Rita Fargiorgio knows that part of the fun when travelling is taking time out over a cup of coffee..
“I just had to stop, in the middle of the street, near a market in Damascus in Syria, where a young boy and his grandfather had an espresso machine! I asked how much and pointed to the money and he showed me so I said “yes please.” The strong espresso had a nice head of crema.
We chatted enthusiastically though neither of us spoke each other’s language. Through hand gestures, smiles and lots of nods we agreed that Damascus, the coffee and Sydney were all lovely. I paid and gave them a nice tip and a “salaam ‘alaykum” for an experience and warmth I never expected!”
* photo by Ayeleen Ajanee - Intrepid Photography Competition
Why did the chicken cross the road? Who knows? But if that chicken was in Vietnam, then Intrepid’s Tracey Wajda has the local know-how that might be a clue…
“In Hanoi’s tiny Ly Van Phuc Street they serve up the most succulent barbecued chicken you’ll ever enjoy. Every one of the dozen or so restaurants in this street has a coal barbecue out front, on which racks of chicken thighs and wings, pork spare ribs, sweet potatoes and bread is being roasted and constantly brushed with honey and spicy sauces.
(more…)
In June each year, the city of Fes hosts a festival of sacred music. This international gathering draws performers and spectators from far and wide to Morocco, and Intrepid’s Laura Carroll recommends you put this festival high on your list if you love hearing world-class music from a variety of countries and cultures…
“Created in 1994, the festival serves as a bridge between cultures, to create a musical dialogue between faiths. The themes always reflect that goal, with performers coming from America, France, Spain, Norway, Lebanon, Mali, Senegal, India, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Bali, Vietnam and beyond.
(more…)
It’s no coincidence that we commenced Intrepid Family adventures around the same time that our co-founders, Darrell Wade and Geoff Manchester, started travelling with their kids. Always eager to do what they love doing most - travelling - Geoff jumped at the chance to take his family to Egypt…
“Everyone in our family was enthusiastic about a trip to Egypt! Children often have a fascination with the region. They seem to go through a period of intense interest in dinosaurs and then turn to mummies and pyramids. Added to this is that they now study Egyptology in early school years. (So they know more than you do!)
(more…)
Seeing our world through the eyes of young travellers is a fantastic reminder that our planet really is diverse and exciting. Kaitlin Nichols went with her family to Vietnam and she hasn’t stopped talking about it since…
“I think the most fun that I have had trying to speak local dialect was actually on an Intrepid tour. It was in Vietnam and Son, our tour guide, attempted to teach our group some frequently used phrases. There were the basic ones, like hello and good bye, but we were also taught the numbers and sayings.
(more…)
