A Traveller's Tale

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A Traveller's Tale of When the Wanderlust Strikes...

It happens to a great many people, at various stages in their lives. They suddenly experience an overwhelming desire to "move on;" a compulsion, almost, to see more of the big wide world around them and much that it contains. This may be due to a drastic, enforced change in domestic circumstances, or simply down to a random factor in their natural development. Whatever the reason, it can prove to be daunting, educational and enlightening.

Why not join me on a hypothetical journey and allow me to (hopefully!) illustrate what I mean by reciting the following traveller's tale...?

To play any of the videos on this page, simply click on the arrow in the centre of the particular screen.

Scotland the Brave 

An ancestral homeland

Allow me to introduce you to Dougal, the unwitting hero of our tale. He was raised in the rural highlands of Scotland. He had a tough upbringing on the whole, in a sometimes harsh landscape and environment, but he was raised with the love of his family and was lucky enough to have many good and loyal friends. He of course knew how fortunate he was in a great many respects but as he grew older and wiser he became increasingly aware that there was more out there than what he had ever known, however much he loved his home. He wanted to see it, needed to experience it, first hand.

curated content from YouTube

Discovering Scotland 

Get to know more about this magical land by way of the links below...

Travelling Light 

A heavy suitcase was the last thing he needed

Lion Rampant Hooded SweatshirtDougal was acutely aware of the importance of keeping his baggage to a minimum, so - taking care to pack his favourite sweatshirt from his favourite shop to forever remind him of home - he otherwise included only the most essential items in his small bag, those that he knew he could not be without during the earliest part of his journey. Disposable materials, he knew, would be a necessary factor in his adventure and he could buy them as he travelled along.

 

Scottish Tourist Board - accommodation, activities, events and holidays in Scotland
The Visit Scotland guide to Scottish hospitality. The official site of the Scottish Tourist Board provides information on Scotland travel, vacations, tours, holidays and accommodation.
Historic Scotland - the official website
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Executive and we are charged with safeguarding the region's historic environment and promoting its understanding and enjoyment on behalf of British Ministers.
Highlands of Scotland Tourist Board - accommodation activities attractions and events
The Highlands of Scotland doubtlessly contain a large percentage of the land's natural beauty. This link is to the official tourist site of the Scottish Highlands.
Scotland Holidays Hotels Tours Cottages Travel Scotland
Holidays in Scotland from Travel Scotland.
Holidays in Scotland tourism info, Scottish hotels, cottages, travel and places to visit
Holidays in Scotland, hotels Scotland, Scottish holidays, accommodation in Scotland and tourism, attractions, things to do, golfing, walking and scottish travel.

New York, New York 

A different country...another world

Dougal tossed a coin and subsequently found himself heading West. Where else, he reasoned, could therefore be his first port of call? "The Big Apple" - he'd heard of it, of course, but never in his wildest imaginings had he thought he would one day see it with his own eyes.

curated content from YouTube

New York City Mini-Sites on Hub Pages 

Concise guides to this vibrant city

What is the best area to live in New York City?
What really is the "best place" to live in New York? To be completely honest with you I would have to customize this answer to your specific liking, and you may think "how can I do that". Well quite simply I...
New York - An Entertainment Guide
A native's guide to what to see and do...
New York City
New York for visitors...

A First Big City Experience 

An eye-opener in every respect

Dougal loved New York. He spent his first few days wandering around in wide-eyed wonder, taking in the sights and seeing and doing as much as he possibly could. He thought that he could spend an enternity in the city and never get to see it - never mind know it - all.

View of Central Park from a helicopter on its way from the top of the Pan-Am Building in downtown New York City to JFK Airport, 1967 by gbaku

Central Park

curated content from Flickr

A Chance Encounter 

But a meaningful one...

It was while stopping off to buy a T-shirt souvenir similar to those pictured here that Dougal met a beauty who stole his breath away - and, soon after, his heart as well. He discovered that she too was only a visitor to the city, from Texas, and was scheduled to be leaving the very next day. They spent a wonderful evening together but as he waved Marie goodbye the following afternoon, Dougal knew it would not be long before he had to follow her south...

I Love Ny T-shirt

Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $16.95

Amarillo, Texas 

In pursuit of Marie...

Dougal lasted two more days in New York before he finally succumbed to his impulses and began his southbound trek, hitch-hiking with a series of sympathetic truckers.

Tony Christie - Amarillo

Tony Christie

curated content from YouTube

 

USA Travel and Tourism Guide, Tourist Attractions, Destinations - USATourist.com
Tourist information, tourism and travel guide about popular destinations, attractions, tips, activities and shopping in the United States of America.
This is New York City
An in-depth guide to New York City and visiting same. A must view for any potential visitor.
TravelTex Home
Texas - a country within a country. Find out more today via this link.
Unknown
USA Tourism is the place for all of your travel needs in the United States. You can
research lodging, campgrounds, attractions, state parks, national parks, museums, auto rentals,
and shopping for all 50 states in America.
Recreation and Tourism: USA.gov
USA.gov: Recreation and Tourism -- Explore this list of recreation ideas and tourist locations sponsored by the U.S. government.

Mexico 

Across the border, in old Mexico

Alas, Dougal and Marie's was destined to be but a whirlwind romance and although they ultimately parted on good terms, they had both quickly come to realise that it was time for Dougal to be on his way. Having got a taste for the heat in Texas, it was into Central America he elected to travel and soon he found himself in yet another entirely different land...

curated content from YouTube

Fun in Acapulco 

Starring Elvis Presley and Ursula Andress

Dougal loved the cliff divers in Mexico. He couldn't believe how they times it so well to meet the inrushing waves and avoid breaking their necks on the rocks. In this movie, starring Elvis Presley and Ursula Andress, see "The King" have a go at performing this spectacular stunt...

Fun in Acapulco

Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $9.98

 

Visit Mexico
A comprehensive guide to Mexico, how to get there and what you are likely to find there.
Cliff Divers- Acapulco, Mexico
Insider tips on Cliff Divers in Acapulco. Reviews, tips and photos of Cliff Divers posted by real travelers and locals.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 

A city of beautiful women, beautiful beaches...and carnival!

As time moved on and Dougal's feet grew itchy once again, he packed his bags and headed further south to a city he had once read so much about. Would it be all he expected it to be?

curated content from YouTube

Summer Cocktail Sizzlers! 

Drinks to warm the coldest of hearts

The cocktails that Dougal tried in Brazil (and to a lesser extent, elsewhere) were like nothing he had ever before sampled in Scotland. He desperately wanted to remember them and to try making them for his family and friends some day, so after some searching, he managed to find this great book - fortunately for the rest of us, now available on Amazon.com

Summer Cocktails: 62 Recipes

Amazon Price: (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $12.95

 

Visit Brazil - Brazil Tourism Office
Brazil Tourism Office. All you are likely to need to know when considering a trip to Brazil.
Rio de Janeiro - Carnival
Award-winning insider?' guide to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with loads of tips, facts, addresses and dozens of original photos (free). Attractions include Carnival for Beginners, Rio Samba Parade, The Sambodrome, Rio Street Carnival, Banda de Ipanema, Rio Carnival Balls, True Carnival Storie

More Great Travel Destinations on Squidoo 

Superb information, wonderful pictures and lots, lots more!

A Land Down Under 

Although Dougal fully realised that he hadn't yet even scratched the surface of the wealth of sights to see on the American continent, he soon knew it was time for something totally different. It seemed logical to him that he continue in an approximately westward direction and therefore knew almost immediately where his next stop would be.

waltzing matilda

waltzing matilda with some wallaby pics

curated content from YouTube

Australia in Pictures 

So much to see and do

Australia, Dougal soon discovered, is a vast country of far greater contrasts than most people who have never visited there would ever imagine. He loved the hustle and bustle of Sydney and Melbourne and the magnificent, world famous sites which he saw; but equally he loved the magic and mysticism of the Outback, which he witnessed on his way across country to Perth, and particularly the incredible spectacle that is Uluru (Ayres Rock).

Uluru Sunset by ernieski

Uluru (Ayres Rock)

curated content from Flickr

Money, Money , Money! 

It doesn't last forever

Although Dougal had scrimped and saved extremely hard before setting off on his trip, he was becoming increasingly aware of how his available funds were dwindling rapidly. He was actually considering taking temporary work in Australia to boost his coffers when he happened to have a most fortuitous encounter with a disgruntled former airline employee in a Sydney pub. His new acquaintance explained to him how it was possible to beat the money-grabbing airlines at their own game and travel at a fraction of the advertised cost. Click here for the full details of what Dougal was told...

 

The Official Site for Australian Travel and Tourism Australia
Australia.com - The Official Site of Tourism Australia
Information about travelling to and around Australia. Learn about Australia's cities, weather, geography and find hotels, transport and travel agents.

Blog Posts from Google on the Subject of World Travel 

See what the popular word is today!

Travel Destinations, flights, crusies, airfair, package discounts ...
What happens when you match a product that is needed by everyone and sparks lifestyle with a Revolutionary, Proven and Easy to Follow System? You get a.
Cultural rituals around the world » Blog Archive » Searching For A ...
2 Responses to ?Searching For A Travel Destination In The U.s.?? US_DR_JD Says: ??? 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 ??. Just as a note, DHS and INS have extended the passport dates for cruise travel to Caribbean Islands and Mexico until June ...
BRITISH AIRWAYS ANNOUNCES THE TOP TEN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS FOR 2010 ...
Sue Botes, British Airways' commercial manager in South Africa , says: ? Cape Town has always been a popular destination, we expect the World Cup to push it to the top of the long haul league table as the best place to be in 2010. ...
Top 10 Travelling Destinations, Top 10 Natural Wonders, Best ...
The Brazilian city is among the most popular travel destinations of the world. The prime focus of this darling destination is Rio de janeiro carnival which is about to take place near about Christmas. The entire world is fan of this ...

The Dark Continent 

An African Safari

Toto - Africa Music Video

Music video for Africa by Toto. From the album TOTO IV. This song reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in February 1983. ©Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc Official Toto Website -- www.toto99.com Director: Steve Barron

curated content from YouTube

Safari Tales 

True stories from those who should know...

Dougal didn't quite manage to take a safari during his African Adventure but he was enthralled by some of the exciting tales he heard, now featured in this great book, available to buy on Amazon.com.

Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $16.95

 

South African Tourism
The net's biggest guide to visiting and touring in South Africa.

Would You Like To Take A World Tour? 

Is seeing cultural and geographical diversity something that appeals to you?

Travelling is something which appeals to different people to very different extents. There are those who are quite happy to see out their days in their homeland, their knowledge of the wider world at large restricted to what they see or read on TV, on the Web or in magazines; conversely, there are those who take every opportunity to see and experience a new environment or culture.

Which are you?

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An Alpine Adventure 

An area of startling contrasts

Virtually the full extent of Dougal's knowledge of the Alps, prior to his visit, came from what he had seen in "The Sound of Music" as a small child. He was therefore astounded by the variations in the landscapes within the confines of such a small area. Basing himself in Innsbruck in Northern Austria, he found that although the local mountainous landscape was rugged and even inhospitable, he was but a short train journey away from the sloping hills and greenery he had often imagined.

curated content from YouTube

 

Plan your Holidays in Austria - Culture, Sports, Wellness - For your perfect Vacation: It's got to be Austria
Visit Austria and find your perfect break. The Austria tourist board provides up-to-date tourist information from all the local Austria tourist offices.

Y Viva Espana 

Off to sunny Spain

curated content from YouTube

A Little Bit of Spanish History 

The Inquisition

History's Mysteries - The Inquisition (History Channel)

Amazon Price: $18.49 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $24.95

 

Spain
A guide for the prospective visitor to Spain on everything from the sandy beaches to the culture of Madrid and Barcelona.
Spain tourism: Spain tourist info for your travel to Spain.
Tourism in Spain. Spain Tourist info for your travel to Spain, how to travel to Spain, directions, what to visit, recreation guide, maps, street directory, street map, hotels, public transports, what to see, where to eat, history, art, festivals and relevant dates and events.
Spain Travel Guide and Travel Information - Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet Spain Travel Guide. Spain travel information, advice, hotels, reviews, maps and itineraries.
Spain hotels, Spain travel and Spain tourism | SOL Spain On Line - Seville.
SOL Spain On Line. Your local guide to Spain tourism and travel. We specialize in Andalusia, south of Spain. Office in Seville.

Paris in the Springtime 

The city of romance?

Paris was perhaps the one city he visited which Dougal had read and heard the most about. He had come across so many conflicting reports, however, he found himself left with no real idea of what to expect...

Yulia Townsend - Plaisir D'Amour

I put this together as a tribute to the delightful Yulia. From her new album "Montage". The most beautiful creature, with the most beautiful voice. Sigh.....

curated content from YouTube

 

France Guide
Franceguide, online tourism guide offers you a large amount of informations for travelling in France, including France hotel, camping and gastronomy.
French Tourist Office
French Tourist Office for France tourism, travel & tours; Paris Provence Normandy Riviera Dordogne Champagne Bordeaux Accommodations
France Travel Guide - Travel to France
A complete guide to France
France Overview | France Tour Guide | iExplore
An overview of France on iExplore

These Are My Mountains 

...and I have come home...

If ever there were a song whose words matched the occasion perfectly, this must be that song...

Alexander Brothers.........For These are My Mountains

One of The Family favourites brought to us all by Mum and Dads 8 Track !!

curated content from YouTube

The Sounds of Scotland 

The sounds of home

Spirit Of The Glen

Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 12/23/2009) Buy Now
List Price: $18.98

Familiar Faces... 

A look at a few of Dougal's fellow Scots

Yet More Squidoo Travel Pages 

There are just too many great ones on fantastic destinations to choose from!

Journey's End 

What did you think?

Stumble It!

It is often said that all good things must come to an end and that all good stories should have a strong ending. I hope very much that Dougal's tale meets particularly the second of these criteria.

Thank you for accompanying Dougal and I on this impromptu journey and we both hope to see you again very soon, as we add further details to beef up the bones of this marathon trip.

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by Gordon_Hamilton

My name is Gordon Hamilton and I live in Edinburgh in the United Kingdom.


I love travelling and subsequently recounting tales of my experiences and a...

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