travel blog
Visiting Chichén Itzá: my seventh wonder of the world
Peter finally gets around to visiting Chichén Itzá, but will the Maya ruins measure up to the other six wonders of the world? During our round-the-world trip in 2014-15, Kia and I visited Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was my sixth of the New 7 Wonders of the World, a 2007 campaign which selected the new world wonders from a list of 200 monuments. The final seven were chosen by the public who cast over 100 million votes in the process. While we were pleased to see the statue, we were somewhat underwhelmed by the experience. Even though we visited on a beautiful, clear day in June – apparently a quiet period – we spent our time being jostled and pushed around on the viewing platform. It was not an enjoyable experience. Atlas & Boots Christ the Redeemer was u...
Atlas & Boots’ top 10 posts of 2022
As a watershed year draws to a close, we reflect on the top 10 posts that our readers most enjoyed Last year, our annual roundup had a certain tone; one of unmistakable melancholy. Peter and I – and the rest of the world – had suffered two years of lockdowns and restrictions and were running out of stamina. In the piece, I talk about ‘trying to focus on the good things’ and ‘doing what we can’. The optimism is feeble, never quite reaching cheer. Thankfully, this year has been completely different: one of lifetime highs and goals. We were finally able to go on our twice-postponed expedition to Antarctica, crossing the Antarctic Circle and landing on the continent. On a later trip, we found ourselves at the other end of the world: at 81°17’5’’ N, only 500 miles from the North Pol...
24 interesting facts about Colombia
We didn't plan on staying a month in Colombia. After spending longer than we had planned in the South Pacific, we were wary that we had only six months for an area far larger than what we had seen thus far. Of course, our journey through Cartagena, Santa Marta, Taganga, Medellin, Popayán and San Agustin warranted more than the two weeks we had planned. Our friends and family were worried about us staying in this historically volatile land but we found a lively, absorbing and intriguing country that was as enchanting as its more frequented neighbours. Along the way, we learnt some interesting facts about Colombia we thought it useful to share. The post 24 interesting facts about Colombia appeared first on Atlas & Boots.
11 best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE
From the world’s longest zipline to desert bedouin camps, these are the best things to do in Ras Al Khaimah Ras Al Khaimah, one of the seven emirates that make up the UAE, is an intriguing blend of the modern world and old Arabia. Unlike its neighbouring emirates, overdevelopment is yet to engulf Ras Al Khaimah, more commonly known as RAK. This, along with its sandy coast and craggy interior, makes it a beguiling Middle East destination. Meaning ‘headland of the tent’, Ras Al Khaimah is located in the northeastern part of the UAE, bordering Musandam, an exclave of Oman. Its position between the Persian Gulf and the Hajar Mountains reveals a range of landscapes from dramatic hilltop forts and dusty rose-red ridges to wind-hewn deserts and a glittering coastline of sandy beaches and mangrove...
Highlander UAE: hitting rock bottom in the high heat
Kia feels the burn on the Highlander UAE, a 30km two-day trek in the Hajar Mountains When I agreed to do the Highlander UAE, I didn’t know that the entire universe would conspire against me. I’d planned to be fighting fit because I knew that the trek would be challenging, but due to a healing wound for which I needed stitches I wasn’t able to exercise for the three weeks leading up to the trip. This impacted my fitness and, in turn, my ability to deal with the 30°C heat. On top of this, in what felt like a cosmic cruelty, I found myself battling a cold. Add to this the fact that I hate camping and that I’ve never trekked with a heavy pack before and you have a recipe for misery. Still, I was committed. Peter and I set off at 7.30am on the first day. I had done multi-days treks ...
20 interesting facts about Georgia
We share the most interesting facts about Georgia, collected on a two-week trip through the transcontinental country Georgia may as well be called “Georgia, the country” thanks to its famous American counterpart. Unlike the US state, the country still feels uncharted. Bordered by Russia to the north, Azerbaijan to the east, Armenia and Turkey to the south, and the Black Sea to the west, Georgia is a land of deep green gorges, snow-capped summits and implausibly-placed medieval churches. It’s also a place of rich culture and history, as Peter discovered on his recent trip through the country. Below, he shares the most interesting facts about Georgia gathered on his two-week journey. Interesting facts about Georgia Georgia was home to Europe’s first known humans In the late 1990s and early 2...
From Acadia to Zion: the best hike in all 63 US national parks
From the rocky headlands of Acadia to the sandstone cliffs of Zion, we share the best hike in every US national park America’s 63 national parks offer an encyclopaedic array of natural sights – from trees that existed at the time of dinosaurs to fiercely active volcanos. That’s before we even get into the hundreds of other units such as national monuments, historic sites, preserves, reserves, rivers, parkways and recreation areas. At last count, America’s public lands received nearly 300 million recreational visits a year and for good reason. The country’s national park system is a model that has been replicated the world over. With so much variety within the millions of acres of outdoor space, it’s difficult to know where to start. To point the way, we’ve put together a list of the best h...
21 interesting facts about Eswatini (Swaziland)
We share the most interesting facts about Eswatini collected on our brisk but beguiling sojourn into ‘Africa’s newest kingdom’. We had been in southern Africa for nearly three weeks by the time we arrived in Eswatini, our fourth country of the trip. Having spent two weeks driving around Namibia and exploring Etosha National Park, one of Africa’s great wildlife destinations, we thought we’d seen all the African wildlife we were going to see. What could 36 hours in Eswatini possibly show us that a 17-day Namibian safari did not? Well, rhinos for starters. Loads of them. We saw no less than 13 of these magnificent creatures during our fleeting foray into the kingdom. Atlas & Boots Two white rhinos in Eswatini We visited three premier game parks on a whistle-stop road trip. It wasn’t nearl...
20 interesting facts about Paraguay
The most interesting facts about Paraguay, from a double-sided national flag to the ‘Heart of South America’ American essayist P.J. O’Rourke once quipped that Paraguay was “nowhere and famous for nothing.” He then took a business trip there, fell in love with the country and promptly moved there. While we can’t say we felt the same striking attraction, we certainly appreciated Paraguay’s history and authenticity. The small and struggling country is a steamy subtropical land of remarkable contrasts with a tragic and torrid history filled with violence and loss. Despite our relatively short stay, we came across a wide range of interesting facts about Paraguay, the best of which we share below. Interesting facts about Paraguay 1. More than 80% of Paraguayans are ...
10 best day trips from Yerevan, Armenia
From the world’s oldest winery to medieval monasteries, we share the best day trips from Yerevan, Armenia’s Pink City After trekking the Highlander Svaneti and exploring Kazbegi in Georgia, I had a few days before my flight home so I hopped across the border to Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. Known as the Pink City for the volcanic rock used in its state buildings, Yerevan is a city with many faces. With evidence of settlement dating back to the 8th century BC, Yerevan is one of the world’s oldest continually inhabited cities. While most of its ancient structures have now been removed, built over by Soviet-era tower blocks and monuments, the city still retains several alluring features – not least its position in the shadow of the fabled Mount Ararat. Today, following Armenian independenc...
Self-drive Uganda: 7 routes to suit every itinerary
From three-day jaunts to two-week tours, these self-drive Uganda routes are crammed with bucket-list views Here at Atlas & Boots, some of our best memories were made while we were watching wildlife. One of our favourite experiences was our self-drive safari through Nambia, which offered close encounters with lions, leopards, cheetahs, elephants and more zebras than we could count. The 17-day trip stuck a fine balance of organised tour and independent travel. We didn’t have to concern ourselves with logistics – that was all taken care of – but still enjoyed the flexibility that comes with the open road. Gunter Nuyts/Shutterstock A self-drive safari in Uganda offers flexibility We are keen to return to the continent – next time to East Africa – to explore the savannahs and jungles o...
9 best things to do in Kazbegi, Georgia
We share the best things to do in Kazbegi, Georgia’s spectacular northern frontier hiding in the clouds of the Caucasus After trekking the Highlander Svaneti, I headed for Kazbegi in northeastern Georgia. Surrounded on three sides by Russia and occupied South Ossetia, the nature-packed borderland is famed for its rich medley of deep green gorges, snow-capped summits and implausibly-placed medieval churches. The region’s main town is Stepantsminda (more commonly known as Kazbegi), huddled in the lee of the imposing Mt Kazbek which at 5,054m (16,581ft) is Georgia’s third-highest peak and the seventh-highest in the Caucasus Mountains. Unsurprisingly, hiking takes centre stage in this dramatic destination, with Stepantsminda the perfectly positioned gateway to the region’s mountains and valley...
