6,000 or so residents, the town-like atmosphere of the area gives peace and tranquillity – something even reflected on its world-class slopes. These boast perfect snow conditions for sportsmen and women of all abilities, while partnering resorts at Snowmass and the Aspen Highlands spoil you for choice if you want to go slightly further afield.

While Aspen boasts the most expensive property prices in the US, it still remains to be an attractive old-style mining town that drew investment from the silver boom in the late 1800s. For this reason, it is packed with restaurants, bars and shops – both general and specialist – that can cater to the needs of anyone who wants to spend their final few dollars after a long backpacking trip across the States.

5 Things Not to Miss in Aspen:

• The Aspen Art Museum is free every day.
• Ambassador Program – Ambassadors offer free mountain tours daily at 10.30am.
• Free sing-a-long and Kids crafts occur weekly by the campfire at Snowmass base.
• Hallam Lake – walk the half mile nature trail loop.
• The Red Brick centre for the arts – rotating exhibitions, watch the artists at work and browse the shop.

Of course, it may be perfect for Aspen to be a penultimate stop-off. Given its isolation from the rest of Colorado, it may be worth finishing your adventure in Grand Junction, Denver or Colorado Springs. Just ensure you plan well – Aspen’s not the easiest place to get to!

This is a featured post from Teletext Holidays.

Planning holidays to exotic destinations is always exciting, but it’s vital make sure you are protected against tropical diseases and plan ahead to get vaccinations in good time before you leave. Some vaccinations need time to kick in, so you should contact your doctor at least 8 weeks before departure.

Malaria

Although you cannot be immunised or vaccinated against malaria, there are several precautions you can take that reduce the risk. Malarone tablets are particularly good for areas like East Africa, where the disease has become resistant to chloroquine, and typically only need to be taken one to two days before travelling and for a week after the return journey.

Wearing long-sleeved clothing, using insect repellent and sleeping under a mosquito net will also protect against mosquito bites, a primary transmitter of malaria. Bear in mind that not all accommodation facilities will provide a net, so if in doubt, bring your own.

Tetanus, diphtheria and polio

Most people in the UK will have had the combined vaccination against tetanus, diphtheria and polio as children, but if you are travelling to an area where these diseases are prevalent, you will need to have completed a primary course of the vaccine and have had a booster in the last ten years.

Typhoid

Typhoid spreads through contaminated food and water, and it is recommended to get a vaccination if you are travelling to Africa, the Middle East, parts of Asia and South America. The vaccine provides protection against the disease for one to three years, but even if you’ve had the jab it is recommended to take precautions. Avoid drinking tap water and eating food from street vendors in these regions.

Cholera

Cholera is now uncommon in most parts of the world, even the relatively higher-risk locations like India, Bangladesh and sub-Saharan Africa. However, outbreaks do still occur and travellers should be sure to only drink sealed bottled water, avoid raw foods and maintain good personal hygiene when travelling in these regions.

If you are going to a place where there is an on-going cholera epidemic, there is an oral vaccine called Dukoral that should be taken well in advance of travelling, as the immunisation course must be completed one week prior to exposure.

Hepatitis A

Travellers to the Indian subcontinent, Africa and Central and South America should consider a vaccination against Hepatitis A, although a blood test can reveal whether you are already immune to the virus. If you are not, you will need an injection four to six weeks before you travel, and a subsequent booster shot between six and 12 months later.

Hepatitis B

South-east Asia, sub-Saharan Africa and the Pacific Islands are the places where Hepatitis B is most common. Three injections of the vaccine over the course of four to six months, which should be completed two months prior to departure, are necessary to be fully protected against the virus.

Get more tips for backpacking around the world on our travel tips page!

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It’s been quiet for a while on the Backpacking Photo of the Week series, but it’s come back with a vengeance this week in Iguazu Falls. Not difficult to take a good photo in this incredible area, whether you’re on the Brazilian or Argentinian side.

You can spend hours on end wandering the area and being wowed by the power of the waterfalls, this particular shot was taken on the Brazilian side and captures even the spiders taking in the vistas…

For more photo fun on the road see the rest of the Backpacking Photo of the Week series…

Darwin is not the first place backpackers think of when booking an Australian tour. For a start it’s right at the very northern part of Australia, in an area known as the ‘Northern Territory’. It can be extremely humid and has a tropical climate (air conditioning is essential here).

As a city, Darwin is difficult to get to by road if you’re on the Western, Southern or Eastern coasts as it is so remote. Most likely you’ll need to fly, internal flights are easy to get and should be fairly reasonable in price.

The city itself is multicultural for Australia, the original Aboriginal inhabitants of Darwin were the Larraka people, and over the decades the small outpost has grown significantly into a medium sized city with a population of around 127,000 people. It was only a few generations ago, that Darwin consisted of mainly tin roofed buildings. The city was devastated by Japanese bombers during World War II, and then again the city was partially destroyed during a terrible Cyclone in 1974. What you will see today is a mixture of architecture, much of the city centre is fairly modern.

Nightlife

Darwin has a number of bars and clubs which are mostly policed by door staff along Mitchell Street, it can be a little rough at night and these are there to protect backpackers mainly. Some venues operate an ID system where you are photographed before entry.

Most of the bars and clubs are commercial with the occasional acoustic musician or band. There are one or two live music venues hidden away but these will need some research if you want something slightly out of the ordinary and it’s advisable to take extra care when venturing off the beaten track (you may notice a high police presence in places).

If you fancy something a but quirky then watching the sunset at the Sailing Club overlooking the Timor Sea can be a stunning occasion. There is a bar and sometimes live music, from rock to reggae, it is strongly recommended on a sunny evening.

Culture

If you’re looking for something to do in Darwin during the day then a visit to The Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery is a must (near to the Sailing Club). East Point Military Museum is also an interesting find, as is Darwin Aviation Heritage Centre.

Mindil Beach is great for the markets and other events which take place and the hippy vibe is really worth experiencing. There are several beaches around Darwin which are also beautiful, if not a little wild. Darwin has its share of saltwater crocs and deadly box jellyfish so swimming is not recommended.

There are plenty of parks and gardens around Darwin, although not quite so fancy as Melbourne or Sydney. Cullen Bay is worth checking out for some of the harbour restaurants and you can find information on the many types of cruises which depart from Darwin.

Many people use Darwin as a stepping stone before continuing to wild and fascinating places such as Kakadu National Park (a must see), Litchfield National Park and Katherine Gorge. In reality, Darwin really is worth an extra few days to experience this northern tip of Australia, it make be a long time before you get chance to return, if at all, so make the most of it (you need to experience just one thunder storm).

5 Things Not to Miss in Darwin

• Sunset Market at Mindil Beach
• Experience the outdoor cinema at the end of the Esplanade
• Hit the crocodile farm
• A trip to The Northern Territory Museum and Art Gallery
• An evening at Cullen Bay

This is a guest post from Nick Byng who writes the holiday blog, Blog About Holidays, and has travelled extensively, backpacking across Canada and Australia. 

The waterways and coast of Kerala are filled with plenty to amaze and absorb travellers.

A relatively small state of India, Kerala nevertheless has plenty to offer the backpacker who wants to spend time among tropical greenery and exotic wildlife. Situated on the lush Malabar Coast of south-western India, Kerala is well-known for its eco-tourism offerings, bustling fishing communities and traversable canals, and older backpackers arranging travel insurance over 70 will do well to make long term plans, because there is plenty to fill weeks or even months of travelling if you’re up to it.

Boating in the backwaters

The backwaters of Kerala, a chain of lagoons and lakes interconnected by canals, are among the biggest drivers of travellers to the state. There are plenty of opportunities to take a cruise with local providers, particularly in the town of Alleppey, which is known as the “Venice of the East” for the miles of canals that provide a unique way of exploring the town. In August, the backwaters also play host to the annual Snake Boat Race, which regularly attracts hundreds of participants in colourfully-decorated canoes.

Kerala has a predominantly tropical climate, with flora and fauna to match: depending on where they travel, visitors can expect to see crocodiles, flying squirrels and Indian porcupines. It is recommended to make some time in your backpacking schedule to visit one of the state’s numerous conservation areas for the rare opportunity to see Bengal tigers, lion-tailed macaques and Indian sloth bears.

Getting about in the towns

The state of Kerala is very densely populated, even by India’s standards, with villages that line almost the entirety of the coastline – this makes sticking to the coast a good strategy if you’re worried about finding a place to stay for the night. Elephants are a common sight on the highways, and coastal trekkers may wish to pay a visit to the elephant sanctuary at Guruvayur, which keeps several dozen elephants which are regularly painted in bright colours for religious ceremonies.

Although Kerala’s coast tends to be more village than sand, Varkala Beach offers a tranquil escape for the crowds, and is regularly visited for the water spouts and spas that line the cliffs adjacent to the Arabian sea. According to local belief, a dip in the waters here washes away all the sins of one’s life.

There are many religious festivals in Kerala and even if you’re only there for a few weeks, it’s likely you will see at least one. The biggest festival is Onam, the harvest festival, which falls between August and September and lasts for ten days. Expect to see plenty of dancing in the streets, energetic outdoor ball games and feasting while the festival takes place.

Five things not to miss in Kerala

• Travelling in a houseboat along miles of canals
• Exploring Fort Kochi, an ancient fishing port with stunning Jain temples
• Enjoying the view at the Athirappilly Waterfalls
• Getting close to elephants and tigers at Periyar National Park
• Taking a dip in the waters on Varkala Beach

For more great places to go backpacking in this part of the world check out the Asia Destinations page or the Top Backpacking Destinations Facebook page

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