<<Return to the main search page

A selection of past articles available on the travel-quest website:

| CLIMBING / SCRAMBLING / MOUNTAINEERING | CYCLING | EXPEDITIONS | MOUNTAIN | WALK / TREK / HIKE | WINTERSPORTS / SKIING | ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS |

| FAMILY HOLIDAYS | FOOD AND DRINK | GAMES / BETTING | HEALTH / BEAUTY | HISTORICAL / ARCHEOLOGICAL | PHOTOGRAPHY | SINGLES | WILDLIFE AND NATURE | STAG AND HEN | WORKING / VOLUNTEER | YOGA | DANCE |

| ASIA | BRITAIN | LAS VEGAS | ROMANIA | SOUTH AMERICA | SPAIN | WALES |

| HOLIDAY MONEY | GEAR REVIEWS | RUST TO ROME |

CLIMBING/SCRAMBLING/MOUNTAINEERING

A beginner's guide to Alpine mountaineering
A three part series discussing Alpine mountaineering from the perspective of the beginner climber/mountaineer; covering all aspects of mountaineering in the Alps including scale, altitude, mountain weather, decents, glaciers travel, avalanches, huts, gear, trip planning and selecting the right climbing grades.

Wild climbing in Snowdonia, with Wild Wales
Wild Wales offer their own particular approach to climbing and scrambling in the mountains of Snowdonia, in North Wales – with small group sizes and a delight in keeping away from the well worn routes, their local knowledge pays rich rewards for climbers who don't want to just follow the crowd.

CYCLING

Choosing the right cycle touring or mountain biking holiday company – articles providing information on how to choose the right holiday company, what you'll need for the trip and what cycling leadership qualifications to look out for.

Family cycling holidays with the kids
A cycling holiday is a great way to stay active and is something you can do with the kids in tow – perhaps literally! With the right gear and a sensible approach a family bike vacation can be enjoyed by children of any age – even the baby. Cycling with children requires some extra equipment and this article is intended to help you decide what is suitable for your family.

Cycling holidays and tours in Wessex
Discover Wessex by bike, two wheeled holidays and tours in the counties of Devon, Somerset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight. An introduction to the miles and miles of off-road and on-road cycle routes, pathways, highways and byways that beckon the holiday cyclist ...

Cycle touring in Northumberland
Northumberland may not be the first place you think of for a cycling holiday, but it offers some interesting routes and fascinating places to visit, as Ann Tonge discovered one long weekend ...

The Nile Bike Ride
Join Mencap and share a week of laughter, team spirit and achievement as you cycle along the banks of the River Nile. You'll be travelling from Luxor to Aswan, taking in many of Egypt's most famous sights. By day, you'll cycle along the banks of the River Nile. By night, you'll stay on a three-star Nile cruiser.

It's sun, sea and cycling ...
An opportunity to turn your cycling holiday into a good turn for other sportsmen and women. The challenge of the Sports Aid Californian Bike Odyssey is to cycle the 510 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. Enjoy the exhilarating landscape of California and the azure waters of the Pacific Ocean and at the same time raise cash for this worthy cause.

EXPEDITIONS

Reports from Raleigh International and Post Raleigh Travels
Rebecca Riddy left her secure job in the UK to work as a volunteer translator for Raleigh International in Chile. This series of emails back home gives an idea of what the experience was like. Then, having completed her time with Raleigh, Rebecca headed out to explore South America and continued her emails back home. These give a fascinating insight into the experiences of an independent traveller in South America.

MOUNTAIN

A beginner's guide to alpine mountaineering
The three-part series covers all aspects of mountaineering in the Alps including scale, altitude, weather, descents, glacier travel, avalanches, huts, gear and more ...

Hiking into the past
Celtic myth, Welsh history, stone circles, hill forts, standing stones, burial cairns and tales of the Mabinogion all feature in the Wild Wales Celtic Landscape walking weekends. Wild Wales offer guided walking and hiking weekends in the mountains of North Wales.

Ski Mountaineering: an introduction – Mountain Guide, Rob Collister, introduces the activities of ski mountaineering and ski touring – be you a climber who wants to reach their mountain as easily as possible or a skier who want to escape the piste. Not so long ago, skiing was something mountaineers, British ones anyway, regarded with suspicion. Like eating quiche, real climbers didn't ski ...

Mountain photography
How to take good pictures when out in the hills. Mountain photography can be tricky, how do you avoid those stunning views looking flat and dull when you get home and look at the photos? Travel photographer Simon Kirwan shares some tips for budding mountain snappers!

Cwm Eigiau circuit
Rob Collister describes a day walking in the mountains of Snowdonia. Rob is an International Mountain Guide, a keen walker, climber, skier and one of the team behind Wild Wales who offer trips walking, hiking, scrambling and climbing in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Eagles in Arolla
If you fancy developing your skiing with some ski mountaineering or ski touring then read on. This account is of a trip billed as an introduction to ski touring and gives a hint of the highs and lows of such an experience. The ski tour was run by The Eagle Ski Club and led by Mountain Guide Rob Collister.

WALK/TREK/HIKE

Map reading and mountain navigation courses
Do you long to go mountain walking but lack the skills to find your way around? We join Wild-Wales on one of their 'Map reading and mountain navigation' courses to find out how easy it is to learn.

Wolves and bears in Romania
Wolves and bears in the mountains, the stuff of fairy tales? No, it's everyday life in Romania. A visit to The Carpathian Large Carnivore Project was included in the itinerary of a Romanian mountain walking trip organised by Roving Romania.

Cwm Eigiau circuit
Rob Collister describes a day walking in the mountains of Snowdonia. Rob is an International Mountain Guide, a keen walker, climber, skier and one of the team behind Wild Wales who offer trips walking, hiking, scrambling and climbing in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Yoga and Walking in Romania
Alison Bell describes her experience of practicing Viniyoga and an introduction to Romania, from a base in the Translyvanian Alp region of Romania. Each day started with a breathtaking view down the valley, quickly followed by a yoga practice to greet the morning. Dramatic mountain scenery in an area where time has stood still was the setting for this energetic experience of a different culture.

Hiking into the past
Celtic myth, Welsh history, stone circles, hill forts, standing stones, burial cairns and tales of the Mabinogion all feature in the Wild Wales Celtic Landscape walking weekends. Wild Wales offer guided walking and hiking weekends in the mountains of North Wales.

Yoga and Walking in Crete
Rugged northern Crete provided the setting for this exploration of yoga, Greek cuisine, and dramatic local scenery. Hosted by West Crete Holidays in the Old Olive Mill at Potamida, the holiday blended yoga practice with time and space to relax or dive into the numerous experiences which Crete has to offer.

If they could see me now: a hike in the Transylvanian Alps of Romania
A mention of Transylvania conjures up images of Gothic castles, sinister moonlight, bats, wolves and, of course, Dracula. A visit to 'Dracula's Castle' in Bran is on the itinerary of most package tours to Romania, but the dramatic grandeur of the Transylvanian Alps is the attraction that should not be missed. This article was written during a 'recce' for a tour run by Romanian Horizons.

Jungle trekking in Thailand – in aid of the Pattaya Orphanage, a journey on foot, by canoe, raft and elephant.

WINTERSPORTS/SKIING etc

Ski Mountaineering: an introduction – Mountain Guide, Rob Collister, introduces the activities of ski mountaineering and ski touring – be you a climber who wants to reach their mountain as easily as possible or a skier who want to escape the piste. Not so long ago, skiing was something mountaineers, British ones anyway, regarded with suspicion. Like eating quiche, real climbers didn't ski ...

How to Take Great Skiing and Snowboarding Pictures
Cold, snowy conditions are tough on photographers. Add a fast-moving object on skis or a snowboard, and it's going to be even harder to capture a well-exposed, sharply focused image.

Free the heels and free the mind!
John Eames and Bonny Masson of The Telemark Ski Company tell you why you should try Telemarking skiing, Free-heel ski mountaineering, Free-heel downhill and Track skiing. This article offers an introduction to, and an explanation of, the different types of Free-heel skiing and dispels some of the myths.

Eagles in Arolla
If you fancy developing your skiing with some ski mountaineering or ski touring then read on. This account is of a trip billed as an introduction to ski touring and gives a hint of the highs and lows of such an experience. The ski tour was run by The Eagle Ski Club and led by Mountain Guide Rob Collister.

Mountain photography
How to take good pictures when out in the hills. Mountain photography can be tricky, how do you avoid those stunning views looking flat and dull when you get home and look at the photos? Travel photographer Simon Kirwan shares some tips for budding mountain snappers!

Ski mountaineering the Haute Maurienne
A ski mountaineering ski tour in the French Alps; the Haute Maurienne offers some fine skiing in a not too remote area of the Alps ...

ACTIVITY HOLIDAYS

Why Don't You – get more than just a tan?
These days people are looking for more from their holidays and a cheap hotel and sunshine aren't enough for many of us any more. Are you the sort of person who lives life to the full? Do you want get out and do things rather than sit by the side lines and watch? Then a look at what this new travel company has to offer is a must. They've got it covered, from adrenalin filled activity and adventure breaks to relaxing mind and body experiences.

FAMILY HOLIDAYS

Family friendly hotel
A truly family friendly hotel at the Butlins Resort, Bognor Regis, offering spacious rooms with lounge areas and where the kids have their own dedicated space (even their own TV/DVD!), plus use of all the resort amenities and attractions. With Butlins competitive prices this is something really worth investigating.

Family cycling holidays with the kids
A cycling holiday is a great way to stay active and is something you can do with the kids in tow – perhaps literally! With the right gear and a sensible approach a family bike vacation can be enjoyed by children of any age – even the baby. Cycling with children requires some extra equipment and this article is intended to help you decide what is suitable for your family.

FOOD AND DRINK

Cooking with the celebrity chefs
The growing demand for cooking holidays and courses has been fueled by the popularity of the celebrity chef. Cookery courses in schools set up by the celebrity chefs and opportunities to learn with the chefs themselves are particularly sought after. Do you want to rub shoulders with Raymond Blanc, pick up tips from Nigella Lawson or watch Rick Stein fillet a fish? Our 'Cooking with the celebrity chefs' article shows you where you can go and outlines the sort of courses you can expect.

Finding the traditional British pub
Fancy a pint? Finding a traditional British pub is the aim of many a visitor to the UK, but just how do you find them amongst all the theme pubs and youth bars? The traditional British pub is still out there if you know where to look! This article offers some guidance as well as links to companies offering pub and beer tours and vacations.

GAMES/BETTING

Holiday side bets in Las Vegas
Gambling is not the only attraction, in Las Vegas where The Strip has become the only 'day and night, night and day' scenic highway in the US. Headliner shows and free performances means there is a lot to see and do.

HEALTH/BEAUTY

Women, Chocolate and Olives ...
Dieting and weight loss usually come before heading off for sunshine holidays serving great food, but why not try them as part of the holiday itself? Try a weight loss retreat to kick start a change in your eating patterns and get off the dieting rollercoaster – one persons reflections on such a retreat with Beyond Chocolate ...

HISTORICAL/ARCHEOLOGICAL

The Battle of Trafalgar: what 2005 means to the Spanish – looking at the 2005 Trafalgar Bicentenary celebrations in Spain, what Trafalgar means to the Spanish then and now, how Spain is commemorating the event and how you can join a historical tour to see for yourself.

'Tell me it's Raymond'
A touching account of one man's visit to a war cemetery to visit the grave of the father he never knew and how it ultimately led him to family he didn't know he had. Battlefield Tours offer pilgrimage trips to battlefields, museums, memorials and war cemeteries throughout Europe and as far afield as South Africa and Thailand.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Safari photography in the digital age – Photography has always been an important part of any safari holiday and many holiday companies offer specific photographic safaris, designed to ensure the keen photographer gets the best shots possible. Increasingly these days, people are going on such trips armed with digital cameras and digital video and audio equipment; how are the travel companies dealing with the needs of the modern safari photographer?

How to Take Great Skiing and Snowboarding Pictures
Cold, snowy conditions are tough on photographers. Add a fast-moving object on skis or a snowboard, and it's going to be even harder to capture a well-exposed, sharply focused image.

Mountain photography
How to take good pictures when out in the hills. Mountain photography can be tricky, how do you avoid those stunning views looking flat and dull when you get home and look at the photos? Travel photographer Simon Kirwan shares some tips for budding mountain snappers!

SINGLES

Booking a singles skiing holiday, the options
A skiing or snowboarding holiday makes a great choice for single people and there are a number of ways of going about it; do you join a dedicated singles ski trip, book up on a skills course or just book up alone and get to meet others when you're out there? This article discusses the pros and cons of the different approaches.

Expanding singles holiday options
Vote to help improve our single section and also share experiences, tips and mishaps of your own singles breaks to encourage others to book their first solo package holiday or independent trip.

Getaway camps for single grown-ups – summer camps are big in North America so it's no surprise to find camps created just for singles. The Quirkyalone non-religious summer camps in Canada and the USA are open to single people of all ages and nationalities, and they welcome visitors from outside of the US.

WILDLIFE AND NATURE

Why you should visit Zimbabwe – should we be boycotting Zimbabwe or making a conscious effort to visit? The case for visiting this beautiful country and experiencing real African bush country, amazing wildlife and sights such as Victoria Falls and Great Zimbabwe.

Wolves and bears in Romania
Wolves and bears in the mountains, the stuff of fairy tales? No, it's everyday life in Romania. A visit to The Carpathian Large Carnivore Project was included in the itinerary of a Romanian mountain walking trip organised by Roving Romania.

Safari photography in the digital age – Photography has always been an important part of any safari holiday and many holiday companies offer specific photographic safaris, designed to ensure the keen photographer gets the best shots possible. Increasingly these days, people are going on such trips armed with digital cameras and digital video and audio equipment; how are the travel companies dealing with the needs of the modern safari photographer?

STAG AND HEN

Hen weekend ideas by star sign
Use our 'Henoscope' to find heaps of suggestions for any hen party break. For fun we're using the hens star sign as our start point, but it works just as well if you just read through all the signs for some brilliant and unique hen weekend ideas ...

Stag weekends abroad, the hot destinations for a stag weekend to remember
Stag parties abroad are becoming more and more popular as young British men set out to celebrate their last nights of freedom in real style. This article looks at the most popular destinations for stag weekends abroad.

WORKING / VOLUNTEER

Unique safari and wildlife trips for true animal lovers
Are you seeking a wildlife watching experience that goes beyond the conventional safari? Do you want to get more involved? Are you concerned about wildlife conservation and responsible tourism? The People's Trust for Endangered Species may have just the trip for you in their 'Wildlife Encounters' programme of holidays and breaks in the UK and overseas.

English & Community Eco-tourism project – with The NEST Trust, Nicaragua
A unique volunteer opportunity to live within a local community in Nicaragua, teach English for guiding and eco-tourism, and help develop other projects.

YOGA

Combination and adventure yoga holidays
Find out about holidays and courses that combine yoga classes and practice with other activities. Adventure yoga holidays combine activities such as walking, surfing, climbing, skiing and diving with a yoga program. Creative and cultural yoga breaks team yoga classes with cooking, painting, writing, dance, safaris – you name it ...

Yoga and Walking in Romania
Alison Bell describes her experience of practicing Viniyoga and an introduction to Romania, from a base in the Translyvanian Alp region of Romania. Each day started with a breathtaking view down the valley, quickly followed by a yoga practice to greet the morning. Dramatic mountain scenery in an area where time has stood still was the setting for this energetic experience of a different culture.

Yoga and Walking in Crete
Rugged northern Crete provided the setting for this exploration of yoga, Greek cuisine, and dramatic local scenery. Hosted by West Crete Holidays in the Old Olive Mill at Potamida, the holiday blended yoga practice with time and space to relax or dive into the numerous experiences which Crete has to offer.

DANCE

Lucky beginners – a tango holiday in Umbria
An account of one couple's thoroughly enjoyable experiences of a tango holiday at Villa La Rogaia, Umbria. A different way of learning, how to 'feel' the dance and 'body talk'.

ASIA

Travelling in Asia
A journalist from Channel 4 and a photographer from Rex Features have resigned from their jobs in London to embark on an exciting one way journey to Australia – this series of articles follows them on their journey:
1) Calcutta – city of chaos, kindness and class
2) Calcutta's warriors against poverty
3) Darjeeling – admire mountains from a seat in the clouds
4) Bhutan – Land of the Thunder Dragon, a fairy-tale brought to life
5) White water rafting thrills in Nepal
6) Goa – does it still deserve its legendary status?
7) Goa – a personal view

BRITAIN

Finding the traditional British pub
Fancy a pint? Finding a traditional British pub is the aim of many a visitor to the UK, but just how do you find them amongst all the theme pubs and youth bars? The traditional British pub is still out there if you know where to look! This article offers some guidance as well as links to companies offering pub and beer tours and vacations.

LAS VEGAS

Holiday side bets in Las Vegas
Gambling is not the only attraction, in Las Vegas where The Strip has become the only 'day and night, night and day' scenic highway in the US. Headliner shows and free performances means there is a lot to see and do.

ROMANIA

Wolves and bears in Romania
Wolves and bears in the mountains, the stuff of fairy tales? No, it's everyday life in Romania. A visit to The Carpathian Large Carnivore Project was included in the itinerary of a Romanian mountain walking trip organised by Roving Romania.

Yoga and Walking in Romania
Alison Bell describes her experience of practicing Viniyoga and an introduction to Romania, from a base in the Translyvanian Alp region of Romania. Each day started with a breathtaking view down the valley, quickly followed by a yoga practice to greet the morning. Dramatic mountain scenery in an area where time has stood still was the setting for this energetic experience of a different culture.

If they could see me now: a hike in the Transylvanian Alps of Romania
A mention of Transylvania conjures up images of Gothic castles, sinister moonlight, bats, wolves and, of course, Dracula. A visit to 'Dracula's Castle' in Bran is on the itinerary of most package tours to Romania, but the dramatic grandeur of the Transylvanian Alps is the attraction that should not be missed. This article was written during a 'recce' for a tour run by Romanian Horizons.

SOUTH AMERICA

Reports from Raleigh International and Post Raleigh Travels
Rebecca Riddy left her secure job in the UK to work as a volunteer translator for Raleigh International in Chile. This series of emails back home gives an idea of what the experience was like.
  Then, having completed her time with Raleigh, Rebecca headed out to explore South America and continued her emails back home. These give a fascinating insight into the experiences of an independent traveller in South America.

SPAIN

The Battle of Trafalgar: what 2005 means to the Spanish – looking at the 2005 Trafalgar Bicentenary celebrations in Spain, what Trafalgar means to the Spanish then and now, how Spain is commemorating the event and how you can join a historical tour to see for yourself.

WALES

Wild climbing in Snowdonia, with Wild Wales
Wild Wales offer their own particular approach to climbing and scrambling in the mountains of Snowdonia, in North Wales Ð with small group sizes and a delight in keeping away from the well worn routes, their local knowledge pays rich rewards for climbers who don't want to just follow the crowd.

Cwm Eigiau circuit
Rob Collister describes a day walking in the mountains of Snowdonia. Rob is an International Mountain Guide, a keen walker, climber, skier and one of the team behind Wild Wales who offer trips walking, hiking, scrambling and climbing in the Snowdonia National Park, North Wales.

Hiking into the past
Celtic myth, Welsh history, stone circles, hill forts, standing stones, burial cairns and tales of the Mabinogion all feature in the Wild Wales Celtic Landscape walking weekends. Wild Wales offer guided walking and hiking weekends in the mountains of North Wales.

HOLIDAY MONEY

Holiday Money: What's the best way to pay for your holiday? – A holiday is often one of the biggest expenses of the year, so what is the best way of paying for the trip? This article offers advice on the best way to pay for your holiday and discuses the pros and cons of different payment methods.

The latest way to get holiday and travel bargains – we have been looking at an increasingly popular way to buy holidays, travel and travel goods on-line – by auction. travel-quest investigates what's on offer and how it all works by taking a look at eBay.co.uk, Britain's largest auction site.

GEAR REVIEWS

Keeping the kids safe in the sun – How can we enjoy the sunshine and stay safe? Getting the kids kitted out in sun protective UV swimwear and clothing. Most of us enjoy basking in the sunshine on holiday, but as the number of people affected by skin cancer increases, people are becoming more aware of the dangers of too much exposure.

Satellite navigation systems, reducing the stress of holiday driving – Satnavs for holiday driving, including a travel-quest review of the Snooper Syrius Portable Navigator and Fixed Speed Camera location system.

RUST TO ROME

Rust2Rome, putting a new twist on student travel? – How and why the 'Action' team are spending part of their student summer break driving from Edinburgh to Rome in a rust bucket and recording the event on camera.
Update: our follow-up article to find out how they got on.

TO TOP

<<Return to the main search page