Wanderlust March 2020

“Does Wanderlust feature ‘green’ travel?” is a question I am frequently asked, to which my answer is that it is a key part of our DNA. But it is heartening to see so many people wakening to the impact of travel and the negative effects that some tourism can have. Over-tourism for instance, is becoming a huge issue in some cities. Yet there are still many more places that are crying out for visitors. On page 50, I visit Guyana, where eco-tourism is helping preserve wildlife, forest and communities; parts of Iceland have become a honeypot, but a new route highlights little visited areas (p88); and I doubt many people have thought to put São Tomé and Príncipe on their bucket list (p134). We have also looked at some of the…

Stefania Urbini Landscape – p12 Since she started her travels, Stefania has been collecting memories with her camera, using it to share her emotions about places she’s been. Her photo shows us life after dusk in Poland’s age-old Bia›owieza Forest. It’s haunting. Most inspiring moment: “Seeing Uluru, the giant monolith in the middle of the Australian outback. Walking the perimeter is a spiritual experience in itself, but taking a break at Mutitjulu Waterhole fills your heart with joy.” Monika Mazurkiewicz Travel icons – p16 Monika finds inspiration everywhere, readily admitting her addiction to the shutter-release button. Her candid shot of London’s palace guards proves that even the best photos can be taken at the back. Most inspiring moment: “I love blue. I remember arriving in Chefchaouen, in Morocco – everything was blue. You could point your camera…

Wanderlust aims to inform and inspire all your travel adventures. We strive to bring you the most trusted and reliable information in the world. That’s why we are always upfront about whether our writers have travelled independently or with a tour company. When a tour operator has been used, we always try to use those who’ve scored a minimum satisfaction rating of 85% from readers in our annual awards and we never guarantee positive coverage. Responsible, conscious and sustainable travel is at the heart of everything we do. Website Discover more great content at www.wanderlust.co.uk Twitter Catch up on the latest travel gossip @wanderlustmag Instagram See behind the scenes @wanderlustmag Facebook Join the chat at www.facebook.com/ wanderlusttravel magazine Newsletter Sign up to our newsletter for offers, inspiration and all the latest travel news at www.wanderlust.co.uk Subscribe Take advantage of our latest online offer on…

LANDSCAPE WINNER Winter sunset Poland Photographer: Stefania Urbini If trees could talk, the ones in Poland’s primeval Bia›owieza Forest – which once covered most of Central Europe – would be telling a tall tale. Stefani Urbini has captured its 1,000-word story in one atmospheric shot, taken on-the-hoof after a day out snapping woodland birds, catching the sun sinking into the inky birch trees. Congratulations to all the finalists of this year’s Travel Photo of the Year competition. Over the next eight pages you can enjoy the winners of the four competition categories in their full glory; to see the complete shortlist of images, turn to page 116. “Trees there were, old as trees can be, huge and grasping with hearts black as sin. Strange trees that some said walked in the night.”Neil Gaiman, author PEOPLE WINNER You want…

Star letter Challenge completed We have always enjoyed mountain trekking, particularly the wide open spaces, tremendous views and sense of achievement, but we had been uncertain about the Everest Base Camp trek. It came with a reputation for being crowded, covered in litter, and why would you set out to just go halfway up a mountain? However after reading an inspiring article in Wanderlust [June 2013] the nagging seed had been planted, and by 2019 we could resist the temptation no longer. As mountain treks go, this one is exceptional: surrounded by 8,000m mountains, the views in every direction are stunning, and the sense of scale was unlike anything that we had experienced before. Chris & Helen Hartley-Sharpe, via email Arctic eye-opener We recently spent 12 days in the Arctic aboard the Polar Pioneer with…

Remembering a trip to Peru: Machu Picchu is one place that lives up to its hype.” @travellustlarry Recalling Ethiopia’s rock-cut Lalibela: “Was there during the festival of St George. Amazing experience to be there at dawn with the pilgrims who travel from miles around.” @2WeekTraveller Sharing memories of Namibia: “The contrasts and incredible wildlife make this a photographer’s dream location.” Jeremy Painting Remembering his favourite things about Pakistan: “Breakfast at Cuckoo’s Den, Lahore, and a drive through Margalla Hills in Islamabad.” Faisal Amjad…