Where is Kakadu?

Kakadu National Park

Kakadu is a World Heritage National Park located in the north eastern region of the Northern Territory. Kakadu is one of Austalia’s most prized ecological and cultural treasures. There are a number of locations where evidence of Dreamtime legends and day-to-day living can be viewed. In particular at Ubirr and Nourlangie Rock. Beautiful and extensive aboriginal paintings can be seen. The area beside Kakadu is known as Arnhem Land and special permits must be purchased if you wish to enter the large Aborginal Reserve.

Kakadu is largely flood plains, a result of the tropical rains. The water lily covered billabongs are a stunning sight and a boat trip at Yellow Waters is a must. Here you will experience the vastness of the flood plains, water lillies, crocodiles (by the scores!), birds such as the Jabiru, Heron, Magpie Geese, White-Bellied Sea Eagle, Whistling Kite and numerous others.

The tropical rains also create magnificent water falls. Unfortunately, the time of year I was there during 2000, access to all the falls were still closed. A must see inclides Jim-Jim Falls, Twin Falls and Gunlom.

A beautifully presented hardcover book ‘Kakadu: The Making of a National Park’ by David Lawrence

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Kakadu

One Great Reason to Visit Kakadu

One great reason to visit Kakadu is for its sheer natural, wilderness wonder. An abundance of fauna and flora that just can’t be experienced any where else in the world.

Kakadu National Park

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Where is Djenne?

The Great Djenne Mosque

Djenne is located in the West African country of Mali and is situated on the flood lands of the Niger and Bani rivers. At the end of the wet season, when the rivers have risen, it can result in Djenne becoming an island.

Djenne would have to be on the ‘must see’ towns of Mali (it is on my must see places of Africa), largely for the ‘Great Mosque’ that is made of mud and is the largest mud brick structure in the world. Djenne is a UNESCO Heritage Listed town not only for the mosque but for the fact that it became a market centre and an important link in the trans-Saharan gold trade.

An ideal day to visit the town is on a Monday when it is market day and the town becomes a bustling, energetic feast for the senses. Cars, buses, people and animals all converge to the market square that is dominated by the mosque to buy and sell their goods.

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of Djenne

One Great Reason to Visit Djenne

One great reason to visit Djenne if it’s not solely to view the great Djenne, mud brick mosque that dominates the market square.

A Tour of Djenne

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Where is Pamukkale?

Pamukkale

Pamukkale is found in south, western Turkey approx 19km north of Denizli. It gained UNESCO listing during 1988 for both its environmental features and Roman history. It would have to be one of the most spectacular places I have visited. From a distance, as I approached from the bus, the white scar on the hillside glistened as the sun was lowering in the sky. The name Pamukkale means ‘Cotton Castle’ and that’s exactly what it looked like! (A photo of myself at Pamukkale can be seen on the ‘About Kirsty’ page.)

The terraced basins are filled with warm, thermal spring waters that are mineral-rich with calcium. This in turn has created the shallow pools supported by stalactites. The warm springs have made the area popular since ancient times. The Romans built Hierapolis here. After you have marvelled at the environmental feature of Pamukkale, you are able to explore the Roman Baths and take a dip amongst collapsed roman columns and other archaeological, building ruins.

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One Great Reason to Visit Pamukkale

One great reason to visit Pamukkale is for the stunning scenery of the ‘Cotton Castle’ surrounded by reasonably arid plains.

Pamukkale

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Where are The Dolomites?

Sam Chandler of Collett’s Mountain Holidays has provided a guest Press Release to coincide with the recent UNESCO Listing of The Dolomites.Two weeks ago, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee named some new localities to the list of sites. One mountain range named by the committee is The Italian Dolomites in northern Italy.

Walking in The Dolomites

“The site of The Italian Dolomites comprises a mountain range in the northern Italian Alps, numbering 18 peaks which rise to above 3,000 metres and cover 141,903 ha. It features some of the most beautiful mountain landscapes anywhere, with vertical walls, sheer cliffs and a high density of narrow, deep and long valleys. A serial property of nine areas that present a diversity of spectacular landscapes of international significance for geomorphology marked by steeples, pinnacles and rock walls, the site also contains glacial landforms and karst systems. It is characterized by dynamic processes with frequent landslides, floods and avalanches. The property also features one of the best examples of the preservation of Mesozoic carbonate platform systems, with fossil records.The Dolomites are named for the rock dolomite, which in turn was named for a geologist, Déodat de Dolomieu.” UNESCO

This is great news for The Italian Dolomites and all the National Parks that form it. To further the protection and interest in the mountains, Italy has set up a Dolomites UNESCO Foundation which swung into action when The Dolomites were named as a World Heritage Site on 30 June 2009. The Dolomites UNESCO Foundation has been created as an overarching organization to pursue the aims ensuring the long-term conservation of the Dolomites while allowing its earth science potential and tourism-boosting assets to be used to the full.

Collett’s Mountain Holidays is the UK’s holiday specialist for the breathtaking Italian Dolomites & South Tyrol, a paradise of idyllic valleys and mesmerising mountains that lie between Innsbruck and Venice. Set up in 1998 Collett’s has been offering tailored walking holidays, Via Ferrata, Skiing and Snowshoeing for 11 years.

In summer Collett’s offer Walking Holidays, Via Ferrata & Wildflower Walks that allow you to explore this natural splendour just as you wish – however ambitious or fit. In winter, we offer the perfect catered chalet skiing holiday and for anyone with an interest in snowshoeing and winter walking.

We offer six hosted alpine chalets, an exquisite hotel and self catering in three enchanting alpine villages, each with spectacular mountain backdrops, offering superb access to the walks and more.

Stay with us as long as you like, arriving and departing on whichever days suit you. Fly-Drive, Self-Drive or use our daily transfer service to and from Venice and Treviso.

In Italy, local prices are up to 50% less than in France & Austria – Many items including eating out is still inexpensive even with a strong Euro. Collett’s Mountain Holidays is bonded through ABTA & AITO, guaranteeing the protection of all payments.

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TravelTipsPlus Google Map of The Dolomites

One Great Reason to Visit The Dolomites

One great reason to visit The Dolomites is for the spectacular scenery of the Italian Alps which Collett’s Mountain Holidays can offer.

Walking in The Dolomites With Collett’s

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