JWH TRAVEL BITS AND MORE…SEPTEMBER 9, 2021

You’re poolside at one of the world’s most luxurious getaways, gazing over the elevated infinity pool at the bustling city 57 storeys below. Sound like heaven? You might feel slightly differently if you were in charge of the 10,000 towels generated by the Marina Bay Sands’ guests. Writer Giles Coren and chef Monica Galetti meet the hotel staff for whom your escapism is their full-time job. March 29, 2021

Kale is one of the first islands in the world to disappear because of climate change. Ade Adepitan heads to the Solomon Islands to meet the families directly affected by the climate crisis. August 10, 2021

Frida Kahlo’s face is iconic. So iconic, in fact, that at the La Ciudadela craft market in Mexico City, it's the main attraction... August 10, 2021

Photo credit: Dominik Scythe drscythe - Unsplash

Apeksha Bhateja - August 17, 2021

Slow travel in style.

Train journeys are fascinating. Landscapes roll through the window of your cabin; light changes its mood and you see the effects on valleys, hills, and waterscapes. It’s a romantic way to travel and despite all the promises of air travel, it’s still relevant and riveting. You may think that in the age of instant gratification this mode of transportation won’t be thought of as dreamy, but the interest in long train journeys is not waning. With the pandemic, it may just be another avenue for travelers to slow down and experience the old world charm, Agatha Christie-style….

A vibrant journey through a time-honored land.

Rekindle the romance of the rails as you carve a path between Peru’s natural wonders and ancient kingdoms

South America's first luxury sleeper train glides from Cusco, the capital of the Inca Empire, across the lofty Andean plains to the white city of Arequipa. Take in the region’s spectacular highlights en route, including Lake Titicaca and Colca Canyon.

Photo credit: Svetlana Gumerova @bananablackcat - Unsplash

If you’re going on a long trip, be it a summer in Europe or a cross-country road trip, it can be tempting to bring your whole wardrobe. But between baggage fees and weight restrictions, that’s not always possible or practical. One way to avoid overpacking is to wash your clothes while you travel. That’s often easier said than done: Laundromats can be hard to track down or inconveniently located, laundry services at hotels and on ships can be prohibitively expensive, and if you’re spending time in the backcountry, neither are an option.

Taking matters into your own hands isn't as much of a chore as you might think, though: There are plenty of tools that make doing laundry while traveling cheap and simple (and we're not just talking about Tide to Go pens), without adding too much extra bulk to your luggage. Below, seven on-the-road laundry hacks…..

by Stephanie Ross, July 30, 2021

I’m afraid we’re going to have to get into a sticky subject straight away: Haggis isn’t really Scottish. There. The shockingly unsayable has been said.

Well, actually, let me qualify that. It is Scottish, in that it sits at the very heart of our national identity. It’s just that its origins may not be as Scottish as first thought. Alongside deep-fried Mars bars (a joke started by two tipsy chip shop customers in 1995) and clan tartan (made popular by two Welsh brothers, as we shall discover later), some definitive Scottish artifacts are not quite what they appear…..

Any cruise ship lets you see the world. Windstar brings it close enough so you can fully live it. See, hear, smell, taste, and feel what it’s like to sail on a lovely ship into a small port, explore a hidden beach, see Moroccan goats standing in trees, taste a spicy Norwegian Bacalao stew and altogether lose yourself in a strange and wondrous culture. Our elegant, 148 - 342-guest cruise ships open up captivating new worlds and leave indelible, lifetime memories. October 21, 2020

Not a fan of cruise ships? Sail down the Amazon River, travel Norway's Fjords, or island-hop in the Caribbean without the crowds and buffets of a major cruise liner.

If you’ve ever drawn gasps from a horrified crowd with “I don’t like cruises,” then this article is for you. The massive modern cruise ship industry isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Even before COVID-19, the idea of setting sail with Norovirus nightmare stories, questionable ethics, social directors, and daunting environmental impacts turned off sustainable and slow travelers, rights activists, and introverts. Despite the drawbacks of big cruises, there is a certain magic in pulling up to port at a new destination. Those who steer clear of the big ships don’t have to miss out. These top cruising alternatives offer do-it-yourself options for classic routes, new destinations, authenticity, a reduced carbon footprint, and don’t shake down the local economies. Time to set sail!......

Discover Portugal’s food, wine and distinctive music with Karine Hagen, Executive Vice President at Viking. See how traditional Portuguese bread is made as Karine visits baker Dona Manuela, whose family has been making this fulfilling food for centuries. While working alongside two accomplished chefs, Karine walks us through the preparation of two famed dishes: cod fish bacalhau and Portuguese crème brûlée. With our cravings for classic cuisine satisfied, join Karine as she explores the history of Portugal’s wine country and uncovers the meaning behind the dramatic songs of fado, often depicting the longing of women waiting for their men to return from sea. Viking TV – July 18, 2021

BY MARIANNA CERINI, February 22, 2021

Photo credit: Nataliya Melnychuk @natinati - Unsplash

Procida, a tiny spot of land in the Bay of Naples, might be best known as the island between Ischia and Capri. But in late January, it was named Italy’s Capital of Culture for 2022, beating nine other candidates—a mix of cities and small towns—and becoming the first island to ever be granted the title..

WALKING IN PROCIDA, ITALY: This virtual walking tour was filmed on June 23rd, 2019 at 10:45 am. Procida was recently named the Italian Capital of Culture for 2022. It was a beautiful sunny day and the colors of the houses are exceptionally bright. The walk begins at the Ferry Port of Marina Grande and then walks over to the other side of the island to the fishing village or Corricella, voted one of Italy's most beautiful sea-side villages by UK's The Telegraph.🎧For an even more immersive experience, be sure to put on your headphones and listen in 3D audio.

Prowalk Tours – Jan 11, 2020 (filmed June 2019)

Winter Life at the Phukthar Monastery. A rare look at a unique way of life isolated from the distractions of the outside world. India in Motion – August 03, 2021

10 Beautiful Towns to Visit in Italy 🇮🇹 | Must See Italian Towns

10 Beautiful Towns to Visit in Italy 4k. Some of the best places to visit in Italy are right here in this Italy travel video. Featuring italy's tourist attractions such as the Tuscany region, arezzo, calabria, Gubbio, lucca, varenna, scilla, montepulciano and many more! So if its your first time visiting italy then try some of these italian towns instead of the popular cities! Lifestyle Hal – August 2021.

Anna's couscous alla trapanese is a feast! It's quite a long process but it's not difficult to do; the recipe is below if you want to try. If you are planning to visit Sicily next year in September, then visit San Vito lo Capo for their 10 day couscous festival.

For the fish soup 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped A few sprigs of parsley, finely chopped A pinch of red (chili) pepper flakes 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 60g tomato concentrate 1.5 kilos mixed firm-fleshed fish, bone-in, gutted and shellfish: eg gurnard, bream, amberjack, scorpion fish, weever fish, prawns Around 2 litres of water - enough to cover the fish by a couple of centimetres A bay leaf

For the couscous: 300g couscous 1 onion, finely chopped 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 3 sprigs of parsley, chopped 2 bay leaves Salt and black pepper 2 tablespoons chopped almonds 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

In what’s dubbed A Great British Spraycation, ten new artworks by Banksy (previously) recently popped up across coastal towns in England in witty interpretations of quintessential summertime fun. A short film posted to Instagram shows the anonymous artist driving around Norfolk and Suffolk in an aging camper as he paints his signature stenciled murals of children imagining an adventure at sea, the metal claw of an arcade game descending over a bench, and a couple dancing atop of a bus stop….. (video featured)

By John Silcox & Sam Christmas, 20th August 2021

In Morocco, people don't call for an Uber; instead, they pile into Grand Taxis – battered but colourful old diesel Mercedes that are North Africa's answer to Cuba's vintage cars.