Lee’s Trip to India – Rail Journey on the Deccan Odyssey

Get that Queensland holiday feeling and experience the natural beauty of this breathtaking region. With five World Heritage-listed sites, ancient rainforests and stunning tropical islands, this is a picture perfect destination and is home to the world-famous Great Barrier Reef, K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), The Whitsundays, Brisbane and the Gold Coast to name a few. One of the most dynamic destinations in the Southern Hemisphere, Queensland is a destination that is ideal for those looking for a holiday of relaxation or if you are looking to go on an adventure. From watching the sunrise on one of the pristine beaches to a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef, unforgettable nature experiences await in this sunshine state. Of course, there are also plenty of fascinating cities to explore including the capital city of Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns each with their own unique charms. A beach lovers paradise blessed with nearly 4,000 miles of coastline, making it no surprise that the abundance of pristine beaches is one of Queensland's major attractions. Whether you are looking for a beach to swim, snorkel, surf or simply relax, there will be one for you. Stroll along the beautiful beach of Palm Cove which is lined with towering palm trees and centuries-old paperbark, surfers should head to Noosa Main Beach which is perfect for both beginner and advanced surfers alike. Whitehaven Beach is also definitely worth a visit and consistently wins recognition as one of the world’s best beaches with pure-white silica sands like nowhere else on earth and crystal clear waters. Queensland has a variety of energetic cities, each with a unique melting pot of culture and innovation. The thriving capital city of Brisbane perfectly blends the outdoors and the indoors and is home to world-class art galleries, vibrant street art, and a diverse culinary scene with plenty of al fresco dining opportunities. Cairns, located in the heart of Tropical North Queensland, may be a relatively small city but don’t let that fool you. With a distinctive multicultural mix, you will find many innovative eateries, trendy bars, stylish boutiques and excellent galleries. Also be sure to visit the Gold Coast, a coastal charismatic city boasting a vibrant nightlife, sparkling beaches and incredible shopping opportunities including Queensland’s largest shopping centre – Pacific Fair – which is home to more than 400 shops. A true natural wonderland unlike anywhere else in the world, Queensland has five of the 16 World Heritage areas in Australia plus over 450 national parks, marine refuges and state forests, the diverse environment is undeniably spectacular. Take a trip to the famous UNESCO World Heritage Listed Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest coral reef system and is comprised of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands with more than 1,500 different species of fish, 134 species of sharks and rays and over 30 species of marine mammals. From snorkelling and scuba diving tours to glass bottom boat tours, there is an option to suit everyone to view the reef. Also not to be missed is a visit to the ancient Daintree Rainforest, part of the UNESCO listed Wet Tropics, which is millions of years older than the Amazon and larger than the area of Sydney. Take a tour of the rainforest and discover its flowing streams, rushing waterfalls, lagoons, mountain ranges and rich Aboriginal culture. Experience the natural beauty of this breathtaking region and with so much to see and do there are many ways you can explore Queensland with our If Only itineraries helping you to make the most of your trip. We've put together a variety of options with the best ways to travel from self-drive in a car to a campervan, itineraries where transfers are included or escorted trips giving you the choice of how you would like to see this picture perfect destination. With 300 days of sunshine a year, Queensland - the Sunshine State, offers a fabulous mix of recreational options including rainforest hiking on K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), diving on the Great Barrier Reef, wildlife spotting in Lamington National Park, beachcombing at Noosa or enjoying the shops, bars and restaurants of Brisbane and Cairns. No matter what type of holiday you are looking for, Queensland is guaranteed not to disappoint.

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ALASKA - The Last Frontier. Spectacular views, crystal clear lakes, stunning wildlife, glaciers and soaring mountains are all part of Alaska's charm. One of the best ways to experience Alaska is a 7 night cruise through the inside passage as experienced by Abi of Deben Travel in Woodbridge. Alaska cruises are popular in the summer months of July & August for the warmer weather and wildlife viewing. However May, June & September offer fewer tourists and potential northern lights sightings heading into the winter months. Setting sail from the cruise terminal in Vancouver is seamless and you are soon on your way cruising past many of the small Islands of British Columbia across the Johnston Strait and into the Inside Passage. You will be immersed in nature at every point of the cruise as you sit on deck with a coffee you may be lucky to spot an Eagle, Sea Otter or the majestic Humpback Whale all with the stunning backdrop of the wilderness. With an average of 5 ports of call usually Icy Straight Point, Skagway, Dawes Glacier, Juneau and Ketchikan the Glacier viewing is pretty spectacular as the Ship can get within metres of the natural wonder, there is so much to see and do. Deben Travel would advise pre-booking some excursions whilst in port such as the Skagway Gold Rush City Tour and White Mountain Pass, Ketchikan Bear Watching and Totem Poles, Icy Straight Point Whale Watching, Juneau Lake to Glacier Kayaking to name just a few. Abi cruised with Celebrity on-board Solstice one of their smaller ships, whilst on the cruise you will enjoy fine dining, numerous bars, cinema, live entertainment along with quiet havens like the observatory lounge and library there really is something for everyone. The Alaska cruise can be added after a city break in Vancouver or a longer stay in Canada. For further information please contact Deben Travel at Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge via email team@debentravel.co.uk or call 01394 615620.

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Top 6 unsung wildlife Hotspots... We know that authentic animal encounters feature on many of your wish lists, so Audley Travel have put together six that take you beyond the most-visited wildlife spots. Trekking & 4x4 Safari, Thailand - For wildlife spotting, visit Thailand's oldest national park and a refuge to elephants, Khao Yai. You can go hiking by day and take a 4x4 tour by night to see the local species. Jaguar Conservation, Brazil - Working exclusively with the Caiman Ecological Refuge, you can join biologists on outings as they conduct research and study projects on jaguars in their care. Dawn & Dusk drives, Borneo - On private dawn and dusk drives, your eagle-eyed guide will point out maroon leaf monkeys, flying squirrels, civets, acaques, and, if luck’s on your side, pygmy elephants, orangutans, and the elusive clouded leopard. Rainforest Tours, Costa Rica - Bosque Eterno de los Niños, the largest private reserve, contains half of the country’s wildlife species. We recommend a guided evening walk to explore the reserve’s wild riches. As a bonus, your visit supports local reforestation efforts. Leopard Tracking, Namibia - Leopards are the most elusive member of Africa’s Big Five. We recommend you stay at the home of AfriCat Foundation, Okonjima Nature Reserve, you can accompany researchers tracking leopards. Lemur Walk, Namibia - At Akiba Lodge Anjahakely, you will be surrounded by mountains and forests, sometimes crowned lemurs and endangered Perrier’s sifakas will come to you. For further information and starting prices visit: https://www.audleytravel.com/inspiration/wildlife-holidays Deben Travel, Tide Mill Way, Woodbridge team@debentravel.co.uk #debentravel

Our Karin is off to China today, experiencing an escorted tour with Travelsphere. Photos to follow but in the meantime here are a few highlights: Visit Shanghai China’s biggest city is known for both its colonial past and its rule as a powerhouse of economic growth. Visit Shanghai and you’ll see some of the most iconic contemporary buildings in Asia as well as a labyrinthine Old Town. Be sure to take a stroll along The Bund – the city’s striking riverside boulevard boasts many former colonial structures. Among the neon, glass and concrete, this fast-growing capital of enterprise has a rich culture too. Visit its traditional tea rooms, marvel at the incredible Jade Buddha Temple and watch a performance of the world-famous Shanghai Acrobats. Beijing's Highlights Visit Beijing and you are guaranteed immense natural beauty and awesome architecture. The great Yongding and Chaobai Rivers flow gently through the 3000-year-old city, and the Great Wall of China cuts across its northern districts. It’s here too that you’ll discover the Forbidden City, at the heart of the Ming Dynasty’s empire from the 15th century onwards. Your tour of Beijing will also take you to the Imperial Palace, Temple of Heaven, Summer Palace and Tiananmen Square. Explore Xian One of China’s four ancient capitals, Xian sits at the eastern end of the Silk Road. Its most popular attraction is the Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain, built by China’s first emperor Qin Shi Huang to protect him during the afterlife. Discovered in 1974, this great feat of 3rd century artistry includes thousands of life-sized clay soldiers as well as chariots, horses, acrobats, strongmen and musicians all carved in intricate detail. This UNESCO-listed site really is an astonishing sight to behold. Great Wall and Terracotta Army Visiting the Great Wall on a China holiday is something that should be high on your list of things to do. Built more than 2,000 years ago as a barrier against foreign invaders, it stretches for more than 5,500 miles across plateaus, deserts, mountains and grasslands. Another must-see site is the incredible Terracotta Army at Li Shan Mountain, one of the most important archaeological finds of the 20th century. It’s here that you’ll see thousands of life-size terracotta soldiers, horses and chariots believed to date back to the Qin Dynasty (211-206 BC). They were interred with the first Qin emperor and form a dazzling display of Chinese military power. Yangtze River Cruise Always popular with visitors to China is a cruise along the famous Yangtze River, offering a relaxing way to see many wonderful sights. You’ll visit the site of the mighty Three Gorges Dam – the largest hydroelectric dam in the world – and sail through the Three Gorges Dam locks. Spectacular scenery awaits along the Xililng, Wu and Qutang Gorges as you take in the views in complete comfort aboard a cruise ship which boasts excellent facilities. #debentravel