Today, we have a guest post from Travel DK Guides about Alternative Travel Sites.
But there’s more!
Travel DK Guides are also offering a really cool prize – a FREE copy of The Road Less Travelled.
The cover is shown below:
So how do you win this book?
Well, you have to do a little bit of work!
After you have finished reading this post, just leave a comment at the bottom of this post to be in the running.
The comments will remain open for 2 weeks and will close on Monday 7th of December 2009, 12pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), which is GMT +10 hours (Use this clock to work out your local time).
The prize is open to all regions.
Once the competition is closed, I will then randomly select a comment to find out who the winner is. I will do this by a placing the names in a hat, and asking my dog to pull one out with his rather large tongue.
No seriously, I’ll find some random number generator to work it out!
This isn’t a game of wit – it’s a game of chance!
The very nice Holly from Travel DK Guides will then send a copy to the winner once I obtain the winner’s snail mail address!
Here is article, so get reading and leave your comment! Oh, and sent it around Twitter and Facebook as well!
Alternative travel sights
If you’re searching for inspiring sights and fascinating experiences on your travels, but don’t want to go with the crowds; these alternatives to well-known wonders are sure to make for a rewarding and revealing trip beyond the tourist trail.
If you like The Acropolis; try Agrigento and Selinunte, Sicily
The Acropolis in Athens is a potent symbol of the classical world, but the temples of Sicily – built 100 years before – can offer an amazing alternative, more evocative of the power and majesty of ancient Greece. Travel to Agrigento for a glimpse of the ancient acropolis and its stunning Doric columns, then spend at least a day exploring the Valley of the Temples and its treasures. Don’t miss seeing the shrines, museums and catacombs, plus make sure you visit the ancient villa, agora and church.
The vast archaeological site of Selinunte had a short life, but it flourished long enough for an acropolis and seven temples to be constructed. Although not as well preserved as the ruins of Agrigento, these magnificent structures, by a dazzling blue sea, are still a spectacular sight.
If you like the Basilica San Marco; try Haghia Sophia, Istanbul
Haghia Sophia in Istanbul was built to proclaim the might and majesty of the Eastern Roman Empire, and it dwarfs Venice’s Basilica San Marco in age, scale and artistic achievement. Built 500 years before Venice’s basilica, Haghia Sophia is one of the great religio-historic wonders of the world and has withstood earthquakes and countless wars. The building’s spectacular soaring dome and four minarets dominate the city skyline and enclose one of the largest interiors in the world. Travel here for a quieter alternative to the Basilica San Marco, which may attract more visitors, but when it comes to atmosphere and architectural splendor, Haghia Sophia wins hands down.
If you like Waikiki; try Hulopo’e, Lana’i: Hawaii
Travel to Hulopo’e Beach in Hawaii to discover everything from gorgeous sands and idyllic swimming, to abundant marine life. For a peaceful alternative to the crowds of Waikiki, this beach is ideal: a gentle curve of deep, thick sand sloping into the ocean. An offshore reef ensures that the surfing conditions are relatively tame, making it the perfect place to learn to surf or simply play in the clear water. The whole bay forms part of a marine reserve and pods of local dolphins can often be seen swimming by. The snorkeling at Hulopo’e is excellent, and in winter, humpback whales are frequently visible if you travel out to sea; snorkelers are also able to hear their underwater songs.
If you like the Sydney Opera house; try the Walt Disney Concert Hall, LA
A classical music venue in step with the 21st century, the Walt Disney Concert Hall provides a captivating modern alternative to older venues like the Sydney Opera House. Designed by Frank Gehry, this gleaming metal-clad building is full of odd angles and yawning windows that draw in the California sunshine. As much as its architectural splendor, the Disney is also admired for its amazing acoustics which cannot be matched by the Opera House – completed 30 years earlier. Free guided tours are offered nearly every day and the public are encouraged to tour and study the building, making it a cheaper and more accessible alternative to Sydney’s concert hall.
Find out more about Los Angeles
If you like Musée de Louvre; try smaller Parisian museums
The Louvre is an undisputed crowd-puller but, if you prefer a little breathing space with your culture and are prepared to travel around, Paris has a host of alternative lesser-known art museums with equally commendable credentials. Beyond the walls of the Louvre’s incredible, but daunting, 35,000 works collection, lie smaller more accessible museums. Some of them, like the Musée Cognacq-Jay, are housed in mansions that also permit you a glimpse of long-vanished lives and lifestyles. The Musée National du Moyen-Age is an extraordinary museum dedicated to the art of the middle ages and the Institut du Monde Arabe, housed in an ultra-modern building, showcases Arabic history and culture.
These attractions are all taken from Travel DK Eyewitness Travel’s new book The Road Less Travelled.
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Twitter: NYerinNZ
Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:51 am
I’m jumping on this immediately, because these spots are now ensured to turn into next year’s tourist destinations!
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:51 am
Count me in
To maybe win
This special book
That’s worth a look
Robyn´s last blog ..The Blissful Reading of a Young Person’s Book
anthony Reply:
December 7th, 2009 at 1:59 pm
CONGRATULATIONS ROBYN – YOU’RE THE WINNER! My dog picked your email address. Well, the random number generator did!
Holly will send out the book to you soon! Enjoy!
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:53 am
I was just checking this book out in the bookstore yesterday and would love to get my hands on a copy! Here’s hoping your dog’s tongue is sticky enough to pull my name from the hat!
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:56 am
I’d love to win!
Twitter: XtremXpert
Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:03 am
I want one a book like that. Hope your dog will chose me:p
XtremXpert´s last undefined ..If you register your site for free at
Twitter: burto81
Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
Good book i think. A good guide to avoid the crowds
Pablo´s last blog ..Oaxaca 2009 206
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:31 am
Pick me! I love books and love travel.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:47 am
A game of chance? I’m all in.
Twitter: clareauchterloniegmail.com
Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:23 am
yes please looks awesome
Twitter: hutster48gmail.com
Says:
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Bam, gotta get me one of those
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:20 pm
In for a game of chance
Narayanan Hariharan´s last blog ..4 online tools to help you print wikipedia
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
I’d like to win this book!
Twitter: TravelWriting
Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 1:33 am
Hi Anthony
I’d LOVE to win a copy of this great book! Please put my name in the hat.
Here’s what I do to randomly pick a name for a contest: I put everyone’s name (or email address) in a cell in a spreadsheet, using 5 or 6 columns and however many rows that takes to get everyone’s name in the grid.
Then I make little slips of paper with the letters of the columns (A thru G) and slips that contain the numbers of the rows. Then I have someone else draw from two bowls 1 slip with a letter and 1 slip with a number, and whoever is in that cell (for example, F22) wins the prize!
Of course there are a lot of other ways to do it – have fun with that!
Trisha Miller´s last blog ..How I Got to Hold My Book With Both Hands
November 24th, 2009 at 1:40 am
Gettin’ the itch again… feels weird that I haven’t used a passport in over a year! The book should help with that!
Thanks for the opportunity!
Kat´s last blog ..What the Unemployed Do
Twitter: smokvatokyo
Says:
November 24th, 2009 at 9:36 am
If the place which is introduced in this book becomes famous…
Anyhow I want a copy of this book!
November 24th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Please take pity on an exhausted PhD student in Central Australia who is just hanging out to get to Indonesia as soon as her thesis is submitted… in early December. I am mentally & physically exhausted and need to escape! If I can’t afford a ticket, an inspiring book will be the next best thing
Twitter: natashaanne
Says:
November 25th, 2009 at 12:35 am
Love travelling and am planning big trips for 2010, please count me in!
Tash´s last blog ..Summer Staples
Twitter: SMSass
Says:
November 25th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Pick me!
November 25th, 2009 at 3:11 pm
I will take this chance definitely. I think, I reached here at right time.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Fingers crossed!
November 30th, 2009 at 8:25 pm
A book that will be well used as the whole family is always travelling.
Twitter: rose4himverizon.net
Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 1:01 pm
I love Bill Bryson, informative but told with humor…literally a “day in the life” of the consummate traveler! Hope to win a copy from this favorite author! BTW, when I travel, I do go to the tourist hot spots but much prefer spending the majority of my time, exploring the “off the beaten path”, getting to know the local and where they like to spend their time.
Twitter: kaushal
Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 3:54 pm
I want!
Twitter: AdventureRob
Says:
December 1st, 2009 at 11:36 pm
Looks like a sweet book, I guess this is my entry into the competition too
AdventureRob´s last blog ..BBQs and Kangaroos
Twitter: candicewalsh
Says:
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:37 am
Me me me! I’m dying to go to Sicily. Dying.
Candice´s last blog ..Jingle Bells, Batman Smells
Twitter: tombetz
Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:02 am
I’m In. Just used DK’s Tunisia last week.
Twitter: velvetescape
Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:01 am
I saw this book the other day at the airport and I loved the ‘alternative’ concept. Hey doggie, doggie…. choose me… yes, me.
Keith´s last blog ..Cederberg: mountain passes, safaris and San rock art
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:18 am
Thanks TTT and DK.
This is great (I love getting off the beaten track), and just in time for Christmas.
The Global Traveller´s last blog ..How to get to | Samoa
Twitter: ShannonRTW
Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 7:47 am
Oooo – looks excellent! Would love to win it, hope luck is on my side!
Twitter: inthehotspot
Says:
December 3rd, 2009 at 5:54 pm
Yes, please this will be perfect for my hubby’s xmas gift:)
Try random.org for the number generator or pop the names in a hat the old fashioned way and pick one. I’m on video doing this tomorrow to announce the winners of the first competition ever on my blog.
You’re a marvel and run a few of them. Right, must dash. Fingers crossed:) And thanks for offering the chance!
December 3rd, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I like traveling and for the sound travel we need travel guide that can suggest best sporty place. I tried my best to win the Exclusive travel guide.
December 4th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Love your alternative suggestions and will be keeping them bookmarked for later travel reference!
December 5th, 2009 at 2:01 am
My husband and I are always looking for off-the-beaten-path destinations, and this publication would help us with our wish list! We have several DK Eyewitness travel books and really enjoy the photos and information.
Twitter: mariajessica
Says:
December 6th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Would love to get to see Istanbul.
Twitter: stainedr0se
Says:
December 7th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Free book? I’m in.