Great Getaways: Ko Lanta, Thailand

On Wishful Wednesdays, we like to ask our audience "If you could be anywhere in the world today, where would it be?" For me, this beautiful picture of the Duomo in Florence, framed by a distinctive carved window, always makes me feel as if I'm standing there looking at the real thing! For some literary travel inspiration set in Florence, I highly recommend E.M. Forster's quirky, romantic novel A Room With a View.

This article was written by Zoe Smith on behalf of Viator.com. Few bucket lists are complete without a trip to the Inca Citadel of Machu Picchu, one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites and Peru’s number one tourist attraction. Built in the 15th century, the site is not only world-renowned as an architectural masterpiece but also known for its dramatic location, perched on a 2,430-meter high mountaintop high above the city of Cusco. Few travelers pass through Cusco without visiting the magnificent Lost City of the Incas, but for adventurous travelers, the ultimate challenge is hiking the legendary Inca trail, a high-altitude, multi-day hike through the Sacred Valley to Machu Picchu. With Machu Picchu’s popularity soaring, dozens of tour operators and guides now offer tours to the Inca city, and with numerous trekking routes to choose from, plus government restrictions to contend with, it can be hard to know where to start planning your trip. To help you decide, here’s a breakdown of the different options to help you pick your perfect Machu Picchu trek. Getting to Machu PicchuMachu Picchu is located 112 km northeast of Cusco in southeastern Peru and the archaeological site is open all year-round, typically from around 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The easiest way to visit Machu Picchu is to take the bus or train from Cusco, a scenic two-hour journey, stopping in the mountain resort town of Aguas Calientes, from where it’s a 20-minute bus ride up the mountain to the Inca city. For hikers there are also a number of options, the most popular of which is the classic 4-day Inca Trail, renowned as one of the world’s most spectacular hikes, showing off numerous sights and ruins of the Sacred Valley of the Incas en-route to the final destination. When to GoIf you’ve decided to hike to Machu Picchu, the next thing to consider is when to go. The classic Inca Trail is closed for maintenance during the whole month of February, but if you must visit at this time, you’ll still be able to get to the site by train or via an alternative trekking route. The most popular time for trekking is between May and September, the driest months of the year, but it’s still possible to trek throughout the rest of the year. The shoulder seasons of March-April and October-November have the benefit of warm weather and fewer crowds, but there’s also a good chance of rain. Due to government regulations, visitors on the classic Inca Trail are restricted to 500 hikers per day (typically around 200 tourists and 300 guides and porters) and the trail must be booked in advance with a registered tour company. You’ll need to book at least two months in advance, but as permits are given on a first-come first-served basis, you might need to book up to six months in advance for the most popular time slots like June-August. You’ll also need to provide correct passport information upon booking, so that you can be allotted a space. Choosing a tourThe next thing you need to think about is what kind of trek you want to do, starting with which route to take. The classic Inca Trail takes four days and is unquestionably the most popular, but there are a number of other options that offer the chance to explore more off-the-beaten-track places, challenge yourself with a longer or tougher trek, or combine your trek with a multi-day tour of Cusco or Peru. Less-experienced hikers could even opt for a one- or two-day ‘mini-Inca-trail’ hike instead [Editor's Note: the Machu Picchu Adventure tour by G Adventures offers this one-day trek option]. When choosing a tour, there are also other things to consider, like accommodation options, cost, and the availability of porters. While many travelers will be looking to save money, the cheapest treks are not always the best choices, and you should think carefully about the camping facilities, porters (to carry your luggage) and food provided before selecting a cheaper tour. Choosing a trekking routeThere are now a number of increasingly popular treks to Machu Picchu, only one of which is the classic Inca Trail and if you have the time and money to hire a private guide, you will find a whole network of alternate trails and possible routes waiting to be discovered. To help you choose, here’s a rundown of the five most common trails. The Classic Inca TrailWhen you hear ‘Inca Trail’ this is the route that they’re talking about: the official 4–day Inca Trail to Machu Picchu. A tough but manageable 43-kilometer (26-mile) trail, starting out at Qorihuayrachina near Ollantaytambo and climbing through the Sacred Valley (Urubamba Valley) to Aguas Calientes, you’ll hike steep mountain passes, rock-hewn stairs and cloud forest trails, taking in Inca sites like Q’entimarka, Sayaqmarka, Phuyupatamarca and Winaywayna along the way. You’ll spend three nights camping out in the mountains on the route before making the final climb to Machu Picchu in time for the sunrise. While the distance might not sound long, the altitude and steep climbs mean you’ll need to be fit and used to hiking to complete the trek—you should also give yourself at least a couple of days in Cusco to acclimatize to the higher altitude before setting off. Salkantay TrekAn increasingly popular alternative to the Inca Trail is the 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu, known for its more challenging route and higher altitude. Climbing to heights of 4,600 meters and offering jaw-dropping views of the imposing Cordillera Vilcabamba mountain range (include the 6,271-meter tall Mt. Salkantay) this is not a trek for the faint-hearted, but those up for a challenge can’t help but be impressed by the natural sights on-route—waterfalls, glacial lakes, looming mountain peaks, and lush valleys filled with wildflowers. Inca Quarry TrailThose looking to take the road less traveled should opt for the Viator Exclusive 6-Night Quarry Trail to Machu Picchu, a unique route that climbs the 4,400 meter Chancachuco mountain pass and the Inca quarry of Kachiqta, taking in smaller archaeological sites like the Inti Punku (Sun Gate) along the way. A good option for adventurous types that still like to travel in style, there’s less camping and hiking on this trek than the others, but still plenty of stunning views. Lares TrekA shorter and less busy alternative to the classic Inca Trail, the Lares Trail to Machu Picchu is a 33 kilometer, 2- or 3-day trek running through the Lares Valley and taking in many of the highlights of the Sacred Valley. Passing beneath the Vilcanota mountain range, trekkers get the chance to follow ancient Inca Trails through traditional Andean villages, take a dip in the Lares hot springs and visit the Inca ruins of Pumamarca. Ancascocha TrekFollowing a similar path to the main Inca Trail, the Ancascocha Trail is often nicknamed the “hidden Inca Trail” and the rewarding route remains largely free from tourists. Taking four or five days to reach Machu Picchu, this is a challenging route with undulating terrain, passing through traditional villages like Usutapampa, past the Ancascocha lagoon and over the 4,876 meter Inca Chiriaska.

This article was written by Sia Ling Xin, who travels and writes about it for Asiarooms.com, a blog and online community focused on travelling in Asia. You can also find her on Twitter. Thailand, known for her islands, cheap food, and friendly locals, is also famed for massages. You may have heard horror stories of crazy poses, crackling spines and vicious masseuses bearing their full body weight on your naked back. Is the quintessential Thai massage experience really so scary, though? Sia Ling Xin, a massage addict and avid beach holiday lover, explains the various types of Thai massages commonly offered. No Thai experience is complete without a visit (or three) to the massage parlours. Remember, there's no need to be afraid of Thai masseuse lady! Thai Massage (with Oil)Pain factor: 2 stars This massage requires you to get naked and lie stomach-down on a bed. The masseuse starts applying oil on your back and rubs in long, gentle strokes. She may apply more pressure when kneading your shoulders, but overall, it's not painful or demanding. In fact, most people doze off and only wake up towards the end of the session, when the masseuse prompts you to sit upright, and proceeds to gently swing your head a few times... until she manages to 'pop' your neck. Expect the same swinging and popping for your spine and toes, but while you may hear scary sounds, it doesn't hurt at all. If you're looking to be pampered and fussed over, this is the massage for you. Traditional Thai MassagePain factor: 4.5 stars (if you ask for a strong masseuse, give it five stars, and bravo to you) You may be asked to change into a loose fitting outfit provided by the parlour, usually a pair of knee length drawstring pants and a t-shirt. This massage is fast-paced, demanding, and by far my favourite type of massage to get in Thailand. When in Thailand, forget about Swedish oil massages. Get kneaded as the Thais do! And boy, do they do it well. Expect lots of cracking (fingers, toes, spine, neck), lots of elbow and knee jabs (on sensitive points like the small of your back) and even some body-to-body contortion. It all sounds and looks a lot scarier than it actually is. My suggestion is to find a 'medium' strength masseuse and tell her to take the pressure down a notch if a while into the massage, you find it too intense. There is some pain involved, but only for areas that are stiff. And the pay-off is feeling wonderfully relaxed, almost like an out of body experience, after an experienced masseuse has had her wicked way with you. Relaxing Foot MassagePain factor: 3 stars (one star for the massage stick) If you're in the mood for a gentle foot rub that gets the blood circulation going, opt for this. You may see the masseuses whip out a black pen-like stick. Made of teak, this stick will be used to press on certain acupuncture points on your foot and toes, and you may feel a slight pinch. Overall, however, it's calm, gentle, and a great chance to practise your Thai with masseuses or just catch forty winks. About 50 minutes will be spent on your feet, and the last ten minutes on a quick shoulder and head massage. (This quickie will give you a taste of a full-blown traditional Thai massage.) Don't expect intense foot aches to disappear. The relaxing foot massage is great pampering while you're in the parlour, but it does not quite invigorate. If you like it hard, ask for the Oriental Foot Massage, which is a notch more intense. Aloe Vera MassagePain factor: 1 star (from the shock of cold aloe vera gel) This is the go-to massage for those who had a little too much fun in the sun and forgot protection (SPF 30 at least!). Sunburns can get nasty, and the pain sometimes lasts for days. If you're in the mood for a massage but your skin is too tender to be subjected to any kind of kneading and rubbing, opt for the Aloe Vera Massage. You'd be asked to strip down to your undies, and a masseuse will apply liberal amounts of aloe vera gel on your scorched skin. It is very gentle, and instead of a massage, may feel more like a spa treatment—not a bad thing for those with painful, inflamed skin! Those strapped for cash can duplicate the experience on their own—just bring a large tube of aloe vera along on your beach trip (or purchase one locally at a marked up rate), chill it in the hotel mini fridge, and apply it every night. If you have a significant other or good friend with you, the application at hard to reach areas should be no problem at all. Sports MassagePain level: 4 stars (you sporty folks can take the heat, I know) Yes, a beach holiday may take a lot out of you... especially those who like to go kayaking, rock climbing, or engage in other sporting activities. In this case, you may want to opt for the sports massage, which usually targets often-used areas such as hamstrings, shoulders, and arms. Somewhat of a cross between an oil massage and a Thai massage, the sports massage usually uses some form of heat rub to relax your aching muscles, which are then kneaded with ferocity. It may sound daunting, but a session or two may just be what you need to relax those stiff muscles!

This article was written by Karen Attman on behalf of Viator.com. There are so many delicious dishes in Colombia it’s hard to choose just a few. Here are 12 of my favorite foods to try when visiting. Bandeja PaisaThe Colombian national dish, bandeja paisa, is not for the faint of heart. Born in the “paisa” region of Colombia—Medellin and its surroundings—it is called bandeja (tray) because rather than being served on a plate, it’s often served on a tray large enough to accommodate the huge portions. You certainly don’t have to travel to Medellin to try it, since this is a typical lunch throughout Colombia, sometimes served as a corrientazo (popular, inexpensive lunch). Normally included on the plate: rice, fried plantain, chicharron, ground beef, blood sausage, avocado, arepa, and red beans, all topped with a fried egg. LechonaLechona is whole baby pork, roasted to perfection, with a crunchy outer skin and deliciously soft meat on the inside. For those not used to seeing the heads of the animals they’re eating, it can be upsetting to see a whole lechona, but just one bite of it erases any doubts about the value of the dish. Lechona is served throughout Colombia for lunch or dinner at roadside stands, fine restaurants and fairs, or basically wherever Colombians are. A common street food, it is often served on small plates with arepa or potatoes, or made into a sandwich. ChicharronWhile we’re on the subject of pork, let’s discuss chicharrones. Perhaps one of the most common ways to eat pork in Colombia, it’s readily available everywhere and is inexpensive. The pork rinds are deep fat fried until crispy, then cut into small pieces and served with arepa, fried plantain, or potatoes. Pick it up from vendors on the streets throughout the day or enjoy it as a side dish with a meal. FritangaThis is another one for meat lovers. Fritanga is a dish with a mix of meats—longaniza (pork sausage), bofe (lung), liver, chicharron, blood sausage, chorizo (another type of pork sausage) and chunchullo (intestines) cut up into small pieces, thrown together and served on a big plate with yucca or plantain. This dish goes well with beer and friends. Sancocho de gallinaA comforting soup in colder climates, sancocho de gallina is often the dish of choice to make whenever there is a large gathering of friends or family. Hen, yucca, plantain, cilantro, carrots, and other vegetables are cooked into a soup in huge pots. Pan de bonoSmall, puffy, light-as-air cheese breads made with yucca flour and queso costeño (hard white cheese), these are common throughout Colombia for breakfast or snacks, or to accompany that afternoon coffee. PetoPeto, or mazamorra, is white corn cooked very well until it reaches a soupy consistency. The mazamorra antioqueña is usually served in milk and with a heaping serving of grated panela (raw sugar cane). It’s common to see vendors selling it on the streets or even from door to door, calling out “pehhhhhto” as they walk. ChuzosOr brochetas. Or pinchos. Whatever you want to call them, these Colombia kabobs are delicious. On the side of roadways or on any crowded city sidewalk, vendors set up grills where they place long skewers with juicy cuts of beef, pork or chicken and topped with an arepa or small papas saladas, a heavily salted potato. Calentao paisaCalentao (which means warmed up) began, as its name suggests, as warmed up left overs, traditionally served for breakfast in poor households. Rice, ripe plantain, chorizo, potatoes, beef, beans, chicken, and sausage are all thrown into the pan and heated up together, with a fried egg often served on top. Depending on the region, corn, lentils, and even pasta can also be thrown into the mix. TamalesThese are served throughout Latin America, and in Colombia the tradition is for families to gather together to eat them in restaurants and bakeries on the weekends. Tamales are made with ground corn or corn flour and are filled with meat, chicken, pork, vegetables and rice, then neatly tied up in plantain leaves and boiled. Each region of Colombia has their own version of tamales; in some areas rice or plantain is used to encase the meat, and they can include peas, beans, egg, veal, chicken, capers, or raisins. ObleasThese thin, round wafers are served sandwich-style, filled with arequipe (a South American caramel sauce). In addition to arequipe they can be filled with mora (berry) sauce, grated white cheese, peanuts, passion fruit sauce, or cream. They are an inexpensive sweet snack sold everywhere throughout Colombia. Fresh fruitThere’s an abundance of fresh fruit in Colombia that delights visitors. Fruit here comes in all colors, sizes, shapes, and flavors and with unusual names like lulo, maracuya, granadilla, pitaaya, and níspero. Also, some of the ones that are well known, like mangoes, are so flavorful and juicy and come in such outstanding variety that it’s a totally different eating experience. Mango biche, green mango that is often cut into thin long strips that look like green spaghetti, is served with lime and salt. Salpicon is a huge serving of tropical fruit salad served with or without ice cream. For those that are brave, there are also choices like mondongo, large fried ants, and chunchullo (fried pork intestines). A food tour is one of the best ways to get in a number of these tastes at local spots around Colombia.