Culinary Travel Trends

As strange as it sounds, food is increasingly becoming a major reason for people to pack their bags and head to the airport. The “Foodie Era” has encouraged people to not only travel for culture, historical or relaxation purposes, but rather with the intent of getting absorbed into the culinary atmosphere of a new place. From tastes to culinary styles, there is so much you can learn about a place through your tongue and tummy.

Adding to that, more people have realised that you no longer need to visit the swankiest restaurant in town to enjoy a culinary experience. Some argue that you are more likely to have an authentic taste experience by visiting a local market and stocking up on fresh ingredients to go crazy in the kitchen with. Readers Digest  says this is one of the best reasons to do a house swap instead of staying in a hotel, so that you’ll live, eat and shop like a local.

If you’re not much of a cook, then don’t worry, you don’t actually have to slave away in the kitchen every day to get a taste of local culture. Many markets around the world sell tasty traditional delicacies which you can sample. Then there are the small cafes and restaurants that focus solely on their country’s traditional dishes. The setting often allows for you to get lost in the both the gastronomical and cultural flavours of the place you’re visiting.

So when it comes to planning a foodie holiday; whether you plan to cook-up more fresh foods than Jamie Oliver could ever dream of, or eating from local stalls and eateries; you’ll need to do a little bit of research.

Thankfully, our Hummba audio city guides are not just for touring. They include the names and descriptions of some of the best fresh food markets and restaurants in the world’s most popular cities. Download mobile guides to the food-lovers’ cities of New York, Paris, and Rome!

Top Ten 2013 Summer Holiday Trends

Summer is starting to make its presence felt in the Northern Hemisphere, resulting in thousands of travel plans being dreamed up and made. We take a look at these Top Ten 2013 summer trends and how they will affect your plans, jazz up your holiday and improve your trip.

10. Airport Security

Getting on a jet-plane and flying off is made dramatically less exciting by having to do the airport security dance. If you’ve ever travelled by plane, you’ll know it. The coat-off, unlace/unbuckle shoe, whip-off-belt jiggle, which is then followed by the shuffle through and scramble to put it all back on. If you’re really lucky, you’ll set the detector off and have to add the full body feel up to the routine. However, now there is a way to escape having to even take you laptop out of its bag: join the TSA precheck club and frustrating security checks will become a thing of the past.

9. Luxury Contiki, without the price tag

Luxury and cheap and two very contrasting adjectives, but they go hand in hand when it comes to booking a luxury Contiki holiday this summer. Various Contiki tour operators, such as Abercrombie and Kent, have broadened their offering of activities and lodgings, so as to attract a wider range of travellers. This means you can taste the high-life, without forking out large sums of money. Just be aware that some tour operators will increase the size of the groups to lower the costs. For some, this just means more people to socialise with, but for other is can be a crowded nightmare. Make sure you check the max group capacity before you book if this is a concern.

8. Smartphone = Smart Traveller

Carrying fiddly bits of paper in the form of boarding passes and tickets is fast becoming a thing of the past. Especially with apps such as Passbook which is not free and ready to download, but comes standard with ios6. Passbook allows you to store your tickets for everything; from your boarding pass to your travel insurance to hotel bookings.

7. Online booking

Gone are the days when you needed someone else to book your flights and plan your trip. Online booking has been around for ages, but more and more people are relying on this method to not only get where they are going, but also ensure they get the best possible prices while doing so. And booking sites are encouraging this. There are a variety of accommodation and flight sites, such as Expedia.com and Travelocity.com, which allow travellers to find the best deals possible. These sites are not just promoting the cheap and nasty, but actual world-class airlines and hotels. You can also book your own travel insurance and rentals online, and usually for much less than what the travel agent is offering you.

6. House Swap

Accommodation can often take up a large portion of your holiday budget, and for some, staying in hotels even detracts from their holiday. So what to do? Well, just as Cameron Diaz and Kate Winslet did in The Holiday, you can try a house swap.  It’s simple. You register on one of many house swap sites such as Lovehomeswap.com or homeswapper.co.uk, get vetted and then get choosing. You can find houses to swap locally and internationally, depending on your location. Just remember, while you may be living in a a wonderful new home for a week or two, a stranger will be living in yours.

5. Lying on the beach

According to Orbitz.com, three quarters of the US population is heading to the beach this summer, and Europe seems set to follow suit. The question is; which beach is everyone heading to? The Travel Channel seems to think its Australia’s Gold Coast. Famous for its perfect surf conditions, golden sands and warm water, the Gold Coast offers a variety of beaches for you to see, and be seen at. The most popular is Kirra Beach – so popular you’ll have to get there super-early to snag a spot, but you’ll only want to leave just after sunset.
Long-layovers and lengthy cramped flights can make travelling absolutely miserable, and unless you have cash to spare for an airport hotel, the best thing you can do is hope you’ll find a quiet corner in which you can doze. Or at least that’s what you had to do. Not anymore, at least not in Abu Dhabi’s International Airport. An introduction of sleeping pods will give you the full private-bed experience for as little as eight British Pounds an hour. Giving you the chance you need to shake off that jet lag and arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to start your vacation.

4. Sailing the Seven Seas

Cruising has always been popular, and why shouldn't it be? You get the full ride when stepping onto a cruise ship – comfortable to luxury accommodation, five-star dining, and world class entertainment. So why has there been a sudden burst of increased interest? Well it’s not really the actual cruise ships that are attracting all the attention, but rather where they are sailing to. The Western world has been thoroughly saturated with cruise ships, so now they are moving East. This means the chance to taste new cultures and explore different cities is easier than ever before. Liners cruising to the far end of the world include P&O, Crystal Cruises, and HollandAmerica.

3. Pop-up hotels

Festivals, retreats and random fields this summer are going to be able to offer you so much more in terms of accommodation. Pop-up hotels, in simple terms, are various forms of accommodation that can be set up practically anywhere and offer a full luxury hotel service. This idea has become very popular at festivals events around the UK. Glamping, which is luxury camping, has been taken to a whole new level at these events, and you know don’t only get the hotel-like surroundings but also the service that goes along with it. Or you can opt to stay in stacked hotel like the ones offered by snoozebox.com. You’ll have four solid walls, a full hotel service and a truly unique experience as no pop-up hotel is ever the same.

2. Self - Tours

Group tours can be great, you don’t have to organise anything, or consult chunky guidebooks to know what exactly it is you’re gazing at in awe. The problem is, they cost dollar and are limited to certain attractions. Enter the new almost-hands-free self-tour. Depending on the city you’re in, you can download a guide that uses geo-locators to pick up where you are and what attractions are surrounding you, playing audio information as you approach them. The best thing about these guides is that once they’re downloaded onto your smart phone they no longer need to use data and works completely off-line.  Download our Hummba City Guides today on Google Play and at the Apple app store.

 1. Sleeping Pods

Long-layovers and lengthy cramped flights can make travelling absolutely miserable, and unless you have cash to spare for an airport hotel, the best thing you can do is hope you’ll find a quiet corner in which you can doze. Or at least that’s what you had to do. Not anymore, at least not in Abu Dhabi’s International Airport. An introduction of sleeping pods will give you the full private-bed experience for as little as eight British Pounds an hour. Giving you the chance you need to shake off that jet lag and arrive at your destination refreshed and ready to start your vacation.

It's going to be a big year for London...

Few people will argue that London is not the place to be in 2012. The London Olympics are expected to be some of the most watched sporting events in history and Queen Elizabeth II’s upcoming Diamond Jubilee has already got the entire country in the mood for a party.

Celebrations in honour of the Jubilee are set to begin already on the 6th of February. This will mark the 60th anniversary of Elizabeth’s ascension to the British throne. The real show however is only scheduled to kick off in June, just a few weeks before the Summer Olympics.

Britons will be graced with a four-day holiday and a Diamond Jubilee concert produced by Gary Barlow (one of the head judges on the X-Factor reality television show). A maritime parade of more than 1,000 boats will make its way up the River Thames and the Queen herself is expected to join the flotilla atop a golden barge. Events have also been organised in several Commonwealth countries around the world, including Australia and Canada.

London hosted the Olympics back in 1908 and 1948, and with this year’s event it will become the first city to host the modern Games on three occasions. Kicking off on the 27th of July and running until the 12th of August, the London Olympics will be a big tourist draw card for the entire United Kingdom. Music lovers will also be pleased to hear that English rock legends Pink Floyd are expected to reunite to perform at the Olympics and Sir Paul McCartney will also make an appearance at the Games.

If you’re looking to experience one of 2012’s hottest holiday destinations, London really should be at the top of your list. Download our free audio travel guides to help you discover more about the must-see attractions of London, or let us guide you on a walking tour of the city.

The convenience of technology has drastically changed the way we travel

There’s no denying that the way we travel has changed. Making holiday arrangements, which used to take days, weeks or even months, can now be done in an instant. The reason for this is quite simple: travellers are embracing the convenience of technology.

The internet has led the charge when it comes to innovations in travel. Booking your flights, accommodation and vehicle hire online are common occurrences. The fact that you can do all this from the comfort of your own home, outside normal working hours, has only added to the method’s popularity.

But now the mobile phone has entered the fray and there’s no need even to have access to a computer. There are hundreds of Android and iPhone applications specifically designed to help travellers and at Hummba, we’re doing just that.

With Hummba, you can download free audio guides directly onto your mobile phone. We’ve got informative guides for hundreds of tourist attractions all over the world. Our location-based technology means you’ll get the information you need, when you need it most.

The Hummba app uses your phone’s GPS location to point out interesting things to see and do nearby. Your mobile phone can be your own personal tour guide as you take a walking tour of New York or Paris, for example.

With Hummba, you can also share your travel experiences, as they happen. Create a travel route and tag pictures along the way. It’s the perfect way to keep your friends and family in the loop while you’re on the move.

Visit Hummba.com to find out more about our free audio travel guides for your mobile phone.

Jack Presents Stellenbosch

Hummba's resident travel nut has been at it again and this time he's chosen an extra special route, which should appeal to all our thirsty travelers out there.

This month Jack Hummba decided it was high time he visited one of his favorite parts of the world. Now coming form a traveler who could direct you through the city center of Prague on old years eve with ease or would be able to direct you to the best place to find Mozzarella in Naples, I'd have to be talking about an extra special travel destination. The funny thing is, that Jack has chosen a tourist attraction just outside the city of Cape Town, on the scenic south west coast of South Africa. Jack does enjoy his wine and if that doesn't give it away, then here it is Jack Hummba payed a visit to the Stellenbosch Wine Route. This true South African gem is a made up of a cluster of wine farms and most of these wineries are renowned for their award winning wines.The farms and their rolling vineyards are conveniently situated amongst the mountains in the tranquil surroundings of the historic Stellenbosch wine making region.

Jack's latest Footprint on his one and only social networking and travel site, Hummba.com brings all the vino, fine hospitality and impeccable scenery to your computer screens. Jack visited his favorite wine farms, the town of Stellenbosch and many other note worth sites along the way and caught all his favorites on camera.

So check out Jack's latest, excellent adventure through this amazing wine route in the form of a Footprint on www.Hummba.com or just click on the link for a preveiw.
http://www.hummba.com/Map.aspx#ufid=1390,111372450

Racing the Sun

Last week the Hummba blog featured the start of a round the globe expedition, undertaken by the worlds largest solar powered ship. The Turanor is not just an eye catching ship with an interesting name. Let's put it this way, the vessel and it's small crew are attempting to sail around the world, while relying solely on the power of the sun. If there's no light, then the journey could very easily come to an end.

Now that we're on the same page, I think it would be a good time for an update. The Turanor set off from Monaco last week and is doing fine. The last update we received here at Hummba,told us that they've moved closer to the European continent in order to catch more of the suns rays. How do we know this? It's simple we're following this solar powered icon and the crew through out their voyage, right here on Hummba.com. Just in case your unfamiliar with what Hummba is, log onto www.Hummba.com, once you're on there have a look around. If you're fond of traveling you should feel right at home, then go the extra mile by signing up to the PlanetSolar Group. Once you've joined, you too can watch this important event in the world of mobility unfold on your very own PC screen.

For anyone out there who hasn't signed up yet, here's a sneak peak at what you can expect to see, as you follow the Turanor's progress. I already mentioned, direct updates from the crew, other Hummba users commenting on the group and pictures of the large vessel making it's way around the world. Lastly what I enjoy doing the most as a member, is following the group live on Hummba.

So race the sun your selves on www.Hummba.com

Set Sail with Hummba

Ever since I was a young child, I've heard stories on the news and read in novels about men and woman who have sailed around the world. These days when the public are informed of another planned attempt or completed journey undertaken by residents of this planet across this globe we live on, not everyone is all that impressed. Back in the days of daring explorers like Captain Cook he must have been the talk of the town for decades after he arrived home. Now days humans aren't too easily impressed but if you think that once you've followed one ship around the world you've followed them all, then you're horribly mistaken. The ship in question is called the Turanor and she's not your average vessel. Oh no, this powerful piece of machinery is a new and unique addition to the world of boating. The Turanor, is a high performance catamaran, powered by the sun and on the brink of making history during it's time at sea. It's quite fitting that the worlds largest

This was to good an opportunity for the team at Hummba.com and our resident travel nut, Jack Hummba to miss. We will be tracking this fascinating vessel as the crew navigate their way through harsh seas and past island paradise, back to where they started. So here's your chance, sign up to travel and lifestyle and social network Hummba.com, join the PlanetSolar Group and you too can follow this solar powered boats ground breaking voyage from port to port.

The Turanor's movements will become a regular fixture right here on this Hummba blog, so if you are interested it would be best to keep up, as we see the world with the help of solar power.

Discover Madrid with Hummba

Anyone thinking of paying a visit to Spain's capital city anytime soon, shouldn't leave the house with out logging onto Hummba.com.

I can't think of another site that offers such an extensive and informative travel experience in Madrid. Not only will Hummba's Madrid guides give you the lowdown, on the cities vibrant quarters and ever popular museums but users can hear these guides in 5 different languages. Is there another spot on the net where you can get hold of accurate travel guides on one of the most visited cities in Europe in French, German, Italian Spanish and English. To be honest Hummba is a site for travel enthusiasts, created by seasoned travelers so in the long run, a visit to Madrid is like a walk in the park for the Hummba team. Now, if you happen to find yourself in Madrid by coincidence or on a backpacking holiday, Hummba guides will be there with you every step of the way.

Here's a chance for tourists and even Spanish locals to experience this multicultural European city in 5 different languages. Now that's what I call traveling in true Hummba style.

Jack Hummba hit's Franschhoek

There's nothing quite like making your way over the infamous Hellshoogte Pass and locking eyes with what I like to call the French Quarter of the Cape Winelands. Believe it or not Franschhoek is a not only one of the oldest towns in South Africa but it was originally started by the French Huguenots. The town has grown in leaps and bounds since the Huguenot's first decided to set up shop in this picturesque area of the Cape. So it's no surprise that Hummba.com's very own travel guru, Jack Hummba would decide to pay a visit to this unique French village.

Jack Hummba's latest footprint, that can be seen on Hummba.com, provides would be and seasoned visitors to Franschhoek with a detailed introduction to the town. Jack has caught some fantastic images of the surrounding mountain ranges and vineyards that can be viewed in the area, before you even officially enter the delightful village.Users can see just what Jack got up to on his visit to the town, which included him stopping in at top restaurant venues and wine farms that have played a large part in putting Franschhoek on the map. Enjoy a fine glass of the area's ever popular wine at the Moreson Vineyard or have a an unforgettable experience at the Tasting Room and Reuben's Restaurant. Anyone who just glances at the pics taken along the way, will know that Jack got very excited when he reached the Huguenot Monument. Jack took some splendid pictures of this fascinating part of the town. So if you think once you've seen Franschhoek, you've seen it all I can guarantee you that Jack will prove you wrong.

Check out Jack's Footprint right here - http://www.hummba.com/Map.aspx#ufid=1390,102360600

See the World With Jack Hummba

It’s time for all you travelers and would be travelers out there to quit complaining about the price of accommodation on your holiday to California, or the boring boat tour you took through Venice. Jack Hummba is here to give you pointers from where ever he may be in the world and even show you pictures of his travels on Hummba.com.

When I was kid, I would often kill time when I was meant to be studying by running my finger along the continents of the globe, on a large world map I had printed on my desk. One day I took a break and went outside to the pool area, where my father was also pretending to be hard at work. I couldn’t hold it in any longer, I told him straight out, that one day I wanted to visit every country on earth, from Yemen to Alaska. I went on to say that I’d take pictures of the Taj Mahal and walk across Sydney Harbour Bridge. My old man’s answer was short and sweet as per usual. He looked up from his weekly gun magazine and said “good luck, don’t you have some studying to do or something”. As you can imagine I wasn’t too happy with my father and his words of so called wisdom. That was up until I was introduced to a chap by the name of Jack Hummba.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the name Jack Hummba, allow me to full in. Jack is Hummba.com’s very own ambassador who is quite the traveler. He’s a jet setter, who gets a big kick out of visiting the most popular travel destinations on the planet. Since Hummba.com is an online traveler’s social networking site, it’s quite fitting that such a worldly individual like Jack should represent the site from where ever he is on the globe. Sure Jack Hummba can often be spotted visiting popular travel destinations like New York, Paris, London and Amsterdam but what I like about following him on Hummba is that he also introduces you to brand new attractions in lands you may have never heard of. Jack makes his way around the world from Shanghai to the Suez Canal and uploads pictures of his travels along the way. So if you were hoping to visit Morocco anytime soon, Jack can help you decide if it really is the place for you.

Over the next couple of months Hummba.com’s ambassador will go the extra mile and upload images of his travels across South Africa, hosts of the recent Football World Cup. Starting off in the scenic French community of Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands and making his way to some of the most popular and under rated tourist destinations on the Southern African continent, Jack will not disappoint his followers and will be uploading “pics” of rolling vineyards and incredible white sand beaches . If only the young me had access to something like Hummba.com back then. Follow Jack closely because he’s the kind of guy who could sipping on latte’s in Paris and next thing you know he’s trekking through the Himalaya’s.

New Addition To Hummba

If all the excitement over the past weekend wasn't enough for you, Hummba.com has something new to make your 2010 Football experience even more enjoyable.

If you haven't signed up to the Hummba Players group on hummba.com, let's just say you're missing out. This group offers football fans the chance to follow the 2010 World Cup through the camera lens of South Africa's star players. So far Bafana Bafana defender, Matthew Booth has uploaded pics from his iPhone of the local side paying a visit to former South African President Nelson Mandela, being greeted by thousands of fans in the opening stages of the tournament and even snap shots of himself at some of the great South African sports venues, being used during the tournament. Now equipped with a new profile viewer,hummba users can jump from the hummba players group to any profile on the site.

This is just one new reason to sign up to this new exciting travel experience. All you have to do is go to www.hummba.com, sign up and join the hummba players website. Before you know you'll be one up on any football fanatic, following the 2010 Football World Cup in South Africa.

Wherever You Are in The World

If you had told a seasoned traveler during the 1980's that one day the easiest way to explore the most popular tourist destinations in the world, would be made easy with a mobile phone, the jet setters probably would have laughed in your face. Now with Hummba.com backpackers, first time travelers and anyone on business abroad can explore the most visited cities in the world like never before. It doesn't matter if your boss wants you in the boardroom in Piccadilly Circus by noon and all you want to is see Hyde Park. With Hummba's free travel guides you'll know exactly where to go and you'll learn something about the famous city park when you get there. Our guides aren't just for visitors to London. You'll be able to find the Roman Coliseum in no time, explore the Bund in Shanghai like a local and plan your evening on Broadway in New York and all you'll need is your mobile.

Sign up on hummba.com now, download one of our free travel guides and explore the globe like never before.

Your Virtual Tour Guide

We at Hummba know how important it is to travel and most importantly to travel wisely, that's why we offer you comprehensive guides that allow you to experience every nook and cranny of every place you want to visit. From Cape Town's Walking Tour of the City Bowl to London's Theatre Guide, we cater for all your needs and understand that when visiting a city, a virtual tour guide is the preferred choice.

Above all else, we understand that traveling is expensive. With all the costs of flights, accommodation and actual spending money, the price tag is a heavy one, that's why our audio guides are absoultely FREE! It doesn't get better than that. Saving on costs and receiving an outstanding service.

So what are you waiting for? Download one (or more) of our quality guides directly to your mobile phone and start experiencing the city of your choice in a new and exciting way. Happy Travels!

Super Cool Super Hero

Start of a brand new year and a brand new blog for me. I took over the hummba blog cause I reckon I'd have a few more stories to tell - crazy traveler and all. I'm on a mission to see the most amazing cities in the world and so far, I've done pretty well so far, I've seen over a thousand cities and counting.

I think its time for you and I to get to know each other better so I'm going to tell you why my mobile phone is the one thing I ALWAYS travel with, no matter where I'm going or what time of the year...

Its the ultimate travelers companion. I can do just about anything on my phone and it saves me the hassle of finding an internet cafe to stay in touch. Hummba means that you keep moving, so with my phone I can let all my buddies know where I am and what I'm doing. I fancy myself as a bit of a rogue travel guide so I take geo tagged pictures of my travels and upload my Footprint photo album for everyone to check out. Its a cool way to stay in touch. Hummba is one half mobile application and one half social network for travelers. The cool part is sometimes I get to a city and I don't have any idea about what to see or where to go so I log on to hummba, check out what free audio travel guides are available in the city, download them and BOOM! I'm a city expert/traveling super hero. Its cool. Trust me, or don't - go and try it out for yourself and let me know what the deal is.

To a great adventure! Hope to catch up with you soon.

Jack

Soccer and the World's Best Kept Secret

hummba.com is a new travel and lifestyle website that lets you go anywhere in the world with nothing more than a toothbrush and your GPS enabled mobile phone. Users of hummba.com will be able to download FREE audio guides to their phone and when they reach the location of the landmark, the audio clip will play. Click on the widget above and get a little taste of what you're in for. If you fancy yourself as a tour guide, record your own audio clips and reviews and upload them to share with the whole hummba community. Another fun and innovative application is FOOTPRINTS, users can track their trips and photographs for their friends and family to see. So you're never alone when you travel with hummba. Check it out on www.hummba.com