The kibbutz comeback
Words: Sophy Grimshaw The kibbutz is experiencing a revival this summer, with a new Israeli marketing campaign which high lights 140 communes across the country as travel destinations. Working on the collective farm of a kibbutz was a hippy rite of passage in decades past, but Israel (whose second largest city Tel Aviv is a bmi destination) now thinks [...]
Words: Sophy Grimshaw
The kibbutz is experiencing a revival this summer, with a new Israeli marketing campaign which
high lights 140 communes across the country as travel destinations. Working on the collective farm
of a kibbutz was a hippy rite of passage in decades past, but Israel (whose second largest city Tel Aviv
is a bmi destination) now thinks today’s ecologically-aware young people may once again be up for
the challenge. Or is that just wishful thinking? For more information visit www.kibbutzvolunteer.com
House of the spiriti
Not everyone believes in ghosts, but you might still believe a long weekend
spent looking for them is fun. With its faded grandeur and convenient
location 50 minutes from Venice, Castle Brando (pictured) is one of the
most beautiful but apparently spooky locations which the rather unusual
travel company Haunting Breaks (www.hauntingbreaks.com) recommends
to ghost-hunters. The 2,000-year-old castle’s former guests are said to have
included Dante, Vivaldi and Casanova, so a classier calibre of supernatural
presence may reside here. Cynics may find the paranormal investigation
class, which includes the use of dowsing rods and crystals, too much to bear,
in this life or the next. But founder Carol Bowen, who tells voyager she has
been a psychic all her life, says: “Some of the most dramatic experiences have
happened to sceptics who were just along for the ride.” So how does Bowen
explain the appeal? “It’s something different for people who’ve already tried
bungee jumping, go-karting and everything else. It’s a lovely weekend break
but with a paranormal experience.”
Underwater love
When sculptor Jason de Caires Taylor built an
underwater sculpture park in Grenada in the
Caribbean, he attracted a wave of international
media interest that landed him a seat on Richard
& Judy’s sofa. Now, for the first time, de Caires
Taylor has created underwater sculptures in
south-east England. On the riverbed of The
Stour in his hometown of Canterbury, Kent (an
hour and a half by train from London’s Victoria
Station), he has installed two new sculptures of
female forms (one is pictured). Cast in concrete
and recycled glass, they are illuminated at night.
What’s been the public’s reaction? “It’s amazing
in one day to meet someone who has stood
staring in admiration for over an hour, followed
by someone who asked if taxpayers are funding
this rubbish,” remarks the artist. Well, voyager
likes them, Jason; www.underwatersculpture.com
Send me a postcard
Photographer Martin Parr started
collecting unusual postcards 35
years ago, but he didn’t imagine it
would result in a horde of 20,000
cards. His new book features 750
examples, ranging from the historic
to the eccentric, and while some are
more worthy than others, together
they form an interesting record of
Britain’s ideas about travel. They also
show that, in the email and texting
age, perhaps there’s still no other
missive quite as charming.
Postcards By Martin Parr (£29.95; www.chrisboot.com)
Catch the bigger view
If you’re planning a trip to Edinburgh, make
the time to get out of the city to see what
its surroundings have to offer. Small business
Wild Green Travel organises excursions starting
and ending in Edinburgh, including a three-day
seafood tour around the Highlands and Skye
(£139), where you can meet local fishermen
and, when back in the city, eat some of their
catch. You can also request a bespoke itinerary; www.wildgreentravel.com
Women of the world
Independent women are getting out there and
experiencing world travel by themselves, according
to Responsible Travel (www.responsibletravel.com).
Women accounted for 67% of customers
booking adventure holiday experiences through
the website last year, of which 37% were booked
by women travelling alone. “It’s long been
recognised that women wear the trousers when
it comes to holiday decisions,” says cofounder
Justin Francis.
Experiences in bmi destinations you can book
through the site include a visit to the Grand Canyon
(fly to Las Vegas) and the chance to bathe in the
natural hot springs in Aleppo, Syria.
