There are many attractions in Mexico that pull in thousands of Americans annually. These include resorts in the mountains, tropical hideaways among others. There are also a significant number of fender benders. Mexico roads are not that much different than US roadways, but they take a little time to get used, to as the design standards are not as uniform in Mexico as they are in the US. An assumption that the standards and safety are the same as in the states among many Americans can also be partly to blame for a number of auto accidents in Mexico.

Mexico travel advisors strongly promote buying Mexican auto insurance before your vacation begins rather than waiting to purchase at the border. Purchasing Mexican Insurance Online allows you to make sure you get the policy you need at the lowest possible cost. In addition, you can print your policy instantly, so you are covered. Review Mexico Car Insurance for comprehensive, reliable Auto Insurance for Mexico which is important for everyones peace of mind on your vacation.

US and Mexico have different laws and different interpretations of the law. We have British Commom Law and In Mexico they practice Napoleonic Law. This has led to some conflicts and added complexities. It is therefore advisable to ensure your own personal needs by having the necessary Mexico car Insurance and health insurance before embarking on travel.

Napoleonic code forms the basis of Mexicos law. In this kind of set up, you are assumed guilty until proven otherwise. Unless you can write a check and cash it instantly, it is vital for drivers in Mexico to be in possession of an insurance policy procured from a firm that is authorized to carry out transactions in Mexico. This takes care of bodily injuries to others and property damage you may do to others.

Liability insurance from the US is not valid in Mexico. As a matter of fact, this includes most plans classified as comprehensive and collision. Any plan that includes bond and legal aid provision should be a good idea. The classification of accidents in Mexico as felonies mean that your car might be impounded and you can be detained while they establish who is at fault.

The health care system in Mexico is free to its nationals. This does not apply to visitors who can only have access to private medical care should the need arise. Medical Payments as part of any good quality Car insurance in Mexico will help you locate a health care facility and help pay for medical bills in a covered accident. They usually cover a maximum of four passengers or less in any one accident. It is important to scrutinize whether the Mexican car insurance has clauses that cater for medical issues.

A good Mexican automobile plan should at least have options for ; car occupants medical expenses, liability for third party, legal aid and bond provision, vandalism and partial theft, total vehicle theft and physical damage etc. P.S Be sure of the plans duration. Any Mexico insurance purchase should cover the entire vacation while within Mexico.

Talking about perfect winter holiday and corporate trips the first thing that strikes our mind is India which is considered as the most desired tourist destination of Asia. India is best suited for tourists who have keen desire to enjoy a lot of tourism options in a single country. In other words, it is a place that has got something or the other for every section with numerous flavors.
Whichever part you go to, East India, West India, North India, Central India or South India, you will see an amazingly balanced blend of unity, love, rich cultural heritage and wonderful holiday spots which surely will be a unique and pleasant experience especially for winters and corporate trips. Visiting India will be a memorable experience.
Winter holidays in India
The winter holiday can be a great opportunity for tourists to experience the joy of the season. Winter holidays are altogether different as compared with other seasons.
Dark days of winter sing the song of setting the sun early and wind blowing, this gives us the idea to spend winter holidays in open house which is an outstanding and unique fun in itself. Some people also plan their wedding in winters so why not make it a holiday based on winter theme.
Depending on when you are getting married you have lot of romantic getaways that India has to offer the young birds tying their knot worldwide. Winter can also be best time for family vacation or honeymoon tours.
Winter holidays of India offer many tourist spots and has become one of the most sought after winter holidays destinations of the world. Winter holidays of India give all kinds of winter tourism like snow skiing, skiing travel, mountaineering and ice climbing, river rafting, Snowboarding.

Festival Tours in India
India is the land of the exuberant celebrations. The country has its unique festivities interspersed throughout the year, the Indian calendar is a long precession of festivals The harvest festivals of the south, the immersion of Ganesh in Bombay, the car Festival of Puri, boat races in Kerala, every region, every religion has something to celebrate. Almost every festival has its own flavor with a meaningful identity there are animal fairs, religious fairs and mark the changing seasons. Indian festivals denote color, vivacity, ebullience, appetizing food and a variety of prayers and rituals.
Popular festival tours
-Pushkar festival
-Desert festival
-Lord Jagannath Rathyatra
-Pongal festival
-Boat race
-Goa carnival
-Khajuraho dance festival
-Holi Festival
-Navratri
-Diwali
-Kumbh Mela
Corporate trips
Corporate trips across various cities and states are becoming dire need for business and corporate houses. If this becomes frequent then business traveling can make professionals travel-phobic, which can eventually take shape of a real nightmare. However, planning a proper and well scheduled trip which has a tinge of fun and frolic along with the serious corporate discussion, can offer employees a great deal of enthusiasm and satisfaction.
Company tour not only rewards hardworking staff with an unforgettable vacation and at the same time to bond them into an efficient, productive team. Corporate vacation can be planned in any month; however tours in India during winter or festival time fun filled and memorable experience.

Even if you’ve been looking forward to your relaxing two week luxury holiday for months, you may still find yourself bored when you get there.  It sounds amazing, but two weeks can feel like a long time if your holiday consists mainly of relaxing by the beach with very little else going on.  This is especially so if your normal life is fast paced and full of work.  A break sounds like a good idea, but you may find yourself restless with nothing to do.  Here are five ways to entertain yourself and your family while getting into that holiday groove.

1. Learn a new beach sport.  If you’re spending your holiday on the shore, why not improve your skills at beach volleyball or go surfing for the first time?  Not only will it help you tone your newly exposed swimsuit body, it’s also fun to play in groups and can help facilitate bonds and friendly rivalry between you and the people you’ve taken on holiday with you.
2. Seek out interesting experiences you can’t get elsewhere.  For example, if you’re travelling to Europe for the first time, you might choose to visit a medieval castle like you’d never find in your own country, or perhaps visit a museum tailored to the specific area you’re visiting with artifacts found on the spot.  Find national landmarks and quirky statues, and take pictures of yourself by them to document your journey.
3. If it rains and you’re stuck inside, take the leisure time to read a book or a magazine that you might not be able to fit into your normal life.  If you’ve been longing to read War and Peace your entire life, but you normally struggle with the idea of making time for a 1400 page epic, bring it out on a rainy day.  You might be surprised with how much you get read on an interruption-free holiday.
4. Head out for an extended dinner session at that exclusive restaurant you’ve always wanted to visit.  Enjoy a starter, a main, and extend the night out with coffee and dessert.  If you’re heading out on the town and can’t afford to eat everywhere, have drinks in several different places, staying just long enough to absorb the atmosphere before heading to the next must-see restaurant.
5. Start to make a photo album before you even leave.  If you’ve taken a number of fantastic snapshots, why not spend an evening setting them out in scrapbook pages?  It can be a fun way to document your trip while it’s happening, while you’re still passionate about it and have the leisure time to place the most important parts of your trip in prominent places.  If you have a laptop, it’s fun to do this on the way to different places, for example if you have a second flight to another destination or on the way home.

These tips should help you to have the most fun on your holiday and truly enjoy your escape from your busy life.

Aegean Airlines is a well established Airline Company with a fast growing international presence. This full service airline operates between Greece and European destinations alongside some additional neighboring countries. Aegean has a well developed network with regular flights to 12 international destinations and 17 Greek airports. As a regional partner of Lufthansa they can also provide access to the Lufthansa global network and so expand their flight paths mutually.
With a strengthening bond between Aegean Airlines, Air One and TAP Air Portugal the company has been able to create a strong positive relationship and provide a more dominant presence in the Italian and Portuguese sector.
Aegean Airlines is a well established air operation and was founded in 1987 under the name Aegean Aviation and has been going from strength to strength ever since with three new destinations opening up in November 2003 to Chios, Kos and Milan through to ordering six more A320’s in September 2007.
The company also takes pride in its environmental concerns and received the ISO 14001 certification for environmental protection in September 2008.

Services of Aegean Airlines
Aegean Airlines was originally a dedicated VIP/Business operator providing specialized executive services which has been the pride of the Greek airline service worldwide since 1994.
Now available to the public this luxury airline provider offers web chick-in services so you can check in where ever you are for one or more flights with ease and comfort. You can select your preferred seat for the journey and cut down on your checking in time dramatically. Simply check in online and go straight to the departure gate.
Thanks to their association with Lufthansa, Aegean Airlines have now included a frequent flyer program called “Miles & Bonus”. This innovative program was specially designed to offer a high quality service with unique frequent flyer privileges every time you fly with Aegean. You can earn more miles for your journey’s and spend them either on reward flights or on car rental services at your destination. Furthermore, this offer extends over both companies so you can earn more miles by traveling with Lufthansa or Aegean Airlines.
The company also offers various e-services available online where you can search for flights and trace your baggage or cargo. You can also dive into their magazine Blue on your journey and read up on the arts, culture and entertainment in many Aegean destinations, the background story of Feta and the celebration of Feta as a registered Greek trademark, a guide to some of the most exquisite Aegean Monasteries and latest hot new fashions. You can even have a quick look through their Shop on Board? magazine with a sumptuous collection of items for sale on board. It’s no wonder Aegean Airlines won the ERA Gold award for Airline of the year 08/09.

As the economic and financial center in East Asia, Hong Kong enjoys all the benefits of a dynamic and vibrant metropolis.

Hong Kong however still captures the romance and mystery of days gone by in the markets and lanes where East meets West.

In addition to its impressive modernity, Hong Kong has many accessible beaches and natural sights for outdoor lovers.

Lantua Island for example, provides a relaxing atmosphere for a holiday break.

#One: Hong Kong Park

Hong Kong Park is a small public city park on Hong Kong Island in Central. It is surrounded on one side by the skyscrapers and on the other side by Victoria Peak. But in the small 8 hectare (20 square acres) space between Cotton Tree Drive and Kennedy Road, the Hong Kong Provisional Urban Council and the Hong Kong Jockey Club opened this park in 1991. It is free and attracts a million visits a year. In the big garden is a pond that covers a former tennis court, waterfalls or rapids and several important facilities including a sports facility, a big aviary, museums, a plant conservatory and a children’s playground. The park has won several awards including one from the United State Urban Services Department for its excellent design and facilities in the crowded urban area. The aviary is a walk through aviary. This means that you can walk on a walkway through the tree canopy so that you can see the birds flying around inside up close. The little Hong Kong Park has a lot of interesting attractions crammed into it and is a major highlight of a visit to Hong Kong Island.

#Two: Avenue of Stars

The Avenue of Stars is basically a sidewalk on the shore of Hong Kong’s Victoria Bay that is modeled after the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The sidewalk and pedestrian area has the handprints and signatures of famous Hong Kong actors such as Jackie Chan and metal sculptures of Hong Kong actors or film industry figures such as Bruce Lee. It stretches for about 440 meters along the shoreline, and there are benches and decorative plants. To keep people from falling into the ocean below, there is a metal handrail along the sidewalk. Some local people go there to enjoy the sight of the bay and the passing ships, jog, and enjoy the harbor air, and tourists go to see the light show at night and to take photographs. This sidewalk attracts a lot of mainland Chinese. You can see most of the tall buildings on Hong Kong Island here, and at night as part of the light show, music and dialogue are played.

#Three: Man Mo Temple

It is the oldest temple in Hong Kong in the Mid-levels area of Hong Kong Island. It is half the way up Victoria Peak. In the temple, two idols are worshiped, the God of Literature and the God of War. It was built in 1847. People go to the Man Mo temples in China to pray for success in examinations or in their academic or literary endeavors. They also go to Man Mo temples to settle disputes. A bronze bell there was also made in 1847. Though it has been often renovated, the original appearance is preserved, and it is visited by lots of people.

It is said that the ceremony for settling disputes between people of cutting off a chicken’s head and burning yellow paper originated during the Qing dynasty. In this ceremony, in order to avoid going to court, people invoke the gods to punish people who don’t perform the vows that they publicly make in the ceremony.

#Four: Hong Kong Aberdeen

Aberdeen Harbor is on the southern side of Hong Kong Island. It is on the other side of Victoria Peak from the main Hong Kong urban area. Aberdeen is the largest town on Hong Kong Island outside the main urban area, and the harbor was famous as the place where the Hong Kong boat people lived in the 1960s and 1970s. Movies such as a James Bond movie and a Bruce Lee movie were filmed there, so the harbor is recognized world wide. Now, the harbor area is mainly an anchorage for the yachts and pleasure boats of the Hong Kong suburban dwellers in the area. But there are still some famous floating restaurants and local fisherman using the bay, so it is a place to go for seafood on a boat and to see the scenery and the area tourist destinations like Hong Kong Ocean Park.

#Five: Victoria Peak

Victoria Peak is the highest peak in Hong Kong Island with an altitude of 554 meters and has been considered as a landmark of the island.

It is the best spot to have a bird’s eye view of the Victoria Harbor and the whole thriving island. Viewed from the peak, the scenes are different between day time and night. At day time, you can see high and crowded buildings and the busy Victoria Harbor. At night, lit up by colorful lights, the whole scene is dazzling as a fairly-tale world. The best spot to enjoy the scene is the Peak Tower and the Lion Kiosk beside the peak tram terminal.

To reach the Victoria Peak, you can take the peak tram which was put into service in 1888. Its steepest point has an angle of 27 degree which definitely can give you an unforgettable experience.

Recommended Hong Kong Travel, Hong Kong attractions and Tours to Hong Kong.

Adventure activities

Scuba diving

Australia has some fantastic opportunities for scuba diving. The Great Barrier reef is famed the whole world over, so it’s hardly surprising that it’s one of the top diving hotspots. One that you might not be familiar with, however, is the Nigaloo Reef.

Cadge diving

It’s the crowning jewel of the Nigaloo Reef Marine Park and gives divers the unique opportunity to dive with whale sharks. These stunning creatures can grow to a massive 18 metres in length but luckily, they’re no threat to humans. Still, it takes a brave traveller to swim alongside them.

Swimming with sea lions

If you’d rather take a dip with something a little cuter, head for Baird Bay on the west coast of South Australia. Here you’ll have the chance to swim with sea lions – an altogether more playful set.

Rock climbing

Now how about a bit of rock climbing on Australia’s best-known landmark? That’s right, you can take a trip to the top of Ayers Rock – the hard way. So if you want to give climbing a go, there couldn’t be a better place to start.

Surfing

Surfing is an essential activity in Australia. The coast is stunning wherever you are but there are some beaches that are just perfect for surfing. Bells Beach, Bondi Beach, Byron Bay and the Gold Coast are just a few examples – but you won’t know how good they are until you’ve tried them.

Dizzying heights

And finally, don’t forget to take a trip to the top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. It offers some fantastic views over the city and will give you some great memories.

Volunteering

Like a good bottle of wine, Australia is great fun and half empty in the best of senses! Australia presents many ideal opportunities for adventure and exploration. The huge interior hinterland is home only to kangaroos, wallabies and dust, so there’s plenty to explore. The European settlers don’t seem to have reached the red centre so it remains a fascinating living fossil of Aboriginal culture for anyone armed with factor ‘one million’ sunscreen and a good hat to enjoy. Distances are on the massive side so a Zen-like appreciation for the journey as well as the destination is advised, as well as a desire to meet some of the world’s most intriguing animals.

Volunteering here is a great way to get around the whole country and see the best of this giant from the cool sophisticated coast to the tropical north. The colours sum up the beauty of the country; from the red centre to the gold coast, greens thrive where they can before being frazzled out of existence and retreating to the tropical safety of the north. The beautiful scenery is breathtaking and the locals want to keep it that way, there are therefore, lots of volunteer projects focusing on nature and wildlife conservation.

Nature conservation working holiday

Meaningful travel company i-to-i have recently launched a new trip that will give travellers the chance to spend a hassle free gap year in Australia. Not only will the company sort out al the paper work they’ll give you a years access to their job placement service and a week working at a conservation project at any one of 20 destinations across the country, take a look here http://www.i-to-i.com/volunteer-projects/australia-working-holiday-and-conservation-experience.html

Everyone is familiar with the word Stay-cation, invented to describe staying home instead of traveling during vacation time from work. It’s all about mowing the lawn, feeding the cat, watching TV, ordering pizza…yawn…are we bored yet?

The genius who created this little hybrid word started a trend; one that is almost out of control today. New names are popping up like mushrooms for all kinds of specialized vacations. Allow me to bring you up to date.

For a male who occasionally gets the urge to bond with guy friends, a Man-cation might be just the ticket. Fueled by testosterone, this is a vacation with hair on it. It could be about golf, sport fishing, camping, some friendly wagering, good natured ribbing, a few pranks and other activities common to all-male gatherings.

Conversely, the ladies might be in the market for an all female getaway…a Fem-cation, if you will. These are probably estrogen driven outings of some kind…I wouldn’t know for sure….some things are still a total mystery to those of us burdened with the Y- chromosome.

How about a Nude-cation – a trip for the uninhibited, those who just can’t wait to take it all off…leaving their swim suits and modesty at home. Unfortunately, this too often includes people who just don’t look very good naked anymore. One thing is for certain; however, nude-cations are a bonanza for sun block vendors and mosquitoes.

A Space-cation – Just visualize the fun and excitement…the count down…blast off…weightlessness…vertigo…nausea…little globules of vomit floating around the command module.

Seriously, this could be something as simple as a space camp for kids; or, for adults, an official NASA sponsored astronaut training down at the Cape in Florida.

The apex of the space-cation experience? If you have the required six or seven figure budget at your disposal, it is a real, actual trip into the blackness of outer space. (Hmmmm…wonder if the standard 10% commission applies?)

Got clients with young children? How about a Kid-cation – something just for kids? Could be as simple as staying at a hotel or resort that caters to youngsters – indestructible wallpaper, Jell-O, mac & cheese, hamburgers and Cokes at every meal, etc. This is a great way to go for families…but best to avoid long drives in the mini-van, especially if you are allergic to the phrase “are we there yet?”

The ultimate kid-cation, of course, is a six day pass to Disney World…or a cruise of one of the Disney ships.

And, yes Virginia, there are Procreation Vacations – very popular with those who are ready to start a family. Part fertility clinic, part luxury resort, these destinations provide the perfect romantic environment… including couples massages, special diets, magic potions, specific exercises, ointments, pagan rituals…whatever it takes to guarantee that making whoopee will make a bay bee!

Then there is that getaway wildlypopular with Baby Boomers – Medical Travel – known today as Medi-cations. No doctor’s prescription is needed. These little junkets are all about traveling to other countries to seek treatment for whatever ails you…even if it is just an excess of wrinkles or worn body parts where looks and/or performance is just not up to par.

How about a Luxura-cation? A trip for lovers of luxury, pampering, spa treatments, total indulgence…trips for those who believe anything worth doing is worth over-doing. A topnotch luxura-cation provides endless opportunities for sensory overload.

Last but not least is the unbelievably popular category, Educational Vacations or Edu-cations. These are all about learning, attending lectures, studying or going to school while traveling. This segment is experiencing exponential growth…especially on cruise ships…so much so that a future article will be dedicated exclusively to this category. (Holland America pioneered this field. HAL ships now have dedicated on-board facilities that feature high interest offerings such as Culinary Arts taught by well known Master Chefs.)

In closing, I strongly urge you to familiarize yourself with these terms, because…to put it bluntly, simply asking clients if they are ready for a “vacation” is sooooo last century.

Why not demonstrate that you are in tune with the times by indulging in a little vacation name dropping? It won’t hurt and just might help business.

Here they are again for your edification and review:

– Stay-cation

– Man-cation

– Fem-cation

– Nude-cation

– Kid-cation

– Space-cation

– Medi-cation

– Procreation Vacation (see also – Pregna-cation)

– Luxura-cation

– Medi-cation (Medical Tourism – not to be confused with travel to the Mediterranean)

There are not many people that can say they haven’t been affected in some way by the recession. When it first hit and we were warned by Gordon Brown that there were tough times ahead and we’d need to pull our belts in, most of us decided that holidays were one thing that we wouldn’t compromise on. However, in reality, many of us have had to forgo our annual trip to sunny climes and now the winter is here, we are really feel like we’ve missed out. So we need to find out how we can still manage to get away on holiday, while sticking to a budget. What is the best way to go about finding cheap last minute holidays?

The best place to start is on the internet, this gives the widest option of finding the best prices without trailing from shop to shop. How to search is up to you, you may have a destination in mind so you can use a search engine such as Google or Yahoo, and search directly for that, or you may be more general and search for ‘cheap last minute holidays’ for example. This will result in a number of options being brought up which you can then compare.

Searching online also gives you the option to sign up for airlines email offers so you will receive discount news before anyone else, and also benefit from any last minute sales.

Booking flights that fly at unsociable times can also save you money, no-one usually opts for these flights if they can help it so airlines usually charge less to encourage people to book them.

Check flights from different airports, you can sometimes fly from other airports cheaper than your local one, and it is sometimes more economical to travel a bit further and stay overnight than it is to fly from your usual choice.

Be careful when booking to check for hidden charges, cheap last minute holidays can become more and more expensive at each click of a button if you are not careful. Some airlines will give you a base price and then add ‘extras’ as you go along, for instance checking in baggage, flight meals, pre booked seating and then just when you think you’ve agreed a price, they add a credit card charge on.

Type your details in carefully and check the small print as some companies will charge a small fortune to amend a booking, we’re talking ?50 a letter here so be warned!! It can be false economy to get bargain cheap last minute holidays, only to discover you’re paying a fortune in extra charges.

Make sure the company you book with is either ABTA (Association of British travel Agents) or ATOL (Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing) bonded, and then if anything does go wrong with your tour operator, you can claim your money back.  ABTA is for agents who sell holidays on behalf of a tour operator, ATOL is for those who sell flight tickets only.

ABTA and ATOL do not cover everything though; you should always take out private travel insurance whether you are having an overnight trip or few months travelling the world. Travel insurance is there for the smaller and more personal things. It can cover you for flight delays, illness, injury and loss of possessions. Booking cheap last minute holidays is a fantastic way to get away with minimal cost; however if something unfortunate happens, it could end up costing you a fortune. So don’t look at it as wasting money by booking travel insurance, look at it as safeguarding yourself and your finances, making sure those cheap last minute holidays don’t end up costing you a fortune.

With the present economic crisis affecting all of Europe, the majority of people are trying to lessen their expenses in order to make do with their reduced incomes and in some cases loss of jobs.  Sometimes, some non-essential things are no longer bought and people have to adjust to save some of their hard-earned money for basic needs.  Some people might be even be convinced now is not the right time to go on holidays.  Nothing could be more further from the truth.  With a lot of people experiencing added stress and anxieties, now is exactly the right time to take a break and leave all your worries behind, at least for a while.

Banish the though that every holiday costs a large amounts of money. In fact, it is very much possible to enjoy cheap holidays in Europe without emptying out your pockets.  One good option to consider would be to go local.  If you and your family only have the weekend or only a few days to spend, try going to tourist attractions that are just a few miles away from your home.  There are a lot of inns and home-style accommodations available all over Europe which caters mostly to locals who are just there for a few days.  This type of holiday can be the most affordable and will take a lot less energy and hassle than going to overseas.  Besides, it always makes so much sense to go exploring your own local attractions before you go far looking for adventures and excitement.

Of course, when you are thinking of the once-a-year holiday wherein you wish to take your family or friends to someplace exotic and totally unfamiliar, you might want to consider some of the more popular tourist destinations in Europe.  The key to having cheap holidays in several cities in Europe is still careful planning.  Try looking for deals and packages offered through the Internet, which are normally offered during off-peak seasons.  Savings can be incurred by saying in a resort where rooms are equipped with kitchens and dining area.  This way, you can prepare your own meals instead of constantly eating in restaurants where you will be sure to pay a pretty penny after each and every meal.  Another option would be to stay in a hotel a short distance away from the centre of the city or town, as rates are surely lower compared to those located right in the central hub of an area.

Consider taking package reservations which include accommodations, airfare, and tours.  These travel products are often in demand due to the promised savings and convenience, since the traveller does not have to think of organizing their holidays and everything’s taken cared of. If you want to play the travel agent and secure the best possible holiday which cost within the budget, scour the Internet for attractive deals and offers.

Heading for destinations that are more laid back and has lesser crowds often lead to savings for you and your family.  Granted, you won’t get to enjoy all the other amenities promised in more metropolitan settings but lesser known destinations often emphasize on natural attractions and the hospitality of the locals.  What’s more, you get to spend more time bonding with your loved ones with lesser distractions, translating to happier memories you can take back with you.  Now who can truly say you cannot enjoy holidays without spending all your hard-earned savings on it?  And planning and preparing for cheap holidays in Europe gets easier and better with practice, ensuring you and your family gets to be seasoned travellers without burning a hole through your pockets.  Now that’s something to look forward to year after year, don’t you think?

I am a bit crazy about elephants and this is something I have wanted to do for some time.
After lazing on the beach at Nakamanda in Krabi for four days to acclimatise, having come from the snow in Britain, and soaking up the charming Thai hospitality, we headed up to Chaing Mai.
The Thai Conservation Centre in Lampang, about an hour outside Chiang Mai, is set in parkland and jungle. It is bigger than I had expected and we were booked into participate in the 3 day VIP Mahout elephant training course. The VIP part just ensures you have your own elephant and Mahout for the entire time and there are only 4 participants in the group. From the moment you arrive, after donning your mahout suit, you are with the elephants.
My ele was called Tradang, he is 32 and has a hole in one ear. Charming! The first thing that struck me was his size – he stood about 9 or 10 feet high – it was a long way up there! It was a bit scary at first, although I soon got into the swing of it and began to learn about the special bond between a mahout and his/her elephant. The next challenge was getting off!
Three days of constant contact and interaction with extremely well loved, well trained and well cared for elephants followed.  (Incidentally, we there is also a wonderful elephant hospital that treats and looks after elephants sent from all over Thailand.) From 6.30 or 7am to 4 or 5pm each day we were with our elephants, feeding, bathing, training and even participating in the daily show. My elephant was particularly keen on bathing me as well as himself and I was always absolutely soaked after the bathing session.
We took our elephant to a different part of the forest each night. The accommodation in individual chalet style cabins is spacious, basic and clean and the food is home cooked to order by the very friendly staff.
Until you ride & spend time with an elephant you really can’t imagine how intelligent and how intuitive they are. The last day of the course it was my birthday and I was in heaven riding out to the water hole at sunrise on my elephant.