The Beetle visited Thailand in September 2006 and had an opportunity to travel to the Golden Triangle, an area that refers to a large, predominantly highland a Laos, Burma and Thailand and at the point where the Ruak and Mekong Rivers merge – see picture right of the Mekhong which shows Laos to the right,…

Shortly after we arrived at our position in Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico, my wife and I were invited with a youth group to tour a cave near the town of Pichucalco, Chiapas. It was a warm (read hot) clear day, and even though we did not know much Spanish as yet, we enjoyed the happy enthusiasm…

The Acropolis is the one historical site you can't miss. You can take a tour or wander up there yourself but during the summer, whatever you do, unless it is overcast, go early or late in the day. It can get very hot up there and gasping for breath can take way from your ability…

So you are ready to start planning that family vacation that you have been putting off for a few extra months. And you feel like you need a pat on the back for that special task. A family holiday is a bit of effort for the workaholics of this world so it's understandable. Planning a…

Southeast Asia's largest airport, Suvarnabhumi officially opened at the end of September after over forty years of planning and building that at a cost if US $4 billion converted a swamp into a huge complex the size of a small city. On the whole, passenger feedback has been reported as favourable. The new airport replaces…

The World’s Top Tourism Destinations 2004 rank Country Arrivals (millions) Percent change 2004/2003 Market share 2004 2002 2003 2004 1. France 77.0 75.0 75.1 0.1% 9.8% 2. Spain 52.3 51.8 53.6 3.4 7.0 3. United States 43.6 41.2 46.1 11.8 6.0 4. China 36.8 33.0 41.8 26.7 5.5 5. Italy 39.8 39.6 37.1 -6.4 4.9…

Mac is still not very well but is still e-mailing strong. In this month’s Globetrotter e-newsletter, he writes about animals. Just read in todays Washington Post about the 12,000 elephants in Kruger National Park, South Africa. The park is enormous. I had written in my notes that it was as large as Texas (I always…

Irish airline Aer Lingus has rejected a 1.48bn euro (£1bn) takeover offer from budget rival Ryanair. A combined Ryanair/Aer Lingus group would have a 78% share of the London-Dublin route, raising concerns over competition issues. Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary said the move was a “unique opportunity” to form a “strong Irish airline”, carrying more than…