If there’s anything we’re thankful for, it’s our readers — and to show it, we offer up another installment of the ever-popular, all-Paper Trails issue (part one can be found below).
Denver Post readers travel all over the globe, and they’re eager to share their experiences. Based on the high number of visits to the blog (which you can access anytime at ), folks like to check out where their fellow readers have been, comment on them and trade even more tips.
By looking at the posts, anecdotally one might surmise that domestic travel is on the rise (Is it the economy? Civic pride?), but also that the high cost of international travel hasn’t slowed our visits to the U.K. and Europe. “Voluntourism” is a continual draw, and Machu Picchu, Peru; Mexico; Hawaii; Alaska; and Mount Kilimanjaro continue to rank high among Colorado’s favorite destinations, as well.
Please keep those photos and suggestions coming, and we’ll keep publishing them. Thanks for sharing! Kyle Wagner, Denver Post Travel Editor
AFRICA
Who: Ian Coppell
Where: Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, Swaziland
Best meal: Chicken and prawn curry at the Royal Swazi Sun Hotel
Best deal: The Forester’s Arms is a wonderful, tranquil, friendly place to stay. It is located high up in the hills, with scenic gardens. It is a throwback to colonial times, but the place is maintained impeccably. The food is also excellent, and many locals visit to eat, especially at Sunday lunchtime.
Best time to go: May to August (winter) sees the coolest temperatures and lowest rainfall. The altitude keeps temperatures down also (45 to 70 degrees).
Best travel tip: We booked a half-day, guided mountain-bike tour through Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary. The ride there was fascinating, through colorful local villages. In the park we were amazed to be able to pass so close to so much wildlife, including zebra, impala, warthogs, various species of gazelle, wildebeest and even crocodile!
AUSTRALIA
Who: Alexander Sturken
Where: Botanic Gardens in Sydney
Best meal: I enjoyed the Heinz Baby Food “Steak and Vegetables” that my mommy bought at the local Woolworths store. Aussie baby food is very good.
Best deal: The Botanic Gardens. Open year-round, and it’s always free. There are bats hanging in all of the trees, and cockatoos will land right on your shoulder. Great place for long walks in your stroller. Beautiful views of the Sydney Opera House and the harbour.
Best time to go: September. Kids are in school, and Sydney is coming out of winter. Weather is mild, 60-70 degrees and no humidity. No crowds.
Best travel tip: Take the ferry over to the Taronga Zoo. Arrive at opening time, and you will catch all of the animals’ feeding times. You might want to tell your daddy to bring the BabyBjorn — it’s a long day in the stroller otherwise.
NEW YORK
Who: Linda Billbe
Where: The Statue of Liberty in New York City
Best meal: Cranberry, a 24-hour delicatessen on 45th Street near Sixth Avenue. They had a great buffet with steaming-hot dishes and chilled fresh fruit of all kinds, and standard New York fare such as bagels or croissants.
Best deal: The St. James, a block from Times Square. This is not a luxury hotel, but the rooms were clean and classic old New York. Also, I jumped on the subway ($2) to Battery Park, caught a jam-packed ferry that comes every 30 minutes or so, and took the standard touristy up-close look at our most famous symbol of American freedom.
Best time to go: New York, of course, never sleeps, and there is always something to attract any time of the year. When I was there at the beginning of September, the weather was exceptionally muggy (I even heard a New York cop complain). But even with that, it was a pleasant visit.
Best travel tip: Enjoy the subway system. You can get unlimited passes or pay by the trip, and it provides access to all of the interesting places.
