Trip Inspiration http://www.tripinspiration.com/ Alternative Travel Experiences en Jill Bowen Copyright 2008 2008-08-27T13:51:00+00:00 Naturist go karting Walsall (Midlands, UK) http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naturist-go-karting-walsall-midlands-uk/2008-08-27/ The majority of naturist sporting events are usually based around swimming pools, volley ball or mini ten courts.  Usually played very ‘gentlemanly’, with no agro, in fact quite genteel! But if you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush……look no further! Walsall Ace Karting is opening the track for another naturist night of speed and fun on 20th September 2008. Europe, Naturism, September The majority of naturist sporting events are usually based around swimming pools, volley ball or mini ten courts.  Usually played very ‘gentlemanly’, with no agro, in fact quite genteel!

But if you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush……look no further!
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Walsall Ace Karting is opening the track for another naturist night of speed and fun on 20th September 2008.

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]]> 2008-08-27T13:51:00+00:00 Naturism in North of England’s Eden http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/naturism-in-north-of-englands-eden/2008-08-25/ Yes another Eden; another paradise opening up it’s portals for Naturists.  Link to Eden Project Article for detail on naturism at the Eden Project in Cornwall. This new venue for Naturism is being held at The Tropical World complex in Roundhay Park, Leeds, and will open for one day on Saturday 20th September 2008 from 7pm – 10.00pm for those who want to combine nature with naturism.  Though of course, you don’t have to be a naturist to visit at any other time! Tropical World was actually created 10 years prior to its more famous ‘southern’ cousin, and boasts the UK’s largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew. Europe, Naturism, September Yes another Eden; another paradise opening up it’s portals for Naturists.  Link to Eden Project Article for detail on naturism at the Eden Project in Cornwall.

This new venue for Naturism is being held at The Tropical World complex in Roundhay Park, Leeds, and will open for one day on Saturday 20th September 2008 from 7pm – 10.00pm for those who want to combine nature with naturism.  Though of course, you don’t have to be a naturist to visit at any other time!
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Tropical World was actually created 10 years prior to its more famous ‘southern’ cousin, and boasts the UK’s largest collection of tropical plants outside Kew.

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]]> 2008-08-25T01:37:00+00:00 Stargazing Holiday, ElquiDomos Hotel, Chile http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/stargazing-holiday-elquidomos-hotel-chile/2008-08-24/ This has to be one of the most unusual hotels I have heard of.  Set high up in the Andes, because of the excellent clear skies and lack of light pollution, lies the ElquiDomos Hotel.  It was designed by a famous Chilean architect Nicolas Fones and opened in February 2005.  It is the only astronomic hotel in the southern hemisphere (apparently there are 7 astronomic themed hotels worldwide) and has 7 rooms built as two storey domes with living rooms downstairs and the bedrooms on the upper floor with detachable roofs to enhance the star gazing experience.  Each dome is equipped with its own telescope (of course), and large wooden terrace and astronomic literature. Unusual Hotels This has to be one of the most unusual hotels I have heard of.  Set high up in the Andes, because of the excellent clear skies and lack of light pollution, lies the ElquiDomos Hotel.  It was designed by a famous Chilean architect Nicolas Fones and opened in February 2005. 

It is the only astronomic hotel in the southern hemisphere (apparently there are 7 astronomic themed hotels worldwide) and has 7 rooms built as two storey domes with living rooms downstairs and the bedrooms on the upper floor with detachable roofs to enhance the star gazing experience.  Each dome is equipped with its own telescope (of course), and large wooden terrace and astronomic literature.

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]]> 2008-08-24T01:02:00+00:00 Galway Oyster Festival, Ireland http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/galway-oyster-festival-ireland/2008-08-22/ It is said that the Galway Oyster Festival is Irelands longest running festival and as it celebrates its 54th occurrence in 2008 this may be right.  The festival lasts 4 days (in 2008 from Thurs 25th to Sun 28th Sept). There’s a lot more to do besides scoffing Galway’s finest oysters and quaffing the ‘black stuff’ (as Guinness is the official sponsor).  There are a number of parties and black tie balls with ticket prices ranging between £20 and £175, you can go and watch the world oyster opening championship or Oyster Pearl beauty pageant (to become the face that represents the festival the following year) on the Saturday or even enter and win a heap of prizes including a £3,000 Raymond Weil watch.  In addition there are many free events and music around town. The festival is held in September because it is when Galway’s wild oysters come into season, which was also traditionally a slow time for tourism.  In 1954 the owner of the Southern Hotel started it all with the first Oyster Festival Banquet (34 guests attended) in order to fill up his hotel at this quiet time of the year.  It obviously worked and now it’s difficult to get a hotel reservation anywhere in town as thousands go.  It has been listed by the Sunday Times as one of the 12 greatest shows on earth Europe, September It is said that the Galway Oyster Festival is Irelands longest running festival and as it celebrates its 54th occurrence in 2008 this may be right.  The festival lasts 4 days (in 2008 from Thurs 25th to Sun 28th Sept).

There’s a lot more to do besides scoffing Galway’s finest oysters and quaffing the ‘black stuff’ (as Guinness is the official sponsor).  There are a number of parties and black tie balls with ticket prices ranging between £20 and £175, you can go and watch the world oyster opening championship or Oyster Pearl beauty pageant (to become the face that represents the festival the following year) on the Saturday or even enter and win a heap of prizes including a £3,000 Raymond Weil watch.  In addition there are many free events and music around town.

The festival is held in September because it is when Galway’s wild oysters come into season, which was also traditionally a slow time for tourism.  In 1954 the owner of the Southern Hotel started it all with the first Oyster Festival Banquet (34 guests attended) in order to fill up his hotel at this quiet time of the year.  It obviously worked and now it’s difficult to get a hotel reservation anywhere in town as thousands go.  It has been listed by the Sunday Times as one of the 12 greatest shows on earth

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]]> 2008-08-22T01:39:00+00:00 Utter (or Otter) Inn, Sweden http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/utter-or-otter-inn-sweden/2008-08-16/ Whilst there are many underwater concept hotels that may or may not come to fruition here is one (albeit one room only) that actually exists. It is a concept by the artist Mikael Genberg and consists of a floating red wooden room, beneath which is suspended a ‘human aquarium’ (where the bed is situated).  The bedroom floats three meters below the surface of Lake Malaren in Sweden.  Guests are taken by inflatable boat 1km into the middle of the lake where the room is situated, and left alone, unless they have ordered the ‘delux’ stay whereby they will get a later visit bringing their supper. Whilst the room does have a heater and is closed during the winter months I am sure it could prove a little chilly sometimes so take plenty of layers…..oh & book well ahead! Europe, Unusual Hotels Whilst there are many underwater concept hotels that may or may not come to fruition here is one (albeit one room only) that actually exists.

It is a concept by the artist Mikael Genberg and consists of a floating red wooden room, beneath which is suspended a ‘human aquarium’ (where the bed is situated).  The bedroom floats three meters below the surface of Lake Malaren in Sweden.  Guests are taken by inflatable boat 1km into the middle of the lake where the room is situated, and left alone, unless they have ordered the ‘delux’ stay whereby they will get a later visit bringing their supper.

Whilst the room does have a heater and is closed during the winter months I am sure it could prove a little chilly sometimes so take plenty of layers…..oh & book well ahead!

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]]> 2008-08-16T01:21:00+00:00 Edinburgh International Festival, Scotland http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/edinburgh-international-festival-scotland/2008-08-13/ Everyone should visit the Edinburgh Festival at least once in their lifetime!  I went in my 20’s with a friend, we were pretty broke but still found heaps to do. In 2008 the festival is going on from 8th to 31st August and there will be events to suit all tastes and pockets including: • Classical Music • Opera • Ballet • Music - Jazz, • Theatre • Fringe • Street entertainment / buskers Europe, August Everyone should visit the Edinburgh Festival at least once in their lifetime!  I went in my 20’s with a friend, we were pretty broke but still found heaps to do.

In 2008 the festival is going on from 8th to 31st August and there will be events to suit all tastes and pockets including:

• Classical Music
• Opera
• Ballet
• Music - Jazz,
• Theatre
• Fringe
• Street entertainment / buskers

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]]> 2008-08-13T13:27:01+00:00 Arctic Cruise : The Bear Necessities. http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/arctic-cruise-the-bear-necessities/2008-08-11/ When you think of cruises, you probably imagine huge luxury liners, with onboard entertainment, fine dining and evening receptions. A cruise doesn’t always need to be that way though. In the Telegraph’s Cruise Channel Pamela Petro tells of her travels on an Arctic cruise in Canada’s Nunavut territory. She finds that bear spotting on a zodiac raft is certainly not your average cruise holiday. Arctic cruises help introduce travellers to the Arctic environment, as well as allowing tourists a sobering look at the effects of global warming. You can expect a variety of interesting day trips, often including polar bear spotting, walrus watching and shore excursions among barren rock and ice-tipped mountains. Eco Friendly When you think of cruises, you probably imagine huge luxury liners, with onboard entertainment, fine dining and evening receptions. A cruise doesn’t always need to be that way though. In the Telegraph’s Cruise Channel Pamela Petro tells of her travels on an Arctic cruise in Canada’s Nunavut territory. She finds that bear spotting on a zodiac raft is certainly not your average cruise holiday.

Arctic cruises help introduce travellers to the Arctic environment, as well as allowing tourists a sobering look at the effects of global warming. You can expect a variety of interesting day trips, often including polar bear spotting, walrus watching and shore excursions among barren rock and ice-tipped mountains.

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]]> 2008-08-11T01:21:00+00:00 Malmo Festival, Sweden http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/malmo-festival-sweden/2008-08-09/ This event (‘Malmofestivalen’ in Swedish) takes place in the second half of August and is the biggest annual event in Malmo’s calendar, if not southern Sweden.  Admission is free and there are many concerts (pop / rock / heavy metal / jazz and more) and musical performances to choose from in addition to an amusement park, art displays, crafts, sporting events and of course plenty of opportunities to sample traditional Swedish and worldwide food.  In fact the festival kicks off with an infamous crayfish party at Stortorget.  Not only will you be able to eat plenty of the tasty crustaceans, but you will be able to buy crayfish decorated bibs, plates, hats, tablecloths and many other items you didn’t know you needed (or probably didn’t)!! In 2008 the festival is running from 15th to 22nd August and usually some 1.5 million people attend.  There will be many outdoor stages and music marquees and hundreds of food stalls right in the middle of the historic town centre.  Malmo has a huge main square where much of the festival is centred.  The festival ends with a great firework display too. Europe, August This event (‘Malmofestivalen’ in Swedish) takes place in the second half of August and is the biggest annual event in Malmo’s calendar, if not southern Sweden.  Admission is free and there are many concerts (pop / rock / heavy metal / jazz and more) and musical performances to choose from in addition to an amusement park, art displays, crafts, sporting events and of course plenty of opportunities to sample traditional Swedish and worldwide food.  In fact the festival kicks off with an infamous crayfish party at Stortorget.  Not only will you be able to eat plenty of the tasty crustaceans, but you will be able to buy crayfish decorated bibs, plates, hats, tablecloths and many other items you didn’t know you needed (or probably didn’t)!!

In 2008 the festival is running from 15th to 22nd August and usually some 1.5 million people attend.  There will be many outdoor stages and music marquees and hundreds of food stalls right in the middle of the historic town centre.  Malmo has a huge main square where much of the festival is centred.  The festival ends with a great firework display too.

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]]> 2008-08-09T01:34:00+00:00 Abbey House Gardens Wiltshire – Naturist days http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/abbey-house-gardens-wiltshire-naturist-days/2008-08-06/ Do you love wandering around beautiful gardens? One visitor described Abbey House as ‘a garden that gives you a hug when you enter…and you leave with a smile on your face….’ With over 10,000 different plants, a river garden, a tearoom with spectacular views where you can enjoy a range of teas, coffee – from instant to mocha or expresso, fresh fruit juice, delicious locally made biscuits and cakes. It’s a joy to visit any time…but with the added bonus of a few days a year it’s open to Naturists. Naturism, August, September Do you love wandering around beautiful gardens? One visitor described Abbey House as ‘a garden that gives you a hug when you enter…and you leave with a smile on your face….’

With over 10,000 different plants, a river garden, a tearoom with spectacular views where you can enjoy a range of teas, coffee – from instant to mocha or expresso, fresh fruit juice, delicious locally made biscuits and cakes. It’s a joy to visit any time…but with the added bonus of a few days a year it’s open to Naturists.
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]]> 2008-08-06T02:54:00+00:00 Festival of the Tooth, Kandy, Sri Lanka http://www.tripinspiration.com/trip/comments/festival-of-the-tooth-kandy-sri-lanka/2008-08-03/ This is arguably on of the largest Buddhist celebrations in the world, and over one million people attend annually (July / August) – so it will be crowded!  Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth was built on the edge of Lake Kandy specifically to house the left canine of Buddha that was allegedly salvaged from his funeral pyre.  It is said to be the most revered Buddhist object and in 1988 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site Kandy Temple The original wooden temple was built between 1687 and 1707 but it was destroyed during the colonial wars in the 18th century.  It has since been replaced by a stone temple.  The tooth now rests on a gold lotus flower within jeweled caskets (so it can’t be seen) and is ‘protected’ by two elephant tusks.  During the festival the tooth use to be paraded around Kandy but today it remains within the temple and a replica is paraded.  The procession today still has elaborately decorated elephants, fire dancers, torchbearers, jugglers, musicians, acrobats and more. The Parade On the last night of the festival (10th day) millions enter the temple holding candles and circumnavigate the shrine to pay their respects making a very photogenic sight. Far East, July, August This is arguably on of the largest Buddhist celebrations in the world, and over one million people attend annually (July / August) – so it will be crowded!  Kandy’s Temple of the Sacred Tooth was built on the edge of Lake Kandy specifically to house the left canine of Buddha that was allegedly salvaged from his funeral pyre.  It is said to be the most revered Buddhist object and in 1988 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Kandy Temple

The original wooden temple was built between 1687 and 1707 but it was destroyed during the colonial wars in the 18th century.  It has since been replaced by a stone temple.  The tooth now rests on a gold lotus flower within jeweled caskets (so it can’t be seen) and is ‘protected’ by two elephant tusks.  During the festival the tooth use to be paraded around Kandy but today it remains within the temple and a replica is paraded.  The procession today still has elaborately decorated elephants, fire dancers, torchbearers, jugglers, musicians, acrobats and more.
The Parade

On the last night of the festival (10th day) millions enter the temple holding candles and circumnavigate the shrine to pay their respects making a very photogenic sight.

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