Travel Weblog

Under the radar: Five countries that we might have forgotten

Where is that? That might be the exact words that will run across your mind when you hear of the countries on this list. Don’t worry, you have the same thought as everyone else. You maybe bad in geography but we are pretty sure even your teacher missed this during class.

Comoros

This country in Africa is the gateway to every sea vessel heading to the Cape of Good Hope. It was a very important place during the time when ocean travel was the only choice to go to different lands. The tides changed for this small country when the Suez Canal was built. Today, Comoros only receives about 30,000 travelers every year. Comoros is situated just near Seychelles and Mauritius.

Belarus

Belarus is not enjoying the influx of tourist enjoyed by other territories of the Soviet Republic. The country is the perfect place if you want to see how it is to live following the blue print created by Stalin. Those who love nature and wildlife can visit the UNESCO heritage site , Belavezhskaja just a few miles from the border of Poland.

Nauru

No, this is not a place you have heard from fantasy movies. It is an island on the Pacific and was once among the richest countries on earth. Phospate made it a very important place but the mines have been used up and what remains are only memories of how mining destroyed this tropical paradise.

Kyrgyzstan

Think of Nepal, Canada, or Peru and somehow you can picture what it is like to go to Kyrgyzstan. The infrastructure in this country has not been developed yet but if you really want to visit, head to Lake Issyk-Kul, one of the highest lakes in the planet.

Travel Tips: Avoiding Traveler’s Diarrhea

You do not want TD or traveler’s diarrhea to ruin your holiday. TD is basically loose bowel movement that may last for several days. It is pretty rampant and has ruined countless of trips, but you can avoid getting it if you follow the following tips:

Food

You need to make sure that you will be eating well-cooked dishes. If you are getting fruits in a foreign city, try to get something which you can peel. Vegetables might have been washed using tap water so make sure they are cooked well. You should research if the area you are going to is infamous for some health hazards and take all the necessary precautions.

Flies

Trying street foods is such an adventure when you are in another country but you want to make sure that every bite is safe. Survey the area and if you see a lot of flies, insect, and pests, then you are better off to get food in other locations. Clean food items can easily be contaminated by flies and other pest so you must be very wary.

Piping hot

When getting cooked food make sure they are served really hot. Any food that has been left out for a bit is a good host for bacteria. You will be in big trouble if these bacteria get into your tummy.

When diarrhea strikes

If you have contracted diarrhea, you might be given some medicines to control the bowel movement. Observe though if you will be getting fever, nausea, or headache since it might mean that you have something that is more than diarrhea. Be sure to get to a medical expert so you will be properly guided and treated.

London travel tips during the 2012 Olympics

London is ready and roaring for the 2012 Olympic games that will kick off before the end of July. This follows the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee in June. So as you can expect, the place get pretty packed with travelers from all over. Here are some tips to help you survive London 2012:

Dates

The celebration of the 60th year of reign of the queen was done at the beginning of June while the London Olympics will run from 27 July thru 12 August. There will also be Paralympic Games from 29 August to 9 September.

Rates

The hotel rates at this time are very high. Authorities are actually negotiating with the hotel owners to keep the room rates down since it might have a long-term effect on the tourism industry of the city. According to news, there are still plenty of rooms available in the big hotels. If you want to save do not book hotels near the sports venues and get something that is just a train ride away. London has around 33 boroughs so staying out of Central London will be kinder to your wallet.

Instead of hotels, go for the apartments. These accommodations have their own kitchen so you can also cook your own food. You can also try alternative lodging like college halls or even camp sites.

Tickets

According to the organizing committee, they will be releasing more tickets for some event where they expect more people to attend. These tickets will be released as soon as the seat plans for the venues are finalized. You can expect the tickets to be on sale a few days from now and until the days of the games.

Shopping Travel: Great finds at Palais Royal

The former palace of the royalties, center of nightlife, and now the hot spot for elite shoppers. Rick Owens, an American designer, pioneered the new venture back in 2006 and was followed by big names of the fashion industry and even French labels. Here are some of the best picks at Palais Royal:

Maison de Vacances

Here you can find rugs made from metallic leather, fur pillows, coverlets, and lamb poufs at the sleek shop of Maison de Vacances. The items here are very irresistable.

Delage

If you are looking for luxury bags and shoes fit for the royalties, this is the brand to look for. You can find pieces made from exotic skins like shark, crocodile, iguana, and baby kangaroo. The pieces are a perfect blend of old fashioned detailing and high end fashion. Everything you will find at Delage like a tote made from stingray or boots made from crocodile leather.

Avenches

The pieces of jewelry you will find at Avenches are real works of art that are not only nice to wear but are also eye candies. The prices will be in the mid range but there are items which might be as good to ransom a king.

Epice

If you love the classic elegance of shawls and scarves, you can get the upscale version of these items at Epice. The shop offers opulent blends of silk, cotton, linen, wool, and cashmere that draw the high end clientele. They also offer a range of cool designs from stripes, sleek solids, florals, and stripes.

Mary Beyer

You can order at Mary Beyer customized gloves which will feel like your second skin. The materials may vary from goatskin, reptile, kid, boar plus a whole range of detailing.

Luxury Travel: 5 New Islands where you can splurge

There are the tried and tested for luxurious playgrounds like Capri and St. Barths but nowadays, fashionable travelers want to explore far destinations that have not yet been invaded by the crowds. Here are 10 luxury islands that make it to the new list of must go’s:

Ischia, Italy

You might have fallen in love with the natural beauty of Capri but add to that some spa scene and you have the island of Ischia. You can hop to Ischai via a hydrofoil from Capri, Sorrento, or Naples. Enjoy the warm baths and volcanic mud which can help those aching muscles and joints.

Mafia Island in Tanzania

You can compare this island to Zanzibar for its gorgeous beaches and wonderful resorts. Mafia Island though boasts of miles of beaches that only receives about a thousand tourists each year. Aside from the waters, explore the ruins that date back to the 11th century. Shop for handmade goods and enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals.

Koh Surin Nua in Thailand

Instead of the quiet beaches of the Koh Phi Phi Le in Thailand try the island of Kuh Surin Nua that is part of the national park of Mu Koh Surin. Take a boat from Phuket to get to this island which is still not commercialized. Phi Phi Le was actually an unknown destination until popularized by the Hollywood film The Beach starring Leonardo di Caprio.

Patmos, Greece

Patmos offers a Greek island life that you sought for. It is the northernmost chunk of island of the Dodecanese chain. Tourists though have been flocking to this island ever since Mamma Mia! was shot in Skiathos and at the nearby Skopelos island. Patmos offers a good dose of charm and wonderful sand beaches. It is a great place for a quiet retreat.

Reunion Island in France

If you enjoy the French vibe of St. Barths, then you will fall in love with Reunion Island just east of Madagascar. You can get a direct flight from the City of Lights to get there. Enjoy the perfect blend of Asian, African, and Indian influences on the island’s French cuisine.

3 Different Types of Vacations

There are lots of different vacations that you can choose from, the world is a huge place with almost unlimited destinations. However there are basically three different ways that you can plan your trip. The one that you choose is going to depend in large part on how you are most comfortable with travelling.

The most common type of vacation is one in which you make all of the arrangements yourself. This means that you book the fight and the hotels separately and you make all of the other arrangements for the trip. This approach gives you the greatest amount of flexibility since it allows you as much or as little planning as you are comfortable with. If you just want to book a flight and then find a place to stay when you get there that is an option for example. This approach will also require the most effort on your part since you will have to do a fair amount of research on your destination.

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Renting an Exotic Car in Las Vegas

Well Las Vegas is one of the most attractive cities in America and it is everybody’s dream to visit Las Vegas .With an active night life you could get addicted to hopping from one casino to another dressed immaculately. If you have been leading a laid back life and now looking for some action to get you going then Las Vegas is the place for you. From brightly lit casinos, hotels to all night shopping arcades, Las Vegas has it all.

The nightlife of Las Vegas has been mesmerizing tourists from all over the world for years. If you have already decided to come to Las Vegas for your dream vacation, good for you. But for those of you who would like to move around in style throughout the lavish trip, can opt for a nice rented car.

Yes that’s right you can rent an exotic car in Las Vegas. Renting out exotic cars in Las Vegas is not tough at all there are many rental agencies you can contact and they can offer you a wide variety of cars for good prices. All you have to do is call a toll free number and place your order and you can rent out an exotic car of your choice.

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How Volcanoes shaped the Greek Island of Santorini the way it is today

Ask any tourist that has been to Santorini and you will all the superlatives about the small Greek Island. The Santorini Island is about 125 miles from the mainland.

If you are coming from Athens, you can go to the port of Piraeus to take a ferry service that runs on a regular basis. From Crete, the island is just about 63 nautical miles. A number of ferry services can take tourists from there through the Aegean Sea to enjoy the majestic views of the southernmost of the Cycladic chain of islands.

Charter flights from Thessaloniki can also be hired to bring couples and families to the famous tourist spot.

The beautiful geography of Santorini can be attributed to the volcanic eruptions that helped mold the form of the island. Legends surround the islands that Santorini may be the fabled civilization of Atlantis.

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Muslim Architecture, Dune Bashing, and other Great Tourist Spots in Dubai

If you are tired of your list of usual vacation spots, fly to Dubai and explore the many wonders of this Muslim county. Dubai has about 200 mosques bearing the grandness of Muslim architecture. Sadly, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter most mosques in the United Arab Emirates, but the Jumeirah Mosque allows non-Muslims to see the mosque’s interior.

The Sheikh Mohammed Centre of Cultural Understanding offers educational tours for non-Muslims who visit the country. Take note, however, that one should dress appropriately for such tours. The Jumeirah Mosque, located along Jumeirah Beach Road, is the most famous mosque in Dubai with its attractive façade and one central big dome. It looks spectacular during nighttime.

The horse race at Nad Al Sheba is quite famous, but there are also camel races being held. The admission is free for these races. “Dune bashing” is another common past time in the country. It’s simply driving into the dessert on a four-wheel-drive vehicle and enjoying the unusually bumpy and hot trip. If you’re interested in trying dune bashing, make sure you book a tour operator because going into the dunes unaccompanied very risky.

Famous Dubai attractions include: Dubai Museum, Grand Mosque, Bastakiya District, S Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum House, the Al Fahidi Fort, Dubai Creek, Hatta Town, Palm Island, Heritage Village, Jumeirah Beach Park, Burj Al Arab Hotel, and the Jumeirah Archaeological Site.

Veteran tourists know that the best places to visit and the best experiences to enjoy are not in the guidebooks you buy in bookstores or airports. So before you fly to distant Dubai, try to read a few interesting articles about this country and have a blast exploring the rich culture and history of Dubai with your family and friends.