World Tourism Blog

THE scene was straight out of a Hieronymus Bosch painting. A line of workers in black rubber boots struggled up a steep trail that emerged from the volcanic crater of Mount Ijen on the Indonesian island of Java. On their shoulders, each carried a pole with two baskets of bright yellow chunks of sulfur that had been hacked out of a rock wall near the crater lake.

Step by step, the laborers, some carrying 200 pounds, trudged up to a point directly below the 7,769-foot summit. Other workers would soon take the loads and walk two miles down the slope. Eventually the sulfur would be sold to Indonesian companies that use it to make medicine and other products. For their efforts, the 400 or so workers are paid 14 cents per pound of sulfur. Day after day they do this, inhaling sulfur fumes, the stench of rotten eggs clinging to them.

My wife, Tini, and I started down the trail toward the crater, along with a few other travelers who had come with us to this plateau in eastern Java. “The workers start at dawn and have to stop by 1 p.m.,” said Alim, our guide, who chose to wait at the top. “The fumes get to be too much, even for them.” His warning to us: Be aware of the fumes and climb back up soon, or feel the wrath of the volcano.

Flirting with the fury of a volcano may not sound like the usual tourist fare, but in recent years, these imperious volcanoes have become an increasingly popular draw that is away from the crowded resorts of Bali, which lies just east of Java. Last year, more than 93,000 people visited Bromo-Tengger-Semeru National Park, Indonesia’s most famous volcano preserve, up 78 percent from the previous year, according to the park’s main ranger station. (Numbers had fallen earlier this decade after terrorist bombings in Bali.) Several high-end hotels have opened in recent years, catering to volcano tourism, including Ijen Resort and Villas, which lies among verdant rice fields to the east of Mount Ijen.

Exploring Mount Ijen and the other volcanoes that form the spine of Java offers travelers a chance to understand how geology has so deeply influenced the lives and culture of the people who reside in the highlands. Over the centuries, eruptions have buried villages, destroyed farmland and filled the air with black haze, contributing to the ancient belief that the volcanic gods must be appeased.

Watching the sulfur workers toil on Mount Ijen is one way for visitors to experience the role Java’s volcanic landscape plays in the modern day-to-day lives of locals. Across Java, there are opportunities to appreciate the sheer physical beauty of the volcanoes: spectacular vantage points from which to watch the sun rise above the lava-spewing peaks, and trails where hardy travelers can lace up their hiking boots and trek across the lunar-like terrain or right up to the maw of some of the most active cones.

To properly explore the volcanic landscape, a west-to-east traverse of the island made sense to us, starting at the ancient temple of Borobudur, which lies in the shadow of two volcanoes, and ending on the far side of Java in the crater of Mount Ijen.

Borobudur, the sprawling stone monument that was completed by Mahayana Buddhists in the ninth century, is ringed by rice fields where people farm as they did centuries ago. The monument, said to have been built from two million stones, is a mandala made to reflect the order of the cosmos.

The nearby volcanoes have shown little mercy to Borobudur. After nearby Mount Merapi erupted centuries ago, the temple lay beneath ash until it was cleared in 1815, when Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles governed Java for the British Empire.

At dawn, we walked from our simple guesthouse in the rice fields to the base of Borobudur. The monument has five square platforms topped by three circular ones, each adorned with bas-reliefs depicting religious episodes and scenes from the Buddha’s life. The statues of Buddha at the top gaze out serenely at the perfect cones of the two nearby volcanoes, Merapi and Mount Merbabu.

Smoke trailed from the cone of Merapi, signaling that it was still active. Among the Javanese, it is widely feared — having erupted dozens of times in the last century — and guidebooks advise travelers to check with local authorities before trying to climb to its 9,550-foot summit. Early the next morning, Golan, a worker at our guesthouse, took us to a point atop a hill where we could see the sun rise over Mount Merapi. The jungle lay before us, the mandala of Borobudur in the center. A thick mist rose skyward from the trees, the moisture of night burning off. We had considered hiking up Merapi overnight, but were warned that the trail could be treacherous in the rainy season.

The drive to Mount Bromo, the most-visited volcano on Java, took a full day. Our driver took us along the west slope of Mount Lawu, an inactive volcano, and we stopped at Candi Sukuh, a temple that seemed to have been the house of worship for a fertility cult — stone statues with gargantuan genitalia stood on the grounds. In the afternoon it stormed, and rain was still falling by the time we arrived at Cemoro Lawang, the gateway village to Mount Bromo.

By EDWARD WONG

Exploring Java’s volcanoes offers travelers a chance to understand the influence of geology on the lives and culture of the people who live in the highlands.

Hotels, airlines slash rates in attempt to lure back tourists

As more oil from the Gulf of Mexico washes up on surrounding beaches, tourism in many Southeastern states is fading — even in areas far away from the gooey mess. But hotels from Texas to Florida and some airlines like Spirit are eager to drum up business driven away by oil fears — which means bargains aren’t hard to find.

Prices for hotel rooms are down by as much as 30 percent across the Gulf Coast and some spots in the Caribbean, as worries spread about where the oil will wash up next. Hotels in some cities as far away as Miami and along the eastern coast of Texas are seeing bookings affected by the spill, even though the likelihood of oil appearing there is small.

Airline ticket prices to the Gulf region have fallen slightly since the spill. In general though, flight deals are harder to find because airlines can move planes to other routes if passenger numbers drop.

Room prices for New Orleans in July have plunged by about 30 percent over the last six weeks, Travelocity senior editor Genevieve Shaw Brown said. Prices in Ft. Myers, Fla., are down by about 16 percent. They’ve dropped by about 10 percent in Miami.

Some resorts are getting inventive. Sterling Resorts, which manages vacation properties along the Gulf Coast, is offering a “clean beach booking guarantee.” Guests can get their deposits refunded or reschedule their vacation if they’re concerned about the oil.

The Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Fla., is offering a “buy three nights, get one free” deal this weekend. It’s also constructing a massive inflatable water park for visitors that are concerned about going into the ocean.

Although the summer is the “low season” for many hot Florida spots, a number of Gulf cities rely on the peak summer tourist season. They’re hurting, and no one is sure when they’ll get a foothold again.

While hotel deals appear to be growing, you can’t fetch a bargain everywhere. In Pensacola, Fla., for example, prices have remained flat over the past six weeks for rooms in July. Brown said that’s due in large part to all the workers that have converged on the city since oil first leaked in April. Oil first washed up on Florida beaches earlier this month.

But because workers don’t spend the kind of money that tourists do on activities like eating out or buying souvenirs, many businesses are still being hurt. Hotel prices are also holding up in more inland cities like Orlando — home to Disney World.

If you want to take advantage of these deals, you’d better jump fast. Because of the uncertainty surrounding the spill, the deals might go quick. That makes more sense for people within driving distance of the coast who don’t have to worry about buying an airline ticket in advance.
Still, flight deals are out there.

People looking for a last-minute trip to the Florida panhandle from New York can snag a package for just $400 per person this weekend on Lastminute.com. That includes a flight on US Airways and two nights hotel. The same deal is $637 with American Airlines.

Some airlines have been more aggressive than others in drawing in the beach crowd. Last week, Spirit Airlines offered a $50 discount on roundtrip flights to certain beach destinations; Fort Lauderdale; Cancun; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Atlantic City.

Two out of four of those spots could be hurt by the spill. Ads that featured a bikini-clad model with the tagline “Check out the oil on our beaches” drew a slew of complaints. Spirit later pulled the ads, but it continued the discount — which works out to be more than half off, considering most Spirit flights are under $100.

Brown said it’s tough to tell whether airfares will get cheaper later this summer to the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. But if the oil spill continues to spread, cheaper airfares will likely start to pop up in larger numbers in September, when the summer crowds subside and airfares typically fall.

A couple more words of advice when booking airfares or hotels in the area: Travel insurance may not cover your loss if you decide to cancel your vacation, since the spill is a known risk. It’s also a manmade disaster, which prevents insurance from paying under most natural disaster insurance clauses.

By SAMANTHA BOMKAMP

People walk past empty beach chairs in Destin, Fla., on Sunday. Some hotels and condominium owners along the Gulf say their business is down by 50 percent.

Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line Upgrade

Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Lines, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Lines are in various stages of improving their private island retreats — from just starting to already finished. New additions range from private cabanas to exhilarating rides and water play areas, as well as expanded beach areas. Whether the island renovations are being made to accommodate big new ships or add unique ways to explore, the changes will give first timers and repeat cruisers a new and improved taste of island life — and a reason to return on a future cruise.

Here’s what you can expect to find on upcoming private island calls.

Royal Caribbean’s Labadee

Best New Addition: Until now, Disney’s Castaway Cay was the only private island where ships could dock, with all other cruise line islands requiring tender service. Not anymore. Labadee’s new pier was recently completed and is large enough to accommodate Royal Caribbean’s new behemoth ship, Oasis of the Seas. It’s a good thing, too, as it could have taken a while to tender the ship’s 5,400 passengers from ship to shore.

Added Island Improvements: In addition to the new pier, Labadee has a new welcome plaza, which serves as the starting point for water taxis. It also offers new sea-based shore tours and five walking paths that lead to special areas throughout the peninsula. Some of these areas include the new Dragon’s Plaza, home to the Dragon’s Breath Flight Line (the world’s longest zip line over water) and Labadee Town Square, which features the Haitian Cultural Museum, Cafe Labadee and Bar, an artisan market and the boarding area for the new Alpine Coaster (a mountainside thrill ride, somewhat like a rollercoaster).

Cabana Bonanza: Cabanas are being added to ship decks and private islands like HDTV is to family rooms. The new Barefoot Beach Club, available exclusively to Royal Caribbean’s suite guests, offers 20 private cabanas for rent along the water’s edge and within the hillside areas. Each cabana includes upgraded food and beverage offerings like lobster and steak. In addition, the spa facilities at Barefoot Beach have been revamped to include yoga classes.

Old Favorites: You can still bounce on water trampolines and inflatable iceberg-shaped slides at Columbus Cove Aqua Park ($15 for 50 minutes). Or, for a more sedentary pursuit, watch African-style dancing and drumming at the folkloric show. Two Haitian marketplaces sell local crafts, paintings, coffee, woodcarvings, baskets and more. Luc’s Splash Bash is the island’s dedicated area for kids, featuring ground geysers, water cannons and a treasure map trail.

Renovation Status: Labadee’s renovations were completed in October 2009. The port escaped damage during Haiti’s 7.0-magnitude earthquake in January 2010, as it’s located some 100 miles from Port-au-Prince and the quake’s epicenter.

By CHRISTINE KOUBEK

400-plus Celebrity Cruise passengers came down with gastrointestinal illnesses.

South Africa boasts plenty of game through safari on the sidelines of the World Cup

Lions and cheetah, check. Buffalo, check. Rhino, hippo and leopard. check. Penguins, check. South Africa has them all.

The country has nearly 600 national parks and reserves — plenty of opportunity for the hordes of visitors coming for Africa’s first World Cup to do something besides watching football.

South Africa’s best known game reserve is Kruger National Park, near one of the World Cup host cities, Nelspruit, in the north. Kruger boasts the Big Five — buffalo, elephant, leopard, lion and rhino. The reserve is the size of the state of Massachusetts, but it might still seem crowded with tourists during the June-July World Cup. Still, there are off-the-beaten track options that are just as exciting and probably more accessible, and don’t involve malaria tablets.

Those on a budget can make do with glimpsing animals for free on a drive from Cape Town to Cape Point. Others ready to break the bank can lodge at private game reserves and wake up to monkeys at the doorstep.

Three of the World Cup host cities, Johannesburg, Pretoria and Rustenburg, are near Pilanesburg, the fourth largest park in South Africa. It covers 136,000 acres (55,000 hectares) and has more than 7,000 animals, including 24 of the larger species.

You can take a room at Pilanesburg’s luxurious Ivory Tree Game Lodge or Bakubung Bush Lodge, or the Tshukudu. Packages usually include lodging, meals and two safaris per day with guide.

Camping options or dormitory-style self-catering places for families can be booked at the Bosele Group Camp or Golden Leopard Resorts. Sites on the edges of the park allow campers or tents.

Mike Crowther, Pilanesburg park manager, said June is the best time to visit the reserve because the weather is cooler and drier, so the roads are easy to drive on, and because vegetation is not lush, enhancing any animal viewing.

But June is also winter in the Southern Hemisphere, and that means it is cold. Bring hats, gloves and lots of layers no matter where you go. If you take a late afternoon game drive, temperatures can plummet as the sun descends.

By CARLEY PETESCH

Top-tier hotels, luxury shopping and $15 mojitos sure add up

Here’s a way to save money when visiting Miami: buy whole bottles of booze.

That’s what Rob Mackey, a life coach and author of “Happiness from the Inside Out,” learned when he moved to the Florida city from Philadelphia a few years ago. While many things are more expensive in Miami, cocktails — easily $12 to $15 these days — changed the way he treats a night out. “Stick to places that have happy hour specials,” he says, “and if you go to a club with a group, a bottle — even at $300 apiece — is actually cheaper than drinks, if you do the math.”

“Doing the math” may take some of the fun out of traveling, but these days, many people can’t help it. In the latest America’s Favorite Cities survey, Travel + Leisure readers ranked 30 U.S. cities on such qualities as their hotels, restaurants, shopping — and just how affordable the place is.

Miami, home of the $15 mojito, rolls in at No. 5, while Philadelphia, perhaps more of an ale-drinking town, came in at No. 19.

Indeed, a city’s culture, its personality, and its basic real estate all dictate where it falls on the price spectrum.

Los Angeles, for instance, ranks third most expensive in the AFC survey, and it also ranks third for its luxury retail. Perhaps as a result, it also comes in fourth for the most attractive and stylish locals.

Other cities can get away with charging top dollar for both tangible and intangible offerings.

Honolulu is the second most expensive city in America—and a lot of that may come from the fact that much of what you consume on the islands has been brought in by plane or boat (gas usually tops $3.50 these days). But people are also more than happy to pay for everything that comes with those prices. The Hawaiian capital wins the AFC survey for being the most romantic and relaxing vacation.

By Katrina Brown Hunt

When in Miami — the fifth most expensive city in the U.S. — do what locals do when they go out on the town in a group: buy bottles of booze, not individual cocktails.

Jakarta is the capital city of the Republic of Indonesia, a country composed of more than 13,000 islands with a population of over 180 million. Comprising more than 300 ethnic groups speaking 200 different languages, the Indonesia population exhibits marked diversity in its linguistic, culture, and religious traditions. As the Capital City, Jakarta is a melting pot of representatives from each of these ethnic groups. Jakarta is a special territory enjoying the status of a province, consisting of Greater Jakarta, covering of 637.44 square km area. Located on the northern coast of West Java, it is the center of government, commerce and industry and has an extensive communications network with the rest of the country and the outside world. Strategically positioned in the archipelago, the city is also the principal gateway to the rest of Indonesia. From the Capital City, sophisticated land, air, and sea transport is available to the rest of the country and beyond.

Jakarta is one of Indonesia’s designated tourist areas. It is a gateway to other tourist destinations in Indonesia and is equipped with all the means of modern transportation by air, sea, rail, or by land. It has the largest and most modern airport in the country, the most important harbor in Indonesia and is well connected by rail of good roads to other destinations in Java, Sumatra, and Bali. As Indonesia’s main gateway, Soekarno-Hatta International Airport serves a growing number of international airlines and domestic flights. Jakarta is a city of contrasts; the traditional and the modern, the rich and the poor, the sacral and the worldly, often stand side by side in this bustling metropolis. Even its population gathered from all those diverse ethnic and cultural groups, which compose Indonesia, are constantly juxtaposed present reminder of the national motto; Unity in Diversity. Hard money training

Cyprus tucked away in the top right hand corner of the Mediterranean is so close to Europe, Asia and Africa that it rightly, claims to be a stepping stone to three continents .

An island whose rich dramatic history can be traced back over nine thousand years; an island so coveted over the centuries that it has been invaded and claimed by a fascinating mixture of civilizations from near and far all of which have left their culture and shaped its character.

An island whose archaeology stems from the Neolithic Age, the Ancient Greeks and the Roman period; where churches and monasteries still stand from Byzantine times; castles and palaces from the days of Crusaders and Frankish Lusignans and splendid city walls from Venetian days.

An island chosen by the mythical gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece who indulged themselves here in sport pleasure and tragedy; where Aphrodite goddess of love and beauty, emerged from the Pafos foam to become a famous cult figure - centre of attraction for the first visitors who flocked to the island to worship her.

With such a historic and legendary background it is hardly surprising that Cyprus has developed a character which is quite unique. It is blessed with beauty, natural beauty that ranges from golden beaches and rugged coastlines to rolling hills and forest clad mountains, dotted with picturesque villages. Hard money training

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and its second largest city. It is smaller and less hectic than its southern counterpart - Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon ) and retains much of its old world charm.

Hanoi is a city of tranquil lakes, ancient pagodas and temples; charming French colonial mansions and boulevards; and the bustling street life of the Old Quarter.

Hanoi highlights include Hoan Kiem Lake , the Temple of Literature , Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and a number of museums housed in fine colonial buildings.

Discover the many stalls and markets in the Old Quarter, get measured up for a new outfit – ready in 24 hours, take a trip in a traditional ‘cyclo’, and see the locals practising tai chi on the shores of the lakes.

Although nightlife and entertainment is low key compared to other south-east Asian cities Hanoi has popular chill-out bars, and clubs, and the puppet theatre is popular with all the family. Hanoi has some great places to eat including Vietnamese ‘street food’, French-influenced cuisine, and international cafes and restaurants. Hard money training

Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia, is a cosmopolitan Mediterranean city that incorporates in its urban street pattern Roman remains, medieval districts and the most beautiful examples of Modernism and 20th century avant-garde art. Not for nothing were the emblematic buildings of Catalan architects Antoni Gaudí and Luis Doménech i Montaner declared to be World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Of Roman origin, Barcelona’s long history and economic dynamism have provided it with an impressive cultural heritage, shown in the conservation of its rich historic and artistic heritage and in the encouragement of the newest artistic trends. Its long cultural agenda will lead the visitor through museums, exhibitions, outdoor sculptures… and an extensive calendar of music, theatre, and dance.

Popular culture also has a presence in this city, which does not forget deeply-rooted traditions, such as the Mercè Festival, or the holiday celebrations in the districts of Gràcia, Sants, or Poblenou, all excellent opportunities to get to know the more festive side of Barcelona.

Tradition and modernity are also responsible for shaping its innovative and imaginative cuisine, which is based on organically grown produce, fresh fish, sausages and olive oil. Home-made pastries, and sparkling wines will round off a merely superficial approach to Barcelona’s culinary culture. Hard money training

Ethiopia is truly a land of contrasts and extremes; a land of remote and wild places. Some of the highest and most stunning places on the African continent are found here, such as the jaggedly carved Simien Mountains, one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites - and some of the lowest, such as the hot but fascinating Danakil Depression, with its sulphur fumaroles and lunar-like landscape. Ethiopia is old; old beyond all imaginations. As Abyssinia, its culture and traditions date back over 3,000 years. And far earlier than that lived “Lucy” or Dinkenesh, meaning ‘thou art wonderful’, as she is known to the Ethiopians, whose remains were found in a corner of this country of mystery and contrasts.

Many people visit Ethiopia - or hope to do so one day - because of the remarkable manner in which ancient historical traditions have been preserved. And, indeed, the ceremonies and rituals of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, open a window on the authentic world of the Old Testament. In no other country is it possible to find yourself so dramatically transported back in time or to participate with such freedom in the sacred rituals of an archaic faith. Hard money training