Month: February 2012

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Panama travel guide

Getting from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

Panama City , the capital of Panama, is also the transportation hub in the country. If you travel from abroad, this is where you’ll land and from where you’ll depart to visit the rest of the country. The city offers great shopping and even if you don’t speak Spanish, you’ll be happy to know that some English is spoken here.

Bocas del Toro is located in the Caribbean West region of Panama. The city is small and can be tackled on foot. Other good options include renting a bike or a scooter. One of the activities Bocas del Toro is popular for is scuba diving, but of course you can also soak up the sun and enjoy the beach related past time.

Quick summary

The cheapest option for travel between Panama City and Bocas del Toro is the bus via Almirante, followed by a ferry or a water taxi. Another option is the plane, but airfare costs about 3 times more than the bus fare.

Flights from Panama City (airport code: PAC) to Bocas del Toro

While your international flight will land on Tocumen International Airport (PTY) in Panama City, the flights to Bocas del Toro depart from Gelabert/Albrook Airport (PAC). The airport is located just 1.5 km from the city center and the majority of the flights operated here a domestic.

Bocas del Toro is served by Bocas del Toro “Isla Colón” International Airport (BOC) , which is also located just 1.5 km from the city center.

Flights between Panama City and Bocas del Toro are operated by Aeroperlas and Air Panama. The rumor is that both companies will start operating flights from Tocumen as well, starting with June 2012.

You don’t be able to find the flights via large search flight engines (i.e. Kayak), so you are left with checking the airlines directly. Expect to pay US$80 one way on either Air Panama or Aeroperlas. The flight time is an hour.

>>book flights to Panama and read about Airports in Panama

Buses and ferries from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

There are direct buses from Panama City to Bocas del Toro , via Almirante. The bus departs Panama City from the terminal near Albrook Airport. In Almirante you need to transfer to the water taxi or ferry to Bocas del Toro. The total travel time is about 8 ½ h and the fare is around US$27 one way. Indirect buses are also available via David.

Your best bet is to show up at the bus terminal a day or two before the departure and get your ticket.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Panama

Driving from Panama City to Bocas del Toro

You can rent a car in Panama City and drive to Almirante and then transfer to ferry or water taxi to Bocas del Toro. The distance is 508 km and the drive time is about 8 h.

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Peru travel guide

Getting from Cusco to Machu Picchu

The gateway into the Machu Picchu site is the city of Cusco , which is served by an airport and a bus terminal. Cusco used to be the capital of the Inca Empire and there are plenty of things to see here. Which is great, because if you want to take the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu , you will need to adjust to the altitude and the best places to do that is in Cusco.

The Inca site of Machu Picchu is located in the Andes. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited sites in the world. To enter Machu Picchu you need a ticket which can be obtained online here . The current fee is 128 Soles / US$47.60 per adult (foreign visitor). While the best time to visit the sit is from April to October, most of visitors come here from June to August. Needless to say, between June and August the site is awfully crowded.


Quick summary

The easiest way to complete this journey is to travel by train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes and then take a bus all the way up to Machu Picchu. If you want to hike but don’t plan to do the Inca Trail, then you can hike from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu ( 8 km).

Train and bus from Cusco to Machu Picchu

There isn’t a direct train link between Cusco and Machu Picchu , but you can this journey with a stop along the way.

1. Train from Cusco to Aguas Calientes.

Aguas Calientes is a small town, located at the bottom of the valley close to Machu Picchu. This is where you’ll stop for a night on the way from Cusco (unless you want to pay a fortune for accommodation in the only lodge in Machu Picchu).

Peru Rail has a monopoly on the Cusco to Aguas Calientes route. The travel time is about 3h 10 min and there are three types of trains connecting the two places. The cheapest ticket is US$56 one way. Book the tickets in advance as the cheapest option is sold out for months in advance. There are 6 departures per day from Cusco but only one train is low-cost. There are five trains on the way back.

>>read more about Train Travel in Peru

2. Bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu

There is a bus which goes all the way up to Machu Picchu. The fare is US$14 return.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Peru

Train and a hike from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Once in Aguas Calientes you can choose to hike the 8 km to Machu Picchu. The trail is mostly steps and it’s not an easy hike , but definitely worth the views. It takes up 1 ½ h – 2 h on the way up and 1 h on the way down. Make sure to bring appropriate hiking boots (the steps can be slippery!) and supplies (water and snacks).

Inca Trail from Cusco to Machu Picchu

Please remember that it’s not possible to hike the Inca Trail independently, you need to be part of a group. Make sure to book the tour in advance because only a limited number of permits are granted each year. The tour departs from Cusco and even though the Classical Inca Trail is the most expensive and the hardest trail take, it’s definitely worth the views and the experience. The trail itself if a 4 days trek but together with the departure from Cusco and return, it takes 7 days to complete the tour.

>>read more about Hiking the Inca Trail

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Peru travel guide

Getting from Lima to Machu Picchu

Lima is the capital of Peru and also most likely where you’ll land if you fly from abroad. It’s a major domestic travel hub and many plan to tackle the rest of the journey in Peru overland rather than by domestic flights.

Machu Picchu is located in the Andes and is the site of an ancient Inca city. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is one of the most familiar symbols of the Inca Empire. It’s also one of the most visited sites in the world.

To enter the site you need a ticket which can be obtained online here . The current fee is 128 Soles / US$47.60 per adult (foreign visitor). The best time to visit Machu Picchu is from April to October, but most of visitors come here from June to August, when it’s awfully crowded.

The gateway into the Machu Picchu site Cusco , which is connected to Lima by air and overland.

>>read more about Getting from Lima to Cusco

Quick summary

Aside from making sure you have the tickets for entering Machu Picchu and all the necessary permits to hike the Inca Trail (if you choose this option), to get to the site, first you need to travel from Lima to Cusco. The cheapest option is by bus (but it takes about 20 h- 21 h). From Cusco , the only way to get to Aguas Calientes is by train. Once in Aguas Calientes you can either take the bus or hike to Machu Picchu.

Flights from Lima (airport code : LIM) to Machu Picchu via Cusco

The closest airport to Machu Picchu is Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ), which serves Cusco. The airport only handles domestic flights.

The direct flights between Lima’s Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) and Cusco are operated by: LAN Peru, Peruvian Airlines , Star Peru and TACA Peru. The travel time is 1h 25 min and the single fare in 2012 is US$176 on TACA Intl Air. Booking directly from the Peruvian Airlines will save quite a bit and you’ll pay only US$118.50 one way (including the taxes).

>>read more about Flights to Peru and Cheap flights to Lima

From Cusco there are three possibilities to get to Machu Picchu:

  • The Inca Trail: is the hardest option and you must consider that you need to get used to the altitude at least for 7 days before attempting the hike. Also, a limited number of tourists are allowed on the trail and you can only go as part of an organized group.
    >>read more about Hiking the Inca Trail


  • Train to Aguas Calientes , followed by bus to Machu Picchu: this is the easiest and the cheapest way to get to Machu Picchu. Aguas Calientes is a small town at the bottom of the valley near Machu Picchu and is the main entrance point to the site. Peru Rail has a monopoly on the Cusco – Agua Calientes Route. Single fares start at US$112 return. The bus from Aguas Calientes to Machu Picchu costs another US$5-6 one way.
    >>read more about Train Travel in Peru


  • Train to Aguas Calientes, followed by a walk to Machu Picchu: it’s also possible to hike the 8 km route similar to which buses take, but it’s mainly stairs. It takes about 1 ½ h – 2 h on the way up and 1 h on the way down. It’s not an easy hike but it’s worth the views, especially if you get to Machu Picchu before the sunrise.

Buses from Lima to Machu Picchu via Cusco

The low cost option is to take the bus from Lima to Cusco. One of the company offering services on the route is Cruz del Sur . There are three departures per day from Lima (2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m). The travel time is 21 h and the single fare is US$68.38. Buses leave Cusco at 2 p.m. , 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The single fare is US64.66. You can buy the tickets online and even choose the seat in the bus.

From Cusco, you have the three options presented above: the Inca Trail, the train to Aguas Clienetes followed by a bus ride or by a hike to Machu Picchu.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Peru

Driving from Lima to Machu Picchu via Cusco

There aren’t any to Aguas Clienetes, so you can only drive from Lima to Cusco. The shortest route in terms of driving time is on Panamericana Sur and takes about 13 h and 15 min (1013 km). It is a long drive so it’s best if more than one of you will be driving. But, it’s possible to rent a car in Lima and drive to Cusco.

From Cusco, you can either choose the Inca Trail – but remember to get used to the altitude for at least 7 days before you attempt the hike – or travel by train to Aguas Calientes. From here, you can take the pus to Machu Picchu or hike the 8 km to the ruins.

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travel guide Vietnam

Getting from Vietnam to Cambodia

Both Vietnam and Cambodia are located in Southeast Asia and both are very popular among travelers, including RTW-travelers and backpackers. In fact, getting from Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) to Cambodia by bus is the typical way to travel between the two countries.

December , January and February are the best months to plan a visit in both countries weather-wise. Needless to say , these are the crowded and more expensive months, too. If you want to avoid the crowds, you can consider traveling during the rainy season, but do remember that some roads aren’t exactly in good shape to be used at that time.

Quick summary

Taking the bus between Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Phnom Penh is a very popular way to get between Vietnam and Cambodia. It’s also cheap and takes about 6 hours. It’s also possible to travel by bus all the way to Siem Reap.

Flights from Vietnam to Cambodia

There are airports in Cambodia that receive international flights: Phnom Penh and Siem Reap.

Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) is the largest in the country but it’s not hub for any airline and receives flights only from Asian cities.

Siem Reap is served by an international airport (REP), which is the second largest in the country, and is hub for Cambodia Angkor Air and TonleSap Airlines. It also receives only flights from Asian cities.

You can fly into Siem Reap from the following Vietnamese airports: Hanoi (Tonlesap Airlines, Vietnam Airlines), Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air) and Da Nang (SilkAir). The cheapest route is Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Siem Reap and the single fare starts at US$173 in early April 2012.

>>read about getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap

You can fly into Phnom Penh from the following Vietnamese airports: Hanoi (Vietnam Airlines) and Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam Airlines, Cambodia Angkor Air). The cheapest route is Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) to Phnom Penh and the single fare starts at US$173 in early April 2012.

>>read about getting from Ho Chi Minh City to Phnom Penh

Read more about:
>>Flights to Hanoi
>>Flights to Ho Chi Minh City

Buses from Vietnam to Cambodia

There are two by land legal entry points between Vietnam and Cambodia. The border crossing at Moc Bai remains the best bet, except during flooding. This border crossing is used by buses going between Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and Phnom Penh (and further to Siem Reap).

Several buses operate daily between Saigon and Phnom Penh. The travel time is about 6 hours and the time includes the ride across Mekong river. Rates are around US$10-15 for a single journey. Try to avoid the cheapest buses (US$6-7 one way) because the conditions of traveling are typically bad.

There’s also a direct bus service between Saigon and Siem Reap and goes through Phnom Penh. The fare is US$18 one way. Alternatively you can travel by bus to Phnom Penh and then take a boat for the rest of the journey (but that’s the more expensive alternative as the ticket is US$35 one way for the boat ride and takes 6 h).

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Peru travel guide

Getting from Lima to Arequipa

Lima is the capital of Peru and the most important domestic travel hub. If you fly from abroad you’ll most likely land here and then either catch a connecting flight or travel by land to other Peruvian destinations.

Arequipa is located in the Southern Costal region of Peru and is surrounded by three impressive volcanoes. It is Peru’s second most important city – after the capital – and the second most popular among tourists – after Cusco. It is where tourists make their base before setting off to explore El Misti, one of the volcanoes surrounding the city and the easiest to climb year round. The city is a mix of Peruvian and Spanish colonial architecture.

Quick summary

Although the bus ride is long (16-18 h), that’s the cheapest option for getting between Lima and Arequipa. If you don’t have that much time on your hands, you can fly (for about twice the bus fare).

Flights from Lima (airport code: LIM) to Arequipa

The capital of Lima is served by Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) , located 11 km from the historic city center. It is a major domestic hub and also the most important international gateway into the country. The airport is hub for the following airlines: LAN Peru, TACA Peru, Peruvian Airlines, Star Peru and LC Busre.

Arequipa is served by Rodríguez Ballón airport (AQP) , which is one of the most important entry points in Southern Peru, along with Cusco’s airport. It’s not hub for any airline but it receives both domestic flights and some international flights (South America).

Flights between Lima and Arequipa are operated by LAN Peru, Peruvian Airlines, Star Peru and TACA Peru. The flight time is 1h 25 min. Regardless of when you fly in 2012, expect to pay from US$111 one way on TACA Intl Air.

Although Peruvian Airlines is not listed by all flight booking engines (such as Kayak), for this route they offer more expensive flights than the cheapest direct option mentioned above (US$127 one way on Peruvian Airlines).

Read more about:
>> Flights to Peru
>>Flights to Lima

Buses from Lima to Arequipa

Unlike other large Peruvian cities, Lima doesn’t have a central bus terminal. Most buses arrive in La Victoria (which is not the nicest neighborhood) but others stop on the outskirts of La Victoria.

Arequipa has two bus terminals: Terminal Terrestre and Terminal Terrapuerto, located close to each other.

Cruz del Sur offers 7 buses per day from Lima. The first departure is at 6:30 a.m. and the last at 9 p.m. For the day time buses the regular single fare is US$ 37.56 and for the night buses is US$52.81. The travel time is 16-18 h.

Flores (site in Spanish) and Oltursa (site in Spanish) also operate between the two cities.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Peru

Driving from Lima to Arequipa

Although the drive is very long , if you choose the Panamericana Sur route (1028 km) you will be blessed with superb views along the way as most of the road is right by the coast. But it’s a 13 h drive so make sure plan stops along the way. It’s even better if there is more than one driver willing to tackle this journey. Rent a car in Lima but plan several stops along the way.

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travel guide Turkey

Getting from Istanbul to Greece

Turkey and Greece , once foes, now friends and always bordering each other…two countries which have similar cuisines and cultures. In some parts of Turkey you can swear you are actually in Greece…and the opposite is exactly the same. Thanks to being so close to each other, many travelers plan to visit both countries during their vacations. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to travel between Istanbul and Greece. Choosing the right one for you depends on your budget and how much time you plan to spend traveling.

Quick summary

Should you plan to get between the capitals, the simplest choices are : flights and buses. Bus fares are slightly cheaper but the travel time is 16 hours. Flights take under 1 ½ h. Should you plan to get anywhere else in Greece, there are always the ferries available. Or a combination of flights and ferries.

Flights from Istanbul to Greece

Turkey has several international airports but only some of them offer direct flights to Greece’s airports .

Direct fights between Istanbul and Athens are operated by Olympic Air, Aegean Airlines and Turkish Airlines. The flight time is 1h 20 min and the cheapest ticket is provided by Olympic Air (single fare: €71 during the shoulder and high tourists seasons 2012).

Direct flights from Istanbul to Thessaloniki are operated only by Turkish Airlines. The flight time is 1h 25 and fares are more expensive than the fares to Athens (single fare: €133 during the shoulder and high tourist seasons 2012).

There aren’t any direct flights between Antalya and Athens or Thessaloniki. Neither there are from Izmir or Bodrum to Athens or Thessaloniki. And if you want to fly from Turkey to one of the Greek islands, you’ll most likely go via Athens. So, your best bet is to plan your flight from Istanbul to Athens and then continue by ferry or domestic flight to your destination in Greece.

Read more about:
>>Flights to Greece
>>Flights to Turkey

Trains from Istanbul to Greece

Unfortunately, as of February 2011, due to the economic state of Greece, all international trains to/from the country have been canceled, the Istanbul –Thessaloniki-Athens train including.

Ferries from Istanbul to Greece

There are no direct ferries between Turkey and mainland Greece , but you can take the ferry from Turkey to some Greek islands and continue the journey via domestic Greek ferry or by plane. Of course, in Turkey, you can travel from Istanbul to the ports by bus (or train and bus).

Here are the possible routes:

  • Marmaris to Rhodes : runs year round . During the winter, ferries run on Fridays and Tuesdays. They depart Marmaris at 9 a.m. and arrive in Rhodes 2h 15 min later. On the way back, ferries sail on the same days of the week and the departure is at 2:30 p.m. from Rhodes. Please note that it may not be possible to book some routes via the ferry booking website .

    >>read more about Getting from Rhodes to Athens

  • Kusadasi to Samos : the ferry route is open between April and October. It sails two times daily, from Kusadasi, at 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. On the way back, catch the ferry from Samos (either port of Vathy or Pythagorion) at 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. The trip takes about 1h 15 min. The single fare is €35.
  • Ayvalik (close to Izmir) and Lesvos : it sails Monday to Saturday and the single fare is €30. The travel time is 1h 10 min.

    >>read more about getting from Lesvos to Athens

  • Bodrum to Kos : it departs Bodrum at 9:30 a.m. On the way back catch it from Kos at 3:30 p.m. The single fare is €38.
    >>read more about Getting from Kos to Athens and Getting from Istanbul to Bodrum

You might also want to read about Getting from Turkey to Santorini , just in case you plan to do some island hopping on the way to Greece.

Buses from Istanbul to Greece

Once upon a time there were many companies operating between Turkey and Greece, but not anymore. Still, there are departures and you can get a bus from Istanbul and get off in Athens.

Metro Turizm is one of the companies operating on the Istanbul – Athens route. They run a bus per day, which departs Istanbul at 6 p.m. and gets to Athens 16 hours later. The single fare is either 140 Turkish Lira / €59 or 150 Turkish Lira / €64.

>>read more about Getting from Istanbul to Athens

Driving from Istanbul to Greece

You can rent a car in Istanbul and drive to Greece, but make sure to ask whether you are allowed to take the car across the borders.

According to Google Maps, the shortest route between Istanbul and Thessaloniki is on E9. The total distance is about 600 km, which can be covered in about 7 hours.

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The shortest route between Istanbul and Athens is by sea and land (with 3 ferry crossings). However, you can also choose the 1100 km route via A2/E90 and E75, which is by land only and takes about 12 hours. Of course, plan some stops along the way (in Thessaloniki , for example).

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Photo credits: Athens airport , Ferry Rhodes

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Peru travel guide

Getting from Lima to Cusco

Lima is the capital of Peru and also the largest city in the country. It mixes the modern metropolis look with the old colonial architecture in the center and the unavoidable slum areas in the outskirts. It’s the best city to indulge in the local foods, especially the fish and seafood. Summers are usually nice with warm temperatures but winters are rainy and overcast.

Cusco , located in the Southern Sierras , was once the capital of the Inca Empire. Added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list, Cusco is the base for those planning to explore Machu Picchu and other Inca sights in the region. But the city itself shouldn’t be missed either, with its superb colonial architecture and the near-by ruins.

Quick summary

With no rail between Lima and Cusco, if you plan to travel by land , the cheapest option will be the bus (but the bus ride is quite long). For about the double the bus fare you can fly between the two cities.

Flights from Lima (airport code: LIM) to Cusco*

Jorge Chavez International Airport (LIM) serves the capital of Lima and is the most important international gateway into the country. It’s also an important domestic hub. It is located about 11 km from the historical center and is hub for the following airlines: LAN Peru, TACA Peru, Peruvian Airlines, Star Peru and LC Busre.

Cusco is served by Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport (CUZ) , which is located right at the edge of the city. It is not hub for any airline and only handles domestic flights.

Flights between Lima and Cusco are operated by: LAN Peru, Peruvian Airlines , Star Peru and TACA Peru. The travel time is 1h 25 min and the single fare in 2012 is 473.30 Peruvian Nuevo sols (PEN) / US$176 on TACA Intl Air.

However, some airlines are not listed in the major flight search engines (such as Kayak) so booking directly from the Peruvian Airlines website means you’ll only pay US$118.50 one way (including the taxes).

Read more about:
>> Flights to Peru
>>Flights to Lima

Buses from Lima to Cusco

There are direct buses between Lima and Cusco and you can even book the ticket and reserve the seat on line.

Cruz del Sur offers three departures per day from Lima (2 p.m., 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m). The travel time is 21 h and the single fare is US$68.38. On the way back, the buses leave Cusco at 2 p.m. , 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. The single fare is US64.66. You can buy the tickets online and even choose your seat in the bus.

Ormeno is another company which operates between the two cities . At the time the article was written we couldn’t find any buses between the two cities, although they list the route on the website (20 h trip).

>>read more about Bus Travel in Peru

Driving between Lima and Cusco

The shortest route (according to Google Maps) between Lima and Cusco is 925 km via the Panamericana Sur and Route 3S. But it’s not the shortest in terms of time needed to drive between the two cities (about 14 ½ h). If you stay on Panamericana Sur , you’ll be able to drive the distance in about 13 h and 15 min. Do plan for several stops along the way. The scenery is magnificent along the way. So, you can consider renting a car for this route (especially if there are more than one drivers traveling together).

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Note:* when you look for the Cusco on the airlines websites or bus companies websites make sure to look for CUZCO, as that’s how the name of the city is spelled in Peru.

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travel guide Vietnam

Getting from Hanoi to Hong Kong

Hanoi , the capital of Vietnam, is also the country’s second largest city, after Ho Chi Minh City. Although its airport is smaller compared to the other international airports in Vietnam, Hanoi is the main international gateway into the country.

Hong Kong is an important travel destination for Chinese mainland population, but the foreign travelers don’t avoid it, either. Plus, with a history of being a British colony and mixing the west and east is a unique manner, Hong Kong has a lot to offer to its visitors.

Quick summary

The cheapest option to travel between Hanoi and Hong Kong is by train (with two stops along the way). If the budget is not a problem, then you can consider flying as well.

Flights from Hanoi (airport code: HAN) to Hong Kong

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) serves the city of Hanoi. The airport is located about 45 km from the city center and is hub for Air Mekong and Vietnam Airlines.

Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) is the main airport in Hong Kong and an important passenger hub in the area. It is hub for the following airlines: Air Hong Kong, Cathay Pacific Airways, Dragonair, Evergreen International Airlines, Hong Kong Airlines and Hong Kong Express Airways. It is also focus city for numerous airlines, including China Airlines, Virgin Airlines and Air New Zealand.

Direct flights between Hanoi and Hong Kong are operated by Dragonair, Hong Kong Airlines and Vietnam Airlines. The flight time is 1h 50 min. In 2012, expect to pay from US$248 one way on Hong Kong Express to US$365 one way on Vietnam Airlines, depending on the day of departure.

Read more about :
>>Cheap Flights to Hanoi
>>Airfare to Hong Kong

Trains from Hanoi to Hong Kong

While there is no direct train between Hanoi and Hong Kong, you can easily travel overland with stops in Nanning and Guangzhou.

You cannot buy the tickets for the entire length of the journey so you need to buy for each segment. It will add up to about $110 one way . Also remember that you need a visa for China and you need to prove your travel plans (onward or return).

In short, here’s how to get from Hanoi to Hong Kong by train:

1. Take the overnight train from Hanoi to Nanning. This is rather new route (started in Jan 2009) . Trains leave Hanoi daily at 9:40 p.m. (do make sure to double check , though). They arrive in Nanning after 13 hours. The fare is US$23 one way for the hard sleeper and US$35 one way for the soft sleeper. Please note that in Hanoi you need to show the passport with the Chinese visa in order to be able to buy the tickets. Make sure to get your visa in your home country (the Embassy in Vietnam won’t issue visas for foreign citizens).

Alternatively, you can take the bus on the same route. There are several daily buses on this route. The journey time is 7-8 hours and the fare is US$25 one way.

2. Take the overnight train from Nanning to Guangzhou. There are three trains leaving in the evening (7:15 p.m, 5:25 p.m. and 12:30 a.m.). All have soft and hard class sleepers and the travel time is about 7 ½ h. The fare is about US$30 for the hard sleeper and US$43 for the hard sleeper. Since you can pre-book this trip in Vietnam, you are left with showing up at the train station and see what options are available.

3. Take the train from Guangzhou to Hong Kong : the 182 km between the two cities are covered by trains in about 2 hours. There are 12 trains per day and the single fare is HK$190 (about US$25).

Alternatively, you can take the bus from Guangzhou to Hong Kong. There are departures every 30 minutes, from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m, and the single adult fare is US$70. Or you can take the ferry , which takes about 75 min to connect the two cities and the single adult fare starts at HK$147 (about US$20).

>>read more about Getting from Guangzhou to Hong Kong

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travel guide Turkey

Getting from Istanbul to Bursa

Bursa is located in the northwestern part of Turkey, near the Sea of Marmara, about 20 km inland. It was the first major city that the Ottomans had control of and served as the capital of the Empire between 1326 and 1365. The city is filled with historical sights dating back from the early Ottoman period.

Today, it is Turkey’s fourth largest city. It is the gateway to one of Turkey’s highest mountains, Uludağ , and the hear of the winter sports in the country.

Getting from Istanbul to Bursa is not hard and you’ve got plenty choices. It’s all up to you (and the travel budget, of course). Although Bursa is served by an airport , the short distance between Istanbul and Bursa do not require a flight. So, when flying from abroad, you’ll land on Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport (IST) before continuing to Bursa.

Quick summary

The fastest way between Istanbul and Bursa is to travel by ferry to Güzelyalı, followed by a bus to Bursa. Or you can take the bus directly from Istanbul to Bursa but spend about 4 h traveling. Prices are about the same though.

Buses from Istanbul to Bursa

Metro Turzim is one of the companies operating buses from Istanbul’s Büyük Otogar (main bus terminal) to Bursa’s bus terminal. There are buses departing every ½ h to 1h from Istanbul, between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. The travel time is 4 h and the single fare is either 22 Turkish Liras / €9.30 or 24 Turkish Liras / €10, depending on the type of ticket.

>>read more about Bus Travel in Turkey

Trains from Istanbul to Bursa

Bursa is not served by a railway station, but you can travel by train and bus from Istanbul to Bursa.

1) Istanbul to Eskişehir by train: there are four trains departing from Istanbul each day (07:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m, 1:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.) The travel time is 4 h.

2) Eskişehir to Bursa by bus: buses leave right from the train station. Metro Turzim operates 8 buses per day (first one at 3:00 a.m. and the last at 7:30 p.m.) and the travel time is 2 ½ h. The single fare is either 13 Turkish Liras / €5.50 or 15 Turkish Liras / €6.30, depending on the type of ticket.

>>read more about Train Travel in Turkey

Ferries from Istanbul to Bursa

The fastest option to travel between Istanbul and Bursa is the ferry. Ferries depart Istanbul Yenikapı terminal , on the European side of the city and they arrive at Güzelyalı, about 20 km from Bursa. From Güzelyalı you can catch one of the buses which await passengers at the ferry terminal.

The ferry crossing takes 80 minutes and costs 20 Turkish Liras / €8.40 one way ; the bus to the Organize Sanayi metro station in Bursa takes 30 minutes and costs 2 Turkish Liras / €0.85 one way.

Another option is to get from Istanbul to Yalova and from there catch a minibus (dolmus) to Bursa.

All ferries are operated by IDO and the tickets can be booked online.

>>read more about Ferries in Turkey

Driving from Istanbul to Bursa

You can rent a car and drive the 240 km between Istanbul and Bursa on E-80 and E881. The travel time is about 3h 40 min.

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Peru travel guide

Peru in December

December is a perfect time to visit Peru if you don’t like crowds and prefer the more relaxed approach to planning your vacation. If you don’t mind the wet weather you can have the Inca Trail (and Machu Picchu) pretty much for yourself (or in other words it’s not crowded anymore) and you can also enjoy some hiking in the mountains. Everyone is now at the beach but don’t worry as they are not that crowded (yet).

Weather

Weather in Peru depends on the region you are visiting , so in order plan your vacation you need to know what to expect in December in the three distinct weather regions in Peru.

December in the mountain highlands (such as Cusco) falls during the wet season . It’s usually clear in the mornings , though, and most of the rain falls in January and February. The temperatures during the day are mild. Inca Trail is not crowded now but you need to be prepared for the rain.

December is summer time on the cost (such as Lima), so expect to be able to swim and get a lovely tan. Temperatures average 25-35C and there’s hardly any rain.

In the jungle, December falls during the wet season. You can expect rain any time but only rains few hours at a time.

Sample temperatures:

Arequipa avg high 18C ; avg low 7C
Cuzco avg high 21C; avg low 9C
Lima avg high 24C; avg low 18C

Flights and accommodation in December

While December is not the preferred time for most travelers to visit Peru, the airfare and accommodation aren’t very cheap. After all, many festivals take place before Christmas and generally traveling around Christmas is more expensive than during the low season.

What to do

December is one of the best months to head to the beach. It’s not crowded yet –that happens usually in January and February – but you can swim, tan and surf. Visit the beach of Mancora for excellent surfing year round. Chicama is another well known surfing spot in Peru.

You can also spend some time in the city of Cusco . Explore the city’s sights, check out the markets and get used to the high altitude.

If you like climbing, then tackle El Misti and although during summer you won’t need any special equipment, during winter you’ll also encounter patches of snow and ice, so take appropriate gear with you. Make a base in Arequipa and then plan the 2 days / 1 night climb on El Misti.

December is wet in the jungle and most of the trails turn to small rivers. It can rain anytime but the rain doesn’t last for too long. If you don’t mind the wet weather, you can plan such a vacation in Peru now.

Visiting Machu Picchu during this time of the year is quite a lovely option because you pretty much have the Inca Trail to your self (or in other words: not crowded). And the site is not crowded either. Yes, expect rain and bring appropriate gear for it.

Make sure to check out the local food, too. From the bizarre food – fried guinea pig, anyone? – to the national dish of ceviche (raw fish marinated in lemon juice with herbs).

You can also plan to do some sightseeing in Lima or see the Nazca Lines from above.

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