Touring Ladakh by Bike

Ladakh is a part of Jammu and Kashmir in India and is situated at an altitude above 10000 ft. It is also known as Little Tibet. In the summer the climate ranges from 15ºC to 30ºC in the day and the nights tend to be below freezing level. Most of the inhabitants of this region are Buddhist and they follow Tibetan culture. Tourism is one of the increasing scopes of income for people in Ladakh. It is the second coldest inhabited place in the world.

Touring Leh Ladakh on bike is an amazing experience for people who love an adventure. Ride through beautiful villages and past Buddhist temples and gaze up at breathtaking snow-capped mountains as you tour this amazing region.

Best time to tour Leh Ladakh is from June to September, as the weather is much nicer. It is always recommended to hire a good bike tour operating company rather than simply going on your own. At times it can be very difficult to ride as the roads tend to be rough and will be unfamiliar to you. Tour companies have an extensive knowledge of routes and will analyze the conditions every morning to ensure that you don’t travel down a blocked road. Also, tour companies often bring along a support car for luggage which makes your ride much more comfortable.

Riders touring Leh Ladakh must be excellent bikers. This is not a route for beginners by any means.

Family Travel Tips

Children’s initial excitement over family vacations can quickly turn to restlessness once the car ride begins. Careful packing and creative planning can make traveling more fun and less stressful for both you and your kids.

Try these fifteen helpful hints from the revised and updated edition of “Practical Parenting Tips” by Vicky Lansky to keep kids entertained and well behaved on the road.

Restlessness

• Change seating arrangements occasionally. One adult in the back seat for all of half of a trip usually makes for a pleasant journey.
• Stop periodically to run and play with your kids. The break will be good for everybody. Pack a bottle of bubbles or a package of balloons in the glove compartment. Stash a Frisbee, ball, or jump rope under a seat.
• Announce a treat for the end of the day so everybody will have something to look forward to (a swim in the pool, dinner at a favorite restaurant, and so on).

Back Seat Bickering

• Stop the car and pull over when fighting begins and don’t go again until it ends. Get out of the car, if necessary, until your kids have quieted down.
• Let kids know that fighting endangers everyone in the car. Consider deducting something from their allowance or withholding privileges.

Food

• Carry a supply of small paper plates or coffee filters with little slits in the center. Put the sticks of Popsicles or ice cream bars through the slits, and there will be less mess on car seats and fingers.
• Cut sandwiches in different shapes for easy identification: triangles for those with mustard, rectangles for those with mayonnaise, and so on.
• Avoid taking very salty foods in the car; they inspire lots of drinking-and lots of rest stops.

Beverages

• Put liquids in well-washed plastic lemon or lime juice dispensers. (Remove the inserts with a sharp pointed object, replace after filling, and screw the caps back on.) If you freeze them before you leave, the drinks will stay cool as they melt.
• Satisfy both hunger and thirst with grapes. Older kids may prefer frozen grapes. (Always cut them in half for toddlers.) Oranges serve the same purpose, but they’re messier.
• Keep flexible straws in your purse. They make it easier for children to drink from cups in a restaurant or car seat.

Activities

• Draw faces on your child’s fingers or hands (or your own) with washable markers. Enjoy puppet “conversations” or stories!
• Store colored pencils, markers and coloring books in a metal cake pan with a sliding cover. (Crayons melt in the summer heat.) The closed top provides a work surface.
• Buy postcards at your favorite places while traveling. Write down the day’s activities on the back of the cards. Put them in a scrapbook you’ve brought along, or mail them to your home address.

Adventure in New Zealand

New Zealand is a land of fantastic diversities and offers adventures on the water, land and in the air. A huge range of adventures are available – everything from walking and hiking, bicycling, ecotourism, zoos and wildlife parks, to skiing and snowboarding in the wintertime.

Here are a couple of handful of adventure travel tips for the North Island of New Zealand – some activities and adventures are not for the faint hearted visitor – so be aware of the following:

Zorbing in Rotorua
Kiwis are famous for their strange inventions; one of them is called zorbing. You are locked inside a giant transparent ball and then pushed down a hill. This adventure is loads of fun; however I do not recommend eating a big plate of pasta beforehand. Big mistake!

Diving at Poor Knights Islands
This is one of the top ten dive sites in New Zealand. The Poor Knights are home to many beautifully colourfed fish. Dive around sunken shipwrecks and see how many different types of fish you can count! This is a great diving spot for divers of all levels.

Caving at Waitomo
The Waitomo Caves are a great place to work test any fear of confined spaces. There are many different caves to choose from and lots of activities. Try abseiling, blackwater rafting or just admiring the strange yet wonderful rock formations.

Hiking in New Zealand
One famous hike is the Tongariro Crossing at Tongariro National Park in the heart of the North Island. However, there are many great hikes and different terrains in New Zealand. Chances are that you will get wet and dirty as rain is fairly common, even in the summer, and the trails tend to be quite muddy. So, come prepared!

New Zealand offers a wide variety of fantastic adventures and cultural attractions nationwide such as museums, art galleries, thermal resorts, food and wine tours, uncountable restaurants and wineries where you can rest and unwind from an exhilarating day of adventures wherever you happen to be.

Whale Watching in Victoria

Victoria BC whale watching is a unique opportunity not to be missed! It is quite popular amongst tourists as it is not very often that people get the chance to immerse themselves in nature in such an intimate way. Seeing the beautiful marine creatures in their natural habitat is an unforgettable experience for many travellers.

Orca Spirit offers 3-hour Victoria whale watching tours, with the prime months for sightings being April to October. The spring/fall tours leave at 9am and 1pm, and the summer tours depart at 9am, 1pm, and 5pm. For those who book in advance, additional tour times may be accommodated, and large bookings can arrange for flexible departure times. There are three pods of resident orcas in the Juan de Fuca and Haro Straits, which equates to frequent sightings. The whale watching tours have a high success rate of 95%.

Harbour porpoise, Dalls porpoise, Harbour and Elephant seals, otters, and marine birds are also often spotted on tours. There is a chance of seeing Humpback, Gray, and Minke whales as well. All in all, there are many great sights to take in–from the oceanic wildlife to the gorgeous seascape.

Orca Spirit presents you with two choices of vessels: a zodiac or a larger covered boat (both have onboard washrooms). The open zodiac offers adventure and thrills as the wind whips through your hair, and the covered boat has luxurious indoor seating, comfort, and a liquor license! The covered boat is recommended for those who have bad necks or backs, pregnant women, and anyone whose health is generally frail. Kids under the age of six are only allowed on the covered boat.

In addition, custom charters can be booked for larger groups in the following vessels: the zodiacs, which hold up to 12 people, are zippy little boats that manoeuvre easily and offer an exhilarating ride; the Pacific Explorer holds 70 passengers and has all of the amenities; the Orca Spirit, the company’s signature vessel, was designed specifically for whale watching, maximizing comfort and safety (holds 45 passengers).

Germany's Romantic Road

Have you traveled the Romantic Road in Germany? Checkered with sunflowers, castles, vineyards and multi-colored autumn trees, the "Romantische Strasse" is "one of the most scenically beautiful" according to Frommers.

A trade route during the middle ages, Germany's Romantic Road still retains much of its medieval character. The road often winds through forgotten sections of countryside, connecting walled towns and picturesque villages. Travelers may enter a town through an arched gateway complete with guard towers. Inside, you will find gothic cathedrals, half-timbered fachwerk houses, beautiful historic hotels and often a medieval festival. Fairytale castles like Neuschwanstein and the Alps complete the charm.

Stay at least one or more nights in a historic hotel in Rothenburg o.d.T. -- the best preserved medieval town in Germany. The sparsely populated Rothenburg - Weikersheim region has an abundance of historic sights including a palace with the best Baroque Garden in Germany. Farther south at the foot of the Alps, you will find Ludwig II's fairytale Castle Neuschwanstein and the popular Peforming Arts Center Neuschwanstein. In addition to numerous castles, the Füssen - Reutte region offers spectacular mountain views and a host of outdoor activities like skiing, hiking and sailing as well as fine vacation hotels. Many hotels offer rooms with a view in addition to health, fitness and wellness programs. Don't hesitate to take a walk outside a village into the surrounding farm fields, forests, and mountains. It is easy to find a pleasant spot, where you hear nothing but the birds and the wind.

Adventure in Aruba

One of most beautiful islands on the Caribbean, Aruba is tiny by comparison to neighboring islands but a giant in adventure. Like many of the surrounding islands, Aruba has turquoise waters and white sand beaches that invite visitors to take a step away from the many other modern attractions.

But if you are looking for an adventure, the comparison stops right there. Aruba has forty-two different dive sites that make the island a diver’s haven. If you want to discover the secret treasures of Aruba’s underwater world that are hidden from the landlubber, scuba-diving is a must. Exotic coral reefs, teeming with marine life, a variety of tropical fish parading in vibrant colors, manta rays, barracudas and other sea creatures, are seen at close range for a spectacular show under the sea. The opportunity to explore sunken ship wrecks of World War II vintage only serves to make the experience more unforgettable.

Aruba, with its trade winds, is also perfect for sailing and windsurfing. Those who like staying close to shore can enjoy snorkeling which affords a magnificent view of the coral formations and marine life. Kayaking along the coast provides a breathtaking sight of mangrove forests and secret caves.

Fishing charters in Aruba offer an exciting adventure visiting the marine life and witnessing one of the most valued adventures in the island. Whatever fishing charter you choose, you will surely enjoy the adventure knowing that the Aruba waters give you the opportunity to catch trophy fish. At the same time you will be fishing with some of the best crews that you may ever encounter. Arranging passage on one of Aruba fishing charters can lead to a day of sun, fun and excitement when you reel in a mahi mahi.

What if you like land? Well, there is plenty of adventure for you to enjoy. Horseback riding through the diverse landscapes, from the sand dunes to the desert-like plains allows you to discover the untamed beauty of Aruba’s wildlife.

If you’re a fan of those SUV commercials that show a vehicle ascending a peak overlooking the ocean, then rent a four-wheel drive for an island tour along the North coast with its rugged terrain, giant cacti and the popular divi-divi trees. A top tourist attraction is the Natural Bridge, the Caribbean’s highest and most impressive coral structure that stands twenty-five feet above sea level.

Want to go underground? Exploring Aruba’s subterranean caves shows a different landscape from those famous white beaches. Spelunking offers another view of Aruba’s exciting and mysterious side. Secret caves sprinkled throughout the shoreline make for fascinating exploration. Legend has it that these caves were made by the pirates of the Caribbean as their hideouts, a story which adds a touch of romance and adventure when visiting the caves.

An adventure vacation in Aruba can give your Caribbean vacation an extra-special memory. Exploring and discovering the exciting side of Aruba may be what your lifestyle needs. Remember to bring a camera and take pictures to create your own travel log that you can share of your exciting Aruba adventure.

What’s a bucket list?

A bucket list is a list of things you want to do before you die. For some people, it’s the crazy, wild and exotic. For others, it could be learning how to dance, draw, or cook. Why not combine your bucket list with travelling? Learn how to cook on an epicurean cruise, and see a country you’ve always dreamed of visiting at the same time! Sky dive in western Europe, learn to draw in the Mediterranean next to the beautiful ancient architecture, or find your dancing feet in Spain! Unsure of where to start? Think of some places you’ve been wanting to visit, and things you’ve been wanting to try, and us at Lloyds can help you plan the perfect holiday that knocks two points off your bucket list in one go!

Still stuck? Check out our adventure specialist, Lesli’s, top places to go before you die:


Torun, Poland - the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, this medieval city dates back to 1100BC and was home to the Teutonic Knights, Franciscan monks and Dominicans.

Bagan, Myanmar – this ancient capital of Mandalay although not designated as a World Heritage Site, should be.

Ajanta Caves, India - these rock cut cave monuments contain paintings and sculptures considered to be masterpieces of both Buddhist and universal pictorial art. These caves were hidden amongst jungle growth until they were discovered in 1819.

Banaue Rice Terraces, Philippines - these 2000 year old rice terraces are commonly referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World by the locals.

Meteora, Greece – these ‘suspended rocks’ are one of the most important complexes of Eastern Orthodox monasteries in Greece.

Sigiriya, Sri Lanka - Sigiriya, Lion’s Rock is an ancient fortress and palace and once a monastery. It is one of the seven World Heritage Sites of Sri Lanka.

Valley of Flowers, India – this beautiful high-altitude Himalayan valley is splashed with colour of hundreds of different flowers. The valley was declared a national park in 1982 is now a World Heritage Site.

Tower of Hercules, Spain - this ancient Roman lighthouse sits on a peninsula in north-western Spain and is still used as a lighthouse!


So what’s on YOUR bucket list? Let the Lloyds Travel experience take you there.