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9 great places to be a recluse

 

  In the Loisaba Wilderness, outdoor “star beds” expose you to the Kenyan elements.

 

 

  STORY HIGHLIGHTS These places offer some of the world’s most beautiful me-time fixes Book yourself in at a ger camp beside Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur for a sweet escape Kettuvallam houseboats in the Indian state of Kerala are floating luxury hotel rooms Only 12 guests are allowed on Australia‘s five-acre Wilson Island at one time

(CNNGo) — If hell is other people, maybe you can find heaven where other people aren’t.

These places, though not entirely devoid of human life, offer some of the world’s most beautiful me-time fixes.

1. Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, Mt. Everest

Location: Tibet Autonomous Region, China

It’s freezing, there’s barely any oxygen and it has claimed more than 200 lives. But you don’t actually need to hit Mt. Everest’s summit to get away from it all.

Head for the North Face and you’ll pass by Rongbuk Monastery. At an elevation of 5,100 meters (16,732 feet), it’s an anxiety-settling 3,000 meters (9,842 feet) short of the death zone.

Opposite is the guesthouse, a basic, electricity-rationed, rustic little property where you can gaze upon Everest’s face and experience all the internal contemplation it brings on without having to risk life and limb.

Rate: Less than $10 per night. Information at windhoursetour.com.

Rongbuk Monastery, Everest Base Camp, Tsang, Tibet, China

2. Great White Lake, Mongolia

Location: Central Mongolia, between Tariat town and Terkhiin Tsaagan Nuur’s eastern shore

Book yourself in at a ger camp beside Central Mongolia’s Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur, or “Great White Lake,” in the lush Khangai Mountain region and you’ll wonder why people ever felt the need to congregate in cities.

Located in the Khorgo-Terkhiin Tsagaan Nuur National Park, the area is pockmarked with volcanic rock. The lake itself was created by lava flow from an eruption thousands of years ago.

Even if there are others in your camp, go for a walk and within 20 minutes it’ll just be you, a vast expanse of land and a few pesky flies.

Rates: Less than $20 per night. Multi-day horseback tours and camps can be booked via onthegotours.com, or you can hike from camp to camp.

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3. Kettuvallam houseboat, India

Location: State of Kerala, southern India

They look like giant wicker baskets, but the kettuvallam houseboats that ply the many channels and backwaters of the Indian state of Kerala are floating luxury hotel rooms.

The boats can accommodate up to six guests and while you can disembark if the need grabs you (finished your novel too quickly?), it’s just as easy to remain on the water and let attentive crews cater to you for several days.

Rates: $210 for 22 hours. Book via thehouseboatskerala.com.

4. Wilson Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Location: Off the coast of Gladstone, Australia

If only Robinson Crusoe had it so good. Just 12 guests are allowed on this five-acre island at any one time, so no need to run out at dawn to reserve the sun loungers.

Guests have access to a library and various resort-style amenities, such as toiletries, housekeeping service and food and drinks.

If you book in January, you may have to share the place with green and loggerhead turtles, which crawl onto shore to lay their eggs.

Rates: From $680 per night for one of six permanent luxury tents. Book at wilsonisland.com.

Wilson Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. Tel +61 3 9413 6284

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5. Takaro Peace Resort, New Zealand

Location: South Island, New Zealand

Takaro Peace Resort is so out of the way that guests used to have to fly directly to this wellness spa and relaxation lodge. Thanks to a new private road, it’s now even easier to ignore other people.

As well as holing yourself up in one of the resort’s 10 luxury feng shui-designed chalets, you can go on glow-worm cruises and walks on the magnificent 2,000-acre private estate.

Rate: From $190 (for standard chalet) per person per night. Book at takarolodge.com.

914 Takaro Road, Te Anau 9640, New Zealand. Tel +64 3 249 0161. [email protected]

6. International Dhamma Hermitage, Thailand

Location: Chaiya, Thailand

If you find it hard to find silence for 10 minutes during “normal” life, you might want to book a stay at International Dhamma Hermitage, a meditation resort attached to the Wat Suan Mokkh forest monastery 640 kilometers (about 400 miles) south of Bangkok.

Every month the resort hosts 10-day meditation retreats, during which participants take on vows of silence.

Turns out running your mouth is not an easy habit to break.

You get up early and fast between noon and dawn. Sitting on “luxury beds or seats” is a no-no.

Guests must register in person on the last day of the previous month.

Rate: $66 for 10 days. For more info go to suannmokkh-idh.org.

International Dhamma Hermitage, 1.5 kilometers (about 1 mile) from Wat Suan Mokkh, Chaiya, Surat Thani, Thailand. [email protected]

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7. Alert, Canada

Location: Nunavut, Canada

Located just 817 kilometers (507 miles) from the North Pole, and more than 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles) from the nearest city, Alert is the last stop for civilization in the northern hemisphere. In the 2006 census, its permanent population was five.

Alert is mainly home to military and meteorological personnel and installations. The only feasible way to get there is by hitching a ride the next time the Canadian military sends a plane.

There are no tourist facilities and you’ll have to bring your own food. And sleeping bag. Then build your own igloo.

8. Kulala Wilderness Camp, Namibia

Location: Namib Desert, Namibia

If by becoming a recluse your intention is to feel small and insignificant, you need look no further than the Sossusvlei in the southern part of the Namib Desert. Sossusvlei roughly translates as “marsh of no return,” and that pretty much tells the story of this remote spot.

It’s a dead, dry, Dali-esque place, with the Deadvlei, a ghostly white clay pan area full of dead acacia trees, set against burning red sand dunes.

Book stays at the Kulala Wilderness Camp, within a private 37,000-hectare reserve, throughsafariadventurecompany.com.

Rate: From $300 per adult per night.

350 kilometers (217 miles) from Windhoek, Namibia. Tel +27 11 257 5111. [email protected]

9. Loisaba Wilderness, Kenya

Location: Laikipia, Kenya

How do you make your African safari even more adventurous? Spend nights out with the animals.

In the Loisaba Wilderness, outdoor “star beds” expose you to the Kenyan elements (you do get a mosquito net). The unique beds, which jut out over the Ewaso Ng’iro River, are a joint venture between Loisaba and the local Laikipiak Maasai.

Traditional Samburu and Laikipiak Maasai warriors guide and look after you during your wilderness stay. Each bed-lodging can accommodate two to four people.

 

 Loisaba Wilderness, Nanyuki, Kenya. Tel +254 (0)62 31072. [email protected]

By Winnie So, CNNGo //

Rate: $740-$1,190 per night through Loisaba Wilderness.

 

 

Travelers Tips N Pics on Facebook

 

With So many cheap flights,cheap hotels,& Airline tickets available for International Travel deals,from Budget to Luxury. Booking Vacation packages online, is EASY.

Travelers Tips / Earn Money Traveling / Friend Finder / FREE Brochures //

Cheap Flights to Christchurch

Every year, thousands of backpackers head down under each year to work and to travel.

However, an increasing number of travellers are choosing to visit New Zealand – home of the kiwi, the Lord Of The Rings films and the All Blacks rugby team, amongst other things.

Flights to New Zealand can vary in price depending on not only the length of your stay, but the time of year in which you choose to travel.

Sitting at the computer one day, some Air New Zealand grab a seat promotions appeared in my inbox. They had flights to Christchurch in the South Island on sale. I hit the grab a seat button, I was committed or I was going to lose the money I had just paid for the seat. We all know in today’s world and no one can afford to waste money least of all someone on his or her own.

Accommodation was next to be considered, single people are not well catered for here, as hospitality industries base their charges around two people or more. Eureka! Stay at a back packers! Hang on, I am mid sixties, why a backpackers? The old answer because it is there springs to mind. Therefore, with much trepidation, I booked a few nights at the YHA after becoming a member.

Christchurch is the South Island‘s largest city, with a population of around 360,000 people. Christchurch airport is located 6 miles (10 kilometres) northwest of the Christchurch city centre, around 20 minutes drive. Regular bus and taxi services are available.

Many low cost international carriers are coming up so, you are going to be spoilt for choice when it comes to cheap flights NZ. You will have to keep a track of the fares on the internet as cheap tickets are snapped up by people the moment they are disclosed. After all, no gain without pain, right?

4th Night FREE at Atlantis, kids stay and eat free, AND free companion airfare!

Atlantis, Paradise Island is a unique destination featuring the world's largest open-air marine habitat, home to over 50,000 sea animals living in 14 exhibit lagoons. Explore Aquaventure, an innovative waterscape of thrilling slides and rides. Discover secrets of the lost continent in The Dig, and interact with gentle dolphins in Dolphin Cay. Enjoy 20 swimming areas, renowned beaches, the Mandara Spa, Aura nightclub, a world-class casino, duty-free shopping at Marina Village and Crystal Court, sports center, nearby 18-hole championship golf course, Atlantis Kids Club. There is a wide range of dining options including the gourmet cuisines of Bobby Flay, Nobu and Jean-Georges Vongerichten. ?Mythical discovery. Awe-inspiring adventure.?

Got teens? They will love the new $11 million teen club, CRUSH.
Complimentary 4th night FREE is valid until 8/20/11.?
FREE companion airfare is valid until 6/30/11.
Kids Stay & Eat FREE promo is valid until 12/20/11.
{As with all promotions, restrictions apply. Please inquire!}
Jump over here to request a custom quote and be on your way to one of the best family vacations EVER! Or, if you want to book your own airline tickets, we are still able to assist with your hotel package. Have a look around the web, there are plenty of cheap flights available to the Bahamas!?
Cheers,

Relax at Tembok, Bali ’s Spa Village Resort

Stressed out travelers may take Tembok into consideration as it holds the Spa Village Resort, the ideal getaway for relaxation and recuperation. This luxury resort is the ultimate wellness getaway and is now offering top luxury vacation packages for 2011.

Serendipitous discovery

Over-organizing travel plans—where you’re in a different place each day due to a long checklist of things to see—can actually result in seeing less. Sure, you may get to all the monuments or museums you want, but while the checklist blinders are on, you could be missing out on a lot of local culture.

Recently, I was in the town of Todos Santos, in Mexico’s Baja California Sur. In between the must-sees, I took the time to wander around and get a feel for the area—set in an oasis on the Pacific Ocean. I assumed I’d run into a bunch of artisan shops, some street color and a pretty plaza.

At one point, I turned a corner and found a group of young girls in folklórico skirts on a stage in the plaza, rehearsing for an upcoming performance. Some of them were paying attention to the instructor, some looked like they didn’t want to be there, and the rest were distracted by my paparazzi actions and posed for the camera. They went through their moves, often reprimanded by their instructor—but time stood still. It was a moment of serendipitous discovery.

Had I been focused on seeing certain things on a timetable, I might have missed this moment. But even if you don’t run across something quite so dramatic on your travels, keeping your mind clear of expectations and a strict schedule can often open your eyes to things you’d otherwise miss.

VOYAGEUR OF THE SEAS MAKES INAUGURAL CALL TO JAMAICA ' S HISTORIC FALMOUTH CRUISE PORT

KINGSTON, JAMAICA - February 23, 2011 - Royal Caribbean's Voyageur of the Seas makes the inaugural call to Jamaica's Historic Falmouth Cruise Port Thursday, February 17. Cruise-goers were welcomed by government officials, Jamaican entertainers, as well as talented artists and crafters as they disembarked the ship. After a day of festivities and adventures for cruise-goers, the ship departs Historic Falmouth's port (pictured). The Port is a US$220 million project under development by Royal Caribbean Limited (RCCL) in partnership with the Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) for the berthing of the cruise line's Genesis class ship, the newest and largest class of cruise ships. The grand opening ceremony of the Historic Falmouth Cruise Port will take place on March 22, 2011 when Oasis of the Seas makes her maiden call into the port. Other Royal Caribbean ships that will be calling at Falmouth include Freedom of the Seas on Feb. 23; Navigator of the Seas on Feb. 24; and Allure of the Seas debuting in Falmouth on March 30.

March 17th Voted New Holiday in Italy

In celebration of its 150^th birthday, Italy is showing its pride as the government declares March 17 a national holiday. It marks 150 years to the day since Victor Emmanuel II proclaimed the formation of the Kingdom in Italy. Turin, the unified country's first capital, will host numerous events from March to November titled “Esperienza Italia." Other Italian cities are also joining in on the celebration in their own way in the form of festivals, exhibitions and concerts.

For now while Italy’s official birthday has a place on the national calendar, it didn’t arrive there without some controversy and it’s not certain how long it will remain. Thursday, March 17^th will bring about the closings of banks, schools, offices and most shops while some museums and galleries may remain open, but not all Italians are so excited to share in the celebration.

Though this is to be a celebratory day signifying unity, some Italians are against the holiday. In times of economic hardship, some feel the day off, which will cost the country money, is unnecessary and irresponsible. Luis Durnwalder, the president of the 90% German-speaking Tirol, is voicing his opposing views claiming his region was forced into a union with Italy and therefore has no desire to participate. Others have raised the notion that the holiday is a reminder of the the economic disparity between the northern (traditionally the more prosperous) and southern (facing more struggles) halves of Italy. -- Kendra Howard

Travel Photo of the Day: The Golden Pavilion (Kinkakuji), Kyoto, Japan

While visiting Kyoto, Japan in December 2003,?so many people talked about how gorgeous the Golden Pavilion was, I had to take a side trip to see it. They were right, it is spectacular.?Kinkakuji, as it is known in Japanese, is a brilliant, shining example of the extravagance of the Kitayama culture: the top two floors are completely covered in gold leaf and each floor represents a different architectural style: the first floor is built in the style of the imperial aristocracy, the second in the style of the warrior aristocrats and the third in traditional Chinese style. It is currently used as a Zen Buddhist temple, but was originally built as a weekend villa?for a powerful 13th century Japanese politician.?The original building has been burned down and rebuilt in?an exact copy?twice.

This photo was taken on a cloudy day, just as the sun was breaking through the clouds.?The small covered?extension?on the side is a fishing deck. The temple sits on the edge of?Mirror Pond (Ky?ko-chi) situated in a lush Japanese-style strolling garden, which is intended to demonstrate the harmonial balance between heaven and earth. Every?tree, flower, scultpture?and rock is?there by design and signifies something in the Zen philosophy. For example,?the four stones forming a straight line in the pond near the pavilion are intended to represent sailboats anchored at night, bound for the Isle of Eternal Life.

Black Tomato Offers Coffee Triangle Tour in Colombia

Tour operator Black Tomato offers five-night private tour in Colombia featuring the country's coffee destinations and a private tour with the Cartagena and Bogota explorations. The majority of luscious coffee worldwide has been found to originate in Colombia and it has been stated that this country will also be a luxury vacation hot spot in 2011.

Relax at Tembok, Bali ’s Spa Village Resort

Stressed out travelers may take Tembok into consideration as it holds the Spa Village Resort, the ideal getaway for relaxation and recuperation. This luxury resort is the ultimate wellness getaway and is now offering top luxury vacation packages for 2011.