This guest post was contributed by Peak Transfer
It’s not just exotic food, fascinating cultures and warmer weather you may encounter on holiday. Even getting around can be a whole new experience. From rickshaws and tuk tuks to steam engines and even ostriches, here is a look at the quirkiest forms of transport you might enjoy on your world travels.
Cycle Rickshaws
A trip to Asia isn’t complete unless you hire a rickshaw at least once. Rickshaws are basically tricycles which are powered by a person and can fit two to four people on board. They most closely resemble an old-fashioned cart or wagon. Rickshaws are usually much cheaper than hiring a taxi and you can often hire a driver and rickshaw for a whole day to take you to the main attractions of a place and perhaps some lesser-known ones. Rickshaws are common in India and Southeast Asia but are now also seen all over the world even in London, Edinburgh and Brighton. The best thing about them is that they rely on pedal power, giving you a carbon-neutral method of transport.
Tuk Tuks
Tuk Tuks are motorised rickshaws, which means that they can be used for longer distances and often move a bit quicker than cycle rickshaws. Tuk tuks are found in cities all over the world, including those in Asia, Latin America and Africa, as they are a cheap means of transport. They are also more cost effective than taxis and can be a far more authentic way to travel in the parts of the world where they are more prolific than cars. Drivers often decorate their tuk tuks with all sorts of lights and brightly coloured paints, especially in Bangkok.
Steam Trains
Can you imagine anything more romantic than travelling by train during the steam era? This iconic mode of transport is frequently depicted in films and literature and can still be enjoyed in many places, often as a tourist attraction but sometimes as a common mode of transport. Popular locations for steam-powered journeys include the UK and Germany, although there are still steam trains operating across North America and all over the world.
Tandems
If you are thinking of hiring a bike while on holiday, why not go one step further and hire a tandem? You can ride a regular one-person bike back home, but how often do you get to sit back and pretend to cycle as your partner in front does all the work? Tandem bike hire is available in almost every corner of the globe, although it’s probably advisable to avoid hilly areas if you aren’t planning on doing much of the work! For two keen cyclists, however, this is a good opportunity to have a go at summits you usually wouldn’t attempt. You could pack a picnic in your basket and make a day of it. Popular tandem touring destinations include France and the Netherlands.
Gondola
A true gondola can only be enjoyed in Venice, although similar boats exist all over the world. A traditional gondola is a flat-bottomed vessel which is propelled along by an experienced gondolier who uses a long oar to row the boat from a standing position. A romantic trip on a gondola is really the only way to experience Venice.
Shuttle
Which is more exciting for you travelling or arriving? For many experienced travellers, the journey is part of the fun and that last stretch in a shuttle may be the most exciting part. Being picked up from the airport to be taken to your destination may typically involve a shuttle bus or trolley but in Shanghai it’s the world’s fastest train. The Shanghai Airport shuttle travels at 431km per hour and even a peak transfer can see you make the 30km journey in just seven minutes.
Beasts of Burden
All across the world, animals are used to transport goods or people. Depending on where you go, you could enjoy a majestic elephant ride in India, go horseback riding in the Wild West, enjoy a camel trek across the Sahara Desert or go sled-riding with husky dogs in Finland or Alaska. If these animals are not quite quirky enough, you could always ride a donkey in Jordan, an ostrich in South Africa or even a giant tortoise in Kenya!
Hot-Air Balloons
There’s no better way to get a sense for the place you visit than to see it from the sky. You’ll find hot-air balloon operators all over the world. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime adventure and one that nearly always gets great feedback. Imagine ballooning over the Pyramids of Giza or perhaps the Serengeti at a far safer distance from the lions and cheetahs. Other top locations for ballooning include the vast Angkor Wat complex in Cambodia and the Grand Canyon in the US.
For your next trip, why not find out how the locals travel or research traditional modes of transport? There may well be a more enjoyable and quirkier way to get around than in a car, train or taxi.
