A great way to get to know a place and its people is having a local show you the best bars. Recently we asked Intrepid Express readers to tell us their favourite place for a beer, so our thirsty travellers have done the leg work for you and now all you need do is sit back and enjoy a cold ale or two…
Spain: “One of the most vibrant and interesting bars I have been to was one we stumbled upon in Granada, Spain: Bodegas de Castenada. Stood at the bar, often four deep, we thought it was going to take a while to get served. And then from behind us orders were being shouted over our heads. We realised the only way to get served was to lose our English reserve and do as the locals do, by shouting our order at the bar man: dos calicasas por favour!
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There are so many brilliant spots to enjoy a lager or two, but here’s a couple of the best bars from our Intrepid team…
Skyline Bar in Riga, Latvia: It’s at the top of what’s probably the tallest hotel in the city and has an almost 360 degrees view. Best to go at night for a drink, but arrive early for a window seat. It is a trendy place and locals go there as well. The beer might not be as cheap as in the city’s cool little basement bars, but the view is awesome!
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Faced with the daunting experience of landing in a strange city for the first time, sometimes it feels like our fate is in the hands of the gods. So these tips from Intrepid’s Danielle Jeffreson will help your Thailand holiday get off to a great start…
“For many people Bangkok is their first taste of Asia and it can often be an overwhelming experience. Once you arrive in the city you are faced with the crazy traffic, exhaust fumes, humidity and crowds, all of which can take time to get used to. Though before long the friendly smiles and hospitality of the Thai people will help you settle in and you can get down to exploring the many experiences this buzzing city has to offer.
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Mongolia is not a country renowned for being vegetarian-friendly. Because of the traditional nomadic lifestyle, as well as the harsh climate, growing vegetables hasn’t formed part of the local way of life.
People joke that in Mongolia you eat meat, more meat, with a side order of meat on top of that. So Intrepid’s Laura Carroll was pleasantly surprised to find that, at least in Ulaanbaatar, it’s possible to be vegetarian without too much trouble…
“In the city, there are actually three purely vegetarian restaurants. Ananda Cafe supports the Lotus Children’s Centre and local teens gain work experience by serving up tasty vegetarian dishes on a menu that changes every day. It’s a good place to go, knowing that in addition to enjoying a good meal you’re also supporting a good cause.
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While you’re hanging out waiting for your Intrepid USA road trip to kick off, here’s some great tips on how to spend your time in the City of Angels from Intrepid’s own Carly Wallis…
“Los Angeles is full of excesses so I had a fabulous time indulging. Whilst not famous for being the prettiest of cities, LA is generally a starting point for journeys in the west and it is well worth a few days if you can handle the pace. Here are my top tips for a great time in Los Angeles:
1. Any trip has to include Hollywood, see a film at the Chinese Mann Theatre – you might even be lucky enough to be there for a premiere, and definitely find your favourite movie star’s footprints in the sidewalk. A few hours should be enough to dedicate to this area of LA.
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Many antiperspirants and deodorants are as harmful for you as they are for the environment, but there is a simple survival tip that is a great green option, will save you cash and can come in handy when caught short travelling.
The secret ingredient is baking soda. Simply sprinkle a small amount on a damp cloth, then pat it on and don’t rinse off. You’ll be amazed how well this neutralises sweaty smells, but if you’d enjoy a little more perfume, then try this easy trick…
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By the time Ian Wright was 8 years old, the three things that were to be his passions in life, were already well evident. Those three things are a love of travel, a fascination with the art of photography and an academic interest in how individuals and societies function. Ian Wright is escorting Intrepid’s special Morocco Through the Lens trips this September, and here’s an insight into the professional photographer behind the lens…
“While there are many subjects for travel photographers – and of course each travel photographer has his or her personal interests – to me, travel photography is fundamentally about an engagement with people.
Don’t get me wrong, I love taking landscapes, cityscapes, architecture, interiors, gardens, wildlife etc and enjoy all the technical understanding of camera technique, composition and photo editing. But photographing how people live is – to me – the heart of the matter. As Henri Cartier-Bresson said, “Photography is nothing – it’s life that interests me.” Another of the greats – Edward Weston – commented that, “Ultimately success or failure in photographing people depends on the photographer’s ability to understand his fellow man.”
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Thailand: a country where cares and worries ooze away… by Catherine Graham
“Thailand has so much to offer it is difficult to pinpoint just one element and still truly capture its magic. The experience gained from this country culminates from so many separate novelties on so many levels, I guess I just don’t know where to start…the Thai manner, service and friendliness, the temperature, the frantic yet exciting atmosphere of Bangkok, the peace and beauty of southern islands, the delicious cuisine, the quaint stalls and markets, the list goes on.
If I could cover every positive element from my two week holiday in Thailand, I would. However I will have to settle for one outstanding evening on Ko Pha-Ngan, down on party central: Haad Rin beach.
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It can be easy to put a foot wrong when we travel, but thanks to our Intrepid Russia team, here are some responsible travel tips to help you get it right…
In Moscow it won’t cost you a ruble to visit the Sakharov Museum, which tells the history of repression and human rights in Russia from the revolution onwards. Another great option is the newly-designed ‘Eco Walk’ to Vorobyovy Gory. The walk to the city’s highest point marks Moscow’s first attempt at recycling bins, bird feeders for the local wildlife and information about the nature of the area.
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