Destinations

By Guest Blogger, Nishant Bagadia

The Great Wall is synonymous with China, a country that has harbored this 4000-mile stone monument since the 5th century BC. It is almost impossible to return from China without paying a visit to this world wonder. If you go to Beijing, there is of course the option of walking on the recently renovated portion of the wall, complete with tourists, gift shops and hecklers. However, if you are seeking an authentic experience of the Great Wall in the most peaceful of mountain settings, I recommend you take a day trip a few hours south west.

Start early. Hop on a relatively short train to another major city in the Hebei province called Baoding. Here, find a bus to transit over to the small mountain town called Laiyuan County. If you leave Beijing at 6 am you might make it to Laiyuan by noon. Upon your arrival, I recommend you ignore the tempting street markets and go straight to the desperate crowd of private drivers waiting to take people to the base of the Great Wall “hike”. As a tip, I would negotiate a price, around 100 Yuan per person, with the driver before you even begin and ask them to take you to the section of the wall called “Wulonggou”. After another one hour of anxiety, sweat and anticipation, and as the wall slowly grows from a dot in the horizon to a structured object, you can expect your driver to park in a village at the base of the mountain. As you walk past the lone farmer’s house where a few native children are chasing scorpions, understand that you are now one of the few foreigners about to make an incredible hike to one of the most breathtaking views of the wall.

Be sure to wear tennis shoes (although I hiked this trail in sandals and jeans), and keep your camera handy, while climbing the dry, brown stone plateaus that encompass the hike. Although your eyes will naturally stay fixed on the stone watchtowers ahead, certainly take a few minutes to turn around and embrace the never ending stretch of rocky land. Let the cool breeze muffle any distracting sound as it whistles past your ears.

When you approach the wall, be sure to move your hand along the earthy barricade and let the dust settle on your fingers. This is the wall in its truest form. As you traverse on top of the structure, notice the massive width of the wall lined with continuous defensive battlements. There are complete sections of the wall missing and an occasional area of eroded stones exposed by years of wind and weathering.

No other part of the remote wall is as impressive as the watchtowers. When you climb into this barrack, you will have a chance to feel the intricacies of a limestone room where the guards worked their defense. Look up and see the open window leading to the roof, I recommend safely climbing up onto the top. Here, you will find the best view of the snaking wall in all directions, especially if you look through the circular windows from where the archers released their arrows.

Finally, if you have the time before sunset, definitely spend 30 minutes enveloping the environment around you and opening that well deserved six pack of Tsingtao beer.

Cave Hotels:

Elkep Evi, Cappadocia, Turkey: Ancient caves converted into a beautiful and unique hotel. The suites include private terraces that open to a spectacular view of the Goreme National Park.

Le Prince Noir, les Baux de Provence, France: This French Bed and Breakfast was Roman-area fortress carved out of mountainside. This exclusive lodging is located in one of the most fascinating villages in the south of France.

RainForest:

Safariland Treehouse Resort, India: This Resort consists of four three-houses built from local materials and bamboo all about five meters high. This resort is for the truly adventurous traveler looking for an eco-experience.

Canopy Tower Ecolodge, Panama City, Panama: Built to defend the Panama Canal by the US Air Force this tower is tucked away in the heart of the Soberan­a National Park. Find yourself looking above the tree canopy, great for bird watchers and nature lovers.

Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel, Manaus, Brazil: This hotel is made of four Kilometers of connecting walkways and lodges located deep the Amazon rainforest. Immerse yourself in the beauty of one of the most exceptional wildernesses of the world.

I specialize in modern, unusual, and traditional travels which have currently become the most popular kind of travel for celebrities. It has become popular because hotels are now more than a place to sleep, they are part of the experience. Europe is now a common vacation spot so for those who are looking for something different South America, Africa, and Asia are the new hot spots. And contrary to what you may think about these countries vacations to these exotic areas can be very luxurious.

For vacations South America I suggest Argentina and Chile. Argentina is where the Iguazu Waterfall is found, it is one of the most magnificent natural wonders of the world. This is a great location for those looking for outdoor adventure for one can walk right through the falling water, or take a boat to the mouth of the fall, or explore the National Park that surrounds it. In Chile one can explore any and all kinds of natural landscapes. One of the most stunning views of Chile is from the The Explora Hotel in Patagonia, Chile. This is a remarkable hotel tucked away in a biosphere reserve containing waterfalls, glaciers, forests, and granite pillars all more than 2,000 meters above the Patagonian steppes. Both of these locations will leave you in awe at the natural beauty this world has to offer.

Cambodia and Vietnam are some of the up and coming vacation spots in Asia. The hotels are very chic and modern with the highest quality service. In Cambodia the The FCC Angkor is found in the heart of Siem Reap and overlooks the Siem Reap River. The hotel is also only minutes away from the striking and remarkable Angkor Wat temples. In Vietnam the Six Senses Resort, located on the Ninh Van Bay overlooking the China Sea, is a prefect hideaway when you’re looking to get away from it all. With white sand beaches in front of you and mountains surrounding you, the stress of life will just melt away.

Africa now has some of the top hotels in the world. The Royal Malewane, is for those looking for a place to escape, located deep in the South African bush one is surround by wild splendor. This kind of experience is for the more adventurous traveler who wants to experience Africa in its natural state. In Botswana the Sanctuary Lodges and Camps are a great way to experience Africa. Sanctuary has four locations in Botswana all luxury, all set in the heart of Botswana’s wilderness. If your looking for where luxury meets adventure Africa is just the place.