Jack's Flight Club ✈️ Travel News & Inspiration |
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Hey there, Travellers,
I'm heading to Senegal next month, and I can more or less guarantee that I will be attacked by the world's deadliest animal. That's not pessimism; it's just realism.
Apparently, the it isn't a hippo (though I hear they're pretty scary), and it's not a snake or a spider; it's actually the most annoying animal in the world, too—the mosquito.
I might try something new to keep them at bay and spend my whole trip blasting dubstep beats, rendering myself the most annoying animal instead. But if you have any better, tried-and-true methods for keeping the bitey beasts away, please share your wisdom in the comments.
Happy travels and safe landings, |
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Katy - Editor of The Detour |
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The Crème de la Crème of Cable Cars: As Chosen by You
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With journeys spanning more than 30 countries and ten years, Akasha's best memories live in the pages of her passport. She always consults her tarot (and her cats) before any big trip. Currently based in Ireland, when she isn't travelling, she’s probably drawing in a café somewhere. |
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The only line we’ll happily wait in? The cable car queue…
Turns out we’re not the only ones with this niche obsession! A few weeks ago we asked for your thoughts on the best cable cars you’ve been on.
From Chile to China, our latest rabbit hole crisscrossed through centuries of architectural feats—including France’s mercifully brief (yet whimsical) underwater death trap.
Your recommendations poured in too, along with some incredibly dizzying pics in our Facebook community.
And we must say, they were pretty uplifting. Take a look!
Cablebús, Mexico City
Manufacturer: Doppelmayr (Austria) / Leitner (Italy)
Objective: Mass transit system connecting high-altitude neighborhoods to the Mexico City Metro
Launch Date: 2021
Vertical Ascent: Varies by line; Line 2 traverses the Sierra de Santa Catarina volcanic ridge
Capacity: Each cabin holds 10; capable of transporting 3,000 people per hour per direction
Track Length: About 10,550 meters (Line 2)
Transit Length: 36 minutes (Line 2 total journey) |
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“A great way to view Mexico City from above is by using Cablebús, Line 2 is the longest cable car in the world taking around 45 minutes, costing 7 MXP per journey (30 pence). You need a Tarjeta Card to tap in.
It’s also an easy connection from the metro system; you just need to change cable cars at Xalpa to continue the journey. It’s well worth getting off at Quetzalcoatl for the local market. Great views of the rooftop murals, and don't miss the parked airplane (turned library) on the ground.
Top tip: don't travel at rush hour, instead go off-peak to avoid the crowds” - GallantHiker6933 |
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Mexico City’s cable car system isn’t just for tourists! The line connects local communities in between Indios Verdes & Cuautepec, cutting down on lengthy commute times and unsafe conditions. Not only that, it’s helped reduce air pollution in this mega metropolis. Line 2 holds the Guinness World Record for the longest public cable car on earth (10.55 km), and over 100 massive murals and 3,000 brightly painted rooftops were commissioned specifically to be viewed from above. |
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Prada Costabella, Italy
Manufacturer: Graffer (Italy)
Objective: Direct transit from Prada (San Zeno di Montagna) to the Costabella ridge on Mount Baldo
Launch Date: August 2022 (Complete overhaul and reopening)
Vertical Ascent: Elevates passengers 838 meters
Capacity: Each "open basket" holds 2; capable of transporting 400 people per hour
Track Length: About 3,000 meters of cable (across two sections)
Transit Length: 22 minutes in total |
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“Lake Garda. Rickety-looking birdcage thingies! You could hear everything as there was no glass. Saw an eagle swoop right below us.” - Emma |
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Rickety indeed! If you can get over climbing into a metal cage for one section of your journey, Funivia Prada Costabella’s cable cars lead to mountain huts and the highest peaks of Monte Baldo with insane views of Lake Garda below. The baskets don’t stop to let you on, and we’re not sure which is more anxiety-ridden: the running jump start or the leap of faith to get off. |
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Vung Tau Cable Car, Vietnam
Manufacturer: Doppelmayr (Austria)
Objective: Direct transit from Front Beach (Bai Truoc) to the summit of Big Mountain (Nui Lon)
Launch Date: February 2010
Vertical Ascent: Elevates passengers 210-250 meters above sea level
Capacity: Each cabin holds 8; capable of transporting 3,000 people per hour
Track Length: About 455-500 meters of cable
Transit Length: 10 minutes |
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“When in the criminally underrated Vung Tau, a couple of hours south of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in September last year, I took the modest 5-minute cable car alone on the way to Hồ Mây Park - a mountain-top amusement resort that is as bizarre as it is fun.
Needless to say, I went in the middle of a full-on thunderstorm, and (even though I generally love cable cars) decided that the only way to 'survive' was to make no sudden movements and grip the metal bars with a force that Newton himself had never discovered.
A dramatic recollection? Yes. A fun evening? Also yes. Give it a go...?” - RapturousWanderer78593 |
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A Local's Guide to Scotland by Public Transport
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The Detour Editor Katy is a budget travel aficionado who has already travelled to more than 50 countries. Whether she's at home or on a foreign adventure, she has a particular talent for stumbling upon tasty Georgian restaurants. |
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Open the full article →
When I was a student, I spent a couple of summers working in the Visit Scotland information centres in Aberdeen and Glasgow. People from all over the world would drop in for a map, some tips, help with accommodation, or to book a tour—but they all had a different idea of how they wanted to see the country and in what timeframe.
The majority of visitors staying longer than a few days tended either towards a self-drive road trip or a full-on guided tour. Both have their merits, of course, but I was surprised at how few people thought of taking public transport to get around the country. This has only intensified in recent years with the surge in popularity of the North Coast 500. |
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