Everyone travels for different reasons. For some, the best way to experience a new destination is to eat like the locals. Our Flightie Claus admits that the cuisine of Peru wasn’t something he was looking forward to, but after trying the local dishes, he was surprised by the variety and flavours in Peruvian cuisine. He shares with us how Peru changed his mind: 

Last month I had the opportunity to go on a tour of Peru. It had been one of my top destinations to visit, and I must admit that, as much as I knew about how fantastic the country would be, I was very pleasantly surprised by the experience of visiting. In the back of my mind I had a pre-existing idea of what Peru would be like, which did not disappoint: The colourful textiles; the European-influenced architecture; the deeply-present pre-Hispanic culture, including the world renowned Machu Picchu. However, one thing I was not expecting at all was the very diverse (and very delicious) Peruvian cuisine.

The thing is, and now I know, that Peru is actually very well known for its food. The nation boasts over 140 national dishes, according to our tour leader. The Peruvians I interacted with also always seemed to be proud about their country’s dishes, often interested to hear which ones visitors have already tried. Similar to other Latin American countries, Peru’s cuisine is a combination of native and Spanish recipes and ingredients. The result is a very unique variety of flavours that tantalizes your palate.

The cool thing about Peruvian cuisine is also the diversity of its prices. Some restaurants offer a filling 3-course meal for the equivalent of CDN$5, while others will charge CDN$15 for a regular meal. This allows visitors on a budget to experience the flavours of the country, as well as allowing those with a little more to spend to treat themselves to a higher-end meal.

Cuisine was about the furthest thing from my mind when I visited Peru. I enjoy eating, and I am always interested in trying local dishes (including unusual delicacies) of the places that I visit. Having grown up in Mexico, I expected the flavours of Peru to be somewhat similar. I expected to try one or two new dishes that I had never seen before, but I was baffled by the immense variety of new dishes and new flavours I tried.

Corn, Rice, and Beans

The staple foods of the developing world are very present in Peru. Corn, rice and beans, highly popular in other countries from Mexico to Central and South America and the Caribbean, form a big part of Peru’s cuisine; however, Peruvians have found ways to make such staples into very unique and tasty meals and drinks. Corn is used to make flat bread, a pop-corn like snack, purple corn pudding, even non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Rice and beans are also common components of Peruvian meals, and is often served with Tacu Tacu, a paste created by mashing white rice with full white lava beans which is seasoned, then fried.

Stuffed, Stuffed, Stuffed

Based on the time spent there, I noticed “stuffed” seems to be very popular in Peru. Palta Rellena (avocado stuffed with chicken salad), Rocoto Relleno (chilli pepper stuffed with seasoned ground beef, boiled eggs, olives and raisins), and Causa Rellena (a lemon-infused, mashed potato crust stuffed with vegetable, tuna, or chicken salad) seemed to be on every single menu, mostly as an appetizer, but with the sizes could possibly be a light lunch or dinner.

Aji for Those with a Hot Taste

Peru’s variety of chilli peppers (or Aji, as called in the country) is amazing. Again, having grown up in Mexico I am used to eating spicy salsas almost every day. The variety of Peruvian chilis, however, seems to be a lot more impressive than those in Mexico. Every restaurant seemed to have an aji sauce made with a different chilli pepper. Every single aji sauce tasted absolutely different and had varying degrees of spiciness.

The Booze

National beers of course; the pride of every country. While “Cristal” beer is the international known brand of Peruvian beer, I much preferred the flavour of “Cusqueña,” a regional beer made in the city of Cusco, which is easily available nationwide. Peruvian’s major pride, more than its extensive cuisine, is their country’s national drink: Pisco. A strong spirit, distilled from grapes, Pisco is ever present everywhere from small local restaurants, to bars and nightclubs, to high-end establishments. Pisco can be mixed to make an array of beverages that is as extensive as Peru’s geography.

Chifa - The Peruvian Chinese

Peru had a large influx of Chinese immigrants in the past leading to the creation and subsequent high popularity of Chinese food restaurants; however, due to the lack of typical Chinese ingredients in Peru, Chinese restaurants had to customize their recipes in order to adapt to the ingredients they could find. The result was the highly popular Chifa food – a hybrid of Chinese and Spanish/native Peruvian, restaurants which are present all over in cities all over Peru.

Coca – The Forbidden Leaf

Peru’s little naughty secret. The coca tea (yes, made from the leaf of the plant used to make cocaine) has a strong presence in Peru. Although illegal in North America due to strict laws, the leaves themselves (without extensive chemical treatment) are absolutely harmless, other than giving consumers a slight energy boost, much like the caffeine in coffee or black tea. The coca tea, usually made from whole leaves but also available in pre-packaged tea bags, is very common in Peru, especially in the city of Cusco – The tea in fact helps visitors cope with altitude-sickness (common in foreigners when visiting the city, up at over 11,100 feet!) by accelerating heart rate and allowing the lungs to take in more air.

Brave Palate? Try Me!

For those with a more adventurous palate, Peru has a couple of unusual dishes.
The first I tried was a skewer of Alpaca meat. The meat was well season and tender, and although a little more gamey than beef, it had a flavour much softer than that of venison or moose. I shared the skewer as an appetizer with two of the other travelers, as we didn’t know whether we’d enjoy it or not. I actually quite enjoyed it, and I’d definitely order that off the menu in a future visit.

The second unusual plate I tried was another one of Peru’s culinary icons: the cuy. Cuy is the Peruvian name for guinea pig, and the  dish I had was at a fusion restaurant, prepared in an Asian style with an orange sauce; the cuy, cut into thin slices was slightly crunchy on one side, but rather greasy on the other. The cuy’s flavour tasted like a mix of rabbit (slightly gamey) and duck (more greasy than not). Although I did not love the dish I had, it wasn’t bad; I’d definitely be interested in trying cuy again, perhaps cooked in a more traditional Peruvian way.

Give me some sugar!

From home-made style versions sold at bakeries and candy shops, to a commercially produced version sold at supermarkets and offered on LAN flights as a snack, “Alfajores” are everywhere. Alfajores are pastries consisting of two short-bread style cookies covered with icing sugar, and stuck together with “manjar,” a hardened dulce de leche caramel, popular in many other Peruvian desserts.

After returning from Peru, I’m surprised that Peruvian cuisine, as varied in flavours as it is, isn’t more prominent as other ethnic restaurants. I find it hard-pressed to find a good Peruvian restaurant in Vancouver, so I guess I’ll have to plan another trip to this wonderful country in the next few of years ;)

Interested in learning more about Peru? Claus Gurumeta is an International Travel Consultant at our Lonsdale Quay location in Vancouver, British Columbia and can be reached by email or by calling 1-866-982-0530.

Peru has been highlighted on the Flight Centre map

A luxury vacation can sound intimidating, but our Flightie Terri discovered how accessible a luxury trip really is when she travelled to three different Sandals and Beaches Resorts. She shares her experience with us: 

Three beautiful islands, three beautiful whirlwind days. My trip with Sandals showed me that luxury really is within my grasp, though I didn’t realize how close it really was!

The first island on our tour was Great Exuma in the Bahamas, and the new Sandals Emerald Bay Resort. This hotel is all butler rooms with a smaller feel to the resort. I would say this property is more for the romantic couple or for couples on their honeymoon. The turquoise water and white sand beaches, is definitely a place of tropical paradise. The dinning experience at this resort is first class and is a dream for the avid golfer. As we were leaving to go to Nassau, the PGA players were arriving. I *just* missed seeing Tiger. What a shame.

The second island on our list: New Providence and Nassau to check into the Sandals Royal Bahamian. We had a short window to get ready for dinner where we took a boat over to The Royal Bahamian’s own private island for a dinner show and some dancing. I would have to say the private island blew me away, can you imagine going to your own private island off your very own all inclusive resort? The very thought of it makes me want to go back right now! Just like Exuma the water was like no other, the staff was amazing and the service was top notch. The feature I liked the most was at night there was an area would could relax on couches and curl up by the fire. Most excellent! This resort is also close to Atlantis if you were interested in checking that out or you could shop or go to the casino, a little for everyone.

Finally, our last island; Turks and Caicos, headed to the Beaches Resort. By the time were finished our tour of the property I decided I have fallen in love with it. Yes, it is a family property but it has everything you could ever want in a vacation. Even if you’re going as a couple this is the place for you! I liked it so much that I went back 2 weeks later with my mom and my 2-year-old daughter. This resort has everything from a water park with a surf simulator, to an Xbox 360 room, kids club for all ages, disco, 15 dinning options, and the most stunning beach I have ever seen. I worked on a cruise ship for 3 years and I can say this beach takes the cake. Not a rock or piece of seaweed to be seen. You can walk for miles.

The thing that really blew me away about this resort was having somewhere for my 2 year old to have the time of her life. I am not the kind of person the just drop my kid off at the daycare with ease but her they have a Sesame Street kids camp for her age 0-4 years old and the ratio is 3 kids to 1 nanny. They even give you a cell phone to take with you wherever you go so you have piece of mind. The first few days I just took her there from 6pm-8pm, so my mom and I could actually eat and enjoy the amazing food. Every night we went somewhere different for dinner. Then I started to take her there after breakfast and pick her up and 5pm. She had so much fun with the amazing staff she did not want to leave when I picked her up. Now that was a vacation.

This trip was an experience of a lifetime, and truly showed me the value of a luxury vacation. I would really suggest upgrading from the standard room to the concierge room or the butler room. They’re much better rooms with more amenities and more space, plus you can’t get any better than having your very own personal butler! This is one trip I will never forget, and I can’t wait to go back!

Interested in booking your next luxury vacation to a Sandals or Beaches Resort? Contact one of our travel consultants at 1-877-967-5302 or contact your closest store.

Nassau, Bahamas has been highlighted on the Flight Centre map

Peru offers an exceptional opportunity for travellers to experience a variety of landscapes, an abundance of wildlife, a rich history, and the vivacious character of durable native cultures, all within one nation. Clover Scott shares her experience exploring Peru with her husband on an Intrepid Travel tour and what it was like to live with locals on Lake Titicaca:

From the sea side in Lima, we flew 12500 ft up into the mountains, and landed in Puno, wobble-kneed and tired. Breathing slowly, and trying to adjust to the lack of oxygen, we took in the views as we drove into town. My husband and I were on the first day of an Intrepid tour of Peru. This was going to be unlike any trip we have done before. After about an hour, we rounded a bend and there it was; Lake Titicaca. The houses poured down the side of the hill to the waters edge. Barren, brown and crowded.

It wasn’t until we were in the middle of Puno that we got that nice small town feel. The centre of this city is actually quite quaint. We enjoyed strolling the cobble-stoned main street, and admiring the beautiful alpaca knits and jewelry. Things seemed to move slowly, or at least we were. By the time we walked up the three flights of stairs with our bags, we were definitely feeling the altitude. We took it slow the rest of the night, having a nice dinner with the group and turning in early. Our “limo’s” would be there to pick us up first thing for big our adventure the next morning.

Ah the “limo” — a Peruvian rickshaw! We threw our overnight bags on the back and jumped in the front. It was a gorgeous, sunny quiet morning. The town was sleepy and slow. We were pushed the first block up a bit of a hill. When we got to the top, our driver hopped on and peddled us down to the bottom. We wound through streets like in a cobble stoned maze, all the while speeding closer to the lake. The streets opened up as we got to the boardwalk, and saw the majestic lake Titicaca. It was like glass for as far as the eye could see. The deepest blue, mirroring the azure sky and clouds above. Endless.

We finally arrived in a Llachon community after a few hours in the boat, and were met by a young woman in brightly coloured traditional clothes—layer upon layer of hand knit skirts, each a different vibrant hue. She led the group up the hill to the common cook house where our “House Mamas” were waiting for our arrival. There were five mamas waiting for us, one young, and the rest a bit worn from their years. And then there was Matilda. Her eyes smiled at us warmly. Though she didn’t speak a lick of English, we liked the feeling she gave, and were happy when she was assigned as our Mama.

We followed her to her house, as she knitted her way up the broken path without missing a stitch. It was about a 15 min walk up the hillside, through fields and different crops all uneven and woven like a patchwork quilt on the landscape. We walked slowly, taking in the this cool air with each step, careful not to overexert ourselves.

Just when I thought I couldn’t walk any further, we arrived at a tired looking wooden gate set in a mud brick wall. We entered into a courtyard with a dirt floor, a mud walled house on one side, and our modest abode on the other. It was nice; much nicer than we were expecting. It came fully equipped with lights, a table and two beds. There was a bathroom outside with a shower, though we wouldn’t dare take a shower knowing that they have to carry the water up from a well below! I began to relax and let go of the anxiety that can come with the unknown. We would be comfortable here in these strangers’ home. I studied the room. Though the walls were mud, there were windows framing the most beautiful view of the countryside. The sun was low in the sky, and the earth looked orange. As I looked out the window, I appreciated that this was the view these people wake up to every day. I imagined what it would be like if this was my life. After all isn’t that why we were here?

Matilda introduced us to her husband Espon and three sons Edson, Eli and Edison. They had rosy cheeks and dark skin and were eager to meet their new guests. They posed for a photo together as we got further acquainted. 

They don’t speak Spanish here as they do in the rest of Peru; they have their own dialect called Quechua. We navigated our way through a page of words and phrases written on a paper given to us by our tour leader Malkita. We figured out a few things about each other, and every time we understood something, it was like playing Charades. It was mentioned earlier, how hard it is for them to get items from town, so we gave our house mama two bags filled with sugar, flour, pasta, butter, spices, toilet paper and chocolate. She grabbed us in her arms, and hugged us tightly.

Next we were told to get ready because there was a volleyball game being set up; us against the locals. I remembered seeing the slab of cement, on our walk to the house, where the match was to take place. There were 10 – 15 people per side, and we dodged the donkey droppings and cow dung as much as we dove for the ball. Not your typical game of volley, but loads of fun none the less. It was in that moment that we realized how tough these Mama’s were! It was all or nothing, they wanted it! In the end, through blood, sweat and tears, the tourists took out the locals.

We headed back to our room and got dressed for dinner. When I emerged from our quarters, I realized that Matilda had intended to dress us. She started draping and wrapping us in woolen clothes that must have weighed 25 lbs. It felt like I was wearing twelve skirts and the hat felt like I was balancing a basket of fruit on my head. Once my husband and I recovered from the laughter that ensued, (and could breathe again) we started towards the cook house to have dinner.

The rest of our group was there in full Peruvian attire when we arrived. We sat around the table together, peeling potatoes and helping with some basic preparation, but the real magic was happening behind the kitchen door. We could hear the clanging of pots and pans, but there was no hint what we were waiting for. First they brought out a Peruvian staple, Quinoa soup, only this one was topped with crispy fried potato like earth’s croutons. This lovely soup was followed by chicken vegetable stir fry, with egg and rice. This was a really nice meal. We didn’t know what to expect, and had heard a rumor of guinea pig earlier in the day. We escaped it this time. (That one didn’t come until later in the tour)

After dinner we followed Matilda back to our home. A treacherous walk in the dark, but Matilda and her son knew the land, and the moon gave enough light that they walked without a flashlight. We thanked them for dinner, said good night, and hopped into bed. There were so many layers of wool blankets that it was too heavy to sleep. You could not roll over without breaking a sweat. The hard pillows and sunken mattress made me miss my bed, and also really appreciate the quality of living we have in Canada. I wondered how they would like sleeping in my bed, it would seem fit for royalty in comparison. The next time I feel down on my luck, I will remember this family was happy with how they lived. Maybe it was because they didn’t know anything else, but I also feel that they may be better off for not knowing the stress that can come with making a life in North America. They loved the land that they lived on, and the land loved them right back. It was that simple.

Spending the night with locals living on Lake Titicaca gave us an appreciation for how we live, and a respect for the locals that took us in. Beautiful people, breathtaking views, an intense volleyball game and delicious dinner. All in all, it was a fantastic experience, and one we will never forget. As we pulled away and waved to our Mamas, I thought – wow this is only day three of our tour. We still have so much to see, how can it get better than this? But it did, it just kept getting better! Thank you Intrepid Travel for an amazing adventure!

Looking for more information on travelling to Peru or Intrepid Travel? Clover Scott is an Assistant Manager at our Flight Centre Highgate location in Burnaby, BC and can be reached by E-mail or calling 1-866-528-6209.

Peru is highlighted on the Flight Centre Map. Read more about it in our Destination Guide.

7 Artists. 7 Days. 7 Videos. One amazing country.

The team at Can’t Forget It{aly} imported some of the most creative minds around the world to participate in their Digital Diary project. From young photographers, to animators, these seven artists presented their impression of Italy in a completely subjective way through real-life experiences and real time travel stories.

The group of seven artists all under the age of 35, shot up a storm in off-the-beaten-path corners of Italy’s Basilicata region in the south, (located in what might be considered the “arch” of the heel). I absolutely loved this whole concept and had to share the promo video with you:

Want to experience Italy for yourself and make your own digital diary? Contact one of our travel consultants at 1-866-502-4605 for information on flights, rail passes, accommodations and more.

I’ve always been a sucker for infographics, but this one definitely just topped the list as one of my favourites. Our friend Sean Russo from G Adventures recently did the Inca Trail trek to Machu Picchu. Just before he left, their blog team at Looptail asked him to count his steps. And so he did. Below is a fantastic infographic of his time (and steps) he took on the Inca Trail:

Please click the image to enlarge.

Created by: Attit Patel, G Adventures

Wishing you could hike the Inca Trail with G Adventures for yourself?

Contact one of our travel consultants who can help make that wish a reality! You can contact us by phone at 1-866-502-4605 or search for more G Adventure tours right here on our website.

G Adventures specialize in small group adventure packages with more than 1,000 tours to over 100 vacation destinations.

A cruise can be a great trip regardless of the destination, and the ship you choose can be just as important as the destination! With ships of all shapes and sizes, there’s one to suit your needs whether you’re travelling with friends, family, or that special someone. Malcolm Sorab shares his experiences travelling on three five-star ships from three very different cruise lines:

I’ve been fortunate to have sailed on three incredible 5-star ships: Celebrity Equinox, Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas, and Holland America’s Eurodam.

Celebrity Equinox is the second of five Solstice-class ships debuting between 2008-2012, adding several innovations and enhancements to their highly acclaimed Millennium-class ships. From their chic and elegant décor, incredible design and passenger flow, these ships are amongst the most gorgeous and visually stunning large ships afloat, and the largest of any premium cruise line. Despite their larger size, these ships manage to maintain Celebrity’s long standing tradition as having some of the best service and cuisine at sea, something that many other ships suffer from as they grow larger.

Allure of the Seas, along with sister ship Oasis of the Seas, are the largest, most spectacular, and most innovative and revolutionary ships ever built! These ships are true architectural marvels, and have something unique to offer almost anyone. Capable of carrying over 8,000 guests and crew, many people perceive that these floating cities are just too large,  and a challenge to navigate. Having sailed these ships four times during the past year, I can honestly say that these are some of the most spacious, non-crowded, and easy to navigate large ships ever built, and are truly worthy of any cruise aficionado experiencing at least once (although chances are once won’t be enough!)

Immediately after sailing on Allure of the Seas, I boarded a vessel nearly one third its size – Holland America’s Eurodam, the first of two Signature-class vessels built within the last three years. In addition to the immense variation in size between Allure of the Seas and the Eurodam, the difference between these two ships felt like day and night. While Allure of the Seas felt bright and spacious, and gave the impression you weren’t even on a cruise ship, the Eurodam was reminiscent of a classic ocean liner, with smaller, more intimate spaces, and plenty of nautical hints throughout reminding you at almost every turn that you definitely were on a ship!

While Holland America touts all their ships as mid-size, the reality is that the Eurodam is a large ship, with nearly twice the guest capacity of the smaller, truly mid-size ships in the fleet. This additional tonnage has created space mainly for larger or slightly enhanced venues, rather than a plethora of new and innovative facilities which many other cruise lines do with their newer builds. It’s what is termed ‘evolution’ rather than ‘revolution’, and it seems the majority of Holland America’s repeat guests (which they have a lot of) are content with a more traditional style of cruising. In fact, during my 7-day Caribbean cruise, it often felt like what cruising used to be fifteen years ago – which can be a good thing!

Holland America is known for its excellent service, cuisine, and accommodations and less focus on activities and entertainment compared with several other cruise lines. While I have not sailed on many other Holland America ships, many repeat guests I spoke with said that the cuisine on Eurodam was amongst the best in the fleet, and I was certainly impressed, especially by the immensely large and succulent jumbo shrimp – if you’re a shrimp lover – sail on the Eurodam, you won’t be disappointed! Eurodam’s Lido buffet offered similar cuisine to that in the main dining room, which was terrific.

While all Holland America ships are fitted out with the Pinnacle Grill specialty steakhouse, the Eurodam (along with sister ship Nieuw Amsterdam) also features Tamarind, an Asian themed specialty restaurant. While food is very good, the real standouts of this dining experience are the eclectic plates and silverware, served by very gracious hostesses. Holland America’s specialty restaurants cost less than most other cruise lines.

Activities on Holland America were surprisingly diverse, ranging from cooking demonstrations, fitness classes, and computer demonstrations sponsored by Microsoft. I attended several computer classes, where I learned a lot about the features of the new Windows platform! The cruise director, quite a comic in his own right, made several announcements during the day promoting different activities (surprising for a premium line), including the typical poolside games found on many cruise lines.

I would recommend the Eurodam to anyone seeking a more relaxed, tranquil cruise experience, with comfortable accommodations and excellent cuisine, and I would gladly sail on the Eurodam again!

Interested in booking the perfect cruise ship for your next vaction? Contact one of our travel consultants at 1-877-967-5302 or contact your closest store.

Situated on the equator, Ecuador is the smallest country in the Andean Highlands. Despite its size, it is probably the world’s most bio-diverse country, crammed with an astounding variety of wildlife, birds and vegetation existing in contrasting climatic zones. For our Flightie Shannon, this was one of the greatest adventures of her life. From relaxing in hot springs, to staying with and learning from a local family, Shannon details the highlights of her trip with G Adventures:

I was lucky enough to be able to take an 8 day guided tour through Ecuador with G Adventures. My trip was a whirlwind of activities, sights and experiences.

As a 20 something female, a trip like this gave me the opportunity to experience a ton of sights and activities with the comfort of a knowledgeable guide and an organized action plan to get the most out of my trip.

Thermas De Papallacata was one of the highlights of my trip for sure; nestled in a valley on the descent from the Eastern slopes of the Ecuadorian Andes, it’s a place to clear your mind, body, and soul. We said good bye to Quito, Ecuador’s capitol, after a trip to the equator and tour of the old town and hit this treasure on the way to the Amazon jungle.  Set amongst mountains heavy with lush green vegetation and clouds settled on top of the pools. This place has not a couple but dozens of hot mineral pools of varying temperatures, there is a pool with the right temp water for everyone.

From the hot springs we carried on to the Amazon to enjoy 2 days of jungle adventures with a local family. Delphine (our host) welcomed us into his home. During our stay in the jungle we were escorted through thick rainforest that opened up to amazing canyons and waterfalls. Along with our guides and the leader of our pack, Delphine, we climbed up rock walls and waterfalls that I never would have imagined myself climbing. The reward; the most amazing scenery I have ever been surrounded by.

We ended our time in the Amazon with an afternoon of white water rafting; floating down the rushing river practicing our rescue skills and gripping onto the boat for dear life for 3 hours of adrenalin pumping and screaming giggles. I may paddle like a Barbie but we made our way through places that I never dreamed that I would be negotiating. We left the river soaked, faces painted in Amazon clay that our guides adorned us with and smiles from ear to ear. What an adventure, I loved every minute of it!

The road from the Amazon led us across to Banos, a town full of activities to satisfy all travelers. They offer, bungee jumping, our hotel looked out to a beautiful waterfall on the edge of the little adventure city in the mountains.

G Adventures showed me more of Ecuador in 8 days than I ever could have hoped to see in 3 weeks on my own. I had a blast and would recommend this trip to anyone looking for fun and culture rolled into a great holiday.

Interested in learning more about Ecuador and G Adventures? Shannon McNeill is an International Travel Consultant at our Westbank location in British Columbia, and can be reached by E-mail or by calling 1-866-318-2218. 

Ecuador has been highlighted on the Flight Centre map

Our fellow Canadian Travel Video Blogger and friend Cailin O’ Neil, of Travel Yourself embarked on a solo journey through Spain. This week she launched the first episode of her series on Spain and shares why travelling solo can be fun, how to travel safely, and even provides tips and tricks on what to see and do in this beautiful country.

To follow more of Cailin’s adventures, follow her on Twitter or visit her website www.travelyourself.ca

Travel Yourself exposes the good and bad of travel and shares real life experiences through travel videos.

Looking to experience Spain for yourself? Check out our website for Europe packages or feel free to get in touch with one of our travel consultants who would be happy to provide you with more information! Find your closest store or call 1-866-502-4605 to get started. Happy Travels!

Spain is highlighted on the Flight Centre map.

Alright, so we may not all have the money to travel like Brad Pitt, but we can still live vicariously through his films. There are many movies that inspire travel to various locations where travellers can put themselves in the footsteps of their favourite character. Guest Blogger Darcie Connell shares with us seven of Brad Pitt’s movie locations and why they are worth more than a movie ticket:

Ah, Brad Pitt. The man (even now) is one sweet cup of eye candy. And when he was younger? Whew… (fans face)… don’t get me started. But you know what? Many of his movies were even better looking than he was. The following seven film locations are gorgeous with or without Brad:

#7. Seven Years in Tibet – Lhasa, Tibet

Brad plays Heinrich Harrer, an Austrian mountaineer who becomes friends with the Dalai Lama right before the Chinese occupation. Filmed exclusively in Tibet, the striking city of Lhasa is impressive on its own. Potala Palace – former home of the Dalai Lama – is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful buildings in the world, and the Himalayan backdrop ain’t bad, either.

Photo Credit: Luca Galuzzi

#6. Legends of the Fall – Alberta, Canada

An epic drama revolving around three brothers, their father and their problems with love, war and Mother Nature. Pitt plays Tristan Ludlow, a rough-and-ready Montana boy well-versed in Indian ways.

Though the film was set in Montana, it was shot in Canada. Both Vancouver and Calgary play their roles, but the sweeping panoramas are from Alberta. No wonder the picture won Best Cinematography in 1994.

#5. Inglourious Basterds – Potsdam, Germany

An intriguing revenge fantasy, Inglourious Basterds details the exploits of two assassination attempts on Adolf Hitler. Brad plays First Lieutenant Aldo Raine, who recruits a team of eight Jewish soldiers to wreak havoc on Nazis. Is it historically accurate? Not at all. Even the movie title is spelled incorrectly. But it’s a whole lotta fun to watch. Though the film is mainly set in France, most of it was shot in Germany (most notably in Potsdam, southwest of Berlin’s city center).

Photo Credit: Steffen Zahn

#4. Thelma And Louise – Utah, USA

Ah, the movie which catapulted Brad to stardom. In a relatively small part, JD (Pitt) caught the attention of Geena Davis – and every female in the audience. The movie covers a road trip from Arkansas to Arizona, but – like other Ridley Scott films – it’s filmed anywhere but. In this case, most of the desert shots come from Utah.

Photo Credit: Mark Land

Even the classic Grand Canyon scene (I won’t give it away here) wasn’t actually at the Grand Canyon. Heck, it wasn’t even in Arizona. Instead, it was filmed at Dead Horse Point State Park, on SR 313, 18 miles off Hwy 191 in Utah.

#3. Interview with the Vampire – Louisiana, USA

Good book? Yep. Great movie? Meh. The filming locations range from London, Paris and San Francisco – but Louisiana takes the king-cake.

Photo Credit: Twak

Ann Rice, a New Orleans native, embedded many of Louisiana’s charms in here book, which crossed over into the movie (though it was filmed in throughout the state). Brad played Louis, a whiny vampire lamenting his terrible fate to journalist (played by Christian Slater). His impressive estate is the Oak Alley Plantation, which is located at 3645 Louisiana State Highway 18 in Vacherie, Louisiana. It’s open to the public.

#2. Se7en – California, USA

“What’s in the box?” 

Oh, you don’t wanna know, Brad. You really, really don’t. Brad plays Detective Mills, a homicide detective investigating a recent string of brutal killings in a dark, unnamed city.

Chicago? New York? Nope… Los Angeles.

The police headquarters can be found at the Pacific Electric Building, 610 South Main Street (which, according to Movie-Locations, was also the site for Face/Off and Forrest Gump).

#1. A River Runs Through It – Montana, USA

Photo Credit: karynsig

“I’ll never leave Montana, brother.”

Damn straight, Brad. A River Runs Through It is one of the MOST beautiful films EVER.  If it doesn’t inspire lust for fisherman pants and brown liquor… well, brothers and sisters, you must be dead.

So in summary, while Brad is pretty to look at, these locations are worth much more than a movie ticket. Which movies did I miss? Let me know in the comments below!

Darcie Connell is the CEO of Trekity.com, a travel site that helps you find amazing destinations based on who you are and when you want to go.  She’s also the co-founder of TravelBloggerAcademy.com.  You can also follow her on Twitter.

At the centre of the African safari experience, Kenya offers an outstanding variety of wild animals. Although safaris are its greatest attraction, it is a country of great diversity with much more to offer than splendid wildlife. Our Flightie Michaela Buskell shares her tales of experiencing all that Kenya has to offer on her recent tour with Intrepid Travel, and some helpful tips on deciding which style of trip is best for you:

Last month, I had the amazing opportunity to visit Kenya with Intrepid Travel. Not only did I get to explore the country’s culture and wildlife, I also got to experience three of the trip styles they offer – basix/overland, original, and comfort.

Our trip began at the Kivi Milimani hotel in Nairobi. It was a quaint, quiet hotel, with basic facilities, and the rooms were all double or triple shared. We met our guide, Moses (who was fantastic through the entire trip), and had our trip debrief meeting and dinner so we could all get to know each other. After a couple of Tusker’s (Kenyan local beer), we headed to bed to rest up for the first big day of our trip!

The basix vehicle we started with was huge! It seats about 24 people all together, and has lots of leg room and storage space. We rode to the New Hope Children’s Centre, an orphanage in Nairobi. What a humbling and heart warming experience. We were shown around the centre, and the children sang us some beautiful songs and showed us the jewellery they make themselves to raise money for their home.

After spending some time at the centre, we drove a few hours to Lake Nakuru, our first camping site (with a stop along the way to check the view of the Great Rift Valley). Because our trip started in the Basix style, we were each responsible for setting up our own double-share tents. As someone who’s never camped before, I was a bit daunted, but we had lots of help and eventually everyone’s tents were set up!

We then did our first game drive, around the Lake. Within minutes of entering the area, we were surrounded by zebras, buffalos, and antelopes. We had the first of our many lucky spotting; a family of lions! Six lion cubs came trotting out of the trees, and settled themselves right next to our vehicle, while their mother growled at them from the bush! We also encountered rhinos, giraffes, jackals, and pelicans.

Lake Nakuru is famous for being inundated with flamingos, but there was not enough algae in the water at the time we were there to entice them (not to worry – we encountered plenty later in the trip). At sunset, we headed back to our campsite where we all helped prepare dinner, and clean up afterward (basix level camping is all participatory). After a campfire under the clearest sky I’ve ever seen, we headed to bed.

The following day we started our original style trip. This meant that our tents were taken down for us – no more grunt work! A small breakfast was supplied before we went for a tour of a village in Nakuru. We learned how they build their homes and how some of the villagers earn their incomes through jewellery making and fish farming. We took a couple hours to drive to our next campsite at Lake Naivasha. This campsite was much more deluxe, and our tents were all ready for us when we arrived. There sure was a big difference in these tents, compared to the basix style. They were big enough to fit 2 cot beds, and 2 people’s luggage in them. We took a couple hours to relax and knock back some Tuskers in the pool before setting off to the lake for a boat ride. I never would have imagined how many flamingos could possibly be in one place before seeing this lake. There were hundreds of thousands of them all around perimeter, and even a few hippos lurking around the edge too.

The following day, we switched to the comfort type vehicle. It was quite a bit smaller than the overland vehicle, but a much smoother ride. We drove to Loita Hills, where we set up camp in a Masai village. How amazing is that – we got to spend a night in a Masai village! We did a bush walk with some of the warriors, and even got to dance with the women of the village.

That night, we all joined around a campfire while our Masai guide told us about their history and culture. The next morning, the Masai Moran (male youths) performed one of their traditional dances, with jumping, and the women set up a market for us to buy some of their handmade jewellery.

After leaving the village, we drove to the Masai Mara reserve, and switched to our last trip style – comfort. Our next two nights were spent in a luxury lodge camp. The lodges were huge and extremely comfortable with two queen beds, a massive bathroom with walk in shower, and a private balcony! Our 3 game drives through the Masai Mara land continued our good luck with animal spotting!

We rounded out seeing the rest of the big five by finding a leopard lounging under a tree. We had the amazing fortune to actually find lions mating in the wild! And to complete our trip, the last two animals we encountered were 2 male cheetahs taking shade under a bush.

Leopards and cheetahs are apparently only spotted by 2/5 groups that visit the Mara, so we were amazingly fortunate to see both! A six hour bus ride brought us back to Nairobi, for our farewell dinner at the Carnivore Restaurant (washed down with some traditional Dawa drinks).

Thinking about taking a trip to Kenya? Here are some tips when deciding which style trip you should choose:

The basix style is what I’d recommend for people who are travelling with a friend or partner. The tents are quite small, and if you’re travelling solo, you may find it uncomfortable having to share such small quarters with a stranger. I’ve never camped before, but I really enjoyed the participatory side of this style, like helping with cooking and setting up our own tents.

The original style is a great combination of a camping experience, with a good level of service included. The tents are much bigger, so it would be much more comfortable for a solo traveler who will be paired up with a roommate. One of the huge advantages of taking an original style tour with Intrepid is getting to stay in the Masai village. Intrepid is the only tour company that features this in their trips and the basix and comfort trips don’t include it. There are many fake Masai villages in Kenya, which were built by Masais to attract tourists. Most tour companies visit these fake villages, so if you’re interested in Masai culture, make sure you go Intrepid!

The comfort style was a perfect way to experience the nature of the Masai Mara. The lodges and service included with this trip style are incredible and definitely worth the extra cost if you want a more relaxing vacation!

This was a truly a once in a lifetime experience for me, and I’d recommend Kenya as a destination and Intrepid Travel as a tour company to absolutely everyone!

Interested in learning more about Kenya and Intrepid Travel? Michaela Buskell is Assistant Manager at our Commercial Drive location in Vancouver, British Columbia, and can be reached by email or by calling 1-888-718-0841.

Kenya has been highlighted on the Flight Centre map