Here’s a descritption of the fantastic project in their own words:

Faced with the science of climate change, Dizraeli (known to his mum as Rowan Sawday) has vowed never to fly again. All good, until he is offered a golden opportunity to perform in Egypt. After a brief struggle with the devil on his left shoulder, Rowan decides to stick to his principles, exchange quick convenience and aeroplane food for a continent-sized slice of chaos, and go overland. Accompanied by documentary photographer/filmmaker Billy Macrae, he has two weeks and £500 to get to Cairo. The pair will travel through Central and Eastern Europe, then on to Turkey, Syria, Israel and Palestine. Crossing countless borders and barriers, they will broadcast their journey to the world: as a daily blog, a weekly video diary and finally, a documentary film accompanied by a full-length album.

Read more on the Unplaned website.

What I particularly like about the challenge that the pair have set themselves, is that they are poised to explore some really fascinating cultural issues through the medium of music, spoken word and documentary. One of the main reasons we set up Loco2 was to tackle similar issues: what does it mean that frequent short and long-haul travel to have become so prevalent in Western culture? Surely there is more to travel than (a) escaping your own home life or (b) copying everyone else for fear of missing out? Overland travel opens up a whole new world of cultural exchange, and there doesn’t seem to be a better pair to explore it than Dizraeli and Billy Macrae.

I’ll leave you with one of the poems that Dizraeli performed on the night, this time set to music. For me, the lyrics are spot on in terms of how travel has in lots of ways become a status symbol rather than a truly authentic experience for its own sake… The pair leave in three days, so wish them well, and we’ll no doubt be hearing lots more from them…

Photo credits: Elizabeth Argyll, Ed Yourdon, Dizraeli

Now Google have teamed up with Russian Railways, to offer the ultimate in virtual travelling: a trip on the Trans-Siberian railway!

If you have a spare week or so but can’t leave your computer because you are addicted Facebook, then why not open this in another window, and you can have the best of both worlds.

That’s right, the entire length of the track has been filmed and embedded into a Googlemap so that you can experience the whole journey. Not only can you watch everything you might see out of the window, but you can listen to light-hearted tidbits like the whole of War and Peace by Tolstoy.

If you’re wondering who on earth Russian Railways are, it is relatively self-explanatory, but if you want more info then I’d watch this video interview with the cheerful chap who heads up the company. In his words (and I quote): “Yearly, we are carrying like one billion three hundred million passengers”. Blimey.

I personally would prefer the real thing, especially as at the end of the week I’d be in Asia, rather than still sat in front of my computer. But it’s a cool idea, and here at Loco2 the journey-planning tool we’re releasing soon has some similar features in terms of helping you know what to expect on a long rail-based adventure.

Photo credits: Brostad, Denis Tang, Magical World

Now that Kate is back from her travels the sibling duo have been joined by a fantastic web developer called Eugene and a content editor with an eye for detail, Jodie.

Jamie Andrews

Since graduating from the University of Sheffield with a degree in History in 2004, Jamie initially remained in the city he grew to love, working for two years at a clean technology ‘incubator’, where he helped start-up companies hatch their ideas into reality.

Since early 2007 he has worked in web development, starting at the fantastic Torchbox, where he managed the development and launch of The Carbon Account.

In 2008 he moved to East London and began working for AMEE where he still works for four days a week at their Silicon Roundabout offices.

As you might have guessed, Jamie likes travelling and constantly rues the irony of barely having the time for a holiday, so busy has he been building up Loco2 in his spare time.

Kate Andrews

Kate is Jamie’s cheeky little sister. She hatched the plan for Loco2 in 2006 while in her final year of University, before gallivanting off around the World, leaving all the hard work to him.

She’s crossed an ocean on a container ship, sailed the Pacific on a tiny yacht, crossed Asia by bus and train and done a whole lot else besides. In the past two years she’s visited over 25 countries, and used countless forms of low carbon travel. But in Oct 2009, after an 800 day circumnavigation she decided it was time to come home and face the music.

Having used up her quota of travel for a few years she’s now living in East London, working for Loco2 and helping other people realise the potential of surface travel.

Eugene Bolshakov

Eugene has worked at an inflatable beach mattress rental shop, a digital camera store, as a sound technician at a student club and various other weird and wonderful places.

But he couldn’t help finally picking the only thing he seems to be good at (and which is apparently the most boring one) — web programming.

He has given up the chance to permanently reside in the US because he’d have to fly to visit his parents in Russia. He finds it hard to stay in one place for a long time and when he’s not on the move (or packing things) he likes watching short Indie films, making vegetarian sushi rolls and searching for a reason to get on the move again.

Jodie Harris

Jodie is Loco2’s resident content editor. She has a background in environmental communication and sustainability, and a fantastic eye for detail.

In 2008 she returned from travelling around New Zealand in camper van, and decided to give a helping hand to fellow surface travellers.

Her most recent project was setting up planetearth, the UK’S leading portal for environmental science news. Based in Bristol, she now works for Loco2 part time, bringing her many years experience and editorial skills to the team.

From the 21^st to 23^rd of May you’ll have a chance to craft a wallet from a recycled orange juice carton, brush up on your thatching skills, and indulge in a little poetry slam (whatever the hell that is!) Throw in some tai chi, salsa and circus skills and you’ve got yourself a super weekend, and I haven’t even got started on the plethora of acoustic, guitar-type, nice folky music stuff

This year’s line-up has just been revealed and there’s more acts being confirmed every week. So far they’ve got the superb sounds of Tunng, Fionn Regan, and Danny & The Champions of the World to whet your whistle, plus a smattering of lesser known World musicians with more bongos, cajóns and djembes than you’ll know what to do with.

Tickets are on sale now, and you can get your grubby little hands on them here. But because the organisers know that intimate festivals are the business – think being able to find your friends, not queuing for hours for a loo, knowing your campsite neighbours – they’ve limited tickets to a mere 800 so get your skates on. They really are very clever I say, as they’re even using a fairtrade ticket agency. If only everyone was so thoughtful.

Getting there

This year Wood is piloting the Industry Green certification programme to measure their carbon footprint and other impacts to keep them as low as possible. Since they’re going to all this trouble; powering their festival with 100% renewable energy, fashioning a pedal powered disco, shipping in eco-toilets, the least you can do is go Loco2 and get there by public transport.

From London town you can catch a direct train to Goring and Streatley and then jump on a shuttle bus to the festival site. Or if you fancy the bus then get yourself to Oxford city centre and hop aboard a bus to Wallingford (X39 from St. Aldate), before changing for the Braziers Park bus (X40). More details of these options here if you need them.

To go with the general shake-up of the site’s design, there are a lots of exciting new features to feast your eyes upon.

Firstly, we now have the holiday ideas section to go along with the expanded festivals and adventures sections. It’s also now possible to fully search the site using the box in the top-right of every page.

But the thing that has really been taking blood, sweat and tears (and a fair amount of money) to create, is the new journey planner. For the moment this is only available to a limited number of users as we need help to test it and check everything works. So please sign up, and if you’re quick then your account should be confirmed within a few days.

To coincide with the launch of the new site, we’re really keen to start responding more proactively to all feedback, hence the massive button on the left-hand side of every page. The Loco2 team (who you’ll be hearing more about soon) are here to help. We’ll be updating everything far more regularly than before, plus making ongoing improvements to all aspects of the site.

So stay tuned, and remember kids, don’t go crazy, go loco!

What have the Romans ever done for us?

The UK is host to a wonderful network of canals thanks in part to the Romans, and also to some very fine engineers of the Industrial Revolution. There are thousands of miles of canal to explore, from London to Bristol, Liverpool and Lancaster, to Edinburgh and Inverness and beyond. And if it’s slow travel you’re after, then the 4mph speed limit should be right up your street.

If you’re considering a boating holiday then you really are spoiled for choice. And actually I had a hard time choosing a location myself; that is until I saw a picture of the Dundas Aqueduct (not built by the Romans) on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It’s well over two hundred years old and you can still take your boat over it, stopping on the other side for a pint of beer. I am a geek, this makes me excited, so how about some argy bargy in Bath?

Bath time

The canals that link the River Thames and Bristol’s Avon River provide some of the UK’s most beautiful waterways and they’re perfect for first-time helmsmen (or women). The lovely people at Boating Holidays Direct offer a range of breaks, including weekend trips to Bath and back (with ample time for a night out in the city), or a full relaxing week, with pub lunches galore. All companies offer a short introduction to handling the boat, and operating locks, but make sure to ask if you’re a novice.

The price of your holiday will vary greatly depending on the time of year – peak season begins in July and prices do not drop again until September. Other factors affecting price include the number of people on your boat and how much head room you desire.

I’ve got my eye on a 65ft beauty called the Burghfield that sleeps 8, and has a fully equipped kitchen, TV, DVD, and stereo. For a week in May, this baby will set you back a little over £1000, but divide that by 8, and again by 7 and you’re looking at around £18 each a day or £125 for the week. Not too shabby me thinks, especially since this includes fuel for the week. Other costs to think about are a £50 damage waiver, and a fully refundable deposit for insurance against negligible damage.

All in all, this holiday has the potential to be a truly budget break, and beyond the expenses mentioned above it really is up to you to decide how much money you spend.  You can cook all your meals aboard if you wish, or if you fancy it then there are all manner of pubs, cafes and restaurants dotted along the water’s edge to tempt you.

Getting there

Direct trains to Bath Spa run seven days a week from London Paddington, and there are literally hundreds of other options from all over the UK. Consider buying a railcard if you’re coming from afar. The Young Person’s Railcard (available to those between 18 -25) lasts a year and will cost you around £25. With this you’ll save 1/3 on all national rail journeys and you’ll usually make your money back through savings within a couple of journeys. Sneaky youths can purchase a ticket the day before their 25^th birthday and it will still be valid for a year and is totally legal. Don’t underestimate my sneakiness.

From Bath it’s up to you to make your way to the various boatyards. Many of them are close to small railway stations, and some companies will even pick you up from the station by prior arrangement.

Photos: Christophe.Finot, Piere Terre & Blackbeck and John Carver.

Not only is there some of the most incredible landscape that the UK has to offer, och no. There’s Loch Ness, with the ever-intriguing mystery monster; ye olde castles of yesteryear that have been converted into hotels, complete with turrets and real life damsons in distress. There’s rock climbing, abseiling, falconry, and some surprisingly cheap skiing. But for me the fun times really begin in July with the start of the Highland games season, so come with me to Inverness for some big manly sports.

Big Manly Sports

The games at Inverness begin on July 24^th as part of the larger Summer Festival that runs throughout July. I must admit a rather large chasm of ignorance when it comes to Highland Games, but I surmise from various photos that you’re in for all manner of kilt wearing, highland dancing, singing, live music, whiskey drinking and the elaborate and Herculean throwing of enormous stones and telegraph poles. Frankly, if none of this interests you, then you don’t even deserve to go to Scotland.

Other things

If you want to make a week of it, then Inverness is a fine place to use as a base for longer holidays. There’s superb walking, spectacular landscapes, historic towns and castles, and all manner of outdoor sports.

If it’s winter and you can ski (or even if you can’t), then consider heading to the Cairngorm Mountains in the Eastern Highlands, a mere 20 miles from Inverness. The winter sports season in Scotland can run from December to April weather permitting, but it’s best to check the snow forecast before making plans as severe weather often puts the brakes on skiing.

However, if the weather is looking favourable then this is a great option for keeping your winter hols low carbon and relatively local. This season, Scotland’s five resorts have teamed up to offer you five-day access all area passes for as little as £115. Click here for information about Scotland’s other resorts.

And finally, why not wrap up your Scottish holiday with a dog-sled ride through the forests of Cairngorm? To my surprise this activity is not limited to the winter months, and in fact you can strap yourself into a glorified toboggan, harness up some huskies and whiz around the countryside all year round. Have a look here for info about day trips. Come on, who doesn’t want to ride a dog sled? Honestly.

Getting there

The very best thing about keeping your holiday in the UK is that you don’t have to worry about forgetting you passport, and getting there couldn’t be easier. Because we’re oh so sneaky here at Loco2, we’ve worked out how to get you there for less than £50, and found some low-flex advanced fares for as little as £37 each way.

Check National Rail for availability, and book a month in advance if you want to save a few quid. And remember the early bird catches the proverbial worm, so consider a 6, 7, or 8am departure for the cheapest fares (the 8am from Inverness to London is a mere £27, but leave at midday and you’re looking at a fare in advance of £100, yikes!) And for a double whammy discount consider getting yourself a railcard to get yourself up to a third off.

Photos: Sonny Side Up, djmacpherson and Catherine Morgan

When a journey is created, we send details of the mode of transport and the distance travelled to AMEE, who offer a web-based service for calculating the footprint of different activities. AMEE is the engine behind reputable carbon calculators such as the UK Government’s Act on CO₂ tool and it holds lots of data for calcuating emissions of different activities. All of the data is checked by a team of qualified scientists, with the sources clearly identifiable.

At the moment, the calculations used for Loco2 are pretty basic, with one emissions factor per passenger per kilometer for each mode of transport (as outlined below). The benefit of using AMEE is that we can increase the accuracy over time so that as well as having emisson factors for different modes of transport, we can also take into account the geographical region that a journey takes place in, and the typical occupancy of trains, coaches and ferries on different routes.

The emissions factors we currently use are the ones published by the UK Department for the Environment in their Company Reporting Guidelines (PDF) (see Annex 6 of the report). At present we have decided to use the ‘National’ train type for calculating international journeys. This is because the ‘International’ factor is deceptively low due to the fact that it refers to Eurostar journeys, which predominantly run on electric trains using power generated in France. Most electricity in other European countries and beyond have a higher carbon intensity, because of a greater reliance and coal and gas as opposed to nuclear power stations in France.

We are currently working to make our carbon calculations more sophisticated by further collaboration with AMEE. Watch this space…

Currently used emissions factors for each mode of transport

Train: 0.0577 kg CO2 per passenger km

Bus/coach: 0.0300 kg CO2 per passenger km

Ferry: 0.1152 kg CO2 per passenger km

Photos: ansik (thumbnail)

Getting there

Getting to the Àger Valley near Barcelona is a simple journey from London. We’ve featured a route here that includes an afternoon Eurostar from St. Pancras to Paris, followed by a night train to Barcelona. The Catalonian capital is one of personal favourites, so I’ve put myself down for a three-day stopover in Barcelona on the way. Of course, how you do it is up to you, but I just can’t get enough of the city; Dali-esque buildings that rise up from their foundations, a vibrant live music scene, good food, and even better sangria, que bueno!

From Barcelona there are regular trains that run to Lleida, which is only an hour to the west of the city. This is a bigger town than Àger where the flight school is located, and may give you more options for accommodation. Àger itself is a surprisingly lively corner of Catalonia despite its remoteness (it can be reached by small regional train, or by road). And it’s setting, in the shadow of the towering limestone peaks of the Pyrenees, makes a dramatic scene. Not only that, but the conditions around the Montsec mountain range are an ideal location for paragliding, and hang-gliding, with strong and steady thermals that are perfectly suited to first time gliders.

Flight school

The Albatros flight school in Àger has over twenty years of experience and specialises in handgliding and paragliding for beginners. You can opt for a one off tandem flight for around €80, which includes all your equipment and, crucially, a trained instructor to supervise your flight. Or, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, consider a course for beginners, which will give you a chance to do your own take off and landing (with radio supervision from an instructor). These are available for two, four or six days and the price rises accordingly. Check out their website here for more information.

Something less mental

If flying above the mountains ain’t you cup of horchata, then never fear, there are all manner of other activities in the region including kayaking, mountain climbing, walking, biking and many more. Or consider staying in Lleida; home to Europe’s longest pedestrianised shopping street, an International Jazz Festival (annually in November) or even the Snail Festival (June) where 12 tonnes of snails are devoured by culinary explorers.

Photos: protozoo, wikimedia, tomasfano

Getting there

Getting to Les Trois Vallées (the three valleys) is easy as pie. For those of you not au fait with pie making, let me tell you that for the purpose of this simile all you’ll need is a dash of Eurostar, a teaspoon of Paris, and a sprinkling of Lyon. And before you know it you’ll be supping hot chocolate at 1800 metres and looking down over some of Europe’s best-loved ski resorts.

The options for getting to France’s many resorts are numerous and varied, and from the UK they all begin with our old friend the Eurostar. All week there are up to 10 options daily that take you to Paris, Lyon and onwards to Moutiers Salins Brides les Bains (just say Moutiers if this seems like too much of a mouthful). From here there are plentiful buses to shuttle you to your chosen resort. When considering your options think about the added expense of booking a couchette for a night train, but weigh up whether this is worth it in order to gain an extra day on the slopes.

If even this seems too much like hard work, then consider Eurostar’s seasonal ski train. From 19^th December 2009 until April 17^th 2010 the Eurostar runs a twice-weekly service that takes you from St. Pancras to Moutiers on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings direct. You heard me, direct! You can book the entire journey online with Eurostar from £149 return, but do your research as this low-cost fare is non-flexible.

The featured journey on this page shows the direct train from London St. Pancras, that departs on Friday evening at 8.31pm and shuttles you overnight to Moutiers. However, if you don’t fancy a night on an upright seat, consider the Saturday service that departs at 10am throughout the season, and gets you there at 17.30 in time for Apres Ski drinks. Click here to see other options.

Rail passes

If you’re under 26 then not only is time on your side, but so is the European rail network. A one-country rail pass for France, which offers you 3 days of travel during a one-month period, is probably your best bet and will only set you back £118. For those of you over 26 it’s slightly steeper at £182, but remember this covers the entire journey. Don’t forget though that you’ll need to budget for the Eurostar leg of the journey, and some trains still require compulsory reservations. Visit RailEurope for more details.

Photos: Picasaweb, wingmar

Beware hefty price tags for some events (some evening dinner and dances retail at over 200 Euro per person ), and be prepared for the inevitable pedestrian traffic. But even if you can’t afford the more elegant events, it’s worth getting a few feathers in your eye in order to visit Italy’s watery city during this amazing event. Whatever you do, don’t forget your camera, and your wellington boots!

Getting There

A train to Venice couldn’t be easier. With frequent connections from Paris Bercy, you can make the whole trip from the UK in less than 24 hours. There’s an excellent night train that departs around 8pm from Paris that will get you to Venice’s Mestre station in time for breakfast the following day.

And as if going to Venice wasn’t enough, you’re only a stone’s throw away from many of Eastern Europe’s beautiful cities including Ljubljana (a personal favourite of mine) and Zagreb. If that doesn’t float your boat consider making stopovers in one of Italy’s other cities. Although the weather in February isn’t up to much the cultural attractions of Florence or Rome speak for themselves.

Images courtesy of Dominique Claessens, Tinou, Doctor Tac, and Wikimedia

Take a deep breath and…Ahhhaaaaa…..

Unlike the snow season, this time of year you can really appreciate the depths and colours of the mountains. From the lifts, you can see the distinction between the valleys, the water, the flats and the woodland – often you can spot where the paths you are about to ride will take you. From the ground, you can see the harshness of the terrain, the twists and turns, the rocks and tree stumps, and the drops and jumps that lie in your path.

The scenery is so stunning that cross-country riding through the long alpine forest trails is becoming much more popular these days – great for those not so up for adrenaline-fused antics.

The runs

The runs in this part of Europe are second to none and a lot of investment is being put into updating and developing existing runs and new ones being opened in 2010. The Pleney run in Morzine and Chavannes in Les Gets are two of the most popular.

Every run has its own personality – its own dangers, its own excitement and its own techniques to master. You could spend the whole holiday on one run, attempting to control your bike at ever increasing speed, while at the same time trying  to overcome your own fear and adrenaline.

The end welcomes you with large, open areas of countryside where you can throw yourself down in the meadows and relax before giving it another go. There’s also some bars for a re-charge and an intake of the scenery – which is sometimes easy to miss when you are hurtling downhill.

Group or not to group?

There are tonnes of organisations providing guided tours if you want to go with groups and explore the region. But, if you prefer to go it alone, all the main runs are well sign-posted and if you know what you’re doing, it’s easy enough to find a few local trails.

Accommodation

Accommodation ranges from hostels, to hotels and chalets and most cater for bikers with secure storage, cleaning facilities and workshops. If you can handle the nightlife after a day on the mountains there’s a great atmosphere and plenty of places. The whole town is there for the same reason and there’s a community feel amongst mountain bikers so it’s easy enough to strike up a conversation and get some tips on the trails or advice on your riding.

Planning

When planning your trip, it’s well worth spending a good deal of time making sure you have the right kit. The weather can change dramatically at this altitude and without warning which can catch people out if they don’t have the right clothes or maps. Make sure you also check in advance the facilities available at your resort because spare parts will often be cheaper to buy before you get there. If you don’t have a bike, then you’ll be able to easily hire one out there and they are usually of a high standard. This is a good link for more information on Portes du Soleil

Getting there

The journey on the right shows you the train journey from London to Geneva – it’s pretty simple. If you’re taking your own bike, it’s well worth checking in advance that the trains or buses will accept them and that your bike is securely packed. Unfortunately trains aren’t exactly 100% bike friendly, especially when it comes to getting around the London underground or the French metro. As long as the bike is well packed, the Eurostar and the Paris to Geneva leg is perfectly do-able. And from Geneva it’s easy – just book a transfer to the resort.

You might be lucky and save a bit with a rail pass. We’ve got some more help on this and also alternative train routes to Moûtiers in our  ‘One two Ski’ article (there’s a link on the right).

Pro’s

• Excellent rental facilities in the Portes du Soleil resorts with good range of kit … and much-appreciated advice.
• There’s nothing quite like, warming up by the fire in an alpine lodge after a muddy day.
• There are quite literally endless miles of cycling to be done so you can ride till your heart’s content…or your backside can’t take anymore!

Con’s

• If you’re starting from scratch, it’s not going to be cheap – especially once you have factored in the kit you need to buy and the cost of rental equipment.
• Taking your own bike on the train takes a bit of planning.
• You have to read the small print on your insurance details to make sure you’re covered.

But where we have failed, our Irish neighbours are making up for it with parties all over the world and oversized novelty hats to boot. This is undoubtedly one of the most hijacked parties of all time with celebrations springing up in places as far flung as Argentina and Birmingham. ‘Everyone’s Irish on March 17^th’ says the Guinness Media machine, so why not do it in style and head to Dublin for one of the best days of your life, to be sure to be sure.

From the 12^th to 17^th of March festivities in the capital will be in full swing, with live music, parades, live comedy, fun fairs, all manner of stick on beards and loads of people wearing green and generally having a bloody good time. But before we get into all that I best tell you how to get there.

Go by Train

What those pesky rascals at National Rail don’t want you to know is that they do a rail-ferry combo for £29. Just search London Euston to Dublin Ferry Port (but that’s across the sea I here you cry, tell me more of this sea faring locomotive) and they’ll spill the beans like a tin of Heinz in a can crusher. Don’t be fooled by the £55 one-way train to Holyhead, oh no, you’ve got the inside scoop, now use it!

Go by Coach and Ferry

If you’re madder than a hatter and fancy an overnight coach, go and visit the friendly folks at National Express. This combo ticket takes you all the way from London to Dublin via ferry. At this stage you’ll be magically combining two fairly efficient forms of transport at the same time; that’s public transport carrying another form of public transport, and you didn’t even leave your seat, a pat on the back for you I say. Hurrah!

D.I.Y

If you don’t like any of those fine ideas then you can drive to Holyhead (full cars only please) and get the ferry direct with Stena Line all the way to Dublin Ferry Port. For only £25 and taking around three hours you’d be mad not to. Please do not operate heavy machinery (i.e. your car) under the influence of Guinness on the return journey.

If you’ve got another idea about how to get to this super festival, then contact us or take yourself along to our very clever journey planner and show us how it’s done!

Images courtesy of Dominique Claessens and informatique

Despite the risk of ‘best laid plans’ and all that, we found that working out what we wanted to do and when, was well worth the effort. There is so much to do in Rome. We had just the weekend so we found it best to pick out several things we definitely wanted to see. The Colosseum, the Trevi Fountain and the Vatican were top of the list.

The Trevi Fountain
To say the Trevi Fountain took us by surprise is a bit of an understatement. One minute we were negotiating small streets with the aid of a map, then the next minute we quite literally bumped into it while we were still trying to work out where we were.

The first thing that crossed our minds about the Fountain was ‘how?’. It’s an unbelievable work of art and no matter how much of that you see in Rome, you can’t help but be impressed. At every turn in the city, we were reminded of Rome’s importance as one of the world’s leading artistic centres.

And yes we threw a coin into the fountain.

The Colosseum
For the first time that weekend, I was glad of the rain. The Colosseum is the city’s main tourist attraction but thankfully the weather put most people off that day. Instead of the expected fight for prime camera position, it was easy enough to find a bit of space and appreciate where we were.

The Colosseum is one of the pinnacles of Roman engineering. Seating up to 50,000 spectators, an estimated 500,000 people died in this building. It’s as spectacular-looking today as it was bloody in its prime. We stood where those spectators once stood and looked down to where the arena once was – which has now crumbled to expose a network of underground tunnels. It’s in those tunnels where people waited for their unknown fate.

The Vatican
First stop was the Sistine Chapel and one hell of a queue which snaked through countless rooms full of various art before you reach the Chapel. When we finally reached the Chapel, we saw what we came to see – the work of Michealangelo including the famous image of God giving life to Adam.

We queued at St Peter’s Basilica to see the tombs of previous Popes. Then we queued to climb the top of St Peter’s Basilica for impressive views over the city. Then finally we queued to get into the church. The church was very grand and well worth a visit, which was a bit of luck because we weren’t quite sure what we were queuing for by this stage.

Again, unsure of what we were doing, we waited outside St Peter’s Basilica because that’s what everyone else seemed to be doing. Then from a high up window, Pope Benedict XVI appeared and prayed. It seemed a fitting end to a weekend in Rome.

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For more information on what to see and do in Rome, visit:  www.romeinfo.com

Getting around
Rome city centre is quite small and it’s easy enough to visit all the main attractions on foot.  The subway system is also easy to use and convenient. Tickets can be bought for anything between a single trip (1Euro) or a week’s travel (16Euro).

Pros

• Visitors are spoilt for choice when it comes to things to see in Rome.
• The city is very easy to get around. All you need is a good map.
• There are few places in the world steeped in so much history.

Cons

• Eating and drinking can be expensive around the main monuments and museums.
• The queues to the key sights can be big. During peak seasons you could find yourself spending large chunks of the day looking at the back of someone’s head.
• Unfortunately Sterling doesn’t exchange for as much Euro as it once did.

And one more thing …
Rome is not gluten-free friendly. If you are Coeliac and planning a trip to Rome it’s well worth visiting www.coeliac.org.uk where you can download translations in various languages to help communicate your dietary needs.

Photos: Leon cox, Allerina & Glen MacLarty, geoftheref, post thumbnail: Argenberg

Ahhh brilliant, then we’ll continue…

First, you’ll meet an ever-so-friendly instructor and squeeze into your wet suit.  They’ll talk you through health & safety and all the important bits and bobs that you should be concentrating on but really all you’ll be thinking about is how ‘brave’ you are….and then the fun begins.

Follow your instructor as he runs straight into the sea.  It may feel a bit like something Reggie Perrin would do, but trust us it’s about to get wild!

You’ll scramble and traverse over slippery rocks, swim or doggy paddle between cliffs and caves, and jump from ever increasing heights from the rugged coastline into the cold, choppy waters below.

It’s team-building gone mad!

The Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon in South Wales, Pembrokeshire, is a great place to start your coasteering experience.  It’s a large, disused quarry that provides massive drops and deep waters in a sheltered environment from the waves beyond the walls.  Jumps start at 15ft and can reach a whopping 45ft! Don’t worry, all jumps are optional so you can do as little or as much as you like.

For those who are feeling exceptionally brave you can run down sheer faces or scramble to the dizzying heights at the top of the quarry walls.  If you are feeling less adventurous there are plenty of lower platforms and ledges that will still get your adrenaline pumping!

Do you have a birthday or stag/hen do coming up?

This is an excellent group experience and costs are usually lower if you are 10+ people. So rally up a team and grab your towels!  Remember your waterproof camera for memories and embarrassing evidence of your flailing legs as you plop into the sea!

Right for you?

No matter what heights you are jumping from, it’s important that you are able to swim as the waves along the coast can get quite rough.  A reasonable level of fitness will also make scrambling and climbing more enjoyable for you and your teammates.

Getting there

• The Pembrokeshire coast is a popular region, well-equipped for visitors and adrenaline junkies.  National Express coaches go to Haverfordwest from Swansea three times a day, taking just over two hours and costing only £8.

• Or even simpler is the train from Cardiff to Haverfordwest.  This takes 2.5 hours and costs £18.50 one way (book early to get cheaper fares).

• Both coach and trains to Cardiff/Swansea are quick, easy and cheap from all UK cities; see the National Express and National Rail websites for details.

• Once in Haverfordwest, it is only a short taxi ride (20-25km) to the coasteering Mecca in Abereiddy.  Or better still take your bicycle!

• Alternatively, if you are arriving from St Davids, there is a public bus called the Strumble Shuttle that runs from St. Davids to Fishguard (three times daily in summer, and twice a day for 3 days of the week in winter).

Too far south?

Coasteering is also growing in Anglesey in north Wales.  Bangor is the nearest large town with train and bus connections nationwide.  For example, Bangor is just an hour away from Chester by train, with an additional two-hour train journey from London.  Book a month in advance and take advantage of the cheaper prices – as low as £16 for London to Bangor one way.

So now that we’ve made it easy for you, will you brave it?

SUMMARY

• Destination: Abereiddy, South Wales
• Coasteering cost: Prices start at around £32 per person for a 3 hour session

Further information

• Adventurees Wales
  

• Celtic Events

• Preseli Venture

• Snowdonia adventures

• Activity Wales

Founded 95 years ago, Greyhound buses are something of an institution. They’ll take you to (and through) places you didn’t know existed, and places you didn’t expect could exist. Roll through towering cities, arid deserts, lush forests, sprawling mountain ranges and old ghost towns.

With more than 2,300 destinations across the United States, Canada and Mexico, Greyhound gives you an amazing choice, budget prices, and a guaranteed adventure.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by choice, we’ve carefully researched and compiled some of the best destinations by bus [ internal link] and below is a all the info you need to prepare yourself for the almighty Greyhound!

Nocturnal travel

The buses travel day and night, which is a brilliant opportunity to cram in as much as possible. The seats are comfortable and bathroom facilities, well, err, acceptable. There’s definitely worse places to get a few hours’ kip than a Greyhound bus – the lights dim and the seats usually recline. But if you’re not so good at sleeping on the move, you can always take comfort in a stop every four hours or so to stretch your legs and grab some Taco Bell to keep the spirits up.

A bit of luxury and a bit for the environment

Some routes have been given a new fleet of buses with free Wi-Fi, electrical outlets, extra legroom, and less uncomfortable seatbelts – all very welcome additions. Also, the company claims that these new buses generate nearly three times less carbon dioxide per passenger, per mile, than a hybrid vehicle. At the moment, they’re restricted to travel out of New York and DC but these buses will soon be available on more routes in and around the Northeast.

Getting around

It’s worth remembering that many places in the US (especially the further west you go) are not ideal if you’re on foot patrol. With town planning often coming after the invention of the automobile, relying on public transport is not always advisable. But fear not! The majority of Greyhound terminals aren’t far from Main Street. In fact, the buses will pick you up and drop you off as close to the action as you can hope for.

Keep safe

Greyhound sometimes get a bad press (terminals located in less desirable areas of cities, slightly rough-and-ready clientele, etc). But remember, most people will be friendly and helpful attendants are usually on hand. Cheap and practical travel will of course have some drawbacks, and so it’s up to you to decide what works for you.  Plus, we’ve got some great travel tips for lone travellers [ internal link]

Booking

You can get a reduced price on a regular ticket if you book in advance or online, and students also get a good discount. You can buy tickets from a huge number of vendors, such as local supermarkets and stores, as well as the usual terminal/web/phone options.

The Discover Pass is perhaps one of the most flexible ways of backpacking around as it gives you unlimited travel and unlimited stopovers (7/15/30/60 days) across the US and Canada.

It can save you quite a bit if you plan to spend lots of time on the road. That, and the money saved by sleeping on a bus instead of a motel, means you’ve got plenty of spare cash to hang out in the roadside diners with a slice of pecan pie!

Coming to the UK

You can now get that genuine greyhound experience back on home soil. The service has recently launched operations in the UK between London, Portsmouth and Southampton. Keep your eyes open for a planned expansion in 2010.

For a start, you don’t need to pack your foreign phrase book, there’s no need to change sterling into Euros and you can watch the same TV as you would in the comfort of your own living room (not all of you might see that as a blessing!) Add to that the Anglo-French fusion, the continental summer climate and a different beach for every day of the week, and you’ve got yourself an island holiday.

Well, five islands to be precise.

Guernsey

The second largest of the group of islands, Guernsey’s west coast is pretty much one long stretch of sand. From a Loco2 favourite, Pembroke beach, at the northern end, to the popular Cobo, Vazon and Rocquaine further south, there’s plenty to choose from.

Pembroke sits next to L’Ancresse beach in a horseshoe-shaped inlet with World War II towers dotted along the coastline. Serviced by an excellent café and wonderfully soft, clean sand, it provides a great swimming spot especially at high tide. And yes, the signs on the road that lead to Pembroke are serious. ‘Watch out for flying golf balls’ as you pass straight through the golf course.

If you follow the road down the west coast, you’re spoilt for choice but the beaches can get very crowded during the summer months. If you’re after something a bit more secluded, then you should check out the Island’s south-east corner where there are several smaller, more tranquil bays. Most are accessible by road but you can get boats out to them from the harbour in town. Or if you’re feeling energetic, you can walk from the bathing pools near the pier in town, along the cliffs, through bluebell woods, and find your own little spot. Idyllic!

Jersey

Jersey is the largest of the islands but it’s still only nine miles by five. However, with 50 miles of coastal walks, this is definitely the place to air those tired hiking boots sitting at the back of the cupboard. Check out the north coast for views of the other Channel Islands and from the east coast, views of France.

There are loads of walks to do, but here are three of the best.

• Geology-lovers: The Devil’s Hole walk has views of the Pinnacle, a rock towering 200 metres out of the sea.
• Nature-lovers: The L’Etaq walk will take you through Jersey’s mini national park.
• History-lovers: Check out the amazing Neolithic graves along the Gorey walk.

You can pick up maps for all these walks from any tourist information centre.

Alderney, Sark and Herm

These are the three small islands, each one just a couple of miles wide. If you want a taste of island life, these are the islands to head to and each one is quite literally surrounded by beaches.

Alderney has something for everyone. Corblets Bay is where you’re most likely to find the best surfing conditions and next door to it, Arch Bay, is a small secluded stretch of sand that is favoured by families. There are sand dunes to admire at Saye beach, fishing to be done at Plattle and rock pools to explore at Clonque.

Sark and Herm are both car-free, so if you’re in Sark the mode of transport is by bike (and there’s loads to hire – see the ‘Getting around’ section below) and if you’re in Herm, it’s your feet that do the talking. It doesn’t come much more stress-free than this

Sark has 40 miles of coastline and being 350 feet above sea level, it’s full of cliffs, caves and natural pools to explore. The most popular beach is Le Grande Grêve which is located between Sark and Little Sark (a smaller island reachable by foot path). It gets very busy but is worth a look. Be warned the beach is accessible by very steep steps – they are totally safe, but there are rather a lot of them!

Shell beach is Herm’s top destination. A good-sized, golden-sanded beach that exposes great rock pools at low tide. Follow the beach around the coast to find sand dunes and secluded bays to get away from the crowds.

If you do stay on Herm (which is highly recommended) a must is meeting the early boat from Guernsey. Depending on weather, it usually arrives at about nine in the morning but you can smell it long before it arrives as it’s full of the fresh food for the day. Prepare yourself for a mouth-watering experience and an overload of senses as the smells of fresh breads and pastries waft past.  If your hunger-pangs get the better of you, quickly follow the other onlookers up to the Mermaid Tavern where you can buy it all for breakfast.

How to get there:

There are ferry links from Poole, Weymouth and Portsmouth. It’s as little as two hours by catamaran.

Getting around:

The main islands are easy to get around by bus but it’s easy to walk and cycle everywhere and there are more than enough cycle hire shops on the islands.

There are no cars on Herm or Sark and bikes are so popular in Sark that it’s worth booking in advance during the busy summer months.

You can travel between the islands by boat but remember that Herm is only accessible from Guernsey. The Travel Trident travels between the two islands throughout the day from £8 day return for adults and £4 for children and takes just 20 minutes. Regular ferries travel to Sark from Guernsey (45 minutes) and Jersey (50 minutes) but prices vary so check in advance.

On both Herm and Sark your luggage is collected on arrival and taken to your accommodation. One of the best things about arriving in Sark is the free tractor-drawn trailer waiting to give your wobbly, sea-legs a rest and take you up the hill to the main village.

Boats to and from Alderney are less frequent as the island is mainly serviced by air so check with the tourist information centre before you plan your holiday.

Top tips

• The islands are steeped in history dating back six thousand years and the Island life website is a good place to read up on the stories.
• Watch out, witchcraft used to be rife on the islands! During the Middle-ages Guernsey convicted on average one witch a year for 150 years with woman living over the age of 80 deemed to be a witch. Check out the fairy ring at Pleinmont.
• Shopaholics go wild – every thing’s tax-free.
• The Channel Islands no longer have a reciprocal health agreement with the UK so it’s best to make sure you have travel insurance.
• Make sure you have enough money on you as there’s no cash machine on Herm. Although you can get cash back from the Mermaid Tavern.
• If you hear cannon fire on Guernsey, don’t panic, it’s to let the island know it’s 12 O’clock and time for lunch!
• You can spend UK money in the Channel Islands but not the other way round so make sure you get rid of your local currency before you leave
• Visit www.visitchannelslands.com for comprehensive information on all the islands

Photos: ohaoha, sid/stephen, sid/stephen

Lord of the Rings, eat your heart out

Iceland’s rich folklore inspired J.R.R Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ and looking at this land of fire and ice, it’s easy to dream up a magical universe. Lying on the mid-Atlantic ridge, Iceland is tectonically active and the evidence is everywhere from the mighty volcanoes and lava fields to the piping hot geysers. There is so much juicy geography that it is difficult to remain calm and people have been known to immediately embark on teaching careers as soon as they return to the UK.

It’s an island of contrasts where you can relax and unwind as well as get a hit of nature-infused adrenaline. This is the place where you can do everything from Icelandic horse riding and glacier climbing to relaxing in one of Iceland’s many thermal pools such as the indulgent Blue Lagoon.

And the chosen mode of transport to get there? The trusty sea vessel. Iceland is just a couple of boat trips away from the UK.

Travelling around Iceland couldn’t be simpler

The only way to get around the island is on Route 1 – the 832-mile ring road that runs around the perimeter; the interior is too rugged for public transport.
There are no trains so you get to use the stunning scheduled bus service run by BSI.  Despite the service being relatively sparse (usually one a day per route), it’s extremely efficient, clean and punctual, and you will find it gets you to pretty much everywhere you would want to go.

Short trips

There are short, circular routes based around Reykjavik and Akureyri and these are generally very good value for money.  All allow ample time to explore and take photos.  Companies are generally quite flexible in allowing you to hop off and rejoin again the next day if you want more time.

Why not take the Golden Circle bus tour from Reykjavik, taking in the mighty Gulfoss waterfall and the natural geyser, Strokkur, which spurts a jet of water up to 20 metres in the air every eight minutes.  Fiery one!

Or maybe explore the bizarre pseudocraters at Lake Myvatn. The lake is a nature-lover’s paradise and has more waterbirds than is humanly possible to list on this humble web-page!   But remember your insect repellent – ‘my-vatn’ is Icelandic for ‘midge-lake.’

Venturing further

Alternatively you can take a longer route that connects the larger towns and attractions.

A favourite is the bus #12 Reykjavik – Hofn route along the south of the island.  This passes through the Selfoss waterfall, Skaftafell National Park – great for hiking and cycling, and the beautiful Jokulsarlon lagoon.  This is a meltwater lagoon from Iceland’s largest glacier – just hop on a boat and slowly weave through the cool blue icebergs that have broken free. Simply amazing.

Getting there

You can get an overnight ferry from Harwich in Essex to Esbjerg in Denmark with DFDS Seaways. The cheapest way is to share a four- person cabin, and this costs roughly £100 per person return.

From Esbjerg, connect with Smyril Line ferries to Seydisfjordur, east Iceland via the Faroe Islands.  In July and August, boats leave Esjberg once a week every Saturday and takes about 1.5 days.

Prices range between £100-250 per person, including a couchette.

Bus passes

• Full Circle Pass: Allows travel around the ring road IN ONE DIRECTION with no time limits.  Around €165 (£150).
  Omnibus Pass:  Allows unlimited bus travel within a given time period (7, 14, 21 or 28 days). Example price – 14 days pass is around € 230 (£200).
• Golden Circle bus tour: Pick up from hotel, allow 9 hours, costs start from €70 (£55).
• Single bus journey: Bus #62 from Akureyri to Myvatn takes about 1.5 hours and costs around £9-10.
  All passes can be bought at BSI terminals in Reykjavik and Akureyri, or at this website.
• For more details on tickets and other options check the BSI website.

SUMMARY

• Ferry Price: Approx. £300
• Bus price: Single journeys £10. Bus pass around £100-150.
• Booking buses: No reservations needed. Just buy your tickets either at the bus station or with the driver.

Further Information

• BSI website
• Smyril Line Ferries
• For maps and planning activities
• DFDA Seaways
  

Photos: Gilles Chiroleu, Stig Mygaard, O Palsson