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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
WEEKENDS | WORKING / VOLUNTEER | YOGA |
| ASIA | BRITAIN
| LAS VEGAS | ROMANIA
| SOUTH AMERICA | SPAIN
| WALES |
| HOLIDAY MONEY
| GEAR REVIEWS |
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.
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
 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.
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.
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
 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 WEEKENDS
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
 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
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.
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
 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.
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