Category Archives: International Features

Explore the islands of Hong Kong, wildlife safaris, hot air ballooning in Arizona, Mexico’s marvellous beaches, Great Barrier Reef diving, Caribbean cuisine, Guyana’s Rupununi rainforest, Byzantine monasteries in Meteora and temples of Korea. A few of the exotic video experiences in the months ahead. (Photo: Heidelberg Marketing GmbH)

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Guatemala: Antigua “The Colonial City”

Posted on September 24, 2012 by On Top Of The World

Founded by the Spanish in the 16th century and situated in a valley surrounded by volcanoes, La Antigua Guatemala was once the capital city of Central America. Rocked by earthquakes and rebuilt many times, the capital was finally moved to Guatemala City in 1773. Today Antigua is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with remarkably well-preserved Spanish colonial buildings and featuring masterpieces of religious architecture. For more information check out Episode 22 under the International Features category.

Posted in International Features | Tagged Antigua, architecture, baroque, Brother Peter, catholic churches, cemeteries, central America, Central Park, Colonial Capital, Convent of Santo Domingo, documentary, earthquakes, Hermano Pedro, history, indigenous, La Merced, language schools, Las Capuchinas, Latin America, marimba music, pilgrimage, San Franciscan Monk, San Francisco Church & Convent, slavery, Spanish conquistadors, stucco, tourism, tourist police, UNESCO, volcanoes, World Heritage Site, xylophone | Leave a comment

The Azores – The Island of Pico

Posted on September 13, 2012 by On Top Of The World

Pico is the second largest island in the Azores archipelago with Portugal’s biggest volcano in its midst and a viticulture that has evolved since the arrival of the first settlers in the 15th century. The islanders’ use of volcanic stone combined with their heritage of fishing and whaling is testimony to their inventiveness and resilience in a hostile environment. In 2004, the unique landscape of the Pico Island Vineyard Culture was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. For more information check out episode 21 in the International features category.

Posted in International Features | Tagged Angelica liqueur, archipelago, Atlantic Ocean, Azores, crafts, dolphins, eco-tourism, Europe, Faial, ferry, fish scales, Islands, lava fields, Madalena, North America, Pico., Portugal, Portuguese and Flemish settlers, Santo Amaro museum and craft school, sueca, terraced vinyards, tourism, UNESCO, Vinho Verdelho, volcanoes, whale-watching, whaling tradition, wineries | Leave a comment

Mexico – Cancún

Posted on September 11, 2012 by On Top Of The World

Cancun may have a reputation as the ‘Miami of Mexico’ — party central with endless days of bars, pub crawls and night life – but the City also offers family-friendly resorts with supervised entertainment and activities for children, quieter adult only properties, high-end shopping and an amazing variety of beach activities. We discover Cancun’s location is also ideal for those who want to explore the country’s Mayan heritage and we visit El Rey and take a day trip to one of the most famous archaeological ruins, Chichén Itzá, a World Heritage site and one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. For more information click on the International Features category, click on ‘Read More” and scroll down to Episode 20.

Posted in International Features | Tagged all-inclusive resorts, basketball, beach, beach activities, Cancún, Chichén Itzá, children’s activities, crafts, eco-tourism, El Rey, jungle, Mariachi band, Mayan heritage, Mexico, New Seven Wonders of the World, resorts, shopping, sports, Spring Break, World Heritage | Leave a comment

South Africa – Wildlife Safaris

Posted on September 11, 2012 by On Top Of The World

South Africa is full of opportunities for wildlife lovers and on our safaris we visit private game reserves and two of the country’s national parks, Kruger and Pilanesberg. Along with providing an incredible experience of close encounters with a diverse group of wildlife, from rhinos and elephants to lions and tigers, the knowledgeable interpretive guides give us excellent information on the animals feeding, hunting and breeding habits. The feature also includes a visit to coastal reserves to view colonies of seals and penguins. For more information check out the International Features category click on ‘Read More’and scroll down to Episode 19.

Posted in International Features | Tagged black rhino, Cape Fur Seals, elephants, Johannesburg, Kruger National Park, Leseti Cultural Village, Lions, penguins, Pilanesberg National Park, Port Elizabeth, Sabi Sabi, Safari, South Africa, tigers, veldt, wild rhinoceros, zebras | Leave a comment

Argentina – Saving the Whales

Posted on September 7, 2012 by On Top Of The World

Hunted nearly to extinction because they were the “right” whale to kill, the Southern Right Whale has found sanctuary in the waters just off the Valdes Peninsula in Argentina. From June to December the whales make their way to these calm waters to breed and raise their young. The feature describes the size and recognizable characteristics of individual whales and the similarity of the fetus to land mammals. During this exciting whale watching expedition we took care to turn off the engines at critical moments and ensure we did not stress the whales. Valdes has created a permanent sanctuary for the whales and the peninsula is now recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. For more information see International Features category and check out Episode 18.

Posted in International Features | Tagged archaeology, Argentina, callosities, culture, eco-tourism, history, hunting, Puerto Piramides, research, Southern Right Whale, Valdes Peninsula, whale fetus, whale oil, whale-watching | Leave a comment

Azores – Portugal: Island of Terceira

Posted on September 4, 2012 by On Top Of The World

The Historic Centre of Angra do Heroismo on the island of Terceira, one of the islands that make up the Azores archipelago, is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Known once as the “universal port of call in the Western Sea”, the beautiful architecture of Angra’s buildings with their richly designed interiors recall a golden age of history when the island was a vital link in important trading routes that crossed the Atlantic Ocean. Terceira has many interesting festivals based on religious traditions and walking around the island reveals unique volcanic scenery including the chimney of an extinct volcano and the Biscoitos lava pools. For more information see Episode 17 in International Features.

Posted in International Features | Tagged Algar do Carvao volcanic chimney, Angra do Heroisma, archipelago, Atlantic Ocean, Azores, Biscoito da Ferraria, eco-tourism, Empires of the Holy Ghost, Europe, Festivals, history, Impérios, Island of Jesus Christ, Island of Terceira, Islands, lava pools, North America, Portugal, religious festivals, stone hedges, tourism, UNESCO, volcanoes | Leave a comment

Azores – Portugal: The Volcanic Archipelago

Posted on August 30, 2012 by On Top Of The World

Set in the Atlantic Ocean, midway between North America and Europe, nine islands make up the Azores archipelago with a volcanic connection that makes them among the most beautiful in the world. Discovered in the 15th century by Portuguese navigators on their way to the new world they are still relatively unspoiled. We visit the islands of San Miguel, Terceira, Faial and Pico and feature a variety of volcanoes from young cones to collapsed craters and from old chimneys to the site of the Capelinhos Volcano that erupted from under the sea barely 50 years ago. Our explorations reveal the stunning beauty of the islands’ wild flowers; farmlands enclosed by stone hedges and hydrangeas; and beautiful churches, town halls, city squares, baroque and colonial architecture that reflect the historic importance of the archipelago. For more information see Episode 16 in International Features.

Posted in International Features | Tagged archipelago, Atlantic Ocean, Atlantis, Azores, Azul Lake, Baroque architecture, Caldeira Natural Reserve, Caldeiras Nature Reserve, Capelinhos volcano, colonial architecture, Cozido das Furnas, eco-tourism, Europe, Faial, geothermal electricity, hiking, Horta, Islands, Lagoa das Furnas, mineral spas, Nature Reserve, North America, Pico., Ponta Delgada, Portugal, Sao Miguel, Sete Cidades Lake, Terceira, Terra Nostra park, Verde Lake, vulcanology, wildflowers | Leave a comment

Guyana – Land of Many Waters

Posted on April 16, 2012 by On Top Of The World

Despite its bustling capital, colonial architecture, and historic slave plantations, this small English-speaking country on the north coast of South America still has that “undiscovered feeling”. Travelling inland along the rivers and through the rainforests and southern Savannahs, we meet Amerindian tribes, jaguars and that “night watchman”, the crocodile. For tips and links see International category, check “Read More” and scroll down to episode #15.

Posted in International Features | Tagged adventure, African slaves, Amazon River, Amerindian, colonial architecture, cricket, crocodiles, Dutch forts, Essequibo River, Fort Island, Georgetown, Guyana, jaguars, Kaieteur Falls, Kamuni River, nature, plantations, rainforest, Savannahs, St. George’s Cathedral, Timberhead resort, tourism | Leave a comment

Hong Kong – The Green Scene

Posted on April 13, 2012 by On Top Of The World

In our quest for the hidden and serene side of Hong Kong we hike along magnificent and rugged coastal trails, explore mudflats and marshes, and spot white Chinese dolphins and rare species of migratory birds. For tips and links see International category, check “Read More” and scroll down to episode #14.

Posted in International Features | Tagged birdwatching, Chinese bbq, Chinese White Dolphins, eco-system, hiking, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Park, intertidal mudflats, MacLehose Trail, Mai Po, marshes, mud skippers, mudflats, National Park, New Territories, Pink Dolphins, Sai Kung Geopark, Tai Chi, World Wildlife Fund | Leave a comment

Japan: The Island of Kyushu – part two

Posted on March 30, 2012 by On Top Of The World

Kyushu, the southern-most island in Japan, has shrines dedicated to the Gods of Learning, Business and Traffic Safety. Secrets of weaving Japanese textiles and producing exquisite pottery are revealed along with the delights of sashimi and the famous Fukuoka City roadside stands offering Ramen noodles, and then there’s the potential traps of cultural faux pas. For tips and links see International category, check “Read More” and scroll down to episode #13.

Posted in International Features | Tagged Arita, cultural faux pas, Dazaifu Shrine, earthenware, farmer potters, Fukuoka city, God of Business & Traffic Safety, God of Learning, Imari City, Inari Shrines, Japan, Kashima City, Kashima Nishiki Textiles, kimono, Kyushu Island, miso, Onta ware, Oracles, Porcelain, ramen noodles, Saga Prefecture, sashimi, Shogun, weavers, Yatai roadside stands, Yutoku | Leave a comment