
It is the capital of the Kabarda-Balkar republic, and an article in the Moscow Times reported that, “these days, Nalchik tends to make the news only in connection with government-led crackdowns on Islamic militants”. Police officers carrying high-powered automatic weapons eyeball us as we drive past, but we are not stopped and searched so we soon arrive at the pleasant town of Nalchik (little horseshoe). Mt Elbrus is considered to be Europe’s highest summit, with regards to the seven highest mountains of each of the seven continents.Īnna pours us both a glass of wine, but I’m driving so I kindly refuse.Īt sunrise, we rejoin the M29 and arrive at a heavily armed checkpoint. “Maybe we should drive our Volvo up to the top”, I smile, but the guide frowns and quickly dismisses the idea. The vehicle had become stuck on the way down and still remains on the mountain to this day. A local guide hears about our road trip expedition and tells us the story about the adventurer, Alexander Abramov, who drove a Land Rover to the top of Elbrus in 1997. Two women from Norway inspect their poles, while a young Russian couple argue whether a blue or orange ski jacket looks better on the mountain. He hopes to climb Elbrus in two days’ time when the weather is forecast to improve. An eccentric chap from Moscow strides comically around the shop and tests out his new hiking boots. There is an air of excitement, an anxious anticipation. We watch a group of climbers trying on hiking boots and choosing their ice axes and ski poles. She offers us hot coffee and we both immediately slump down on the comfy chairs. We are welcomed inside the cosy shop by the assertive manager named Anna. Refusing to let the bad weather dampen our spirits, we bid farewell to our new friends and take shelter in the nearby 7Summit climbing shop and tour office. Rain falls once again and a thick veil of mist looms around the base of Mt Elbrus. Get to the heart of Costa Rica and begin your journey now! Through thick jungle in Parque Nacional Tortuguero, or hike around Volcan Arenal all with your trusted travel companion. Things are always going to end in tears, you can only hope they're of laughter. You have just volunteered to spend a week in close proximity with the people who know you best and who will never ever let you forget a f***-up. Whatever your version of holiday preparation the truth is always this: if it is with one's own family, no amount of sunshine, wine or holiday spirit will stop your worst character traits coming to the surface.
#Lonely planet india guide full#
It is part memoir of family life, part travel guide, and full on, laugh-out-loud funny. Their most extreme experiences and their most valuable advice. In doing so they are sharing some of their best anecdotes. To lay out the pitfalls of family holidays. Indeed they've been allowing us a window to their escapades for the past five years in the hit Netflix show 'Travels with my Father' and in this hilarious book they have now decided to pool their advice for fellow travellers. No one family has more experience of travelling together than the Whitehalls.
#Lonely planet india guide how to#
One part Lonely Planet, one part tell-all family memoir, this is the definitive and hilarious guide on how to survive your family holiday, by Jack Whitehall, with a little bit of help from Michael and Hilary Whitehall.
