the only way to get around without loosing to much time in Santiago is renting a car. The location is not worth more tan 2-3 days and other means are too complicated and slow being for locals. you would not miss the wonderful little villages nor the best beach. The best car rental in Santiago is Alucar west of town.

We had a great time there as the owner Ma was more than helpful and friendly. We arrived hoping to catch up with our overland tour after climbing kilomanjaro only to find it was not there. Ma made some calls sorted it out and gave us a bungalow and breakfast, made us feel right at home. We spent the day looking at various snakes, talking to the local village people, playing hacky with kids and even managed a camel ride.

It has lots of small, friendlym surfy towns dotted all the way up. Whangamata is lovely and goes off during summer. A little drive up north and you came to Hot Water Beach, you can actually dig a hole in the sand and the water is hot! Dont miss out the Coromandel, its worth it.

Get the fabulous sights of Mt. Everest while your trip to Nepal !! There are no problems for the tourists even though there are big news of maoist activities

What better way to explore the relatively small town of Geneva and its splendid surrounding countryside Rent a bike (between CHF 0 and 20 per day) and off you go. Most mayor roads have cycling paths/lanes and traffic is getting much calmer outside the city limits. My easy suggestion: Cornavin (station)-Place des Nations(UN)-Chambesy village (great view across the lake)-Collex-Crassier-Nyon (old town, abt 25 km) and back again either by boat, train or...pushing the bike along the Lakeside ro....

If there is one town to visit in Ireland, it would have to Doolin County clare. I have travelled all around the country, and this got to be the best. Its a small village that has three kicking pubs, the town is known for its traditionally irish music, which may sound a liitle dull, but in the setting

Chenrezig was established in the early 70s with the philosophy of creating a place where young westerners could study the profundities of Tibetan Buddhism in their own language. Although Chenrezig is of interest for it`s colourful and ornate Tibetan fixtures, such as the Gompas (Tibetan for "place of meditation"), Prayer Wheels, and the Stupa (symbolic sculpture), it`s no Tibetan theme park. Its unique provision of informal yet authentic teaching has attracted students and teacher....

Many people take the "slow boat" from Huay Xai to the border. this is a very nice trip, but it has become a bit touristy and they stuff all the foreigners onto one crowded boat. If you want a "wilder" more "authentic" experience, take the two-day boat trip to Phongsali. It's amazingly beautiful and a fun time. You might even be the only foreigners!

G'day, it's such a pity that most visitors to Australia only ever see the coastal cities, Great Barrier Reef and Ayers Rock. There is so much more to experience. Take a look at this trip report, as written by the participants on an East-West Crossing of the continent: http://www.redcentre.com.au/4x4/EWX2001-Journal Enjoy, Mike

We almost missed Wagener Museum in Northland - don't! - Its rated no. 3 in the country by Frommers guide and "worth the drive up there". Its a fascinating collection of all sorts ranging from pioneer stuff to natural history to the world largest collection of chamberpots!. They have a backpackers hostel, a camping ground & motorcamp, a cafe and a 18 hole golf course all right on the waterside - we only allowed 2 days there but could have spent a week easily.