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Where Would You Travel Just to Eat?

David Farley — Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Asia, Europe, North America, India, Japan, Thailand, Spain, Peru, Nightlife

It's a question that comes up again and again. Even more so in the last few years, as the industrialized world seems to become food obsessed. Not just with eating in general but also where it comes from (is it local?) and how it's grown. Our preoccupation with provenance is almost an existential crisis: it seems we have this growing need (no pun intended) to touch our food, to get closer to it, because technology is alienating us in an unprecedented way.

And so now, more than ever, we're traveling just to satisfy that craving - a simple desire and a deeper one. Okay, this is getting way too serious. The point is, when I attended a couple food-centric events recently for the Lucky Rice Festival and the James Beard Awards, both in New York, I asked the participating chefs and mixologists the question: where would you travel just to eat? Not surprisingly many of them were looking to Japan and Spain for their inspiration.

Here's how they all answered:

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Where Would You Travel Just to Eat? originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 May 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo Of The Day: A Glimpse Of The Dargah

Jessica Marati — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Asia, India, Photo of the Day, Middle East

Behind a lattice gate at the end of an alleyway in India lies the Sufi Islamic dargah shrine to Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki, a renowned mystic, saint and scholar. Flickr user The Delhi Way offers us a tantalizing glimpse at what lies inside this sacred space in today's Photo of the Day, taken in the complex of Qutb on the outskirts of Delhi.

Does your hideaway photo belong here? Upload your favorite travel shots to the Gadling Flickr Pool and your image could be selected as our Photo of the Day.

Photo Of The Day: A Glimpse Of The Dargah originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 08 May 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photos Of Cool Cliff Castles

Elizabeth Seward — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Asia, Europe, North America, India, Italy, Spain, Ukraine, United States, Middle East

Nobody minds seeing photos of dreamy castles, especially if the photos are of cool cliff castles. Towering over steep slated valleys and crashing waves, Woman's Day has a great roundup of these kinds of castles on their website here. Featuring castles in Ukraine, Italy, Spain, Tibet, Yemen, USA and India, these photos are the thread with which fantasies are sewn. Knights in shining armor, damsels in distress, drawbridges and dragons, anyone? I'm pretty sure these castles were the backdrops behind the stories surrounding all of those things. For that, these are places worth visiting. And you know what they (by 'they', I mean 'me') say: if you can't visit, look at photos online.

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Photos Of Cool Cliff Castles originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Karakoram Glaciers Defy Trends, Actually Grow In Size

Kraig Becker — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Learning, Asia, China, India, Pakistan, News

Scientists are once again demonstrating that we actually don't really have a clue about how our planet works. A team of researchers from the University of Grenoble in France has released a new report that indicates that glaciers in the Karakoram mountain range are actually growing in size. This is, of course, counter to what is being observed elsewhere across the planet and defies the theories behind global warming.

The scientists who conducted the study used satellite imagery collected from 1999 through 2008 to compare the land surface elevation over that period of time. Their observations indicate that the mass of the glaciers in the Karakoram continues to grow, even as others in the nearby Himalaya Mountains and around the world are actually in retreat.

Critics of the study are quick to point out that this method of research hasn't proven to be reliable just yet. There are a number of factors that can interfere with the imagery including cloud cover and the amount of snow on the ground. They say that the only way to be sure that the glaciers are growing is to visit them in person and take measurements by hand. That isn't easy in a place like the Karakoram, which is amongst the most remote and unexplored regions on the planet.

Located along the borders of China, India and Pakistan, the Karakoram runs about 310 miles in length and features some of the tallest mountains on the planet, including the infamous K2, which is second only to Everest in height. The high concentration of peaks in a relatively small area has made the mountain range nearly impassable at points and has hindered exploration over the years. That rugged terrain would make it very challenging to get an accurate measure of the glaciers there, which is necessary in order to verify the findings in this study.

[Photo credit: Guilhem Vellut via WikiMedia Common]

Karakoram Glaciers Defy Trends, Actually Grow In Size originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 17 Apr 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rising Fuel Costs Cause No Reason To Kill Vacation Plans

Chris Owen — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Business, North America, India, Italy, United Kingdom, United States, Chile, Peru, Budget Travel

As travelers make plans for summer, rising fuel costs are coming into play more than ever. Still, a recent survey indicates that vacation loyalists continue to plan summer travel by land or air, despite rising fuel costs.

"Many Americans consider travel a mainstay to our way of life and are loyal vacationers," said Bill Sutherland, vice president, AAA Travel Services in a statement. "While some Americans may modify their travel due to rising fuel costs, those who can are still choosing to travel and they are traversing the world."

According to a recent AAA survey, many seasoned vacationers are expanding their travel horizons to exotic faraway lands too. While many Americans head to their computers when planning a summer getaway, AAA has seen a continuation of the number of vacationers seeking expert advice from a travel counselor to help guide their decisions, save time researching and get information on popular destinations.

The top 10 destinations asked about?

By land

By air

AAA has more than 54 million members, is a not-for-profit, fully tax-paying leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.

[Flickr photo via david drexler]

Rising Fuel Costs Cause No Reason To Kill Vacation Plans originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 08 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo Of The Day: Meenakshi Temple

Elizabeth Seward — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Photos, Asia, India

Take a glance at this photo of the Meenakshi Temple in Madurai, India. With this still taken by Keith Pennington, it's not too much to ask to envision yourself there. The market within the temple is colorful and vivacious, and bustling with activity. Founded during the Pandya times, the temple was completely rebuilt by the Nayakas. Most of the structures today in the temple date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. The temple is located in the heart of Madurai, a 2,500-year-old city. Attracting nearly 15,000 visitors a day. You can place a safe bet on this market being busy should you find time to visit.

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Photo Of The Day: Meenakshi Temple originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Apr 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: A sadhu singing by the Ganges River, Varanasi

Sean McLachlan — Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Asia, India, Video

One of the best gifts travel gives you is all the great music you wouldn't otherwise hear. Strange tunes often stick in the mind long after the memories of meals and sights have dimmed. Last week I brought you a video of a kalimba player in Malawi. Here's a completely different tune from a completely different country, yet both tunes have gotten into my head.

This man is a sadhu, one of the countless Hindu holy men who wander the city streets and country roads of India preaching the tenets of Hinduism. He's playing by the Ganges River in Varanasi, one of the holiest spots for Hindus. Watch how he plays two instruments and sings with ease. The camera is a bit shaky at the beginning but gets much better. Does anyone know what he's singing?

Video: A sadhu singing by the Ganges River, Varanasi originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 18 Mar 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty

Jessica Festa — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, History, Learning, Photos, Asia, Europe, North America, India, Philippines, Russian Federation, Turkey, Italy, Poland, Portugal, United Kingdom, Hotels and Accommodations, Middle East, Luxury Travel

Have you ever wondered what it's like to live like a king or queen? While you may not have been born into royalty, you can still live lavishly, if only for a weekend.

While five-star hotels can offer plush bedding, spacious penthouse suites, and high-class amenities, it's nothing compared to the luxurious living offered at these palace properties. Genuine artifacts from centuries ago adorn the halls, acres of lush gardens, furniture made of gold - no expense is spared at a palace hotel. Not only that, but you'll be sleeping in the same space as kings, queens, and society's most elite members once did, long ago.

Sound like fun? Before you start planning your next royal getaway, check out the gallery below.

[flickr image via CSvBibra]

Gallery: Palace Hotels From Around the World

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15 palace hotels that will make you feel like royalty originally appeared on Gadling on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nat Geo announces People's Choice Adventurer of the Year

Kraig Becker — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Climbing, Paddling, Asia, Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Ecotourism, News

This past November, National Geographic announced their selection for the 2012 Adventurers of the Year, bestowing the honor on a group of 12 very worthy men and women from across the globe. That list included the likes of long distance hiker Jennifer Pharr Davis, who set a new speed record on the Appalachian Trail, and Gerlinde Kaltenbrunner, the first woman to climb the highest mountain on the planet without the use of supplemental oxygen. At the time of the announcement, National Geographic also launched a website that allowed the general public to cast their votes for their favorite adventurer. Now, more than 72,000 votes later we have a winner in the People's Choice category.

The 2012 People's Choice Adventurers of the Year are Sano Babu Sunuwar and Lakpa Tsheri Sherpa, who gained worldwide attention last May when they climbed to the top of Mt. Everest and paraglided off of the summit. Their 42-minute flight down the Khumbu Valley was simply the beginning of their adventure, however, as they continued their expedition on sea level. The duo rode bikes to the nearest navigable river, then kayaked across the border into India where they eventually paddled onto the Ganges River, leading them all the way to the Indian Ocean.

Along the way, the two men displayed a true sense of adventure. Not only was this a grassroots expedition that didn't have a sponsor, but also, the travelers were forced to borrow gear from friends just so they could set out on their journey. As if that wasn't enough, Lakpa had never even set foot in a kayak before and still doesn't know how to swim, while Babu had no experience as a climber. Not many people complete their first major ascent on the tallest mountain on the planet, yet he was still able to follow his friend to the summit.

You can read more about their amazing story as well as the other Adventurers of the Year by clicking here.

[Photo courtesy of Sano Babu Sunuwar]

Nat Geo announces People's Choice Adventurer of the Year originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Indian government relocates villagers away from tiger reserve

Sean McLachlan — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:15:00 EST

Filed under: Activism, Asia, India, News

The village of Umri in Rajasthan, India, is no more.

The entire population of 82 families, some 350 people, has been relocated because the village stands inside the Sariska tiger reserve, the BBC reports. The move aims to protect the local tiger population, which is rebounding after being wiped out by poachers several years ago. This reflects a gain in tiger population nationwide after stronger efforts against poaching and mitigation efforts with local human populations.

Tigers are feared by the villagers, who not only worry for themselves but their livestock. Often villagers will hunt or try to poison tigers that come into their neighborhood. Humans also compete with tigers for land and wildlife.

Umri is the second village to be moved and all eleven villages in the reserve will eventually be relocated. The Indian government says the villagers are being compensated with free land, livestock, up to one million rupees ($20,241), and are being relocated as close as possible to their old homes.

The case highlights the problems facing conservationists worldwide. Human needs have to be balanced with those of the endangered animals, and doing that can be a tricky business. Relocating villages is a difficult and expensive task, and what will be done with the two national highways that pass through the park remains to be seen.

Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

Indian government relocates villagers away from tiger reserve originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chatwal Hotels & Resorts plans for 52 new hotels in India

McLean Robbins — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: India, Hotels and Accommodations, Luxury Travel

Chatwal Hotels & Resorts is planning an aggressive entrance into the India market. The brand recently launched a five year plan to launch 52 hotels (40 Night hotels and 12 Dream hotels) in India.

"For me, India has always been the ultimate hospitality destination", said Sant Chatwal, Chairman & CEO, Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, the ownership arm of Chatwal Hotels & Resorts. "The multifarious lifestyle, culinary and cultural opportunities that this great country offers to the hospitality industry are immensely untapped."

Night will be come the brand's 'affordably chic' hotel option, while the Dream brand is positioned as a full-service, lifestyle brand for gateway cities and resort destinations. The initial launch sites will be a Dream resort in Goa and India's first location for Night in Chennai. These will be followed by New Delhi and Mumbai along with Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur and Udaipur.

Dream(R) and Night(R) hotels are currently in operation in New York, Miami, Bangkok, Thailand and Cochin, India. Plans are in the works for hotels in Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Berlin, Zagreb, Sao Paulo and 10 other properties within the US including Los Angeles.

Recently, Chatwal Hotels & Resorts had announced a partnership with the Wyndham Hotel Group, giving exclusive rights to franchise its Dream(R) and Night(R) boutique hotel brands.

Chatwal Hotels & Resorts plans for 52 new hotels in India originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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How to visit the Taj Mahal

Melanie Renzulli — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: History, Asia, India

"No, madam. I am sorry. Taj Mahal is closed today."

"But," I thought, as I skeptically squinted at the guard delivering this bad news, "this is the Taj Mahal. The TAJ MAHAL! It's one of the most recognizable structures in the entire world. How could it be closed?"

"It's Friday, holy day," offered the gatekeeper. My whole body slumped with disappointment. And just like that I had my Walley World moment.

I had arrived in Agra, India, home of the world's most famous Muslim shrine, on a Friday. No travel agent would have arranged an itinerary whereby I arrived in Agra on the one day that its main attraction was closed. But, seeing as how I was living in India at the time, I thought I could plan my own Golden Triangle adventure. I like to think that jaundice, the disease I had contracted two months before and that had left me home-bound and mustard-skinned up until a week before my travels, had contributed to my lack of planning. But my sister, who had come all the way from the U.S. for this once-in-a-lifetime trip, was none too pleased.

Nevertheless, we did what any traveler in such a situation should do. We rolled with it, retreating to a nearby cafe to work on Plan B. Turns out, arriving on a Friday was the best thing that could have happened to us. Agra was quiet, save for the Hindu wedding livening up the backstreets, and we got the opportunity to see the Taj Mahal and the Agra Fort, the city's other big landmark, from several vantage points.

Gallery: Visiting the Taj Mahal and Agra, India

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How to visit the Taj Mahal originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 places to celebrate Chinese New Year

Chris Owen — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Festivals and Events, North America, China, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, United States, Hong Kong

Chinese New Year occurs in the early months of our calendar year, typically January or February and this year falls on January 23rd. This is the first of 15 days of celebration and the start of the Year of the Dragon.

Chinese New Year (also called the Lunar New Year) is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar and a time to welcome longevity, wealth and prosperity and to eliminate any negative chi from the past.

The origin of Chinese New Year taps several myths and traditions and is officially celebrated in countries and territories such as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and also in Chinatowns elsewhere. Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors.

Gallery: 10 Places that celebrate Chinese New Year

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10 places to celebrate Chinese New Year originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 20 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 Etsy shops from around the world

Elizabeth Seward — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Kenya, India, Japan, Singapore, Ireland, Switzerland, United States, New Zealand, Argentina, Internet Tools, Caribbean

With all of the Etsy shops out there, how are you supposed to know which shops to peruse and potentially support? While it's a good thing to be supporting independent, local, self-made, all-natural, and/or struggling artists, it's a difficult thing to know where to start. So here's some advice, fellow travelers of the world: start with the Etsy shops that bring different regions of the world to your shopping window. Start with the Etsy shops that can transport you into another culture with a single browsing. Start with the Etsy shops that allow you to bring home goods with a flare from your favorite places if you can't always be getting on a plane to travel to those places and bring home the goods yourself. Need some inspiration? Here's a list of 10 Etsy shops from around the world, 10 personal favorites. This should help get you started.

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10 Etsy shops from around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New budget travel magazine debuts: Off Track Planet moves into print

Alex Robertson Textor — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: North America, India, Netherlands, Canada, United States, Argentina, Budget Travel

Off Track Planet, a Brooklyn-based online budget travel publication, takes its f-bomb dropping idiom into print today with the debut of an eponymous magazine.

Off Track Planet, for the uninitiated, is geared toward the 18-30 set and is particularly focused on undergraduates.

Accordingly, the publication directs its attention to several subjects of primary interest to college kids; among these: partying, volunteering, and hostels. This online article, which claims to have located a Buenos Aires "party hostel" that is also "clean and comfy," ensnares two of these themes simultaneously.

Sample articles at the Off Track Planet webzine include an overview of Mumbai volunteerships, a guide to culturally-specific insults, a Berlin club primer, and tips for getting stoned in Vancouver.

This is, in other words, one publication that knows its market.

It is a tough time to launch a print magazine, though Off Track Planet sets off into print with a built-in audience and ambition to boot. The Off Track Planet empire is also developing a trip planning mobile web platform to debut later this year.

[Image: Flickr | frontlinefreddie]

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New budget travel magazine debuts: Off Track Planet moves into print originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Photo of the day - Feeding the fish

Meg Nesterov — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Photos, Asia, India, Photo of the Day

Visitors to India know that cows are considered holy and not to be eaten, but in some parts of the southern state of Karnataka, you can cross fish off the menu too. The fish at the Sringeri temple on the banks of the Tunga River are also considered sacred and fishing is banned, though pilgrims and visitors can feed the fish puffed rice. As photographer and Flickr user PointingandShooting notes, all that food can make for some enormous fish!

Make it a New Year's resolution to add your photos to the Gadling Flickr Pool; you could be the next Photo of the Day.

Photo of the day - Feeding the fish originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 29 Dec 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Megalithic site discovered in India

Sean McLachlan — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: History, Learning, Asia, India

The term "megalithic" generally brings to mind stone circles in the British Isles such as Stonehenge and Avebury, or giant tombs such as Wayland's Smithy, yet prehistoric peoples in many parts of the world erected megalithic monuments.

India is rich in megalithic sites. In Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, India, are some imposing menhirs, or standing stones, shown in the Wikimedia Commons image above. In the Mahabubnagar district of Andhra Pradesh is a site with more than 80 menhirs, some 14 feet tall, plus numerous smaller stones. Some rows of stones are aligned to the rising and setting Sun on the summer and winter solstices and equinoxes. Also at the site is a map of the constellation Ursa Major (the Big Dipper, which points to the all-important North Star).

Now a new megalithic site has been discovered. Road construction in Chatra district, Jharkhand, has revealed numerous tall menhirs. Artifacts found at the site, such as a small copper ring and copper bell, date to the Chalcolithic ("Copper Age") or 3300-1200 BC, although this has been disputed and officially the Archaeological Survey of India is dating the site to the 7th century AD.

Sadly the road work destroyed several stones, and others have been removed by local villagers. Now archaeologists are trying to educate the locals about the importance of such sites. The researchers are also hoping for an excavation license to figure out just how old the megaliths are.

For more on India's ancient past, check out this extensive website on megalithic India.

Megalithic site discovered in India originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 13 Dec 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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5 best floating markets around Asia

Jessica Festa — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Asia, India, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Hong Kong

When traveling, it's always fun to head over to the local open-air markets and gain some insight into the culture and their products. To make the browsing experience even better, some markets forgo street stands and set up shop right in the water. To see this for yourself, checkout this list of the five best floating markets around Asia.

Damnoen Saduak Floating Market
Ratchaburi, Thailand

While there are myriad floating markets in Thailand, one in particular stands out for the rest. The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market is located about 60 miles southwest of Bangkok and is best experienced early in the morning before the crowds arrive and the heat gets unbearable. The market is very colorful and lively as merchants paddle down the canal in their canoes selling fresh fruit and vegetables which are usually grown directly by the seller. The market also has some history behind it, as Damnoenssaduak was the name of the canal made by military soldiers and local people during King Rama IV's reign. Back then there weren't rivers and canals, making transportation quite limited. This was a concern for the king in terms of the country's economic growth, and the result is the canal that is now home to the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market.

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5 best floating markets around Asia originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holiday gifts for food (and drink)-loving travelers

Laurel Miller — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Filed under: Arts and Culture, Learning, Festivals and Events, Food and Drink, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Morocco, India, Indonesia, France, Italy, United States, Argentina, Chile, Ecotourism, Central America, Caribbean

Holiday shopping is easy if the people on your list like to eat and/or imbibe. If they're into travel--be it armchair or the real deal--the options are endless This year, think beyond the predictable bottle of wine or pricey "artisan" cookies and give reusable, portable, eco-friendly gifts or small-batch edibles that are the taste equivalent of a trip abroad.

As for where to get these items, look at farmers and flea markets, street fairs, specialty food shops, wineries/distilleries, and boutiques. One of my favorite spots to shop: foreign supermarkets.

For the green at heart

An inflatable wine bag is ideal for wine and spirit-loving travelers. They're multi-use and work equally well for olive oil, vinegar, or other fluid specialty products.

A logo tote bag (preferably made from recycled materials) from a specialty food shop, winery, etc. is great for practical recipients. A co-worker recently brought me a signature navy blue number from Neal's Yard Dairy, a famous cheese shop in London. In two months, it's traveled to South America and across the U.S., doing time as a souvenir satchel, laundry and grocery bag, and all-purpose carry-on. When I don't need it, i just roll it up and stash it in my duffel bag or day pack. Love it.

Gift a wine key (opener) salad tongs or bowl, chopsticks, or other kitchen utensils made from local, sustainable materials such as wood, antler, bone, bamboo, or shell. Do a quick online search or ask (I've said it before, I'll say it again: phrasebooks) about the origins of said object. If you have any qualms about the eco-aspect, don't buy it and let the shopkeeper know why.

[Photo credit: Flickr user noramunro]

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Holiday gifts for food (and drink)-loving travelers originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world

Jessica Festa — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Biking, Arts and Culture, Learning, Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Oceania, South America, Egypt, Ghana, Morocco, Cambodia, India, Israel, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Singapore, Thailand, Portugal, United Kingdom, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Transportation, Ecotourism, Budget Travel, Travel Health, Consumer Activism, Middle East, Central America, Women's Travel

Cars, trains, buses, and planes aren't the only way to get around a country. From the Bamboo Train in Cambodia to the Rail Cart in the the Philippines to the Couch Bike in Canada, here are ten unique modes of transportation from around the world.

Chicken Bus
Guatemala, Central America

While variations of the chicken bus can be found in many different countries (this reminds me a lot of taking the tro-tro in Ghana, Africa), this vehicle is used not only to transport people but also livestock, hence the name. These U.S. school buses are very eye-catching as they are colorfully painted and decorated. When taking one expect cramped conditions, as chicken buses tend to be packed to capacity, and hectic driving at Nascar speeds.

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10 unique modes of transportation around the world originally appeared on Gadling on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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