Why not consider taking a holiday in Hong Kong? While you may not have considered heading to this Chinese island in the past, it’s actually an ideal destination for experiencing both the holiday traditions that you’re used to – with a twist – as well as some new cultural traditions and experiences. And with Hong Kong flights both affordable and plentiful, taking a trip during the holidays is easier than ever. Before you go, though, there are a few things to keep in mind.

Weather in Hong Kong

While the weather might be warm and sunny at home in December, in Hong Kong, December marks the start of winter – and the temperatures will be much cooler than you’re used to. While residents of Hong Kong might be decked out in full winter regalia – heavy coats, hats, scarves and gloves – you probably won’t need to be that covered up. Temperatures rarely fall below 17C, and you’ll only need a light jacket or coat for the evenings. Hong Kong also tends to be relatively dry during the winter months. You may want to pack an umbrella for the odd rain shower, but you won’t need to fill your bags with extra rain gear.

Christmas Celebrations

You might be surprised to learn that Hong Kong is one of the top destinations in the world for the Christmas holidays. Between the holiday festivals and celebrations, the over-the-top decorations and generally festive atmosphere, Hong Kong comes alive at the holidays and visitors arrive from all over the world to soak up some holiday cheer.

One caveat, though: while Hong Kong is generally a premiere shopping destination for most of the year, you might want to do most of your holiday shopping at home before you leave. While many stores in other parts of the world offer huge discounts and sales in the weeks leading up to Christmas, in Hong Kong, you’re actually more likely to find higher prices than during the rest of the year.

That doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy the season in Hong Kong, though. The highlight of the season is the Hong Kong Winterfest, which starts at the end of November and runs through New Year’s Day. Throughout the season, the city is aglow with lights, and each evening in Victoria Harbour, a free light show delights spectators.

Hong Kong Disneyland is the place to go if you want to experience a traditional American-style holiday celebration. The park is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with gingerbread cottages, fake snow and appearances by Santa and well-known characters in their full holiday finery. It’s all very wholesome, and very over-the-top in the way that only Disney can do it.

In fact, if you’re looking for subtlety, Hong Kong is not the place for it. Spend some time exploring and taking in the elaborate holiday decorations. All of the major malls create elaborate displays, and the Hong Kong Tourism Board sponsors a tree in Statue Square each season; the tree, made by the Swarovski Company, is 30 meters tall and covered with glittering, lit crystals.

If you’re visiting in the week before Christmas – or planning to spend the holiday itself in the city – get tickets for a performance of the Hong Kong Ballet’s rendition of The Nutcracker, or Christmas with Hong Kong Philharmonic. If you can’t score tickets to those performances, you have a good chance of encountering an impromptu performance by traditional Christmas carolers. School and church groups gather together throughout the season to perform in parks and gardens, delighting locals and visitors alike.

Spending the Christmas holiday in Hong Kong is a magical experience, and well worth the trip. Don’t worry about missing out on the familiar foods and experiences – most hotels and restaurants offer traditional Christmas dinner, and you might find more Christmas celebrations and decorations here than you would at home, making it an ideal Christmas getaway spot.

This article was written by Keith Keene who grew up in Sydney, but now calls Hong Kong home. While he was initially concerned that he was going to miss the Christmas traditions of Australia when he relocated, he now considers the holidays in Hong Kong to be his favorite time of year.

Have you visited Hong Kong? During what time of the year? Did you like it? It is one of my favorite cities in the world, but what are your thoughts? Share them with us in the comments sections below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post What to Do During a Christmas Vacation in Hong Kong appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

For me, it was not – I had a blast!

Why Nha Trang

Mainland Nha Trang is a hot spot for tourist with its rows of modern-styled hotels offering accommodation you can book through sites like Expedia ranging from 2-5 stars, restaurants serving fresh seafood dishes (cooked in soup, fried, steamed, eaten raw) and that all alluring beachfront (good for an early morning walk, jog or run). If you think of Nha Trang as a vacation whilst already on vacation, everything you do will be amazing!

Having visited Saigon beforehand, I was already able to enrich myself in the culture, bath in traditional Vietnamese culinary delights and haggle with locals over inflated prices for goods and souvenirs, so for me Nha Trang was my vacation on my vacation.

So often overlooked by eager travellers, Nha Trang has more to offer then its tourist-y aesthetics. For Federico, it was a stopover on his way to Hanoi, but for me, it was an adventurous 4 days spent participating in more water activities then I thought possible led by the most humble locals I had ever met. I island-hopped and sun bathed on 3 different islands, went snorkelling and scuba diving at the beautiful and colourful Mun Island (which was a scary first experience, the sea is so vast).

Really, the Aquarium! I’ve never been a fan of visiting aquariums but upon seeing the shipwreck structure of the island, I urged our driver (boater?) to stopover Mieu Island so that I could see Vietnam’s biggest aquarium – Tri Nguyen’s Aquarium. A fellow traveller was wild animal-anomaly fanatic; he posed cheerily amongst fish that had heads bigger half his body!

After watching Rise of the Planet of the Apes on the plane, I guess I was more than apprehensive visiting Lao Island, better known to tourists as Monkey Island. Our tour guide on the day told us that there are well over 1,500 monkeys on the island and as soon as you step off the boat, you can an overwhelming sense of their numbers – you’re on their turf now!

We were given black bags to put all out lunches in because the monkeys were prone to swing by and just take it – no joke, this happened to a little four year old boy who had his cashew nuts taken off him and then cried for the rest of the monkey walk, possibly scarred for life! One experience I’ll remember for a long time to come would be when I was apprehensively approaching a baby monkey, palms open, about to offer it some nuts. Before I knew it, he had yanked at my denim jeans, scoured up the length of my body and sat on my shoulder. When this happened, the other travellers had a field day with the camera!

My last day in Nha Trang was spent relaxing at what is arguably an indulging spa experience worth every penny. At first, I was reluctant to go to Thap Ba Hot Springs, I mean really, I had a choice between re-living the childhood dreams of taking an amusement park by storm (Vin Pearl Land) or soaking in mud for an entire day. Opting for the experience, I decided to visit the mud baths and boy, were they worth it.

The mineral mud baths at Thap Ba have been filtered to their most raw form and natural, organic ingredients have been added to the mix for a treatment you never knew your skin needed. You go from soaking in the mud baths for over an hour straight to needle sharp showers that give a satisfying wash-down. Then you spend the rest of the day enjoying downtime in their spa and pool facilities. The locals love it and every tourist I spoke to on the day told me that they’d be coming back. My advice? Don’t just stay for a couple of hours, make a day of it – your mind and body will thank you for it!

Author Bio:

William Susetyo is the Editor-in-Chief of Accommodation.com. He was born in China and raised in Australia. Bitten by the travel bug, he has traveled extensively through Asia and Europe. Currently based in Sydney, he is a keen food enthusiast, hip hop dancer, dog lover, and jazz listener.

Have you visited Nha Trang? Did you enjoy it as much as William or, like I did, found the city a bit too noisy and overwhelming? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below and this post too if you liked it!

The post A Vacation in Nha Trang, Vietnam appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

1) Hi Richard, let’s begin by telling us a little bit about yourself: your background, experiences, travels…

I’ve been a bit of an accidental traveler and fell into jobs that took me all over the world. From my experiences abroad, I fell in love with traveling and the experiences it has given me over the years. Travel became a passion of mine that I knew I wanted to share with others.

I was born in Lima and then I moved to the U.S. when I was a child. Throughout my childhood, I spent many summers returning to Peru to visit family. It was during that time I developed my passion for the country.

After graduating from college in the U.S., I played professional soccer in Hong Kong for nearly three years. Then I returned to the U.S. and began working in the field of volunteerism. I worked with a program called Visions where I organized and coordinated a volunteer program in Peru for U.S. teenagers. I realized that this is what I wanted to do in my life. I wanted to share Peru with other individuals and help support the underprivileged communities in the process.

2) Why start an NGO? What prompted you to enter the world of volunteering?

I also fell into the world of volunteering by accident. I ran into an old friend at a college reunion and found out that his father was running a teen volunteer program called Visions. I began working with Visions, and I have been in the volunteering abroad space ever since – 15 years later!

The reason I started an NGO is because I envisioned a future for each country that would be self-sustainable. I wanted each of the countries where we have a ProWorld office to be self-sustainable, have the ability to raise funds, and collaborate with local governments and organizations.

3) Who were the primary actors that brought the group together? What roles did they take, e.g. funding, hosting, facilitating? Who were the initial members of the group?

ProWorld (or ProPeru as we were called at the time) was founded by me, my business partner, Nick Bryngelson, and a few trusted local contacts in the communities where we worked. We all did a little bit of everything to make the organization and the projects work. We would cook breakfast for the group participants, be on the ground working on the projects all day long, and even drive the buses home.

But as ProWorld began to grow, we started to focus our efforts on key areas, such as project development, volunteer recruitment or budget keeping. By knowing all aspects of the group needs, helping out with projects, and focusing on specialized areas, we were able to help grow of the organization and increase the impact of the projects.

4) What were the objectives of the group, and who decided them? Have those objectives changed over time, and why?

As a social enterprise, we have two fundamental objectives. The first objective is to sell and deliver meaningful experiences to our participants. The second is to ensure that our volunteer projects are meaningful and valuable for the communities we are working with. Nick and I formed our mission statement early on and have modified it only very slightly over the years. When we did, it was only to be more specific about how we would achieve those two key points.

5) What is the structure of the group? How has that structure changed over time? How does the structure reflect (or not) the activities of the group?

ProWorld is a social enterprise with a number of associated NGOs in countries where we send volunteers. This allows us to operate like a business but also similar to an NGO. The business sells the travel experience. The funding is then used to support the NGO’s in our host countries that coordinate and host the volunteers and execute the projects. This structure allows us to efficiently engage with our participants and our communities abroad.

6) Who funds the group (if funding is necessary)? How that funding is managed? Has the funding been consistent and, if not, how has that affected work?

As a social enterprise, all of our operational funding is generated out of program fees for the travel experiences. This means that all of the project materials, the field staff managing the projects, and onsite transportation are all paid by the ProWorld participants.

One of the main challenges for us is that funding is not always consistent. For example, when political troubles hit Thailand a few years ago, we had to discontinue our involvement in a few of our projects. Many potential participants did not feel comfortable volunteering in Thailand at the time, or in some cases, they were not able to fly into Bangkok. Without our participants, we have no volunteers to help execute our projects and very little to no funding.

7) What does impact mean to the group? What has the impact of the group been, and how has that impact been judged (informal) or measured (formal)?

Impact is an overused word these days…both as a noun and a verb! As an organization, we like to focus on longer lasting results that are perhaps a little more intangible. For example, while the brick and mortar of a new school we construct may show impact on a community – we also know that there are other things that may have an even greater impact. At ProWorld, we see longer lasting impact in agreements to guarantee salaries for the new teachers, or the degree in which we are successful ensuring communities’ investment and engagement in a project.

We have struggled to measure our impact, thought I believe we do it better than most volunteer organizations – but not nearly as well as many pure NGO’s. The small nature of most of our projects makes it difficult to track and measure. However, as an organization, we have developed and instituted a number of tools that we use to track our bigger and longer running projects. And to the extent that our local NGO’s are required to report activities to their local governments, we are forced to be better at it all the time.

8) What are the key issues the group has dealt with or is dealing with? What are the approaches that have been taken to address these issues (e.g. working groups)?

Over the years, we’ve dealt with the difficult balance of making sure we are providing the experience our participants are looking to achieve while also serving the communities. We have also dealt with the challenge of engaging in local projects where our funding swings up and down with enrollment increases and decreases.

The best approach to address these issues is to ensure all our stakeholders (participants and community members) understand our mission and our goals. We also reinforce those beliefs in each interaction we have with any of stakeholders. That ultimately sets expectations for everyone.

9) Where in the world is the group most actively involved in? Why? What other areas in the world do you feel ProWorld should intervene as soon as possible and why?

ProWorld has worked a great deal in Peru, which has our original and oldest locations. But we are also very active in several other countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia, including Ghana, Thailand and Belize, to name a few. The locations are selected through a process where we evaluate how effectively and safely we can serve our participants and community members through projects. I would love see ProWorld engage in some areas that are a little less traveled, or remote. However, if those places are not on the radar of our participants, we will not be able to manage and run projects there since there will be no funding for the work without participants!

10) Why do you think people from around the world should not only take time to volunteer, but pay to volunteer? What are the most common satisfactions volunteers take home once their time is over? What are some common complaints? Misconceptions?

In a world that is increasingly fast paced and pressurized, we want everything packaged, condensed and delivered quickly. We want our news, our food and now even our life changing experiences to be scheduled and quick. People have one week for this and they want the full, rich experience of accomplishing a lot – but to also have it be sustainable. While people cannot be faulted for wanting to have amazing, sustainable experiences on a single scheduled week once a year, they must also know that to make this happen, it requires a great deal of time and resources.
Finally, volunteers don’t often speak the language or have familiarity with the culture of the country they are going to – another challenge for finding a sustainable and impactful experience.

ProWorld understands that people want to connect and they don’t have much time to do it. And so, our job is to invest a lot of time and resources to ensure we are able to continue funding the projects by providing our volunteers the opportunity to engage with community members, work on sustainable projects, and accomplish those projects, or pieces of them, in their short period volunteer vacation.

The successful volunteers almost always comment on the friends and the people they met. It is the relationships that they form, even across language barriers, that satisfy them the most. In addition, they often enjoy having learned how complex and rich other cultures can be, and they are proud of the work they were able to share in during their time on site. But, I think it is also common for volunteers to wonder how much they were really able to help the community, and to be frustrated by culture shock they may have experienced while on their travel. That is one reason it helps to go with an organization and not just setting out on your own, so they have other volunteers and staff they can talk to about their experiences, frustrations and joys.

11) Any final comments?

Thank you very much for your time not only for this interview, but the time you are giving to help people around the world.

Thank you Richard for sharing your time with us and giving us these answers. We wish you the best of lucks in all your projects.

And now it’s your take:

Have you ever volunteered, or thought about volunteering? Where and why? What do you think about NGO’s like ProWorld in general? And about the volunteers who invest their money and time working abroad for no pay? Share your thoughts in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

If interested in volunteering around the world you can reach ProWorld via their website or contact them too via their Facebook Page

The post International Volunteering: Interviewing ProWorld Founder Richard Webb appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Jamaica is one of the Caribbean’s largest islands which means there are plenty of interesting things to do. To help you narrow down your choices, here are a few of my favorite beaches and watersports to enjoy  whenever you visit Rastafari island!

5.  Seven Mile Beach

Ok so maybe hitting the beach isn’t considered an ocean activity for some of you Mai Travel Site readers but in my books, it is! Head to the West Coast of Jamaica to Bloody Bay and use this spot as your starting point for a great beach walk. There are plenty of hotels, restaurants, and bars to stop in should you feel the need to drink a cold Red Stripe beer or Piña Colada made with Appleton rum. I suggest you apply a lot of sunscreen if you’re going to attempt this hike – starting early in the morning will also help you avoid the peak Caribbean sun.

4.  Scuba Diving

For anyone that’s been diving before, you’ll agree that being able to dive without a wetsuit is a real treat. Take advantage of the warm Caribbean waters and try your first diving lesson or for experienced divers, add some new dive sites to your repertoire. Local guides in the Negril area will probably suggest dive sites like the Blue Castle Shipwreck (40 feet), The Caves (30 – 50 feet), Sharks Reef (40 feet), and Throne Room (40 feet). Feel free to contact the Negril Scuba Center for more information on rates and dive sites.

3.  Snorkeling

This is a no-brainer ocean activity to try while vacationing in Jamaica. All you need is a mask, a snorkel, and maybe some fins and you’ll be ready to jump in pretty much anywhere along the coast. If you prefer something a little more organized, consider a snorkeling tour which can be arranged via your concierge or local operators like Kelly’s Water Sports.

2.  Deep Sea Fishing

Looking for a little man time? Why not try chartering a boat and venture out into the ocean on a deep sea fishing trip. The prime Marlin season takes place in the Fall and Winter months but according to Negril based Captain Stanley Carvallo, the fishing is pretty constant year round.  Sip some iced cold Red Stripes and catch up with your friends while you try to catch “the big one”. If you’re interested in this day excursion, contact Stanley’s Deep Sea Fishing

1.  Kiteboarding

This is for all of you adrenaline junkies, or those seeking a new challenge. Kitesurfing aka kiteboarding has become a very popular global sport. Using the wind to pull you around the ocean, this sport requires strength and total concentration. Nothing is more thrilling than getting some serious air-time once you get the hang of it. If you’re up to the challenge you can either find your own bay and launch from the beach or contact Kiteboarding Jamaica and inquire about lessons or tips on where the best spots are!

Enjoy your trip to Jamaica!

Jazz Poulin is an avid traveler and blogger, who regularly writes about his latest travels and villas for rent in Jamaica for the Luxury Retreats travel blog.

Have you visited Jamaica? What did you like most about the island? And least? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post Top 5 Best Things to do in Beaches of Jamaica appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

” Suppose you go on safari one day, it is really exciting, memorable and a different experience we all desire outside our usual environment. On our first day to go with clients on safari, with lots of expectations clients had many questions to do with gorillas and wildlife in the parks- and good enough, a few hours later you can start exploring the wilderness.

You catch the early morning sunrise with African birds singing,elephant families and other wildlife basking in the sun while getting ready to go and see man”s closest relatives, the gorillas and chimpanzees in the jungles.

What a wonderful experience! I have shared with travellers time and again while explaining ground information and ensuring a comfortable stay with us. Anybody interested can always give it a try by sharing costs with friends or negotiate for cheaper accommodations and safari.

The photos are from a recent safari at Bwindi Park for gorillas and Queen Elizabeth Park.

Godfrey Katongole ”

Godfrey Katongole is a photographer and  safari guide with Inside Uganda Tours Limited in Uganda, a local run travel company offering affordable safaris and outdoor activities in Uganda. Visit their website www.insideugandatours.co.ug for more information or contact Godfrey via email at godfreykatongole2005@yahoo.com

I still have not had the chance to join a safari, but have you? Where? Is it something you’d like to do?  Do you have any tips or a particular location you highly recommend? Have you seen gorillas in the wild? If you liked the photos please share this post, as well as your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!

The post Gorilla Watching and a Great Safari in Uganda appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

It’s no surprise that Cyprus weddings are so popular; not only is the island, which lies in that glorious stretch of Mediterranean Sea between Greece, Turkey, and Syria, touted by holiday brochures as ‘Aphrodite’s Island’ and the ‘Island of Love’, but it enjoys 340 days of sunshine a year and boasts a wealth of picture-perfect white, sandy beaches, ideal settings for saying ‘I do’. And was I going to be one of those lucky brides making her vows on a sun-kissed seashore or in one of the many quaint, rustic, Cypriot chapels? Erm…nope. Sadly, I was lacking a groom (which I’m told is a pretty important part of the whole wedding process). But on my recent trip to Cyprus, I’d resolved not to let my status as a singleton put a damper on my holidays; in fact, I was determined to prove that Cyprus offers much more than just a romantic setting for getting hitched.

Well equipped with cheap travel tips from guidebooks and websites like mydestinaion.com/cyprus, I began my solo jaunt across the island. To escape the midsummer heat – and the tourists – I travelled inland to the Troobos Mountains, a world away from resorts like Ayia Napa and Protaras, with their busy beaches, bustling bars, and raucous nightclubs. Here I found traditional villages, untouched by the tourist industry, still lying nestled in valleys, clinging to the slopes of Cyprus’ largest mountains. It was the largest of these mountains – Mt. Olympus – that I’d set my sights on climbing. And so, having strapped on my hiking boots and slapped on the sunblock, I began the 1,952 metre ascent. There’s a road that winds its way up to the peak, but anyone speeding past in a car misses out on the experience of meandering through the pine and juniper woods, spotting the wildlife, and enjoying that ‘Yes! I did it!’ feeling of reaching the peak on your own two feet. Cresting the summit, I may not have stumbled across the abode of the gods – as the mountain’s name would suggest – but I did find the ruins of a 16^th century Venetian fortress, as well as some splendid views of the sea and plains below.

Close to Mt. Olympus was another port of call: Kykkos monastery. One of the wealthiest monasteries in Cyprus, Kykkos houses a plethora of ornate mosaics and colourful frescoes, but the atmosphere is far from ostentatious; its location, high up in the Troodos Mountains, ensures a serene and peaceful mood. Entrance is free – which is a big plus for anyone travelling on a budget as tight as mine – but be warned: women must cover their legs if they want to enter the monastery. Unfortunately for me, I’d not been aware of this fact. Other female sightseers had wisely brought sarongs with them but I’d not had the same foresight, so a helpful family were kind enough to lend me their son’s Spiderman beach towel. I may not have been the height of fashion with a Marvel comic-book hero wrapped around my legs as I wandered through the monastery, trying desperately to look dignified, but at least my family and friends got a good laugh looking through my holiday photos!

Heading to the mountain village of Pano Platres for the night, I decided to sample some of the local hospitality and native cuisine. The friendly host of a small, family-run restaurant I’d stumbled across recommended the meze, and so – not really knowing what I was ordering – I asked for the whole lot. Twenty minutes later, I was sitting before a mountain of food: olives, tahini, tsatziki, fresh bread, salad, snails in a tomato sauce, pickled cauliflower, grilled halloumi cheese, and loukanika sausages. Glad that I was wearing shorts with an elastic waist band, I dove right in, washing the food down with a few too many glasses of the local spirit, Zivania – I wouldn’t be hiking up any other mountains the morning after, I assure you.

Cyprus proved to be so rich in culture, history, stunning natural beauty, and friendly locals that I never once felt a moment of loneliness on my travels around the island; every sun-kissed second was packed full of amazing sights, sounds, and tastes. And you know what? Cyprus’ reputation as ‘Aphrodite’s Island’ proved quite accurate, for while I was out there I did actually fall in love…with Cyprus itself!

Author Bio: Ceri Houlbrook

Ceri Houlbrook is from Manchester, England – no, she doesn’t support United – and her passions include reading, writing, hiking and travelling the globe in search of some adventure!

Have you visited Cyprus? What are your fondest memories of this beautiful island in the Mediterranean? How popular do you think it is as a travel destination? Share your thoughts below and this post too if you  liked it!

The post Falling in Love on Aphrodite’s Island of Cyprus appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Please tell us a bit of who you are and where you come from.

I am a backpacker, in a blue wheelchair, who travels the world alone…at least when I have the time and money! I am from Welland, Canada, which is very close to Niagara Falls. Now I live in Toronto, where I work in IT for a bank.

I had polio when I was 12 weeks old. I walked with crutches until I was 27 but it was too slow for me. Then I moved into the blue chair, and I was so much faster, I could go and travel.

What triggered the travel bug in you Walt?

I started travelling while playing wheelchair sports such as rugby, basketball and sledge hockey. I realised you could easily get on a plane, and then you just needed to figure out if you could do anything once you arrived there.

How did you plan for your first trip? What were your concerns? What precautions did you take, if any? Where did you go?

My first trip alone was to Europe on EurRail. I was concerned mostly about finding a place to stay and then a washroom that I could use. I always carry a big yogourt container to pee in, if I need it. Usually I was able to find a place that was w/c friendly, with the help of the tourist booths in Europe.

I went to 10 countries across Europe from France to Croatia, in 30 days.

Which were your first detinations? Why?

My first destination was Holland, as it was flat, was modern – so I knew it would be OK for my blue chair, and they spoke English widely. I needed to get some confidence at first. Then I went to Belgium and France, so I could try my high school french. I worked out quite well.

How long have you been a traveler for? How long are your trips on average? Why?

I have travelled since 1988, when I went to Yukon and Alaska with a buddy from my sports team. Then I went to Kenya to visit a pal who worked there. Finally, as mentioned, I travelled alone through Europe. In the old days I would travel for a few months, to get a real experience of being out in the world. I worked as a consultant, and could easily find a job on my return.

What do you pack? Do you include spare pieces for the wheel chair just in case?

I always pack spare inner tubes for my chair, as you can imagine. But normally I travel lightly, with only 1 week of clothes, as I can do the laundry on the road. I have a knapsack on the back of my chair, and a gym bag on my lap. That’s it.

How difficult is it to more around on a wheelchair, particularly in places like Africa where roads are not paved and buses are simple, old and cranky?

In Kenya I was visiting a friend who had a 4×4 so travel there was not bad, but in South Africa and Zambia, I usually used a taxi as they were cheap and reliable. The roads are dusty in Zambia, but paved and OK in SA. If you need to use a bus or train, you can ask for help and almost all people will help. That is a great thing I have used in my travels, a smile will go a long way.

How do people react when they see you in off beaten locations? Do they come up to you? What friendships arise from here?

Yes, many people are quite amazed. I stay in backpackers hostels, so that I can make friends and go on day trips out with them sometimes. When I am in a market the vendors are always looking for my travel buddy, as they cannot believe that I am alone. But they are always happy to see I am alone and then they ask lots of questions.

Like all backpackers, I have friends all over, so I can keep in touch with social networking websites. Some friends from England and Holland, whom I met in Thailand and Australia respectively, got married, and I was invited. When I arrived I got to sit right next to the bride, at the wedding! Now they have a child, and I am “Uncle Walt” when I visit.

I always try to meet up with old travel mates, when in their town, and it is so good to get caught up and re-live old times on the road.

You must have found yourself in weird, odd or even dangerous situations at some point, like most backpackers do, but with an added inconvenience. Do you have any you can share with us?

Yes, part of the charm of travelling is that things will go wrong, but you have to deal with it. For me, I came to the realisation very early, that the world isn’t built with a ramp.

The toughest for me was in Zambia, when I fell out of my chair just after arriving at Victoria Falls, and broke my leg! I had to go to an Egyptian doctor with a broken X-ray machine to get a cast put on. That was the end of the trip, and I had to go home but it was an experience!!

Also, in the seas of Indonesia, our small boat’s engine conked out in the dark, while we were waiting for a sunrise with the dolphins. I have bad balance and had a hard time hanging on, but we finally made it home and say the dolphins too!

What are your favourite 3 destinations so far? A place where you would not go back to? Where are you planning on going to next?

I loved Iguazu Falls at the border of Argentina, Brasil and Paraguay. There are 185 waterfalls in a jungle and the upper track is totally friendly for a chair.

Any destination in Africa is always great with me too, as that continent has so much scenery and wildlife, you can spend a lifetime there. Just don’t break your leg!!

Finally, Australia and NZ are great. Very modern and each country is totally different, but both have such friendly people and natural beauty.

There isn’t anywhere I wouldn’t go to, but I had a hard time in Rome and found the Roman people were not the friendliest or most helpful. But I would still go back and try again!

My next big trip overseas will be to India and Nepal, I just need to get the time off work!

Tell us about your book “Travels in a Blue Chair”. Why did you write it? Who are the targeted readers? What can they expect from it?

I wrote the book because all my friends read my emails home with my funny stories of travelling in a wheelchair and they loved them and told me to! I finally did it over a long , cold Canadian winter and it has been very well received.

I wanted people to know that disabled folks can do anything and a world of adventure awaits, you just have to try.

The targeted readers are anyone who loves to travel, not just disabled. But having said that, I do want friends and family of the disabled to read it. One of the great results of this book is the wonderful emails and even phone calls I have received from all over the world from disabled who have read the book and been inspired to travel themselves. They all loved it!

There are over 55 funny short stories, so you can pick it up, read one or two and then put it down. I am told it is great for the bathroom, lol, but I hope that is not a comment on the quality of the stories.

Do you have any final words for other disabled travelers who are afraid to hit the road?

For disabled travellers I can only urge you to try. Even start with a trip to a nearby city that you have always wanted to see. Start with a small wheel. After that the sky’s the limit. Thing will go wrong, they always do, but we are all in the world together, so if you just smile and ask for help, you will make a new friend and get to see the world a little easier. You may not get to see all of what you want to see, but you can truly enjoy those parts you can!

For other travellers, read the book and see if there is a positive way you can help by asking people at various places to try to put in a ramp or make the destination a bit friendlier for those of us who are out there also trying to see the world.

Thank you Walt! Any final comments?

If anyone does get the book, please ask you local library to order it too! Then even more people will be able to share it, enjoy the stories, and hopefully get to enjoy some travel too!

Walt has a webiste for his book ,  www.bluechairbook.com and a travel blog you can follow too: http://travelsinabluechair.blogspot.com/ . You can purchase Walt’s book on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble or any other large bookstores, OR you might want to check this site and participate in next week’s contest. I’ll be giving away 5 copies of “Travels on a Blue Chair”, one as a soft copy and the rest as ebooks. Stay tuned!

[Photos courtesy of Walt Balenovich]

What do you think about Walt’s story? What words come to your mind? Don’t you think his story is truely inspirational? Do you think you’d have the courage to travel like he does? Share your comments below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post Interviewing Walt Balenovich, a World Backpacker on a Blue Wheelchair. Alone. appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Unfortunately, as a celebratory fire cracker went off in the crowd (well, about 50 people), one of the cows in the parade (I’m from a very rural area) panicked and darted in front of the float causing the driver to brake suddenly. The (not-so-handsome) prince was supposed to pretend to kiss me (at regular intervals throughout the parade) but thanks to the sudden jerk in movement, he fell forward, planted a smacker right on my lips, and the bed then collapsed leaving me red-faced and traumatised beneath a pile of MDF.

Fortunately for me there were no cows on the loose at the spectacular Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival on the island of Tenerife – but surprisingly, there were an awful lot of sardines….

Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival is one of the world’s biggest annual festivals which takes place in either February or March, depending on the date of Easter. The festivities last up to two weeks and are on par with the world-renowned Rio de Janeiro festival in Brazil.

A week before Ash Wednesday the starting point of the carnival is marked with the Election of the Queen. The elected queen has an important role to play over the next 12 months as she represents Tenerife and promotes tourism at several global trade fairs. The costumes are huge and truly incredible creations which represent many different themes, but I certainly don’t envy the ladies having to carry the weight of gigantic headpieces in this glorious but rather scorching Tenerife weather.

The Opening Parade kicks off on the Friday as the elected Queen and her entourage take to the streets of Santa Cruz on a huge carnival float surrounded by hundreds of people dressed up in colourful glittering costumes and music comprising beating drums and Latin beats.

The festivities continue over the weekend with Latin music, dancing, energising parades, singing contests between the Rondellas murgas, comparsas and agrupaciones, and even more dazzling fancy dress costumes. On Shrove Tuesday the lively Coso Apotheosis parade takes place along the Avenida de Anaga and marks the official end of the first week of carnival celebrations.

Ash Wednesday is perhaps the most surreal stage of the carnival as festival-goers celebrate “The Burial of the Sardine” by dressing up in crepe paper outfits and walking through the streets of Santa Cruz alongside an enormous sardine made out of paper which they later set on fire. Despite Ash Wednesday being the official end of the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival, celebrations continue on throughout the weekend with the Saturday and Sunday of Piñata which provides plenty more excuses for live music, dancing, and glittering firework displays.

Some advice though if you plan to visit my destination, Tenerife during the Santa Cruz de Tenerife Carnival – don’t expect to get any sleep as the parties carry on into the small hours and remember to pack some glitter spray, glow sticks and a fancy dress costume – you don’t want to stand out in the crowd….

Author Bio: Anna Ridley

Anna Ridley is a freelance travel writer who has a passion for travel, writing and fizzy wine. After living in the French Alps for two years, she now lives back by the beach in Cornwall where she is attempting to work her way through her “bucket list”.

[Photo credits @ Flickr: starobs]

Some of these links might be making us some money, however we would not include them if we didn’t think they can benefit travelers.

Have you been to Tenerife in the Canary Islands? Did you have the chance to do so during Carnival? Which were the highlights of your trip? Share your experiences with us in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post Dancing to the Beat of the Santa Cruz De Tenerife Carnival appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Linking Ljutomer to Ormoz, a labyrinth of tiny country lanes takes you past a string of vineyards, the problem is not finding one, but choosing one (or three). The indecisive will be tortured by numerous wine related road signs (vinska cesta, vinotoc, vinogradniska…) which feature a pretty picture of a half full wine glass, just in case you missed the gist. However, don’t be fooled into believing you can trot in spontaneously to sample their delights – you must ring ahead to visit.  Thankfully for us, we pulled up to one vineyard just as a tour was beginning.

As we meandered around rows of barrels, our guide, Antonija enthused about the symphony of white wines Slovenia produces. She told us how the ‘Sipon’ wine became named so because of a French reaction that the wine was ‘c’est bon!’ and launched into how her father insisted she drink Kerner, a white reisling, with her evening meals from being a young girl.  Finally, the time of tasting arrived. Six glugs of graded sweetness were presented, to which we all feebly tried to offer intelligent commentary.  Antonija told us of the Slovenian proverb ‘speak the truth, but leave immediately after’ to which we offered, ‘mmmmmm….grapes!’

For visitors not fond of fruity pursuits, Slovenia still has plenty to offer.  With its historic charm and natural beauty, a variety of 3-5 star hotels and all the cheap airfares available online, Slovenia is a must-see. The Predjama castle in the South West sits impressively built into the cliff face, former home of Slovenia’s answer to Robin Hood, Erasmus.  Only four miles away, the Postojna cave, monument of Karst underground, has 12 miles of grottoes and tunnels awash with stalagmites and stalactites.  This is a fantastic place to visit when the weather is distinctly hostile; an electric train steers visitors through miles of lit galleries, sculpted halls and chambers followed by a mile long guided tour on foot.  The guided walk is made more spectacular by visitors who forget to bring warm clothes and swish around the cave, wizard-like, in hired felt cloaks.

We ran out of time, but apparently a Slovenian ‘must see’ for equine lovers is the Lipica stud farm, home of the white Lipizzaner horses renowned for their beauty and intelligence.  We opted instead to head back to Ljubljana for our final evening, stopping at a gostilna (tavern) for a last supper of traditional Slovenian fare washed down with…grape juice.

Author Bio: Scarlett Redman

Scarlett Redman is a postgraduate social researcher with a heavily stamped passport, an empty bank account and a desire to eternally dodge the ratrace…

Remember to click on the photos to view in full size!

Some of the links in this post might be making us some money, however we would not include them if we didn’t think they can benefir the traveler.

Have you visited this magical little country in Eastern Europe? What did you like best? Isn’t Bled one of the most picture perfect lakes you have ever seen? What other highlights would you recommend? Please share your thoughts below and this post too if you liked it!

The post Why Visit Slovenia? appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

My trip began in Dublin, as I imagine many of these trips do. Within a day I had pinned down the city and low and behold there was a Victorian novel involved. During the day, this infamous city provides any number of historical attractions and family venues to entertain an entire army of children, including the cryptically named Vaults and Lambert Puppet Theatre.

But by night, it overcame a Mr Jekyll/Hyde type transformation as the lights dimmed and the pubs and restaurants around the city opened their doors with an amber glow. When it comes to eateries, Dublin takes not only the biscuit but the entire cheeseboard. Every evening required more than one establishment to explore and experience, which was very doable considering many offer a delightful show to enjoy during dinner. If I could fill a paragraph with names, I still wouldn’t have done justice so I’ll recommend a select few knaves, particularly The Brazen Head, which samples from traditional folklore, and The Irish House Party, which just from the name you know will be excellent.

Leaving Dublin was like leaving a new friend with not enough time spent together and only a slightly scrawled phone number on a napkin, but my journey was not yet done. Next, I crossed the stomach of the country to visit Galway, the rugged brother of Dublin. Where Dublin is smart, Galway is savage; where Dublin is metropolitan, Galway is cultural. Galway is a place straight out of Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë.

Galway is a whole other beast to the capital and provided the perfect second act to my trip. Being in a more mountainous area, Galway is ideal for the ramblers amongst you and even I was quite taken by a walking tour in the Connemara National Park, complete with hour bus journey (prices vary).

The location and facilities of accommodation in Ireland really does depend on the individual budget, but one of the nicest surprises I came across was the high standard of B&Bs I came across in the two cities. I stayed in the Amber Hill Bed and Breakfast which offered the full range of rooms and prices, me being on the student budget, but with central location who could complain?

I was as devastated to leave Galway as I had been to leave Dublin but these two cities provided only the drop in the ocean of experiences that is Ireland. Plus returning home meant showing off the memorable and slightly off the wall souvenir of my trip: a bone that I carved myself from the Bone Carving Studio in Galway. Now, I’d better stop there…before I start quoting Frankenstein!

Author Bio: Matilda Lambert

Matilda Lambert is an English university student who is lucky enough to travel the world with many unusual adventures. Though often seen on long-haul flights, her true love is for Scandinavia and hopes to move there after her studies.

Have you visited Ireland? What in this country were you most fascinated by? The cliffs of Moher? Belfast’s turbulent past? Dublin’s cosmopolitan feel? The prairies? And if you haven’t been there, is it a place you’d like to visit soon? Why? Share your thoughts below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post Visiting Ireland for the First Time appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Problems start to arise when you start to consider the actual travel itself. Anyone who must move around in a wheelchair will tell you that it’s not the confines of their personal vehicle that makes them feel isolated and immobile; it’s the lack of ease in getting into and out of automobiles, airplanes, and other grander modes of transportation that contributes to their sense of restriction. Take the experiences of Ryan B., an Atlanta-based architect and disabled travel enthusiast. He and his wife recently took a European grand tour. “Trains take you to any city, but once you’re there, it’s cabs and car rentals. Coordinating the right vehicle was hard to do in three different languages, even with a wife that speaks German.” The experience affected Ryan and his wife’s plans to take an American road trip this summer.

Unfortunately getting in and out of automobiles is pretty much a requirement for going on vacation, so this presents problems. Not for the loved ones who certainly don’t mind exerting the energy it takes to get someone in a wheelchair in and out of motor vehicles and other craft, but for the disabled themselves who can’t help but feel burdensome at a time when they want their families to be enjoying themselves.

Even if a wheelchair accessible van has been outside your price range of possibility, renting one for a road trip isn’t hard to do. You can browse sites like Mobilityworks to find the right kind of vehicle model that will work best for you and your loved ones, or this Lonely Planet forum for disabled travelers has plenty of information and reviews from first hand experiences.  That way you don’t have to worry about being sold on pumped up features by the rental service.

Does this mean that traveling as a disabled individual is a cumbersome task? It might sure have its complications, but they are certainly not surmountable. Meet Walt Balenovich, the guy who traveled to 6 continents, as a backpacker, on a blue wheelchair:

Whether it’s the Grand Canyon or the Grand Cayman Islands no where is off limits if you put your mind to it. Not being able to walk doesn’t mean you have to take immobility sitting down. Enjoy what the world has to offer you because not only are the places themselves accessible but there are plenty of ways to get there. Or do you think otherwise?

Some of the links in this article might be making us some money, however we would not include them if we did not think they can benefit the traveler.

Are you a disabled traveler, or do you know one? What is the most common problem you find? Have these difficulties affected your travel desires? Share your thoughts below!

The post Disabled Travelers: Dream Destinations Are Accessible appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

One advantage to being amongst the few who travel to a country that is often feared by many tourists because of its turbulent history of racial discrimination, poverty and political issues, is that the friendly locals are more than welcoming and extremely hospitable to travellers. However, it’s probably best not to express your opinions on the political unrest, as the issue is sensitive amongst the Zimbabwe residents.

If you are looking for places to stay in Zimbabwe, there are a number of hostels, lodges, B&Bs and fancier hotels. During our time in the cities we opted for slightly more expensive hotels rooms as we were two girls travelling by ourselves, but once we headed out of the city we opted for rustic lodges and friendly B&Bs for an authentic African experience.

Food and drink in Zimbabwe is fresh and unprocessed – just how I like it. Normally I am fairly unadventurous when it comes to trying new food but I was pleasantly surprised with the local dishes. ‘Sadza’ soon became my favourite meal during my trip and despite its porridge-like appearance, it’s really tasty when you roll the maize mixture into balls and then dunk them into stew and gravy –just imagine sloppier, lumpier Yorkshire puddings. Remember to clap twice when you receive your food to say thank you!

Fortunately for me Zimbabwe is a fantastic wine-producing region and no trip is ever complete without a taste of the local tipple. The Busham Rock Estate sits in the Nyamasanga River Valley, 40km outside of Zimbabwe’s capital city Harare, and is a great place to sample some of the country’s finest wines whilst taking in some pretty spectacular views overlooking the estate’s 14 hectares of vineyards and surrounding rolling hills, under the blazing sun.

But of course, I could not travel all the way to Zimbabwe without a visit to the world’s largest waterfalls –Victoria Falls. The stunning falls are located on the Zambezi River between Zimbabwe and neighbouring country, Zambia. Famously known as one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the mile-long Victoria Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for me, one of Mother Nature’s most impressive creations.

The noise is deafening and don’t forget to take your cagoule because you will get a bit soggy! The remarkable thing about these falls is that the water doesn’t flow down from surrounding mountains or deep valleys, but instead from flat terrain which extends out by 100’s of kilometres. I was lucky enough to witness my very own breathtaking Victoria Falls rainbow, and I have since heard that when the moon is full, a shimmering ‘moonbow’ can be seen in the spray.

While you’re in the Victoria Falls area, one place I strongly recommend visiting is the country’s largest game reserve, Hwange National Park. This national park extends over 14,600 square kilometres and is home to some of the world’s most magnificent creatures including lions, elephants, buffalo, zebras, leopards, rhinos, impala, kudu, and hundred of different species of birds.

Despite my preconception of Zimbabwe, this is one place I would highly recommend to travellers who are seeking natural unspoiled beauty and thrilling adventures. If that hasn’t convinced you, surely the chance of seeing a magical moonbow at Full Moon will tempt you to this beautiful and flourishing African nation?

Author bio: Anna Ridley

Anna Ridley is a freelance travel writer who has a passion for travel, writing and fizzy wine. After living in the French Alps for two years, she now lives back by the beach in Cornwall where she is attempting to work her way through her “bucket list”.

Some of these links could be making us some money, however we would not include them if we didn’t think they can benefit travelers

Is Zimbabwe a country you had ever considered visiting? Has article post made you re-consider your opinion? What do you think would be the highlight of your trip? Share your thoughts below, and this post too if you  liked it!

Click on photos to view in full size!

The post Somewhere Over the Moonbow in Zimbabwe appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Probably the best way to explore the real Bulgaria off the beaten track is by car (beware of fake policemen on your travels though, no joke!). It’s safe to say my travels from the mountains in the West to the shores of the Black Sea in the East were almost like a journey through time … albeit a bumpy one, as I mostly had to go along pothole-riddled country roads. You come across speeding nouveaux riches in their shiny SUVs and rickety horse or donkey-drawn carriages with Roma families, swanky luxury hotels and ramshackle prefabricated houses, hoisted EU flags and post socialist decline … it’s a country full of contrasts.

One of the things that often springs to mind when you first hear about Bulgaria is the party scene along Sunny Beach and Golden Sands on the Black Sea Coast. It’s well-known as a low price party destination and occasionally referred to as the ‘Ballermann of the Balkans’ in reference to the party zone of Mallorca … the German-speakers amongst you will know what I’m talking about! I have to admit, however, this part of the country isn’t quite my scene. The area has been concreted over and is built up with hotels that line the seafront … and it all seems to have happened in a rather willy-nilly fashion. Cheap drinks (beers cost less than a euro), cheap girls (no comment on prices there!) and binge-drinking teenagers weren’t exactly what I’d associated with Bulgaria and what I’d hoped for!

There’s so much more to Bulgaria that can make your stay memorable. I’d recommend the interior of the country around Plovdiv and Asenovgrad, not to mention the capital city Sofia as well as the mountainous region in the West. It boasts millennia-old history, stunning UNESCO heritage sites and an inexhaustible supply of natural and cultural assets … all with a pinch of oriental features. Sofia is the perfect starting point for any Bulgaria adventure. In order to get a feel for the city you shouldn’t only visit the main monuments and shops but also the Zhenski Pazar market not far from the centre. It’s a very typical Bulgarian market with an oriental flair, vivid haggling and exuberant yelling … just make sure you keep an eye on your belongings as pickpockets roam the streets in many areas! Just a casual wander will lead you past churches, mosques and synagogues that are testament to the city’s eventful past. Make sure you swing by the Alexander-Nevsky Cathedral and Bojanska CerkvaChurch to see their stunning fresco paintings which date back to the 13^th century; they’re well worth a visit! Another must see is the ancient amphitheatre of Plovdiv which hosts wallet-friendly theatrical plays, musical shows and choir performances in a particularly mystic setting. Generally I was quite amazed at the fact that many monuments (e.g. the Orpheus Temple near Kardzhali) were found to be older than the pyramids of Egypt and other historic sites in Greece or Italy!

However, if you’re aiming to get to know a slightly different side of Bulgaria you should head there in the winter. Surprisingly enough, Bulgaria boasts a number of fantastic ski resorts that largely measure up to its Alpine counterparts! Bansko ranks among the country’s most popular resorts and is just a two-hour drive from Sofia. Good value for money, skiing until midnight thanks to floodlights and a season that generally ends in May make for perfect conditions for any avid skier or snowboarder. In this small town the 15^th century old buildings with impressive wood carvings and fresco paintings sit side by side with lavish hotels and thus form a very quirky contrast. If you want to eat out in Bulgaria, cosy traditional taverns and restaurants that offer regional delicacies are the perfect haunt for foodies! Make sure you also swing by some of Bansko’s ‘mechanas’, traditional inns which provide the perfect setting for any après-ski session … open fires, plenty of beer and chanting and yummy local delicacies, what more can you ask for?

By Rob Melau

Rob Melau, decided to study tourism management to combine his professional career with his passion for travel. He lived in England and France for a while and is already on the lookout for the next adventure somewhere in Asia or South America. Enjoys writing, sports and any type of outdoor activity

Have you ever considered Bulgaria as an adventure travel destination? Have you been there? I know I loved the food, and there are great beaches too…what did you like best? And least?

The post Where is Bulgaria? Where Past Meets Present appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

We opted into an igloo building workshop at the Jacques-Cartier park (the Eskimo life isn’t for me, clearly) and wandered around dozens of immaculately carved ice sculptures, from detailed polar bears through to a Scotsman, resplendent in full regalia.  Youngsters squeezed themselves into mini igloos whilst others launched themselves off a human snow slide, hurtling down the ice with fear and excitement. There are plenty of museums for children in Ottawa too, and the occasional ‘teddy’ mascots wandered around, Disney style, ready to pose for pictures and administer cuddles where necessary; I did debate ensnaring one myself but he looked so dejected and fed up, I left him to wallow in his lunch break, choosing instead to hunt down a drink (served in an ice glass, from an ice counter, to drink on an ice chair, obviously).

In winter, the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO heritage site) becomes the Rideau Canal skate-way, the largest ice rink in the world at nearly 8km long: a must-visit during Winterlude. If intending to go sakting on the rideau canal in full, the starting point lies near the parliament buildings and leads you (exhausted and traumatised from nimble children) to a youth gallery on Dows Lake.  As I laced up my (slightly too large) skates tight around my ankles, blocking out the flashbacks to bumps and bruises from my teen years, three kids jostled past, excitedly regaling horror stories of people losing their fingers whilst their mum chipped in with ‘Well, keep them out of the way then, because I didn’t bring my sewing machine’. My comrade and I agreed to cling onto each other for dear life, if one goes down, you both go down.  The skate-way is fettered with rest stops for the weary to re-fuel via a gamut of sugary goodies and to observe an army of humans trying desperately not to lose balance (and face) on the frozen canal. Small children in sleighs gleefully squealed, oblivious to their grumpy carer towing them along like reindeer, whilst romantic (if somewhat hasty) kisses of hand-holding couples were glimpsed as we tucked into an enormous bag of sweets.

Dining out in Ontario, until my final night, had mostly been of modest fare, however I couldn’t resist the allure of ‘Garlics’, a more upmarket restaurant promising to offer garlic in its starters, mains and desserts. Over a decadent couple of hours, I slurped a roasted garlic and onion bisque, cautiously tucked into a main of elk (no it doesn’t taste like chicken!) and braved the house-churned ice cream concoction of roasted garlic, bee pollen and honey. A fun experience to end a unique trip, I’m not sure the unfortunates seated close by on the plane shared my love of the whiffy vegetable…

Scarlett is a postgraduate social researcher with a heavily stamped passport, an empty bank account and a desire to eternally dodge the rat race…

Had you heard about Winterlude in Ottawa? Been there? What was yout favorite part of it? What would you recommend future visitors don’t miss? Share your thoughts below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post Winterlude in Ottawa, Ontario appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

One such way to immerse yourself in the local way of life is by joining local fishermen to find out more about their daily routine. Many fishing villages along the coast offer special day trips so I decided to hop on a trawler and experience first-hand how the fish and squids are first caught, then sold at fish markets and finally prepped in restaurants. Another way to familiarise yourself with the Spanish culture and lifestyle is by attending some of the country’s numerous festivals. Spain is home to an estimated 25,000 public festivals per year (i.e. one every 20 minutes!) many of which have achieved worldwide acclaim. Word is that a country’s festivals are testament to the character and mentality of its people. Well, it’s safe to say the Spanish always find a reason to celebrate, no matter how surreal or far-fetched it may appear. Festivals where locals throw tons of food at each other (tomatoes, eggs, wine, oranges etc.) are plentiful. However, one of the wackiest things I’ve ever seen was a religious procession in a tiny town called Las Nieves in North-western Galicia. I had to do a double-take when I found out it was a pilgrimage for those who have recently escaped death. More specifically, those people who have had near-death experiences due to an accident or disease are carried around town in open coffins. The final destination of the procession is the local church where the ‘coffin testers’ relate how they were able to cheat death! The pilgrimage is then followed by a huge party with fireworks, street music, folk dances and, needless to say, loads to drink and eat! Just make sure you arrive early because people flock to the spectacle in droves and the streets are usually inundated with tourists and locals by 10am.

Culture aside, Galicia is also the perfect haunt for any outdoor addict. The rugged coastline is highly diverse and dotted with tranquil beaches and stunning cliffs, interspersed with hidden bays and inlets which are locally known as rias. My favourites are the islands off the Galician West coast. Some of them are largely uncharted territory on the tourist map and even many Spaniards are still unaware of these picturesque islets which form one of Spain’s most idyllic national parks. Unfortunately, ever since ‘Praia das Rodas’ on Cies Island was voted the world’s most beautiful beach by a British newspaper, hordes of tourists flock to the island and spoil the quaint ambiance shaped by sun-drenched beaches and contrasting pine and eucalyptus woods. By the way, don’t be surprised if you see the odd load of poo fly past you … the islands are home to one of the world’s largest seagull colonies!

I personally much preferred Ons Island which sits just off a fjord-like inlet close to Pontevedra. It’s the only inhabited island out of the Atlantic archipelago and far from any sign of civilization. No cars, no noise and only a handful of people make it a perfect retreat to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of city life! At some point during my travels I decided I wanted to keep clear of all the well-trodden tourist trails and stayed at the island’s only guesthouse for a couple of days. The island is well-known for its outstanding seafood so don’t miss out on the local empanadas filled with octopus…yummy! If you want to get a bit active there’s plenty of hidden coves near Burato do Inferno that are ideal for swimming and snorkeling. There’s even a nudist beach further up North. However, if you decide to leave behind not only your worries but also your clothes don’t be surprised if people give you strange looks … skinny-dipping isn’t very common in the north of Spain!

Author Bio: Rob Melau

Rob Melau, decided to study tourism management to combine his professional career with his passion for travel. He lived in England and France for a while and is already on the lookout for the next adventure somewhere in Asia or South America. Enjoys writing, sports and any type of outdoor activity.

Have you visited Galicia, or perhaps even trekked the Camino de Santiago? What did you like best? What would you suggest other visitors skip? Share your highlights in the comments section below, and this post too if you liked it!

The post The Camino to Galicia– Dark Horse of Spain appeared first on MaiTravelSite.

Having never been to the Persian Gulf I didn’t know what to expect. On the plane I looked out the window onto the desert, nothing for miles but a small silver light in the distance. As we neared the recently renovated Dubai International Airport I saw that small light turn into a massive emerald city with the enormous Burj Khalifa building marking the skyline. I caught myself with a jaw fully opened at the beauty that was Dubai.

Knowing that Dubai had a reputation for being quite pricy as soon as I landed I went online to MyDubaiInfo.com to gauge where I could possibly stay in this new city. To my surprise it was possible to find budget lodging with the Qamardeen Hotel costing $85 to $290 a night. With a little more searching and perhaps an earlier booking I could imagine it being much more affordable.

Finding things to do isn’t very hard when you’re located in one of the busiest cities in the world as there are many day trips you can do. Only a short bus from the city center the Shallow Water Dolphin Experience was something that I’d recommend to anyone interested in sea life. With a variety of activities, you can, like me, even get to feed one of the dolphins! (Even though I was fairly certain that this activity was reserved for children)

Feeling hungry, dining in Dubai leaves an individual with many choices and prices. I wanted to see a different angle of the city and still have the comfort of a good meal. The boat-restaurant Bateaux Dubai was recommended to me by one of the tourist centres and I immediately found my way to the docks. The cruise may leave your wallet a bit empty but you can’t put a price on but seeing the city in the gentle reflection of the water. The variety of dishes, from Canadian Salmon to Australian Beef, will leave you with a great deal of choice as you’re gently gliding through the city.

Leaving the best for last, the Burj Khalifa experience is perhaps one of the most surreal adventures I’ve ever been on. Tickets to enjoy the tallest building in the world are around $65 for an adult but with pre-purchased tickets it could cost you a fraction less. Going up one of the quickest lifts in the world, it felt more like a theme park ride than just a mode of transportation. Finally seeing all of Dubai from the very top made me realize why I agreed to go on the trip. Gazing upon the tilt in the globe in the Arabian dawn, the experiences in Dubai will last me a lifetime. An adventure in the desert, Dubai is one of the most magical places in the world.

Michal Kniec, after completing a History degree in Canada, decided that a little change of scenery would do him some good and moved across the world to Manchester. Now studying law, he loves to write, cook, and travel as much as possible on this pale blue dot.

What would you expect to find in Dubai? Have you been there? What tips would you give to the budget traveler? Comment below and share this post if you liked it!

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In order to get myself into the right frame of mind I read a supposedly famous book by Henno Martin entitled ’The Sheltering Desert’. It tells the story of two German geologists working in Namibia in the 1940s who faced imprisonment during the Second World War as ‘hostile foreigners’. As a consequence they fled to the Namibian desert where they lived for two gruelling years (Yes, true story!). But why am I telling you this? Well, I’m obviously not aiming to write a blurb and tout this book but I have to admit it helped me get an insight into the Namibian way of life and spirit of the country that I was going to experience during my trip. But literature aside … altogether I spent three weeks travelling around the country which is truly immense and very sparsely populated. Once you leave the well-trodden tourist trails, most of the time there’s not a soul to be seen. Namibia is actually almost four times the size of the UK with a mere 2.2 million inhabitants, just to give you an idea of its dimensions.

Well, when I flew into Windhoek I decided to hang around for a couple of days and explore the surroundings before heading to Swakopmund and Walvis Bay on the coast. There’s actually not that much to be seen in the capital. But only two days into my trip I witnessed an event which seemed utterly out of place. I obviously knew that Namibia once used to be a German colony (if you fancy a bit of German flair and architecture you should swing by Swakopmund and Luederitz), but I had to do a double take when I got caught up in a German-inspired carnival procession in the centre of Windhoek. Apparently, as I was told by a local, German-style carnival parades with carriages, loud thumping music and all that jazz take place all year round in Windhoek, Swakopmund, Tsumeb and other locations (so they’re even more obsessed with it down there than in Cologne, the German stronghold of carnival!). As far as dining in Namibia is concerned, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that the odd restaurant also offers succulent German bratwurst, beer and cheesecake with whipped cream. Who would have thought all that?! Rather than heading to distant Namibia, I simply could have hopped on an Easyjet flight and travelled to the ‘real’ Germany!

But enough of my ramblings about former colonial powers and influences. Namibia is a stunning country and unlike any other place. It boasts wide open spaces, massive undulating sand dunes that probably eclipse anything you’ve ever seen before, unique indigenous cultures like the Himba (see first picture in post) who live as they have for centuries, rugged savannahs and impressive wildlife … I’m actually running out of adjectives to describe this country. Either way, if you fancy some really mind-blowing scenery just make sure you visit the Fish River Canyon in the south, the second largest canyon in the world!

There’s so much more to tell about Namibia, but I think I should probably stop here. And just to get back to the food and finish my story … since Namibia is such a fusion of cultures its cuisine is very diverse and sumptuous. You should most certainly try the local ’braaivleis’ which is a yummy barbecue with zebra, ostrich or other types of meat. So overall there’s definitely more to Namibia than German bratwurst and carnival, but see for yourself!

Author bio: Rob Melau decided to study tourism management to combine his professional career with his passion for travel. He lived in England and France for a while and is already on the lookout for the next adventure somewhere in Asia or South America. Rob enjoys writing, sports and any type of outdoor activity.

[Some of these links might be making us some money, however we wouldn’t include them if we didn’t think they can be useful to the traveler. Photo credits: Himba ladies @shuttlenamibia.com]

Are you an Africa expert? Have you visited Namibia? What are must-see places you visited, and others you wish you had? Share your suggestions with us in the comment section below, and this post too if you liked it!

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“You’re going to Jo’burg?” My parents said… “BE CAREFUL!” And they weren’t the only ones… Everybody I seemed to tell about my trip had that same worried look on their face as they told me to take care, be vigilant and not to venture out of the city centre. Those of course were the people that hadn’t been to ‘Jozi’, the people who merely relied on horror stories they had heard in the press. Anybody who had been lucky enough to visit the city of Johannesburg for themselves told me that, like in Cape Town, I was going to have a ball and would want to go back again, and again.

Many people use Jo’burg simply as an overnight stopover for visiting other places in South Africa or heading off on safari, but having checked out MyJohannesburgInfo I realised that Jozi really is a destination in its own right so I decided to book 5 days there. I opted to stay in Rutland House Bed and Breakfast as they seemed to offer good value for money, a beautiful swimming pool and breakfast at whatever time I required it. Located between Hyde Park, Rosebank, Randburg and Sandton this was an ideal base for exploring the city.

My days were jam packed with visits to the Montecasino bird gardens, the African craft market, A visit to the Central Business District if Newtown – which culminated in a tour of the South African Breweries World of Beer! Being a student I was determined to check out what student life was like Johannesburg style so I headed down to trendy Melville where I sipped on cocktails at Buzz 9 and chatted to the local students. At the end of my trip I even managed to find time to fit in a round of golf!

Although the city centre of Johannesburg seems to be racially mixed I was determined to catch a glimpse of the real Jo’burg and the real people as I couldn’t help but believe that what I was seeing was merely a facade for a much bleaker picture. I booked an organised tour to Soweto (South Western Township) and went armed with pens, pencils, paper and sweets to give out to the children. In my mind I had (naively) believed that Soweto formed a small part of the city. The reality is that Soweto is an area of 65 square km and home to 3.5million people. According to my guide, Soweto is in a much better position than it was ten years ago but the area is still rundown with matchbox houses and comes in stark contrast to the glistening city centre.

My afternoon in Soweto was a real eye-opener to the apartheid and how, although no longer present, its effects are still felt in modern day South Africa. After chatting to some of the locals and handing out my goodies I ventured to the nearby Hector Peterson Memorial & Museum as well as the Nelson Mandela Museum, both of which were hugely informative and interesting.

Back in the centre of Jo’burg itself I took the opportunity to lunch at a fantastic restaurant called the ‘Butcher Shop & Grill’ in Nelson Mandela Square. I opted for the smoked springbok carpaccio followed by the Oxtail, both of which were perfectly cooked and left me wanting more. The location of this eatery means that after lunch its worthwhile heading to the nearby Lion Park Gauteng which sits somewhere between being a game park and a zoo. I got the chance to cuddle up to some beautiful white lion cubs – an opportunity not to be missed!

Another place on my to-do-list was to visit Constitution Hill, South Africa’s highest court and a former prison where the likes of Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela found themselves imprisoned. As with Soweto, this isn’t necessarily something to do for ‘fun’ but if, like me, you’re interested in the history of South Africa then this is well worth a visit. At the site there is also a wall called the ‘We the people Wall’ which features inspirational contributions from Nelson Mandela and other ex-prisoners to ordinary people across South Africa.

As everybody that had visited previously told me, I left Jozi having fallen head-over-heels in love with the place and the people and desperate to book another trip back. Yes, I did have to be careful and I did have to watch out for my personal belongings… but isn’t this the case with any big city in the world? My trip to Jo’burg offered a little bit of everything – history, culture, fun, good food and great nightlife. I will most definitely be returning and will of course be persuading others to take the plunge and book that trip. Jozi truly is one of a kind.

Today’s guest post was written by Sophie Fraser. Sophie  is from London and loves to visit new and exciting places… one day she hopes to travel the world. You can follow her in Twitter @SFraser123

Have you been to South Africa? Did you skip Johannesburg like most people or did take your time to explore the city? Would you spend a few days if you have them? What do you recommend?

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How about Vegas? If you think that cheap holidays to Las Vegas are a myth then think again. Sin city is packed with free and affordable entertainment, food is plentiful and comes for a flat fee, and Las Vegas hotels still offer great value rates to entice the gamblers in.

Far from being all casinos and slot machines, Vegas is home to some of the world’s best entertainment, and some of it is absolutely free. Pop into Tropicana during the afternoon for a free floor show that barely touches the floor, featuring daredevil trapeze stunts and glittering costumes, head over to the Bellagio as night falls to watch the famous fountains strut their stuff, spurting metres into the air above your head, or rock up to the Mirage after dark to watch the impressive man-made volcano light up the night.

Most of the Strip’s main hotels offer some kind of free show to get you through the doors and some have affordable attractions too. The rollercoaster at New York New York will take you for a spin around this vast Big Apple themed hotel for just $14, while the thrill rides on top of Stratosphere will mess with your head at 350 metres above the Strip for just $12.

When it’s time to eat, tuck in to one of the megahotels’ famous all-you-can-eat buffets. Head over to Excalibur at 11am and you could combine a late breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea with the $15.99 buffet, pigging out until 3pm. If you’ve got a little more cash to spend, the Bellagio has the most opulent buffet on the Strip, serving up a weekend brunch of succulent seafood, a range of classic Italian, Japanese, Chinese and American dishes, and endless mouthwatering cakes for just $24.95. You can even add a bottomless glass of champagne for just $5.

Spend all day soaking up the atmosphere in the Strip’s most opulent hotels but when it comes to choosing a place to lay your head, set your sights a little lower and you’ll save a packet. Circus Circus has spacious rooms and the world’s largest permanent circus (free to enter), while the Imperial Palace offers newly remodeled rooms and a large swimming pool complete with Jacuzzi. You could even stay at the Strip’s most iconic hotel, the historic Flamingo which in true Vegas style has been sidelined by the newer, bolder hotels around it (and is consequently cheaper). You’ll find vast rooms here equipped with everything you really need, plus a 15-acre tropical pool area and a free shuttle to the other Harrah hotels.

However much you have to spend, look to Las Vegas and you might just find it’s within your budget. And if there’s anything left over, head to the casino and put it on red you may even leave with more than you came with!

Been to Vegas? Do you have any money saving secrets you are willing to give away? Which is, in your opinion, the attraction not to miss? Comment below, check my other article with tips to visit Las Vegas on a budget and please share this post if you liked it!

Photo credits @Flickr: Patrick World, jsigharas, kmiller799

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A trip to Phuket (Thailand) had always been on my travelling list but this faraway place (thirteen hours to be precise), had always seemed just a little out of my clutches, not to mention my budget. The little knowledge that I had gleamed of Southeast Asia had come from the rather dubious source of The Beach, that infamous film that gripped the nation with its gritty drama (and of course the rather divine, Leonardo Dicaprio). Portraying a remote island of paradisiacal beaches where unwashed 20-somethings could ‘live off the land’ and backpack beyond their wildest dreams, most of my views of Thailand hinged upon this film. Tragic I know, but having never had the luxury to pack up my life into a pint-sized bag to embark on a soul-searching trail, I had no choice but to believe this portrayal.

Following years of scraping the pennies together and denying my true nomadic nature, I decided to take the plunge and book a trip to Phuket (Thailand) to be more specific. After looking for adventure travel tips on sites like MyPhuketInfo.com, I thought Thailand’s largest island situated on the southern Thai coastline would be the perfect place to unfurl whether this remote tropical paradise really did exist.

Already feeling like the Farang (westerner) that I was, arriving in Phuket with expectations of a remote and secluded island left me feeling even more embarrassed by my obvious naivety. An island connected to the mainland by three main bridges, Phuket is far from secluded. Instead I was greeted with a vibrant hub of activity as locals and expats went about their daily duties. Market stalls, street vendors and hawker stalls lined the roads and the odd person carrying an overflowing rattan basket of Thai food meandered between the tuk-tuk’s rushing by. Not what I was expecting but needless to say I delved in head-first to fully exploit the bounty before me. Just a few highlights include the straight-from-the-wok noodles in Phuket Town, the vegetarian buffet on Bangkok road and the fruit market on Ranong Road, (yes, I do like my food!)

Knowing that guesthouses were among the cheapest places to stay in a trip to Phuket (thanks to oh mighty google), I had booked to stay at Shanti Lodge, a small guesthouse run by a friendly African/Australian family, nestled between Phuket city and Chalong bay (costing me 750 baht a night). Pleased for a little shade from Phuket’s hot and humid weather, I jumped on a local beach bus known as a Songthaew (the cheapest way to travel around Thailand) to reach my lodgings. Mentally preparing myself for a modest stay of the thatched-roof variety, I was surprised to find a lovely double room with a shared bathroom, (once again The Beach had led me astray).

To find out once and for all I joined an organised boat tour to Koh Phi Phi Leh, the uninhabited island on the southernmost tip of Phi Phi Don and the glorious backdrop to the main culprit of my views-The Beach. Did I find glorious remoteness? Well, yes and no. Remoteness, no; ferries and long-tails carried eager snorkelers and scuba divers by the boat-load to the various beaches of the bay. Gloriousness, yes; the view of verdant vertical cliffs enclosing a tropical reef, resplendent with white sandy beaches was truly spectacular.

Opening my eyes to the real heart and soul of Thailand, my trip to Phuket was a journey of discovery, just not the one I was expecting. Rather than finding remote seclusion, I experienced a vibrant hub of thriving culture amongst stunning tropical scenery. While nowhere near The Beach’s portrayal (and even without the gorgeous Leo in sight), Phuket offered a taste of modern paradise that would come highly recommended by me.

If you’ve been to Thailand you’ve probably been to Phuket too. How did you feel when you arrived? Would you recommend Phuket or would you rather suggest readers go elsewhere? Where to?

Author Bio: Isabella Rose is an enthusiastic traveler with a love of adventure. Having studied History of Art and Italian at university, it has been her lifelong dream to move to Italy to revel in the art, culture and of course the gelato! You can follow her through Twitter at @IzzaRoseB

[Some of the links might be making us some money, but we would not include them if we didn’t think they could be useful to travelers]

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