You’re about to travel to a known malarial zone; you’ve read the literature, you know the statistics, you even know the range of drugs on offer that will protect you from contracting the disease. But have you explored all the other alternative options and are you fully aware of the potentially very unpleasant side-effects from these drugs?

About Malaria

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Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease and is widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, including parts of the Americas, Asia and Africa. It’s a disease with very unpleasant symptoms and can be fatal. The symptoms include fever and headaches and in severe cases coma and death. Modern drugs are normally prescribed as part of the preventative measure and these drugs include mefloquin (Lariam), doxycyline (available generically), and the combination of atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride (Malarone).

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I recently spent three months travelling through Africa and almost everyone was taking one of these recommended drugs and almost everyone felt some form of side-effect, mostly not reported in the literature we were provided. One of my fellow travellers even experienced some very serious side effects on the antimalarial Lariam. He was not informed by his GP that Lariam is known to sometimes cause severe depression, anxiety, paranoia, nightmares, birth defects and central nervous system problems (occurring in up to 25% of people taking the drug). In certain cases the symptoms of the side effects are permanent.

While photosensitivity is a recognised side-effect of Doxycycline, I personally experienced painful, discoloured fingernails and toenails on this drug that resulted in me discontinuing with the course, even while travelling through known malarial zones.  Photo-onycholysis refers the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed after exposure to ultraviolet light and can be induced by doxycycline. It’s not a well publicised side-effect but one I had the painful experience of finding out for myself!

The use of prophylactic drugs is also seldom practical for travellers spending extended periods of time in malaria-endemic areas. This is due to the cost of purchasing the drugs (which can be very expensive) and the negative effects sometimes experienced from long-term use.

So what other options are there?

• Artemisinin is a drug used to treat multi-drug resistant strains of falciparum malaria. Use of the drug by itself is explicitly discouraged by the World Health Organisation as there have been signs that malarial parasites are developing resistance to the drug.  Combination therapies that include artemisinin (such as Coartem or Cotexin (SP)) are the preferred treatment (not prevention) for malaria and are both effective and well tolerated in patients.

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• Prevention.  Mosquito nets used mostly at night above a sleeping area help keep mosquitoes away and greatly reduce the infection and transmission of malaria. Insect repellents containing DEET will also protect against mosquito bites. As a general rule, a 5% product will provide approximately 90 minutes of protection while 100% provides up to 10 hours. It is also advisable to cover up as much as possible in malarial zones and to wear long sleeves tops and long trousers.

If you are making a trip to a known malarial zone hopefully knowing the facts will help you make some informed choices-and remember prevention is always better than cure!

Camille Brandon
Director of Results
Milestone Personal Training

Camille Brandon is GlobalGrasshopper’s Travel Health and Fitness Expert. Camille is a Master Trainer and Functional Movement Screen Specialist with in-depth expertise of weight management, strength and sports conditioning, and rehabilitation and exercise referral joins. She also is very well travelled!

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I was unsure of what to expect when I decided to visit Siem Reap, a small laid-back town in Cambodia and gateway to the exquisite Angkor Wat temples. Although a naturally beautiful country blessed with a rich heritage, Cambodia’s extremely troubled past is well-documented. The death of the brutal dictator Pol Pot in 1998 and the fall of deadly Khmer Rouge Regime have now thankfully closed the chapter on Cambodia’s darkest days. In this new chapter, many curious tourists are drawn to this mystical and now peaceful country.

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When researching Cambodia you may come across disturbing tales of muggers, sex-tourists and unexploded landmines. These things do exist and a degree of common sense is certainly recommended but I personally found the majority of Cambodians just want to live a peaceful life after suffering three decades of civil war. It’s also a charming and charismatic place where I guarantee you will see lots of smiles.

Accommodation

Siem Reap has a wide range guest-houses and hotels to suit many budgets. They range from basic at 10-20 US$, mid-range 30-50 US$ and high-end 70 US$ – 200 US$ or more. We stayed at the Rosy Guest-house. Here you can get a budget room for $8 or a twin/double for $20 with private bathroom and a hot shower. The Rosy Guest-house is clean and serves good food which is available most times of the day and night. A very friendly British couple owns the guesthouse and they employ young, cheerful, friendly and helpful Cambodians. It’s in a great location close to the centre and most attractions.

I also found this website very useful when searching for hotels near Angkor Wat.

Getting around

Tuk Tuks are the best way to travel around Siem Reap. They are cheap, allow you to photograph on the go and they are also great fun! You can hail a Tuk Tuk from anywhere but make sure you negotiate the price before boarding, although please remember when bartering for anything (tuk tuks or otherwise) a small amount to you might make a big difference to a local and his/her family. I would recommend bringing sunglasses and a scarf because of the dust.

Many hotels also have their own Tuk Tuk drivers, we used the same driver each day. This was great as he was very friendly and after he got to know us he would take us off the tourist trails if we desired. Tuk Tuk drivers can be hired for around £8-£10 for a full day, payable at the end of your day/journey.

Angkor Wat

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Obviously the main attraction in Siem Reap are the temples at Angkor Wat. You can buy a 1 day ticket $20, 3 day ticket $40 or a 7 day ticket $60. I bought a 3 day ticket but only spent a day and half at the temples, I was able to see many of the main temples before being templed out! Although one day is certainly not enough for hardcore temple enthusiasts.

Visiting hours are 5am -5:30pm and the ticket booth is approx. 2 km from Angkor Wat. (you must keep your ticket with you at all times and in good condition!) Your ticket allows you to come and go freely during opening hours. Many visitors start early to catch the sunrise from the top of a temple and finish their long day heading back up the temples to view the sunset.

Other sites

Aside from Angkor Wat, Siem Reap has many other interesting places to visit. Here are a few:

• Landmine Museum – Entry is $1. This is a fascinating place and they also educate people about the dangers of UXO (Unexploded Ordnance) that still exist in Cambodia. Most of the young guides here are orphans or victims of landmines and the money raised goes back into supporting and educating victims of UXO.
• The markets – I recommend a visit to at least one of the markets. The oldest and the biggest is the busy Phsar Chas but the newer markets are also worth a visit. The Angkor Night Market is also a great for a relaxing stroll in the evening.

Photo by Carly

• Floating Village – This was my favourite place! Visiting the village of unique stilt housing along the Tonle Sap Lake is a great opportunity to see daily Cambodian village life and one that shouldn’t be missed. Getting there is an adventure itself and if it’s anything like my experience it will involve a Tuk Tuk ride through villages, a dirt-track motorbike drive and then a peaceful and relaxing boat cruise. When walking through the village you will pass the local school, on our trip we received a warm welcome from smiling laughing children and teachers. Make sure you take gifts like pens/pencils/rice to donate to the villagers and their children.

My tips for a trouble-free stay

• Beggars here are hard to say no to, especially the children. Most charity organisations the world over ask that you don’t give money as it keeps people on the streets and rarely goes to good use. Everyone’s opinion is different on this, I personally give to amputees and recognised organisations.
• Beware of scammers! Here they mainly try to trick you into believing they are collecting money for the temple upkeep or various charities. Always be certain that your money is going where you want it to!
• Also beware of the mosquitoes-there are plenty! Make sure you bring repellent with lots of DEET and some kind of cream to treat the itching.
• Souvenirs are cheap. In Siem Reap you will only pay a few pounds for a T-shirt, Cambodian scarf or temple rubbing.
• Don’t go off the main trails on your own-unexploded mines are still a problem in Cambodia although they are not such a problem in and around tourist areas.
• There are Internet cafes in the centre of Siem Reap just don’t expect a fast connection!
• I recommend that you use transportation when out and about at night, tuk tuks are the best and cheapest method of travel.
• Taking photographs is not a problem here as long as you are respectful.
• And lastly when ordering a pizza, watch out for the ‘Happy Pizzas’ – they are laced with marijuana. The ‘happier’ the pizza the stronger the marijuana!

I have many unforgettable memories and stories from my visit to Cambodia and I was particularly struck by the optimism and welcoming kindness of people who are still recovering from years of suffering and brutality. Travelling through Cambodia is a journey of ever-changing emotions and I’m sure most will enjoy the traditional streets, beautiful temples, the endlessly friendly locals and the chance to recreate a scene from ‘Tomb Raider’ at the Angkor Wat. You could even try a tasty fried spider or two-if you’re feeling brave enough!

Carly Henderson is a talented travel photographer, please check out her website: www.whereforartnow.com

Photo by Carly

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Having just completed a four day Inca Trail hike in Peru, it became apparent how tempting it is to ignore thirst while travelling. Dehydration impairs both physical and mental performance in all levels of exercise (even just walking in the sun), yet it can be avoided (or at least minimised) by appropriate drinking strategies.

The dangers of fluid loss

Exercise produces heat and sweating unless fluid losses are replaced by consumption of liquids, sweating goes on to cause progressive depletion of circulating blood volume, leading to dehydration and a thickening of the blood. This places a strain on the cardiovascular system, with a rise in heart rate in order to maintain adequate blood flow to exercising muscles and vital organs. As blood volume depletes so too does blood flow to the skin. As a result, sweating decreases and heat dissipation is impaired, causing core body temperature to rise potentially leading to heat stress, collapse and even death.

Fluid needs

Photo: twicepix

Water is the largest single component of the human body. For every 600 kilocalories (kcal) of heat loss, the body is reported to lose one litre of water. Water loss from daily living alone can result in two to three litres, not including added losses from exercise.

As a general guide it is recommended that we consume at least two to three litres of water per day with an additional litre of water per hour of exercise undertaken or time spent in the sun to maintain adequate hydration. Just 2% dehydration (approx 1kg bodyweight loss for a 50kg person) is claimed to reduce exercise performance by 10-20%. Dehydration of 3-5% results in nausea, muscle cramps, diarrhoea, dizziness, heat exhaustion and other more serious health problems.

Interesting dehydration facts

• Our sense of thirst fails to advise us early enough of our body’s need for rehydration. By the time we are thirsty we’re already dehydrated.
• Other beverages such as diet/regular soda, juice, coffee, tea, processed milk and alcohol require much more water than they contain so can actually dehydrate more!
• Fruits and vegetables are a good source of water, for example cantaloupe and melons contain more than 90 percent water, as do leafy vegetables such as lettuce.

Guidelines for water intake

Photo: notorious d.a.v.

When planning for exercise such as hikes or a run along the beach, the ideal is to drink a significant amount of water 30-60 minutes prior to starting. During activity keep a bottle of water with you and hydrate every 15-20 minutes.

Drink no more than the equivalent of one to two cups at any one time will allow more of the water to move from the bloodstream into the cells. Drinking any more than this at once causes the kidneys to filter out the water. It is very important to drink plenty of water in the 30-60 minutes after exercise.
In short, following these suggestions of hydration will not only increase your performance while hiking or trekking but also will reduce your risk of health problems when travelling.

Camille Brandon
Director of Results
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Camille Brandon is GlobalGrasshopper’s newly appointed Health & Fitness Travel Expert. Camille is a Master Trainer and Functional Movement Screen Specialist with in-depth expertise of weight management, strength and sports conditioning, and rehabilitation and exercise referral joins. She also is very well travelled!

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Australia is an incredible country; there is something for everyone. If you are a party animal you can head up the East Coast, if you prefer scenery then the West Coast is the way forward. Australia has some excellent cities; my favourites included Melbourne, Perth and Sydney whilst one place I would recommend avoiding is Canberra – a random city in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do or see. If possible try to buy a car, whilst it’s more expensive it allows you to see so much more and gives the flexibility a country like Australia needs.

I have listed my ten favourite places, they aren’t in any particular order just places that I would recommend visiting.

1 The Red Centre

Photo: nielsvk

The Red Centre is a made up of a trilogy of sites; Uluru (Ayers Rock), Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) and Kings Canyon. When visiting the incredible Uluru you have are two options; you can walk around it or up it, many tourists tend to attempt to climb it but Aboriginals prefer people to avoid climbing it as it is one of their spiritual monuments. During the walk around you will have the opportunity to see aboriginal drawings dating back 10,000 years, it‘s a fantastic but tiring walk. Whilst Uluru is incredible, I felt its’ neighbour Kata Tjuta was more impressive. Kata Tjuta (The Olgas) is 25km from Uluru, it has 36 sandstone domes and covers almost 22km². You can go on an 8km walk across the boulders; there is a wonderful feeling of peace as you walk around, there is often a gentle breeze blowing which helps you take your time.

The final part of the trilogy is Kings Canyon which 300 metres high and overlooks Kings Creek. Like the other two it’s another incredible site; there are two walks to choose from. The first is a 2km which takes you along the bottom of the gorge but if you have travelled all the way to Kings Canyon you might as well do the full walk so you can appreciate the total experience.

2 Great Barrier Reef

Photo: Vandelizer

No trip to Australia would be complete without visiting the Great Barrier Reef. It is located in Queensland, and is the world’s largest coral reef which is spread over 2,600 km and has approximately 900 islands. The most famous area is the Whitsundays. If you know someone who has visited The East Coast it’s highly likely you have received a postcard with a picture of The Whitsundays. I would recommend going out on a boat tour, ideally for a few days so that you can take in the sights and go scuba diving as well as enjoying incredible cuisine that is often served on the boats. There are all types of deals on offer. The Great Barrier Reef has all kinds of incredible fish including clownfish (remember Nemo), manta rays, red bass, red-throat emperor, snapper, tiger sharks and yellow-faced angelfishes, then there’s also beautiful coloured coral, beware of the fire coral-it will hurt!

3 Fraser Island

Photo: name

Fraser Island is an incredible location; it’s actually believed to be the largest sand island in the world and spreads across 1840 km². Sadly some people find themselves having to choose between Fraser Island and a trip out to Whitsundays but if possible try to do both – You won‘t be disappointed. Most tours start at Hervey Bay on the mainland where you collect your four wheel drive vehicle, do your food and alcohol shopping before getting the ferry to Fraser Island. Once on the Island you will have two or three days driving around on the sand, trying to avoid crashing whilst checking out various interesting spots such as the famous Champagne Pool which is great to lie in or the Wreck of the Maheno which provides a perfect photo opportunity. A tip-beware of the Dingos! They sometimes come into the camp grounds at night looking for food but don’t approach people. It’s a fun experience, plus you get to chose to where to camp each night.

4 Purnululu National Park

Photo: Mgjefferies

Purnululu National Park is located in Western Australia. Unfortunately, due to its’ location this part of the country is often bypassed but on a positive it means that it remains quite untouched. Western Australia was my favourite part of the country, it’s very beautiful and you rarely see other travellers so you get a feeling there you‘re the only ones there. When you visit Purnululu National Park Bungle Bungle is the area to be seen. It was often used as an excuse for Helen Daniels (TV show ‘Neighbours’ character) when she needed a break from the show, she was always said to be heading to the Bungle Bungles to paint. The Bungle Bungles are tiger-striped sandstone rocks which are an incredible sight. At the Bungle Bungles you can go for various walks at ground level which gives you one view, alternatively go can go up in a helicopter and get a birdseye view. I chose to go up in a helicopter, whilst it wasn’t cheap it was well worth it, the view was incredible.

5 Barossa Valley

Photo: Michael Dawes

In Barossa Valley I fell in love with wine, in particular red wine. Barossa Valley is Australia’s most famous wine region with brands such as Penfolds, Orlando Wines, Wolf Blass and Yalumba. It well worth going on a tour around the Valley which will allow you to visit different wineries, it’s best to avoid driving so you can enjoy the wineries without worrying about driving home. I went with Prime Mini Tours and had the pleasure of five winery visits, The Barossa Distillery, Keg Factory and a three course dinner where I enjoyed barramundi, crocodile and kangaroo.

6 Kangaroo Island

Photo: Augustusoz

Kangaroo Island is Australia’s third biggest Island, it’s only smaller than Tasmania and Melville Island. To get to the Island you need to get a ferry from Adelaide. A lot of people hold off visiting Kangaroo Island and opt to visit Philip Island, each to their own but Kangaroo Island has some wonderful wildlife including an Albino Wallaby which I was lucky enough to witness, Sea Lions and lots of little blue penguins which come on land at sunset for feeding, plus the Island is less touristy. I would recommend using Daniel’s Tours, a tour run by one of the locals on the Island.

7 Broome

Photo: Yaruman5

Broome is unlikely to find its way onto many lists, like Purnululu National Park it is located in Western Australia and gets missed. Broome is the place to get your pearls, but realistically visitors go to Broome to relax and for Cable Beach – Broome’s famous beach is one of Australia‘s top ten beaches. Broome is possibly the most relaxing place I have ever been, time just seems to disappear. I had planned to stay for a couple of days and ended up staying a week, I recommended to my sister to go for a week and she stayed two and half months. It really is a special place which is perfect for relaxing, you should also visit the open air cinema which makes for a good night before hitting the pub. If you are going to stay in a hostel then The Kimberley Klub is the way forward, it is a very friendly hostel with its own bar and swimming pool should you not fancy heading to the beach.

8 Byron Bay

Photo: baddogwhiskas

Byron Bay is a beachside town in New South Wales. After spending time in Sydney and Brisbane, Byron Bay provides a perfect escape from city life. Byron Bay is a is very relaxing location, the local community is full of artists which gives it a creative feel. Byron Bay is perfect to have a break as well as picking up some lovely gifts for family and friends. Whilst you’re near the beach it is always nice having a swimming pool, the YHA hostel offers both cheap and clean accommodation as well as a good sized pool.

9 Kakadu National Park

Photo: Trevor Page

Kakadu National Park is in the Northern Territory, it makes for a special stop. The national park is very large, it covers an area of 4,894,000 acres. The park is nearly 200 kilometres from north to south and over 100 kilometres from east to west. You will find Alligator Rivers running through Kakadu. You can drive in yourself but it’s best to take a tour, often the tours will allow you to meet local Aborignals who have opted to stay in their ancestral homes rather than moving to cities. The tour guides can take you to the best parts plus they won‘t get lost, I had the pleasure of spending the afternoon at Twin Falls. At the time I was there you had a 200m swim to get there but I’ve heard that has all changed and there is now a walkway… Remember to avoid the wet season as large parts of the park are closed and the crocs come out to play!

10 Great Ocean Road

Photo: Rob Michalski

The Great Ocean Road stretches along the south-eastern coast of Australia between Torquay and Warrnambool and lasts for 243km. The journey is one to be savoured, there are various look-out points to stop at and look at the scenery. The views consist of different rocks jutting out of the ocean; the most renowned is the “Twelve Apostles”, which provide for fantastic photographs especially at sunset and sunrise. I would allow yourself a full day to take in the sights, again it’s highly recommended to drive yourself. There are various options for day trips but it’s better to stop where you want rather than have a guide dictate where you stop.

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Festive merriment in San Francisco as a procession of Santas wind their way down Lombard Street to celebrate the annual Santacon – an event that began in 1994 and is now seen the world over. Check out the Santarchy website to find a Santacon event near you!

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Do you love Christmas but can’t stand another year of arguing with the relatives and watching the Great Escape on television for the hundredth time? Do you long for a stress-free non-traditional break with not a dry bit of turkey or cold brussel sprout in sight? If so here are some great alternatives to spending your Christmas at home.

Hanging out with Santa in Lapland, Finland

Photo credit
Keep the kids (and the young at heart) happy and spend Christmas in Lapland, Finland. Forget sitting at home and fighting the boredom, Lapland is where Christmas can truly be fairytale experience. Ride husky or reindeer driven sleighs (or just bomb around on a snowmobile), make gingerbread men cookies, snowshoe walk to your cosy log cabin and of course meet Santa in a personal one-to-one. Lapland is now cheaper and easier to get to than ever before.

Spend vast amounts of money in New York

Photo credit

New Yorkers really know how to celebrate Christmas and as expected everything is on a very large scale. The Christmas trees, the lights, the shows on Broadway and the world-famous shopping are just a few examples. Ride a horse-drawn carriage through Central Park, make a fool of yourself ice-skating in the Rockefeller centre, spend a fortune in Macys and stop for an eggnog latte in Bloomingdales.

A country cottage in Ireland

Photo credit

Book a cottage in the Irish countryside and you could be relaxing by a log fire and sipping whiskey on Christmas day. Christmas is a very important time of year in Ireland and if you like your seasonal break to be traditional and spiritual Ireland is the place to be. Join the congregation at midnight mass, sing your heart out at the local carol concert and walk off the Christmas dinner in the beautiful Irish countryside.

A grand hotel in Edinburgh

Photo credit

Edinburgh is another place where Christmas is taken very seriously. Pick a grand hotel like the Caledonian Hilton or The Balmoral and enjoy heather-fed lamb or rabbit & pheasant terrine for Christmas dinner instead of turkey. The city hosts many events on the run-up to Christmas, try scaring the kids on Scotland’s largest ferris wheel or wandering the traditional German Christmas market and overfilling on the obligatory mince pies and mulled wine. Of course you’ll have to stay for the legendary Hogmanay, one of the best new years eve celebrations in the world.

Working on a tan in Sydney, Australia

Photo credit

If you can’t stand the cold and would rather spend your Christmas with bronzed hunks/bikini babes then book a flight to Sydney. December is the first month of summer in Australia and the city regularly attracts 40,000 international visitors a year. For a true Aussie Christmas head down to Bondi or Manly beach and have shrimps on the barbie as well as a wide range of seafood and salads washed down with plenty of chilled beer.

With the beautiful people in Aspen, Colorado

Photo credit

This mountain resort playground of the rich and famous would make a fantastic hip and very cool Christmas break. Check out the enormous star placed on the Rocky Mountains to mark the beginning of the festive season, spend Christmas Eve in a trendy nightclub, hang out on the slopes with Kate Hudson and Cameron Diaz (well maybe) and stay in a luxurious hotel or romantic ski lodge for Christmas day. Not really a place to bring the kids but if you’re young and hot this might be your ideal Christmas break location.

With the American Danes in Solvang, California

Photo credit

Where else would be better to spend your Christmas than a Danish town in eh.. California? It may sound a bit bizarre but Solvang isn’t a place that does things by halves. People and families travel for miles to visit the annual Winterfest here. Christmas Carol singers emerge from every corner, festive music fills the streets and hundreds of twinkling lights illuminate this charming and kitsch old-world style town. Also visit the family run Jule Hus (Danish for Christmas House) to buy all your traditional European Christmas ornaments.

With furry friends in Anchorage, Alaska

Photo credit

If you’re an animal lover and have a fondness for reindeer then consider visiting Anchorage, Alaska. At the reindeer farm (located off the Old Glen Highway just north of Anchorage) you can enjoy a tour where you can feed and pet the reindeer as well as other animals such as elk, moose and blacktail deer. Although if you’re a sensitive individual be warned you might end up being served poor Rudolph in the restaurant at the end of your tour.

A country music Christmas in Nashville, Tennessee

Photo credit

This might not be an obvious choice but you like your Christmas experience to be pretty extreme try Nashville’s Gaylord Opryland Hotel. It was voted “The most Christmassy hotel in the nation” and named in the top ten places to spend Christmas in the world (by Travel & Leisure magazine). If you sign up for the hotel’s country Christmas package you’ll see more than a dozen music shows and about 2 million lights. In fact all the people of Nashville know how to properly celebrate Christmas and there are plenty of Christmas events happening here ranging from a Christmas tree auction to a display of interactive ice sculptures of Charles Schulze’s Peanuts gang!

With cocktails and cigars in Cuba

Photo credit

If family Christmas celebrations really bring out the worst in you then Cuba might be the perfect antidote. Leave the cold behind and smoke cigars, sip mojitos and salsa dance the night away on a white sandy beach. Spend Christmas day touring the main sites of Havana, Varadero and Jardines del Rey (a cluster of coral reef islands located off Cuba’s north coast) in a 1950’s Cadillac.

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Some call it the highest mountain in South East Asia (although they would be wrong). Some call it the easiest “proper” mountain to climb (in my experience, I’d say they were wrong too). Some call it an unmissable highlight of their trip to Borneo (they however, would be right on the money).

At a whisker below 4100 metres, Mount Kinabalu is the highest mountain between the Himalayas and Papua New Guinea. It’s also the single most popular attraction on Borneo, an island with an amazingly diverse range of natural wonders, from virgin jungle and rare wildlife to world class diving and one of the biggest network of caves in the world.

 I began my journey in sleepy Brunei and made the trip via a bus to Kota Kinabalu, (the nearest major town). From there we headed into the Malaysian territory of Sarawak, then back into Brunei, filling in exit and entry forms as we go, and collecting an entry and exit stamp each time we cross a border. After a day of travelling backwards and forwards into different regions of Malaysia I’d collected 8 stamps on my passport! I’d also seen Transporter 3 for the third time in a week, courtesy of the onboard “entertainment” system.

On arrival I immediately realised the mountain was worth the journey. The thermal tops, winter gloves, and hiking poles I’d been lugging around Western Australia for the past few weeks suddenly didn’t seem such a burden after all. I started the climb and then rested and slept at a height of 3600 metres. This was definitley a mistake and one I probably could have avoided.

Upon waking at 1.30am, I had a headache that felt someone had embedded a large axe into my skull, my fingers felt like they had been replaced with icicles and I found it almost impossible to breathe. Luckily, a fellow hiker came to my rescue with some strong painkillers and I began the slow but steady trek to the summit for sunrise.

After four hours of being guided by moonlight, the sun began to rise and I eventually reached the tiny and crowded summit. By this time my hands were almost too numb to take a picture and my head was still throbbing, but I quickly forgot my pain. The awesome views and the sense of achievement was overwhelming. I fully appreciated the grandeur of the mountain as I looked down below at the tiny visions that were the people still pulling themselves up the rope. It was a weird feeling knowing I would soon be joining them, albeit on the easier journey back down…

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Rome is a wonderful place. It’s a truly beautiful and sometimes mysterious city. Rome was my home for over two years and these were some of the best years of my life so far. During my time there I learned a lot, although it’s an incredible place it also be a hard place to visit. I hope this guide will help you enjoy this famous and ancient city even more.

Getting around

My first recommendation is to avoid taxis! Personally I am not a big fan taxi drivers anyway but in Rome 90% of the time you feel you have been ripped off. Rome is a fairly small place and easy to navigate around. You can get around most of the city using the bus or my favourite option, walking. Avoid the bus tours everyone tries to sell you and buy either a one day travel pass (€4) or a three day pass (€11). This will entitle you to unlimited travel around the whole of Rome.

Where to stay

When you visit Rome like with so many cities, it’s important to chose the right location when you’re looking for somewhere to stay. I have a few suggestions, Piazza Venezia or Piazza Barberini would be a good choice because of their central location. St Peters and The Vatican is a nice area to stay but it can be a little harder to get to other places from. My personal preference would be to stay in Trastevere; this would give you a real Roman experience although there are only a handful of hotels located there.

Termini seems to be a popular tourist location because it has plenty of cheap hotels and is accessible to all the main sights in Rome. Personally I would avoid Termini, the restaurants are appalling and the crime rate here is above average.

Places to see

No matter how many days you plan to spend in Rome it will never be enough. When people come to Rome they often only stay for two or three days so here is a suggested itinerary for two days:

Recommended Itinerary – Day 1

1. Early Morning: Take a trip to St Peters. If possible try to visit before 9am as you will beat the crowds and get a completely different experience to one when it is full of hundreds of people all taking photos and driving you crazy.
2. When you have finished at St.Peters follow the surrounding wall around to the Vatican museum (on your way you will see a little ice cream shop on your right, my personal favourite in all of Rome). Again it is best to get to the museum as early as possible as the queues can get ridiculous. Ignore the people trying to sell you tours and head in on your own, you can always hire an audio guide once inside. Allow a couple of hours in the museum.
3. Once you have finished in the museum jump on the metro and head in the direction of Termini for three stops. Once at Flaminio jump off and head to Piazza del Popolo. I would imagine that you are now feeling a little hungry and in need of a beer. A great stop for excellent pizzas is Pizza Re (Pizza King) on Via di Ripetta.
4. Next head along Via del Corso and check out the shops. Some shops you might like and some you might wonder who the hell buys the stuff in them. Romans tend to have a unique sense of fashion (as you will see from those around you!).
5. Follow the signs or your map to the Trevi Fountain, once there beware of beggars and people trying to sell you useless rubbish.
6. Round the corner from the Trevi Fountain you will find the famous Spanish Steps. Walk and up feel free to count them (if you’re feeling masochistic!). Now with your back to the steps, head right and make your way to Barberini (along Via Sistina).
7. Once at Barberini you will see one of Bernini’s famous fountains, an impressive sight before the final part of the journey. Walk along Via Barberini until you come to Piazza della Repubblica. If you feel like you’ve earned a special treat, I would suggest sitting outside the Boscolo Hotel and enjoy an expensive but well deserved Mojito.
8. After a pretty hectic day you might fancy a quiet meal. I would recommend “Perdincibacco” next to St.Peters on Via delle Fornaci. The food here is good and you’ll get a very good litre of house red for just €6.

Recommended Itinerary – Day 2

1. The first stop is to visit the Colosseum, if possible I would suggest trying to get a ticket in advance, there is a good chance you can get it from your hotel or they will point you in the right direction. Again avoid the offers of tour guides or having your photo taken people dressed up as gladiators. It may look fun but they will charge you over €10 for the privilege!
2. After you’ve exhausted the Colosseum head to the Forum , here you can walk around ancient ruins for free.
3. You will end up in Piazza Venezia, from here it would be a good spot to stop for a coffee. In cafes you will rarely see Italians sitting down having a coffee, this is because they know the coffee prices are ridiculous in tourist spots (two or three times the normal price!)
4. After you’ve enjoyed your probably very expensive coffee, make your way down Via del Corso until you see signs on your left for the Pantheon. The Pantheon is a very busy spot, but a good mix of locals and tourists. Once past the crowds head inside and have a good look around, it’s an incredible monument and my personal favourite.
5. For lunch you can do as Romans do and stop off for Pizza al Taglio. You will probably have seen various places selling large slabs of pizza. A slice of pizza will be cut off for you depending how hungry you are! They will then weigh it and tell you how much you owe. The pizza in Rome is incredible and very different to what you have probably eaten in the rest of the world!
6. After the Pantheon and lunch make your way to Piazza Navona and Campo di Fiori (field of flowers, not that you will see any there!), both places are fantastic spots to stop for a coffee (this time it’s worth paying the extra and having a seat). Kick back, take a rest and do some quality people watching. Caffe della Pace behind Piazza Navona it isn’t a cheap stop at €5 for a freshly squeezed orange juice, but it’s well worth it.
7. Once the sun has gone down, I would highly recommend heading back to the Colosseum to get some photos, an incredible sight with the lights inside turned on.
8. Then head to Trastevere and take a stroll around the cobbled streets before choosing one of the many excellent local restaurants. I would recommend “Da Agusto” or a lovely trattoria “Da Lucia.” A good tip when choosing a restaurant is that if you see a group of Italians waiting outside it’s a pretty safe bet.
9. After dinner and maybe an ice cream (you can’t come to Rome and not try their ice cream!) you may fancy a bar or club. Most tourists would head to Campo di Fiori but some of the city’s best night clubs are in Testaccio. Rome’s nightclubs are a pretty unusual experience but definitely worth a visit.

Rome is a wonderful place with so much to offer. If you enjoy it half as much as I did you I’m sure you’ll have a great time!

Rome: the Lowdown

Rome is the capital of Italy and is located in the central-western portion of the Italian Peninsula, on the Tiber river. Rome is a very historic city and is over two and a half thousand years old and was one of the founding and most powerful cities in Western Civilization. It is often cited as one of the best cities to visit in the world. Rome has hot dry summers, wet and cold winters and pleasant temperatures in spring and autumn. It is not uncommon to have fine beach weather from the start of May until the middle of October.

Good value popular hotels in Rome

• WRH Trastevere (One of only a few hotels in Trastevere)
• Apollo Hotel (near the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain)
• Hotel Artorius (quiet but very central location)
• Caesar House Residenze Romane (close to the Colosseum with views over the Roman Forum)
• Or search over 30 major travel sites at once to find the best price for all hotels in Rome.

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