Stanfords Blog

Travel blogger Aditya Akhauri explains how the railway has become a microcosm of Indian society.

When the British started their Indian railways project in 1853, their intention was to have a means to transport troops, supplies and goods as a means of controlling the country’s political and economic landscape. However, what they didn’t envisage was that if they were able to use the railways to move around swiftly, so too could the Indians. Soon, the huge flow of people across different regions led to the unification of the country – and ultimately the end of the British Raj.

Interesting history apart, the Indian railways today are a network of 65,000 km and more than 7,500 stations. They are the veins that run through Continue reading Indian Railways: A Window to the Subcontinent

With four days to go until New Year’s Eve, we spoke to bloggers and travel industry experts to find out the best places to welcome in 2013.

Alice Bzowska: Budapest

Hungarians take New Year’s Eve seriously and it should come as no surprise that one of the most exciting places to celebrate the end of one year and the start of another is in the capital city of Budapest.

Szilveszter, as it’s known to the locals, comes in the form of anything from swanky fancy dress balls to dinner on the Danube River with traditional folk dances and live gypsy music.

Partying in one of the many charming and cobbled squares is a great way to welcome in the New Year, and one of the most exciting of these is Vorosmarty Square. Winter parties in this stunning square speckled with snow are already in full force a couple of weeks before the first day of January, with merriments beginning before Christmas.

The special three-day celebration for New Year’s Eve starts on 30th December and includes an eclectic mixture of theatre performances and live music from bands from all over the world, as well as an art and crafts fair with handmade trinkets.

No New Year’s celebration is complete without sampling some of the local food, and Budapest has some scrumptious dishes, from traditional roast pork to a hearty lentil soup. Many revellers taste the regional delicacy in one of Budapest’s restaurants before pouring out onto the streets to continue partying it up!

With streets packed full of people of all ages singing, throwing confetti and blowing on paper horns, the excitement is electrifying, making Budapest one of the best European cities in which to celebrate New Year’s Eve.

> Explore the Hungarian capital with our Budapest travel guides and maps

Charlie Gilbert: Amsterdam

Away from the coffee shops and the Red Light District, Amsterdam has one of the best nightlife scenes on the continent, and at no time is this better showcased than New Year’s Eve.

One of the biggest events is Heineken Music Hall’s TIKTAK New Year’s Eve – an electro, dubstep and house party that’ll still be in full swing at half five in the morning. But top of my recommendations is Dazzleville, a one-night New Year’s Eve festival featuring 45 DJs on seven stages and boats at NDSM-Wharf. Just about every music taste is catered for (my thing is roots reggae and dub, a genre that receives a dedicated yurt), and at the stroke of midnight a large wooden beast is burned, which has something to do with Chinese astrology.

For something more family-friendly, I’d suggest heading to the official celebrations in Oosterdok, with the iconic Nemo science centre, VOC Ship and Scheepvaartmuseum forming an impressive backdrop to what’s become a legendary fireworks display. This year looks set to be the biggest yet with Amsterdam celebrating a number of milestones next year: its canals will be 400 years old, the Rijksmuseum will reopen after a major renovation and the Artis Zoo – easily the best zoo I’ve been to – will celebrate its 175th anniversary.

Remember to wrap up warm – Amsterdam in mid-winter can get pretty chilly (so cold in fact that the canal’s freeze solid and ice skating usurps cycling as the preferred method of getting around).

> Discover more of Mokum with our Amsterdam street maps and travel guides

Lauren Holden: Las Vegas

Owing to its bright lights and entertainment factor, grim and dreary Blackpool has earned the title of the ‘Vegas of the north’. But I know where I’d rather see in the New Year. Here’s a clue: it doesn’t begin with B. There’s a reason the celebs roll into Sin City year after year, and it’s not for candy floss and Kiss Me Quick hats. True, it’s tacky, but it really is a playground for adults. Want a night to remember? You’ve picked the right place. From dazzling fireworks lighting up the famous strip to poolside parties and top shows featuring big name acts, counting down to midnight in one of the world’s most unique holiday destinations certainly beats spending the night downing shots in another dodgy UK club. And don’t get me started on the gambling. If you’re heading to Vegas, you’ve got to have a go.

> Learn more about Las Vegas with our range of travel guides and maps

Jayne Gorman: Sydney

The best New Year’s Eve I’ve ever experienced was in Sydney, Australia. Perhaps due to the temperate climate and dazzling sunshine, NYE in Sydney is as much about the daytime activities as it is the night.

We were up and out by 8am to reserve our space on the harbour, picnic rug and snacks spilling out from our shopping bags. During the days leading up to the event the council had been giving out maps in the city listing the best viewing points for the famous fireworks, so we already knew where we were heading. We guarded our small spot of grass all day, enjoying champagne and snacks from the onsite food vans, and when the first round of fireworks went off at 9pm I couldn’t imagine them getting any better at midnight. But they did. The theme that year was ‘Time of Your Life’ – it certainly was.

Jayne is an award-winning travel blogger who manages 40before30.com.

> Explore the best of Sydney with our range of travel guides and maps

Robin Wild: Reykjavik

Seeing in the New Year is a particular cause for celebration for Reykjavik’s locals, especially near Hallgrimskirkja. Icelandic law states that all fireworks and the sale of fireworks is illegal – but only until 30th December. As a result, every New Year’s Eve the city is lit up with fireworks displays!

Robin is an adventure specialist at My Adventure Store.

> Reveal the best of Reykjavik with our range of maps and travel guides

Rahul Aggarwal: North-east India

North-east India is a remarkable place to spend New Year’s Eve – particularly the state of Meghalaya, known as ‘the Scotland of the east’. Among my favourite destinations is Shillong, the state capital, where the locals put on quite a spectacle where archery is concerned. It’s here that the NYE celebrations are centred, though festivities are relatively low-key and relaxed, which are part of their appeal. Other highlights include driving through a landscape dominated by waterfalls to Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on Earth, and visiting the Sacred Forest of Mawphlang.

Rahul is a director at off-the-beaten track tour operator Travel The Unknown.

> Be inspired by north-east India with our range of travel guides and maps

London

The capital’s official New Year’s Eve celebrations will culminate with a spectacular fireworks display in front of the London Eye. But where to get the best view? And what else is happening in London?

Caroline Sandes: I’d recommend avoiding the Millennium Bridge, which spans the river between St Paul’s Cathedral and the Tate Modern. While you’d perhaps think you’d get a great view of the fireworks at midnight, the bend in the river and the tall buildings between the bridge and the Eye – from where the fireworks are set off – means you can barely see anything!

Olivia Haughton:Street Feast London in the heart of Shoreditch promises a great evening at any time of year, but it will undoubtedly be even better on New Year’s Eve. With traders serving food from all over the world, it has a real international flavour.

> Discover the best of the capital on NYE with our range of London street maps and travel guides

It’s time to get the skis out. Snow has been falling across Europe’s mountain resorts, resulting in ideal deep snow conditions usually reserved for the end of January. But with ski holiday prices at the big five – Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland – notoriously expensive, which is the best-value resort to head to?

We take a detailed look at five of the best European ski resorts as named in the Post Office Travel Money Ski Resort Report, which revealed that it’s not just snow falling at the continent’s mountains – prices are too, especially in Italy.

1. Livigno, Italy

Located on the Swiss border, this central Alpine resort offers fantastic ski and snowboard slopes for people of all abilities. Spread over four villages, Livigno is Europe’s highest permanently-inhabited resort at almost 6,000ft.

There are 110km of slopes to explore, with the longest stretching for approximately 7km. Most are beginner and intermediate-friendly, though there 13km of pistes for more experiences skiers and snowboarders.

Part of Livigno’s appeal is its tax-free status – Italian VAT is not paid here – which has encouraged 250 duty-free outlets to set up shop at the resort. And while prices have historically been kept relatively low, they’re approximately 10 per cent lower still this year.

According to the Post Office, the cost of equipment hire, ski passes, ski lessons, meals and drinks comes to £361.85 per person, making it the fourth-cheapest ski resort in Europe.

How to get there: Fly to either Milan or Zurich (both are about 200km away) and transfer via train, bus or hire car.
When to go: Late November to early May.

> Discover more with KOMPASS-Verlag’s Bormio-Livigno map

2. Bansko, Bulgaria

Eastern European resorts are famously cheap, but they have suffered a poor reputation thanks to rickety ski lifts and a lack of facilities. Fortunately, neither is the case at Bansko – a resort boasting modern lifts and first-rate hotels.

Located in the scenic Pirin National Park, Bansko offers excellent accommodation, fast lifts and an interesting town to explore. But most important are its slopes – considered the best and certainly the longest in Bulgaria, they’ve hosted Super-G and World Cup Women’s downhill races; testament to the resort’s facilities and credibility. While the most challenging slopes will be a doddle for experts, there is some excellent tree skiing and opportunities to go off-piste with an instructor.

Snow reliability and management is excellent in Bansko by Bulgarian standards, with the north-facing slopes resulting in favourable conditions throughout the season.

Central to the resort’s appeal are its prices – according to the Post Office, prices per person for the purchases mentioned above came to £264.52, making it the cheapest ski resort in Europe.

How to get there: Fly to Sofia (160km away) or Plovdiv (180 km) and transfer via car or private transfer. While the train journey to Bansko from Sofia is worth it for the views, it does take seven hours – twice as long as travelling by road.
When to go: Mid December to mid April.

> Discover more with Domino’s Bansko (with ski routes) map

3. Soldeu, Andorra

Located 1.5km from Soldeu is the small village of El Tarter, home to one of Europe’s most respected ski schools. If you’re skiing with the family, this is one of the best resorts to head to – not only will the kids be taught by some of the best instructors around (there are 200 speaking a multitude of languages), a ski holiday here won’t cost an arm and a leg.

Soldeu and El Tarter are home to 16 family-friendly hotels and 75 rental apartments, all within easy reach of the resort’s 86km of trails (spread over 52 runs, the longest of which, Gall de Bosc, stretches for 8.2km). All slopes are accessed via a gondola or chairlift.

According to the Post Office, a stay in Soldeu this winter is a whopping 18 per cent cheaper than last year, costing a relatively modest £1,121.14 for a family of four – less than £3 pricier than the Slovenian resort of Kranjska Gora, one of the cheapest in Europe.

How to get there: Fly to Carcassonne, Barcelona, Girona, Reus or Toulouse and transfer via car, shared airport transfer or private transfer.
When to go: Mid December to mid April.

> Discover more with IGN’s St Gaudens-Andorra map

4. Sestriere, Italy

The second Italian destination to make the top five list, Sestriere, which hosted the World Alpine Championships in 1997, is described by the Post Office as “the bargain choice” among the country’s world-class ski resorts.

Here, the cost of equipment hire, ski passes, ski lessons, meals and drinks comes to £418.85 per person – 73 per cent cheaper than the £725.73 you can expect to pay at Zermatt in Switzerland. So what do you get for your money?

Well, some of the most reliable snow in the Alps (Sestriere is located in the Vialettea region on the French border) and challenging-to-advanced slopes for starters. There’s access to 400km of slopes spread over 146 runs in the Milky Way region, the longest of which stretches for 5km.

Because Sestriere is a purpose-built result, it’s geared up perfectly for skiers and snowboarders. There are almost 3,500 beds to choose from in various accommodation types, while the 40 shops, 30 bars and dozens of restaurants keep visitors entertained.

How to get there: Six airports are relatively close by, but the closest is Turin (90km to the east). From here, it’s a 1hr 40min train journey to Oulx, where buses operate to the heart of Sestriere.
When to go: Mid December to mid April.

> Discover more with IGC’s Sestriere – Claviere – Prali map

5. Kranjska Gora, Slovenia

Among the best ski resorts for beginners and young families, Kranjska Gora – located in the Zgornjesavska Valley section of the Julian Alps – also happens to one of the best value.

Not far from the Austrian and Italian borders, Kranjska Gora boasts inescapable Alpine charm and excellent accommodation options, with nine hotels and a plethora of apartments to choose from. Its well-groomed runs stretch for over 30km on the north-facing section of Mount Vitranc, with visitors having the opportunity to try night skiing.

Part of the destination’s appeal is that holidaymakers aren’t limited to a single resort – the more adventurous can head to nearby Planica, a location famed for its ski jumping (the first ski jumping hill was constructed here in 1930; the location of the first jump over 200m in 1994).

According to the Post Office, Kranjska Gora is this winter’s second-cheapest continental ski resort, with the average cost of the above purchases coming to £324.56.

How to get there: Fly to Ljubljana, which is 66km away (a 45-minute drive). Alternatively, fly to Klagenfurt in Austria or Trieste in Italy.
When to go: Mid December to late March.

> Discover more with the Triglav National Park map

Tomorrow marks the start of the Christmas holidays, and with a few days to go until the festivities begin in earnest, now’s the time to plan the obligatory family walk. Here’s our top five water-themed suggestions to inspire a festive amble in the English countryside:

1. Marlow

This Buckinghamshire town has the enviable location of being more or less equidistant from London and Oxford, located right on the banks of the River Thames. This is where England’s longest river is at its prettiest, gently flowing through Marlow’s impressive Georgian splendour and under its Grade I-listed suspension bridge, which dates back to 1832. Best explored on a crisp winter’s morning when the frost is beginning to thaw, the beauty of Marlow and the Thames is encapsulated at Higginson Park, which borders the High Street and the riverbank. On the western edge of the park is a designated wetland area; the perfect spot to watch ducks, swans and other waterfowl. You may even be lucky enough to spot a water vole!

> Discover more of Marlow with Discovering Britain’s ‘Tales of a riverbank’ walk

2. Oxford

Approximately 30 miles upstream from Marlow is Oxford, a city famous for its university and riverside location. But relatively few people know that the city of gleaming spires is built on a series of islands, with Oxford also accommodating the River Cherwell, a waterway that joins the Thames south of the city centre. Interestingly, most locals refer to their stretch of the Thames as the Isis, particularly among Oxford’s rowing community (cartographers of old have suggested the Thames should only be referred to as such downstream of Dorchester-on-Thames, where the smaller River Thame and Isis meet). Oxford and its riverbanks are super pedestrian friendly – families can walk in the footsteps of Lewis Carroll from Folly Bridge or explore Bodleian Library, Christ Church and New College – locations from the Harry Potter series of books and films.

> Explore Oxford’s waterways with Discovering Britain’s ‘City of streams and spires’ walk

3. Faversham

Established on Faversham Creek, this Kent market town’s history can only be described as explosive – after all, it was here that England’s explosives industry was born. Faversham is also at the heart of the country’s hop-growing trade, with its Shepherd Neame Brewery claiming to be the oldest brewery in the world; its roots traceable to 1698. Closer to the town centre is a collection of wonderfully-preserved original medieval houses, particularly along Abbey Street, where its buildings were saved from destruction as recently as 1958. Faversham can be easily explored on foot – from its impressive Victorian station it’s a short stroll to the medieval centre and onwards to the empty expanses of Kent marshland – the inspiration behind Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations.

> Find out more about Faversham with Discovering Britain’s ‘Boats, bangs, bricks and beer’ walk

4. Leamington Spa

Royal Leamington Spa, to give it its full title, is named after the River Leam – and close to here in 1814 the famous Royal Pump Rooms and Baths were opened. They quickly grew in popularity, with the salty spa water said to cure everything from rheumatism to gout, and to accommodate the new wave of wealthy visitors numerous Georgian townhouses were constructed. It was so loved by the well-to-do crowd that Queen Victoria felt compelled to grant it a Royal prefix in 1838, and indeed she visited the town herself, both as a princess and later as queen. Intersected by the River Leam, its floodplain is adorned by a number of picturesque open spaces and pleasure gardens for Georgian and Victorian ladies and gentlemen, all of which are perfect for exploring.

> Learn more about Leamington Spa with Discovering Britain’s ‘Taking the waters’ walk

5. Avon Valley

Aside from its natural beauty, the Avon Valley’s claim to fame is that four types of ground transport can be found there: canal, river, rail and road (the Kennet and Avon Canal is part of the through route between Bristol and London; the Avon Valley Railway attracts 80,000 visitors per year on a three-mile heritage route from Bitton Station, with special Santa routes operating over the festive period). A perfect stop-off on an Avon Valley walk is the village of Saltford, where you can sup a hard-earned glass of mulled wine in one of its four cosy pubs. There’s also a number of old buildings to explore, from the 18th century Old Brass Mill, which is Grade II listed, to Saltford Manor House – England’s oldest continuously-occupied house, dating from 1160.

> Amble along the Avon Valley with Discovering Britain’s ‘Connecting cities’ walk

These walks are just a small selection created by the Royal Geographical Society. Its Discovering Britain project aims to create 100 new walks around Britain that tell the story of our rural and urban landscapes.