Insiders View on London

The Wanderers in conversation with Minaxi Mistry

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place.

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to London

That the London Underground Tube service is excellent, efficient, and the fastest and easiest way to get around the City

What is a must buy when in London?

English Tea!

One take-away after a visit to London? 

British pomp and pageantry – no one does it quite like the British.

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Purchase an Oyster Card, it’s the fastest, smartest and most cost effective way to pay for travel around the City.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to London

Jumper / Umbrella as you can never predict the down-turn in temperature

One activity anyone travelling to London should not miss.

Hop On / Hop Off Red Bus – excellent way to see all the amazing sights properly with guided information

Where should anyone, travelling to London, definitely get their picture taken?

Buckingham Palace

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

By Big Ben / Westminster Abbey

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

London Bridge

Most romantic place to take a special someone to?

Duck & Waffle located on the 40th Floor of the Heron Tower – the highest restaurant in the UK !

Best place to have local food?

Any good old fashioned London Pub

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend?

Traditional Fish & Chips served in newspaper and a refreshing Gin & Tonic

One place only the locals would know?

Camden Lock Market for it’s sheer funkiness and eccentricity……you will see sights here of the wackiest people that you will only ever see in London

The best pub and best place to catch up for a drink?

The Royal Standard of England – 900 years old making it the oldest Freehouse in England.  Wonderful food, dog friendly and very cosy.

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see?

Trooping Of  the Colour Parade is the celebration of the Queen’s official birthday in June. You can watch it for free as it marches past Buckingham Palace and down The Mall, but the real spectacle takes place on Horse Guards Parade, where the Queen will take the salute from one of her Household regiments

The things guide books will not tell anyone about London?

How Expensive just about Everything is in London from Food to Accommodation to Travel Expenses

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to London and what would that reason be?

January / February as it can be quite depressing – dark, dismal days

In one sentence,  London is innovative, dynamic, and outrageous, with history and culture leaking from every brick and individual style around every corner.

It’s a supremely cosmopolitan city , with excellent restaurants, quirky pubs, avant-garde shops, unparalleled museums – most of which are now free – superb theatre and attractions and a blitzing nightlife.

Born in Lancaster in the North of England (near the Lake District) in the UK, Minaxi Mistry moved to London when she was 6 years old.  All her education and working life has been in London so she is definitely a Londoner through and through – accent and all.  For the last 25 years, she has worked in a sales capacity and always in the Travel Industry which she absolutely adores. Minaxi  has travelled extensively and her aim is to still travel lots more as nothing makes a person richer and wiser and gives more of a thrill than Travel!

Insiders view Tanzania

The Wanderers in conversation with Niall Anderson

Everything the guide books or tourism websites won’t tell you about the place

One little known fact/trivia that everyone should know about when travelling to Tanzania

There are more than 120 different tribes in Tanzania!

What is a must buy when in Tanzania?

Tanzanite – this gem is rarer than Diamonds and is only found in Tanzania.

One take-away after a visit to Tanzania

You will leave wanting to return…

What is your advice to first time travellers?

Patience is a fantastic trait to bring with you to Tanzania. It will assist you in your travels and surprise you on safari.

One thing to definitely pack when travelling to Tanzania.

A good sense of humour, this will stand you in good stead with the Local Tanzanian people and will ensure you have a lot of fun.

One activity anyone travelling to Tanzania should not miss.

Hot air ballooning over the Serengeti!

Where should anyone, travelling to Tanzania, definitely get their picture taken?

The Clock Tower in Arusha – It is said to be equidistant between London and Cape Town and a famous stopping place for early adventurers.  Apart from the tower, you can get your picture taken on the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater, in the vast plains of the Serengeti and at the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Which is the best place to get a panoramic photo?

From a hot air balloon while floating over the Serengeti

On the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater

Half way up Kilimanjaro

Mto Wa Mbu – looking back at the great rift valley

Best place to enjoy sunset/sunrise?

The &Beyond Serengeti Under Canvas, in close proximity to the Great Wildebeest Migration

Most romantic place to take a special someone to..

The &Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge, overlooking the world famous Ngorongoro Crater

Which is the best place to have local food?

Nicks Pub, Chicken on a bonnet or the Lively Lady in Arusha.

Your favourite local dish and drink that you would recommend..

Nyam Chom and Ugali with a Serengeti Beer!

One place only the locals would know..

A (very) special visit to the Hadza Tribe, one of the smallest tribes in Tanzania

A local festival you feel more travellers should come and see..

A Maasai Graduation ceremony!

Is there any particular month you would not recommend travel to Tanzania and what would that reason be?

Tanzania is a year round destination – June and July are the busiest months of the year on the tourist calendar as they are fantastic months to visit Tanzania. However, the rest of the year is incredibly special too.

In one sentence, Tanzania is.. Is the best African country to visit for a Safari…

Niall Anderson is the Regional Director for Tanzania with &Beyond, which it joined six years ago. Settled in Arusha, Niall takes on exciting challenges in leading teams in Tanzania

Check out our latest package on Tanzania