The tantalising dance of the tango originated in Argentina and today is synonymous with the country’s sultry culture and passionate traditions. Summer Davis ditched the hiking boots for a day and stepped up for the tango a la porteno challenge…
“I was booked for a tango lesson in Buenos Aires and wanted to learn the dance properly. Thanks to local advice, I made my way into one of the city’s famous shoe stores to shop like a dancing queen – slipping into, twirling around and posing in pair after pair of gorgeous leather dance shoes. Which ones would be appropriate for my neophyte shimmying?
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A recent survey of single Aussies reveals that travel makes you more attractive. The Intrepid Travel poll of more than 880 singles on RSVP.com.au found that over half (55%) of respondents thought having travel listed on a potential mate’s profile makes them more attractive.
“The attitudes of singles show that a bi-product of travel is that it adds to your sex appeal,” said Jo Stewart, Intrepid Travel Spokesperson. “Travellers are generally considered curious about the world, open minded and adventurous – all of which are attractive qualities.”
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Think of movies and most know Morocco for the famous Hollywood film Casablanca, even though in that case production never left the Los Angeles studios! But since then there have been 100s of movies made locally and Intrepid’s Summer Davis explains how Intrepid travellers get to dine with a Moroccan film ‘star’…
“In a small mud brick house on the wadi bank opposite Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, lights and laughter warm the cool interior. Joking his way through a cooking demonstration, Hussein Boulkil enlivens the onlookers intently learning to cook couscous and tagine. A self-proclaimed actor, Hussein has been an extra in 14 movies filmed in Ait Benhaddou and ‘met’ such prestigious actors as Harrison Ford, Russell Crowe and Brad Pitt.
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Ever been star-struck by a city? When Sarah Plaskitt touched down in one of the USA’s most famous megacities all those memorable movie moments came flooding back and this was her chance to strut in the shoes of her on-screen idols…
“I have never been more thrilled than the second I stepped out of the airport and hopped into a yellow cab headed for the bright lights of New York City. As I spoke the words “corner of 38th and Park please” I felt like I was in a scene from one of thousands of movies shot in the most effervescent and exciting city in the world. Just spotting the familiar street signs and sites seen hundreds of times before, I couldn’t believe I was truly there; 42nd Street, Grand Central Station, Rockerfeller Centre and Central Park.
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If they made a movie of this man’s life there wouldn’t be a dry eye in the house, because to see what can be achieved by one person’s commitment to helping others is very moving and inspiring. KOTO stands for ‘know one, teach one’ and that’s exactly what Jimmy Pham has done since founding the not-for-profit hospitality training organisation in Vietnam in 1999. Hundreds of disadvantaged youth have benefitted from Jimmy’s vision, passion and dedication and now’s your chance to travel with him to Vietnam on a very personal Intrepid journey.
Jimmy Pham, KOTO CEO and Young Global Leader 2011, is returning to his roots in Vietnam to take you on a very special journey departing 5 August, 2012. It’s an exciting full-circle for Jimmy, as his concern for street kids in Hanoi started when he was an Intrepid group leader and the travel company supported him in his efforts to give these children a better future. The Intrepid Foundation has been a long-time benefactor of KOTO and Intrepid travellers enjoy being taken to KOTO restaurants to see for themselves what a difference the hospitality training is making to these young lives.
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Did you know there’s more regulation on the global trade of bananas and bottled water than guns and bullets? You might think this sounds like a B-grade movie plot, but sadly, it’s not! EVERY minute, one person is killed by armed violence fuelled by an unregulated arms trade. This deadly trade puts WEAPONS in the hands of tens of thousands of child soldiers, and forces millions to flee their homes.
This violence can happen because countries including the US, Russia, UK and France have been exporting guns, bombs and other weapons for years, with very little regulation about who they can sell to or how. Right now however, we’ve got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change this, and keep the world’s weapons out of the wrong hands.
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Mark Stennett travels South East Asia in search of the perfect photo and the iconic and majestic temples of Angkor are just the starting point for a fantastic photographic exploration of Cambodia…
“Angkor Wat and the many smaller temples in Siem Reap offer a never ending array of photo opportunities and not just at sunrise and sunset, when indeed they really do shine. There are so many new things to discover as you wander around slowly, trying to image what this once mighty civilisation might have looked like back at the peak of power.
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There’s no better way to get a real taste of China than to learn to cook the local cuisine. You might think you know Chinese dishes, but dumbed down Sweet and Sour Pork or Chop Suey that you get at home doesn’t really cut it, as Rebecca Webb discovered in Yangshuo…
“Located in a farmhouse, set amidst the famous and spectacular scenery of the Guilin region, the Yangshuo Cooking School was a fantastic experience. The day started with a trip to the local market, where our teacher walked us through the aisles of different vegetables and spices that are common in Chinese cuisine.
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Universally admired, the World Heritage-listed Taj Mahal is India’s finest example of Mughal architecture. Built in the 17th century by grief-stricken Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, not only is this building a masterpiece of Muslim art, but a monument to love. Standing before the stunning white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, like Andre van Staden you’ll be swept up in its immeasurable beauty…
“I have been to India a couple of times now and have always been in awe of the people and the culture. Wherever you look you can see ancient historic buildings. One feels that you are experiencing a living history when you visit India.
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