Travellers want to get the most out of every holiday or break without needlessly emptying their pockets. Cheap hotels offer exceptional value for money and are the best way to achieve this.

HostelBookers, the budget accommodation specialist, has a comprehensive list of more than 20,000 properties, including some top quality budget hotels.

In Europe Hotel de Rocroy is ideally located next to the train station Gare du Nord, with direct links to the city’s main airports. Its central positioning allows easy access to the best French capital attractions such as Montmartre, the Sacré Coeur, the Opéra and the Marais. It boasts a traditional Parisian façade and has 55 completely renovated single, double and twin-bed rooms in stylish and colourful designs.

Petit Palace Tres Cruces is a charming hotel in a classic building. The cheap hotel has been carefully restored to conserve its original style but with modern comforts as standard. It’s located in a pedestrianised area right in the heart of Madrid’s best shopping area. All of the best city sights are within walking distance, including the Royal Palace, Puerta del Sol, Gran Via and Prado Museum. It offers single, double, twin, triple and family rooms for up to four people, making it the ideal choice for families and groups of friends.

MEININGER Hotel Berlin Mitte is situated in the historical spot where the natural scientist Alexander von Humboldt lived until his death. The 118 unique rooms boast high-class accessories and are individually designed by DaWanda artists. Each floor has a theme based on one of Humboldts’ fields of work: nature, freedom, truth. The public areas are decorated with comic strips about Humboldt drawn by Cuban artists and printed on wallpaper. On the fifth floor guests can find several gallery rooms overlooking Berlin.

Hotel Beautiful in Rome is situated in the historical centre, just next to the Termini train station. It’s well connected to all city areas both by bus and subway, making the visit to all the major touristic attractions easy and quick. The hotel, with all modern amenities, offers a quiet and relaxing retreat after guests have visited all the sites Rome has to offer.

In Dublin, Dergvale Hotel is a family run business with an excellent central location in Dublin City. Whether guests stay in Dublin for business or pleasure the Dergvale Hotel is the perfect base from which to explore Dublin city’s top attractions including: O’Connell Street, Henry Street, Dublin Castle, Temple Bar, the theatres, museums and restaurants.

Try bunking down in a cave as the Turkish nomads once did, get out on the water with a floating hotel or climb to the forest canopy to sleep in a treehouse. Now where is that adventurous spirit of yours?

In a castle…India
In all its glittering splendour, the Umaid Mahal is an awe-inspiring spectacle of ornate furnishings and traditional welcoming Rajasthani hospitality. The luxurious swimming pool is the perfect place to cool off and on request, guests can enjoy a traditional folk dance and puppet show as well as excursions in to the desert, village , Jaipur and around Rajasthan. Luxury for a fraction of the price.

For the art…Spain
28 artists are responsible for the 28 themed en suite rooms at the Rooms Deluxe Hostel in Valencia. Feeling spiritual? Give the Buddist temple some quality meditation time. Felling passionate? The flamenco suite might just be for you. Art lovers might want to spend the rest of their time visiting the Ciudad de lads Artes y las Ciencias, which is locate d just 2 minutes’ walk from the hostel. There is also a games room and self-catering facilities at hand.

On a river…Serbia
Floating idly on the river Danube Arkabarka Floating Hotel is a multi-storey houseboat accessible from a small jetty. Out on the water it offers spectacular views across to the Kalemegdan fortress and Ratno Ostrvo (War Island) which you can enjoy from many of the bedrooms as well as the bar and communal balcony. It is moored at the edge of Usce Park, a charming leafy location for your stay in Belgrade and guests can make the most of the free cycle hire.

In a cave…Turkey
Cappadocia is famous for its cave dwellings and there is no better place to experience them than at the Aydinli Cave Hotel in the heart of Göreme. One of the suite rooms would be ideal for families and most rooms have Jacuzzi, walk in showers, fireplaces and hamam sinks. Guests can enjoy their free breakfast on the roof terrace which overlooks the old town and there are also self-catering facilities if guests would like to prepare a packed lunch.

More and more people realize that bicycles can be much more useful than cars. Bikes are cheap, environmentally friendly, keep their owners in good health and as much more fun means of transport for travellers exploring a new destination. HostelBookers, the budget accommodation specialist names the top 5 bicycle-friendly cities and hostels in the world:

Amsterdam, the bike capital of the world, is home to the famous Amsterdam Bike Ramp which holds thousand of bikes. With a safe and extensive bike route network, bountiful governmental support and promotion, it’s no wonder 40% of the city’s traffic moves on two wheels. In the heart of Amsterdam city centre, Hostel Van Gogh provides cool modern facilities at a great price – including cycle hire for guests. It is just a few steps from the Van Gogh Museum, Rijks Museum and Amsterdam City Art Museum. At Hostel Van Gogh guests can pedal to the many bars, shops, clubs and restaurants on offer. The hostel is also just a 5-minute walk from the famous clubs and open markets of Amsterdam. Dorms start at €25per person per night and private rooms at €28pppn.

Named one of the Top Ten Places to Live in Europe, according to Forbes, Copenhagen is also home to the world’s most successful bicycle community program. In Denmark, most of the population has a bike, and for many years Copenhagen has been known as The City of Bikes. Every year Copenhagen invests on bike infrastructure additions and improvements. Just a few minutes from Copenhagen’s Central Railway Station, guests will find Hotel Ansgar. With its central location guests are only a few minutes walk from Tivoli Gardens, the famous shopping street of Strøget and Town Hall Square. The quiet street is perfect for getting to grips with the hotel bike rental. There are 81 rooms to choose from, ranging from singles to quads and all are equipped with Wi-Fi. Private rooms start at €43.60pppn.

The best thing about cycling in Berlin is the wide streets – Karl Marx Allee is 90m wide – and there are no uphill struggles. The government has decreed that all new roads in Berlin must have cycle lanes, and they are dedicated to ensuring the existing ones are updated. Currently there are over 620km of cycle paths and 190km of off-road routes. The Three Little Pigs Hostel in Berlin is housed in a former 19^th century convent at famous Potsdamer Platz Square. Guests will be just a short cycle ride away from the buzzing districts of Mitte and Kreuzberg, and they can rent bikes directly from the hostel. Checkpoint Charlie, Brandenburger Tor and the Reichstag Building are just around the corner as is the best of Berlin’s nightlife. Dorms start from €11.46pppn and privates from €18.52pppn.

Cycling in Beijing, with its nine million bicycles, is something of a rite of passage. Bike rentals start from around 10 Yuan (€1) per day plus a cash deposit. In 2010 the Beijing officials launched a campaign to get people off the car-choked roads and on to the nice flat cycle routes. They believe 20 years ago, 4/5 of the city’s population cycled to work, but now just 1/5 saddle up every day.

Built on a 400-year-old historic site which once served as the home of famous artist Mr Mei Lan Fang, Beijing Si He Courtyard Hotel is just 10 minutes from the centre of Beijing. They have a free bike rental service so guests can explore Beijing the local way. Wangfujing Avenue, Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square are all nearby. There are spacious traditional guestrooms positioned around the courtyard so you have lovely views. The antique furniture and carvings of ancient symbols add to the atmosphere. Private rooms start from €39.95pppn.

Cycling in San Francisco is becoming very popular, thanks mostly to the increase and care given to the cycling infrastructure as well as it’s trendy fixed gear culture. As far as the terrain goes, the city is extreme, with famously steep hills but along long straight boulevards and wide avenues. The government has installed over 1,500 bike racks and all new car parks must provide a certain amount of bike storage space. Around 16% of San Francisco’s residents class themselves as ‘frequent cyclists’ biking on two or more days per week.  Green Tortoise Backpackers Guesthouse offers free meals, free Wi-Fi and even a free sauna. It’s located in the city by the bay and the free bike rental means guests can travel around the city in style the green way. There are private and dorm rooms with comfy beds, a lucky few have TVs and a huge selection of movies. Set out by bike, and the hostel is just a few minutes away from Chinatown, San Francisco Bay, Fisherman’s Wharf and Little Italy. Dorms and privates start at €22.96pppn.

Same Logo, More of it

Well, OK, maybe that title is a tad bit dramatic, but it is true nonetheless. Here at Todd’s Wanderings I am always trying to make the website more user friendly and to enhance your experience. I like it when you are happy, I’m also a bit anal and I need everything to look fresh and cutting edge, and of course I want my site to be more popular than twitter, I’m almost there…15 million more readers to go!

Over the past few months I have been working with a designer to give my website a facelift. I have been trying to make the design and the brand as appealing as possible before I engage a coder. What I have realized is that I forgot to ask YOU what you think.

Yes, I get carried away sometimes.

So, I’m here to not only give you a sneak peak at what the next version of Todd’s Wanderings will look like, but to also get your feedback.

I’d love to know what you think of the proposed new design.

1) What do you like, what do you hate?

2)What else would you like to see?

3) What do you like better or worse compared to the current design?

The internet and blogging is such a wonderful thing. When I’m wondering what my audience thinks, I can take the unusual step of Just Asking You. We often forget it’s that simple.

So here I am asking you what you think. I’ll take your suggestions on the design, add in my own concerns and then we will finalize and roll out a brand spanking new Todd’s Wanderings in the near future.

Todd’s Wanderings New Homepage

Oh, and don't worry about hurting my feels

Please leave your comments below, and thanks again for being one of the most attractive, well read and intelligent audiences around! I couldn’t be this egotistical without you

Determine the Fate of Todd’s Wanderings is a post from: Todd's Wanderings

Recently we were nominated by Cam and Nicole over at Traveling Canucks to take part in the 7 Links Project started by Trip Base. First off I like the Traveling Canucks because they only use one “L” when they spell “traveling.” Yes, I can be that superficial! Oh, they are also a fun couple to follow around the world.

The Goal of the 7 Links Project

Even I can tell that Daddy is full of s#@&, just like my diaper!

What you are about to read is lifted directly from Trip Base (yes, I steal sometimes too):

To unite bloggers in a joint endeavor to share lessons learned and create a bank of long but not forgotten blog posts that deserve to see the light of day again.

My son is only 2 weeks old and he is already questioning whether ANY of my posts should have been allowed to see the light of day, let alone subject the world to another round.

But since he can’t speak, or type, to warn you to avert your eyes and do something more useful with your time, I’m going to rush on ahead.

The Process (yeah, they are actually Rules, but I’m feeling rebellious today)

1)    Sexy Blogger is nominated to take part
2)    Successful Blogger publishes his/her 7 links on his/her blog – 1 link for each category
3)    Funny Blogger Nominates 5 More Sexy, Successful, Funny Bloggers

4) Reader loves every word and relishes the visual porn (not in a creepy way please) that Todd puts out and spreads the word through social media voodoo, or what the old folks use to call “talking” (whatever that is!)…OK, this one is not part of the rules. But since you are participating you might as well indulge my whims.

My 7 Links

1. Most Beautiful Post-Petra, Jordan: A Walk Through History

Trust me, there are more beautiful pictures in this post than me on a Donkey

Visiting the ancient ruins of Petra was a dream come true and unbelievably it lived up to all the hype I had built up in my head. This photo tour should be viewed with the Indiana Jones theme song playing in your head.

2. Most Popular Post- First Time I Almost Died in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Death and Adventure in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

I think that any post that begins with the words “By the end of this story a number of people will be dead.” is destined to get a little bit of traction. I was surprised that so many people are interested in narrative travel writing as opposed to bland, worn out top 7 lists about the BEST beaches in the world the writer had actually never been to.

3. Most Controversial Post- When to Bribe, How to Bribe, Do you Bribe

Are bribes necessary sometimes?

Is this my most controversial post? I’m not sure if this one beats out the large dicks on Japanese statues at Buddhist temples, but as I wasn’t responsible for building the statues, just pointing them out I guess we go with Bribes. The fact that the world is dirtier than most people would like to admit hits all travelers at some point in their journey. This post explores what to do about it.

4. Most Helpful Post- 10 Free Things to Do in Tokyo

Sensoji Temple with its vibrant gate and pagoda

Tokyo can be a very expensive destination and in this post I lay out my 10 favorite things to do in Tokyo that cost no money at all. I was taken aback as to how popular this post ended up becoming and it even made it into a recent book by a writer for The Japan Times newspaper. Yeah, that’s right, someone else is profiting off of my work…yes, I took free in Tokyo to a whole new level.

5. Post whose Success Surprised Me- “Real” Life, Travel and Work: Lessons from 10 Years on the Road

Don't believe anyone who says this can't be your office

This was one of those posts that I wrote on a whim, didn’t edit, and felt very uncomfortable with. I have since learned that my lifestyle, and the things I often take for granted are exactly what interests readers. This was also a general rant against everyone in my life that kept telling me I needed to be normal, and who now are so proud to talk about me since I have apparently succeeded. Apparently, like this post, things are never a success until someone else says so…wait, that’s exactly what I’m arguing against in the is post

6. Post I Feel Didn’t Get the Attention it Deserved- The Hermit in Seclusion

This may be the happiest, nicest man on the Planet.

One reason this might have not been very successful is that it was posted before I had all of you lovely readers. Just look at the watermark, yes, I used to be on Blogger! This is the story of a vengeful Buddhist Monk, yes I was shocked to learn I could inspire hate in a man of the robe, and a simple grounds keeper who smiles like a turtle.

7. Post I’m Most Proud Of- Should you Give Money to Beggars When you Travel

This is one of those uncomfortable honest posts about my own shortcomings, and the challenges we face as travelers when poverty comes knocking on our door. It is also one of the posts that sort of launched Todd’s Wanderings into the range of W List blogging celebrity. If I can only get a few more loyal stalkers I might be able to qualify for the V List. That’s right, I’m living the dream!

Great, so now you are able to judge if I was right or wrong to subject you all to my Shameless Self Promotion. My son just pooped his pants, so I guess we have his answer

Now, to give you some other Attractive Bloggers to share their own 7 Great Links.

1. Exotic Visitors

2. Top Backpacking Destinations

3. Ogijima

4. LoneLee Planet

5. World Travel for Couples

My 7 Links that May or May not Deserve to See the Light of Day is a post from: Todd's Wanderings

In Japan, UNESCO World Heritage Sites are extremely popular and there is even a weekly travel show dedicated to showcasing sites from all over the world. The United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) aims (among an incredibly long list of other duties) to designate and help to protect cultural or natural sites that show “outstanding universal value.” “Sekai isan” or World Heritage Sites, are so popular that Japanese tour companies do a steady business developing mass tours all around the world as well as within Japan itself.

While many people of heard about World Heritage Sites, I was shocked to discover while researching for this article that despite the large sums of money invested to win World Heritage status, and then the vasts amounts of sums needed to protect and maintain those sites (with of course some funds made available from UNESCO) that there is very little interest on the internet for Heritage Sites in Japan.

As little as 170 people per month, GLOBALLY,  actively search for information in English on Japan’s World Heritage Sites. While the marketing value of making the list seems to be quite high, there does not seem to be a subsequent push by the ordinary tourist to find information on them over the internet. Compare this low search level with “Japan Sex” which comes in at 201,000/month and you see what the heritage of the world is up against. Yes, I somehow was able to weave “sex” into a World Heritage post

Despite the lack of knowledge on World Heritage Sites, Japan is filled with them (relative to other countries) and boasts some impressive and incredibly preserved sites.

Travel to Japan’s World Heritage Sites

If you are planning a visit to Japan, you can hardly go wrong by including a few of Japan’s 16 World Heritage Sites in your itinerary. To help you out, and because I know you are not going to search for them on your own, here they are. I have been to over half of these and can’t wait to visit the rest. They are grouped by region starting north to south and include the 2 new additions that were just added in June 2011!

Cultural UNESCO Sites

Hiraizumi – Temples, Gardens and Archaeological Sites Representing the Buddhist Pure Land

New to the list in 2011, Hiraizumi, in Iwate Prefecture boasts a long history of beautiful temples that rivaled the size of Kyoto back in the 12th Century. The area comprises five sites, including the sacred Mount Kinkeisan. The sites boast the remnants of  government offices dating from the 11th and 12th centuries when Hiraizumi was the administrative center of the northern realm of Japan. The realm was based on the cosmology of Pure Land Buddhism, which spread to Japan in the 8th century. It represented the pure land of Buddha that people aspire to after death, a type of enlightened realm. The highlights of the area include Chuson-ji Temple, with its spectacular Konjikido golden hall, Motsu-ji Temple, and the former garden of Kanjizaio-in Temple which is representative of a combination of indigenous Japanese nature worship and Shintoism and Pure Land Buddhism that developed a type of garden design unique to Japan.

Shrines and Temples of Nikko

The shrines and temples of Nikko have long been associated with the wealth and power of the Tokugawa Shogunate, and together with the beautiful surrounding nature illustrate the architectural style of the Edo period. The mountains of Nikko were first worshiped as a sacred Shinto area and in the 8th century the first Buddhist building was built. The area highlights the unique nature of Japanese religious centers blending nature worship with adapted Buddhist principles. One of the main highlights is Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu’s grand, elaborately (gaudy?) decorated mausoleum – the Toshogu – that was built in the mid 17th century. Watch out for the monkeys that are known to terrorize the town and the visitors alike.

Historic Villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Located in a mountainous regions in Gifu Prefecture (Shirakawa-go) and Toyama Prefecture (Gokayama) are cut off from the rest of Japan. These villages have Gassho-style houses with their steeply pitched thatched roofs that were designed to protect from the massive amounts of snow dumped on the area each winter by moisture extending from the Sea of Japan and are the only examples of their kind in Japan. The resident lived off of the cultivation of mulberry trees and the rearing of silkworms. It is difficult to find a more rural traditional lifestyle in Japan.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto (Kyoto, Uji and Otsu Cities)

Yes, this is three cities in one and the monuments are shared between Kyoto Prefecture and my former home Shiga Prefecture. With so many amazing historical temples and shrines in the area it would have been impossible to grant them all UNESCO status individually. If you manage to hit all of these temples and shrines then you are way ahead of the most tourists who spend a few days seeing just a few of these sites. The full list includes:

• Kamigamo Shrine (Kamowakeikazuchi-jinja)
• Shimogamo Shrine (Kamomioya-jinja)
• To-ji Temple (Kyouougokoku-ji), Minami-ku Kyoto-city
• Kiyomizu Temple (Kiyomizu-dera)
• Enryaku-ji Temple, Otsu-city
• Daigo-ji Temple, Fushimi-ku Kyoto-city
• Ninna-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Byodoin Temple, Uji-city
• Ujigami-jinja Shrine, Uji-city
• Kozan-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Saiho-ji Temple, Sakyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Tenryu-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Kinkaku-ji Temple (Rokuon-ji), Kita-ku Kyoto-city
• Ginkaku-ji Temple (Jisho-ji), Sakyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Ryouan-ji Temple, Ukyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Hongan-ji Temple, Shimogyo-ku Kyoto-city
• Nijojo Castle, Kyoto-city

And yes, I have been to them all!!!

Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area, Nara Prefecture

With around 48 Buddhist monuments in the Horyu-ji area, in Nara Prefecture, you could spend a whole day taking photographs. A number of them date from the late 7th or early 8th century, including the Hyoru-ji gate, main hall and pagoda, making them the oldest surviving wooden buildings in the world. These masterpieces of wooden architecture illustrate the adaptation of Chinese Buddhist architecture and layout to Japanese culture, as well as the with the introduction of Buddhism to Japan from China through the Korean peninsula.

Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara

Like Kyoto, there are so many sites in Ancient Nara that one can spend a few days trying to discover all of the UNESCO sites. Japan’s capital from 710-784, it is a classic site that every visitor should see. Stop to pet the free roaming deer located throughout the city and the park, visit Todai-ji the world’s largest wooden building housing Japan’s largest statue of the Buddha, or marvel at Kofuku-ji’s 5 story pagoda. Don’t forget to walk along the paths in the surrounding hills and discover centuries of stone statues and Buddhist symbols.

Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range

Set in the remote and dense forests of the Kii Mountains three ancient sacred sites- Yoshino and Omine, Kumano Sanzan, and Koyasan, reflect the inter-linkages between the native nature based worship of Shinto, and Buddhism which arrived from China and Korea. The sites are linked to the ancient capitals of Nara and Kyoto along pilgrimage routes that are still used today for hiking and ascetic disciple. The natural landscapes and the sites themselves have a long and well documented tradition of use and pilgrimage for over 1,200 years. The rugged mountains raising from 1,000-2,000 meters and the natural beauty of the area, which was once thought to have been the origin of the Japanese Shinto Gods, are still visited by millions of people each year. Each of the sites are worth a visit but are spread out quite a bit. Koyasan is the headquarters of Shingon Buddhism, a form of esoteric Buddhism and its founder Kobodaishi is one of the great Japanese historical figures. He is also the founder of the Shikoku Pilgrimage.

Approaching a small Shinto Shrine in the Kii Mountains

Yoshino and Omine is the northern-most site near to Nara. The Yoshino or northern part of the site was the most important sacred mountain in Japan by the 10th century and was the object of mountain worship, Shinto, in the 7th and 8th centuries. Later in the 8th century it became one of the prime sacred places for the Shugen sect of ascetic Buddhism, and the Omine in the southern part of the site was also known for its harsh mountain ascetic rituals and particular fusion of Shinto and Buddhism.

Kumano Sanzan is the furthest south and has three main shrines, and two temples, connected by a pilgrims’ route. The site also reflects the Shinto and Shugen sect of Shinto-Buddhism and the wooden architecture is considered some of the best in Japan.

Himeji-jo

This is possibly Japan’s best preserved and most beautiful castle. The castle site includes 83 buildings with highly developed systems of defense and and creative means of protection dating from the beginning of the Shogun period. The original castle was built in the 14th century and the existing castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1580. It was further enlarged 30 years later by Ikeda Terumasa. This is one of those sites that is a must see for any visitor to Japan.

Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine and its Cultural Landscape

The Iwami Ginzan Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture in the south east of Japan’s main island, Honshu, is a mountainous area reaching 600 meters cut through by deep river valleys featuring the archaeological remains of large-scale mines, smelting and refining sites and mining settlements worked between the 16th and 20th centuries. The mines produced most of silver and gold in south-east Asia in the 16th and 17th centuries with shipping routes to China and the Korean peninsula. The site includes fortresses, a number of temples that catered to the short life expectancy of silver miners of the time, and three port towns Tomogaura, Okidomari and Yunotsu, from where the ore was shipped.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Genbaku Dome)

This used to be the Industrial Promotion Hall, but after being at the hypocenter of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 the partially standing remains are now a reminder of the world’s first atomic attack. It was the only building in the area to survive the blast and has been kept in its original state by the city of Hiroshima. Each year on August 6th, services are held at the dome in remembrance and a moment of silence is observed. The Dome stands opposite of the Peace Memorial Park.

Itsukushima Shinto Shrine

The island of Itsukushima, in the Seto inland sea, has been a sacred place for Shintoism since the earliest times. The shrines main torii gates, better know as the “floating shrine,” rises out of the the ocean during high tide and is one of the enduring images of Japan. The first shrine buildings were around the 6th century with the present shrine being erected in the 12th century. The shrine plays on the contrasts in color and form between mountains and sea and is a remarkable illustration of Japan’s sense of beauty which highlights the balance between nature and humans.

Gusuku Sites and Related Properties of the Kingdom of Ryukyu, Okinawa Prefecture

The Ryukyu Kingdom in Okinawa served as the economic and cultural hub between Japan, China, Korea and the rest of south-east Asia for several centuries. The area is dotted with fortresses and castles with the main attraction being Shuri-jo a castle with a particularly Chinese flavor to it. The castle was the seat of power in the area from the 15th century to 1879 when Okinawa was taken under full control by the Japanese government. Unfortunately the castle was almost fully destroyed during WWII and the current building is a reconstruction.

Natural UNESCO Sites

Shiretoko

If Hokkaido is often refereed to as the most American area in Japan with it’s wide open spaces then Shiretoko must be the Alaska of Japan.The Shiretoko Peninsula in north eastern Hokkaido is a remote, untouched wilderness accessible only by boat or a long trekking expedition. The Peninsula is 65 km long and 25 km wide, houses a number of rare plant and animal life and is home to the world’s highest number of brown bears. The site is globally important for threatened seabirds and migratory birds and for marine mammals including Steller’s sea lion. Good luck getting there!

Shirakami-Sanchi

Located in Akita Prefecture in northern Honshu the area consists mainly of virgin Siebold’s beech forests that once spread all over Northern Japan. Black bears inhabit the area and a traditional faith ceremony and traditional bear hunting still takes place from time to time. The beech forest is almost entirely undisturbed with few access trails or man-made facilities. There is occasional use by bear hunters but in general the area is protected and has a buffer zone around it.

Ogasawara Islands

One of two new Heritage sites listed in 2011 the beautiful topical islands of Ogasawara are technically a part of Tokyo but are located over 1,000 km to the south and consist of over 30 islands. Often call the Galapagos of Asia the islands have never physically been attached to any other part of Japan leaving the flora and fauna millions of the years to evolve into distinct species, including the Bonin Flying Fox. About 2,500 residents live on the islands which can only be reach by a 25 1/2 hour ferry ride from Tokyo. The surrounding ocean is home to an abundance of sea life and is an ideal place to watch Humpback and Sperm whales.

Yakushima

This island located just to the South of Kyushu, Japan’s southern most main island, is a wonderland of ancient cedar trees and an abundance of plant species with over 1,900 recorded. The massive Yaku-sugi, are endemic to the island transforming the island into enchanting land. Combined with the monkeys, and sparking blue waters around the island it is impossible not feel in awe of the natural wonders.

If you want to find out more detailed information on any of the above sites you can visit the UNESCO page for Japan.

What do you think? Are World Heritage Sites a must when you visit Japan, or are there better ways to spend your time?

This post is a part of the J-Festa July blog carnival. To join in check out the guidelines.

Photo Credits 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16

Guide to UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Japan is a post from: Todd's Wanderings

There was no other agenda in Burma.

And with that, my friend and I were on a photographic mission. This man, as we understood, was the premiere photographer in the Bagan area of Burma, and we were on a mission to convince him to take us through the hidden gems of Bagan, to travel to places that travellers don’t visit, and to photograph the area as seen through the lens of photographers such as Jean Larivière and Claude Schauli.

Of course we had no way to reach him — only a name.

On arrival to Bagan, we began our quest to locate him. “Blacky?” we would ask, making the gesture of taking a photograph. Before long, the question was answered with “Muang Muang Ananda,” and by multiple people.

Eventually we realized that Blacky’s real name is Muang Muang, and that he would be found at Ananda Temple in Old Bagan — the grandest of the Bagan temples. We dropped off our backpacks, negotiated the rental of some bicycles, and made our way down the dusty roads from Nyaung U towards Old Bagan.

During the 30 minute bike ride down bumpy dirt roads, we passed numerous temples and pagodas large and small, all in varying condition. Elaborately written Burmese signs indicated the name and number of each temple (well over 2200 of them!), but two temples loomed above all others in the horizon.

We reach the entrance of the larger temple, park our bikes under what scant shade we are able to find, remove our shoes and socks and step barefoot onto the temple ground. To say this is a grand temple and a surreal experience is an understatement.

As we walk down the temple corridor, we’re approached by a lady. She has the traditional tanaka markings on her face and large eyes that gaze at us expectantly. “Can I help you?” she asks.

“Blacky Muang Muang?” Florian asks.

“Ah Muang Muang!” says the lady on immediate recognition. “Muang Muang not here.” she says. “Come with me, I call him.” And with that, she begins to leads us through the temple complex, making turns left and right.

Eventually down one corridor she gestures for us to wait, and she steps aside to make a phone call. “Muang Muang will be here in 20 minutes” she tells us. “Muang Muang helped me a lot and I would like to help his friends. Let me give you a tour of Ananda.” We’re appreciative and the tour starts.

At the end of the tour, we return to the first corridor, where, in the distance, I see a man walk down towards us in a measured pace. Wearing a white shirt and a longyi in purple plaid (a traditional pant-substitute), Muang Muang watches our approach and looks at us with a measured gaze as Florian introduces us, explains our mutual acquaintance (a National Geographic photographer), and that we were hoping we could travel and do photography together. Muang Muang takes a few moments to process this information.

“You see, I just had an operation in my eye.” He finally says. “Normally I can take you. Not this time. Maybe next time. I hope you enjoy Bagan.”

I have the sense he is unsure of us, having arrived unannounced.

“I can show you some places on a map,” Muang Muang offers. He pulls up a map and begins pointing. “Sunset. Sunrise. Sunrise. Good views.” He stops and looks back at us. The conversation is over.

I realize as we’re standing there that we’re actually in front of a temple shop. Behind Muang Muang are glorious photos of Bagan. “These are amazing!” I can’t help but exclaim. He looks at them, nods with a slight smile and says “Bagan.”

“Come back tomorrow.” He adds.

That night, Florian and I explore one of the recommended temples, and the next morning, we return.

Muang Muang is back at his stall and he greets us with a slight nod.

“Thanks for your recommendation,” I say enthusiastically. “We were caught in thunderstorm at the Shwezigon Pagoda but it was so much fun.” Spontaneously, I pull out my camera and show him the pictures taken from the night before.

He flips through the pictures, stopping at one of the evening pictures in a vivid blue colour and gestures us to sit down.

“What time did you take these pictures?” He asked.

Looking at the timestamp, I answer “7:22pm”

“This is the time you should go out to take pictures. Sky is very blue. But only a few minutes.”

These tips are golden! Sensing an opportunity, I boldly ask — “we’d love to have a guide. Can you recommend someone? I know you can’t do it this time, but if there’s anyone at all we’d be grateful.”

Muang Muang hands me back the camera and he sits down. For many wordless moments, he gazes out contemplatively, hand on his chin. Still without speaking, he now gestures for Florian’s camera and looks through his collection of photos. Again he sits gazing out without words.

“As I said, I had an operation in my eye,” he finally says. “Normally when people come to Bagan, they ask for me. There’s no one else I can recommend. Maybe I can take you around for just one day. Maybe tomorrow.” He adds.

I am beyond ecstatic. We thank him profusely and begin to make arrangements for a private car hire and to compensate him for his time. Our day is to begin at 5:00am to catch the sunrise and we’re to visit a few more remote villages and monasteries.

Before the sun is up, we’re already on our way. As the day unfolds, I learn more about Muang Muang. Back around 30 years ago, as Bagan was just starting to open up for local tourism, Muang Muang started by taking souvenir photos of local travellers in front of the temple. Back then, travel to Burma was heavily restricted and people could only come for 7 days at a time. Noticed by a Swiss photographer named Claude Schauli, Muang Muang was entrusted with photographic equipment for an expedition team that could not finish their shoot in 7 days. The photographer showed Muang Muang the ropes so that he could continue to gather photos for them until their next visit. The photographer left all their gear and essentially provided Muang Muang with all the tools he needed to take his photography to the next level.

As his photographic skills continued to improve, a series of instrumental mentors continued to hone and guide his technique to the point today where Muang Muang is widely recognized for his iconic photographs of the Bagan region and other parts of Burma. When I later had the opportunity to visit his home, the walls were adorned with numerous awards and prizes from various competitions. His work (uncredited) has been featured in some early Burma guidebooks, he was involved in the photography work for a Louis Vuitton ad, and he played a role with helping UNESCO and the archaeology department in documenting the temples and its artifacts in the region.

This morning we first stop at Salay, a few hours away from Bagan. We arrive at an old monastery, where we were greeted by an old monk and his proteges. We sat through a tea ceremony, and as we learned about the monastery school for orphans and poor children, decided to make a donation towards the education of the young monks. The old monk showed us the library of books that were all over 400 years old, gesturing that he had all of the tomes memorized in his head.

After the brief tour, we were allowed to wander the complex and photograph the monks as they went about their day. It was a splendid opportunity to watch everyone.

Outside, a crowd of curious children were gathering. I smiled and waved at them, and they smiled back. Later one of the children presented me with a garland of flowers and I reciprocated with a bag of chips. As we left the complex, I waved to them as they vigorously waved back.

We continued our journey to another town, and then another monastery, where yet another group of children gathered around in curiosity. Not surprisingly, we were caught in a rainstorm, so I passed time chatting with Muang Muang and letting the children make faces into my laptop photobooth application. Giggles and laughter pierced right through the patter of the rain as we waited for the storm to pass.

We eventually returned back to the Bagan region to visit some of Muang Muang’s favorite temples. “Look at this angle. Try this.” Muang Muang would instruct as he observed me taking photos. Sometimes he would grab my camera, fuss with the settings to show me different angles.

Before I knew it, the day was wrapping up. We thanked Muang Muang profusely for his time.

“Come back next time,” he says. “More notice, and we visit more places in Myanmar (Burma).”

Thinking of the rewarding day, I nod and wave goodnight.

The next day we’re back at the temple again where Muang Muang passes me a DVD. “Photos I took during the day.”

I thank him, and as I walk back down the temple corridor, my mind is already racing, vividly visualizing all the next places in Burma I still have yet to discover.

To book Muang Muang for a trip:

Typically Muang Muang asks for a 1 month lead time. He can take you on photographic trips all throughout Myanmar, but he specializes in Bagan. His day rate is $150 USD per day plus all travel expenses including food. That’s a fixed rate irrespective of the number of photographers in a group.

Since internet is highly unreliable, call Muang Muang to speak with him at 061 65183 / 09 502 2462

The best times to go:

Depends on what you’re looking for. If you want long shadows and more golden hour opportunities, the winter months from October to February are the best. For stormy weather and rainclouds, come in the summer months.

You can walk here in just 5 minutes from the village of Brod

Working for the United Nations and as a Travel Blogger/writer has its moments…sometimes they intersect in an amazing experience or opportunity that just leaves me wondering how I ever became so lucky. If anyone ever tells you a dream job does not exist, share this link with them and then get working on making it come true. In the run up to my new guide book release (The Mountains of Dragash, Kosovo: Hiking and Nature Tourism Guide) I led a group of 30 people into the Dragash back-country for a weekend of hiking, camping, and getting back to nature (ie getting very wet on the hike in and out). The trip was part of a larger effort to develop a nature tourism strategy for the isolated Municipality of Dragash, and to create a series of value chains to help locals benefit from increased tourism. The project is sponsored by the Finish Government, and is being implemented by the United Nations Development Programme.

Hiking in Dragash

If you don't want to carry all your gear you can hire horses in the village of Brod

We have been working on this hiking guide for about a year now and I have written about hiking in Dragash a number of times on Todd’s Wanderings as the work has progressed. Some of the hikes include:

Brod to Mount Cule

Brod to the Old Macedonian Smuggling Pass

Restelica to Brod

You will notice a pattern here as the picturesque village of Brod features heavily in my hikes. The beauty of this little village, tucked into a protective valley and wrapped lovingly in a series of crisp rivers, is undeniable. Add in the cultural traditions of the locals, numbering about 1,000, delicious cheese, succulent lamb and a dramatic landscape accessible just a few minutes from town and the tourism potential becomes clear.

Our little camp site in a very large valley

The hike below is the same one that we arranged for the 30 person weekend. The text is the same as you’ll find in the soon to be published hiking guide, due out in July 2011. The Guide contains 12 of my favorite hikes and 3 mountain biking trails around Dragash Municipality, along with tourism information, easy to follow maps and local knowledge. Oh, did I mention it will be free both Electronically and for a limited time in Print? Yeah, I know, pretty amazing.

If you are looking for a more serviced experience feel free to contact me and I’ll can pass along your message to a contact person in the village. We organized horses to pack up our tents, and for food to be prepared for dinner and breakfast the next morning. This is just the beginning of  mountain tourism in Dragash and we are hoping to lay the foundation for sustainability where locals benefit monetarily, the environment benefits from conservation and tourists have a unique amazing experience.

BROD to LAKE SHUTMAN/ŠUTMAN

This is one of the best known hikes in the Brod region with a well worn path, and stunning views through the Brod Gorge and into the southern rolling alpine fields where Lake Shutman/Šutman lies. The lake is more of a pond and is shallow with a muddy bottom but beautiful nonetheless. These small lakes are called mountain eyes due to the resemblance of human eyes when viewed from the mountains above. This hike can also be combined with 2 other hikes in the region, Mt. Vraca or the 3 Peaks hike, which begin and end at Lake Shutman/Šutman. The lake also provides a nice place to camp for those wanting to explore more of the southern area of Dragash/Dragaš.

A larger map will be available soon

STARTING POINT/ ENDING POINT: Arxhena Hotel or Old Road near Brod

STARTING ELEVATION: 1384 meters

HIGHEST ELEVATION: 2120 m.

DISTANCE: 8.82 Km.

DURATION: 6-7 hours round-trip along the same path

DIFFICULTY: Easy. There are very few steep parts to this hike.

Hiking Route Description

You have two options where to start. You can either start directly from Arxhena Hotel and climb up the steep ski slope behind the hotel which meets the path further on; or you can start from the beginning of the main path along the Old Road closer to Brod which is longer but has a more gentle climb up into the mountains. If starting from the Old Road, follow the main dirt road out of Brod towards Arxhena Hotel with the river on your right hand side.

After the last house between the hotel and the village, just past the rusted skeleton of an old car on its side under a tree, the river passes under the road. As the river moves to the left side of the road you will see a small concrete water-tap structure on the right and the power lines begin to diverge from the road. Turn right here and follow the grass road uphill following the wooden electrical poles. This is the start of the Old Road to Macedonia that was never completed. Eventually the grass route will turn to a dirt and rock path. Follow this further into the valley until you are directly above Arxhena Hotel. It is here that the ski slope intersects with the main path.

I love a nice mountain lake. These post glacial lakes are often called mountain eyes as they look like eyes looking up into the sky when seen from the mountain tops above.

Continue following the well-travelled path south into the river gorge. Make sure you stay high up on the path and do not descend to the river and cross it. There is a path on the other side of the river but it is more difficult and does not lead directly to the lake. More than two thirds of the way to the lake you will see a beautiful waterfall where the river rushes out of a narrow rocky gap. The top of the waterfall has a nice area to rest and have a picnic. You can access this area by leaving the path behind after the waterfall turning left, crossing the river at its highest point and then walking back to the waterfall. See the map for further indications, as there is no dedicated path to the waterfall from this side of the river.

After passing the waterfall you will come to a point where the path becomes narrow and less clear. This is also where you will see a shepherd’s building which doubles as a sharr dog breeding hut. Stay away from the building, as sharr dogs are very protective, even if they are cute when they are young. Stay closer to the mountain on your right and you will eventually make out the path that leads out of this valley and up into the valley with small but beautiful Lake Shutman/Šutman.

What do you think? Would you visit Kosovo and Brod?

Camping and Hiking in Kosovo’s Backcountry: Brod to Lake Shutman is a post from: Todd's Wanderings

It’s hard to know what is on and off the beaten path these days. Most travelers get their information from the Internet (yes, including you right now) in a way that was never possible before with regular guidebooks. But with the proliferation of information is there still a beaten path? Or are we all beating down the grass as we wander freely here and there depending on the whims of a Google search?

Yes, it really is this beautiful!

Whatever the answer is, for most people Albania as a country is off the beaten path and is just starting to open up to tourism. Travel to the northern mountain regions, where the fastest way to travel is by lake ferry, or by foot, and you can be pretty sure you are off the beaten path. I heard about the Komani Lake Ferry in Kosovo and decided to give it a try. It is by far one of the most beautiful, and gritty ferry rides I have experienced. In fact I’d even call it a classic boat journey that most people should experience at least once in their lives. The journey is not made easy for tourists as it caters to residents and traders traveling down to the coastal areas. But it will by far be the highlight of your trip to Albania. The bonus is that you can easily combine this with a hike in Northern Albania, or a trip to or from Kosovo. These are all places most people would consider off the beaten track, although to be honest there were plenty of tourists sitting ride beside my wife and I!

Riding the Ferry on Albania’s Komani Lake

Komani lake was Albania first major hydro electric project in 1970 and helped the country not only become a net exporter of energy, but also created an amazing winding system river system of turquoise waters, staggering cliffs, and remnants of a life cut out of a savage land where journeys are measured in days rather than hours. There are no cities or towns along the ride, only solitary houses

The Komani Ferry is large enough to carry 50 cars, and scores more passengers. It travels only 2 times a day and leaves from the western side from the town of Komani (kind of near Shkodra) at 10 am and earlier from the eastern side from Bregluma (near the small town of Fierza) at 8 am. The ferry may depart or arrive half an hour earlier than suggested as the above schedule is not fixed!

Um...psst...your tie is a bit short...

The timing means that it’s impossible to take the ferry south in the morning and then have time to explore and return on the same day. But the magic of the lake is the ride itself and can be combined with any number of other activities, from visiting the castle town of Shkodra, to hiking the remote mountain passed from Valbona to Thethi.

We drove 5 hours from Pristina on a Friday down to Shkodra on the new highway and in the morning took the ferry back towards Kosovo. Unless you have massive amounts of time, a car is a necessity on this trip due to the lack of public transportation and the remoteness of the ferry terminal itself. In fact, the last 20 km to the western ferry port took nearly 1-½ hours due the rugged road conditions. You will definitely want a 4-wheel drive vehicle for this trip.

Don’t miss the Komani Ferry!

Start the day early and arrive at least an 2 hours before the ferry is scheduled to depart if you are driving a car. The parking area on the western end is just past the damn and you need to travel through a hand carved tunnel to reach the small port area. There is not a lot of room to park here (they charge you for this too! but only 50 lek) so it’s best to get there early and have a coffee while you wait. There are a few small shops along the water. You can also buy drinks and snacks on the ferry, and it’s wonderful to watch the organized chaos surrounding the loading and unloading.

The ferry usually departs a little late as the last inches of space are negotiated to fit as many cars and buses on as possible. There are also smaller boats available for hire and many people use them to move into the mountains in the summer for the harvest. Life in the region is harsh, and money and resources are hard to come by. Many families will toil on their land for the 3 months to earn 20-50 Euros and stock up their food for the winter.

Beer and Cows, this guy has the market covered!

The ferry ride itself lasts about 2 ½ hours and travels through stunningly remote areas, along steep cliffs and mountains that give the Accursed Mountains their name (an area so remote and harsh it could only have been created by the devil). This is one of those experiences that are slowly fading from our hyper connected and efficient world. It’s a place where trade and sweat still have a caloric value and you can feel the worth of your ticket (400 lek per person and 1200 lek per square meter of car…don’t worry they will calculate it for you). All in all I was very happy to experience the trip, and would recommend it to anyone with the time and spirit. Combine the trip with a more in depth travel to the Balkans and you’ll be sure to leave wondering what the hell CNN and BBC are going on about. The region and its people are lovely, and you’ll be hard pressed to find more genuine locals and landscapes.

Have you been to Albania? Would you go? Where did you go off the beaten track recently?

Off Track on the Northern Albanian Komani Lake is a post from: Todd's Wanderings

HostelBookers has reveals their top 10 family-friendly hostels:

• Chicago Getaway Hostel, USA

Only 10 minutes walk from Lincoln Park Zoo, this hostel offers four-bed private rooms and provides a common kitchen, tour information, maps and a BBQ area. Kids can have hours of fun in the games room complete with pool and foosball tables. There are also bikes for rent, board games and a large patio.

• Adelaide Hostel and Hotel, San Francisco, USA

With a friendly and personal service the hostel is modelled on homely European-style pensioni and families can stay in the private triple, quad and six-bed rooms with daily cleaning. Parents can have a break from planning excursions because the hostel organises free walking tours of the city and staff can even plan trips to Yosemite National Park.

• Equity Point London, England

Parents travelling with kids can stay in family rooms at this Georgian style hostel equipped with all the mod cons and bright and colourful decor. Hyde Park is a short walk and top tourist attractions including Madame Tussauds, the Science Museum and Natural History Museum are within easy reach.

• Villa Saint Exupery Gardens, Nice, France

Located in a quiet and safe residential area, families can book private en suite rooms at this charming converted monastery. There are plenty of activities on offer to keep the children happy including canyoning, sailing and horseback riding. The hostel offers a free baby sitting service and parents can enjoy some much needed time to themselves on a free city tour.

• Edinburgh Central Hostel, Scotland

Just a 10-minute walk from Edinburgh’s main Waverly Station and Princes Street, this hostel is ideally located for little legs. Families can book into the quad rooms. There is a bistro and parents can also use self-catering facilities. There is free Wi-Fi access as well as coin operated PCs, laundry facilities and plasma TVs in the lounge area.

• Danhostel Copenhagen City, Denmark

This family-friendly hostel is totally geared for children with a TV room, table tennis and cycle hire on offer and families can sleep in the private  four and six-bed en suite rooms. With views of the skyline and the harbour, it’s only a 10 minute walk to the popular vintage Tivoli amusement park.

• Lisb’on Hostel, Lisbon, Portugal

Located in the historical centre of Lisbon, this hostel offers family rooms and provides a free breakfast, free cots and baby highchairs. While the children play in the games room, or run around in the 150m garden, parents can enjoy fantastic views of the river from the 100m terrace.

• A&O München Hackerbrücke, Munich, Germany

The reception has a kiddie corner with playhouse, crayons, colouring books and bedtime story books, as well as bike rental and a games room with video games. Children under six can eat for free at the dinner buffet too.

• Sydney Beachouse Backpackers YHA, Australia

Located on Collaroy Beach, right on Sydney’s superb Northern Beach, the Beachouse is a great alternative to staying in the bustling city centre for families. Children can play with the free volleyball sets, surfboards, bodyboards, snorkelling sets and bicycles. There is a rooftop pool and BBQ facilities.

• Space Hotel and Hostel, Melbourne, Australia

Children will appreciate the techie touches in the family rooms, each equipped with flat screen TVs and iPod docking stations. For a quiet night in, this modern hostel boasts a fantastic cinema room where kids can settle down and watch movies while parents can make the most of the gym facilities.