Only in Scotland: Six Uniquely Scottish Experiences – A Blog for Visit Scotland

Scotland is an incredible travel destination. The sparsely-populated portion of the British isles has something for everyone, whether your preference is scuba diving and kayaking, wildlife and bird watching, or whisky and beer tasting. But there’s far more to this country than simply fantastic attractions. It also offers utterly unique ones – a series of sights and activities that can’t be found anywhere else on earth. When we say unique, we mean unique.

We were commissioned by the national tourist board VisitScotland to write an inspiring article about six uniquely Scottish experiences. Inspired on our editor’s own personal experience of living and travelling in Scotland, they range from stunningly rare wildlife to spectacular one-of-a-kind architecture. You will find his suggestions below…

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Five of the World’s Best Long-Distance Trails: A Blog For From the Grapevine

Fresh air and a sense of freedom – there’s nothing quite like exploring on your own two feet. Hiking is a favourite activity for many and we think it’s one of the best – and most fun – ways to get to know a new place. But the long-distance trails we’ve included in our latest travel article for From the Grapevine are not for fair-weather ramblers; these ambitious walking routes are epic feats reserved for the fittest and most dedicated of outdoor enthusiasts.

In our round-up of the world’s greatest hiking trails, we selected five of the most demanding and most spectacular long-distance footpaths across three continents. We included everything from New Zealand’s cinematic Te Araroa Trail to Israel’s diverse National Trail to America’s famous Pacific Crest Trail (setting for recent Reese Witherspoon blockbuster, ‘Wild’). To find out more about the challenges of each route, read an excerpt from our article below…

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Hotels Among the Vines: Great Vineyard Tours – A Blog for From the Grapevine

Have you ever read a wine label, noted its far-flung origins and been seized by wanderlust? Then you might want to consider visiting a vineyard resort. Fortunately, there are an increasing number of them from which to choose.

This is something that we highlighted in our most recent travel blog article for From the Grapevine. We wandered off the beaten track and into a host of fantastic vineyard resorts that combine lip-smacking wine with spectacular destinations. Among the lesser-known wine hotspots were a New York vineyard with a delicious range of pinot blancs and a chateau in Galilee with a wine list boasting the best in regional vintages. We also looked at vineyard resorts in better-known wine regions, such as a hotel in Mendoza, Argentina with beautiful wine-themed rooms, a complementary tasting and its own personal vineyard. And then, of course, we couldn’t miss the luxurious lodge in Matakana, New Zealand, which offers a wonderful vineyard along with majestic views across the mighty Pacific.

If our summary of the blog has tickled your oenophilic tastebuds, then simply scroll down for our pick of the five best vineyard resorts in the world. They all combine fine wine, great accommodation and breathtaking scenery…

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A Travel Startup That Helps You Give Back – A Blog for From the Grapevine

Over the past few years, a crop of travel startups, including the likes of Aribnb and TripIt, have transformed the travel industry. They’ve been breaking the mould of what’s gone before with new and innovative ideas, some of which have changed the way we travel.

In our latest article for From the Grapevine, we took a closer look at a brand spanking new travel startup – an exciting New York-based venture called Visit.org. Visit.org is an online marketplace for socially responsible travel activities. The tours they offer are global in scope, covering destinations from the Philippines to Peru, Senegal to Tanzania, and many more besides. Working with nonprofits and community organisations, Visit.org offers a way for tourists and travellers to engage in responsible and ethical tourism. Want to learn more about what they do? Scroll down to read an excerpt from our interview, which features insights from Visit.org co-founder Michal Alter.

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