As a metropolitan, cosmopolitan city, Paris doesn’t immediately spring to mind as a runner’s paradise. Like many other capital cities, it is full of people, pollution, busy roads and urban buildings – things which make it a vibrant place to live, but not always to immerse oneself in nature. However, the reality of the matter is that, whether you are looking for a quick morning jog, want to train to run long distance or even partake in ‘running tourism,’ a term coined (by myself) to encompass the new role running has in travel, Paris has something for you. Which is why, arriving in the French capital amidst a national lockdown, I was keen to experiment with routes across the city and compile a list of my favourite spots to walk, jog, run or even rollerblade!

​Bois de Boulogne
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​To the west of Paris, right next to the 16th arrondissement, you’ll find the expansive Bois de Boulogne, a forest with two gorgeous lakes right at the centre. Boasting some 35 miles of trails, look no further for any running desires. Since I live 5 minutes away, my favourite (and most practised!) jog circles both lakes, totalling roughly 5km. On the weekend, you can even stop at some of the little café stalls for a chocolat chaud or crepes. From the stunning views across the lake to the thick, shady woodland areas, there’s no surprises for guessing why the path surrounding the lakes on a Saturday morning is reminiscent of a world far pre-Covid…

​Champ de Mars

A breath of fresh air in the centre of Paris is the Champ de Mars, famously known for framing the Eiffel Tower. When I first moved here, my apartment was merely a few hundred metres away, meaning I could easily visit the park every day, even within my 1km allotted radius for exercise. As such, I could (legally!) jog up and down the gorgeous, lined pathways as much as I liked! For interval training, use the straight pathway on the side bordering the 7th arrondissement, and for a nice and flat 5km route, roughly 2 laps of the entire park, including the Eiffel Tower, should take you to the distance you want. Don’t forget to pause and look up in awe at one of the world’s most iconic landmarks!

​Parc Monceau

Not always on the radar of tourists, Parc Monceau boasts one of Paris’ most beautiful green spaces, hidden just outside of the city centre. In the heart of the 8th arrondissement, you will find this small but beautiful park. Built in 1778 by the cousin of King Louis XIV, the Duke of Chartres, it consists of an eclectic mix of historical statues. From a miniature Egyptian pyramid, to a statue of Guy de Maupassant and a Roman Colonnade, it really does capture an ancient, mysterious, and grandiose air. Whilst the perimeter of the park is around 1km, you can always extend your distance by adding in a detour to the Arc de Triomphe, a kilometre away if you go directly up Avenue Hoche, a quintessentially Parisian boulevard. Personal recommendation – the kiosk in the middle of the park has some of the most underrated crepes in all of Paris!

La Seine – the Tourist Route

​Ever since I got into running, I’ve found that one of my favourite ways to see a new city is to go for a jog through its centre. It is a wonderful way to see the city in its true colours. Paris, I’ve found, is particularly beautiful early in the morning, where you can see commuters on their way to the boulangerie to pick up a breakfast croissant. On a Saturday morning, the banks of the Seine are packed. The banks are very well adapted to walkers and runners alike, being particularly flat and pedestrianised. Whilst you can run along this river for miles, far beyond the borders of Paris, it’s also a fabulous way to see the city centre. To really see all the sights and get a feel for the geography of the city, start your route at the metro station Bir Hakeim and run up the Rive Gauche, the left bank of the Seine, all the way up to Notre Dame Cathedral, taking any detours you like to circle the various monuments on your way. You can stop there and check out the street bookstalls by the iconic cathedral, or cross over and run back to create a picturesque 10km route.  This route takes you through some of Paris’ tourist landmarks – from the Eiffel Tower, through most of Paris’ famous bridges as well as the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay, you really get to see so much of the city this way.

​Parc des Buttes-Chaumont

A little less well-known, this beyond gorgeous park, situated in the 19th arrondissement and near the Canal Saint-Martin (also very aesthetic but usually far too packed for convenient running!), makes for a great hill-training session. In Paris, where most areas are relatively flat, the intense hills and scenery here provide not only exquisite views, but also some vigorous training for anyone looking to get those glutes really working!

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​So there you have it – a (semi) comprehensive list of the best places to run in Paris. But don’t worry, these routes work even if you don’t fancy jogging breathlessly across the city – they are just as beautiful and scenic if you’re looking for a walk, sightseeing trip or to sit on a park bench with a pain au chocolat and a café, soaking up the scenes around you.

​​Thinking of the Caribbean, the first image that springs to mind is one of beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters, a relaxing and soothing atmosphere full of sumptuous food. The Caribbean, in my mind, has always sounded like a dream.
 
Travelling to the Colombian Caribbean coast was an unbelievable experience. Setting off from Bogotá, the capital, we (my friend and I) landed in Santa Marta, a beautiful coastal town, quintessentially Colombian: charming, colourful, relaxing; much more tranquil than Cartagena (the main city on the Caribbean Coast). A great little getaway place, we spent a couple of days wandering the streets and discovering this delightful town before moving on to Parque Tayrona. Parque Tayrona is a unique and magical place. A vast stretch of protected land, it contains many paradisiac beaches, and is inhabited by several indigenous communities. We travelled in a small bus, on the floor right by the driver (the only space left on the bus) for a few hours before finally making it to the park. On our arrival, much to our despair, we noticed the park was closed. It was dark and we were disappointed, but we found a nearby hostel and spent the night there before setting off to the park first thing in the morning. Our backpacks strapped to our backs, we wandered into the park, excited to explore what had been described to us as blissful location. The extensiveness of the park means that the beaches were rather spread out, and getting to any one was a little bit of a trek – some 10-15 km – in the blazing sun and heat. But the walk itself was lovely, and the beaches were well worth the effort.
 
There is no accommodation in Parque Tayrona – unless you’re ready to splash out hundreds of pounds. Instead, people rent hammocks on the beach, and get assigned small locker in which to store their belongings. That’s what we did whilst we were there – and it was surprisingly comfortable! We went for a swim in the water and ate some fresh fish at one of the small restaurants on the beach before heading to our hammocks for our first (short) night on the beach. We woke up at 5 am to watch the sunrise – the most beautiful one I had ever seen. A deep-coloured sunrise, with rich colours painting the sky; from orange, red, yellow, to a heavenly blue and purple; it was breath-taking.
 
As we left Parque Tayrona, sweaty, smelly and covered in mosquito bites, we made our way to our final destination: Cartagena, a stunning, vibrant and glowing colonial city. We travelled by bus again, taking in the beautiful Colombian scenery on the way. Arriving in Cartagena, we were amazed. It truly is dazzling. A stunning day with no clouds in sight, vibrant streets full of friendly people, we wandered whilst indulging in the exotic fresh fruits sold at every street corner. We spent the day wandering, before filling our stomachs at a local diner that was family-owned and served succulent Colombian food. The next few days were spent a few days exploring the area, and on the final day we went island hopping in the Islas Rosarias, just off the coast of Cartagena, and swam in the corals; a lovely end to our trip.
 
 
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With a pretty much cancelled summer behind us, it’s no secret that ‘travel’ and ‘2020’ in the same sentence should be taken with a hefty pinch of salt. Those of us who’ve managed to get away have become all too acquainted with more ruthless hand sanitisation, the possibility of having a Covid test sprung upon us at any given moment, and have had to wear a mask that much, that it’s become something of a second skin. Nevertheless, the go-ahead to get away in the summer was the first hint of normality in months; an escape, a small taste of freedom.
 
Writing from my year abroad in the beautiful Bavarian city of Passau, I’ve been fortunate enough to do some travelling during my two months in Germany. Whether or not my friends and I would be able to go abroad was thrown completely up into the air when the pandemic was first declared, so to hear that travel could begin again was a huge relief. A big part of the pre-year abroad excitement is the prospect of being able to explore and really get to know your host country, so this meant we were that step closer to discovering every single thing on our new doorsteps. But things were still uncertain. Would we be able to enjoy ourselves with the virus lingering? Would we be insured? Was it just too great a risk to travel full stop?
 
Travelling to Germany at the end of August was, by this year’s standards, surprisingly normal. Couple the empty airport with being the only person in my three-aisle radius on the plane, and anyone would be instantly anticipating a very solitary month of language classes moved online at the last minute and no chance of seeing any of Berlin’s sights. To my amazement, my entire first month away in the capital was anything but. Berlin was very much alive, with its famous coffee still pouring from each cafe (Gott sei Dank!), tourism thriving and even tequila-infused Mexican street parties. With masks only compulsory in shops and on public transport, it felt like a reassuring new chapter for everyone’s travel diaries. Fast forward a few weeks to celebrating what would have been the final weekend of Oktoberfest in Munich’s beer halls, my hopes of continuing travelling most weekends until Christmas were unquestionably high.
 
One month later, Germany is back in national lockdown. With the possibility to mix with others restricted to just one other household, and the bar taps switched off until further notice, going to work or the supermarket is quite the treat these days! Travel really has come full circle and truthfully, the transition into lockdown wasn’t easy to adjust to after weeks of unexpected freedom. With things changing so quickly at the moment, the best thing if you’re planning to go anywhere is to just be prepared for anything:

• Bring plenty of face masks; it’s always good to have backups and you won’t want to wear the same one every day!
• Keep your hand sanitiser close.
• When booking, look for the flexibility to make changes and potentially cancellations, just for your own peace of mind!
• Be prepared to fill in extra forms on arrival/return. They can be very time consuming, so to save some minutes, keep handy notes of any details you may need to provide, for example emergency contacts, your passport number and the accommodation address.
• Use Google and choose places with plenty to do outdoors, where you’re less likely to be restricted by Covid and last-minute closures. It’s a bit difficult at this time of year, but something to think about for 2021 and the weather’s getting warmer! 

Happy flighting (if you’ll pardon the pun)!
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Sarah Graham
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​Travelling during Covid-19, a concept which seems with the current lockdown, something from another universe. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to travel abroad this summer to Paris with a group of my closest friends, and even with all the changes, it was still an incredible experience.

The whole trip started off strangely: for the whole 8-hour coach journey from London to Paris, I was sitting what seemed miles away from everyone else and was constantly overheating from the mask on my face. I knew then it wouldn’t be like any other trip I had been on before. 

Arriving early morning in Paris and seeing the streets empty and serene was eerie. Having the Champs-Élysées completely silent, the usual choirs of tourists buzzing around the Louvre gone and the expected queues waiting to climb the Eiffel Tower somehow distanced and apart, was disorientating. It was hard to disconnect the typical imagery of tourist-laden Paris from the disquiet of the Paris I was witnessing. There was something nice though about the ability to walk about without having to dodge hundreds of people trying to catch a glimpse of the Mona Lisa or snagging a drink next to the Seine. Due to the various opening and closing of the famous tourist attractions, this is actually what we spent the large majority of our time doing: drinking by the Seine. Our days were filled with drinking, eating and relaxing at various points along the river, reminiscing on our first year at Durham and admiring the beautiful architecture of the famous buildings. Despite the distancing between us and other groups of people, it was also lovely to see families, friends and couples enjoying the city after such a long period of time stuck indoors.
 
One memory which does strike me about the trip was our shopping experience of Galeries Lafayette. The upmarket department store that is usually filled with the sound of excited visitors and happy shoppers was replaced by the constant reminder to wear a mask and keep your distance. The previous act of trying clothes on and experimenting with different outfits was replaced by the fear of touching anything and having to buy it. Definitely not the typical Parisian shopping experience you would expect from the department store. 

​Clearly, the experience was very different to what was expected, or even close to normal times. However, I don't think I would have changed it. The city was filled with people who had been inside for months and were enjoying being outside. It was filled with families enjoying the public parks and taking advantage of the sunshine. We were more relaxed as we knew there wasn't the usual rush to see the sights and visit all the attractions. We took it slower, as we had wanted to rest and refresh after all the months of being separated.
 
Being in Paris during the Covid-19 pandemic was far from normal but definitely a trip I will never forget.

Hanami, literally translated as ‘flower-viewing’ is the yearly Japanese Springtime tradition of celebrating the cherry blossom season. From around the end of March to the beginning of May in mainland Japan, and early February for Okinawa, the country’s millions of trees come into bloom. The blossom forecast (sakura-zensen) is announced every year by the weather bureau, and attentively monitored by those wanting to plan their celebrations under the symbolic flowers. Since 2004 the sakura-zensen has been aided by official blossom monitors; over 10,000 Japanese citizens who are enlisted to painstakingly monitor the state of their local cherry blossom trees throughout the year.

The custom of Hanami dates back to the Nara period (710-794) where people would appreciate the ume blossoms. The practice then morphed into the celebration of sakura (cherry blossoms) as they signified the rice planting season, as well as foretelling the year’s harvest. People believed kami (spirits/holy powers) inhabited the trees and so made offerings, this was followed by the consumption of sake. In the Heian period, Emperor Saga embraced this practice, hosting flower viewing parties with food and sake under the sakura trees in the Imperial Court in Kyoto. This practice spread to the Samurai people and then subsequently the lower classes. Now thousands of people around Japan congregate in parks around the country, holding feasts and parties which last way into the night.

My experience with Hanami occured on a yearly visit to Tokyo at around the age of eight. Taken to the local Asukayama park by my aunt, we sat on blue tarpaulin sheets under the trees with friends, enjoying the homemade onigiri (rice-balls) we had brought and sipping on cold barley tea. The park was overflowing with people of all ages, families, colleagues and friends. I vividly remember observing the people around me, the busy lives of the Japanese momentarily halted by something as banal as nature. Everyone, from salarymen, to tourists, to the elderly. Those who would not ordinarily encounter each other in everyday life, now flocking to the same places to enjoy the very same things. Japan is known for its technology, its work ethic, the fast paced lifestyle of its citizens, and yet the culture that permeates every area of the country’s framework is equally as significant.

To me, Hanami perfectly captures Japanese philosophy, and in particular the concept of wabi-sabi, a form of aesthetics which centres around the acceptance of fallibility and transience. The appreciation of fleeting beauty and the recognition of nature’s impermanent reality is reflected through the sheer number of people who gather to celebrate an ephemeral yet strikingly significant occasion. Gazing at the blush toned petals, people are unified through the country’s rich and vibrant culture. The cultural traditions of Japan, from Hanami, to Obon, to Yama no hi (Mountain Day) allow people to leave their busy lives on pause and focus on something beyond the superficial. These brief moments of reflection are tinged with an impression of serene wistfulness, here brevity is celebrated. 

By Maya Bagshaw

Every culture is interesting and has its own unique aspects, but what makes Chinese culture stand out? Perhaps, the majestic martial arts or the illustrious ancient wonders of China?

Architecture
As you may know, traditional Chinese architecture is eye-catching and is known for its vibrant colourful patterns. There are many Buddhist temples in China which are painted red, gold and blue with hints of green- the colours that Chinese people consider to be ‘lucky’.

A few years back, one of the most striking architectural styles that I had encountered was in Beijing. This was the historic ‘Temple of Heaven’ which consisted of the Hall of Prayer, the Imperial Vault of Heaven and the Circular Mound Altar. All these parts are unique yet share many things in common as they are all circular and are built on levels of marble stone. The circular mound altar differs slightly as there are pillars with carved dragons which appear in the tales and legends of ancient China. For all you philosophers out there, you’ll love this architectural gem as the features of this temple symbolise the connection between heaven and earth, influenced by ancient Chinese philosophy.

Theatre
One of the other things that I appreciate about Chinese culture is the spectacular theatre. Chinese theatrical performances consist of opera, acrobatics and martial arts. Speaking of martial arts, my favourite show was ‘’The Legend of Kung Fu’’ at the Red theatre in Beijing. This show is perfect for anyone who would like to watch an inspirational story with a mixture of graceful ballet and impressive Kung Fu skills.

During the show, I really loved the atmosphere created by the classic fighting style and enchanting music with powerful drumbeats. The plot is about a young boy who wants to become a Kung Fu master but has to overcome his own fears and obstacles that get in his way. This story shows that only we are the ones who can fulfil our dreams and choose the right path.

Cuisine
What comes to your mind when someone mentions Chinese food? Perhaps, sweet and sour chicken or king prawn curry? Well, believe it or not, traditional Chinese food is completely different compared to the food offered at the Chinese take away in the United Kingdom.

As I’m the only British person on my course, I have many Chinese friends from my class who invite me over for lunch regularly, so I always get the chance to try new traditional recipes. One of the most popular dishes amongst Chinese students is the ‘hot pot’ which is a Chinese cooking method and involves laying out a range of raw foods on the table, then cooking the ingredients in the pot whilst sat at the table. The one food that I found rather unique was the lotus flower root which was crunchy and had a sweet-tangy flavour.

Another food that I tried was ‘Mooncake’ which is a traditional dessert and is a round pastry filled with different types of pastes. It also contains an egg yolk in the middle which symbolizes the moon and is associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival. My friend offered me the one that contained lotus seed paste and an egg, accompanied by wild rose tea. Although, this cake may sound absolutely bizarre, I found it rather tasty and it was much sweeter than some English desserts.

Back when I was in Beijing, I went to Wangfujing night market which had a lively atmosphere and was very hectic. What surprised me the most was the fact that they were selling spiders, starfish and fried scorpions on a stick. I didn’t eat any of these as they didn’t appeal to me, but I did try the pineapple steamed rice which was delicious!
 
Music
Two weeks ago, when I went back to my friend’s house and she began to listen to some Chinese zen music, some of my memories of China came flowing back.
I started imagining the waterfalls and scenic landscape of Sichuan created by the sound of the ‘Guzheng’- a Chinese zither where the performer plucks the strings, producing a lovely sound of ‘vibrato’. There was also the clarinet-like sound, produced by the ‘Hulusi’- a wind instrument which is made of bamboo pipes. This music is peaceful and if you’re wanting to relax after all those assignments or escape from exam stress, why not listen to some Chinese zen music?

By Tyler Leck, Travel Editor

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A Scandinavian Winter Adventure
 
Iceland
There’s no better place to embrace the beauty of winter than the land of “fire and ice”. Iceland is one of the most unique countries in the world and is full of natural wonders. The population is slightly larger than that of Newcastle and is known for its friendly natives and offers many beautiful places to explore.

Your first stop should definitely be the Blue Lagoon. After a long day of travelling, why not relax and embrace everything that the geothermal spa has to offer? The sensation of having a warm body and a cold head and shoulders is something that you definitely have to experience. Here, they also offer some iconic silica mud face masks to provide you with an authentic Icelandic experience.
 

 
 
Afterwards, why don’t you head down to the Mid-Atlantic Ridge? For all you geography enthusiasts out there, this the national park where the North American and Eurasian Plates are moving away from each other, leaving a huge canyon-like crack down the middle of the island. Here, the water is like nothing you've ever seen before and if you’re up for it, there is an opportunity to scuba dive in a crack between two tectonic plates. Thingvellir, the national park which is home to a large chunk of Iceland’s Mid-Atlantic ridge also boasts some of Iceland’s most scenic landscapes.
 
When you’re in Iceland, you don’t want to miss out on the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Northern Lights. You can view this spectacular phenomenon from anywhere in Iceland but travelling further North will increase your chances of seeing the light show of your life!
 
Iceland is not very far as it only takes 2-3 hours from most UK cities. What’s more, this country boasts some of Earth's most impressive landscapes with magnificent lakes, waterfalls, mountains and hot springs. Iceland is definitely a place that should be added to your travel bucket list.
 
 
Denmark
 
If the frosty Icelandic weather doesn’t appeal to you, then perhaps Denmark is your next choice for enjoying some Scandinavian culture.

This year, I visited Copenhagen for the first time and from that moment, I realised that I had truly fell in love with the city and the Danish way of life. Travelling to Denmark is much simpler than anyone could imagine as there are direct flights every day. I was even fortunate enough to bag a £15.99 return fare, clearly leaving me no choice other than to experience Denmark’s capital for myself.
 
I would highly recommend buying the Copenhagen Card which entitles you to free entry to historical highlights and you can enjoy a free ride on the buses, trains and metros around the city. The Church of Our Saviour is a must-see as it offers some of the best views of Copenhagen, with an outdoor staircase leading to the top of the spire, it is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Again, the views are absolutely unforgettable! Don’t forget to take a picture of the magnificent views from the top of the church all the way to Sweden!
Copenhagen is also home to Tivoli Gardens which inspired Walt Disney’s famous theme park, Disneyland. What’s more, Tivoli is a wonderful spot to listen to live music and to grab something tasty to eat!
 
Sweden
Thanks to the Oresund Bridge, it’s now incredibly easy to visit Denmark’s neighbours across the pond. You can have a quick visit to Malmö by catching a Flixbus and you can tick off even more Scandinavian countries in just one trip! Malmö is a charming city and not only is there plenty to see, but there are also lots of students as it home to one of the largest universities in Sweden.

 
 
So, it’s time to start dusting off those shiny Monzo cards and get some cash ahead of your trip. Whichever country you decide to visit, Scandinavia will be out-of-this-world! 

Elizabeth Tomlinson

​What’s typically associated with ‘Germany’? The capital city? Berlin is, without a doubt, a trendy and vibrant place for a city break. Perhaps, the Black Forest, with its endless stretches of ancient trees and picturesque villages. But who’s heard of a city called Bonn? 

This was where I went for a couple of days in late September. As a native German speaker, my view of cultural life in Germany is of course, different from most tourists. But being a tourist in your own country is an absolute breeze, leaving you time to discover a variety of beautiful places, especially in Germany which is known for its rich cultural history. 

Bonn probably isn’t your first choice when it comes to a weekend getaway, but it certainly does have its charm. Just like Durham, Bonn has a well-established university, which recently made it to the top list of best German universities. Here, the wonderful ambience made me feel at home, especially when strolling through the Hofgarten, a park near the university buildings or enjoying the lovely panoramic view of the river at the Alter Zoll, just like all those other students!

Like other modern German cities, Bonn is also characterised by its multiculturalism, which is often overlooked when thinking about Germany. Wandering through the city centre, I spotted Turkish fast food restaurants, found Russian and Polish snacks in the supermarkets and later in the evening, I went to the Irish pub for a night out. I was also able to explore cultural diversity in the Haus der Geschichte (House of History), one of the museums on the Museumsmeile, an impressive strip of five museums. This museum specialises in the history of post-war Germany to present-day Germany, I was certainly impressed by the fascinating exhibitions and the great attention to detail. I wandered through the section about the last days of the Second World War and its aftermath, which I found rather ‘‘chilling’’. Then, I listened to a debate which was recorded in the 1960’s in the Bundestag, before viewing the special exhibition on Brexit and British-German relations – a very controversial topic but I’d highly recommend it!

Bonn is situated in the Rhineland, a densely populated region of Western Germany which is perfect if you want to explore other places worth visiting, such as Cologne. I took the opportunity to visit the historic city of Cologne for a day, which is just a short train journey away. Cologne is famous for two things, such as the centuries-old cathedral which towers over one of the central city squares and the Carnival of Bonn. Sadly, I was unable to attend the carnival as I was there at the wrong moment. Nevertheless, I explored the magnificent cathedral with spires and arches which are built in a Gothic style, coloured by age with its distinctive dark colour and is probably one of the most notable types of German architecture. Before returning home, I also had the chance to explore the city centre of Cologne. Although it was a short trip, it was certainly enough to recommend this city to anyone with an interest in languages and cultures. Bonn is an underrated German destination, if you need ideas for new travel destinations– take a trip to Bonn!
 
Cristina Coellen

By ​Ever since I was young, I had always dreamt of going to Egypt as I was fascinated by ancient history and the world of the pharaohs. I had gotten off the plane and had arrived at Luxor International Airport and was greeted by the representative and got a taxi to the hotel called the Steigenberger Nile Palace. The hotel was situated near the classic River Nile and offered a luxurious ambience with a mixture of modern-day Egypt and ancient Egypt. At that very moment, I felt at ease and was very excited to begin my adventure.
My first few days in Egypt involved getting settled and discovering the attractions of Luxor where I visited the Valley of the Kings. This was where I explored the antiquities of ancient Egypt, including the tombs of the great pharaohs surrounded by ancient hieroglyphs on the white, limestone walls.
I visited the ancient wonders by taxi and can honestly say that the traffic congestion was horrendous, especially in Cairo. The driving was absolutely crazy which I would describe as ‘‘wacky races’’ and other cars and buses would zip along at breakneck speed. Nevertheless, it was an interesting part of the experience and I had arrived at the attractions early every day!
 
I stayed for a few days in Cairo and explored the pyramids of Giza and felt as though I was taken back in time. One of my favourite moments was riding a camel late in the evening as the temperature during the day was scorching hot. During the camel ride, there were opportunities to capture photos of these wonderful moments, accompanied by enchanting views of the pyramids and a glowing sunset. Afterwards, I even witnessed a camel drinking a bottle of coke as a party trick for the locals and tourists!
 

Another one of my treasured moments was visiting the Khan El-Khalili bazaar- a market full of vibrance with colourful lanterns, dazzling jewellery and authentic souvenirs, located in the heart of Cairo. Here, I was greeted by friendly locals and was offered Egyptian mint tea for free! It was sweet but very refreshing!
 
Back at the hotel in Luxor, there was entertainment for all the tourists. One of the most striking performances was the whirling dervish which you would not want to miss! The whirling dervish originated in Konya, which today is known as modern-day Turkey. This has become one of the most popular performances in Egypt and is more colourful compared to the traditional Sufi dervish, found in Turkey. The performer ‘’turns’’ or whirls ceaselessly while manipulating vibrant and kaleidoscopic skirts, reaching that shining pinnacle of perfection. Then, surprisingly, the performer wanted volunteers to take part as a whirling dervish and I was one of the few that were chosen. Obviously being nervous but excited at the same time, I put on the skirt and started spinning around. Of course, I was all over the place, but it was very enjoyable, and I think the audience loved it too. I’d encourage anyone to give it a try!

By Tyler Leck, Travel Editor ​

Barranco in my opinion is a must- visit. It is the location I know best, but my bias is supported by how much people who visit it love it. Compared to other parts of Lima, the atmosphere seems more upbeat, bohemian and far more colourful. Just wandering around this district can inspire minds, from the wholesome and thought-provoking street-art to the jaw-dropping street musicians and street vendors. Barranco Plaza is a circus of street-dancers, ice-cream sellers and those flocking in and out of the beautiful church on the corner. By night, Barranco proves to cater for everyone, being home to the most-stocked gin bar in Lima to it’s very own Barranco Beer Company which is a craft beer lovers haven. Music nights also range from classic, and mildly repetitive reggaetón, only made slightly more bearable by a sea view in one famous club called Antiqua. 

If time allows, other cultural experiences not to miss include heading to a salsa club, where even the non-conditioned salsa dancer is welcomed and believe me, there will be many a salsero happy to teach some gringos. Visiting a peña is also another experience that will make your trip to Lima worth it. These traditional dances don’t begin until around 11pm and they are much more local than you may think, often noting a 90% attendance from the local dancers who all seem to know each other. The pisco sours (not to be missed under any circumstances in Lima) flow and might even give you a bit of confidence to try the shuffle-type dance common at these gatherings. 
 
Speaking of pisco sours, it would be rude not to delve into some of Peru’s best dishes while in Lima. Trying ceviche, raw cured fish is an absolute must and will more often than not be a pleasant surprise. Emoliente is a bit like marmite, you either love it or hate it, or in my case get very accustomed to it even after hating it at first. This warm drink found on the street in Barranco can come in a variety of flavours, but the main base is linseed and aloe vera made into a warming drink (don’t knock it until you try it!). Lima is also pretty famous for it’s sanguches, and if you are on a budget this is even better. Leaving without trying a pan con chicarrón would be almost criminal. Other foods to try would be some anticucho, (it is best to find out afterwards what it is), aji de gallina, causa limeña, anything which contains manjar, and one of my favourite dishes: lomo saltado. 
 
Lima is full of quirks, noise and shocking traffic, but it is also host to historical wonders, bustling night-life and culinary delights. Don’t miss this city on your travels, as if anything it sets a context for the country and appreciation of the vastness and diversity that Peru holds. 
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