Bhutan: Kingdom in the clouds

Punakha, ancient capital of Bhutan (Visit Bhutan)

Leaving Everest glowing white on the horizon, our plane swoops down between the mountains following the contours of the valley, each dramatic tilt of the wings affording startling close-ups of steep slopes and the valley floor. It’s a thrilling introduction to Bhutan, the kingdom in the clouds.

Bhutan’s isolation has allowed the country to preserve its culture and environment over the centuries, with limits on tourism to preserve its constitutional concept of Gross National Happiness. Between the hypnotic chants of monks, spinning prayer wheels, and the silent mantras of butter lamps, towering mountains and forests create a scene that must surely have inspired the mythical Shangri-La.

2015 is ‘Visit Bhutan Year’ in honour of the 60th birthday of His Majesty, the King of Bhutan, with special celebrations held throughout the year. Our writer, Kris Madden, says "Now is the time to see Bhutan, before the inevitable tide of mass tourism and technology changes it forever."

Our expert photographer, Ewen Bell, has exceptional images to accompany Kris's words. Ask us about a package.

 

You might also be interested in Tibet: Instant Karma

New military museum in Cairns, North Queensland.

This museum has opened in Far North Queensland, boasting the largest collection of military vehicles in the southern hemisphere. Roderick Eime tests his claim.

Flickr image library:
 

Extract:


Most boys were content with plastic model kits and watching TV shows like Combat! and The Rat Patrol, but not Rob Lowden.

Lowden’s collection is not the ‘junk yard’ assortment seen at other so-called museums either. Each exhibit is either restored to full working condition or preserved carefully as a static display item.

“This is the biggest collection of this nature in the southern hemisphere,” says Dennis Tocock, the museum’s full-time manager.

“We’ve got armoured vehicles and tanks from Germany, the former Czechoslovakia, Britain, America, Australia, Canada, Russia and France.”

Other tank museums in Australia have closed and the Army's own display at Puckapunyal is currently closed to the public because of 'security' concerns.

Lowden has been vigorously searching for new additions to his collection and he has sourced items from the closed museums, private collectors looking to downsize and even through agents, like one in Bulgaria who has located several former Soviet items.

If you'd this complete story for your publication, just contact us.

Travel Lines: Sydney for kids, Enchanting Athens, Cape Town wine, the Pristine Pacific, Falcons in NZ

Australia's top travel and lifestyle writers strut their stuff. Travel, food, wine, cars, family, kids, snow and aviation. We have it all. Decades of experience. No nonsense.
All stories are available for immediate commissioning. Email now for a prompt reply.
 

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Madame Tussauds Museum Sydney

Sydney: Family fun in Sydney

From its stunning coastlines to its grey-green bush, world-class museums, top surf beaches, fabulous festivals and rich indigenous history, Sydney is a prime place to have a stay-cation with the family. Mother and journalist, Carla Grossetti, explores and uncovers hidden coves, cooling waterholes, quirky art galleries, secret water slides and secluded walking tracks.  Whether you are a visitor or local, get out and about with the kids in one of the world's great tourist cities. [ Tell me more ]

Grande Provence Estate

South Africa: Cape of Great Grape

The stunning vineyards of the Western Cape, which encircle Cape Town like a boxing glove, are among the hottest gourmet destinations of 2015. International wine writer, Winsor Dobbin heads to Stellenbosch, Paarl and Franschhoek, notable not only for their dramatically-sited wine estates – many of them dotted with traditional Cape Dutch buildings – but also for the many luxury lodges, restaurants and resorts found in and around the vines. [ Tell me more ]
 

Black Tip Reef Sharks in the Lagoon at Millennium Atoll (Enric Sala)
 

Pacific Ocean: In search of the last pristine seas

Guided by National Geographic explorers and expeditioners, adventure prone Roderick Eime visits some of the last unspoiled ocean still left on our ravaged planet. Above and beneath the waters of the beautiful Pacific Ocean, he sails aboard the plush National Geographic Orion, stopping to scuba dive in waters teeming with sharks and other top level predators. This is now nature intended our tropical reefs. [ Tell me more ]

Greece: Enchanting Athens

Athens has taken an economic hit in recent years but is still high on any must-see list. Athens in summer has always been chaotic and crowded but it's also cultured. If you want order and efficiency, try Berlin or Brussels. Athens is 'grungier' but you won't find a more stimulating blend of ancient and avant-garde. Globetrotting scholar, Dr John Maddocks, wanders around the birthplace of western civilisation by day and dines at a rooftop restaurant in full view of the illuminated Parthenon in the evening. He visits museums, such as the stunning Acropolis and world class National Archaeological Museum and much more.  [ Tell me more ]

New Zealand: 'Hoodwinked' - the art of falconry

Wingspan, New Zealand’s National Bird of Prey Centre at Rotorua, is a place where people can visit and see birds of prey up close, guided by the country’s leading experts. Wingspan’s core is a commitment to the conservation of the threatened ‘Karearea’ New Zealand falcon. Being part of New Zealand’s unique natural heritage, falcons are a taonga (treasured) species to New Zealand’s Māori people. Our animal and eco-specialist, Kris Madden, interviews founder Debbie Stewart about her dedication to the conservation of New Zealand’s birds of prey, and the bird-characters you can meet including ‘Millie the Millennium Falcon’; and Ozzie, a NZ Falcon named after Ozzy Osbourne, as well as some interesting facts about the art of falconry and these amazing birds. [ Tell me more ]
 

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Going for Golfing Gold in Queensland

Jon Underwood goes in search of great greens and top tees on Australia's Gold Coast

The Gold Coast is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, attracting millions of visitors every year. And it’s easy to see why, with 70 kilometres of sandy beaches, 100,000 hectares of World Heritage rainforest, theme parks, wineries, boutique shopping and health retreats.

With more than 40 championship standard courses, the Gold Coast could also be re-named the “Golf” Coast. Some of the world’s best course designers have left their mark on the region and the result is a great selection of courses for all standards.

Tibet: Instant Karma

Mount Kailash Tibet (Kris Madden)

Mount Kailash is Tibet’s holiest mountain, revered throughout Asia by no less than five different religions. To many, it’s the centre of the universe - where heaven, earth and the underworld overlap. Every year, as they have done for thousands before, many make the pilgrimage to Kailash in an ancient ritual of devotion. Kris Madden joined them on a (literally) breath-taking journey. Just one circuit is said to cleanse the sins of a lifetime, while 108 (the sacred number) is said to guarantee instant enlightenment. The story also includes travelling to Lhasa from Beijing on the high altitude train.

Ewen Bell: Macau Through the Lens

From Vacations & Travel Magazine

Expedition cruise Christmas / NY trifecta

A summer of small ship luxury and discovery

National Geographic Orion

Beginning mid-November, expedition and small ship cruise specialist travel writer and photographer, Roderick Eime, will board National Geographic Orion for the first of three back-to-back expedition cruises when he sails for Tahiti from Fiji over three weeks.

True North and its onboard helicopter

Then it's a return to PNG aboard the much praised True North for a week on the Louisiade Archipelago Adventure.

Silversea' Silver Discoverer

Finally, in the New Year, it's a two week sub-Antarctic circuit of New Zealand including Macquarie Island and the seldom visited Antipodes and Bounty Islands to the west.

It will certainly be a busy summer and a wild mixture of windswept latitudes, tropical islands and colorful coral reefs.

Let Rod relate some of this remote splendour to your readers with a vivid photo feature or rich and descriptive travel narrative.

Contact Rod today to secure your editorial and pictorial package