Spirit of Adventure

Central Asia is also fast approaching the top of travellers’ wish lists, with its rugged remoteness and sense of mystery created from visions of the Silk Road and the timelessness of nomadic tribes. On the new 16-day Mongolian Explorer Naadam we will travel with the nomadic descendants of a people whose empire once dominated most of Asia! We will stay in gers (local style tents), and join our Mongolian friends, and their camels, on a short desert trek. Back in Ulaanbaatar, the adventure will end with an unforgettable experience at the Naadam Festival – Mongolia’s biggest festival featuring traditional sports, foods, and folk dancing.

As you might expect of a people who produced Genghis Khan, the festival is dominated by warrior-type activities, including the Eryn Gurvan Nadom, or ‘Three Manly Sports’ – wrestling, archery, and horse racing. The wrestling is quite different from western versions of the sport, with contestants clad in tight briefs and a vest that covers the shoulders and upper arms leaving the chest bare. This outfit is worn to make it clear that both contestants are indeed men, a tradition dating back to the discovery, many centuries ago, that a champion wrestler was in fact a woman (to the great embarrassment of the men she had defeated!). The wrestlers first swoop into the ring in imitation of the Garuda bird of Buddhist lore. When the referee signals the start, each tries to topple the other; the first to touch the ground with anything more than the soles of his feet loses. The loser must then kneel while the winner makes a victory sign over his head.

Both women and men compete in the archery events, using short compound bows (which may have been invented by the Mongolians). Dell-clad competitors shoot at traditional leather targets stacked in piles. Points are scored for each target knocked down by a direct hit (no deflections!). The judges stand incredibly close to the targets, seemingly without ever the slightest concern for their own safety.

Mongolian horse racing is similar to a western steeplechase, conducted over a cross-country course at least 20 kilometres or 12 miles long. There are races for all riders and both sexes, but the crowd-pleaser is the children’s division. In rural Mongolia, most children begin to ride in infancy, and their almost instinctive skill in horsemanship is clearly apparent. The children’s race features boys and girls aged seven to 12 years of age, wearing colourful traditional costumes.

See our website for more information.

The food and flavours of a destination are integral to the overall travel experience. Each region of China has something special to offer. With the help of our tour escort and renowned food writer, Michael Shafran, our China Culinary Journey takes in the ‘must see’ sights of east China while tantalising the taste buds with some of China’s finest cuisine.

Michael Shafran launched yourRestaurants.com.au and yourBars.com.au, is a noted food and travel journalist for such magazine titles as Delicious, Vogue Entertaining + Travel and GQ Australia, and also still keeps his knife and fork warm as a reviewer for The Age Good Food Guide. Travel through this amazing country with Michael and discover its culinary Mecca’s.

The secret is out… autumn is the best time to explore Europe! Peregrine runs a number of great walking, cycling and cultural tours in Europe throughout September and October, and there are lots of reasons why you should consider venturing into the luxurious European countryside in autumn:

• The temperatures are milder and the days are clear and crisp, which are ideal conditions for walking, cycling and touring.
• Travelling during autumn means less visitors and you will escape the hordes of the peak tourist months of July and August.
• Restaurants offer wonderful autumn menus with culinary delights such as truffles and wild mushrooms.
• Autumn is the harvest season for olives and grapes, with many towns and villages celebrating this season with food and wine festivals.
• The vines and foliage are ablaze with stunning bright colours making the countryside even more spectacular - the clear autumn light also makes for great photographic opportunities!
• Make the most of the numerous Europe airfare specials currently on offer for travel in September and October; these deals are helping to make travel during this time of year great value for money.

Here are some amazing adventures you can enjoy in Europe during autumn…

Colours of Tuscany
Flavours of the Dordogne
Crete & Santorini Explorer

For a journey with a difference, experience the culinary specialities of one of South East Asia’s most diverse countries and get stuck into some of the recipes yourself on our new 10-day Vietnam Culinary Journey.

This unique adventure combines culinary and cultural experiences, tantalising your taste buds with local cuisines, under the guidance of local experts.

Your trip begins in Hanoi with a cooking class at KOTO restaurant, a community project that supports underprivileged young people. Highlights include cruising among 2000 limestone islands in Halong Bay aboard a traditional junk and a cooking tour in Hoi An, meeting with local farmers in the fields and markets to gather ingredients.

Another unforgettable experience will be a cooking lesson with TV celebrity chef, author and restaurant owner, Ms Dzoan, at her French villa in Saigon. Visit our website for more details and departure information.

Sicily has a unique blend of history, culture, scenery and mouth-watering cuisine waiting to be discovered by travellers from around the world. The 7-day Spirit of Sicily adventure showcases the cultural highlights and incredible natural wonders of this delightful Mediterranean island.

You will explore stunning towns on foot, like charming Taormina and the Alcantara Valley which are sure to be highlights. Also on your highlights list will be your visit to Europe’s largest active volcano, Mt Etna, which stands at an impressive 3326 metres and covers an area of 1190 square kilometres. Here you can take a wonderful circuit walk of the Sartorius Mountains finishing up at a mountain hut, with spectacular views over the Strait of Messina.

Your taste buds will be very satisfied in Sicily, as the cuisine here is rated amongst the best in Italy due to its hot and spicy flavours and unique dishes influenced by many cultures including Greek, Roman, Arabic, French and Spanish. Be sure to try the Caponata in one of the many restaurants you will visit on this trip, it’s a hearty and full-bodied appetiser made from eggplant and other Mediterranean ingredients served with crusty bread.

In the Anapo Valley, you will take a beautiful exploratory walk past prehistoric caves, Byzantine churches and Baroque buildings before travelling onto Syracuse, once the most powerful Greek city in the world. In the baroque city of Noto you will explore ancient ruins and sample local wines, including the world-renowned Nero d’Avola.

Bonjour! Pack your appetite and make a rendezvous with rural France. With rolling hills dotted with spectacular chateaux and charming villages, markets bursting with local produce - bread, cheese, truffles and wine - the idyllic French countryside awaits.

The iconic regions of Burgundy and the Dordogne have long inspired French artists and writers.  In the company of your small group you will pass quaint farmhouses and cobblestoned laneways ,  vineyards shimmering in the setting sun and wander across a patchwork of restful meadows. A fine way to end another exhilarating day of exploring is with conversation and a local wine.

The valley of the Dordogne is set amidst beautiful old forests, and what better way to explore it than on foot. Ancient walking paths connect a string of villages steeped in history, with many dating back to ‘pre-history’ and the time of cavemen.  Using small hotels chosen for their local character and friendly ambience, this week is as much about enjoying the views as the local food and way of life. Our 8-day Flavours of the Dordogne trip will show you the very best of this beautiful region.

The 8-day A Taste of Burgundy trip will encapsulate the iconic French experience; a series of day walks amidst sweeping vistas and medieval towns, capped off with local specialities and the fine wines which have made the region justifiably famous. This is a fabulous week of diverse scenery, enchanting villages, storybook landscapes and the icons of ‘Old World’ wine.

Vive la France! Bon voyage.

The perfect adventure consists of many, many variables, but if you can get the following right, the rest usually falls into place:

Getting out of your ‘comfort zone’
If every day was the same, our lives would be pretty ordinary. A true adventure gets you out of your comfort zone and challenges your perception of life. Whether it be walking through the bustling streets of the Old Town in Delhi, standing metres from an elephant while on safari in Africa or waking at 5am to watch the sun rise over Machu Picchu, the world’s greatest experiences are usually out of your comfort zone.

Getting back into your ‘comfort zone’!
At Peregrine we also believe that a certain level of comfort is necessary to make a great trip a fantastic trip. In Rajasthan we stay in a third-century maharajah’s palace, in Japan we sleep in a traditional ‘ryokan’ and in the Masai Mara, our tented camp provides the quintessential ‘Out of Africa’ experience.

Your travelling companions
The characters you meet while on the road often become the best part of your adventure. Exchanging stories around the campfire, chatting over a sumptuous Chinese banquet or enjoying an African sundowner together can lead to lasting friendships and is the true essence of a group holiday: meeting like-minded people and sharing some amazing experiences together.

The food – oh yes, the food!
A steaming hot bowl of ‘pho’ from a Hanoi street vendor, a stone-baked pizza in Naples, chilli hot chocolate in Mexico and the best tagine in the world in Marrakech – an army marches on its stomach and so do travellers! There is no easier way to get to the heart and soul of the country than by experiencing truly authentic local food.

Seeing through the eyes of a local
Whether it’s enjoying a cup of mint tea with a Moroccan carpet seller or playing a game of cricket with school kids in India, meeting the people of the region you are travelling through is what a great adventure is all about. With Peregrine’s policy of exclusively employing local leaders, we give you an instant head start in your experience. Someone who can speak the local language, that knows all the best restaurants to eat in and can tell you all about the area you are travelling through – there is no better guide than a local guide.

At Peregrine, we can provide all of the above, and more. So you can be sure that your next Peregrine adventure will be the perfect adventure!

“The greatest accomplishment for the person who has helped you, is to see you stand on your own two feet and then in turn help someone else that reminds you of yourself, because “if you Know One, then you should Teach One.”

Mr Jimmy Pham, KOTO Founder and Director

It is these words that emblazon the cover of the restaurant in the Dong Da district of Hanoi in Vietnam. Powerful words indeed, especially when you’ve just come for a hotpot and noodles!

We’re sitting in KOTO Restaurant, which is a forerunner to Jamie Oliver’s ‘Fifteen’ concept. Jimmy Pham, the founder and director, opened the restaurant in 1996 to help street kids develop a profession and break the poverty cycle. The concept is to train street kids in hospitality and English and enable them to work within the hospitality business in Vietnam. From chefs to busboys and waiters to barmen, all of the employees at KOTO are former street kids who’ve now been given another chance by Jimmy Pham.

Peregrine is extremely proud to support KOTO, and every Peregrine group that visits Hanoi enjoys a meal at the restaurant. It is exactly the type of support that is needed; paying customers eating the fruits of Jimmy’s labour, and encouraging sustainable tourism for now and the future.
KOTO

And the food is fantastic too: we dined on traditional Vietnamese hotpot, rice paper rolls, ginger snapper and an out-of-this-world lime and coconut smoothie.

Every client who travels with Peregrine to Hanoi gets a chance to eat at KOTO restaurant and support this fantastic venture. We are looking forward to increasing our donations to KOTO in the near future with the establishment of the Peregrine Community Trust.

Amber Osborn, Peregrine’s Finance Manager, has just returned from a cycling trip through Vietnam:

I recently travelled on the Peregrine Cycle Vietnam trip and had an absolutely amazing time. Travelling through a country by bicycle gives you a totally different perspective than a standard bus trip.  From the moment I hopped off the plane in Saigon I was mesmerized by the amount of traffic on the road, mainly in the form of motorbikes, and how they all ride in an organized chaos – yes, there are rules of the road; it just looks like no one follows them!  I soon learnt to go with the flow (while holding my breath) and confidently strode across the road. If you keep a steady pace at all times, somehow the traffic always misses you!

From the frantic hustle and bustle of the local traffic, through the lush green rice fields, colourful markets, and the grins on the kids’ faces, Vietnam is one country that you must see. The people, in particular the kids, are really what makes Vietnam such a special place. While travelling through the towns we were constantly greeted with excited cries of “xin chao!” (Vietnamese for hello) and the kids would run from school to slap our hands as we peddled past, awarding us congratulatory high fives for the effort of cycling. The locals appreciate tourists getting into the spirit of their culture and travelling around on the same mode of transport as they do – the trusty bicycle.

In Vietnam, as elsewhere in Asia, the humble bike is used variously as a family saloon, a pick up truck and even a hearse. Have you ever imagined what you could carry on a bike? At different times during the trip I saw being carried on a bike: gas cylinders; electric motors; kilos and kilos of rice; mum, dad and three kids; a coffin; the list goes on and on – and yes, even the kitchen sink!

Another highlight was the markets; they are certainly the place for hunting out a good bargain. Personally I am not a good bargainer, but you can always have a bit of fun and everyone, including the market vendors, enjoys the experience. It is almost compulsory to bargain for everything and anything you wish to buy, always with varying degrees of success! The only rules are:

•    Always have a smile on your face – it’s fun!
•    Never compare prices with fellow shoppers; you will always have paid differently!
•    If you are happy with the price you paid, then it’s a good price!

Not only did the people and the scenery enthrall me, but so did the amazing local food and aromas that go with it. The spices, chillies and flavours that make up Vietnamese food are such a delight, as is along with the amazing array of seafood that is available. If you enjoy seafood as I do, you will be in heaven. I have never eaten so much fish, squid, muscles and shrimps - all of it ridiculously fresh and tasty. For anyone travelling to Vietnam I strongly urge you to take part in a cooking class in either Hanoi or Saigon. My nine fellow cyclists and I took a cooking class in Hanoi and probably had the best night of the whole trip. For US$10 you can learn to cook an entire meal from spring rolls and squid with lemon grass, to prawn wontons with a vegetable sweet and sour pork or beautiful cod cooked in banana leaves. The best part of all is sitting down at the end and devouring every last morsel!

The Cycle Vietnam is an amazing trip and a fantastic way to see such a beautiful country – getting in amongst the locals and stopping on the way to take in the views of the rice fields and local villages. The memories will stay with me for a very long time!

“What are the current ‘hot’ destinations,” we’re always asked? “Depends whether the sun is out” is a less than helpful answer! But if it’s a hot destination you’re after in terms of the next big place to go, as apposed to places to warm your bones, then look no further than South East Asia’s only land-locked country, Laos.

Largely tipped to have the friendliest people on earth, Laos boasts the cuisine of Thailand, the mystique of Burma and temples to rival Cambodia. It boasts a strong French colonial influence (coffee and baguettes for breakfast anyone?), a huge history and beautiful countryside dotted with temples and monasteries. After years of war, peace and tranquillity have come to Laos and this small nation is slowly opening its doors to travellers and offering a warm welcome. The opportunity to watch saffron clad monks, wander colonial Luang Prabang and sip iced coffee on the banks of the beautiful Mekong awaits you. Depending on the time of year, you’ll be able to warm your bones, too!

Peregrine’s 12-day Laos and Cambodia Explorer visits the very best that Laos has to offer, including the Plain of Jars, Vientiane and Luang Prabang; and it includes a trip to the iconic Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia and shows you the very best of ‘what’s hot’ in South East Asia.