Краткое описание: While Europe was sliding into the Dark Ages, the people of the Yucatan had already reached what is arguably the pinnacle of New World civilization. The lowland Maya developed a complex system of writing and two separate calendar cycles based on their observations of astronomical phenomena. Also, they built temples from limestone and demonstrated a highly sophisticated level of artistic expression in their murals and pottery. The Yucatan developed independently from the rest of Mexico, though it could not help but be influenced by its powerful neighbor. It was only last century that the peninsula became part of the country, a union that it fiercely resisted.

Краткое описание: One of the most rewarding things about travelling through Western Europe is the rich variety of cuisine, customs, architecture and history. The flipside of course is that you’ll encounter a number of very different languages. Most languages spoken in Western Europe, including English, belong to what’s known as the Indo-European language family, believed to have originally developed from one language spoken thousands of years ago. Luckily for English speakers, all but one use Roman script.

Краткое описание: One of the great joys of travel in Western Europe is that you can plan as much or as little as you want. Some people will have a must-see list of sights they will feel cheated if they miss. Others will go with the flow and let their moods and experiences shape their journey. Neither is the better way to go and many people will combine aspects of both. They’ll have a realistic idea of what they can accomplish while still having the freedom to take a detour on a whim.

Краткое описание: According to experts like us, travelling in the Western Balkans is dead easy. And that statement is almost entirely true! Visiting Slovenia and Croatia is no more difficult than going to Germany or Italy. Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro, and Macedonia are less expensive; they feature lots of signs in Cyrillic alphabets, but are still easy to visit. Albania is more challenging: the capital Tirana is in the middle of a building boom, and many roads are either in dreadful shape or being rebuilt, though some of the main arteries have been finished.

Краткое описание: West Africa is a great destination to plan, with a wealth of resources to track down - books that capture the region’s unmistakable whiff of the exotic (opposite), excellent movies that get little airtime elsewhere and a host of unique festivals that can act as your route planner to the region. The region’s world-renowned music is also worth tracking down to provide a soundtrack for your visit. On the practical side, West Africa can be a challenging destination so think carefully about what sort of trip best suits you.

Краткое описание: If Scotland is unknown territory, the question you must ask sooner or later is, “What kind of walks can I do in Scotland?”. The best answer is, “Whatever you wish”. You can walk independently, handling all the plan- fling and arranging accommodation and transport yourself, or you can join a guided walk, sitting back while all the arranging is done for you. A good compromise is to have the best of both worlds - enjoy having the accommodation and maps provided, then do the walks by yourself or with friends.

Day walks are the most popular style of walking in Scotland, from a base at a camping ground, hostel or B&B. They can range from easy strolls along clear pathsto challenging circuits of several mountain peaks. Some walks are waymarked, though many aren’t - these are easy enough to follow with the help of this guide and the recommended maps.

Краткое описание: Writers the world over have extolled the virtues of Britain’s landscape, which offers thrilling choices to suit your walking preferences: gentle countryside, dramatic hills and mountains, awe-inspiring antiquities and breathtaking modern sculpture await the walker’s discovery. During each season there is a vista rich with flora and fauna. To punctuate your walking, Britain welcomes its on-foot explorers through a community of character-filled towns and villages, brimming with delightful refreshment and accommodation options. Whether you know it or not, we walkers also benefit from decades of campaigns to save and reinstate footpaths and to protect the countryside.

Краткое описание: Australia’s largest state is often smallest in the minds of walkers but it shouldn’t be. In the southwest corner of Western Australia, and in isolated pockets around the rest of the state, there are walking opportunities that rival anything in the rest of the country.

A day on a West Australian walking track is never dull. On the Bibbulmun Karri and Coast walk, you will wander through karri forest that seems to touch the sky and past enormous tingle trees, endemic to just a tiny area around Walpole. Hours later you will be walking along a rock-strewn coast with barely a tree in sight. On the Cape to Cape Track you can look out across the Indian Ocean and hope humpback whale.

Краткое описание: Dust off your rucksack, fish out your hiking boots and you’re ready to go. The only difficult thing about planning a trip to Wales is deciding where to visit first. Do you go for the all-action hiking-cycling-surfing-rafting route, play the his tory buff and soak up the sights, or wallow in cosy pubs after windswept walks? Luckily nothing is too far away in Wales and it’s easy to squeeze in a bit of everything - even on a short trip. Public transport is reasonable, there s accommodation to suit all budgets and, above all, the locals are very friendly.

Краткое описание: The Mekong is one of the world’s most evocative rivers and lining its length are historic cities, blissful backwaters, beautiful landscapes, and friendly locals. Cruise the mother waters from Xishuangbanna in Yunnan Province to the perfect paddies of the Mekong Delta, stopping along the way to see the infamous Golden Triangle, the shimmering temples of Luang Prabang, the real life of Si Phan Don. And don’t forget some side trips. As well as Bangkok, the region’s dynamic gateway, within touching distance of the Mekong lie the majestic temples of Angkor, pristine national parks such as Khao Yai in Thailand, and beguiling beaches in Cambodia and Vietnam.