When you think of a European luxury guided tour, it’s likely that famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower in Paris, Buckingham Palace in London and St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome spring to mind first. While these are all worthy destinations in their own right,  over-tourism can be an issue, so we’re choosing to highlight places where your tourist dollar can provide support. This is part of our commitment to more sustainable travel options that travelers are seeking.

Many travelers are keen to learn the stories behind some of the world’s most fascinating buildings, and how they were dreamt into existence. Innovative and interesting design is a magnet for art lovers, engineers, and those with a discerning eye. Luckily visitors to Europe are spoiled for choice, from ancient religious monuments to futuristic masterpieces in every grand city.

Luxury Gold travelers have the opportunity to delve deeper into a destination, with VIP experiences to beautiful architectural landmarks such as the Schönbrunn Palace. If you have a passion for architecture, be sure to inform you Traveling Concierge so they can further shape your journey to suit your tastes and identify point of interest along the way. Now, let us ignite your imagination and introduce you to the most unusual architectural marvels in Europe.

The Dancing House, Prague

Photo by thewonderalice

Prague is renowned for its magnificent architecture, from the Baroque splendor of St. Nicholas’ Church to the high-tech architecture of Zizkov TV Tower, with its giant metal babies climbing its frame. However, its most unusual architectural offering is that of The Dancing House on the Rasinovo Embankment.

An interesting history surrounds the site where the Nationale Nederlanden building, as it is formally known, stands. The previous building was destroyed by the Allies at the end of World War II. The site stood empty during the Communist era, but writer and philosopher, Václav Havel, who later became president of the Czech Republic, had a plan. He wanted a new building that leaned out over the crossroads to represent democracy as the country evolved. The Dutch company who bought the building heard of Havel’s idea, and merged it with their own for a modern headquarters designed by an internationally accomplished architect, so Frank Gehry was brought in.

The result is a postmodern masterpiece with 99 alternative shaped façade panels with two front towers that resemble a dancing couple. Once nicknamed “Fred and Ginger” after Astaire and Rogers, now it has become “The Dancing House” with its own identity in the city. Visitors can admire it from the outside, take in the outstanding views across Prague from its rooftop terrace or explore the art gallery on the ground floor. Luxury Gold guests begin the Harmony of Central Europe tour in Prague making it easy to add it to your itinerary.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao

Photo by Willian Juste de Vasconcello

Another audacious design by the renowned Frank Gehry, the Guggenheim Bilbao sits on the bank of the Nervion river. When the influential architect first presented his plans, he used rolled up paper taped together to demonstrate the image he imagined for the museum. In fact, conventional construction methods would have prevented his dream from becoming a reality. It was only with advanced aerospace software that it became possible. The result is an iridescent swirling sculpture that curves along the riverside, both a complement to the city and a bold statement in itself.

The seeming chaos of the building is resolved inside where cathedral-like ceilings and ever-changing light work perfectly for the galleries housed within. In fact, it is easy to move around to the rooms of different sizes and appreciate how functional this astounding form is. However, the true beauty of the museum is found when viewing it from the outside, seeing how the exceptionally thin titanium sheets reflect the weather and light. Qualified guides are available at the Guggenheim to take you on a special tour.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao took four years to complete and was opened to the public in 1997. It was a symbol of the cultural rebirth of the city and has grown to be a must-visit for art lovers visiting the city. It’s definitely worth adding a day or two onto your Spain & Portugal In Style tour to check out the Guggenheim and there are other modern architectural delights in the city to be discovered too.

The Hundertwasser House, Vienna

Photo by widewalls.ch

Completed between 1983 – 1985, this residential building is the creation of visionary artist and architect, Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who wanted to prove that more harmony can be found between nature and architecture. He saw it as “a conversation with nature … an oasis of humanity,”. It is certainly an eccentric choice for a municipal building, but the 50 apartments within are inhabited to this day and draw many tourists to view the colorful exterior. In fact, when a resident moves into the building, he can choose what color he’d like his exterior to be. It’s a quirky site and unlike anything you’ll find on the other streets of Venice, or indeed any other European city. Hundertwasser didn’t accept payment for the building but extracted a promise from the council that nothing ugly would ever be built in place of the building.

When enjoying Vienna Your Way, perhaps take some time out at the kitsch Hundertwasser Village to walk across curved floors, see the unusual fountain and admire the abundance of foliage that springs from the 19 rooftop gardens of the main house. You can even have a drink at the bar under which a stream flows. Fans of Hundertwasser may also like to visit the KunstHausWien just five minutes away, which showcases more of the artist’s typical style.

The keen environmentalist is also behind the golden domed-municipal waste incineration plant, Spittelau, which looks like something straight off a cartoon movie set.

Casa Battló, Barcelona

Photo by Ruggiero Calabrese

Those embarking on the Spain & Portugal In Style tour will likely pay a visit to the famous La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s unfinished basilica in Barcelona. However, the genius architect has other remarkable gems well worth visiting within the city. One of these being Casa Battlo at 43 Paseo de Gracia, also known as the Illa de la Discòrdia, due to the irreverent buildings that line this boulevard.

Originally owned by prominent businessman Josep Battlo y Casanovas, the house was initially scheduled for demolition, but Gaudi’s ambitious plans removed that need. The Catalan architect managed to redesign the entire façade as well as the interiors, creating a highly functional and beautiful piece of liveable art. The house has gained many nicknames from locals, including “House of Bones”, which some associate with the skeletal appearance of the frontage. The roof looks like a dragon, and there’s a textural harmony to the discs and glass that decorates the façade that recalls the works of impressionist, Claude Monet.

In 2005, Casa Battlo was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site and cultural guided tours are offered to guests who want to immerse themselves in Gaudi’s dreamlike, yet practical design. It’s possible to visit the noble floor, the attic and the terrace, and your Traveling Concierge would be happy to organize a guided tour of this architectural wonder.

The City of Arts and Sciences, Valencia

Photo by Ana Abad

Those hungry for architecture usually head to Barcelona and Granada, but the often overlooked city of Valencia has plenty of amazing buildings, from the Gothic 15th century Silk Market to the attractive North Train Station. However, the City of Arts and Sciences is a futuristic paradise and a must-see for those interested in architecture, particularly the work of Santiago Calatrava, Valencian engineer, sculptor and architect.

A collection of buildings rather than just a singular monument, the City of Arts and Sciences is the largest cultural and scientific complex of its kind in Europe. Located in the former bed of the river Turia, Calatrava decided to make water a major element in the design, also making it a mirror for the architecture of the buildings. Each construction is breathtaking in its form, from the curved Oceanografic, which houses Europe’s largest aquarium to the towering L’Agora, where the Valencia Open tennis tournament was held.  It’s arguable which edifice creates the most spectacle but the opera house, Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia is an exquisite monument of cantilevered steel covered in white trencadis, a ceramic shard mosaic favored by predecessor Gaudi.

Guests traveling on Spain & Portugal In Style will reach Valencia on Day 3 on their tour, and we recommend taking some time to explore the City of Arts and Sciences.

Krzywy Domek, Sopot

Photo by idesignarch

Poland is known for the Brutalist architecture that is prevalent across its cities, but Krzywy Domek is a far cry from that. The name translates as crooked house, which is fitting for this cartoonish commercial building. The design inspiration came from the paintings of Jan Marcin Szancer and Per Dahlberg, Polish illustrators, but the Szotynscy & Zaleski team brought it to life in 2004.

Situated just by the corner of Monte Cassino Street and Morska Street, Krzywy Domek houses salons, stores and a radio station. It’s fascinating because no matter how long you look at it, it’s still difficult to know how it works! Polish people even have a joke that if you’ve been out enjoying their specialty Zubrowska and the building appears normal to you, it’s time to call it a night.

Krzywy Domek also contains a Wall of Fame with signatures from famous Polish celebrities. If you’d like to spend a few more days exploring Poland after the Harmony of Central Europe tour ends in Warsaw, then add Sopot and this postmodern spectacle to your list.

Book Your Own Tailor-Made Luxury Tour

While this list is by no means exhaustive, we hope it provides some inspiration for your next European tour with Luxury Gold. Remember, we also offer Tailor-Made Group tours, so if you’d like a guided tour to take in the most interesting architectural sights in Europe, we can design a journey just for your group.

If you’re a traveler who wants to appreciate more about the history and culture of a destination, then visiting a UNESCO World Heritage Site should be part of your itinerary. These extraordinary places can be a natural phenomenon or a historic monument and some even combine both, but all are striking in their representation of humanity.

Currently, there are more than 1,100 UNESCO World Heritage Sites dotted around the globe, although Italy and India have a wealth of them for locals and tourists to admire. If you need inspiration for your next luxury travel adventure, then look no further. The good news is that many Luxury Gold tours feature several UNESCO World Heritage Sites on their itinerary, so you can relax in the space and style you need while immersing yourself in the wonders of the world. We’ve gathered the top UNESCO World Heritage Sites to add to your luxury travel wish list.

Iguassu Falls, Argentina and Brazil

Available on Classic South America Tour

Iguassu Falls

Chosen as one of the new seven natural Wonders of the World, Iguassu Falls comprises 257 waterfalls across an area of 2.7 kilometers. Iguassu Falls sits along the borders between Argentina and Brazil and is accessible from either country. The Falls are a truly jaw-dropping sight – they are taller than Niagara Falls and twice as wide, and the area is home to an incredible ecosystem with butterflies, monkeys and even jaguars.

The Devil’s Throat is the most well-known waterfall in the immense system of cascading falls. Venture along many yards of footbridges to catch sight of it thundering over 260 feet and creating a plume of misty spray. If you join the Classic South America tour, you can stay in Belmond Das Cataratas, the only luxury resort located inside the Brazil Iguassu National Park, just moments from the falls.

On the Brazilian side of the Falls, you can visit the Bird Park, which shelters more than 1,000 birds, as well as butterflies and many different reptiles native to South America.

Memphis and its Necropolis, Egypt with the Great Pyramids of Giza

Available on Elegance of Egypt tour

Pyramids of Giza

For any inquisitive traveler seeking to learn more about ancient civilization, Egypt offers a vast number of historical sites and artifacts to discover. Chief among these is the sprawling Memphis and its Necropolis, once the capital of Ancient Egypt, established around 3,000 B.C. and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Join a knowledgeable Egyptologist on the Elegance of Egypt tour to visit the Great Pyramids of Giza, the enormous tombs whose construction still interests scientists today. Venture into the center to see the chambers where great pharaohs were buried, while hearing more about some of the most important surviving monuments of humankind.

Visitors can marvel at the enigmatic Sphinx, the oldest known monumental structure in Egypt and explore further to learn about the many great dynasties that inhabited this land.

Ancient Thebes with its Necropolis, Egypt

Available on Elegance of the Pharaohs tour

Statue in the temple of Karnak

Staying in Egypt, Thebes was classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. Once home to the wealthiest people in the country, the majestic remains of the city stand as a testament to the Middle and New Kingdom’s of Egypt.

Delve deep into the grand history at Karnak, the largest temple complex ever built, and stand in awe of Rameses II, as his shadow is cast beneath the hot sun. Luxury Gold offers VIP tours so guests can stroll around the Temple of Luxor after hours, away from the crowds. It is a chance to scan the hieroglyphics carved thousands of years ago and hear more from your Egyptologist on the lives of those who lived during these impressive civilizations. Every step brings a new discovery, as the area is truly an open-air museum.

Agra Fort, India 

Available on Spirit of North and South India tour

Agra Fort

Comprising a number of fairy tale palaces, Agra Fort is a 16th century Mughal monument that is recognizable by its looming red sandstone walls. It was home to Mughal emperors until 1638, when the capital moved to Delhi.

The fort is, in fact, a walled city and Luxury Gold guests can stay inside the walls in the grandeur of Mughal Agra, an opulent resort perfectly placed for exploring the marble towers and courtyard gardens of the fort. There’s also the opportunity for VIP tours to meet local people, enjoy tea and pakoras on a rooftop and hear more about the heritage of this historic municipality.

Taj Mahal, India 

Available on Imperial Rajasthan tour

Taj Mahal

Just minutes away is the most iconic symbol of love in the world: the Taj Mahal. Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1982, it has long been admired for its beauty, architecture and intricate design. It was built between 1632 and 1653 by the fifth Mughal emperor Shahjahan as a shrine to his wife, Mumtaz, who died in childbirth.

The best time to visit this stunning monument is at dawn, when the morning rays of sunshine seem to turn the white marble to shades of pink and orange. With Luxury Gold, this is all arranged in advance, so you can enjoy breathtaking views of the majestic icon as the sun rises.

Jaipur, India

Available on Essence of India with Ranthambore tour

The pride of Rajasthan, Jaipur, was only classified a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. This glorious walled city was founded in 1727 by Sawai Jai Singh II and is a remarkable example of urban planning that also happens to be incredibly aesthetically pleasing.

Within the city walls are many places of interest, including the Hawa Mahal or Palace of the Winds, a staggering building that rises five stories in a configuration of honeycombed hives. Take in the City Palace Museum and enjoy a VIP experience of tea in the Royal Families living room.

Banff and Jasper National Parks, Canada 

Available on the Majesty of the Rockies tour

Moraine Lake in Banff National Park

The Canadian Rocky Mountains are a stunning area of natural beauty with imposing snowy peaks, lush forests and serene lakes that reflect the surrounding landscapes. The seven national parks in the region have been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. This is nature at its unaltered finest. On Luxury Gold’s Majesty of the Rockies tour there is the opportunity to take it all in without the need for tiring days of driving.

Catch a glimpse of Mount Robson, the highest point in the Canadian Rockies, before arriving at Jasper National Park. Here you can see giant hanging glaciers and stroll through cavernous canyons while keeping an eye out for the myriad animals that populate the park, including bears, bighorn sheep and deer, as well as many more species.

Take a cruise on the still waters of Maligne Lake, famous for its turquoise hue, before a stop on Spirit Island, to simply breathe in the magnificence of the surrounding nature. Traverse the Icefields Pathway on your way to Banff National Park, for more remarkable scenery.

In Banff, you can ride the Banff Gondola to the summit for endless views of this mountainous paradise, or even take to the skies in a helicopter ride for a real bird’s-eye view of the Rockies in all their splendor.

Pompeii, Italy

Available on Ultimate Italy tour 

Pompeii, Italy

Buried under a blanket of volcanic ash for 1,800 years, Pompeii was once a vibrant Roman city until 79 A.D. In one day, Mount Vesuvius erupted, and lava rained down on the town, causing residents to flee and engulfing the town whole. It wasn’t until 1748 that a group of explorers discovered the site, which had been extraordinarily preserved beneath the ash.

Visitors can spend days exploring the remains, as parts of ancient bath houses, bakeries and homes remain. Mosaics can still be witnessed on the floors of ancient villas. Let a Local Expert guide you amid the ruins to understand Roman life before the eruption.

City of Bath, UK

Available on British Royale tour

Great Bath, part of the Roman Baths in Bath, UK

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is built around the only geothermal springs in the United Kingdom. It is a beautiful Georgian city that dates back more than 3,000 years, and the site of the well-preserved Roman Baths that you can visit on your British Royale tour with Luxury Gold. Imagine how the Romans lived, get a feel for the healing waters and appreciate the magnificent architecture on show across the city.

Aside from visiting the historic baths, there is much to explore in the protected city. Stroll across Pulteney Bridge, designed by the designed architect, Robert Adams, or take a boat ride beneath it for an alternative view. The city was also the home of renowned author, Jane Austen, so visitors can take a tour around the scenes of her novels, “Persuasion” and “Northanger Abbey”.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Available on the Classic South America tour 

‘Christ The Redeemer’ statue with Sugarloaf Mountain

A recent addition to the UNESCO World Heritage listing, the marvelous city of Rio de Janeiro was awarded a new status in July 2012. It was recognized for many aspects from the famous Copacabana Bay to the Tijuca National Park, a rainforest which covers the Corcovado mountain right down to the sea.

When visiting Rio, it would be wrong not to make the ascent to Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the most recognizable effigies in the world. This 30-meter statue is an art deco masterpiece that is prone to lightning strikes, because of its height and position. In fact, just before 2014 FIFA World Cup, a thumb of the statue broke off after a lightning strike.

The culture, artistic inspiration and natural beauty of Rio de Janeiro was commented on by the UNESCO committee when granting recognition to the city.

Pont du Gard, France

Available on French Vogue tour

Pont du Gard, France

The Pont du Gard is a remarkable feat of engineering that dates back to the 1st century A.D. 50 kilometers of tunnels and bridges were built to channel water to the surrounding areas of Nîmes. Precision was paramount for the success of the project and Roman engineers excelled in creating the aqueduct, which still stands today.

First, stroll around nearby Avignon, also a UNESCO site, before taking an afternoon visit to Pont du Gard, where you’ll see over 21,000 cubic meters of limestone that was mined nearby to create the aqueduct. There is also a fascinating museum that follows the journey of construction of the incredible Roman antiquity, still standing after two thousand years.

Kinkakuji Temple, Japan

Available on Majestic Japan tour 

Kinkakuji temple

Also known as the Golden Pavilion, Kinkakuji temple is an impressive structure that was originally constructed in A.D. 1397. Unfortunately, it has burned down several times since, but was restored to its former glory in 1955. Each floor was created in a different architectural style to reflect the many facets of society when Yoshimitsu was in power.

Apart from appreciating the architecture of the temple, visitors can enjoy the expansive gardens, which remain in the same layout as when they were first planted. Wander by the Anmintaku pond that never dries up and see various statues positioned throughout the green spaces.

Machu Picchu, Peru

Available on Treasures of the Incas tour

Machu Picchu, Peru

Once lost to acres of Andean forest, this mysterious Incan city was built 2,430 meters above sea level in the 15th century. Tour the mystical site with your Local Expert before the crowds arrive ensuring that you avoid the hundreds of travelers who make the ascent to the ruins daily. This is a bucket list item for anyone who has an interest in ancient civilizations, but it is also a journey of wonder that never fails to delight visitors due to the amazing natural setting and complex structures built by the Incas.

Machu Picchu was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 and it is the most important attraction in Peru, thus it is only accessible with a special permit. In 2007, it was voted one of the new Seven Wonders of the World.

*Photo by Kiwihug on Unsplash

As you pack your bags for a vacation (hopefully in the near future), it’s usual to throw in a phrase book to navigate your way through a new country, or even just order a beer. However, many people have at least a few words of English, so it can be helpful to fall back on, even in countries where it’s not the official language. After all, it’s the most widely spoken language in the world. But what happens when you’re in an English-speaking country but you still don’t understand what they’re saying?

English isn’t the most straightforward language, as it happens. Many countries have put their own stamp on it, after having adapted it over the years. Different cultures have changed it to suit their accent, their customs or even melded it slightly with another lesser-spoken language. So, if you’d like a tasty snack for your luxury journey in South Africa, you’d ask for padkos (travel food), whereas in Australia, you’d ask if there was something for tea (a meal, not a drink). One reason for the variances is that there is no centralized governing body for English, unlike French, which has the Académie Française and Spanish, which is standardized by Real Academia Española. 

When you embark on a luxury journey such as Castles and Kingdoms in the UK, you may raise your eyebrows when you hear certain phrases or struggle to understand what you are being asked to do. We’ve decided to gather some frequently used words and phrases from across the English-speaking world that will give you a deeper understanding for more fun travel experiences.

The United Kingdom

Once the largest empire on earth, the United Kingdom is responsible for bringing the English language to most of the world. However, even here you will hear massive disparities in how things are referred to, causing some funny misunderstandings. Discover the country with the British Royale tour and you may need to use some of the following words or phrases.

Barm / tea cake / cob / bap / scuffler – meaning – bread roll

The humble bread roll has many names across the country. If you’re in London, bread roll will suffice, but if you fancy one with your soup in Leicestershire, Derbyshire or Nottingham, then you need to ask for a cob. In Manchester, they say “barm”, over the Pennines in Leeds, they eat tea cakes, whereas further north in Durham and Northumberland, they call them buns. In some parts of Yorkshire, they are still referred to as scufflers. Perhaps keep a handy checklist in your pocket when choosing somewhere for lunch.

I’ll give it a gander – meaning – I’ll have a look at it

Gander is the proper name for a male goose, so if someone says this, you’d be forgiven for thinking that they were about to present some poultry. However, what this actually means is to take a look at something. So, you could bring your car to a garage to have something checked and a British mechanic might say, “I’ll give it a gander and come back to you.”

That’s mint – meaning – very good, cool

When referring to something good, people in the midlands and North of the U.K. often say “mint”. So, if you’d like to fit in with the locals, you can tell them that the VIP tours to York Minister are “mint” and they’ll know exactly what you mean.

Knackered / Cream-crackered – meaning – tired

Although many English words can be traced back to Shakespeare, most people don’t speak in the manner that much of his work is written. Words like tired seem pretty straightforward, but across England, you’ll hear people exclaim about being knackered or cream-crackered, when actually they mean they are tired. Some people also say “shattered” when they need a good night’s sleep.

Wind your neck in – meaning – be quiet or stop complaining

If you’re being told to wind your neck in, you may have said something to upset the other person! This is a phrase that is often used by parents to quiet the complaints of children, or you may overhear it said by one man to another when arguing over soccer in the pub. If you want to stop someone from saying anything else on the matter, a simple “wind your neck in,” should do the trick!

A few sandwiches short of a picnic / not the full shilling – meaning – not right in the head

When someone is described as a few sandwiches short of a picnic, don’t despair, it doesn’t mean that lunch will be sparse. Rather, the person in question likely doesn’t fully grasp everything going on around them. Sometimes they are referred to as “not the full shilling” too.

Ireland

Just across the water and once a part of the British empire, Ireland has long had English as its first language. However, the Irish have got particularly creative with certain words and phrases and even if you can understand the accent, you may not fully comprehend what they mean. However, with their congeniality and genuine helpfulness, Irish people will usually clear it up for you if you ask. If you’re planning to join our Ultimate Ireland journey, you can brush up on some of the following to make your vacation easier.

Pass that yoke – meaning – give me that item, thing, anything you can’t remember

Yoke refers to anything you can’t find the word for right now. So, it may be a screwdriver or a hat, but somehow Irish people always know what the other is looking for when they hear “pass me that yoke there”.

Now we’re sucking diesel – meaning – things are going very well

This is a funny one that always brings a smile to foreign visitors. While on your extraordinary travels around this green isle, you might hear someone say “Now we’re sucking diesel”. This could be in reference to anything at all, from a sports team doing well to making headway on a new project, but what the speaker means is that things are going very well.

 Stall the ball – meaning – wait up, or wait a moment

If an Irish person is trying to catch up to you in the street, they may call out to “stall the ball”. This is a gentle request to hang on or wait a moment. It can be used in a variety of circumstances, from waiting to see the outcome of a situation to taking pause in the conversation.

 Press – meaning – cupboard

Always a source of confusion, particularly to visitors from just across the water, is the fact that Irish people refer to cupboards as presses. This arises from the cupboard where the boiler/water heater is kept being called “the hot press” in Ireland, so all other cupboards became presses too.

Having the craic – meaning – fun, a laugh

Some travelers might think that Irish people are particularly fond of class A substances, but in fact craic comes from the Gaelic language, and it means fun or a laugh. So, when Irish people are having the craic, it’s a much cleaner and more responsible sort of diversion.

South Africa 

Long a melting pot of cultures and abundant natural resources, South Africa offers exceptional travel opportunities for those who venture there. Spectacular South Africa brings guests on unique vacations through astonishing landscapes and nature reserves alive with magnificent wildlife. English is widely spoken throughout the country although there may be words that even native speakers struggle with! The locals have melded words from English and Afrikaans, which is perfectly clear to anyone living there but incomprehensible to visitors. Here are some examples:

Ja, Nee – meaning – Yes, No

Here’s a phrase that can mean a number of things. Sometimes it’s used to agree “Ja, nee, you’re right”, and other times it can indicate hesitancy. Often, when someone doesn’t want to upset you but also doesn’t want to commit to an answer, they’ll simply say “Ja, nee”. So, it all depends on who you’re with and what you’re talking about!

Bra / Bru – meaning – friend or pal

South African’s often greet each other by saying “Hey bra!” or “Hey bru!” Much like the Aussies’ “G’day mate”, it’s a friendly term to people they know. However, they are just as likely to use it with someone they’ve just met to show they’re friendly.

Lekker – meaning – brilliant, fantastic

“Last night was lekker,” is a phrase you might hear after having dinner with some new friends in South Africa. They mean that they had a good time, that it was a great night. It can really be applied to anything to signify that something was good, whether that is a person, place or event.

Shame – meaning – what a pity, or to express disappointment / annoyance

South African’s use the word “shame” probably as frequently as they use “lekker”. It’s often used in response to someone to sympathise if something goes wrong, or to mean “cute”. Honestly, if you don’t know what to say, just say “shame” and your new friends will nod in agreement.

Jol – meaning – a good time, a party

Perhaps your Traveling Concierge may suggest a “jol” or tell you about a journey that was “jol”. This means that some fun is about to happen or has happened. “It was such a jol” means that a great time was had.

Australia

Long part of the Commonwealth, Australia has been using English customs and language for over 200 years. However, the Aussies made the mother tongue their own with brilliant colloquialisms and phrases that set them apart from other English-speaking countries. Add these to your repertoire when enjoying some of the extraordinary travel experiences this continent has to offer.

She’ll be apples – meaning – She’ll be alright, it will be ok

When someone says to you “she’ll be apples”, they aren’t referring to fruit or a nearby orchard. Aussies use this term to denote that something will work out ok. Even the “she” is not meant to be taken literally, as it could just apply to the situation at hand.

Bloody oath – meaning – that’s the truth

Certainly a phrase that makes people think twice is bloody oath. This is something that Australians use to attest that they are telling the truth, or to agree with someone. So, they may be agreeing with you when they say “bloody oath”, even though it sounds like an insult!

Cactus or Cark it – meaning – it’s broken or it’s died

While on your travels, if you take your phone out and it’s had a reaction to the hot sun of Australia, your friend may ask “Is it cactus?” Many people would react that no, it’s certainly not a prickly plant, actually the correct answer would be “yes, I think it’s carked it.”

On ya – meaning – well done

In response to a job well done, or something performed well, an Aussie mate might say “On ya”. This is a word of positive encouragement and should be received with thanks.

Other Quirky Anomalies

Luxury Trips to other destinations will introduce you to other strange words that you may not get immediately. For instance, in Canada you may be offered a “scoff” (meal) when you’re hungry and in Singapore if someone says “catch no ball” that means they don’t understand you. Even across America, there are words and phrases that will baffle those who’ve spoken English all their lives – from roundabouts being called “rotaries” in New England to directing you to the “catty corner” (diagonally opposite) in the south of the country. What strange words have you picked up on your world travels?